Guyanatime 30 may 2018

GCAA installs new board P

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Issue No. 3579

PRICE

New oil frontier

Successes outweigh failures in Guyana – ExxonMobil PNC colour flies over Guyana – PPP Page 3

Page 13

...alteration dubbed constitutional violation

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GPSCCU takeover

Govt says IMC to be installed, auditor P10 appointed Culture Day fallout

Indigenous groups, RedP9 Thread picket Mae’s school

…demand apology from school ...institution differs on account of events

Cop charged for crashing GPF vehicle

Region 5 farmers decry deplorable farm-to-market roads

P11

Guyana borrows US$1.3M to upgrade water P7 sector

Page 16

Goldfields manager killing

MP urges Govt not to profiteer from high fuel prices

Taxi driver P8 slapped with murder charge

Page 7

...reduce tax haul to reduce prices

Man sells St Cuthbert’s woman counterfeit US$1400

Page 12

1 month later

P11

Prisoner recaptured in Mahdia

…internal investigations find numerous SOP breaches

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news

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wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

New oil frontier

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, May 30 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, May 31 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, May 30 – 17:00h-18:30h and Thursday, May 31 – 05:15h-06:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rainy weather is expected in the morning and will last throughout the day, while thundery showers will prevail in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East North-easterly to Northeasterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 04:38h and 17:03h reaching maximum heights of 2.68 metres and 2.55 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:38h and 22:48h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.68 metre respectively.

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

12 15 18

20 24 25

7 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 02 05 07 13 26 LUCKY 3 9 4 7

1

Afternoon Draw

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DRAW DE LINE

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

Successes outweigh failures in Guyana – ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator, and holds a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd, Hess Corporation’s subsidiary, holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

Since ExxonMobil’s 2015 oil find, Guyana has attracted international attention and precipitated

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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s Guyana prepares to become an oil-producing nation, the discovery of what is commonly known as black gold has been unprecedented, so much so that most of the offshore oil explorations have been successful with just a few disappointments.

This point was underscored by Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs at ExxonMobil, Kimberly Brasington, who told Guyana Times in an exclusive interview on Tuesday that this speaks well for a country where there is limited information and data that would inspire exploration.

ExxonMobil has so far experienced great exploration success in Guyana with seven previous discoveries: Liza, Liza Deep, Payara, Pacora, Snoek, Ranger, and Turbot. The company also plans to drill a new well dubbed Long Tail, which has the possibility of becoming a new prospecting area also.

“We’ve drilled 13 wells to date and 11 of them would have been successful and then we had the two dry holes,” Brasington said. She was referring to the Soribrum well, which failed to encounter commercial quantities of hydrocarbons during drilling last week and SkipJack-1 in September 2016.

Brasington said in the oil exploration business, the percentage of success is one in every five, or one in every 10 wells drilled, but in the case of Guyana, the successes have far outweighed the failures. “In best cases, one in five is what we see around the world success rate, and here we are, 11 out of 13 wells where we have encountered hydrocarbons.

So, I guess that’s an important point to make,” she added.

The ExxonMobil official also noted that with more discoveries, there is now a greater chance for Guyana to earn more, as the initial prediction was that 100,000 barrels of oil could be produced each day, but that figure has increased a bit based on new discoveries that the company has announced.

According to Brasington, it was estimated that for Liza Phase One, that well would produce 100,000 to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, which in essence meant that every nine days it would produce one million barrels. Liza Phase Two is expected to produce double that which will take it to 220,000 barrels per day.

“So, if you have Liza Phase Two comes on stream around 2022, which is the estimate…so in 2022, you

ExxonMobil Public and Government Affairs Senior Director Kimberly Brasington

have phase one and phase two both producing, you’ll have around 350,000 barrels being produced per day.

And then we start talking publicly about boat number three, which would potentially produce for Payara and Pacora…that’s a bit hypothetical, but it comes on around 2024…so it just continues to increase.”

However, Brasington explained that several things would have to take place in order for that to happen, which means the company would have to discover that the oil was there and give the best estimate on what it thought was there. The development option will finally determine the amount of barrels per day.

The Stena Carron is currently drilling the Liza 5 well, which will likely be followed by Long Tail.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres. Esso

intense sensitisation exercises. In May 2015, Exxon confirmed that more than 295 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs were encountered at its Liza 1 exploration well.

In late June 2016, Exxon’s drilling results at Liza 2 revealed more than 58 metres of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations.

TURN TO PAGE 14

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

Respecting culture

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ast week, the administration of the Mae’s Schools allegedly took a decision to bar one of its students from taking part in its Culture Day celebration, which was being held to mark Guyana’s 52nd Independence anniversary.

The child’s parent was told that he was dressed “inappropriately” and would not be allowed past the school’s gate unless he made an amendment to his cultural wear by putting on a t-shirt.

At the time, the child was wearing a traditional costume which represents the attire worn by Guyana’s first peoples, who are Amerindians.

Clothed in what appeared to be a traditional straw skirt/pants, a beaded chain and headdress complemented by several drawings and paintings on his upper body – the child was demonstrating the rich culture of his Indigenous brothers and sisters while acknowledging and celebrating Guyana’s rich ethnic and cultural diversity.

He was no doubt proud to be Guyanese and ready to celebrate the achievement of all those who fought and struggled to secure Independence for this country. And this was confirmed by his mother, who took to social media to express dissatisfaction with the decision of the school and the fact that her son was left emotionally torn and embarrassed following the ordeal, which took place in his presence.

She told the media that her son was no longer proud of the way he looked or of the group he was seeking to represent after observing the resentment and lack of appreciation shown by adults and those in the school’s hierarchy.

After her post went viral, hundreds of Guyanese condemned the move by the school and called for it to issue an apology to the parent and her son. In fact, the National Toshaos Council, Amerindian Peoples Association, and Red Thread among other organisations have all criticised the decision to prohibit the child’s participation in the Culture Day, with a former Amerindian Affairs Minister also expressing shock that such a decision could be taken in a civil, modern and independent Guyana where religious, racial and social tolerance is supposed to be the bedrock of this country’s fabric.

Other commentators on social media say his mother should have known better than to send him “half naked” to school.

Firstly, what inappropriateness do we debate when he’s just a child? There should not even be a dispute over his Indigenous traditional wear if it’s Culture Day at school, unless some cultures are given preference over others. Is this the case? The mere fact that Indigenous peoples are asked to justify themselves is shameful considering that they are Guyana’s first peoples taking pride in what remains of their culture after centuries of discrimination and cultural cleansing.

Secondly, it is abominable that on the 52nd Independence anniversary, the conversation on Indigenous peoples remains the same. One would recall Toshaos and Village Councillors, notably from Sand Creek, being insulted at D’Urban Park by onlookers last year during the period of the NTC conference, when they were invited to a public event by the Government.

This is an example of why change must come from the community and not just policy-makers. It is this discriminatory mind-set that has swallowed Indigenous pride and stigmatised Indigenous peoples from colonial days to now. And it is a pity that even after being granted the courtesy of living on their lands, some Guyanese continue to insult and sideline those who did not come but were here first.

Mae’s Schools should immediately offer an apology to this child and all those Indigenous people, who were offended by its stance. Also, no school (private or public) for that matter should host cultural days if it cannot demonstrate tolerance and respect for people’s identities and ways of life. There are very important lessons to be learnt from this saga and other issues that run deeper which must be dealt with in order for Guyana to achieve social and cultural cohesion.

Buddhist monks walk around Mendut temple during the practice of Pradakshina ahead of Vesak Day in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia (Reuters)

Stop pussy-footing around with the sugar industry Dear Editor, I refer to Mr EB John’s letter: “Fundamentally counterproductive interventions on GuySuCo” in a section of the media.

One cannot gainsay the excellent points made by Mr John about the deep psychosocial role and impact of GuySuCo and the sugar industry on the lives of

Guyanese who work and live on the sugar estates.

As someone whose roots are firmly planted in this nodal industry, I also feel a deep sense of hurt and disappointment at the virtual ruination taking place in the sugar industry.

However, I do not believe that any amount of sentimentality will return the in-

dustry to its halcyonic days.

Those days belong to an era when the industry was under private ownership or management by an ‘independent’ management ‘contractor’.

So, as long as the Government continues to ‘pussy-foot’ with its control of the industry, the decline will continue; to me there can be no better solution but to re-

turn to the ‘status quo ante’, ie, to accept the recommendations of its own Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the industry to completely privatise it or appoint an effective, independent management team to run it.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

Disrespect to Amerindians Dear Editor, It is with great disgust and anger that I have decided to pen this letter in relation to an article that was published in your daily newspaper, dated Saturday, May 26, 2018 under the theme “Student prohibited from participating in culture day.’’

Editor, as an Amerindian by birth and a proud Amerindian, I must say that I am totally angry and sad with tears in my eyes whiles reading this article which depicts a total disrespect and a slap to the face by the administration and staff of the Mae’s Schools to the Amerindian peoples of Guyana.

Editor, I have participated in numerous Amerindian activities organised by my

village and even went on to showcase my culture by being a part of the opening of the annual Amerindian Heritage Month in reciting a poem titled ‘Proud Amerindian Man’ in the year 2008 and was decked out in a costume similar to that which the student wore which was considered inappropriate by Mae’s Schools.

Amerindian People are a unique ethnic group which has a wide range of traditional Indigenous wear that we showcase as a way of preserving our culture. If the Mae’s Schools had known the history of the Amerindian People, which they have shown that they do not, they could have known that our earlier ancestors used to wear laps and were decked out in differ-

ent designs of tibisiri skirts, shirts, and tops which showcases the Amerindian culture, so nothing was wrong or inappropriate with the costume worn by that student.

Editor, I must say that if I am not mistaken, the other students may have decked out themselves that day with outfits that showcases the cultures of the different ethnic groups and deemed appropriate but this child because it’s an outfit by Amerindians, it is inappropriate which only showcases the lackadaisical and racist attitude of the administration of the Mae’s Schools.

I do hope that the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry looks into the story of this child which was made

a laughing stock of the Mae’s Schools; I known for sure this will affect the self-esteem of that student, me myself would have felt bad if I were in that situation.

I would not stand by and watch my culture and ethnic group being disregarded by members of society because I know Amerindian people have contributed significantly to the development of this nation and a typical example that is common is the name of our country (Guyana) which is an Amerindian word of the Arawak tribe which means ‘land of many waters’.

Regards, Robin Joseph Waramuri Mission

Will we wait for foreign investors’ interest before we legalise hemp?

Dear Editor, We talk about creating jobs and having Guyanese who are self-sufficient, yet law enforcement is going around arresting ganja growers with an automatic three years for a nonviolent crime; an 18-year-old was also arrested with a three-year sentence in the same breath.

In an industry that generates over 50,000 jobs globally, we need to wake up, get out of our 1920s mind-set,

stop depending on the prospects of oil to be the saviour of an already resource rich country and look to implement regulation or perhaps even the legalisation of hemp and its sister product marijuana. With over dozens of by-products including clothing, paper, beauty products, hemp oil and seeds which are rich in vitamin A and B and omega fatty acids and other versatile textiles such as rope and building materials,

we are literally sleeping on a gold mine of “green” materials, which goes hand in hand with our “going green” initiative. Or are we going to wait again for foreign interests and investment within this industry before we consider making a move?

Cannabis and hemp alike have proven medicinal benefits and healing properties when in comparison to alcohol which in many cases is the cause of numerous deaths,

murders and accidents due to over consumption. You cannot incarcerate the masses, not provide a plan to create jobs then wonder why the country is in shambles.

Legalising the naturally grown plant would not have any more adverse effects than the over consumption of an 80-proof bottle of rum would have within Guyana.

Sincerely, Stephanie Persaud

guyanatimesgy.com

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

Guyana not in position to decriminalise marijuana Dear Editor, A small number of developed countries have decriminalised marijuana but Guyana being a developing nation is not in a position to do the same. Guyana just does not have the foundation to follow these countries. Guyana is way too poor to handle issues that will become commonplace if this substance is decriminalized. In spite of this, the alliance for change (AFC) has erroneously claimed that relaxing the law on marijuana will slash the prison population. This just doesn't make any sense. And it does not require a rocket scientist to understand that decriminalising marijuana amid soaring poverty will be disastrous, particularly when considering that the undesired behavioral consequences of this substance will be ignored in the face of lack of resources, lack of education, lack of manpower and massive corruption plaguing Guyana.

Decriminalisation will destroy lives which will plunge this country into deeper misery. And problems associated with marijuana will go unaddressed like our problems with alcohol. In this country, a blind eye is largely turned to our problems. To this end, a further understanding of this substance is needed to bring to light its evil effects and hopefully, this will convince the AFC to rethink its position and abandon its push for decriminalisation in a show of respect for the people of this country.

Like heroin, alcohol, cocaine, and morphine, marijuana is psychoactive. Like most of these drugs, marijuana is also described as a double edge sword. Marijuana induces both desired and undesired behaviors when its active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interacts with target receptors widely distributed in the brain. Through its pharmacologic actions, marijuana lifts the mood and it also produces widespread disruption of brain functions which are behaviorally displayed as impaired motor coordination, impaired vision, and impaired judgment. Such impairments lead to a slew of problems including road accidents.

To some extent, the undesired effects of marijuana are obviously similar to that of alcohol and are reminiscent of road accidents triggered by alcohol use. Just last year in Washington State in the USA, an 18-year-old died in a road accident and the person responsible had been under the influence of marijuana. The police accidentally came to know this information because of a confession.

To date, there is no DUI test available for marijuana. Even during this past week, a supplier of marijuana allegedly forced himself onto a teenager in East Canjie Berbice. These stories attest to the fact that serious problems are associated with marijuana and they are guaranteed to increase if this drug is decriminalized.

Marijuana also induc-

Kuru Kururu/ Laluni Road Dear Editor, I wish to encourage the Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, the Regional Democratic Council and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council to pay a visit and inspect the road that passes Kuru Kururu to Laluni.

This road was done just

before the 2015 elections but is now impassable. I dare say it is much worse now than it was before. Can someone please make a visit and do an inspection?

The new road that was done did not go all the way to Laluni but it did covered a significant amount of area.

Not it is all holes and craters.

Sincerely, Ignatius Raphael

es an array of psychological disorders including hallucination, paranoia, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. The AFC must also understand that marijuana even in milligram quantities or less will cause serious problems and marijuana users will be free to engage in poly-drug use which can be deadly and destructive. At this time, Guyana is incapable of handling 100% of problems associated with marijuana. And although Guyana’s oldest sociologist is stationed at the child care agency, there is a failure to connect how marijua-

na can rewire the developing brain and thus negatively influence behaviors and hurt the welfare of a minor.

Under these circumstances, it would be reckless for the AFC to press ahead with its efforts to decriminalize this drug when our country is in no way ready for this.

Education on this substance is necessary to overcome inherent problems with overdosing, tolerance, relapse, withdrawal and addiction but is lacking.

Further profound stress in this country stands to exacerbate these problems. The AFC must also understand

that substance abuse is a very stubborn brain disease to fight, particularly under conditions of poverty. The AFC cannot ignore these problems and blindly press ahead with decriminalization. This is reckless.

Last but not least, a lax law on marijuana will encourage the reckless use of this substance like alcohol.

I am baffled as to why the marijuana issue is a top priority for the AFC. Guyana has way more pressing issues that need to be addressed and they include suicide, unemployment, corruption, poor health care

and crime among a long list of others. Why is marijuana given priority? Where is the logic? This is senseless.

If the AFC is seriously interested in reducing the prison population, then it must invest in education. Education is the only effective and reliable way to realize a real reduction in the prison population. And I sincerely hope that the courts will continue to punish those who are in possession of this drug so as to protect lives.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram

Buxton Pump Station construction is a failure Dear Editor, In a news article which appeared in Guyana Times on May 23, Engineer Charles Ceres during an address at the opening of the University of Guyana’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation Inaugural Conference held at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, stated that the recently constructed $240 million pump station at Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara is an “engineering failure” since too much money was spent to build it with no instrumental benefits to residents.

The newly constructed pump station has not technically proven a failure as yet in its operation as its objective is to alleviate the flooding of Buxton and its environs which is yet to be proven. It seems, however, that Engineer Ceres’ grouse is that the pump station has been over-designed with a piled foundation although in his opinion the

soil which was removed to grade was heavier than the structure placed on it and therefore the underlying soil layer could have supported the pump station complex handily without additional expensive piling to reinforce the foundation of the pump structure against any anticipated settlement.

I presume the design engineer for this pump station had carried out a site investigation to determine the soil characteristics for its foundation design and found it to be silty clay with low shear strength at 20 foot depth as this was the soil type I had observed at this location during the years I spent building the adjoining sea defences.

Silty clay soils with a high-water content have complex consolidation/settlement characteristics whose load-bearing capacities are difficult to predict and design for. Therefore, any experienced design engineer out of an abundance

of caution will use piling as a foundation for structures housing machinery on this type of soil since any settlement could cause misalignment of the pump and its motor with serious consequences. Further, vibration of the machinery during operation could cause consolidation of its clay foundation resting on an RC [reinforced concrete] slab.

Engineering is not an exact science and therefore education, training, experience and good judgement are important traits of a competent design engineer. Hence what has appeared as an over-design by Engineer Ceres was in reality necessary to take care of unknowns and this is not uncommon in the engineering profession.

Engineers are fully aware that if structures are not designed to generally accepted standards and they fail during their warranty period, they could be fined/ jailed for negligence and be barred from practicing their

profession. Therefore, no engineer should take chances to prepare sloppy designs nor to cut corners to reduce costs just because they are hungry. The recent collapse of the Palmyra Monument on the Corentyne Coast clearly bears this out.

Finally, Engineer Ceres informed attendees that the Buxton Pump Station was equipped with a 70.6 cubic foot/second discharge capacity pump, but he did not state at what differential head. He would have observed from the pump’s characteristics that its discharge capacity could have been greater at the same rotational speed had the differential head been reduced since the existing layout (allows for this) is wasting a lot of energy and hence incurring additional operating costs to lift flood water to a higher elevation from the drainage channel onto the foreshore.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

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elping young children get in touch with their own feelings, and those of others, can be a challenge. When a child acts unkindly, parents and teachers ask often ask, “How do you think you would feel if someone did that to you?” We ask the question that way, rather than saying, “How do you think you made him feel?” because we know that young children have limited perspective-taking abilities. A question about their own feelings is easier for them to answer than a question that requires them to consider how somebody else feels.

Yet, the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes is an essential skill for social development.

The best way that you can help your child develop these skills is to talk frequently about the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of people your child encounters in everyday life, as well as the characters in books you read together (or movies or television shows you watch together). Storybooks offer great opportunities to discuss the feelings of characters because, on average, children’s books focus on social interactions or feelings every three sentences.

Unless your life often feels like a soap opera, the conversations that you have with your child – when they are not about books – probably include much less information about emotions!

Hypothetical bullies

Talking about the feel-

Foundation

ings of a character in a book, television show, or movie is also helpful because it gives your child a

chance to talk about emotions when his or her own emotions are not running high. It is much easier to talk about hypothetical bullies, first days of school, or disagreements at home than it is to talk about the real deal. And I’ve found that these hypothetical situations can then provide parents and children avenues for talking about the complicated problems that do come up at home or on the playground.

For instance, when my son begins to order us around the house (like yelling, “Pancakes NOW!” one recent Saturday morning

at 5:40am), my husband and I often tell him lightly that he sounds like Mr Paine (the “terribly de-

manding” boss from Chris Van Dusen’s Circus Ship) or like the entitled archduke from Mac Barnett’s Extra Yarn. This strategy works much better than simply telling him that he is being rude or making us feel a certain way, because comparing him to the bad guys in these stories reminds him of how those bad guys make the protagonists feel. He likes the protagonists, and he wants them to be happy. And so, with just that amount of support, he is often able to make the connection… and realise that WE are the protago-

nists in the pancakes story now and he is being the villain. Helping him gain that perspective without forcing him to say the word “please” lets him begin to rewrite the story of our morning and cast himself in a new role.

Because stories rely on drama, using books or other forms of media to open up a dialogue about emotions can be relatively easy. Get started by asking simple questions about your child’s own thoughts and feelings, like: What part of this story made you laugh the hardest?

What picture or scene do you think was scariest/ sweetest/saddest? Why? If you were [character’s name], how would you have felt when…”

By listening to the information they share, and then responding to tell them about your own reactions to the book, you can begin to discuss feelings and situations that you may not have talked about together before. You can also help them begin to think about the characters’ different points of view by asking questions about why they acted certain ways and whether the way they acted helped them accomplish their goals. Give it a shot! Not only can it lead to some interesting conversations about the books you are reading together, but it might also help your child play the hero instead of the villain in adventures around your home. (psycholo-

gytoday.com)

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hy is it so hard to change problem behaviour—in our kids, our colleagues, and even ourselves?

The answer is actually quite simple. Our understanding of how to change problem behaviour comes from our understanding of why the problem behaviour exists in the first place. And our explanation for why people behave poorly is typically wrong! When someone doesn’t behave or perform as we would like them to, our default assumption is that they must not be trying very hard; they just don’t want it badly enough.

This is true whether we are talking about a child in our home or school, our friend, relative, or partner, an employee whom we manage, or even a professional athlete on our favourite team.

As a result, when people fail to meet our expectations, we typically respond with incentives intended to make them try harder in the future. Unfortunately, these conventional methods often backfire, creating a downward spiral of resentment and frustration, and a missed opportunity for growth.

But what if people don’t misbehave because of a lack of desire to do better, but because they lack the skills to do better? What if changing problem behaviour is a matter of skill, not will?

Interestingly, neuroscience research has shown for decades now that people who struggle to meet others’ expectations (and even their own!) have challenges with specific thinking skills. It is time to listen to this research and accept the fact challenging behaviour is the result

of a lack of skill, not will – skills in areas like flexibility, frustration tolerance, and problem solving.

For the last 20-plus years, I have been teaching an approach called Collaborative Problem Solving to parents, teachers, clinicians, managers, and entire organizations interested in behaviour change. The approach is predicated on the simple philosophy that skill, not will, determines behaviour.

I have had the opportunity to work with some of the toughest settings to try to change some of the most challenging behaviour, and I have seen firsthand how powerful and effective this shift in mindset is. The simple but powerful skill, not will philosophy puts us in a far more compassionate and helpful place as a parent, teacher, friend, partner or manager.

And the good news is that skills can be taught! We’ve shown that by practising problem-solving skills, as opposed to resorting to incentives and punishments, you can improve just about anyone’s behaviour. So the next time someone’s behaviour frustrates you, remind yourself that we are all doing the best we can to handle what life is throwing at us. And if we aren’t handling it well, it’s probably more about skill than will.

In fact, people who struggle with these skills are likely trying harder than anyone else to behave themselves – because it doesn’t come naturally to them.

Remember that we are all changeable, no matter how challenging the circumstances. But we must remember that the key to behaviour change is thinking skill not will. (Excerpt from

psychologytoday.com)

news

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wednesdAY, may 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MP urges Govt not to profiteer from high fuel prices ...reduce tax haul to reduce prices

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iven the recent hike in fuel prices, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali has urged the coalition Government to give some serious consideration to reducing the high prices of fuel on the market.

Ali told Guyana Times on Tuesday that he has noted the significant increases in fuel prices at the fuel stations, especially at all Stateowned Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) service stations.

“The price for gasoline has leaped from $200 per litre, less than a month ago, to $230 per litre. Diesel is

now being retailed at Guyoil for $214 per litre while kerosene is $145 per litre,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the former Minister said at some private gas stations, the price for gasoline is now $247 while diesel is a whopping $233. According to him, at Rubis, gasoline is $236 while diesel is $226.

Ali recalled when his party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was in Government, they had constantly adjusted the tax regime to cushion the effect of fluctuation in fuel prices on the international market.

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

He said this was aimed at ensuring that all Guyanese were protected from increases in their expenditure.

“However, it seems that the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) regime is deaf to the cries of the population and are bent of driving Guyana’s economy to the ground.”

The former Minister argued that it is well established that any increases in the price for fuel, gasoline or diesel, would translate in increases in costs of production for manufacturers, increase in expenditure

Guyana borrows US$1.3M to upgrade water sector

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uyana has been given US$1.3 million to assist in the upgrade of its water sector.

The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank said on Tuesday that it has approved a loan to the Government, which and will be used to provide consultancy services for a National Water Policy, provide designs and estimates for the construction of water treatment plants and the upgrade of related infrastructure.

CDB’s Project Director Daniel Best said Guyana has been seeking to enhance the management of its water resources, as well as in-

crease the availability and access of water to communities.

“We expect that these funds will be used to provide technically viable solutions for the improvement of water supply to approximately 68,000 people who live along in the coast as well as in the hinterland regions,” noted Best.

In laying the groundwork, consultants will also conduct a study to determine the feasibility of using water from the Hope Canal for potable water purposes and develop recommendations for institutional strengthening.

According to the CDB, many residents and businesses along the coast experience low water pressure frequently. The projected impacts of climate change are also expected to result in more frequent dry periods, as well as more intense rainfall. The plans for new infrastructure will incorporate climate resilient designs, the CDB noted.

This project’s initial phase is expected to be completed within 18 months.

The regional lending institution said the project is consistent with its strategic objective of supporting inclusive and sustainable

growth and development within its borrowing member countries, as well as the bank’s corporate priorities of strengthening and modernising social and economic infrastructure; and promoting environmental sustainability.

for transportation operators and drivers. Ultimately, this will impact the local economic situation.

He pointed out too that these increases are passed on to the consumers who are already burdened with increases in more than 200 license fees and taxes that the coalition Government introduced.

Ali therefore called on the APNU/AFC Government to take immediate steps to reduce the cost of gasoline, diesel and kerosene so that Guyanese would not have to bear the brunt of the price increases.

“We urge the Government to utilise the formula, which the PPP Administration had used to reduce the taxes in order to protect consumers across the country from high fuel prices,” he added.

While persons have shared their displeasure with the increased prices, many public transport drivers have expressed that it will affect them if it continues to escalate.

Several minibus drivers on Saturday told Guyana Times that the increase in fuel will ultimately lead to the increase in transportation costs. A route 40 minibus driver told this publication that commuters usually complain when fares increase but they have to understand that the cost of fuel has increased.

“The thing is that the prices always raising and it’s crazy because we’re still working for the same fare.

Soon it will grow to a big amount with all of this increasing and what will happen then?” he questioned.

In September 2017, world market prices for fuel increased due to the hurricane conditions in the southern hemisphere, which resulted in Guyoil adjusting the prices in gasoline, diesel and kerosene to a higher cost.

Again, in February of this year, Guyoil adjusted its prices upwards. The average price of gasoline around the world is US$1.15 per liter.

8 news

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS Goldfields manager’s killing

Taxi driver slapped Honing in… with murder charge T T he taxi driver who confessed to the robbery and murder of the Guyana Goldfields Manager was on Tuesday slapped with a murder charge and appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Anthony Ragnauth, 22, who is also a mechanic, is accused of killing Neil Whyte on May 21, 2018, at Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown.

Attorney for the accused, Latchmie Rahamat, told the court that her client was badly beaten by the Police.

She claimed that the ranks used a baton to squeeze his testicles but to date, Ragnauth has not received any medical attention and is currently is “great discomfort”.

Magistrate Daly granted a request made by Attorney

Anthony Ragnauth being escorted to court

Rahamat for her client to be examined by a doctor.

He was remanded and will return to court on June 18.

Guyana Times previously reported that Ragnauth, who resides in La Penitence, Georgetown, also reportedly handed over the suspected murder weapon to in-

vestigators as well as the victim’s personal belongings that were removed from his apartment.

Whyte was discovered naked, lying in a pool of blood on his bed, with his hands bound in front of him. He was stabbed several times. The man’s body was discovered by a security guard attached to the apartment building.

After statements were given to the Police by the said security official, a former colleague of Whyte was initially arrested.

The security had told investigators that prior to Whyte’s death, he had escorted an ex-colleague into the apartment.

According to the guard, the ex-colleague left the building with a haversack on his back. The former colleague was arrested the day after Whyte’s death and later released from custody af-

Murdered: Neil Whyte

ter his alibi was checked out.

Based on surveillance footage, Ragnauth was arrested and reportedly confessed to the crime within hours of interrogation.

Meanwhile, a Police source close to the investigation told this publication that they are also now focusing their attention on the security guard, who might have intentionally let the suspect into the compound to carry out the robbery.

Pregnant woman accused of strangling husband charged …released on $200,000 bail

T

he 28-year-old pregnant mother of one who confessed to strangling her reputed husband to death on Mother’s Day was on Tuesday charged for manslaughter.

Melissa Cylus of Lot 14 Soesdyke/Linden Highway appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge against her alleged that she unlawfully

Melissa Cylus

killed her reputed husband, Julian Anthony Reberio on May 13, 2018.

The woman, who suffers from anxiety and is currently five months pregnant, was granted $200,000 bail.

The case will continue on June 18.

Guyana Times had previously reported that Cylus reportedly killed Reberio after he allegedly verbally abused her while imbibing.

However, the woman had previously reported that Reberio in his drunken state had fallen down a flight of stairs.

He was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

When a post-mortem examination was performed on the man’s body, his cause of death was given as asphyxiation and further investigation showed redness around his neck.

Dead: Anthony Reberio

It was then that relatives called for the Police to take a closer look at the matter.

Cylus was later arrested and during interrogation allegedly told investigators she and Reberio had an altercation and she reportedly strangled him.

…on crime causation hey say crime, like poverty, will always be with us. But some take it farther to claim poverty actually drives people to commit crime. But with even a moment’s reflection, we see there are communities just as poor as others and yet their rate of spawning criminality is vastly lower. Tolstoy once wrote something that might offer some insight: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

While law-abiding citizens are all alike – if for nothing else that they obey the law – the ones who turn to the criminal side have an infinite number of reasons they do so. But yet, if we’re to get a grip on crime, we have to somehow try to discern patterns, so we’re not reduced to customising crime prevention measures for each potential law breaker.

Well, it seems the PNC-led Government and its AFCled Ministry of Public Security did in fact conduct such an investigation – funded by the IDB – using our prison inmates as their subjects. Can’t do better than that, can you? These convicts already took the plunge over the legal line…there HAS to be something in their background that might offer a clue for their exceptionalism, no? Now, right off the bat, your Eyewitness is happy they didn’t look into genetic backgrounds – since this can easily slide into racial profiling. He would paraphrase one of his favourite singers, “What’s race got to do with it”??!!

But of all the variables considered, Ramjattan hones in on one: from an early age many inmates were “exposed to environments likely to nurture criminal behaviour”.

Well…duh!...if it ain’t heredity, it has to be environment!!

Nature vs nurture and all that! But exactly what are these “environments” that produce criminal behaviour in Guyana?

Well, just a couple of months ago, this newspaper ran an editorial that quoted from another IDB study of criminality in our region – the “Antipodes of Violence”: “When a society or social group approves illegal behaviour and disapproves of legal behaviour, the law naturally loses authority as a regulatory system, and the likelihood of committing illegal acts increases.” We see this operating every day in Guyana.

And this is the variable that Governments stubbornly refuse to confront: that some leaders approve illegal behaviour in their constituents. Remember “choke and rob” took off in the ‘60s against PPP supporters? Never did go away, did it? How about “kick down the door” bandits?? Then, of course, there are the famous escaped bandits who were baptised “Freedom Fighters”? And let’s not forget the “child soldiers” who started as “lookouts”?

But Ramjattan would never look into this, would he, Bannuh?? …on national unity once achieved There was a rather poignant letter in the press referring to the heady days of the early 1950s when Jagan and Burnham were as one on the question of getting the British out and improving the lot of Guyanese. Kinda reminded your Eyewitness of that movie from the seventies – “The Way We Were”. It starred Barbara Streisand as a militant Jewish activist who marries Robert Redford, the bright, amiable WASP writer – who just wants to go along to get along.

And we know how that would end, don’t we?? They split, try to make up, but eventually each go their separate ways, “doing their thing”. And that’s the fly in the sepiacoloured memory of Jagan and Burnham, isn’t it? Jagan, the strident Marxist activist asked Ashton Chase to step aside because he assumed Burnham’s membership in the English Communist Party meant he was sympatico.

But as Burnham’s sister Jessie wrote, in her pamphlet, “Beware my brother Forbes”, Burnham was always more about Burnham.

The lesson? Partners, in coalitions or otherwise, must be committed to the same cause. …on Rule of Law Your Eyewitness compliments TIGI for supporting the “sauce for the goose; sauce for the gander” rule in the “misconduct in public officials” charge.

Can’t have some public officials more equal than some, just because they wear green!

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

News

9

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Culture Day fallout

Indigenous groups, Red Thread picket Mae’s school …demand apology from school ...institution differs on account of events

A

s public outcry continues over Mae’s Schools deeming an Indigenous student’s cultural outfit inappropriate, the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on Tuesday joined with the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and Red Thread in criticising the actions taken by the administration of the private institution.

The concerned organisations and a number of persons took part in a picket exercise outside the school, after the mother of the primary schoolchild vented her frustrations on social media after the private institution deemed the boy’s Indigenous outfit “inappropriate”. These comments have drawn anger from interest groups and persons of similar heritage.

NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks during the picketing exercise said that Indigenous people respect other races and expressed total disgust for the entire episode. In the same vein, he questioned if Government was truly serious about advancing social cohesion.

“The NTC condemns such an act. With something like this happening here, I am not seeing what the Government is saying about social cohesion. Is this social cohesion for a big school like Mae’s to do something like this? From since then to now, no one is coming out and saying let us come out and make a public apology to the family,” Fredericks expressed.

A young demonstrator, Ann-Marie Simon, who was adorned in cultural apparel, told <<<Guyana Times>>> that all the young man was doing was showcasing his heritage as “a proud Indigenous boy” and added that she too was awaiting a swift apology. Jude Da Silva, another person present, noted her frustration over her people being mistreated.

“I am very happy of being an Indigenous woman, so I would expect that they issue an apology to us and to

that little child,” Da Silva explained.

Red Thread representative Joy Marcus told this newspaper that Amerindian persons were Guyanese, who should be able to express their culture.

“I think that was disrespectful and that it was also discrimination with what happened to that child.

What’s the use with having Culture Day if different people can’t showcase their culture freely? This has to stop now and should happen to any child,” she said.

Her sentiments were shared by APA representative Michael McGarrell, who said that often times the Indigenous are mischaracterised as “bush people” without much knowledge. He too condemned the school’s actions, saying that the student suffered “indifference and disrespect”.

“It’s not right and is totally unacceptable and we demand a public apology to the child and Indigenous peoples as a whole,” he stressed.

In a statement, the APA noted that it was “disgraceful” that the student was singled out and disallowed from entering the school dressed in his cultural wear.

“Traditional Indigenous clothing should not be deemed inappropriate in a country that celebrates its rich cultural diversity. It is enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana that every citizen has a right to their religion, cultural beliefs, and practices.”

The Association recommended cultural sensitisation sessions be conducted at the school, so that students, teachers, and staff understand the cultural traditions and human rights Indigenous peoples possess.

Mae’s version of events

Media operatives tried to get official word from school administrators, but the gates were locked to the media after which a “no comment” on the matter was offered.

However, the administration of Mae’s in a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon offered an alternative account of the events of the May 25, 2018 Culture Day, saying that all students were briefed on the activity, noting that no clothing that exposed them was allowed.

“All children were told that plain t-shirts and tights/ shorts should be worn under clothes that would otherwise

NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks and other picketers outside Mae's school

expose them,” the school highlighted.

While acknowledging that an incident took place, the school said that the students of the class of the child were to dress as Portuguese and said that the child turned up in Amerindian wear and was told that it may be an issue since he was exposed.

His mother, the school said, gave him a t-shirt.

“At no point was any teacher engaged on this is-

sue either by the child or his mother. The child settled into his classes without incident.

There was no crying or other discernible upset displayed by him that warranted the attention of the class teacher, headteacher, or administration of the school then or at any other time throughout the school day. The fact that this student is made the subject of national headlines is regrettable.”

The school also noted that

there is no clear-cut national policy that is consistently enforced on what is acceptable in terms of exposure for both boys and girls when representing Guyana’s very diverse culture.

Meanwhile, the child’s mother was urged to file a formal complaint to the Education Ministry and Ethnic Relations Commission.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

10 news

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPSCCU takeover

Govt says IMC to be installed, auditor appointed

Minister Keith Scott

O

ne day after the Guyana Pubic Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU) expressed concerns over the Government unilaterally taking over the organisation and closing the office, Social Protection Minister Keith Scott responded announcing that the GPSCCU will resume operations today.

During a press conference on Monday, Chairperson of GPSCCU Patricia Went expressed deep concerns over the Chief Cooperatives Development Officer (CCDO) assuming control of the affairs of the credit union without proffering any reason, and also accused the Minister of “grabbing” the credit union’s funds.

But Scott said a decision has been made to replace the previous Management Committee, with an Interim Management Committee

(IMC). The Minister said the reasons for taking control of the Cooperative Society were clearly spelt out, hence there is little or no need to reiterate them.

“However, it must be noted that as a consequence of the CCDO’s action which took effect on Friday, May 25, 2018 all operations were suspended, and the office closed until, today Tuesday May 29, 2018. The office will be reopened at 8:30am Wednesday May 30, 2018 with an IMC,” he explained.

The new IMC include Justice Prem Persaud, immediate past Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission as the Officer in Charge; Patsy Russel, a business consultant with a rich banking background; Trevor Benn, Commissioner and CEO Guyana Lands and Survey Commission; Rajdai Jaggernauth, Permanent Secretary, Business Ministry; Gillian Pollard as Deputy Director of the Budget, Ministry of Finance; Oneidge WalrondAllicock, Legal Officer, Public Telecommunications Ministry; and Patrick Mentore, Human Resource and Training Manager, Guyana Maritime Administration.

Scott said in addition to being the officer in charge of management of the affairs of the agency, Justice Persaud is also an ex-officio member of the management committee. He also noted that an Auditor in

GPSCCU’s Chair, Patricia Went

the person of George Vaughn has been appointed and will commence work today.

“The Ministry of Social Protection takes this opportunity to reiterate to the employees of the Credit Union that the Ministry thanks them for their understanding and cooperation during the past days and looks forward for their willing cooperation in the future,” he stated.

The Minister has assured all employees that their jobs are not jeopardised, and all are required to report to work as usual. “They are asked not to be misguided or distracted by any other agency or person.”

GPSCCU’s Management Committee Chairperson Patricia Went said it learnt in a section of the media of its so-called unsatisfactory performance had caused the GPSCCU to be brought un-

der new management. But the Committee claimed that there was no investigation into the affairs of the Credit Union to support that conclusion.

It was later explained that although the officer spoke of the Union’s unsatisfactory performance, “the matter was rooted in the demand by the Department of Cooperatives for an undue payment to the Audit and Supervision Fund for years 2002-2013 of an alleged balance of $49,691,682.”

The Committee Chairperson argued, however, that the Department of Cooperatives’ claim to outstanding payments towards the Audit and Supervision Fund could not be justified, since the already audited accounts of the Credit Union for the years 2002 to 2010 reflected no such balance, as was claimed.

According to the chairperson, the CCDO has also failed to acknowledge the waivers which were approved and granted by the previous Labour Minister, and are to date still in effect.

It was further noted that the Committee of Management was able to meet with the CCDO and the Minister who maintained their demands to have the Credit Union pay over the disputed amount to the Department of Cooperatives.

Minister Scott had requested that the Committee of Management sign the Adjusted Audited Reports, showing a balance of $49,691,682.00 as owed to the Audit and Supervision Fund.

Additionally, the Committee said Minister Scott had promised that on the GPSCCU signing the reports, he would immediately approve the holding of the AGM for the years 2011 to 2013, and that after the AGM, negotiations would commence on an amount of $24,381,256.

The chairperson said she considers the Minister’s action a threat to “grab the funds of the Credit Union.”

Persona non grata culture

S

atiricus was perplexed. Why would a school, where parents were shelling out $70,000 every term for their kid to attend, reject an Amerindian boy from wearing his “native” clothes? And this without VAT! Especially also when it was “Culture Day”. He made his feelings known the moment he landed at the Back Street Bar. “Sato!! Wha’ mek yuh worry suh?” asked Bungi.

“De school guh get mo’ student now!”

“Why you think that?” Satiricus asked in a puzzled voice as he took a swig of his beer.

“Sato, w’en yuh guh grow up?” interrupted Cappo.

“Some people like fuh feel special.”

“An’ now na only $70,000 school fee guh mek dem special,” continued Bungi. “Now dem know na all kin’ a rich people guh get in!”

“But aren’t you fellas upset about this?” said Satiricus, looking at Hari, for support.

“Listen Sato,” said Hari in his usual quiet tone.

“This big-shot school only drew a new line with the Amerindian kid.”

“What line?” asked Satiricus.

“The line that tells you who’re really in control,” said Hari. “Remember when you couldn’t wear that kurta to school?”

“You t’ink dem big shot school really accep’ all abee culcha an’ clothes?” butted in Bungi. “Dem a decide wha’ a de real culcha!”

“That’s right, Sato,” nodded Hari. “They set the standard and we’re all supposed to follow like sheep!”

“Budday! Yuh t’ink me people come fram de boat wid wan kurta?” asked Cappo. “Nah. De come wid wan small piece a clath wrap roun’ dem wais’! Lungi!!”

“And yuh think abee people fram Africa used to wear dem fancy printed clath when dem get capcha?” asked Bungi.

“Sato, the poor Amerindian boy was being the most authentic in his culture,” said Hari. “But the big shots were upset he didn’t fall into THEIR line.”

“I never thought of it that way, fellas,” admitted Satiricus.

“Well abee guilty too,” said Bungi. “Abee cul-cha na tell abee fuh drink beer!”

“But if abee smoke ganja like in abee cul-cha,” grinned Cappo, “Dem guh jail abee!!”

news

11

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Businesswoman robbed of raw gold, cash

1 month later

Prisoner A recaptured in Mahdia

…internal investigations find numerous SOP breaches

M

ore than one month after prisoner Derrick Oudkerk escaped from the home of Prison Officer Alsan Scott while on labour duties, the convict was recaptured on Monday at a mining camp in Water Dog Backdam, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

According to information received, the arrest was made at about 16:00h after ranks of the Mahdia Police Station visited a camp belonging to a 51-year-old dredge owner of West Bank Demerara, at Water Dog Backdam.

Oudkerk of Upper West Watakoo, Essequibo River, was in January of 2018 sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on a larceny offence and was being housed at the Lusignan Penitentiary.

Reports indicate that on April 8, 2018, the convict was on labour duty at the Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara home of Senior Superintendent of Prisons, Alsan Scott when he was reported missing at about 16:30h.

Internal investigations

An internal investigation was launched and according to the initial information, it indicated that on the day in question, Oudkerk was among two other prisoners who were all signed for and uplifted

by Scott, to labour at his residence. During that period, it is alleged that the former escapee was assigned to load sand from the road into Scott’s yard.

According to Scott, he was also assisting the prisoner with his task.

However, he recalled that he left Oudkerk on the road and proceeded to move away into the yard with a load of sand and upon returning, the 23-year-old was nowhere to be found. A search was immediately conducted in the vicinity, however, this proved futile.

The investigation found that several Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) were breached that resulted in the prisoner escaping.

According to the report, an examination of the Prison’s Gate Journal revealed that Scott was the one who signed out the prisoners, but they were transported to his home by another officer and were handed over to Scott’s rela-

Recaptured: Derrick Oudkerk

tives instead of the officers.

It was also found that the inmates would have worked at the property resulting in them having fair knowledge of the grounds.

“It was revealed that Standard Operating Procedures governing the selection of prisoners for labour at an outdoor party were not followed… the investigation revealed that Senior Superintendent of Prisons, A Scott, signed as uplifting the prisoners to labour at his residence. However, in a statement submitted by Service Driver Shepherd, he contradicts the notion of Mr Scott transporting the prisoners to his residence. However, in an interview with Mr Scott he remained adamant that he was supervising the prisoners up to the point of Oudkerk’s suspected escape,” the report stated.

“The only mention of any definitive timeline of prisoner Oudkerk being missing from his place of work was given by Senior Superintendent of Prisons Scott, who indicated that the prisoner left his presence to complete a task at 4:30pm (16:30h) and was last seen at that time… all official reports indicated that the discovery was made by Mr Scott. However, the investigative team was privy to some amount of unofficial reports that Mr Scott was at the Holding Bay at the time of the escape and examination of the video surveillance footage for the 8th April 2018 would serve to substantiate these reports,” the report added.

Efforts by this publication to contact the Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, for a comment on the report proved futile.

businesswoman is now left counting her losses after she was attacked and robbed of some $2.4 million worth of raw gold and cash in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens, Regent and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown on Monday.

Navita Novais, 46,

left her Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home at about 10:00h on Monday using a taxi. According to reports, the woman had some $360,000 along with the raw gold stashed in her handbag.

She travelled to Georgetown with the 23-year-old taxi driver

known to her and conducted business after which she proceeded to the Gardens to meet her husband.

While waiting, a gunshot was heard, and a lone gunman approached her. The shot shattered the motorcar’s windshield. The bandit demanded that the woman

hand over her valuables, to with Novais complied.

The perpetrator then jumped onto an awaiting motorcycle and he and his accomplice made good their escape.

The matter was reported but no one has been arrested.

Cop charged for crashing Police Force’s vehicle

T

he Police Constable who drove a Guyana Police Force vehicle while reportedly imbibing with other ranks, crashing it into a house, was slapped with a dangerous driving charge on Tuesday.

Wellon Carr, 26, of Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who is stationed at the Mahaica Police Station, appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

He denied that on May 22, 2018, at De Hoop Public Road, Mahaica, ECD, he drove vehicle PWW 5411 in a manner dangerous to the public.

He was placed on $40,000 bail and is expected to return

The Police vehicle turned turtle

to court on June 22.

According to reports, Carr was driving the vehicle with two other ranks seated in the back seat when he reportedly crashed into a house at De Hoop, Mahaica.

The ranks, who were all uniformed, were reportedly

imbibing at the time of the accident since beer bottles were found lying on the floor of the vehicle after the accident.

However, it is alleged that a plain clothes rank arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and removed the beer bottles.

The ranks, who received minor injuries, were taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where they were treated and sent away.

Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. According to the Police, the vehicle was driven

by Police Constable Carr under the command of a Police Corporal and was proceeding West along the southern side of the road when the driver reportedly swerved further South from a cow; in the process, he allegedly lost control and the vehicle, careened off the road and came to a halt after it crashed into a house and turned turtle.

12 news

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man sells St Cuthbert’s woman counterfeit US$1400

A

St Cuthbert’s Mission woman was defrauded of about GY$280,000 after a man sold her US$1400, which turned out to be counterfeit currency.

Vimmi Ramnarace, speaking with Guyana Times on Tuesday morning said the man visited her place on business last Friday and pretended to be an overseas-based Guyanese, who returned home.

She said at about 14:45h the man, who identified himself as “Mr Sunil” visited her business establishment in the company of a group of men, who were not known to her.

The 49-year-old woman related that the men then proceeded to purchase beer at her shop, which amounted to some $10,000. When it was time to pay, “Sunil” then told her that he only had United States currency.

“He said he don’t have any Guyana money,” she related, stating that she hesitantly accepted the cash and converted it to Guyanese

currency and paid him his change.

The woman then related that the men and “Sunil” remained at the shop for a period of time. It was during this time that “Sunil” and her began conversing about his trips between Guyana and Long Island, New York.

“He start talk with me and me seh me plan to go away next month. So, he say he just come in from Long Island and he got some more money, if me want buy it. So me say yes because he said he giving me fuh $200 [per US dollar],” she explained.

This led to her trusting him and handing over $280,000 to the suspect, who in turn gave her US$1400.

Ramnarace said after completing the transaction, “Sunil” asked her to cook something for him and his friends, informing her that they were going to drive around the village and come back.

However, after some time passed, the woman said she became suspicious. “…Then me start get worried like [and I start] think like if this is not good money and when my husband come home, me show

he and he said is not good money,” she said.

Ramnarace said she immediately tried to contact “Sunil” on a mobile number he had left her, however, the person that answered claimed to be “Vishal” and said he had no knowledge of the transaction with her. “…but when me son add he number to he Whatsapp, is the same “Sunil” picture with the same clothes he wear when he come to the

shop show up,” the woman said.

The woman further relayed that since it was already late in the afternoon, and Saturday last was a holiday, Ramnarace said she had to wait until Monday to travel to Georgetown.

The businesswoman alleged that she visited a cambio first, and was informed that the US dollars in her possession were counterfeit.

She was advised to report

the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department at Eve Leary, where the matter is being investigated.

Efforts to make contact with the Crime Chief Paul Williams proved futile.

Ramnarace has been living at St Cuthbert’s Mission for the past 32 years and has been an owner of a business for 10 years. She said that this is the first time something of this nature has happened to her.

GCAA installs new Board

Seated from left: Chairman of GCAA, Lieutenant Colonel retired, Lawrence London; and Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry Annette Ferguson flanked by members of the newlyinstalled GCAA Board

W

ith the appointment of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) new nine-member Board, the local aeronautics industry is expected to see further improvement. The Board was installed this morning at the GCAA’s head office in Kingston, Georgetown.

At the installation ceremony, Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson recalled the significant achievements the Authority has made in the last two years.

“The level of compliance has risen from 44.4 per cent to 64.6 per cent.

By virtue of us improving in that area, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has recognised these vast improvements we made over those last few years… Millions were expended in the last two and half years on training”, Minister Ferguson is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

Other successes highlighted include the installation of a new simulator at CJIA, additional manual training and the move from issuing manual pilot licences to ‘modernised’ ones.

Alluding to the recent misfortune with the Cuba aircraft which took the life of over 100 persons, the Minister lauded the Director General and team for taking

the decision not allow the aircraft to fly out of Guyana due to its noncompliance.

Minister Ferguson charged the new Board to continue to work together, to ensure that the working environment is one free from discrimination and victimisation and strive towards a 90 per cent and above compliance level.

GCAA’s Director General, retired Lieutenant Colonel, Egbert Field said the new Board with the help of the Government and Chairman will support GCAA in “soaring higher” amidst challenges.

“The imminent oil production has created a lot of activity when it comes to the aviation industry. The expanded CJIA with its extended runway and our own domestic aviation continues to grow as the gold price rises. So, it’s a tsunami ahead of this authority but I’m up to the challenge”, Field stated.

Chairman of GCAA, (rtd) Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence London committed to enhancing the aviation sector. He stressed that the new Board’s new mission is to make sure the ‘skies are safe.’

Other Board members include Kenneth Jordan, Egbert Field, Courtney Byrne, Duke Pollard, Ramesh Ghir, Sadie Amin, Sharon Beverly and Leon Castello.

13 PNC colour flies over Guyana – PPP news

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

...alteration dubbed constitutional violation

I

n what is being dubbed a Constitutional violation, the colour of the national flag hoisted at D’Urban Park, Georgetown, during pre-Independence observance on May 25, 2018, appeared to have been altered.

Questions were raised over the addition, which is a strip of a darker shade of green to the national flag. Following concerns which raised, especially on social media, this Guyana Times sought an explanation from Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton on Tuesday but this was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) released a statement highlighting its own concerns of the latest feature. As such, it said that coalition Government must ex-

The national flag at D’Urban Park which bore an alteration at last week’s flag raising ceremony

plain to Guyanese why the national flag “had to be altered with the PNC/R theme colour.”

The People’s National Congress

is the major arm in the larger A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that forms the ruling party in the APNU/Alliance For

Change Government.

The PPP expressed its dissatisfaction with what it referred to as “the despicable and unconstitutional alteration of Guyana’s national flag”, which was hoisted to mark the nation’s 52nd Independence anniversary. The Party said that Guyanese have witnessed the practice of national symbols being treated as the property of this Administration – the last such act evidenced in the seizure of the national flag from the Corriverton Town Council on the anniversary of the Republic.

It said too that the fact that the unauthorised alteration of the national flag connects one of Guyana’s most significant national symbols to the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), via the inclusion of the PNCR’s party co-

lour along the end of the Golden Arrowhead, is reminiscent of the “repressive regime” of the PNC pre-1992.

The PPP added that the practice of the PNCR flag being flown above Guyana’s courts has not been forgotten by the Guyanese people. The party said this act is the latest of an increasingly authoritarian Administration and adds to the numerous constitutional violations committed since May 2015.

The PPP was adamant that The Second Schedule included in Guyana’s Constitution devotes two pages (pages 260 and 261) to the heraldic description of Guyana’s national flag. The description makes it clear that there are five distinct colours and defines their proportions.

Tourism sector to get much-needed boost – new Director

N

ewly appointed Tourism Director, Brian Mullis on Tuesday unveiled plans that will be implemented to boost Guyana’s tourism sector.

Mullis said that since taking up the new role, he has been focusing on a more advanced and rounded approach to tackling the challenges that are currently affecting the growth and development of the country’s infant tourism sector.

He said emphasis must be placed on enhancing effective lines of communication within the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and other supporting tourism bodies, to elevate Guyana’s place in the global market.

“We have to focus on a more progressive and holistic

Tourism Director Brian Mullis

approach to destination development. We cannot continue to engage in ad hoc tourism development,” the new Director of the GTA said.

Mullis, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the non-profit or-

ganisation – Sustainable Travel International – through which he has led several high impact projects worldwide.

Mullis has also worked with the Dalai Lama on a project in Dharamshala, India, to reduce the negative impact of tourism.

He was adamant that the tourism sector income could double in no time, but it needs help from the Private Sector.

Mullis, who began his contract as Director on April 16 of this year, was shortlisted from a group of over 30 regional and international applications.

He also served two terms on the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board under the Obama

Administration.

His appointment was announced by Minister of State Joseph Harmon during a post-Cabinet press briefing in January. With plans to boost the development of a sustainable tourist destination, the appointment of the new GTA Director was essential.

Mullis replaces former Director Indranauth Haralsingh, whose tenure ended late last year.

However, People’s Progressive Party, former Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, had expressed disappoint-

ment that since 2015, management of the sector has been marked by a lack of “energy and enthusiasm.”

According to Ali, the tourism sector holds much potential for Guyana, but there is need for a tourism policy to be guided by a strategic approach that is not limited to developing and marketing Guyana as a product, but caters to partnering with the Private Sector. He urged that that approach be devoid of political considerations.

He related that the former Administration had,

over the years, developed a number of signature events, which are now either being de-emphasised or ignored by the coalition Government.

He opined that the sector has become dormant because the Business Ministry, which has oversight of the tourism sector, lacks the energy and vision necessary to take the industry forward. Noting that the local experience continues to be underestimated, he urged that a national discussion on tourism be held. (Yanalla Dalrymple)

14 news

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rose Hall Mayor insists on movable stalls

Rose Hall Mayor Vijay Kumar Ramoo

R

ose Hall Mayor Vijay Kumar Ramoo is insisting that street vendors within the township must comply with the movable stalls policy.

The Mayor is giving the street vendors one more day to comply.

Ramoo told this publication that the stalls pose a security risk for the public, noting that many persons have been robbed and there are instances where perpetrators waited in the stalls at night

and attacked females.

The Mayor’s comments come one day after street vendors of the town met with Regional Prime Ministerial Representative Gobin Harbhajan and vented their concerns over the decision by the Town Council to have them removed if they do not comply.

Ramoo, however said the Council took a decision and he will ensure that it is carried out.

“The decision was taken since last year December to regularise Independence Avenue which is referred to as “Arch Road”. We are not

stopping them from selling but they must have stalls that when they are finished selling they can take it away.”

The vendors had however argued that in the past, criminal elements rolled away their stalls on wheels which they had locked up after selling.

They also say that some of those who live in the town will be able to take away their stalls after vending but the others will have nowhere to take them.

The Mayor also stated that the Council cannot carry out needed road repair and has difficulty cleaning

The stalls are preventing the Town Council from cleaning the drains along Arch Road

drains, which are situated behind the stalls. However, some of the street vendors claim they have had to fortify the road shoulder in order to erect their stalls and the municipality collects a monthly fee from them.

Speaking with this publication on the issue, the Mayor

said persons who have legitimate businesses have complained to the municipality of the unfair competition and the hindrances to their businesses as a result of the vendors on the street with permanent structures.

He added that those who do not comply will have the

structures they have erected removed on Saturday.

“We will take the necessary action to remove those structures after the deadline.

They are all free to sell but at the end of the day they have to remove their structures,” he explained to Guyana Times.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Successes outweigh...

The well was drilled to 5475 metres at 1692 metres water depth. Drilling results confirmed recoverable resources to be between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The company had announced that it made its third significant discovery in its drilling explorations offshore Guyana. Its partner, Hess Corporation, had noted that the Liza 3 exploratory well’s net value could be US$6.2 billion, based on calculations from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Capital Markets.

Drilling on Payara began

on November 12, 2016, with initial total depth reached on December 2, 2016. In January of 2017, the oil giant announced it had struck some 95 feet of oil reservoirs in its Payara-1 well, targeting the same type of reservoirs as the well’s Liza counterpart.

Oil was discovered in the Turbot-1 well in October of 2017. According to the oil company, following the discovery, the well reservoir was 75 feet deep. Drilling has been ongoing at the Turbot well since August 2017.

More oil was found at the Pacora-1 drill site, some

FROM PAGE 3

107 miles from the coast of Guyana. This would be the seventh major find by Exxon since May 2015. It is understood that additional exploration drilling is planned on the Stabroek Block for 2018, including potential appraisal drilling at the Ranger discovery.

ExxonMobil Guyana, as operator, in partnership with Hess and CNOOC Nexen, has discovered more than 3.2 billion barrels of recoverable oil in the 6.6 million-acre Stabroek Block.

Guyana will officially begin oil production in 2020.

news

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wednesDAY, may 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations The marijuana issue – will AFC be able to stand up against Granger and APNU?

T

wo weeks ago, a father of three young children was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for the possession of less than 0.5 ounce of marijuana.

Magistrate Judy Latchman was severely criticised, even though she was simply following the law. Following the sentence, there was an outcry and, in their usual opportunistic posture, certain Alliance For Change (AFC) leaders, like Raphael Trotman and Khemraj Ramjattan, criticised the learned Magistrate, currying favour with a large section of the population and trying to demonstrate their independence from their senior coalition partner.

Both of these AFC leaders Dr Leslie Ramsammy insist that the sentence should have been noncustodial in keeping with global best practices and consistent with the position that the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, outlined in May 2017. The problem is that while non-custodial sentences for possession and use of small amounts of marijuana are a global trend, President Granger and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are opposed to changing the law. Will AFC stand up for principle and support legislative action to reform the marijuana laws? Indications in the past 48 hours are that the AFC is about to surrender to President Granger and APNU and prevent any parliamentary intervention.

Magistrate Latchman’s ruling is totally within a clearly archaic law. She is being blamed for doing her job. But her ruling has catapulted the marijuana debate into national prominence.

The social media debate about the law and marijuana in Guyana is exploding at this moment. The politicians have been vociferous in expressing contrary views. Should marijuana use and possession be legalised? Should the penalties for the use of marijuana be changed to permit non-custodial sentences for possession of small amounts of marijuana? How should trafficking of marijuana be treated?

It has been several years now since Caricom mandated a region-wide reconsideration and meaningful reforms of the marijuana laws in Caricom countries. But under President Granger and APNU/AFC, Guyana has been playing “footsie” with the issue. The Granger-led Government is reluctant in addressing the future of marijuana use and possession.

President Granger is on record saying that there would be no change in the law. Now Minister Harmon is trying to find a comfort zone in which the AFC can hide; he is offering national consultations. While national consultations are necessary and are useful for the comprehensive reform of the marijuana laws, including the possibility of full legalisation, as is the case in Uruguay or in several States in America, there is no need for consultation on changing the laws to permit non-custodial sentencing for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

An AFC Member of Parliament had submitted a bill to reform the marijuana laws in 2015. The reforms proposed included non-custodial sentencing for possession of small amounts of marijuana. It is almost three years since he did that, but the AFC at the time ensured that his bill never got onto the Order Paper of Parliament. The AFC killed Michael Carrington’s bill three years ago not because it did not have merit, but because it surrendered to the power of APNU. The party were compelled to “behave” and that led to Carrington’s bill not seeing the light of day.

When Bharrat Jagdeo called for reforms of the marijuana laws in May 2017, some of the AFC leaders accused him of playing to the gallery, that he was only doing so to gain support of certain sections of the Guyanese population. But I have had the honour of knowing and serving with the Leader of the Opposition. I have seen him adjust his views as circumstances change. This is what good leaders do. Maybe in 2001, he would have been more cautious in embarking on reforms of the marijuana laws. But I know that in May 2017 when he proposed reforms to permit non-custodial sentencing for marijuana possession, he was acting on accumulating evidence around the world and on the rapidly evolving public opinion.

His recent reiteration of this position is an opportunity for the AFC to support a progressive change in the laws.

Incidentally, the call for reforms of the marijuana laws in Guyana is an old one. The Rastafarians have long proposed these changes, dating back decades. While the demands of the Rastafarians might have been extreme, Dr MY Bacchus, the late well-known gynaecologist, published letters in the daily newspapers as early as 1997 calling for legalisation of marijuana possession, particularly for the medical use of marijuana. In the coming days, our interest will focus on whether the AFC can stand up to or whether it will buckle once more to the superior power of APNU.

AFC Councillor appointed new Chronicle General Manager

A

lliance For Change (AFC) Councillor Sherod Duncan has been appointed as the new General Manager for the State-owned newspaper, Guyana Chronicle.

The appointment was announced to employees on Tuesday during a staff meeting. Duncan, who is also an AFC councillor for the city of Georgetown, sits as a member of the Board of Directors for the Guyana Chronicle.

Much controversy erupt-

ed earlier this year with the State-owned newspaper after a decision was taken to fire two popular columnists – Dr David Hinds and Lincon Lewis – who were deemed to be critical in their writings about the Government.

This led to the resignation of several Board members who disagreed with the decision to fire the duo.

The Board is chaired by Geeta Chandan-Edmund and now only has three members.

Alliance For Change Councillor Sherod Duncan

$89.6M sluice and revetment project for Leguan

R

esidents living in Thierens, Leguan, Essequibo will soon benefit from a sluice and revetment project expected to commence in June. The $89.6 million project will conclude before year-end.

This was revealed by Regional Information Officer Ganesh Mahipaul during an interview with

the Department of Public Information (DPI).

According to Mahipaul, a team comprising members of the regional administration; representatives of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and other community stakeholders, conducted an assessment visit after it was reported that the sluice was

damaged.

Following the visit, the decision was made to have the construction undertaken by the NDIA. The contract has been awarded to Khan’s Construction and Transportation Services Incorporated.

Mahipaul said that completion of the structure would benefit approximate-

ly 600 acres of residential and farm land in the Thierens, Osterbec, Success, Bachelor’s Adventure and Wissevelegheid communities.

This is one of several projects the regional administration hopes to complete in an effort to boost the Region’s agricultural development.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

WednesDAY, may 30, 2018

News

Region 5 farmers decry deplorable farm-to-market roads

A

lack of maintenance to the main access road at Onverwagting, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has adversely affected the harvesting of rice and is preventing children of communities along the Abary from attending school.

Guyana Times was told that maintenance should be carried out by the MMA however, the Mahaica, Mahaicony, AbaryAgriculture Development Association’s (MMA-ADA) has increased its fees for land cultivation and left the farmers and residents to traverse through the deplorable conditions.

When this publication visited the area on Tuesday, farmers stated that thousands of acres of rice still remain in the field even as they are in the heart of the rainy season. This period, farmers said, is generally a time when they would plow and prepare for the next crop, but they are experiencing difficulties in bringing their paddy out of the field.

They are decrying the condition of the farm to market road which is in a state of disrepair.

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal meeting with residents of East Abary River on Tuesday

Mohabir Gildary, a rice farmer, told this publication that he has 340 acres under rice cultivation and has only been able to harvest 300 acres. He said in some instances ,two or three tractors have to pull one to get the paddy out; as such, the remaining 40 acres will take a very long time to harvest.

“The forty-acre would normally take two days to cut and carry out but with this situation, it might take about three weeks.”

Gildary’s estimate comes from the amount of paddy he is able to get out of the field each day. He explained that he is forced to have his three

tractors take one grain cart along several miles before it can be discharged into a lorry.

“Normally I would only use one tractor but the others have to be there just in case the one stick up and then is till in front they have to take it. If the road was good the truck could have come till at the back here and full up and gone but the road too bad.

Cash crop

Cash crop farmers are also affected. Despite Tuesday being a sunny day, Ramchand Ramnarine, another farmer, said he had difficulty taking his produce to the market.

He noted that on Tuesday

he attempted to take some of his produce out to the market but as a result of the condition of the road, the radiator of his vehicle became damaged. He explained the ordeal of having to leave the vehicle on the road and find alternative means of getting the produce out. He said it had been weeks since the road had become impassible and blames the MMA for not carrying out any repair works to the road.

The current state of the Number 27 Farm Road which leads to the Abary River is also preventing children from attending school.

Nathasa Ramoo has two children attending the Bushlot Primary School.

According to her, they are taken out on a motorbike and when the road is too slushy her husband has to leave them to stand in the mud while he pushed the motorbike to a better part of the of the road and then go back for them.

“By the time they reach to school if they can still go their skin is share mud,” the woman told Guyana Times.

Meanwhile, another mother, Daviney Gildary, is not that fortunate and has

three school age children.

According to the woman, for the past three weeks, none of them have been able to attend school.

When this publication visited the Abary River on Tuesday, workers from MMA were on the road carrying out some repair work.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal who is a member of the MMA Board explained

the farmers out of production.

Ramphal is calling on the MMA to waver its rates for the current crop and to reduce its rates for the next crop. The Chairman who visited the affected farmers on Tuesday says it is a good opportunity for the Government to score some points.

“I want the Government to come in and render assistance to our farmers in the form of subsidy; it can be fuel,

Rice farmers from the Abary River took advantage of the sunny conditions on Tuesday

that the MMA recently increased taxes for the farmers who live and farm in the scheme. This, he said, has created an additional burden on the farmers. What has happened will push many of

seed paddy, fertilizers, etc, because I know for a fact many of them would have suffered major losses.”

MMA/ADA increased the fees from $1000 to $7000 per acre. (Andrew Carmichael)

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Israel launches T&T stays on EU blacklist counterattacks in Gaza T amid soaring tensions he Council of the European Union (EU) has announced the removal of The Bahamas and St Kitts Nevis from the EU’s list of non-co-operative tax jurisdictions. However, Trinidad and Tobago remains on the list along with American Samoa, Guam, Namibia, Palau, Samoa and the US Virgin Islands.

Having fewer jurisdictions on the list is a measure of the success of the listing process,” said Vladislav Goranov, Finance Minister

I

srael's military has launched a series of air strikes on Palestinian positions in Gaza after a barrage of rocket fire – the biggest in years – from the Strip amid soaring frustration in the coastal enclave over a crippling 12-year Israeli-imposed siege.

Israeli warplanes hit more than 35 targets belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, according to Israel's military. The strikes came after the Israeli army said Palestinian fighters were behind a "barrage of projectiles" fired from Gaza into southern Israel.

The firing of the rockets and mortars on Tuesday came as Islamic Jihad vowed to take revenge after a deadly attack against its members last week.

In a statement, the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said their "joint response with dozens of rockets at the occupation's military positions … is a declaration that these crimes cannot be tol-

Smoke rises after Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike over residential areas in Gaza City [Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency]

erated in any way".

Al-Qassam Brigades and al-Quds Brigades blamed Israel for “aggression against our people" which it described as "an attempt to shift attention away from the crimes it carried out against our peaceful civilians".

Ismail Radwan, an official of Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, told Al Jazeera that Israel had escalated tensions.

Since March 30, at least 121 unarmed Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in protests near

the fence with Israel, in which they are demanding their right to return to the homes and lands their families were expelled from during the establishment of Israel.

Israeli officials said on Tuesday the military's Iron Dome aerial defence system intercepted most of the 28 rockets and mortar rounds that were fired into Israel.

There were no reports of deaths on either side.

The Israeli military said three soldiers suffered minor injuries. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Prominent Russian Journalist shot dead in Kiev – Police

P

rominent Russian Journalist Arkady Babchenko was shot in Kiev and died of his wounds in an ambulance, Ukrainian police said.

A woman had phoned medical services saying she had found her husband in

his blood in their home, Police said, adding they suspected the murder was due to Babchenko’s professional activities.

Babchenko was one of Russia’s best-known war correspondents but had left Russia fearing for his life.

(Reuters)

Pakistan and India vow to implement 2003 ceasefire agreement

Indian Policemen stand guard behind wire during a strike called by separatists in Srinagar [Danish Ismail/Reuters]

P

akistan and India have agreed to curb cross-border violence to comply with a ceasefire agreement signed between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in 2003.

The understanding was reached by the Pakistani and Indian armies on Tuesday after reviewing a spike of violence along the Line of Control since September 2016.

The Line of Control is a de facto border that divides the disputed Kashmir valley between the two countries and the Working Boundary, which separates the two neighbours.

"Both director generals of military operations reviewed the prevailing situation along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary and mutually agreed to undertake sincere measures

to improve the existing situation ensuring peace and avoidance of hardships to the civilians along the borders," a statement from Pakistani Army's media wing said.

The two sides also agreed to "fully implement the ceasefire understanding of 2003 in letter and spirit forthwith and to ensure that henceforth the ceasefire will not be violated by both sides," said the statement.

In case of any issue, restraint would be exercised and the matter would be resolved through utilisation of existing mechanisms of hotline contacts and border flag meetings at local commanders’ level, the statement added.

Tensions between the two nuclear neighbours have failed to ease after 19 Indian soldiers were killed in Indian-held Kashmir in September 2016 by an armed group India has claimed has links with Pakistan. (Excerpt from Reuters)

plementation of their commitments made by both countries will be carefully monitored by the working group responsible for the listing process. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, without discussion.

The EU’s list – established in December 2017 – contributes to on-going efforts to prevent tax fraud and promote good governance worldwide. (Excerpt from

Trinidad Guardian)

Barbados will remain with CCJ, says new Prime Minister

Barbados’ first female Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley, being sworn in at Government House on Friday

B Prominent Russian Journalist Arkady Babchenko

for Bulgaria, which currently holds the Council presidency. “As jurisdictions around the world work to reform their tax policies, our challenge for the rest of the year will be to see that their commitments have been correctly implemented.”

In a statement, the Council said both countries have made commitments at a high political level to remedy EU concerns and EU experts have assessed those commitments.

The Council said the im-

arbados will remain as a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), incoming Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said on Friday, adding that the CCJ represents “one of the best examples of independence” in a court across the entire globe.

Asked by the media to give her views about the CCJ, shortly after being sworn in as the island’s eighth prime minister, she stated the government she was a part of in 2005 had worked to establish the court.

“I had as Attorney General the responsibility for chairing the preparatory committee; I went

the length and breadth of the Caribbean, selling the Caribbean Court of Justice, from Jamaica in the North right down to Guyana in the South.

“Barbados perhaps has one of the largest number of cases in the appellate jurisdiction and Barbadians as a rule have seen their rights being protected by the Caribbean Court of Justice and we, therefore, are a strong proponent of it. It is not an immediate drain on the Treasury because of the manner in which we established it through the Trust Fund. And secondly, it is insulated because it is only the president of the Caribbean Court of Justice who is appointed by the heads of gov-

ernment and that is by unanimity. The other Judges are appointed by the regional Judicial Legal Services Commission,” she stressed.

Mottley identified the Caricom Single Market and Economy and LIAT as some of the areas that would be engaging her attention over the coming weeks. Noting that Barbados was the single largest shareholder in LIAT, she stressed that there were issues relating to the airline that had to be confronted within the next few weeks. She added that Barbados was serious about Caricom and a team would be attending the upcoming Caricom heads of government meeting in Jamaica.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Haitian President begins official visit to Taiwan

H

aitian President Jovenel Moise began an official visit to Taiwan on Tuesday overshadowed by efforts by China to get countries to ditch Taipei in favour of restoring diplomatic relations with Beijing.

“We appreciate Haiti's long-term support of Taiwan and our international participation in many areas,” Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen said at a welcoming ceremony outside the presidential office.

Haiti is among a handful of Caribbean countries that continue to have diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province.

Haiti and Taiwan have established diplomatic relations since 1956 and the Taiwanese President said that even though her country and the French-speaking Caribbean country “are separated by large geographic distance, both share democratic and freedom values.

Tsai says she wants to

maintain the status quo but will not be bullied by China and will defend Taiwan and its democracy. For his part, Moise said that his country was grateful for Taiwan's willingness to help with its development, and it was looking forward to relations expanding into a new phase.

He said Haiti is looking to promote employment and economic growth, with a focus on strengthening private investment, agriculture modernisation, as well as infrastructure. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, May 30, 2018

ARCHIE

Listen, but don’t pass along information you are (March 21- given until you verify its vaApril 19) lidity. Take control of whatever situation you face and avoid letting someone make you look bad.

ARIES

A change of heart will enTAURUS courage you to take another (April 20- look at an offer or suggestion May 20) that someone made. Dealing with older relatives will resolve a stressful situation.

dilbert

Speak up, ask questions GEMINI (May 21- and raise issues with anyone June 20) you feel is feeding you false information. Plan your actions and execute them to your specifications. An innovative approach will ensure success.

Broaden your interests and friendships. Get involved (June 21- in activities that motivate July 22) you to try something new.

Frequent a creative venue that attracts people who are unique and colorful.

CANCER

Peanuts

Temptation should be LEO put aside. Making an abrupt (July 23- change because someone else Aug. 22) does so will not be in your best interest. Focus on doing a good job and contributing facts and solutions.

Calvin and Hobbes

Someone will use emotionVIRGO al blackmail to twist your way (Aug. 23of thinking. The best changes Sept. 22) you can make are through educational pursuits, practice, and trial and error. Romance will improve your personal life.

Use intelligence and finLIBRA (Sept. 23- ish what you start. If you Oct. 23) wait for someone else to take the reins, you will appear lazy. Take care of your health, and nurture important relationships.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — REPAYS (REPAYS: ree-PAYS: Gives back in return or in compensation.)

Average mark 20 words

You’ll come up against SAGITTARIUS someone operating under (Nov. 23false pretenses to take adDec. 21) vantage of you. Rely on what you know is fact before you get involved in a joint venture.

Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 28 or more words in REPAYS? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — STAMMER

same sate seam sear seat seta smart smear star

stare steam stem stream tame tamer tare team tear

term tram tsar arms aster mare mart maser mast

master mate meat mesa east rase rate ream rest

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Put your money in a safe SCORPIO place.

Don’t share your fi(Oct. 24nancial status or talk about Nov. 22) legal matters. Concentrate on making physical changes that will make you feel good about what you have to offer.

solution

A change at home will CAPRICORN have an impact on your per(Dec. 22- sonal relationships. You will Jan. 19) have better luck finding success if you take an alternative path or adhere to an unusual plan.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Living within your means will be in your best interest.

Look for original alternatives that will allow you to cut costs by doing more of the work yourself.

Emotional deception or disillusionment will lead you astray. Don’t take what others say to heart. Take the path that guarantees success, not the one that sounds too good to be true.

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018

S

erena Williams made a winning return to Grand Slam tennis which was as memorable as her body-hugging black catsuit when she reached the Roland Garros second round on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old downed Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 to register her first victory at the majors since her 2017 Australian Open triumph.

“I missed Roland Garros so much, I missed the battle,” Williams, the 2002, 2013 and 2015 champion, said after playing her first clay court match since finishing runner-up to Garbine Muguruza in the 2016 final on the same Philippe Chatrier Court.

“It’s been two years since I played here. It wasn’t easy, but I have been training really hard.

I feel good and just so happy to be back here.”

Williams, the winner of an Openera record 23 Grand Slam titles, had arrived at Roland Garros with just four matches under her belt in 2018, the last of which was in Miami in March.

Having been off

the tour to give birth to daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian in September, many in the sport wondered if she would still be a contender at the majors especially with her ranking at 451. However, she gave a stinging response to the doubters on Tuesday even if her win over the 70th ranked Pliskova tested the American.

Arriving on Philippe Chatrier Court in a black catsuit, offset with a pinkish-red

19

waistband, Williams trailed 0/3 in the first-set tiebreaker. The threetime champion then fell 0-2 behind in the second set and was forced to retrieve another break to level at 4-4. As she served for the match, she even slipped into the net, righting herself sporting an embarrassed smile. She saved three break points in an eight-minuteplus 10th game before taking victory, setting up a second-round clash with Australia’s Ashleigh Barty.

The only consolation for Pliskova, the twin sister of world number six Karolina, was finishing with 15 aces, the most hit against Williams since such records began to be kept in 2008. (AFP)

Reported Liverpool target Alisson Afghanistan picks 4 offers Karius moral support spinners for inaugural Test

R

oma’s Alisson has told Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius to keep his head up and try to get over the disappointment of his costly errors in the Champions League final.

Karius committed two inexplicable mistakes as the Reds lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in Kiev on Saturday, with the German shotstopper left inconsolable after the final whistle at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium.

Alisson’s kind words may be of little comfort to Karius, though, given that the Brazil international has been touted as a possible target for the Merseyside club in the close season. “I got very sad,” Alisson told Gazeta Esportiva when asked for his reaction to the blunders.

“We goalkeepers when we see a mistake of another goalkeeper, we end up feeling as if they were us. It’s very sad to see this, but he needs to put his head up. It is part of football and life must go on.

“He has to be proud to have played in a Champions League final. Of course, it’s not what he expected, but it’s part of football.

“We are also subject to errors. We need to work hard not to let this happen to us.”

Karius had already missed out on a place in Germany’s provisional World Cup squad before his performance in Kiev, while Alisson is set to start for the Selecao at the tournament in Russia, ahead of Manchester City’s Ederson and Cassio of Corinthians.

(Sportsmax)

Teenager tastes victory at Roland Garros debut

C

anadian teenager Denis Shapovalov eased to a 7-5, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Australian John Millman in his first-ever main-draw French Open match on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old, who lost in Roland Garros qualifying last year but is now the 24th seed, was erratic at times, but always had too much power for his opponent. He will next take on German world number 70 Maximilian Marterer for a place in the last 32.

“The last couple of weeks I’ve been playing unbelievable on this surface,” said Shapovalov.

“For now, every win here is a bonus, but in the future, winning Roland Garros would be a dream come true for me.”

Shapovalov fell a break down in each of the first two sets, but his fearsome groundstrokes helped him fight back both times to take control of the match after a rain delay. The world number 25 quickly moved 3-1 ahead in the third set and wrapped up victory with a rapid service hold to love.

It is the first time Shapovalov has been seeded at a Grand Slam tournament, after his run to the Madrid Masters semifinals earlier this month saw him become the youngest player to break into the world’s top 30 since 2005. (AFP)

Denis Shapovalov celebrates his victory

A

fghanistan have picked four spinners – fingerspinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Amir Hamza and wristspinners Rashid Khan and Zahir Khan – in their 16-man squad for their inaugural Test, against India in Bengaluru from June 14.

While Mujeeb and Rashid are coming off successful IPL stints with Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively, left-arm wristspinner Zahir is returning from a finger injury that ruled him out from an IPL stint with Rajasthan Royals. The 19-year-old was part of the Afghanistan squad that reached the semi-final of the Under-19 World Cup in January-February this year.

Left-arm offspinner Hamza, meanwhile, was the leading wicket-taker in the domestic First-Class competition. Though Zahir has not played ODIs or T20Is yet for Afghanistan, he was the team’s leading wicket-taker during their title campaign in the 201517 Intercontinental Cup, the ICC’s First-Class competition for Associates, taking 31 wickets in six matches. Fast bowler Wafadar was the only uncapped member of the Test squad.

Afghanistan will miss the services of experienced fast bowler Dawlat Zadran because of a knee injury. The second most capped player Asghar Stanikzai will lead both the Test and the T20I squads that will play

Zahir Khan, Coach Raees Ahmadzai and Rashid Khan celebrate winning the Intercontinental Cup

Bangladesh in three games in Dehradun from June 3. They will have experience in allrounder Mohammad Nabi, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah and Hashmathullah Shahidi for the Tests. Meanwhile, Afghanistan opted for a more youthful squad for the three T20Is against Bangladesh in Dehradun, with only five of the Test players retained for the series.

Under-19 batsman Darwish Rasooli earned a maiden national call-up on the back of strong performances at the World Cup, while Najib Tarakai was recalled after 15 months following strong domestic performances.

Afghanistan’s preliminary squad has just concluded a set of practice matches in Greater Noida, following which the final squad was named by chief selec-

tor and former Captain Nawroz Mangal. (ESPNCricinfo) Test Squad: Asghar Stanikzai (Captain); Javed Ahmadi; Ihsanullah; Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper); Mujeeb Ur Rahman; Nasir Jamal; Rahmat Shah; Hashmatullah Shahidi; Afsar Zazai; Mohammad Nabi; Rashid Khan; Amir Hamza; Sayed Shirzad; Yamin Ahmadzai; Wafadar and Zahir Khan Squad for Bangladesh T20Is: Asghar Stanikzai (Captain); Najeeb Tarakai; Usman Ghani; Mohammad Shahzad; Mujeeb Ur Rahman; Najibullah Zadran; Samiullah Shenwari; Shafiqullah; Darwish Rasooli; Mohammad Nabi; Rashid Khan; Gulbadin Naib; Karim Janat; Sharafuddin Ashraf; Shapoor Zadran and Aftab Alam. (ESPNCricinfo)

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018

AB’s retirement is a big blow to South Africa

– Graeme Smith

T

he untimely retirement of “irreplaceable” AB de Villiers is a big loss for South Africa and the team must prepare for the challenging transition they face in the next couple of years, former Captain Graeme Smith said.

The South African batting talisman announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket last week after a glittering career spanning close to 14 years.

The 34-year-old’s audacious batting style and breathtaking fielding has made him one of the sport’s leading lights and there is barely a dull moment for the spectators when De Villiers is on the cricket field.

“I think AB’s thought about it a lot,” Smith, who himself made a shocking retirement at the age of 33 four years back, said in an interview.

“I thought definitely he would retire after the 2019 World Cup. But when he made his comeback and did so well in the home summer in South Africa, had a really good IPL (Indian Premier League), I didn’t even think about it.”

De Villiers retired with a Test average of 50.66 and as the fourth-highest scorer for

South Africa with 8765 runs. In ODI cricket, he holds the records for the fastest 50 (16 balls); 100 (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls) with those innings exhibiting his 360-degree batting ability, much to the amusement of the fans.

“Ultimately, people will be very disappointed because they are going to miss him, just because he was that brilliant.

They wanted to see him play more,” Smith said at the sidelines of the Ceat Cricket Rating awards. “But the guy has played international cricket for around 15 years.

More than anything he has the right to decide when he’s had enough. He will have his own reasons for that, you got to respect that.” Left-handed opener Smith was a veteran of 117 tests, 109 of those as captain, and is the world record holder for the most Test wins as skipper of a five-day team with 53. He remains the most capped Test Captain in the history of the game and was handed the reins of the South African side at the age of 22. Smith does not expect De Villiers to make himself available to play in different Twenty20 leagues across the globe, but hoped the batsman will continue entertaining fans for at least a couple of

years more.

Smith said De Villiers’ retirement robbed South Africa of more than just a batting

mainstay.

“To lose a player like AB, he’s irreplaceable,” Smith said. “There are also quality players there, but it’s like taking Virat Kohli (India Captain) out of the Indian team.

“Everyone will say it’s a big loss.

More than anything the South African team loses an X-factor player, who can single-handedly win you a game.”

South Africa have lost players to English counties in the recent past with cricketers like fast bowler Morne Morkel registering as Kolpak players. A player becomes eligible for a Kolpak deal when he gives up the

Durant: LeBron is playing next-level basketball L

eBron James is playing “next-level basketball” and will give the Golden State Warriors plenty to think about in the NBA Finals, says Kevin Durant.

Durant scored a game-high 34 points as the Warriors rallied after a poor first half to defeat the Houston Rockets 101-92 in game seven of the Western Conference finals at Toyota Center.

That victory set up a fourth straight Finals meeting against the Cavs, who James inspired past the Boston Celtics over seven matches.

Asked if he was ready for the challenge of taking on the Cavs superstar, Durant told ESPN: “Yeah, no doubt. It’s gonna be a fun one, exciting one.

“LeBron’s playing – I can’t even describe how he’s playing, it’s like next-level basketball so we got our work cut out for us.”

Steve Kerr described the Warriors’ opening period as “one of the worst quarters of basketball we’ve ever played” after they shot seven of 20 from the floor and two of 10 from three-point range.

Stephen Curry pinpointed the moment in the first half when Golden State came together and fo-

cused on turning things around, a process he led with 14 points in a sensational third quarter – just one point fewer than the Rockets as a whole.

“There was a moment in the first half, I think Draymond [Green] turned it over to James [Harden] in the transition and he got a dunk,” said Curry at a post-match news conference.

“That’s a point where you can have guys doing a lot of finger pointing and blaming and getting on their feelings. But there was a moment during that timeout after Coach called it, where it was just really productive.

“Everybody was like, ‘Let’s just move on. Get it together, find a way to get through this little rough patch and just find ourselves.’ It just took a while.

“So I think that moment it could have splintered, to be honest. It could have been a moment where guys went their separate ways.

“But I think the way that we fought all year and the way that this team is built with the chemistry we have, that got us through that little rough patch. I think we used that to our advantage.”

On his explosion early in the sec-

right t o play for his c o u n try and is not classed as an overseas player in county cricket. Smith also had doubts about the future of long-serving players like Hashim Amla and current Captain Faf du Plessis.

“I think South African cricket is going to find itself in a very interesting phase in the next year or so,” Smith said. “I don’t think the talent pool is quite as good as what it has been for a period of time.”

(News18)

AB de Villiers

Neymar

‘Not 100%’ but ready for Russia N

eymar acknowledged on Sunday that he was “not yet at 100 per cent” after surgery on his fractured right foot, but the Brazil forward said he was ready to play for his country at the World Cup. “I’m not yet at 100 per cent. That will come with time.

I’m still a bit scared of going all out, but there are still several days before our start,” the Paris SaintGermain star told reporters at Brazilian football headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

“It’s going to take a bit more time for this fear to go away, but I’m ready to play. Nothing can stop me from doing so,” Neymar added, hours before a planned flight to London where the team will conond half, he added: “Obviously tinue their World Cup preparations.

I’ve been playing well in the The world’s most expensive player hasn’t third quarter this series. played since hurting himself in a French league “You have to have endurgame against Marseille on February 25, but Neymar ance, you’ve got to have resilienhas been training for the past 10 days and cy, you’ve got to have confidence took part in a national team preparation in yourself, no matter how camp this week in Teresopolis. the game’s going up until “I feel good physically. My foot is that point, that you fine. Of course, I have to adjust to cercan turn it around. tain things. I’m feeling a bit of dis“It’s been comfort, but it’s not going to stop me great to come from playing,” he said. out of the lockThe 26-year-old also reflected on er room kind what was a frustrating 2014 World of focused, Cup experience on home soil, as a l o c k e d back injury ruled him out of Brazil’s in, made humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in s o m e the semi-finals. shots, “It’s a dream to play in anothget some er World Cup, a dream which I hope stops, won’t be interrupted again,” he said. and just Brazil will play two warm-up h a v e matches before travelling to Russia, f u n . with a friendly against Croatia at Anfield on June 3 before a trip to Vienna to face Austria on June 10.

The five-time world champions play their opening match in Obviously, Group E against Switzerland on thankfully with the June 17 in Rostov-on-Don. Brazil way the first half went, then face Costa Rica on June 22 in it was like clockwork, Saint Petersburg and Serbia in Moscow on so it was good.” (Sportsmax) Neymar June 27. (News 18)

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sports

21

Digicel pulls out of West Indies cricket

D

igicel has announced that it has reached an agreement to end its sponsorship relationship with Cricket West Indies (CWI) one year early, following a successful 13-year partnership.

A statement by Digicel quotes its Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Raymond Leclercq, as saying; “Over the years, we have been very successful in forging sponsorship partnerships with the things we know our customers love most. This approach has helped us to grow the Digicel brand to be the number one brand in the Region and to make a lasting impression

Digicel Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Raymond Leclercq

on our customers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cricket West Indies

for 13 years of amazing partnership and for the opportunity and privilege of helping to bring the fun, thrill, and excitement of the game of cricket to a wider audience and in new and engaging ways. We wish Cricket West Indies all the best for the future and will be cheering the teams on from the stands as passionate fans of the game of cricket in the Caribbean.”

CWI Director of Commercial Marketing and Communications, Dominic Warne, commented in the press release: “On behalf of everyone at Cricket West Indies, I would like to thank Digicel for their fantastic support over the past 13

Dominic Warne, CWI’s Director of Commercial Marketing and Communications

years. It has been a great and successful partnership for both Cricket West Indies and Digicel. We are

now primed to take on a number of new initiatives as part of our recently-announced strategic plan to make cricket the heartbeat of the Caribbean. We hope to make an announcement on our new long-term Principal Partner soon.”

In 2015, the West Indies Cricket Board had renewed its agreement with Digicel for four years to 2019.

Along with the men’s team, Digicel sponsored the women’s and the Under-19 teams. In addition, the contract also saw Digicel helping the Caribbean islands develop their coaching clinics to find and nurture players for the future. (CNC3)

Warner and Bancroft I thought about resigning at half-time to commence return – Kerr jokes about through NT Strike poor Warriors start League

S

teve Kerr joked he thought about resigning at half-time during the Golden State Warriors’ game seven victory over the Houston Rockets.

The Warriors set up an NBA Finals meeting against the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth straight year by defeating the Rockets 101-92 at Toyota Center on Monday.

However, Kerr was frustrated by the sloppy play that saw his team go into halftime trailing 54-43, but he knew staunch defence would lay the foundations for a brilliant comeback and the chance to defend their title.

“I was thinking of resigning, that was my first thought. I walked in at halftime, and I said, ‘I don’t even recognise this team’,” joked the Golden State Coach, who branded their opening period “one of the worst quarters of basketball we’ve ever played”.

“We’ve been together for four years. I didn’t recognise the group that we were seeing.

But sometimes you forget – game seven,

you get some nerves. There is so much nervous energy, but it was really – I don’t know how else to describe it. It was a bizarre half.

“But I knew how tired Houston was. The way they play with James [Harden] running so many screen and rolls, that’s exhausting.

Then he’s got to go down to the other end and guard Klay [Thompson], and getting switched off on to Kevin or Steph, it’s tiring.

“So, he had such a big burden on his shoulders. We just wanted to maintain our defence or get our defence going, and hope that the fatigue on their side would be a factor.

“I knew our guys would make some shots.

We’ve got a lot of guys. Obviously, we have four All-Stars. We might have the three best shooters in the league, so I knew we’d score.

But we had to corral them and wear them down.”

The Warriors outscored the Rockets 33-15 in the third quarter, with Stephen Curry posting 14 of his 27 points in that period. Curry made seven of 15 three-pointers and also posted 10 assists and nine rebounds, while Kevin Durant finished with 34 points.

Kerr was asked if he was prouder of this team than the previous three that reached the Finals, having advanced through the Western Conference without having home-court advantage.

“That’s like asking which your favourite child is,” he responded.

“For the record, Maddy is my favourite. Nick and Matthew are okay, but Maddy, she’s my pride and joy.”

Steve Kerr

B

anned Australian batsmen David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will commence their return to cricket after their part in the Newlands ball tampering scandal with appearances at the Northern Territory limited-overs Strike League in July. Both players had been approached by Cricket NT to take part in the tournament, which takes in both T20 and one-day fixtures. Warner has committed to playing in two matches, while Bancroft will take part in the entire tournament. It is also looking increasingly likely that Warner will join former Australia Captain Steven Smith in Canada’s Global T20 tournament in Toronto early in July.

Warner, who has already spent time participating in community cricket projects in the Territory, said that the earlier visit was the catalyst for his participation.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in the Strike League in July,” he said.

“I heard so much about the competition while I was in Darwin earlier this month that I’m keen to be part of it.”

The inclusion of Warner and Bancroft are a publicity win for the competition, which in recent years has become a popular destination for Australian domestic players to get some off-season playing time without venturing overseas.

Similarly to his arrangement with Cricket NT,

Warner appears to be keeping his options open to play overseas T20 tournaments while serving out his ban, having only committed to playing a few games in Sydney grade cricket. “We’re delighted to have him,” the club president Mike Whitney said earlier this month. “He’s one of the best players Australia has had since World War Two. He’s been speaking to one of our club officials and he has committed to the first three or four rounds of the season. Why it is only three or four rounds at this stage, I don’t know.”

(ESPNCricinfo)

David Warner

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018

T&T set to host 2019 WIFBSC Championships A

fter a dominating 2018 West Indies Full-Bore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Championships in Barbados, marksmen will now look to next year’s edition set for Trinidad and Tobago.

The Paragon Ranges in Barbados came alive this past week as shooters from around the globe gathered as they exhibited their skills as professional marksmen. Following the end of the competition, it was the Guyanese shooters who had the most to brag about.

Having dominated the

team and individual shoots; Guyana’s National Rifle Association Team bagged numerous honours this year. Led by newly- crowned individual champ Ransford Goodluck – who stepped up in the absence of Mahendra Persaud, who was ill this year – the veteran sniper emerged the winner in the X-Class with 390.027 points.

Guyanese Lennox Braithwaite was the next best overall shot in the X division with 379.026, which landed him in second place for the overall aggregate.

Guyana also successfully re-

tained their long-bore title during the week before enduring a bit of misfortune in the Short Range match.

The home side Barbados were the winners of the Short Range match, besting the Guyanese shooters to claim their title on home soil after nearly 52 years.

Meanwhile, apart from Goodluck and Brathwaite, there were other notable performances from Guyanese shooters such as Sherwin Filicien, Leo Romalho, and Sigmund Douglas who did well throughout the competition to help Guyana fly the Golden Arrowhead proudly.

The Guyana rifle team pose with their Long Range title

3 Guyanese in Adil Rashid joins ICC World XI squad CWI President’s to face Windies at Lord's on Thursday XI Squad A

G

Rayon Griffith

u y a n e s e Chandrapaul Hemraj, Keon Joseph and Vishual Singh were named in the Windies 13-member Cricket West Indies (CWI) President’s XI squad to face the Sri Lankans in a three-Day Tour Match.

The match, which bowls off today, Wednesday, May 30, at the Brian Lara Cricket Ground in Trinidad and Tobago, features a strong Windies team that are led by Kieran Powell and boasts players such as Jermaine Blackwood, Shamarh Brooks, and Guyana Jaguars franchise player Raymon Reifer.

The trio of Guyanese have been regular faces in the Windies A team as of recent with Singh going on to play a few Tests for the West Indies. The aggressive opener Hemraj dominated the 2017/18 Professional Cricket League (PCL) with more than 600 runs before being drafted to the Windies A side.

Joseph, the right-arm

s the Windies vs ICC World XI charity match inches ever closer, wrist-spinner Adil Rashid has been added to the ICC World XI, while fast bowler Mohammed Shami has replaced compatriot Hardik Pandya for the match set for May 31 at Lord’s.

The match is being played to raise funds for the restoration and redevelopment of stadia in

speedster, is a regular feature in the West Indies development teams or in the A side. Meanwhile, the team are coached by former West Indies Test Captain Floyd Reifer with Guyanese Rayon Griffith as his deputy. Also, Richard Pybus will accompany the unit in his capacity as High Performance Director.

CWI President’s XI 13man Squad: Kieran Powell (Captain); Sunil Ambris; Jermaine Blackwood; Shamarh Brooks; John Campbell; Rahkeem Cornwall; Miguel Cummins; Jahmar Hamilton;, Chandrapaul Hemraj; Keon Joseph; Raymon Reifer; Vishual Singh and Jomel Warrican Team Management Unit: Floyd Reifer (Head Coach); Rayon Griffith (Assistant Coach); Orlando Griffith (Strength & Conditioning Coordinator); Khevyn Williams (Physiotherapist); Dinesh Mahabir (Analyst) and Mushtaq Ahmed (Bowling Coach)

the Caribbean damaged by hurricanes in 2017. Rashid is the second England player in the star-studded line-up after Eoin Morgan, who will capt a i n the squad.

The 30-yearold Rashid has played 28 T20Is in which he has taken 23 wickets. He was also a member of the England side for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, where the home side reached the semi-final.

Shami has r e -

placed all-rounder Pandya, who has pulled out owing to a viral infection and will join Dinesh Karthik as the second Indian player in the side, which also includes one player each from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and two players each from New Zealand and Pakistan.

Twenty-seven-year-old Shami has represented India in seven T20Is in which he has picked up eight wickets, while he also featured in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 when India finished as runners-up.

Meanwhile, rival captains now Shahid Afidi, who takes over from Eoin Morgan who injured his finger and Carlos Brathwaite, and opposite coaches Andy Flower and Stuart Law were scheduled to hold their prematch media conferences in the Film Theatre, Lord’s Museum, on Tuesday.

(Sportsmax)

Adil Rashid

McIntosh praises GFF T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) received high praise on Monday afternoon after the conclusion of its Ordinary Congress.

The commendation came from the Senior Manager of the CONCACAF and Caribbean Project, Howard McIntosh. McIntosh, who is no stranger to these shores, has been in Guyana for the bustling week of football activities.

McIntosh stated that everything went “exceptionally well”, referring to the Ordinary Congress and his trip to the National Training Centre, which is under construction and which he has been a part of since its inception.

“I was able to watch the

women’s qualifiers last night (, I know it was a little disappointing for Guyana, but it was good from the standpoint of organisation of the tournament and all the reports I’ve received have been good so far,” he added.

Overall, McIntosh indicated that he was very pleased with the work that the GFF has carried out, stating, “The fact that the financial statements were presented, new initiatives were carried out, the activity report shows meaning and progress says that Guyana’s football is on the right track.”

As such, he pledged the as-

sistance of his organisation to any vent u r e s that the G F F m a y want to pursue i n

the future. “CONCACAF through its One CONCACAF programme and through its President, Victor Montagliani, and the General Secretary will continue to support the initiatives being pursued by the GFF,” he said.

CONCACAF official Howard McIntosh

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018

23

GFF proud of ‘clean audit’

A

Executives of the GFF pose for a photo prior to their Congress

fter the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) hosted its Ordinary Congress at the Sleep-In Hotel on Monday, its President, Wayne Forde seemed exceptionally proud at the transparency and respectability that his association was able to display when it presented a clean audit to members and other invitees.

Speaking after the forum, Forde highlighted the audit as one of the key areas in the Congress, stating: “Most importantly, though, the GFF presented a clean audit to the members. We made a commitment to ourselves and to the members to produce an audit that is free of all qualification and we have put in the hard work over the

past couple of months, since the last congress and today we were able to produce a really good audit.”

The presentation of this audit was insisted upon by FIFA after a 2016 audit that was clouded with speculation. Taking a jab at the bad publicity that the 2016 audit received, Forde said: “I’m hoping that the media will

Narine wins FACC Independence 40-mile cycle road race

give this financial report that was approved unanimously by the members the same level of visibility and attention that they did the audit that had a couple of qualifications.”

Last year, the GFF found itself in hot water after audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2016 did

T

he Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of Berbice staged a successful 10-lap, 40- mile cycle road race around the Ancient County town of New Amsterdam as part of Guyana’s Independence anniversary celebrations.

With a time of 1h40m, Balram Narine was crowned the winner, with Clement Doris coming in second. Other top finishers included Syborne Fernandes (3rd), Jason Cameron (4th) and David Hicks (5th).

Hosted for strictly members of the FACC, 16 riders sped away from the checkpoint, Rainbow Bar on Republic Road.

Riders visited Vryheid Road, Stanleytown and Tacama before going back into Republic Road.

The cyclists repeated the route 10 times, eventually ending at the Rainbow Bar. Mario Washington starred in the Boys’ race while the first female was Maria Carrington. For the BMX riders, Nehaun Rigby was first among the 9-12 group, with the younger Neshaun Rigby the first in the 6-9 category. The 3-5 age group was won by riders Arfaan Blair (male) and Elesa Austin (female) while the eldest to complete a race was 67-year-old Daniel Rigby.

Additionally, although he did not release the names the GFF President also disclosed that the Federation was able to implement an audit and compliance committee. “The other important agenda item that we’re able to achieve is the appointment of the audit and compliance committee, which is an important arm in world football.”

Imlach credits diligence for Jags selection

W

Winners pose with their spoils following the race

not seem accurate. The audit, which was conducted by Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants, found that the GFF did not have sufficient records of its income and spending.

However, the audit that was presented this time around was unanimously accepted by all members of the GFF.

icket-keeper/batsman Tevin Imlach said his recent drafting to the Guyana Jaguars franchise ahead of the 2018/19 Professional Cricket League (PCL) season was built on hard work and dedication.

Regional Four-Day Defending champions Guyana Jaguars during the recent PCL draft selected five cricketers. Jamaican franchise player Ramaal Lewis; senior all-rounder Christopher Barnwell; opener Akshaya Persaud, who made his debut last season; Antiguan Javier Spencer and Imlach were the chosen five.

During a brief interview with Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday, the classy opener shared his thoughts regarding his selection to the Jaguars team. An elated Imlach said despite working hard, he was still a bit shocked at the selection: “Well during the season I’ve been working hard, so it came as a surprise, but it’s something that I’ve been looking forward to.”

The 21-year-old who, along with his Windies U-19 teammates Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul – both of whom went on to play international Test ODI and T20s for the West Indies senior team – will be remembered for his heroics in the 2016 Youth World Cup.

Looking ahead, Imlach said he was adamant about the future and what it held for him as a cricketer. He added that he was excited and looking forward to this season as he was more focused on making an impact and fulfilling his role as one of the top wicket-keeper/batsmen in Guyana.

Guyana Jaguars will be focused on defending their title for a fifth year and will rely on their match winners over the years including Veerasammy Permaul, Leon Johnson, Vishal Singh, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Gudakesh Motie, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Keon Joseph, and Anthony Bramble.

Meanwhile, both Paul and Hetmyer were not retained by Guyana owing to them both having active West Indies contracts, but they are still eligible to play for Guyana once there are no conflicting Windies duties.

Also veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul who played a key role for his country last season will feature this season on a pay-per-play basis for Guyana.

(Clifton Ross)

Tevin Imlach

wednesDAY, may 30, 2018

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3 Guyanese in CWI President’s XI Squad Pg 22

Vishual Singh

Keon Joseph

Chandrapaul Hemraj

Pg 21

Digicel pulls out of West Indies cricket GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.