Guyana Times Tuesday August 13, 2019

Eid-ul-Adha encompasses act of purity – Imam Aabidi Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tullow strikes oil offshore Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4014

P12

tuesday, august 13, 2019

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Mom who used daughters as sex slaves to identify P8 “clients” – Police source

300 ganja P9 plants destroyed at Whim

…share prices, interest in Guyana jump

Prison Service blocks Lusignan landfill site entrance – NDC Chairman P9 Page 3

…calls for Central Govt intervention

Gunmen rob, beat Corentyne family Page 11

CAPE results to be released today Page 2

80-year-old arrested for sexually assaulting 12-year-old …neighbours scaled man’s fence to rescue See story on page 9

…official CSEC release date set for Thursday teen ─ Police source

Kamwatta village faced with drug shortage, illnesses among migrants – Toshao

Page 2

…construction of main access bridge delayed

All flight P13 activities must be approved by GCAA – Aviation Authority warns GRDB receives int’l help to P11 fight paddy bug infestation

2 News CAPE results to Kamwatta village faced with drug shortage, illnesses among migrants – Toshao be released today …construction of main access bridge delayed …official CSEC release date set for Thursday T A Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

fter much anticipation, students who sat the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exam (CAPE) earlier this year will be able to view their results today on the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) website.

Those who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) during the period of May to June will be handed their results on Thursday.

The examinations body informed on Monday, “The CAPE and CSEC release dates of 13 August and 15 August, respectively, are highly anticipated by students, in order to determine how they performed in their examinations and how they will proceed on their educational journeys”.

Due to increased traffic on the examinations portal, a decision was made to implement a new system for students to obtain their results. In the past, all countries could have access to the grades at once but this time around, each country was given a specific timeline to monitor the number of users.

The examinations body added that in the past, students may have experienced access issues due to the high

volume of traffic received on the CXC website, where the results were scheduled to be released.

“This year, in order to ensure that students have easy access to the results portal, CXC will release results at varying times throughout the day. The new approach will mean

decreased numbers of students visiting the website at one specific time. Results will be released to specific countries for a window of time between two to three hours on release dates,” the Council said.

Students in Guyana can access their grades between 13:15h – 14:15h on the release date. Subsequently, results will be available freely until the portal is closed.

This year, the regional

examination council celebrated its 40th anniversary and renewed commitment towards “preparing students of all ages, abilities and interests for an ever-changing, competitive, global employment market, through the provision of the highest quality syllabuses; valid and reliable examina-

tions and certificates of international repute”.

While the CSEC results serve as proof of completion of the secondary education level, CAPE programmes are recorded as an additional qualification in vocational and academic studies.

Before the official announcement, the regional pass rate for some subject areas is released to education officials within each territory. To obtain a pass, a Grade One to Three must be secured.

he small village of Kamwatta Hill in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini), has been plagued by a number of alarming issues, from the delayed construction of the main access bridge to inadequate medical supplies, which are yet to be addressed.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, Toshao of Kamwatta Hill, Maurice Henry stated that complaints were being raised by health officials about the shortage of medicines for quite some time. It was also a trending shortcoming among previous healthcare workers. The village is currently inhabited by 377 residents and over 60 migrants, making accessible healthcare essential.

“There is shortage of drugs for a long while.

There’s a young health worker who recently started working and he said he hasn’t received any kind of drugs in adequate amounts although they made requests. When the former health worker was there, we used to get complaints about the shortage of drugs,” Henry noted.

He said this issue comes on the heels of various sicknesses among the migrants, who have set up camps and were offered refugee status in the community. While the language barrier continues to challenge their communication with locals, officials cannot provide for these persons and have opted to offer land for farming.

“Since they [the migrants] came, the Village Council tried their best but we couldn’t afford because we don’t have money to support them wholly. The Regional Council give some food supply seven times.

Right now, they are faced with diarrhoea and vomiting in the camp. The language barrier with us and them is a little difficult. We can’t really understand clearly,” the village head explained.

Meanwhile, educational facilities are yet to be opened to the migrants, since re-

One of the trucks that had been stuck along the bypass last week

gional officials are relying on Government to establish a segregated facility for school-aged Venezuelan children.

“On the education side, we were asking some time ago if we cannot have the children enrolled at our primary school. The education officer said that they have some setbacks unless the Government has a separate place for them.”

Kamwatta Bridge

Along with healthcare and migrant glitches, infrastructure continues to pose a challenge in the village and surrounding areas. For one week, two trucks belonging to the Guyana Water Incorporated were struck along a bypass route since the Kamwatta main bridge was dismantled for repair works.

Consequently, Henry indicated that planks along the bypass structure were damaged after the vehicles were removed on Saturday.

Already, bus operators have complained that the structure is unstable.

“The trucks were removed but they left some damages to the part that the contractor made. The small bypass where the trucks was fastened damaged now and I get a complaint that some of the planks is not in good condition. It’s quite shaky,” he informed.

Works on the Kamwatta

Bridge was expected to commence since July but this publication was told that this operation never commenced.

“For a long while, the contractor came and dismantled the bridge. It has been two months now and nothing has been done to fix the right bridge that he was contracted to do. I received a copy that the contract was signed since March and the work was supposed to commence since July. Nothing has been done so far on the bridge.”

Initially, persons within the village had requested for an alternate road to be rehabilitated, instead of using a bridge. The Toshao expressed that using the mainland route through the Wauna Oil Palm estate was more effective for the locals but this idea was never considered.

He said, “It has another main road but it is not in full usage. That road runs through the Wauna Oil Palm estate. We had asked that if that could be renovated and upgraded because that is mainland. It doesn’t have no bridge and we thought that would be more recommendable but nobody come to our assistance for that.”

This publication understands that without the main bridge or a suitable makeshift bypass, there is no connection to leave the village.

Man freed of ecstasy possession charge

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2 6 - y e a r - o l d A l b e r t t o w n , Georgetown businessman, who was on trial for reportedly having ecstasy in his possession was on Friday freed by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly due to insufficient evidence.

Darrel John was on trial at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he was accused of selling the date rape drug to an underage boy and being in possession of drugs.

Particulars of the first charge stated that John, between December 1, 2017, and January 31, 2018, at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, sold ecstasy to

Darrel John

an underage child.

It is also alleged that on February 12, 2018, at Lot 141

Alberttown, Georgetown, he had two grams of ecstasy in his possession.

Magistrate Daly dismissed the possession charge against John due to insufficient evidence.

However, the charge against John for selling narcotics to a minor is still ongoing.

John was represented

by Attorney-at-Law George Thomas and the State was represented by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Narissa Leander.

According to reports, the child was held with the drug and when the matter was reported, a raid was conducted at John’s home and ecstasy was found in his bedroom.

3 Tullow strikes oil offshore Guyana news

Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Tuesday, August 13 – 03:30h and 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, August 14 – 04:30h and 14:30h-16:00h.

…share prices, interest in Guyana jump

pany first needs to fully determine the potential commerciality of the block and put plans in place before they seek a production licence.

“After one exploration well, we are some way from that despite the success we have had. The focus, for now, remains exploration with the Joe well [Orinduik] and Carapa well [Kanuku] coming up and we will do more exploration in 2020.”

By Jarryl Bryan

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, August 13 – 15:25h-16:55h and Wednesday, August 14 – 16:00h-17:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to light rain showers will prevail throughout the day into the evening hours followed by lightly cloudy conditions.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

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nited Kingdombased oil company Tullow has announced the discovery of oil in commercial quantities at the Jethro-1 exploration well in the Orinduik Block, becoming the second oil company to announce an oil find offshore Guyana.

This is the first discovery in the Orinduik Block, which is located in close proximity to the Stabroek Block – where United States oil giant ExxonMobil has already made 13 lucrative oil discoveries.

Tullow Head of Communications, George Cazenove

Major development

In a statement on Monday, Director of the Department of Energy, Dr

High Tide: 15:25h reaching a maximum height of 2.32 metres.

Low Tide: 08:57h and 21:12h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 0.88 metre.

London Stock Exchange showing how Tullow’s share price jumped on the heels of its oil find

saturday, AUGUST 10, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS M

02 03 04

14 17 28

FREE TICKET

16 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

Shares jumped

02 06 07 09 20 LUCKY 3

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Evening Draw

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PAY DAY

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It is understood that the Jethro-1 well was drilled by the Stena Forth drillship to a total depth of 4400 metres in approximately 1350 metres of water. According to a statement from the company, evaluation of the logging data confirmed that Jethro-1 comprises high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs of Lower Tertiary age, which simply means they date back to millions of years ago.

According to the statement, the well encountered 55m of net oil pay, which indicates a recoverable oil resource estimate that exceeds Tullow’s pre-drill forecast of 100 million barrels of oil.

11 13 21 SUPER PAY DAY

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

News of the find created waves in financial centres around the world, as well as international news outlets.

Up to press time, Tullow’s shares had jumped by over 19 per cent on the London Stock Exchange. In fact, it was the biggest gainer on the index.

In the company’s press release, Tullow’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul McDade, was quoted as praising the oil discovery as a great start to their drilling campaign in Guyana. He noted the significant technical work that went into their exploration activities.

“This substantial and high-value oil discovery in Guyana is an outcome of the significant technical and commercial focus which has underpinned the reset of our exploration portfolio. It is an excellent start to our drilling campaign in the highly prolific Guyana oil province.”

“We look forward to drill-

ing both the Joe and Carapa prospects in our 2019 drilling campaign and the material follow-up exploration potential in both the Orinduik and Kanuku licenses,” McDade was quoted as saying in the release.

Exploration licence

Meanwhile, Tullow’s Head of Communications, George Cazenove explained in an interview with this publication that while Tullow currently has an exploration licence, the com-

Mark Bynoe said that the discovery was a major development for the coun-

Tullow CEO Paul McDade

try as it adds to the further de-risking of the deep and ultra-deep zone.

“The Department of Energy is encouraged by the prolific rate of discovery in the CRG and will continue to work assiduously and conscientiously to extract optimum value from these resources for all the peoples of our country,” Bynoe said.

He noted that it also offers significant potential for the diversification of Guyana’s hydrocarbon production base. With this significant find, it is expected that Tullow will now evaluate the data from the Jethro-1 discovery and consequentially carry out an appraisal. turn to page 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, august 13, 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

Challenges facing young people

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t’s a fact that youth today make up the larger part of the population of almost every country in the world. This presents certain challenges for policy makers to develop, implement and maintain programmes and activities which must be economically and socially oriented to satisfy their (youth’s) desires.

It is also well known that the absence of well-thoughtout programmes with respect to youth development impacts negatively on our young people, and sometimes even lead to them resigning themselves to lawlessness and other antisocial behaviours that are damaging to society.

Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, earlier this year said that the majority of victims as well as perpetrators of crimes reported by the Police are young males 18 to 35 years old. He pointed to the fact that there are a number of socio-economic determinants of crime, the least of which is the high youth unemployment in the Region -- 25 per cent. That is three times the average, and is the highest. This is surely reason to be concerned, as right away one would begin to worry about the kind of future these persons would have, and the contribution they would make to their societies, if any at all. Certainly, this is enough reason to cause governments and policy makers to take a closer look at what is happening in their individual countries, and take steps to remedy the situation.

Certainly, there is a great need for intervention in order to combat the current challenges facing young people. In order to prepare young people for workplace success, job training programmes need to go beyond technical instruction, and teach “life skills,” such as communication, reliability, and teamwork. This push for teaching youth life skills has been validated by employers, who have consistently reported that, above all, they want to hire employees who possess workplace-ready skills such as communication, teamwork, motivation and responsibility. Technical skills, they say, can be learned on the job.

In addition to teaching youth the life skills employers look for, there is need to introduce complementary life planning activities in this component. These activities help youth in assessing who they are, their aspirations for the future, and define realistic steps toward achieving these goals.

Guyana has a number of programmes geared towards equipping young people with various skills for the world of work etc. This is commendable, but more focus needs to be placed on combining teaching life skills with the various academic or technical subjects. Meaning, these programmes should include assessment and identification of ways to build competency and skills supportive of healthy behaviours, to help young people as they mature into adulthood.

Additionally, institutions such as the family and religious bodies need to take up their roles more seriously, as happened before. Historically, the older generation had managed to transmit their beliefs, values, traditions, customs and institutions to the younger members of their societies.

This was achieved largely because of the impact of agencies of socialisation, such as the family, religion and the schools.

Today, the impact of these institutions has been challenged and undermined by new forces, particularly television and the internet, and the pop culture as a whole.

Further, the role of the private sector should never be underestimated. There is need for funding for many crucial programmes aimed at creating better opportunities for young persons here. Such programmes, once effectively implemented, would see our young people become well equipped with the necessary skills to develop themselves and in turn contribute to the overall development of the country. The private sector is one of the main beneficiaries of an educated and skilled workforce, and it should seek to invest in, and help to build, the pool of talent it wishes to draw from.

It is well accepted that progressive countries in the world have strong systems for engaging youth in policy formation and in creating or altering programmes designed to support youth. We believe that if our young people are to make more mature and responsible judgments and engage in activities that are the hallmark of a socially productive adulthood, certain support systems for development must be present in the environment. Teaching life skills is a good way to start.

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat during the annual Haj pilgrimage, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (Reuters/Umit Bektas)

Venezuelan activist urges Raab to back ICC Maduro torture case

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he United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab has been urged to draw on his experience as a former Foreign Office human rights lawyer to press the legal case that the Venezuelan Government of Nicolás Maduro has systematically tortured its people.

The call was led by the prominent Venezuela human rights defender Tamara Sujú, who visited London to persuade the UK to join six non-European countries in pressuring the International Criminal Court (ICC) to pursue a case against the Venezuelan leadership.

Raab worked as a lawyer for the FCO, including at the ICC in The Hague, from 2000 to 2006.

In theory the case could end with Maduro arraigned in front of the court, but progress with the ICC case has the potential to play into the various indirect talks currently underway between supporters of Maduro – who succeeded the leftwing Hugo Chávez as Venezuela’s President – and Juan Guaidó, the self-proclaimed interim leader recognised by most European Union countries and backed by the United States.

British backing for the ICC investigation would be

Tamara Sujú is the Executive Director of the Casla Institute and a Guaidó supporter (Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images)

a further blow for Maduro.

The ICC referral was initially backed by Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Canada at the end of last year, becoming the first State referral to the ICC by other States.

The ICC launched a preliminary investigation in September 2018.

Sujú, Executive Director of the Casla Institute and a Guaidó supporter, said: “We need a European country, preferably Britain, with sufficiently solid institutions, a democratic tradition and commitment to human rights to join us in the ICC not just with words but to subscribe formally to the case.

“We also need Great Britain to impose person-

al and economic sanctions against the Maduro regime and to close their spaces.”

The Trump Administration tightened economic sanctions against Maduro again this week.

Sujú has compiled more than 600 detailed cases of alleged human rights abuses. Her critics say she is part of an army of Maduro opponents who use human rights to denounce the leftwing Government.

An ICC case has four initial stages, including a case to answer, identification of the victims, assessment of whether the crimes are eligible as crimes against humanity and whether the Government has sought to prosecute the cases.

Sujú’s chief claim is that

the arrests of demonstrators and, increasingly, of figures in the military, are systematically directed by the Maduro Government, indicating the leadership would have to face justice at the ICC. “There are not random accidents of violence,” she said. “What has stood out is that they group masses of protesters 40 or 50 at the time, take them to the station and torture them as a group. We have cases where families were taken. They made the father watch as his child was tortured and then the child would watch his father be tortured. They tortured a mother and daughter, took off their clothes off before they applied electricity.”

She highlighted the death of the military captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo, who was arrested on June 26 and died three days later. At his military tribunal he was unable to stand, hear or understand what was happening and pleaded with his lawyer for help.

The UN High Commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, has visited Venezuela to find political prisoners are tortured, including with electrical currents, simulated drowning, beatings and sexual violence, and is setting up a permanent mission. (The Guardian)

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tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Over 100 Canal farmers affected by flooding

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armers within the Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD) area are now calling for help after hundreds of thousands of dollars have been lost as a result of excessive flooding.

The area has constantly been under water for over a month now, which has affected over 100 residents and caused farmers to rapidly lose crops.

Guyana Times understands that the flooding issue is as a result of poor drainage systems in the area.

Presently, the canal is

overtaken by vegetation, causing it to be clogged.

Compounding the situation, stones and asphalt from a road which broke away some time ago have slipped into the canal.

According to the residents, the area has always been affected by flooding, however, this is the first time that they have been affected for such an extended period.

Several complaints have been lodged at the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in the area, however, the residents are now complaining of substan-

dard cleaning work being carried out.

“They are trying to help with tractor and they get some self-help work and tried to clear the canal but that is not all, the problem is still there at the canal because the front of the canal high and the bottom low and some place in the canal,” one farmer said.

This publication was told that several farmers have also since visited the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), where the matter was reported to the Regional Executive Officer (REO) on numerous occa-

sions to no avail.

Fifty-two-year-old Ramzan Shaw, a farmer of over 20 years of Lot 7 Good Hope, Canal, Number One, Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD), said that he lost over $200,000 since the flooding began.

According to the farmer, his livelihood is being threatened since over 30 peach trees, 20 breadfruits trees, several rambutan trees along with several pineapples plants have died.

The farmer expressed his fear that more of his crops will die shortly since no measure is being put into

place to have the matter rectified.

Shaw is advising that a channel be dug in the middle of the channel which will see the water on the land being drained off.

“The canal in front of us, it is full of moss, what they do is they come and weed it top top and after two mornings, it grows back and flood again. Now they need to dig a channel in the canal, build the dam which will leave the channel in the middle so that the water can keep running off” Shaw said.

According to the farmer, if those responsible for

the draining issues visit the area to hear the residents’ concerns then flooding would not be an issue since it can easily be fixed with the proper intervention.

“These people in Region know but they are not helping… they are not even coming to hear the concern of the people…I am even more sorry for my neighbour, he lost so much more than me, all he trees them dying out, somebody need to come and look into this man” the upset man expressed.

Calls by this newspaper to the Region Three RDC went unanswered.

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

Govt’s continued refusal Sugar estates sustained to fulfil its obligations to lifeblood of our Guyana’s Constitution villages, small towns

Dear Editor, December 21, 2018, was the “D” Day for this David Granger regime. It was the day that a successful no-confidence was passed and the Government fell. Eight months have gone by since but the Government still maintains that it has not fallen, and being in that denial mode, it refuses to fulfil its obligations to the Constitution of this country. Ever since that time, the PNC has been engrossed in the most expensive of litigations to stave off the expressed dictates of the law, as we say in creole, they have been on a “fight down” campaign on the Constitution.

Billions of taxpayers’ dollars have been spent on senseless litigations as they try to circumvent Articles 106 (6) and (7) of the Constitution. This is total madness, a nation cannot continue to fight against itself, the rule of law must take precedence! All countries are governed by laws and Guyana is no exception so why is the PNC trying to stop the inevitable, why stifle the rule of law? And the answer comes back again, they are scared stiff as to the results of an election. The PNC knows that they will lose the next election in a very definitive way and this frightens the daylight out of them.

The PNC in their desperation is testing the system to the maximum with their endless appeals and counter appeals, however, these moves only serve to delay the process somewhat, but in the final analysis, they will have to face the electorate which I can tell them would not be very kind towards them. The Granger cabal must realise that the people of this great country are no fools and we will hold them accountable for their actions. Dire will be the consequences for this Government when it is the people’s turn to speak.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Dear Editor, The recent letter by Dr Leslie Ramsammy of the PPP on the plight of sections of the economy that have been negatively impacted by the closure of several sugar estates makes many doubt if the strategy for improving the industry is as solid as it could be.

If we are to consider the forecasted increase in GDP for our nation’s economy, it is easy to see that the upcoming oil boom and the resulting increased per capita income, whether distributed directly as suggest-

ed by some WPA members or trickled down via a capitalist model, that the future improved buying power of the population should be more than sufficient to save the entire industry.

Thus, it is premature for our nation’s current leadership to pursue closure of estates which provide the very important task of sustaining the lifeblood of our villages and small towns.

This will also mitigate any risk from the pursuit of a

purely trickle-down capitalist model associated with the usage of our oil revenue. We must remember that we have one of the best products on the market and a premium price is paid for similar knockoffs which lack the heritage and prestige associated with our Enmore Crystal and Demerara Sugar.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

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tuesday, AUGUST 13, 2019

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Foundation

Dealing with feelings when you’re overweight Continued from Monday

If you’re bullied

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f you’re being teased or bullied: Find a friend you can be with you when the bully is around.

Talk to friends who support you.

Write in a journal about how people’s comments make you feel. Then use positive statements about yourself to get past the hurt and remind you of your good qualities. For example, if a bully says, “You’re fat!” say to yourself: “My weight is not what I wish it would be, but I am a kind, interesting person.”

Ignore teasing, bullying, and inappropriate comments. But if the situation is really getting you down, you may want to stand up for yourself. The best way to do this is to speak back confidently. Say positive things about yourself and talk about your strengths without confronting the person in a way that might make things worse.

Don’t let your emotions take over.

Crying or getting angry shows the bully that he or she has hit a nerve — and that may just make the bullying worse. Losing your temper also can make you feel less powerful and in control.

Talk to a school counsellor, parent, or other trusted adult and ask for ideas on how to handle hurtful comments.

Self-esteem

Some people who are overweight have very good self-esteem.

They’re able to focus on their accomplishments and take pride in themselves.

But some people who struggle with their weight also struggle with low self-esteem – especially when other people can be so

unkind.

When we have negative thoughts and feelings about our bodies, these feelings may overflow into other areas of life. Negative thoughts can affect a person’s confidence and make it difficult to accomplish goals. For example, someone who thinks “I can’t do this” or “Why bother, I’ll always be overweight” may have a harder time losing weight. This is one reason why it’s important to recognise any negative emotions and work hard to change them.

The amount of time it takes to lose weight, and the natural tendency to slip up occasionally, can leave people feeling discouraged and disappointed. This can lead to self-criticism, anger, or even guilt about letting friends or family down.

Sometimes, difficult feelings – and constant worry over weight – make a person eat more. But there is a way to break the cycle and build healthier self-esteem.

Self-esteem issues: What you can do

Start by loving yourself. If you feel tempted to put your body or yourself down, focus instead on your talents and things you do well.

Another great way to boost self-esteem is to accomplish goals that you set for yourself.

If y o u ’ r e trying to lose weight, make your goals about changing behaviours, not about losing weight. Set small, realistic goals and then check in regularly to watch your

progress. For example, your goal may be to pack a healthy lunch one day a week.

Another way to feel good about yourself is to find others who support you. Talk to them about how you feel and how they can help (even if you just need them to listen and understand).

Your doctor is another wonderful resource. Ask a parent to make an appointment so you can talk to your doctor about your weight, nutrition advice, and exercises you can do. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to a dietician for help with meal planning. A school nurse is another great resource for ideas on how to take charge of your health.

Make a mural

Depression

work of art, usually a painting, that is done directly on a wall or ceiling, or another surface that is mounted to a wall. Murals are usually large scale and are commonly found in public areas.

Work together with friends to decide on a mural theme and create group drawings that make one giant painting .

When confidence fades and self-esteem takes a beating, it’s harder to stick with a weight loss programme.

If you think you may be depressed, tell someone. It’s especially important to tell a parent or other trusted adult (like a school counsellor or faithbased leader) if you often find yourself thinking about dying or suicide.

There’s no doubt that being overweight can be hard, both physically and emotionally.

But there are ways to feel better, including being aware of emotions, thinking positively, and finding people who support you.

(Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

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Materials

• 8 1/2 X 11 white sheets of paper • Sharpened #2 pencils • Pencil sharpeners • Erasers • Pencils and/or markers Procedure 1. Pick a theme – Discuss what theme you would like to showcase in the mural. Groups can decide on something specific to focus on. For example: The mural theme can be “Culture in Guyana”, 2. Collaborate – Brainstorm ideas for each section of the mural. Discuss what you would like to illustrate in each portion of the mural.

3. Sketch – Prepare individual sketches of ideas, and present them to the rest of the group. After sharing the sketches, collaborate on all of the ideas to create a final drawing that reflects the intent of everyone.

4. Collect – Collect final drawings.

5. Create the mural by combining the final drawings, and colouring them once combined. (startwithabook.org)

Writing prompt

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n this challenge, you will choose an older family member to interview – aunt, uncle, grandparent, or great grandparent.

If your relatives live far away, you can ask your questions by phone or e-mail, or interview someone in your neighbourhood. Here are some things you might ask: Where did you live when you were little?

What’s your oldest memory?

What was the wildest adventure you had as a child or young adult?

Did you ever play any practical jokes on your siblings or friends?

How did you meet Grandma/Grandpa?

Describe a favourite family holiday or celebration Describe your most interesting job Did you ever have the chance to do something heroic?

Tell me what you remember from your childhood about a famous date in history Be sure to take careful notes as you listen (if you have an audio recorder, you can tape the interview and listen back later).

From your conversation, select one story or telling detail that really captured your imagination and write a vivid anecdote that reveals something unique and authentic about your relative.

Include a photograph of your relative if you can. (startwithabook.org)

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Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former AG blasts Govt for distorting statements from GECOM Chair …says Claudette Singh never exhibited pro-H2H stance

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ontrary to claims

by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh never exhibited a proHouse-to-House (H2H) Registration stance. This is according to former Attorney General Anil Nandlall.

On Friday last, Justice Singh spoke at the opening ceremony of two GECOM registration offices at Corriverton and Whim, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). She was quoted in sections of the media as stating “in order to vote you must be registered … that is your first task; you must be registered before you exercise your constitutional right to vote”.

“These statements were swiftly pounced upon by the Government propagandists and twisted to suit their political agenda, to contend that Justice Singh is supportive of House-to-House Registration,” Nandlall said in a statement.

GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh speaks during the opening of the centres

“The truth is that there is nothing in those statements which, expressly, or by implication, supports such warped contention.

But then again, there is hardly a statement, a provision of the law, or the Constitution, or a court ruling, which the Government and its acolytes have interpreted correctly, in recent times.”

Nevertheless, Prime

Minister Nagamootoo wrote in his weekly column, “My Turn”, that “the new Chairman of GECOM, Madam Justice Claudette Singh, seemed to be supporting the commission’s campaign. She was quoted (as) saying last Friday that “(I)n order to vote, you must be registered. That is your first task; you must be registered before you exercise your constitutional right to vote.”

“Justice Singh was simply stating the correct legal and constitutional position in relation to voting. What the Prime Minister, and those who blindly follow him in this hopeless effort to distort, fails to realise is that Justice Singh was speaking at the opening of two centres established for the purpose of registration,” Nandlall noted.

According to Nandlall, these centres were established under the Continuous Cycle of Registration process catered for under the National Registration Act. As such, Nandlall explained that the centres have noth-

Tullow strikes oil...

Other projects

It is understood that the UK-based company also has plans to drill two more wells offshore Guyana. These plans include the Joe prospect in the Orinduik Block, while the Carapa 1 will be drilled later this year on the adjacent Kanuku Block.

The Joe is located in approximately 650 metres of water and costs approximately US$3 million to drill. A recently published report from international company Gustavson Associates had estimated that the well has a 43.2 per cent chance of success.

The Orinduik oil block is just a few kilometres from Exxon’s discoveries in the Liza and Payara fields. It is under the administration of Eco Guyana and Tullow, who signed a 10-year Petroleum Prospecting licence and Production Sharing Agreement with Guyana in 2016. French firm Total E&P Activities Petrolieres entered the fray in 2017, partnering with Eco with the option to get a 25 per cent share in the block.

Tullow had announced since February that it was bringing forward its drilling programme from the previously scheduled end of the year to the second quarter. It had announced that the Jethro prospect would be drilled in June.

On the other hand, it was announced that its Carapa prospect in Kanuku would be drilled in the third quarter of 2019. It is un-

derstood that the net cost of the Jethro well is US$30 million, while the Carapa well will cost US$20 million.

Tullow Guyana BV is the operator of the Orinduik Block, with a 60 per cent stake. Total E&P Guyana BV holds 25 per cent with the remaining 15 per cent being held by Eco

FROM PAGE 3

(Atlantic) Guyana Inc. This configuration can all change, however, as it was recently announced that Qatar’s state oil company is looking to enter into Guyana’s oil market with a farm-in deal through Total that could see them obtaining stakes in both the Orinduik and Kanuku Blocks.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

ing to do with House-toHouse Registration, since, as the name suggests, H2H was done on a “House-toHouse” basis.

GECOM is currently undertaking H2H registration, which was last conducted in 2008, with enumerators going in teams of two to three, door to door in various communities across Guyana. The enumerators will present forms to registrants to fill up, as well as take fingerprints and pictures.

It is understood that these enumerators work from 15:30h to 18:30h during the week and from

09:00h to 16:00h on weekends and holidays. The exercise is intended to produce a new National Register of Registrants Database and Official List of Electors.

This means that everyone, regardless of whether they were registered before or not, must register anew at their place of residence between July 20 and October of this year.

However, a no-confidence motion was passed against the Government since December 21 of last year, necessitating elections in three months.

In addition, the requirement for proof of residency has alarmed overseas-based Guyanese, to the point where a court case was filed earlier this year by an overseas-based Guyanese against H2H Registration, on the basis that it would disenfranchise her.

That case was later withdrawn out of the belief that GECOM would adhere to the recent Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rulings, which reiterated the need for elections in three months.

Currently, Attorney

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

and social commentator Christopher Ram has a case before the High Court in which he is seeking an injunction against the exercise. Acting Chief Justice Roxane George is expected to rule on the case on August 14.

Previously, Justice George had denied Ram’s application for an interim conservatory order to block GECOM from continuing its H2H exercise that began on July 20. Subsequently, GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield through Trinidadian lawyer Stanley Marcus had sought the Chief Justice’s recusal, on the grounds of a statement she caused her office to send out which they contended was biased.

8 News

Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mom who used daughters as sex slaves to identify “clients” – Police source

T

he mother of the two teenage sisters who escaped the confines of their mother’s East Coast Demerara (ECD) home after men had allegedly been taken there to have sex with them for money remains in Police custody, and reportedly is willing to disclose the identities of the males who had paid her to be permitted to use her daughters as sex slaves.

A Police source close to the investigation told Guyana Times on Monday that on the night that the girls had escaped, two men who frequent the home were scheduled to visit. When the teens heard that the men were coming for sexual acts, and would be spending the night there, they fled to the Police station for help.

According to the Police source, the most disturbing part of this appalling situation is the girls’ claim that their mother would be present in the same room, looking on as the men engage in sexual activities with her daughters.

“Then the men pay her (mother), and then she also collects from her daughters the money that the men gave them for sex…

“The girls said (that) whenever guys come in their home for sex, their mother sits there and looks at them… and then they give her some money and

then she lets the guys sleep with the children the whole night,” the Police source said.

Guyana Times understands that the woman had been using her daughters as sex slaves for quite some time.

The Police source revealed that, after being arrested, the girls’ mother has expressed willingness to provide information about the two men who frequent the home, and others who had paid her in the past. The source added that the woman’s testimony would have to be video-recorded.

Last Thursday night, the two teens, aged 13 and 14, reportedly ran out of the home where they lived with their mother, and sought help from a nearby Police station.

The Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), Ann Greene, confirmed on Saturday that the

two girls are in the custody of the State, and are receiving the requisite care and medical treatment.

She explained that when she was notified about the matter on Friday evening, she immediately arranged for the sisters to be transported from that ECD Police station to a safe house.

Greene said she requested that the Police take the girls’ mother into custody while the children visit the hospital to undergo medical examination. However, it was not smooth sailing for the girls, since doctors on duty could not attend to them immediately, because of their physical state of neglect and because their hair was infested with lice.

“They said they were not touching (either girl’s) head, and we (CCPA) had to go look after this. We had to bring them back to the office, the CCPA officers and myself had to find a bar-

ber, and we had to cut off all these girls’ hair. When we were done, my staff had to burn everything: the scissors used, even up to (their) clothes. Everything we had to burn because of the lice,” Greene disclosed.

She said that after the CCPA officers had completed that task and had returned to the hospital with the teenagers, the medical services could not have been provided because it was beyond the period of working hours in that department of the hospital.

“Today (Saturday) they have gone back, because we got to get treatment for these girls. We have got to get them examined, all kinds of things. We have got to get medicals for these children. It is gross neglect, and if a mother allows men to come and have sex with them, it could be trafficking in persons. So we got to call in the trafficking team,” Greene further said.

Greene said statements in regard to these allegations could not have been taken at the Police station when the girls had rushed there for help, because the first priority was getting them into a safe place, where they could be cared for and obtain medical treatment.

However, statements are expected to be formally taken at the Police station this week.

Drug Abuse Resistance education has to be sustained – Commander Cooper

T

he introduction of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programme in schools in the country was an effective measure that ensures that children are more informed and aware of the negative effects that come with using illicit substances.

However, as this programme continues to be expanded in various educational institutions across communities, a lot of work needs to be done to sustain it.

This is according to Commander of D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo), Edmond Cooper, who told Guyana Times on Monday that the implementation of the DARE programme in his policing Division has resulted in keeping the rate of students using drugs in schools at a minimum.

“We just got to sustain it. The children are receptive about the information.

They are even excited about the information because re-

D Division Commander Edmond Cooper

member it is a comparative analysis they are making with what they see on television as opposed to what the police are saying.”

He stated that while successes are notable, such an initiative needs to be sustained in order to have maximum results since it not only benefits children attending schools but also their families and friends that live in their villages.

The Commander explained that many students

are very much interested in what the DARE programme offers and often have open discussions about their opinions in order to learn as much as possible. Then, in a domino effect manner, they return to their homes and have discussions with their parents and relatives about what they have learnt in this regard.

“We plan to sustain the programme in all the schools. It is a work in progress, especially with the fact of ecstasy and the whole issue of drugs coming into the school, so it is all about sensitisation. We have got to ensure that we sensitise people about the dangers of ecstasy and those things and the DARE programme has helped in the sensitisation process because the people are more learned about this whole issue.”

According to Commander Cooper, although one year ago there was major concern about the widespread introduction and use of illicit substances into schools, the present situation in his

Division is that the rate of such is very low.

Concerns

However, concerns have been raised about the contradiction of the DARE programme with the expected changes in the law to cater for non-custodial sentencing for persons caught using small quantities of marijuana.

In this regard, Commander Cooper stated that if such a situation arises once that law is passed, then the police would need to take a “more serious approach” and do much more in the schools. Additionally, other stakeholders would have their work cut out for them too.

“Not just Police alone but the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), churches and everybody have to get involved in this.

It will have to be thought out properly and implemented.

But we will continue with our DARE programme irrespective of circumstances,” he added.

Preparing…

A

…for elections s the PNC thresh around, inventing excuses to delay the elections, they know they’ll eventually have to face the electorate. And as is their wont – for the past fifty-odd (very odd!) years – they aren’t leaving anything to chance. Karl Marx had pontificated: “Man make their own history; but not in circumstances of their making”, but when it comes to elections, the PNC have always insisted on creating the circumstances to make their history!! They give no shrift to “dialectics” and “contradictions”, and such like!!

At his 1979 PNC Congress - where he invoked his “sharper steel” threat against the WPA - Burnham had criticised his followers for being too naïve about “democracy” as articulated in the texts. “You can’t only read what’s ON the lines, comrades,” he thundered, “you have to read BETWEEN the lines!” So as we read about the PNC’s electoral preparations, let’s also look between the lines to understand what’s REALLY going on.

Now, you’ll notice that your Eyewitness is talking only about the “PNC”, and not “APNU”. And that’s because you gotta have been on Mars during the last four years if you think the four one-man outfits desperately hanging on to the PNC’s coattails have any relevance to the existential supremacy of the PNC in APNU. The latter aren’t even a fig leaf to hide the mark of the beast!!

But what about the AFC?? This morning, your Eyewitness read two accounts of what’s supposedly going on between the two coalition “partners”. In the SN, some AFC executive ‘source” claimed they’re girding their loins to negotiate a new agreement, seeing as how the Cummingsburg Accord (CA) will expire next February. But at the same time, the source thinks elections will be this year. So won’t the Cummingsburg Accord still hold in that circumstance??

Certainly not, says the Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency (DGMOP) – and GS of APNU – “We are looking at the revision right now…(and)… we have agreed on some basic principles which will guide the relationship between the APNU and the AFC.” Well, right there we see the problem! The AFC executive insisted the AFC National Executive Committee (NEC) has merely picked the team to negotiate with APNU!! Reading between the lines, however, we can figure what’s going on. First of all, since the AFC got nothing from the CA, save to NAME the (neutered) PM candidate, this position is what the “negotiation” is all about.

But the DG, MoP had insisted, right after the AFC picked Ramjattan for that slot, that Nagamootoo was “royalty”, as opposed to their evident “commoner” choice!!

The PNC’s negotiating with Nagamootoo, since he’ll settle for more Larwah!! …for oil Looks like after the Exxon gushers, you can’t drill a hole off our Atlantic Coast without striking oil!! Tullow just announced they hit paydirt in the Orinduik Block with their first try. So if there was any lingering doubt that there are humungous oil fields under them thar waters, this should take care of that. This will be the find of the century!! The question that remains unanswered, of course, is whether our country is getting ready under the PNC for us to share in the oil wealth.

Let’s look past the hole Trotman dug for us (pun intended) when he literally gave away the store to Exxon.

Folks are saying that even the crumbs we’ll be getting can positively transform our country of less than one million people. But that’s not necessarily true. Right off the bat, we should know there will be no downstream oil industries established here, okay??

And the 12% share of the oil revenues? Let’s see whose pockets that’ll end up in!! And that applies to whatever portion enters our Natural Resource Fund!! …claims and objections After jumping up and down like a fowl cock, your Eyewitness is positive, the PNC will agree for the electoral list to be prepared via a C&O process.

After all, they’ve already stolen the time they wanted.

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

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Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prison Service blocks Lusignan landfill site entrance – NDC Chairman

…calls for Central Govt intervention

S

cores of residents who utilise a landfill site, situated at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD), are now pleading

The road blockage, which has been in effect for almost a week, has not only grown to be an issue for residents in the area but

Garbage being dumped near a main drainage canal

with the authorities to intervene and reverse a decision made by the Guyana Prison Services to block the main entrance into the dumpsite, preventing residents from properly discarding their waste materials.

also officials attached to a number of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) who regularly utilise the site.

Speaking to this publication, Chairman of the Mon Repos/La Reconnaissance Neighbourhood Democratic

Council (NDC), Ayube Mohammed explained that the only reason given by the prison services for the road closure is to prevent the destruction of the roadway by vehicles which traverse the area. But according to Mohammed, in order to transport materials to be disposed of, vehicles have to use that road.

“Since last Monday, this is one week now that the prison authority closed off the dumpsite saying that the road is being messed up when the vehicles come out from the dumpsite…the prison, as well as all other agencies, utilise this dumpsite, all the NDCs from Haslington to Plaisance utilise that dumpsite, and they have to utilise this road.”

In expressing his disappointment, the Chairman questioned the steps residents should now take with regards to disposing of their garbage, even though numerous complaints have been lodged and empty promises to intervene followed.

“This is the only road other than a mud road

300 ganja plants destroyed at Whim

Some of the ganja plants that were uncovered by Police

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force on Sunday conducted a drug eradication exercise at Whim Crown Dam, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne).

According to Police, a cannabis cultivation farm with about 300 plants was found five miles from Whim Public Road and destroyed

by fire. The plants found measured from a foot to five feet in height.

No arrests have been made.

The blocked entrance to the dumpsite

that is used by the Chinese that goes into the dumpsite. Now if the NDCs can’t dump at the dumpsite be-

cause the prison don’t want the road to be messed up, I don’t know what’s going to happen on the East

Coast, and to date nothing has been done….I’ve made contact with the RDC, I’ve made contact with the Ministry of Communities and those in charge of the Waste Management Unit and they’re all promising to that they will look into this matter and nothing has been done so far,” Mohammed stated.

However, despite efforts to reverse this action, some residents are resorting to their last choice which is to create illegal dumpsites and dispose of waste items while others are constantly calling the NDCs with queries as to how their garbage will be discarded.

80-year-old arrested for sexually assaulting 12-year-old

…neighbours scaled man’s fence to rescue teen – Police source

By Kristen Macklingam

A

12-year-old girl was rescued by public-spirited citizens after she was allegedly sexually molested by an 80-year-old man, whom neighbours described as a sexual predator.

Reports reaching this newspaper are that the man reportedly lured the girl into his vehicle and drove to his home. This publication understands that the child in her statement to Police said that before exiting the vehicle, the man ran his hands along her body and inserted his fingers into her vagina. However, at that time, neighbours noticed the girl’s figure inside of his car and called out to him, inquiring as to whether there was a child with him.

Guyana Times understands that the man vehemently denied that there was anyone inside of his vehicle but one neighbour took matters into his own hands and jumped over the fence into the man’s yard.

The neighbour then approached the car and confirmed that the young female was inside the vehicle. An alarm was then raised and other neighbours rushed to the man’s house and notified

the police.

The man was immediately arrested and the 12-yearold taken into police custody while childcare protection officers were summoned to provide the necessary care for the child. Residents told Police that they acted in such a manner because the man is a known sexual perpetrator.

However, a police source revealed that the pensioner was released on station bail after the mandatory 72-hour holding period for a suspect had expired and investigations had not been concluded.

According to a senior police source, the lengthiness of the process of the child giving her statement coupled with the process of her giving statements to the child protection authorities and then to the police caused the legal timeframe for holding the man to pass.

As such, he was placed on station bail and the file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on the way forward.

This publication was also told that the alleged child molester usually preys on children who belong to very poor families and then doles out cash to them or their

families to prevent Police reports.

“The guy is apparently in the habit of reaching out to these poor people’s children and when he finished having sex with them he would give the parents or relatives money to hush up …but this 12-year-old is receiving care from the child authorities and I was told that somebody, a relative, went with the girl and was saying some nonsense in relation to dropping the matter. But we cannot do that, if anyone tries to object or stop the matter, we will lock them up too,” a senior police source told this publication on Monday.

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Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Environmental authorisation, GGMC permit among measures to curtail mercury use …as new restriction rolled out takes effect from August

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n keeping with the drive to limit the use of mercury due to the havoc it can cause, Government agencies have established rigid procedures that persons will have to go through in order to import mercury into the country.

The new procedures are being established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with the Pesticide Toxic Chemical Control

Board (PTCCB) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

According to a bulletin from the EPA, importers, retailers, traders and distributors of mercury were advised that they now need an environmental authorisation from the agency. This takes effect as of August 1.

The agency noted that this is in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05, which spells out, among other things, the various environmental

infractions and penalties for pollution.

“Failure to obtain an Environmental Authorisation from the EPA will deem you ineligible to acquire a license from the PTCCB to import, retail or distribute mercury.

To avoid this, persons are asked to make immediate contact with the EPA,” the agency noted.

“Further, the written consent of the Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission is at all

times required before any shipment of mercury is imported into Guyana for mining purposes,” it added.

Mercury

Mercury has such an adverse effect on the environment and human beings that a treaty had to be signed between countries in order to mitigate the damage it causes. The convention in question is the Minamata Convention on Mercury – a global treaty to protect human health and

La Parfaite Harmonie gets Police Station

A

lmost two years after residents of La Parfaite Harmonie, on the West Bank of Demerara, made calls for a much-needed police station to the Public Security Ministry, a multimillion-dollar police station was recently construct-

now be able to access police assistance much easier.

The building, which was built to the tune of $53 million, is to be officially commissioned within the next few weeks, and will have the presence of over 30 Guyana Police Force (GPF) ranks. This was revealed

The newly-constructed La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station

ed and is set to be commissioned soon.

It is expected that with the new police station, in a booming housing development location, that much of the security concerns of residents will be immediately addressed since they will

by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie during a recent engagement exercise with the residents of the community.

“There will [be] 29 ranks headed by an inspector, one sergeant, six corporals and 11 constables. We already

have the sub-divisional officers who are here and his number is one that would have to be given to you so that he can be contacted” he stated.

On this note, the Deputy Commissioner lauded the establishment of this new facility which will help residents to experience improved safety and security, as well as contribute to the continuous decrease in criminal activities which is already recorded to be at 27 per cent.

“A police station in a month is very good. At least from this gathering, the residents of La Parfaite Harmonie have an idea of what is the plan, through the Commissioner of Police and the Region Three D Division what to expect coming down the road. So, it is very good that they are opening the police station in the area,” he noted.

Back in 2017, residents were encouraged by Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, to form a Community Policing Group that will be the “eyes and ears of the community” and

Deputy Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie

as this advice was heeded, more residents were urged

by Deputy Commissioner Hoppie to join the group and play their role in keeping the community safer by cooperating with the officers.

Plans to establish youth groups are also underway, as this will also serve as a means to work directly with police ranks to prevent a crime upsurge, and make the community more favourable for developments and investments for the already 20,000 residents present.

Mercury

the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

It was agreed to at the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Mercury in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 19, 2013, and was later adopted on October 10, 2013.

The convention draws attention to a global and ubiquitous metal that, while naturally occurring, has broad uses in everyday objects and is released to the atmosphere, soil and water from a variety of sources. Controlling the anthropogenic releases of mercury throughout its lifecycle was a key factor in shaping the obligations under the convention.

Major highlights of the convention include a ban on new mercury mines, the phasing out of existing ones, the phasing out and phasing down of mercury use in a number of products and processes, control measures on emissions to air and on releases to land and water, and regulation of the informal sector of artisanal and small-scale gold mining.

The convention also addresses interim storage of mercury, and its disposal once it becomes waste, sites contaminated by mercury

as well as health issues that run the gamut of reproductive to neurological.

There have previously been reports on increased levels of mercury in several waterways in interior regions. Additionally, the Guyana Water Inc was forced to temporarily close its Port Kaituma well after it discovered high mercury content in the Kaituma River.

Last year, the discovery of high levels of mercury in the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) laboratory in Georgetown had led to Trinidad-based Kaizen Environmental Services being contracted to conduct an independent investigation on the effect of the emission.

Research shows that mercury can enter the body through inhalation of mercury vapour, ingestion, injection or even absorption through the skin. In the case of mining personnel, a reading showing levels of 0-6 micrograms per litre is considered safe while 7-10 is high and above 11 is dangerous. Once in the human system, mercury poisoning has horrendous effects on neurological, reproductive, gastrointestinal and renal organs.

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Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gunmen rob, beat Corentyne family

A

Corentyne, Berbice family was attacked by three armed bandits at their Port Mourant, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) home on Sunday evening.

Reports are the attack occurred at about 21:30h at Lot 227 Dispensary Dam Ankerville, Port Mourant, Berbice.

This newspaper was told that Indira Samaroo along with her husband and teenage son were all at home when three masked men approached - one was carrying a firearm and two had cutlasses. The attack occurred after a family friend left the couple’s home. According to Samaroo, one of the bandits went straight to her husband and hit him with the gun. He was taken into the shop where he was gun butted and told to hand over $4 million. Samaroo said that her husband denied having so much money and the gunman cuffed him to the face and stomped him to his chest. Meanwhile, Samaroo said she was hit in the face

with a side of a cutlass and she fell out of the hammock.

She said that one of the intruders then demanded that she get up but she was unable to do so.

“He grabbed me by my hair and dragged me right across the concrete from outside and carry me inside the house. He asked me where is the money and I asked him what kind of money and he said the mon-

The Corentyne couple’s home which gunmen invaded

er seen what $4 million looks like and has never held $4 million in her hand.

This newspaper was told that one of the intruders then Indira Samaroo shows her injury turned his attention to the teenager, telley that you have. So I told ing him that if his mother him I don’t have money and does not hand over the monhe said yes, I have money ey he will kill her. However, that’s you wanted the $4 the teen, this newspaper million,” she related. The was told, while begging the woman related that she told bandits not to kill his moththe bandit that she has nev- er, informed the gunmen

that his parents do not have money.

According to Samaroo, she was taken into a bedroom and handed over a bag with money but the small sum of cash angered the men, who threatened to then kill her son.

“I told him I have no more money,” the traumatised woman said. She recalled that the bandits then pulled her husband out of the shop and put him to sit with her and her son while

they ransacked the house.

The man then picked up three cellular phones and an electronic tablet along with three wristwatches and the businessman and his son’s wallets.

“Then they demanded the keys to the car and say that they want the haversack that my son come home with,” the woman said. She said that she told them that the haversack was in the car. She said that the bandits took the family to the washroom and locked them inside. Moments later, they returned and told them not to make any noise or they all will be killed.

After some time, the Samaroos came out and realised that they were alone.

The woman recalled that the entire ordeal lasted about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, when the bandits made their entry from the side of the house, neighbours saw and called the Whim Police Station but the phone went unanswered.

Meanwhile, Nadira Samaroo, who lives in Rose

Hall Town, said she received a telephone call from her brother about the robbery and went over to the Rose Hall Police Outpost and informed them of the robbery.

She said they were able to make contact with the Whim Police Station.

However, the injured woman said four officers from the Rose Hall Outpost arrived at her home about 30 minutes later and the Whim Police Station ranks, who are closer, arrived more than two hours later.

Only recently, three armed bandits pounced on three overseas-based Guyanese at Fyrish on the Corentyne. Two of them had cutlasses and one had a firearm.

There have been reports of persons on the road along the lower Corentyne being attacked by three masked men on bicycles.

Reports are that three men were seen hurrying out of Dispensary Dam at Ankerville on Sunday night on bicycles.

GRDB receives int’l help to fight paddy bug infestation

T

he Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has received assistance from its international partner, the LatinAmerican Fund for Irrigated Rice also known as FLAR, to tackle the current infestation of paddy bugs which has been affecting farmers in all the rice-producing regions.

Farmers are, however, not accepting the suggestions being put forward by the team of experts. The team spent one week in Guyana visiting rice fields and meeting with farmers.

Rice farmer and Extension Officer of the GRDB, Ramlagan Singh told this newspaper that one week was not enough to grasp the magnitude of the problem of

GRDB General Manager Nissam Hassan

the infestation of the dreaded bugs.

The two-man team from FLAR consists of entomologist and researcher, Dr Ed Pulver along with agri-

cultural engineer Santiago Jaramillo Cardona.

When the team met with rice farmers at Number 63 Village, some farmers explained that they have tried some of the suggestions made in the control of the dreaded paddy bugs, but those practices all failed.

At the end of the oneweek visit, the team put forward a report indicating the contributory factors which have caused the current infestation of party bags. They stated that a biological imbalance coming from an over-dependence and insecticides has created the conditions in which the paddy bugs are now thriving to the detriment of the rice crop. The team has suggested that an integrated pest management approach be adopted.

Way forward

Paddy bugs in the field

In fact, Santiago Cardona stated that it is the only way forward. “The only war at this way that farmers are fighting paddy bugs is with chemicals.

They need to focus on better pest management practices because insecticides are not the only answer. We need to start looking at planting dates, seed treatment and biological control to avoid excessive application of insecticides.” He said the farmers also have to take care of the natural insects that live in the rice fields. This, he added, will guarantee a balance in the ecosystem. He also stressed that the time of planting is also a critical factor in the management of paddy bugs. He also recommends that farmers first treat the paddy seeds while also placing emphasis on the time of planting.

“Those who plant late are more susceptible,” the FLAR team reported. However, the farmers argued that even those that would have planted early were affected in the

GRDB Extension Officer Ramlagan Singh

same way by the party bugs.

Recommendations

General Manager of the GRDB, Nissam Hassan noted some of the recommendations by the FLAR will be implemented by the GRBD. “Coming out of this visit, we will have a revised, re-

vamped agronomic practices approached for our farmers.

This will be rolled out almost immediately and willed through over the next few rainy seasons as we move to address the incidences of paddy bugs; not only paddy bugs but any other insect pest that may be affecting rice and also as we move to further enhance the productivity of rice being produced in Guyana.”

Most of the rice in the cultivation area is heading into the flowering stage - this is when the plants are more vulnerable to the dreaded paddy bugs.

According to Hassan, the bugs are being found on mares, in trenches and abundant rice fields.

He added that the GRDB had commenced a programme of spraying dams and other areas where the bugs are said to be laying eggs.

Agriculture engineer Santiago Jaramillo Cardona

However, Ramlagan Singh believes that the GRDB is executing a publicity stunt.

“Unfortunately, it was disclosed that the chemical finished [and] the motor-blower that they bought is minimal and cannot do the exercise,” he said. continued on page 15

12 news Eid-ul-Adha encompasses act of purity – Imam Aabidi E Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

id-ul-Adha is a Muslim holiday which symbolises, among many aspects, purity. This is according to President and Imam of the Al-Mustafa Islamic Trust, Maulana Tasdeeq Aabidi.

The religious holiday, which was celebrated by Muslims across Guyana and millions around the world, reminds of the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son, Ishmael in obedience to God. Imam Aabidi explained to Guyana Times on Monday, that through this sacrifice, Muslims are made pure. But although Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his son, Allah spared his life and an animal was butchered instead.

According to Imam Aabidi, “Eid means returning back. Returning back here means returning to our instinct nature and in terms of celebration…any joyful event, we call it Eid. So Eid-ul-Adha means Eid in which we offer a sacri-

President and Imam of the AlMustafa Islamic Trust, Maulana Tasdeeq Aabidi

the kindness of Allah.

According to the Muslims’ holy book, the Quran, the Prophet Ibrahim, through his dream, received a command

by Allah to sacrifice his own son Ishmael. The Imam explained that the Prophet’s son was also ready to obey this command so they both journeyed to a special place called Mina in Saudi Arabia to perform the ritual. “So he

opened his eyes he saw God almighty replaced a sheep in place of Ishmael,” the Imam preached.

He added that Muslims have been continuing this act to remind them of the kindness of Allah. They also purify themselves by performing same. The act teaches them to sacrifice their time, ego and wishes for a better life, community and for the harmony of society.

Before Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated, some Muslims fast, while others pilgrim.

“This month in which we are in is the last month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

On the 9th of this month, the pilgrim starts their Hajj. Hajj is divided into two part, one is umrah they would do before it where they go to the Holy Kaaba [House of God in Saudi Arabia] and circle seven times and they perform walking between the Safa and Marwa and certain other actions. After that, they start their Hajj. The Hajj starts from [the] 9th of this

day, Muslims march from Arafat to throw pebbles, another ritual. On the 10th morning, they go to the Mina, then go to slaughter their animals then they come back and shave their heads,” it was explained.

Those who are not pilgrimaging would on this day sacrifice an animal to uphold this event. They would share the meat to the needy, family members and

neighbours.

Eid-ul-Adha, like other Muslim holidays, is determined by the sighting of the moon. The Imam said that every month, Muslims look for the moon and once it is sighted, the following day is regarded as the first day of the month. “This month like 10 days before [Monday] we saw the moon and once the moon is sighted from the next day we calculate

the first day up to the 10th day of the month is Eid,” he said.

Along with the slaughtering of animals, Muslims also celebrate this day by making various delicacies such as mithai and others. They usually distribute these sweets and even food to the less fortunate and neighbours to strengthen the bond of brotherhood as was explained by the Imam.

GPF pledges full support to Commander after fire guts home …Fire Service yet to determine cause of fire

T

Persons gathered outside a mosque in Alexander Street

fice, normally sacrificing an animal”.

Animals such as sheep, goats, cows and even camels are slaughtered on this day to remind Muslims of

took his son and he closed his eyes, ‘cause he didn’t want to see his son with blood, and slaughtered his son, assuming that his son is slaughtered then once he

month. On this day, they go in a particular place called Arafat for prayers and other things. On this day some people fast while others choose not to. On the 10th

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has pledged its support to bring relief to G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands) Commander, Crystal Robinson and her family after her Stewartville, West Coast Demerara home was completely gutted by fire early Saturday morning.

In a statement to the press, the GPF said that a high-level team led by acting Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie on Saturday visited the burnt remains of Robinson’s home. “He [Hoppie] personally assured her of the Force administration‘s full support in bringing relief to the family at this most difficult time,” the missive read.

Along with the acting Commissioner, Crime Chief (ag) Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston; Deputy Commander of D Division, Superintendent Dion

Commander Crystal Robinson

Moore; Personal Assistant to the Commissioner, Superintendent Allistair Roberts; Deputy Traffic Chief, Deputy Superintendent Joseph Jack as well as other senior officers were present to lend their support.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service is yet to determine the cause of the fire which completely destroyed

the two-storey building during the wee hours of Saturday.

The Commander in a brief interview on Monday explained that she has been staying with a relative in the same village since her home was destroyed. She said she is awaiting the GFS report before she begins reconstructing her house.

In an interview with this publication on Saturday, she had explained that she was at the Police Pageant at the National Cultural Centre when she received a call at about 12:30h informing her of the fire.

She explained that by the time she reached her Lot 154 Back Street, Stewartville, WCD, home, it was already completely engulfed in flames.

Firefighters, who arrived at the scene late, were also unable to save anything from the blaze.

She complained that the first fire tender got stuck in mud on its way to her home, while the second arrived without water. By the time the third one got there the house was already destroyed.

Robinson told this publication that she lived in that home for 51 years with her parents and other relatives.

Luckily, none of the five occupants was at home at the time of the fire.

According to her, a neighbour observed flames in the garage of the house and contacted the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), which took some time before showing up at the scene.

Robinson said that three vehicles including PMM 7862, PSS 1387 and PVV 2106 were destroyed by the fire.

news

13

Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

All flight activities must be approved

by GCAA − Aviation Authority warns

E

very aircraft that enters Guyana’s territory or flies within its borders must first have approval to do so from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

A stern reminder of this factor was made by Director General of the GCAA, Egbert Field, during a recent interview with this publication.

Field said he has been informed that security businesses in particular have been seeking to upgrade their offering by adding the operation of drones and even helicopters to their services. While he lauded this venture, since it means that locals are looking to ex-

pand their services and advance technologically, he was keen to note that before such services become operational, businesses must seek approval from the GCAA. “They will have to go

through the process before they are allowed, if they are allowed, to fly. They would have to go through the entire process of applying to the Authority, and also get the necessary permits and

approval,” he explained.

Field has warned that businesses choosing to disregard this requirement can face drastic consequences if they are found in the act, such as being prohibited

from operating ever again.

“The consequences would be extremely drastic. If we learn of such operations, definitely they can be fined after court action. Such operators could

be banned for life,” he cautioned.

Asked if any such business has so far applied for a licence in this regard, Field responded in the negative. He said he is unaware of any business having applied for a licence to perform these new functions.

Guyana Times has, in recent days, observed at least one security firm expressing an interest in enhancing its services to add quick response operations via helicopter. That security company said it was expected to launch its service

by October 2019, but did not disclose whether it had already secured the requisite licence.

UG students assist Buxton youths to Berbice teen disappears from grandmother’s house improve literacy

U

niversity of Guyana (UG) students who are each pursuing a degree in social work have partnered with the Buxton Youth Developers community group on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) to improve the literacy skills of the youths of the latter-named group.

This undertaking is part of the UG students’ final year project, and the initiative entailed creating for the Buxton children a library space where they would be exposed to important books and publications.

Enough books were accumulated after a successful book drive to create a wellstocked learning centre, where the Buxton children could access information on elements of writing, vocabulary, and other aspects of

the English language.

These children also received guidance via discussion on a number of social issues that each have a negative impact. Some were even trained in ways to earn money by utilising craft skills to make floral arrangements.

Children within the group and around the community were engaged by the social work students in a community practice programme designed to improve their knowledge of life management and literacy.

“Knowledge and skills acquired through the session included talks on conflict resolution, self-esteem, hygiene, and also craft skills were taught,” the UG students related.

The entire undertaking was successfully completed through a joint effort, and

T

Some of the students who were assisted by UG students

the UG students indicated that the non-profit organization has played an important role in this respect.

The Buxton Youth Developers, established since 2007, has been diligently catering to the needs of the community by holding classes for school dropouts between the ages of 12 and

17 years old. This organisation is presently spearheaded by an administrator, who has four teachers assisting children from the community by providing afternoon lessons.

In recent times, there has been an alarming number of school dropouts in this community.

he search is on for a 13-year-old girl of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), who disappeared from her grandmother’s house after an altercation ensued between the two on Saturday.

Christina Krisendat was last seen at about 21:00h.

According to her grandmother, Lucile Ramoo, she has been caring for the child since the age of three.

Earlier that day, Krisendat and her grandmother had a confrontation over some money and the teen disappeared later that night. The woman is pleading with persons to contact the nearest police station if her granddaughter is spotted anywhere.

“We search and didn’t find anybody. The last I see her was the same Saturday.

Missing: Christina Krisendat

I didn’t see her back. I went to the police and Sunday I went back but we didn’t hear anything,” the woman recalled.

The grandmother insisted that the teen has never run away from home before.

Anyone with information about the missing teen is asked to contact the nearest police station.

14 News

Tuesday, august 13, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Fatal accident

3 months later

Charges yet to be laid Police still to solve murder of female taxi driver …no solid leads yet, but probe still ongoing – Commander against GDF rank

C Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus

A

lmost two months have passed since 57-year-old pedal cyclist Ramlackhan succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being struck by an intoxicated Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank but to date, no charges have been laid against the military official.

Commander of C Division (East Coast Demerara), Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus on Friday told Guyana Times that the file was sent for legal advice but has not yet been returned to the police.

Three weeks ago, Traffic Chief Linden Isles told Guyana Times that “a complete” file on this matter was already sent to the DPP since, initially, the file had been compiled with information relating to the Army Corporal driving under the influence of alcohol and injuring Ramlackhan, who had been in an unconscious state for weeks.

However, the pedal cyclist succumbed without regaining consciousness and this caused the investigation and charges to be laid to take a different route.

“It was a serious accident that turned into a fatal accident. So at that time [and until now], he was released in the custody of the Army.

Now the investigation is continuing because it was a serious accident initially and so we now have to investigate a fatal accident,” the

Traffic Chief had told this publication at that time.

He had also stated that the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge, as well as others that may be laid against the Army rank, will be done all together in one file that will be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

On May 25 last, Ramlackhan was struck down along the Vryheid’s Lust Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), by motorcar PRR 7815 allegedly being driven by the soldier. The severely injured man of Lot 346 Martyrs Ville, Mon Repos, ECD, was at the time towing a friend, who suffered minor injuries.

Reports are the duo was riding along the roadway when they were hit off the bicycle by the vehicle being driven by the GDF rank, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.

Ramlackhan was picked up and taken to the GPHC, where he was admitted a patient.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the vehicle, and it was discovered that his alcohol intake was above the legal limit. While Ramlackhan was in a coma at the GPHC, the soldier, who was allegedly driving the car involved in the accident, was released into the custody of the Army.

“The Joint Services Protocol dictates that we hand him over to his superiors pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). With regards to Police having custody of Joint Services ranks, it is dependent on the category of crime. For instance, if it is murder or so, they will stay in our [GPF] custody. If it is a lesser category, we hand them over to their respective agency and they will take responsibility to bring them back whenever is needed; or if advice is to charge, they will make them available and bring them so,” Commander Brutus had also stated at that time.

A

lmost three months ago, 47-year-old female taxi driver, Indira Bipat was murdered, her body dumped in a ditch at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), and her vehicle stolen from the crime scene but to date, no one has been arrested.

Police Commander of D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo), Edmond Cooper confirmed with Guyana Times on Monday that at present, there are no solid leads as to who is responsible for the woman’s demise and stealing her car, but that the investigation into the matter is still ongoing.

He stated that this case will not be closed until the police nab the guilty party/parties.

“We are still working on that. Nothing is really coming out right now. But those matters, I am dealing with myself, because I don’t like leaving any stones unturned in my area at

Murdered: Indira Bipat

all.”

Commander Cooper reiterated that since the start of the case, investigators had been encountering some difficulties in nabbing the culprit(s) due to the manner in which the crime was executed.

“Right now we are looking desperately for the vehicle, we have contacted the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), even viewed the surveillance camera at the Demerara Harbour Bridge to see if the car

went across that side. We are in contact with all the Police Commanders to see if somebody in the various districts might have had a car [looking] like that one and probably changed their chassis number and such,” he had previously explained to this publication.

On May 19 last, the body of Bipat, who was a part-time taxi driver, was found but the silver-grey Toyota Axio bearing registration number PXX 4114 that she was driving at the time of her death has disappeared.

Bipat, of Lot 18 Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, WBD, had left her home at about 17:30h on May 18 last, in her family’s silver-grey Toyota Axio bearing registration number PXX 4114.

After the woman failed to return home that evening and the following morning, her son told Guyana Times that he filed a missing person’s report at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station.

While there, the young

D Division Commander Edmond Cooper

man revealed that he received a report from a female friend informing him that the body of a female had been found in a ditch at La Parfaite Harmonie.

As such, the family rushed to the scene and their worst fears were confirmed.

The post-mortem examination (PME) that was conducted on Bipat’s body revealed the cause of death as strangulation, compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

Harmon lauds stellar NGSA performance in Region 3

D

irector General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, has commended the Region Three Department of Education (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) on the high level of attainment and higher percentage of passes obtained at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations.

Of the 1,827 Grade Six pupils who wrote the NGSA in that region, 37 secured spots in the top one per cent of the country’s top performers.

In his feature address at that region’s second annual NGSA Awards Ceremony, held last Friday at the Regional Education Office at Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara, Harmon said these developments are a direct result of Government’s continuous investment in the education sector.

He is quoted by the Public Information and Press Services Unit within the Ministry of the Presidency as saying that NGSA remains a critical point in Guyana’s education system,

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, with the top 10 NGSA performers of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). Harmon is flanked by, from left to right in back row, Regional Education Officer Annesta Douglas and the Regional Information Officer

as it allows students to transition from primary to secondary education.

He posited that Government continues to implement reforms and other measures to enhance learning, among which are enhanced teacher training, curricular development, digitisation of the education system, the introduction of smart classrooms, and literacy and numeracy interventions.

Government has also provided access to education

through the Public Education Transport Service (PETS), and in order to boost literacy of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the region, 39 schools and 40 ICT Hubs have benefited from internet access through the Schools Connectivity Initiative implemented by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Harmon said.

He commended parents and teachers for capitalising on these measures to enhance

learning of children in Region 3, and noted that the exceptional NGSA results are evidence of the success of these measures.

Harmon, moreover, encouraged the students to remain focused on their education.

The students who were honoured at this ceremony are the following: Ruth Larson and Shrirish Persaud, who shared the top spot with 530 marks; Sarah Johnson, Aditya Sharma and Jaaya Shiwraj, each of whom obtained 528 marks; and Athaliah Joe, Yuvraj Tuklaram and Aryan Sugrim, each of whom obtained 527 marks. These were all students of the Academy of Excellence. Janae Boucher of the Genesis Early Childhood Education Centre, who also obtained 527 marks, and Chitra Parbhu of the Leonora Primary School, who gained 526 marks, were also honoured. Each of these 10 students has obtained a place at Queen’s College.

This ceremony was also attended by Region Three Education Officer Annesta Douglas.

news

15

Tuesday, august 13, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Denial of airfares for hinterland students

Early requests are required for speedy processing – Minister

“I

n everything, there are issues. If you do not make early request, it might take a few days before you could overcome them but they are being eventually supported.”

Those were the words of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock, who was at the time responding to questions with regards to students in Georgetown being denied their airfares to return home in the hinterland locations.

According to Allicock, “If whoever is dealing with them don’t give us advance notice it takes time to do the paperwork to get the monies and the time, who is going where and that sort of thing.

So it’s not like one area they are going to, it’s many areas so you have to look for opportunities on which flight,

Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley

which bus, or which transport, these things are normally taken care of”.

On Friday it was reported that several hinterland students are being denied their airfares to return

home. This was revealed by the Region One (BarimaWaini) Chairman, Brentnol Ashley.

The Chairman explained that students desirous of studying on the coastland would take the opportunity of pursuing courses in the capital city and then return to serve their community for two years.

It is a framework that was established to provide tertiary education since these services are non-existent in the region.

“We would have established a scholarship programme. It would have been in existence for years in which persons who are employed with the RDC would apply because there is no access to tertiary education.

They would apply to attend University of Guyana, the Guyana School of

Agriculture and other agencies and the region would allow them to continue studying and upon completion, they are obligated by way of those conditions to return and serve the region for a period of two years,” he told this publication.

During their scholarships, transportation is provided two times annually to visit their relatives; in the 2019 budget, adequate resources were allocated for such to be done. However, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) has reportedly denied the travel allowance, maintaining that such is not prescribed in the contracts.

Ashley explained, “The region would have put together a contract which is in keeping with the contract that they normally sign with the Department

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

of Public Service. In that regional contract would have guided with conditions that they will be paid their salaries and providing an air ticket for two times a year so

that they can be with their families. Now, even though we would have budgeted for that to happen and the resources are provided, the REO has stopped that, saying that this contact does not speak about providing transportation or their air ticket.”

This move has left several students stranded in the city – a move which will affect the human resource capacity in their villages significantly.

The Chairman contended, “This is the hinterland.

It is not the coastland where you can easily get into a bus or taxi to get to where you need to go and it is costly.

It is a clear indication that the REO isn’t respecting the decision of the RDC. He is making unilateral decisions without consulting the legally elected Council”.

Solid Waste Department cleans several sections of Georgetown

A

A section of Kitty Market where garbage had been dumped, showing before and after the clean-up

team from the Solid Waste Department headed by the Director, Walter Narine, on Friday and Sunday carried out massive cleanup campaigns in several sections of Georgetown including the Kitty and East Ruimveldt Market area along with the Cowan Street area.

The cleanup exercise on the Kitty Market took approximately 45 minutes while the East Ruimveldt and Cowan Street areas took approximately 3 ½ hours to be completely cleared.

The areas had to be cleared since disposal bins placed at each point are reportedly not being properly utilised.

According to Narine, the Solid Waste Department is presently low on resources to have the areas policed daily and as such, the garbage disposal issue is one that is frequent.

However, his department is now looking to partner with vendors and resi-

dents to police the areas and report any delinquency.

The residents and vendors were reportedly asked to take photos and videos in cases where persons are caught delinquently dumping garbage and charges are expected to be instituted.

Persons can even be fined.

In the Tiger Bay area, which was also recently cleared, Narine said that all bins were removed since garbage disposal at the area is out of control. However, that area is presently being monitored.

An illegal dumpsite located in central Georgetown was also recently cleared and is also being policed.

Just recently, persons were forewarned of prosecution if found to be illegally dumping.

Narine had made the disclosure following a cleanup campaign behind the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI), Water Street, Georgetown, location— which is home to the

John Fernandes Container Wharf.

The exercise, which lasted two hours, saw excavators from the Solid Waste Department, along with a bobcat provided by John Fernandes, being used to remove the garbage which was reportedly dumped by vendors and vagrants.

According to Narine, the department is seeking to regulate the area beginning with the clean-up. However, the area is now expected to be monitored by constabulary officers and anyone caught dumping waste will be arrested and prosecuted.

The garbage at the John Fernandes Container Wharf had piled up over a oneweek period, despite receptacles being placed at the location.

Narine told this publication that persons are not using the receptacles but are clearly just dumping the garbage.

He is appealing to the vendors to properly dis-

GRDB receives int’l...

Another farmer, Hemchan Doolchand of Number 69 Village, who has 240 acres under cultivation, said he has visited all of the outlets along the upper and central Corentyne and cannot find the insecticide which the FLAR experts recommended.

Meanwhile, the GRDB is encouraging farmers not to

spray their fields during the young stages of rice, saying that this will encourage the build-up of the insects. The FLAR team also found that the insecticides being used are killing all insects including bugs which are natural enemies of the paddy bug.

They said it might take two to three crops before normal-

from page 11

cy can be returned.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put a hold on aerial spraying of rice.

During the last rice crop in the 52-74 area, where 15,000 acres were under rice cultivation, 25 per cent of the harvested rice had to be dumped.

A section of Cowan Street, Georgetown where garbage had been dumped, showing before and after the clean-up

pose of their waste and forewarned that action will be taken.

“We are appealing to everybody to have at least a receptacle, vendors they

are the major problem because many of them do not have receptacles, they have plastic bags and so but in the interim, this is our challenge. This is madness, gar-

bage decomposes within a four-hour period, then you have the leaches, it has a lot of dangerous effects on humans and animals,” Narine cautioned.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, august 13, 2019

Regional

Venezuela's pro-Government Brazil’s Prosecutors move to ban legislature holds session, may Bolsonaro's son from Ambassador job disband Opposition congress B

V

enezuela’s pro-Government legislature held a session on Monday amid accusations it is planning to disband the Opposition-run Parliament and convene early legislative elections, potentially escalating the country’s political crisis.

Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó on Sunday said the Constituent Assembly would make the decision during a Monday session, after President Nicolás Maduro called for an “offensive” against Congress.

Such a move would fuel criticism of Maduro in the international community and would almost certainly halt Norway-brokered talks between the Government and Guaidó allies meant to reach a negotiated solution to Venezuela’s political stalemate.

Diosdado Cabello, Vice President of the ruling Socialist Party and head of the Constituent Assembly,

on Sunday night confirmed via Twitter that a session was scheduled for Monday, but did not say what would be discussed.

“Nothing will stop us, we are free and we will be victorious!!” he wrote.

A Constituent Assembly official did not respond to a message seeking details on the session.

Congressional elections are held every five years and are not scheduled until December 2020.

The Opposition in 2015 won a two-thirds majority of Congress in a landslide vote, taking control of Parliament for the first time in 16 years.

Maduro’s Government refused to recognise any of its decisions and the Supreme Court has shot down every measure it approved.

In 2017, Maduro launched an election to create the Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful body that is officially tasked with rewriting the Constitution, but in prac-

Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly (ANC) President Diosdado Cabello takes part in a session in Caracas, Venezuela, August 12, 2019

tice functions as a parallel legislature with no checks on its power.

The Opposition broadly boycotted that vote, and the creation of the institution was harshly criticised around the world as undermining democracy. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Conservative Alejandro Giammattei wins Guatemalan presidency

C

onservative candidate and ex-prison chief Alejandro Giammattei has been elected President of Guatemala.

Preliminary results show he took 59 per cent of the vote, while his centre-left opponent Sandra Torres won 41 per cent.

Ex-First Lady Torres, who won the first round in June, was running for the third time, while Giammattei was making his fourth attempt.

Shortly before being elected, Giammattei said he wanted to change a controversial US migration deal.

He has been elected for a single four-year term, replacing outgoing President Jimmy Morales.

Voter turnout was reportedly low amid disillusionment with Morales' Administration and scepticism over corruption.

Conservative and ex-prison chief Alejandro Giammattei

"It will be an immense honour to be President of this country that I love so much," said Giammattei.

"We will rebuild Guatemala. I have no words to say how grateful I am."

Giammattei told Reuters he wanted to see what could be done to improve a deal agreed

by Morales and US President Donald Trump, which seeks to

stem migration to the United States by using Guatemala as a buffer zone.

Under the agreement, migrants passing through Guatemala en route to the US would have to apply for asylum in the former rather than in the US. "It's not right for the country," Giammattei said. "If we don't have the capacity to look after our own people, imagine what it will be like for foreigners."

In the lead-up to the election, both candidates said they opposed the deal, arguing that Guatemala – a country plagued by poverty and violence – does not have the capacity to process the asylum requests and even less so to look after the applicants or return them to their home countries if their requests are rejected. (Excerpt from BBC News)

razilian Prosecutors have moved to ban President Jair Bolsonaro's son from becoming Ambassador to the United States.

The Public Prosecutor's office filed an injunction on Monday asking a federal court to rule on the experience needed for anyone to serve as a diplomat.

Opposition lawmakers have also asked the Supreme Court to block the appointment, calling it nepotism.

It comes days after Bolsonaro said US President Donald Trump had approved the appointment of his son, Eduardo.

However, the nomination still requires approval from Brazil's Senate.

According to Brazilian magazine Epoca, Prosecutors asked a court in Brasilia to rule on the "merits and services" required for any non-diplomats serving as Ambassadors.

The Prosecutors added that there would be "danger of harm if a person is nominated without adequate preparation".

Eduardo Bolsonaro, 35,

Eduardo, left, the third son of President Jair Bolsonaro, right, has a strong influence on his father

is a congressman who heads the foreign affairs committee in the Lower House.

He has no previous diplomatic experience, but has been dubbed Brazil's "shadow foreign minister" because of the strong influence he has on his father's foreign policy, BBC Americas editor Candace Piette reports.

Earlier this year, he joined his father in a private

meeting with US President Trump during a diplomatic trip to Washington.

Both the President and his son have a proUS stance, breaking with Brazil's traditionally more cautious position. Eduardo is openly pro-Israeli, whereas in the past Brazil has been careful not to offend Arab nations. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaican among 3 UN staff killed in Libya car bombing

J

amaican Clive Peck was one of three United Nations staff members who died when a bomb-laden vehicle exploded Saturday outside a shopping mall in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi.

Peck, who was originally from Smithville in Clarendon, was a former member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Special Branch.

The attack came even as Libya's warring sides said they accepted a ceasefire proposed by the UN aimed at halting combat in the capital Tripoli during an upcoming Muslim holiday.

Health officials said the blast took place outside Arkan Mall in the Hawari neighbourhood, where people were gathering for

shopping a day before the Eid al-Adha holiday begins. The Benghazi municipal council said the attack targeted a convoy for the UN Support Mission in Libya.

The site of the attack is close to offices of the mission in Libya. The other two UN staffers who died were from Libya and Fuji, and the blast wounded nine people, according to health officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief reporters.

Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN Secretary General António Guterres, said in a statement that three UN workers were among the wounded.

“The Secretary General

Clive Peck

extends his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wishes a swift recovery to all the injured.

He calls on the Libyan authorities to spare no effort in identifying and swiftly bringing to justice the perpetrators of this attack,” Dujarric said. (Excerpt from Jamaica

Macri vows to win 2nd term after Argentine peso crashes on primary results T&T Govt Senator resigns

A

rgentine President Mauricio Macri vowed on Monday to win a second term despite a surprisingly strong performance by the Opposition in the primary election that set off a shockwave through markets, crashing the peso currency and sending stocks and bonds tumbling.

Macri said he would “reverse” the result of Sunday’s primary, but acknowledged that a weaker peso triggered by the surge in support for

Peronist Opposition candidate Alberto Fernandez and his running mate former President Cristina Fernandez would fuel inflation.

The peso closed 15 per cent weaker at 53.5 per US dollar after plunging some 30 per cent to a record low earlier in the day after the primary election prompted market fears over Argentina’s potential return to the interventionist economics of the previous Government.

Refinitiv data showed

Argentine stocks and bonds and the peso had not recorded this kind of simultaneous fall since the South American country’s 2001 economic crisis and debt default.

“I trust we will have a more even election in October that will allow us to go to a second round. Those who don’t want to go back to the past will join us,” Macri said at a news conference, adding that he was not considering a Cabinet reshuffle. (Excerpt from Reuters)

G

overnment Senator Garvin Simonette has resigned as a senator, hours after he was scrapped as Marlene McDonald's replacement in Cabinet.

Simonette issued a statement to the media Monday afternoon announcing his resignation.

He said he sent the Prime Minister his resignation from the Senate after his arrest record for a Driving Under the Influence

Garvin Simonette

Observer)

(DUI) charge in the United States was circulated online.

He said he also "declined" his appointment to the Cabinet as the new Minister of Public Administration.

Simonette said it would be "inappropriate" to accept the Cabinet position.

He said he wanted to relieve the Prime Minister and the PNM of the "distracting burdens."

He also apologised for any embarrassment caused.

(Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, august 13, 2019

17

Around the World

Hong Kong airport grinds to halt; Kashmiris observe China likens protests to terrorism Eid amid lockdown

Anti-extradition bill protesters rally at the departure hall of Hong Kong airport in Hong Kong, China, August 12, 2019

H

ong Kong’s airport halted flights on Monday, blaming demonstrators for the disruption, while China said the anti-Government protests that have swept the city over the past two months had begun to show “sprouts of terrorism”.

The airport authority said it was working with airlines to resume flights from 6 AM on Tuesday, but the devel-

opments raised the stakes sharply after a weekend of skirmishes during which both activists and Police toughened their stances.

The precise trigger for the airport’s closure was not clear, since protesters occupying the arrivals hall for four days have been peaceful.

Some Hong Kong legal experts say official descriptions of some protesters’

actions as terrorism could lead to the use of extensive anti-terror laws and powers against them.

China’s People’s Armed Police also assembled in the neighbouring city of Shenzhen for exercises, the Statebacked Global Times newspaper said. The Communist Party’s official People’s Daily newspaper said on the Twitter-like Weibo that the force can handle incidents including riots or terrorist attacks.

Hong Kongers responded by taking to the streets again.

The increasingly violent demonstrations have plunged the Chineseruled territory into its most serious crisis in decades, presenting Chinese leader Xi Jinping with one of his biggest challenges since he came to power in 2012.

The protests began in opposition to a bill allowing extraditions to the mainland for trial in Communist-controlled courts, but have widened to highlight other grievances, winning broad support.

Demonstrators say they are fighting the erosion of the “one country, two systems” arrangement enshrining some autonomy for Hong Kong when China took it back from Britain in 1997. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South Africa: Relief for President Ramaphosa in corruption case

P

resident Cyril Ramaphosa has won the latest round of a legal battle with South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog.

A Judge on Monday delayed implementation of findings linked to the watchdog’s claim that he misled Parliament about a leadership campaign donation.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane alleged in July that Ramaphosa had “deliberately misled” Parliament about the $32,500 donation for the 2017 campaign to succeed Jacob Zuma as Head of the governing African National Congress (ANC).

She said there was also prima facie evidence of money laundering involving mil-

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is embroiled in a legal battle with the country’s public prosecutor over corruption charges

lions of rand in the handling of donations for the campaign.

Ramaphosa called her report flawed, and was granted an interdict by the Judge against the implementation of the anti-corruption monitors’ findings while he ap-

peals.

The case involves complaints made to the watchdog in November by Opposition legislators that Ramaphosa had violated the executive ethics code over a donation to his son, Andile,

by Gavin Watson, CEO of

services company Bosasa.

The saga has proven to be cumbersome for Ramaphosa, who has staked his reputation on cleaning up institutionalised corruption and reviving Africa’s most developed economy, providing ammunition for his opponents - including an ANC faction loyal to Zuma.

On Thursday, Ramaphosa won a separate a case also involving Mkhwebane when a Judge ruled he had acted reasonably in not immediately disciplining Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, a political ally of the President, over a decision linked to retirement of a tax official in 2010. (Excerpt from

Al Jazeera)

Italian Senate called to set debate on Salvini’s election bid

R

ight-wing League Leader Matteo Salvini’s drive for early elections in Italy hit a road bump on Monday with parliamentary party leaders failing to decide when the Senate should debate his No-Confidence Motion in the Government.

The deeply divided parliamentary chiefs ordered the full Upper House Senate to break its summer recess on Tuesday to decide for itself on when to hold the vote, which looks set to trigger the downfall of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Salvini, now Interior

Italian Interior Minister and leader of the League party, Matteo Salvini leaves at the end of a meeting with Lega Nord’s deputies and Senators, as Italian Senate is due to set a date to hold a noconfidence vote on the Government in Rome, Italy, August 12, 2019

Minister in a year-old coalition with the anti-estab-

lishment 5-Star Movement, wants to capitalise on his

surging popularity in the opinion polls and hold a new election that could see him crowned as Prime Minister.

But the 5-Star and many lawmakers from the Opposition centre-left Democratic Party (PD) are furious over Salvini’s manoeuvring and want to slow his charge to the ballot box, saying this will torpedo key bills and damage Italy’s fragile finances.

The Senate will set the calendar for the unprecedented summer political crisis at a session due to start at 6 pm (1700 GMT) on Tuesday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Security was heightened on Eid

P

eople in Indianadministered Kashmir observed the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha amid a communications blackout and tight security on Monday.

BBC reporters in the region say many offered prayers at local mosques as the main mosque in the capital, Srinagar, was out of bounds.

Some protests were reported in the Soura area of the city but the festival was largely peaceful, officials said.

The area has been under lockdown since India revoked its special status.

Article 370, as the law is known, gave the state of Jammu and Kashmir considerable autonomy - its own Constitution, a separate flag and freedom to make laws.

Foreign affairs, defence and communications remained the preserve of the Central Government.

Its revocation has caused considerable anger in the re-

gion, which Pakistan and India both claim in full but control in part.

India deployed tens of thousands of troops to Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir ahead of last week’s announcement that special status was to be revoked.

Since that controversial announcement, it has detained hundreds of people including politicians, activists and academics in makeshift centres in an effort to quell protests.

However, violence has broken out. There have been some incidents of protesters hurling stones at security forces and Friday saw hundreds clash with troops in Soura after weekly midday prayers.

As a result, Monday saw a tightening of restrictions.

Telephone networks and the internet, which were shut down last week, are yet to be restored, making it impossible for people to wish each other for the festival.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump targets legal migrants who get food aid

U

S President Donald Trump’s Administration is to make it more difficult for poorer legal migrants to extend their visas or gain permanent resident status (a green card).

The rule targets migrants who rely on public benefits, such as food aid or public housing, for more than a year.

Their applications will be rejected if the Government decides they are likely to rely on public assistance in future.

The rule change would reinforce “ideals of self-sufficiency,” officials said.

The new regulation, known as a “public charge rule”, was published in the Federal Register on Monday and will take effect on October 15.

President Trump has made immigration a central theme of his Administration.

This latest move is part of his Government’s efforts to curb legal immigration.

“To protect benefits for American citizens, immigrants must be financially self-sufficient,” a White House statement read after the rule change was announced.

It said two-thirds of immigrants entering the US “do so based on family ties rather than on skill or merit”.

The Trump Administration has also cracked down on illegal immigration. Last week, about 680 people were arrested in Mississippi on suspicion of being undocumented migrants.

However, the number of undocumented immigrants in the US is falling, according to a recent analysis from the Pew Research Center.

In May, President Trump put forward proposals for a new skills-based immigration system, designed to favour younger, better educated, English-speaking workers. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, AUGUST 13, 2019

18

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

dilbert

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

You will find it challenging to settle down if you let others’ words or actions get to you. Take a deep breath and concentrate on your responsibilities.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Look for opportunities to boost your standard of living. Consider what you can do to alter your cash flow.

Set priorities and improve your life.

CANCER

Check out what’s available. Let others do as they please and head in the direction that excites you the most. A lifestyle change will alter the ways you think and do things.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

You don’t have to fall in line behind someone else.

Use your ingenuity, intelligence and skills to do the best job possible. Outdo, outsmart and outmanoeuvre.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Stay calm. Your state of mind will play a role in how changes unfold. Look for an opportunity. A positive attitude will help attract good people and produce stellar results.

Do whatever it takes to bring about positive change.

Your actions will be more effective than your words. A domestic change will bring unusual and unexpected results.

Reconnecting with someLIBRA (Sept. 23- one from your past will be Oct. 23) eye-opening. It will either encourage you to appreciate what you’ve accomplished or offer insight into how to move forward with grace and aplomb

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Take your time and listen carefully. Someone will mislead you or change his or her plans at the last minute. Be prepared to adjust to whatever comes your way.

A break will be rejuvenatSAGITTARIUS ing. Taking a business trip, (Nov. 23- visiting a place you’ve nevDec. 21) er been before or seeking out information that can help you get ahead is encouraged.

Romance is highlighted. tomorrow

last published puzzle

Consider what you can CAPRICORN do to make improvements at (Dec. 22- home that will satisfy everyJan. 19) one’s needs. Listen to suggestions and stick to a set budget. Use your resources to achieve your goal.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Stand on guard, as emotions will surface due to someone’s inconsistency.

Don’t fret; go about your business and take care of your responsibilities. In the end, it’s what you accomplish that counts.

Only take on what’s doable. Refuse to let someone goad you into something you don’t want to do or shouldn’t do. Take care of personal matters before you offer to help others.

TUESday, august 13, 2019

19

ICC working towards cricket in 2028 LA Olympics, says MCC’s Gatting C

ricket is in line to be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, MCC World Cricket Committee chairman Mike Gatting has said following an address by the ICC’s new chief executive Manu Sawhney at Lord’s this week.

In what would be the end to one of cricket’s longest and least satisfying sagas, Gatting said Sawhney told the MCC’s Cricket Committee that strong progress had been made to ensure the game is given the global platform many of its custodians want it to gain - those including, seemingly for the first time, India.

“We were talking with Manu Sawhney the ICC chief exec, and he was very hopeful we can get cricket into the 2028 Olympics,” Gatting said. “That’s what they’re working towards at the moment and that would be a huge bonus for cricket worldwide, it would be fantastic.

“It’s two weeks, that’s a good thing about it, it’s not a month, so it’s one of those [events] where scheduling for two weeks should be

fine once every four years once confirmation of the incluyou do the first one. You’re sion of women’s cricket in going to have - one hopes the 2022 Birmingham - a four-year period, once Commonwealth you know you’ve been acGames - the first time cepted into the Olympics, the sport has been that gives you a chance to included since actually shape your two Kuala Lumpur in weeks, so it’s not as if it 1998 - is imminent, is butted into the schedfollowing fruitful ule. meetings between “I think the next 18 games organisers months will be very interestand ICC offiing as to how we do that. One cials in of the problems has been negated, where the BCCI is now working with NADA, the drugs agency, which it wasn’t previously a part of. That will help a long way towards the sport being whole, which is what we need it to be to apply for the Olympics, both men and women to play and all countries to comply.”

Additionally, ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney Gatting said that

recent weeks.

“I believe there’s going to be a statement out in the next two days or even tomorrow just to confirm the women are going to be playing in the Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston,” Gatting said. “We’re hoping they’re going to get the nod on that, which will be fantastic.”

Among other things, the committee also discussed the security situation in Sri Lanka, following the 2019 Easter bombings, and also Pakistan, which has suffered from an almost total lack of international cricket in the country since the attack on the Sri Lankan team and ICC officials’ buses in Lahore a decade ago.

On Sri Lanka, committee member Kumar Sangakkara said he expected the forthcoming tour scheduled by England would go ahead.

“All countries do their independent assessments about security and the level of threat and I feel those questions have been answered very satisfactorily up to now,” Sangakkara said. “I don’t see that chang-

ing for the England tour but we will see discussions going ahead. I played cricket at heightened times of trouble in Sri Lanka and we’ve had those arrangements in place for teams to tour the country.”

As for Pakistan, Gatting said that the committee was eager to see the resumption of tours to the nation after 10 years, and that the MCC would be interested in sending a touring team of its own by way of re-opening the door - final security checks pending as ever.

“We had a brief presentation from [PCB managing director] Wasim Khan,” Gatting said. “As MCC, I think we can see there’s some safety issues that are still there, but I suspect if those can be overcome everybody is happy, [then] I don’t see why there’s any reason we can’t [organise] an MCC tour there, and other teams would have to make their own assessment of how safe it is to play there.

One hopes it won’t be long before they can convince people it is a lot safer than it was and as soon as that’s the case, MCC will look at sending a touring party over.”

(ESPNcricinfo)

Bagley pulls out of Team NCAA amends controversial “Rich Paul Rule” USA consideration T T wo days after his promotion from Team USA Select to the Senior Team, Marvin Bagley III removed himself from consideration for the 2019 FIBA World Cup roster.

Bagley, a forward for the Sacramento Kings, was promoted from the Select Team to the Senior roster on Friday after a scrimmage won by the Select Team.

Bagley was due to report this week to El Segundo, Calif., for the second week of Team USA training camp.

If he’s not replaced

on the roster, Team USA will have 16 players in camp competing for 12 spots.

Two players, Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (thumb) and Celtics guard Marcus Smart (calf strain), are dealing with injuries and might not be available for the World Cup. The FIBA World Cup runs Aug. 31-Sept. 15 in Shanghai, China.

The official 12-man

roster is due by Aug. 29. Team USA plays its first game on Sept. 1 against the Czech Republic.

The U.S. team will head to Australia for three exhibition games before going to China. (Reuters)

USA Men’s National Blue Team forward PJ Tucker (44) grabs a rebound in front of USA Men’s National White Team forward Marvin Bagley III

he NCAA amended its certification process for agents on Monday after drawing criticism for what was dubbed as the “Rich Paul Rule.”

The NCAA said last week that agents representing players deciding whether to stay in college or leave for the NBA would have to possess a bachelor’s degree. On Monday, that policy was changed and now agents who don’t have a B.A. degree will be required to be in good standing with the NBA Players Association.

“We are committed to providing student-athletes who are deciding whether to stay in school or explore NBA draft options with access to a wide array of resources to make their decision,” the NCAA said in a statement on Monday.

“NCAA member schools developed the new agent certification process to accomplish that goal and reflect our higher education mission. However, we have been made aware of several current agents who have appropriately represented former student-athletes in their professional quest and whom the National Basketball Players Association has granted waivers of its bachelor’s degree requirement.”

Last week’s decision drew criticism

as some agents didn’t attend college.

The requirement of the bachelor’s degree led to the belief it might be aimed at Paul, who doesn’t have a college degree but represents LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green and Ben Simmons among other NBA players.

Monday’s reversal came on the same day in which Paul slammed the NCAA in The Athletic.

“NCAA executives are once again preventing young people from less prestigious backgrounds, and often people of color, from working in the system they continue to control,” Paul wrote. “In this case, the people being locked out are kids who aspire to be an agent and work in the NBA and do not have the resources, opportunity, or desire to get a fouryear degree.”

James sharply criticized the NCAA after last week’s ruling as well.

The NCAA denied that Paul was targeted in the initial decision.

“While specific individuals were not considered when developing our process, we respect the NBPA’s determination of qualification and have amended our certification criteria,” the NCAA said. (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

TUESday, august 13, 2019

Ashes 2019: England’s Archer says Australia will not wear him down at Lord’s

J

ofra Archer has told Australia coach Justin Langer he has “another thing coming” if he thinks the tourists can “wear down” the England pace bowler during the second Ashes Test.

Archer is set to make his Test debut at Lord’s having been part of England’s World Cup-winning team.

“We have to get him into second, third or fourth spells,” said Langer.

But Archer told BBC Sport: “I don’t think Justin Langer has seen me play first-class cricket.”

“I usually bowl 40 overs every game,” he added.

The 24-year-old, part of the home side preparing for the start of the second Test on Wednesday, was born in Barbados to a British father and qualified to play for England in March.

So far he has only played limited-overs international cricket and, globally, has built a reputation on his performances in Twenty20 leagues.

“I’m really curious about how Archer is going to go,” said coach

Jofra Archer took seven wickets and hit a hundred in a Sussex Second XI match last week (Getty Images)

Langer. “He’s played one red-ball game in 11 months. He’s a very skilled bowler and a great athlete.

But Test cricket is very different to white-ball cricket.”

However, Sussex man Archer said first-class cricket is his preferred format of the game and be-

GCOS acquires Hero Honda motorcycle for fundraiser raffle

T

lieves he is better suited to bowling with a red ball than a white one.

And, while most of his professional cricket has come in the T20 version of the game, Archer has played as many first-class games as he has List A matches - 28 apiece.

Inaki Williams: Athletic Bilbao striker signs 9-year contract A

thletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams has signed a nine-year contract with the Spanish club.

Williams, 25, has signed until 2028 and his new deal includes a 135m Euro (£125m) release clause.

The contract is one of the longest ever handed to a player but does not surpass the 10-year agreement Real Betis handed Brazilian winger Denilson in 1998.

Williams said: “Hopefully great things can come because what I want to make this club bigger, if possible.”

“This, as you can see, is my house, and all I want, I have it here. The club

Avril Black (left) and Ester Sobers pose with the Hero Honda 150cc motorcyle

he Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS), which has a mandate to support sportsmen and sportswomen besides supporting the performing arts, has acquired the last outstanding prize for its annual fund-raising raffle, the proceeds of which go towards fulfilling the GCOS mandate.

The grand draw for the raffle will be on August 31st, one week after conclusion of the GCOS annual sports summer camp.

In a correspondence sent to the media last week, GCOS committee member Leslie Black shared that the last piece of the puzzle has been inserted with acquisition of the second-place prize for the raffle.

The first prize of the raffle is $1 million. Second prize is a Hero Honda 150cc motor cycle that the GCOS purchased last week. Third prize is a refrigerator.

Fourth prize is a 32-inch television, and 5th prize is a microwave. A raffle ticket costs just $500.

Proceeds from the raffle will help facilitate the GCOS third annual athletics summer camp currently underway simultaneously in Berbice, Bartica and Linden.

The GCOS is facilitating the respective coaches at the training camps, in addition to providing meals and gear so budding athletes would be able to train without hassle, and be engaged in meaningful activities during the July-August vacation.

The camps will run until August 23rd, and to conclude the event, the GCOS will run off its highly anticipated Summer Camp 5K Run, which will be contested in categories from the under-10 to seniors.

That activity is scheduled for the National Park on Sunday, August 25th.

In first-class cricket, he has taken 131 wickets at an average of 23.44.

On being ready to play Test cricket, Archer said: “I’m probably more ready than I’ve ever been.

I’ve bowled 50 overs in one game already for Sussex and I’m usual-

ly the one bowling the most overs anyway.”

Archer was not considered for selection in the first Test as he came back from a side injury, but did appear as a sub fielder in England’s heavy first Test defeat at Edgbaston.

He now looks set to take the place of the injured James Anderson and confirmed that he is “100% fit”.

Archer regularly bowls in excess of 90mph and will bring much-needed pace to the England attack.

Still, even though he was trusted to bowl the super over in the dramatic World Cup final win over New Zealand on 14 July, he was keen to play down expectations as he enters Test cricket.

“Don’t expect any miracles,” said Archer. “Hopefully I’m going to make my debut sooner rather than later and I’ll come in and do what I can.

“I can’t work miracles - I’ll try to but I don’t think that’s how it might pan out. I’ll try my best and I can only give my best.” (BBC Sport)

Simone Biles has now won the US allaround title six times

A

merican Simone Biles became the first woman in almost 70 years to win a sixth all-around title at the US Gymnastics Championships in Kansas City.

The 22-year-old, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, scored 118.5, with 16-year-old Sunisa Lee second on 113.5.

The win moves her level with Clara Schroth Lomady, who won her sixth

has always bet on me, it has given me everything, I feel it is my home.”

Williams, who made his senior debut for Athletic Bilbao in 2014, was linked with a move to Manchester United during the transfer window. (BBC Sport)

Inaki Williams (left) broke into the Athletic Bilbao first team in 2014

Simone Biles wins recordequalling 6th US Gymnastics Championships title US all-around title in 1952.

Biles became the first woman to attempt and land a triple-twisting, double back manoeuvre during her floor routine.

“It wasn’t as good as in training,” said Biles, who scored 29.45 for her floor routine.

“I’m just happy that I landed it because I feel like after night one my confidence got shot down. So I was real-

ly worried about it going into today, that’s all I could worry about. So I was really happy.”

Biles missed the championships in 2017 but has now won the US allaround title six times in seven years.

She has now won 20 straight allaround events in which she has competed, a run dating back to 2013. (BBC

Sport)

TUESday, august 13, 2019

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21

Drayton intends to use platform to assist young chess players G

uyana’s top-rated chess player Anthony Drayton has been elected National Chess Coach in the recently concluded general elections of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF).

The 19 votes he secured earned him that election, and Drayton disclosed that he intends to use his platform to benefit young chess minds in Guyana at the Chess Club and Scholastic Centre he is about to open.

Drayton is hoping that this club would be able to train hundreds or thousands of Guyana’s children to play chess. He says that would create more innovative thinkers and competitive chess players, and they would someday make Guyana the best chess country in the Caribbean.

In an interview with this

National Chess Instructor Anthony Drayton teaching the game to a group of students

publication, Drayton said, “My job as the National Coach is to simply do volunteer training and open the club. That’s the main goal.

Opening the club would

(constitute) a big effort in training children to play chess, which is something that needs to be done.

“I’m hosting these classes in an attempt to spread

chess throughout Guyana.

These classes will be mostly for persons or kids who want to learn how to play chess, from moving the pieces to mastering the opening.”

Individuals who desire further information about this club are invited to check out the club’s Facebook page: Drayton’s Chess Club and Scholastic Centre; its email- anthonydrayton99@ yahoo.com, or call 613-2083.

Dayton has also informed this publication that the GCF has set itself the goal of seeing chess being taught as a subject in schools. It also plans to formulate initiatives to foster the formation of chess clubs; increase participation of women in the playing of chess; start grassroots programmes in regard to the playing of chess; foster the development of an interest in this game in hinterland regions; and facilitate diaspora participation in the promotion of chess locally.

The GCF is presently being led by its president, Frankie Farley.

Windies Coach urges Derick Narine blasts middle order to show fastest century in New York Cricket League more intensity

W

est Indies batting unit once again crumbled under pressure as they went down against India in the second ODI at the Port of Spain in Trinidad.

The hosts were all out for 210 runs while chasing 259 runs by DLS method to help India secure a crucial 1-0 lead in the series with only one match to follow.

West Indies head coach Floyd Reifer has urged his middle-order to show some intensity in the next game and back the bowlers.

Jason Holder & Co produced an excellent effort with the ball in the last ten overs to restrict India to 279 runs. Previously, it was Virat Kohli’s masterclass and Shreyas Iyer’s outstanding knock that helped the Men in Blues dominate the middle overs.

But once Kohli got out, things got mild as West Indies staged a fine comeback. However, it was the batting unit that failed to offer consistency,

which led them down in the encounter. Evin Lewis and Nichols Pooran showed glimpses but couldn’t carry it on to play a big knock and help his side clinch a victory.

West Indies head coach Floyd Reifer urged his middle-order to show some intensity and gain from this experience. He also added that his batters gifted wickets which should not repeat in the next game on August 14.

“We have to learn from this experience. The guys in the middle need to show a little more fight and grit.

We should look to build partnerships in the middle. We were in front of the game today, but we found a way to gift out wickets. They need to learn from this and get better,” Reifer said.

In conclusion, Floyd Reifer hailed his bowling unit for putting up clinical performances with the ball. The West Indies coach said that they will have to assess themselves and come out stronger in the n e x t game to avoid another series def e a t . ( C r i c k e t Addictor)

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Floyd Reifer

D

erick Narine of the Bachan Cricket Club, playing in the New York Cricket League (NYCL), has blasted a 49-ball 108 in a face-off match against the in-form Phoenix Cricket Club played recently at the Baisley Pond in Queens, New York, USA. Hailing from the Blairmont Centre Cricket Club (BCCC) on the West Bank of Berbice, Narine represented Berbice and even Guyana at junior level cricket tournaments before migrating to the USA, where he now plays cricket for the Bachan Cricket Club in the NYCL. In the 30-over match in which Narine excelled, Phoenix won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Amarnath Persaud and Raju Sookhdeo put together a 50-run partnership before things changed when Kevin Jawahir struck in the same over to remove both openers for 29 and 13 respectively.

From there it was a downhill battle for Phoenix, and they struggled to hold wickets together. Subhas Persaud then came on the attack and wrecked further havoc on the Phoenix, leaving them totally demoralised.

The only highlight of the Phoenix innings was Kumar Joseph’s 19-ball 30, before they were bundled out for 155 in 29.2 overs.

Bowling for Bachan, Persaud returned figures of 4-20; Jawahir, 3-24; Sudesh Dhaniram, 2-26; and Narine, 1-25.

Needing 156 runs from 30 overs at a run rate of 5.2 runs per over, Bachan openers Javed Karim and Derick

Narine spared no bowler. Karim unfortunately spent little time at the crease, falling for 21 with the score at 118-1 in 10.4 overs.

Despite that loss, Narine continued his onslaught to bring up his century in grand fashion. He took his team over the line in 14.3 overs with the score on 156-1, and remained unbeaten on 108 from 49 deliveries when the match ended in victory for the Bachan team.

Narine now has the record for scoring the fastest half- century and century in this league.

Derick Narine

22

TUESday, august 13, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Global T20 Canada 2019…

Winnipeg Hawks beat Vancouver Knights in Super Over to clinch title

T

he inaugural Global T20 tournament in Canada came to a thrilling end on Sunday as Winnipeg Hawks clinched a Super Over victory in the final against

Vancouver Knights to become the first champions.

Chasing 193 for victory in the summit clash, Vancouver rode on captain Shoaib Malik’s 36ball 6 4

The Winnipeg Hawks celebrate winning their maiden GT20 title

and Andre Russell’s brutal 46 not out off 20 balls to tie the match in 20 overs with 4 wickets in hand.

Vancouver Knights then batted first in the Super Over and managed 9 runs for 2 wickets with Russell scoring 7 runs.

Winnipeg in reply chased it down easily with 2 balls to spare as Chris Lynn smashed 5 runs while Russell, who bowled the Super Over for Vancouver, also conceded 4 runs in byes.

“I am just overwhelmed.

We were off to a tremendous start. The pitch was getting slowe r a n d l o w e r .

We should have got to 200, but 192 was par. We were trying to make him wait (Russell) as long as possible. We held our nerves well. Sana, excellent last over and excellent Super Over.

“Sana said he wanted, I had no problem. Happy that he put his hand up and delivered. Nobody backed us to win the final, we believed we could do that. The close wins gave us the ex-

Guyanese team ready to take on CAREBACO Championships

A

badminton team from Guyana will be among those from 17 countries that would be participating in the Caribbean International Badminton Championships, scheduled to be hosted at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in Barbados from August 15-25, 2019.

The championships will see participation from top senior & junior badminton players, and the Guyanese contingent will comprise of 2018 Junior Sportswoman of the Year, Priyanna Ramdhani; Tyrese Jeffrey, Akili Haynes, National Senior Champion Narayan Ramdhani, and Jonathan Mangra. Gokarn Ramdhani will act as the Coach/ Manager of the team.

At last year’s championships held in Suriname, Guyanese players copped 13 medals (5 gold, 2 silver & 6 bronze), and are hoping to repeat this feat this year because they have been in intense training twice daily over the past weeks.

The 17 countries involved in this tournament are: Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Jamaica, Panama, Canada, USA, Finland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, England, Mongolia, and Germany.

The Guyana badminton team and Coach

CAREBACO is an Olympic qualifier tournament that allows players from around the world to get much needed playing time and international exposure in order to get higher world ranking points.

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is hereby extending its gratitude to those who pledged and

supported its ascension to these Championships. Some of those persons and entities are: National Sports Commission, Demerara Bank & Dr Yesu Persaud, Nevell Osman, SOL and Ayanna Watson, Gaico & Komal Singh, Da Silva’s Optical and Phillip Da Silva, and the GOA and Kalam Juman-Yassin.

tra motivation. It’s an excellent tournament, it’ll go from strength to strength,” Winnipeg captain Rayad Emrit said at the postmatch presentation.

Earlier, it was Shaiman Anwar’s brilliant 90 off 45 balls which helped Winnipeg reach 192 for 8 after being put into bat.

Chris Lynn (37) and JP Duminy (33) also made significant contributions for Winnipeg.

A n d r e Russell managed to pick up 4 wickets for Vancouver Knights while Ali Khan and Rayyan Pathan bagged two each.

Shaiman Anwar was adjudged manof-the-match for his superb knock while JP Duminy was awarded Player of the Tournament for top-scoring with

332 runs from 8 matches at an average of 83 with three half-centuries.

“It was a team effort throughout the season. It was amazing performance

from individuals. For me, it’s just about enjoying. It’s important to share experience with the young guys,” Duminy said after the match. (India Today)

SCOREBOARD Winnipeg Hawks Innings (20 overs maximum) CA Lynn c van der Dussen b Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Shaiman Anwar c Russell b Pathan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 S Sohal c †Visee b Russell . . . 1 JP Duminy b Ali Khan . . . . .33 DR Smith b Ali Khan . . . . . . 1 RR Emrit (c) lbw b Pathan . . . 6 Hamza Tariq † not out . . . . .15 Kaleem Sana lbw b Russell . .5 Umair Ghani lbw b Russell . . 0 PA van Meekeren not out . . . 1 Extras (lb 2, w 1) . . . . . . . .3 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 9.6) 192-8 Did not bat: Mohammad Irfan Fall of wickets: 1-73 (Chris Lynn, 5.6 ov), 2-74 (Sunny Sohal, 7.1 ov), 3-155 (Shaiman Anwar, 15.4 ov), 4-164 (JeanPaul Duminy, 16.4 ov), 5-165 (Dwayne Smith, 16.6 ov), 6-171 (Rayad Emrit, 17.3 ov), 7-184 (Kaleem Sana, 18.5 ov), 8-184 (Umair Ghani, 18.6 ov) BOWLING : DR Sams (4-0-340), Saad Bin Zafar (2-0-26-0), Ali Khan (4-0-30-2), HR Walsh (2-0-36-0), AD Russell (4-029-4), MJG Rippon (1-0-11-

0), R Pathan (3-0-24-2) Vancouver Knights Innings (target: 193 runs from 20 overs) CAK Walton lbw b Emrit . . . 1 TP Visee † c Umair Ghani b Emrit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 HE van der Dussen lbw b van Meekeren . . . . . . . . . . . 23 DR Sams b van Meekeren . . . 21 Shoaib Malik (c) run out (†Hamza Tariq) . . . . . . . . . 64 Saad Bin Zafar run out (Emrit/†Hamza Tariq) . . . . .27 AD Russell not out . . . . . . . 46 Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 2, w 6) . .10 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 9.6) 192-6 Did not bat: MJG Rippon, HR Walsh, Ali Khan, R Pathan Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Chadwick Walton, 1.1 ov), 2-2 (Tobias Visee, 1.4 ov), 3-39 (Daniel Sams, 5.5 ov), 4-53 (Rassie van der Dussen, 7.4 ov), 5-139 (Shoaib Malik, 16.5 ov), 6-192 (Saad Bin Zafar, 19.6 ov) BOWLING : M Irfan (4-025-0), RR Emrit (4-0-37-2), PA van Meekeren (4-0-402), Kaleem Sana (4-0-50-0), DR Smith (4-0-38-0)

NEE/Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal Tourney…

Fixtures decided for semi-final showdown T

he remaining four teams in the sixth ter edging Germans United 2-1, courtesy of annual New Era Entertainment goals off the boots of Benjamin Opasu and (NEE) Futsal Tournament will clash Soloman Austin. on Wednesday night at the Mackenzie Hard Knocks look like the team to beat Sports Club (MSC) hard court, which will after a convincing 8-4 trampling of Royal stage the semifinals of the tournament that Warriors in the quarterfinal fixture. will see over $2million in cash and prizes Hard Knocks were spearheaded by being doled out.

Daniel Wilson and Pernell Schultz, The remaining four teams are alwho banged home four and three ready sure of at least $50,000 which goals respectively, while Colin will go to the fourth place finishNelson added the eighth. ers of the tournament, but everyHigh Rollers slipped into the one will have their eyes on the final four after scraping past LA $600,000 first place prize.

Ballers by a solitary goal during Wednesday’s fixtures will see their 11-goal thriller. Omar Brewly Hard Knocks clashing with Dave & netted a hat-trick for the semifinalCelina’s All Stars in the first ists, while Johan Simmons, semi-final at 20:00hrs, while John Regis and Shane High Rollers will match Haynes each contributed skills with NK Ballers for a one goal to the victory. place in the final.

Donovan Francis Following the first netted a hat-trick to semifinal, an exhibition lead NK Ballers to the match between the Police final semifinal spot afForce and the Fire Service ter they got past West is scheduled before the feaSide Connection 6-4. ture clash.

The curtains will The quarterfinal round fall on the event this of the event concluded Saturday, following on Saturday last at the which an after-party Mackenzie Sports Club will be held. The win(MSC) hard court with ning team will pocksome exciting but not so et $600,000; second surprising victories. placed $250, 000, Following their road and teams finishing to the semifinal, Dave third and fourth will & Celina All Stars take home $100,000 were the first to qualiand $50,000 respecfy on Saturday last, aftively.

Omar Brewley

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESday, august 13, 2019

23

Matarkai’s Indigenous Heritage #CPL19: Football Qualifiers…

CPL announces 10CRIC Sebai record wins in as Official Betting Partner male and female games F

Hero CPL COO Pete Russell

T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and 10CRIC have agreed a partnership for the 2019 tournament, with 10CRIC, the home of the ultimate cricket betting experience, to be the global Official Betting Partner of the CPL for the upcoming season.

10CRIC will be the official partner for the coin toss and halftime break at this year’s tournament, with the brand’s social media channels fully focused on producing thrilling behind-thescenes content – a must watch for every cricket fan.

Striving to offer the best odds on every Hero CPL match, 10CRIC will also give cricket bettors extra value for their money, with

plenty of special price boosts and exclusive promotions in store.

Pete Russell, COO of Hero CPL, said: “We are really excited to be partner-

ing with 10CRIC for this year’s tournament. We are always looking for ways for fans to get more involved in the action and the fun and engaging ideas that 10CRIC have planned for the 2019 Caribbean Premier League means our brilliant supporters can be even closer to the action.”

Alex D, 10CRIC Marketing Director said: “Attracting interest from billions of cricket fans across the globe, has turned the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) into the perfect partner for our exclusive cricket brand, 10CRIC. We’re looking forward to building a strong relationship with the CPL and their fantastic fans by offering everyone a unique betting experience.”

ootball fanatics came out in their numbers at the Fitzburg Ground to witness commencement of the Matarkai zone female and male Football qualifiers, wherein several teams were vying for a spot in the Sub-regional final, as that would guarantee them a shot at Amerindian Heritage Games 2019 in Georgetown.

Watched by a vociferous crowd, the female footballers put on a massive show, with the Sebai Invincible Talons FC defeating PK United Female FC, while the Sebai males humbled Oronoque FC. It was a sight to see Sebai Invincible Talons ploughing through the slushy outfield as their star striker and National hopeful, Feona Benjamin, scored four breath- taking goals for her home team.

PK United’s striker Shaklia Mingo chalked up her team’s lone goal with an accurate, Ronaldino-like free kick from way beyond the 18-yard box.

The game ended with Sebai FC on 4 and PK United Females FC on a solitary goal.

With the outfield deteriorating rapidly and intermittent showers a regular occurrence, Sebai males were put early on the back foot when Oronoque scoring their first goal, going into half time at an advantage.

When both teams returned for the second half, Sebai pulled one back early off the boot of Randolph Benjamin, but within three minutes of stoppage time, Maxwell Benjamin tucked a bullet into Oronoque’s goal; thus the game ended with Sebai males on 2 and Oronoque on 1.

The intermittent showers continue, and Sebai males will return to take on 2017 Heritage Games Football Champions and double semifinalists, PK United, in Game Number 2 during the course of the week.

The sloppy and sluggish outfield is ex-

pected to play a decisive psychological role against either team, and spectators are likely to enjoy the players’ every touch of the ball.

Feona Benjamin scored a quartet of goals

Region 6 residents praise NICIL for assisting with community grounds S

everal community sporting grounds in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are now better able to host community and sporting events, thanks to timely intervention of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Accordingly, several residents have expressed gratitude to NICIL, dubbing the support a major boost to community activities and individual spirits.

They described the contributions as being very important, and are urging NICIL and other entities to continue the trend.

NICIL has provided support in slashing, harrowing,levelling and blading Bermine, New Amsterdam Multilateral School ground and the Liverpool Community Centre ground.

Residents say NICIL’s input has significantly assisted them to undertake a number of activities and events. It was disclosed

that NICIL readily made manpower and equipment available to aid in the execution of the project, thus resulting in commendation from a number of prominent individuals.

Brigadier Edward Collins was one of the first persons to single out and acknowledge the efforts of NICIL. He said the assistance provided by that entity’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Colvin Heath-London, is noteworthy, and he singled out Heath–London and Estate Manager Sam Anderson for demonstrating genuine and sincere concerns and willingness to assist the residents with the project.

He dubbed their assistance as timely and pivotal to the continued development of sport and for community involvement.

“I commend Mr Colvin Heath-London and Estate Manager Sam Anderson for their willingness to help, and the enthusiasm they have shown at all times

NICIL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Colvin Heath-London

in ensuring the successful execution of this project,” Collins said.

The Brigadier noted that the support of both HeathLondon and Anderson has tremendously helped the communities, and he stressed that residents had been seeking assistance in having their community grounds cleared and tended to for quite some time.

“I would certainly like to recognise the sterling performance of both gentlemen. I am deeply grateful to both of them, as their response and attitude is certainly noteworthy of emulation,” Collins said.

He stressed that with NICIL’s ‘timely’ help and assistance, residents of these communities and the Canje Secondary School are

now benefiting significantly. He noted that would aid continued growth and development of these communities through cohesive approaches.

The Brigadier said he would like to see similar ventures in other communities, and reassured the CEO of his sincere gratitude as he declared that it was provided at a time when the residents were certainly in great need of help.

Several residents commenting on the project stressed there was significant work done, and urged other like-minded corporate and private citizens to emulate their actions. They declared it would aid in the development of communities, while ultimately resulting in youths being involved in positive pastime activities instead of contributing to social ills.

Heath-London said NICIL is always happy to be playing a meaningful role in assisting communi-

ties. He shared that this is not the first time that the company has assisted communities to improve their grounds, and stressed that they have been doing this and more in many neighbourhoods.

He assured that NICIL would continue to play a responsible role in community development and enhancement, and declared he is happy that their efforts regarding several of the community grounds in Region Six can see more sporting and other activities, thus building stronger and more united communities.

“As the CEO of NICIL, I am very happy that the contribution that we have made have certainly impacted and benefited these communities positively, and I would like to assure all that we remain committed and dedicated to further developing the Guyanese people through initiatives and projects like these,” he said.

TUESday, august 13, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

#CPL19: CPL ICC working towards announces 10CRIC cricket in 2028 LA as Official Betting Olympics, says MCC’s Gatting Partner Page 23

Page 19

Windies Coach urges middle order to show more intensity Page 21

Guyanese team ready to take on CAREBACO Championships Page 22

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