Guyanatimes 13 July 2018

Infrastructural investments P12 will catalyse Guyana’s development – State Minister tells Brazilian investors Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3622

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, July 13, 2018

119 neonatal deaths recorded over 1-year Opposition decries high number period Page 7

Enmore North residents accuse co-op of land grabbing campaign Page 10

4 homeless as Corentyne house goes up in flames Page 7

Timber operators suffer heavy losses due to worsened interior roads – GMSA Page 10

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

SOCU advisor controversy

Ramjattan-led anti-corruption seminar nothing but a ‘mere charade’ – PPP P2

Man shot to abdomen critical P2 WCD flood compensation

“Proper P9 assessment” yet to be submitted – Harmon …NDC says complete assessment was submitted since March

Timelines set for PPP challenge to DPP withdrawing misconduct allegations P13

Parking lot controversy

Page 13

Private security association chides Crime Chief, wants – Top Cop distances self, says Crime explanation Chief must be held accountable

ERC Commissioners meet with Opposition P8 Leader – concerns raised again on GECOM racial bias complaint

2 news

friDAY, july 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

SOCU advisor controversy

Ramjattan-led anti-corruption seminar nothing but a “mere charade” – PPP T he APNU-AFC Coalition Government has come in for another round of scathing criticism from the Parliamentary Opposition over its approach to matters surrounding discussion of corruption.

Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Monday took particular umbrage at the Special Organised Crime Unit’s (SOCU’s) advisor, Dr. Sam Sittlington, who in his view conducted the AntiCorruption Seminar without much substance.

“The Opposition members wish to put on public record how disappointed we were with the lack of substance in Dr. Sittlington’s answers to the questions posed and issues raised,” a statement from the Opposition Leader’s Office noted.

The Anti-Corruption Seminar was held for Members of Parliament in

Opposition MP Harry Gill

Parliament Chambers, and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, as moderator, praised Dr. Sittlington, saying, “Guyana was fortunate to have a man of such experience and standing”.

However, the Opposition had expected Head of SOCU, Sydney James, other members of the State body, or

SOCU advisor Dr Sam Sittlington

even observers to be present. However as proceedings continued, it descended into heated moments, as the Prime Minister accused the Parliamentary Opposition of being a “lynch gang” at the seminar and called on Member Harry Gill to retract his statement that “maybe Dr.

Sittlington should consider resigning.”

“Minister Ramjattan abruptly ended the session with time to spare in the 3-hour allotted time, in order to protect Dr. Sittlington from incisive issues being raised by the Parliamentary Opposition,” the statement outlined.

The Opposition party said it had anticipated that frank discussions and exchanges would have been held on ways to address corruption. It, however, said that the session was “nothing but a mere charade, and a fig leaf for the non-engagement of SOCU in dealing with publicly reported acts of corruption, conflict of interest, abuse of power, extortion, etc., by the APNU/AFC Administration.”

The Opposition highlighted that during Wednesday’s session, it asked a number of questions, such as the num-

ber of money laundering cases that had been successfully prosecuted in recent times, and members further questioned the reasons why SOCU never acted or investigated cases of corruption involving current Government officials.

The cases highlighted were the Sussex Street Drug Bond controversy and the Jubilee Durban Park Development project wherein issues relating to beneficial ownership and conflict of interest of public officials were unearthed.

The statement recalled Dr. Sittlington as stating that SOCU could act only if there was a complaint to the Commissioner of Police.

“If that were the case, how did SOCU on two occasions arrest PPP/C leaders, including the former President, Prime Minister and Ministers; and the Commissioner of Police, on both occasions, publicly stated he was unaware of these actions. Further, Dr. Sittlington stated he arrived on January 2016 and the 30-odd forensic audits had been completed. This in fact was not so, and even Minister Jaipaul Sharma, who was present, looked confused, as he was the one who admitted in the seminar that he had submitted the audits to SOCU and the Police,” the Opposition Leader observed.

It was disclosed that People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members were “advised” that only recently the six-month period for hearing cases in court was lifted, a move which the Opposition deemed “a total misunderstanding” of the AML/CFT Amendment Act 2015. The party even suggested that even the adviser needs to be advised on the law and the judicial system.

The Parliamentary Opposition said, too, that it remains committed to ensuring Guyana’s adherence to its constitution and laws, and its international treaties and conventions, such as the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption and the UN Convention Against Corruption.

“We remain steadfast in our demands for greater transparency and account-

ability of the executive and all elected officials and civil society stakeholders,” it noted.

Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) accused the British Fraud Expert and Advisor of turning a blind eye to the many instances of Government corruption. “You have turned a blind eye to reports of corruption right here in the Government,” Harry Gill said.

These were references to the controversial Sussex Street drug bond and the construction of the D’Urban Park Stadium. Gill said the fact that Sittlington was employed by the State poses a conflict of interest problem for him to investigate acts of corruption by state agencies.

However, the Prime Minister and Ramjattan both defended the UK expert, stating that the Opposition MP came with a motive to disparage Sittlington, and describing them as a “lynching gang with a clear intention.”

In his defence, Sittlington advised that SOCU can only investigate matters that are referred to the Police, or cases referred by the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit, the Financial Intelligence Unit, or the Fraud Squad.

Among former Government officials questioned were former Prime Minister and former President, Samuel Hinds; former ministers Priya Manickchand, Irfaan Ali, Clement Rohee, Robert Persaud and Dr Jennifer Westford. One commonality with their questioning was that it was in relation to property purchased at the Sparendaam seawall area on the East Coast that is commonly known as “Pradoville 2”.

While the current Administration contends that the transaction is a criminal act because of the belief that the land was sold below market value, the PPP has argued that subsidised housing has always been a part of the legacy of the People’s Progressive Party, and that many Guyanese have benefited from lands sold below market value.

Man shot to abdomen critical

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hirty-year-old Charles Tobin of 15 Church Street, Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara was, in the wee hours of Thursday, shot once to his abdomen at Breda Street Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, and is currently battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

A baker of Breda Street reportedly told the Police he had heard two loud explosions that sounded like gunshots, and he went to investigate. Upon so doing, he saw a large crowd observing

a man lying on the roadway with blood oozing from his abdomen.

The baker claimed to have run towards Hadfield Street and summoned a taxi to take the injured man to the hospital.

Tobin was immediately admitted a patient at the GPHC, and underwent emergency surgery.

The Police have checked for surveillance footage, but have come up empty-handed. Investigations into the shooting incident are nevertheless ongoing.

news

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friDAY, july 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 13 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, July 14 –05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 13 – 16:35h-18:05h Saturday, July 14 –05:30h-07:00h.

and

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers, accompanied by thunder midmorning, are expected, with thundery showers in the early evening hours followed by cloudy skies.

Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South south-easterly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 16:58h reaching a maximum height of 2.69 metres.

Low Tide: 10:29h and 22:47h reaching minimum heights of 0.38 metre and 0.54 metre respectively.

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PNC heavyweights against ministerial misconduct – as Broomes denies knowledge of parking lot fiasco

H

eavyweights of the People’s National Congress (PNC) have added their views on the matter involving Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes, her driver and two security guards at a private business establishment, stating that they were against ministerial misconduct.

PNC Reform (PNCR) General Secretary Amna Ally has said that if the reported account of the dispute was factual, then the incident would be extremely unfortunate.

“If it is that something took place as is reported, it’s unfortunate, very unfortunate. Something like that shouldn’t happen, because we have to be able to follow rules and so on,” Ally said.

Nevertheless, the veteran PNC politician also went on to state that everyone must observe the rule of law whether “you are a minister, you are an ordinary person; that is what is expected.”

Asked whether she was able to view the video footage which tells a different story from the one being related by Broomes, Ally said she had more important things to do.

Ally, who also serves as a senior minister in the coalition Administration, said while she has not spoken to Broomes about the incident, she may seek an explanation from her at some point.

Another senior executive of the party, Volda Lawrence told the media that she was surprised by what was told to her by one of the security guards involved in the incident.

When questioned further whether she thought Broomes should apologise, she said that the Minister would make her own personal decision on whether to apologise or not.

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes Lawrence, the PNC Vice Chairperson, on Tuesday had apologised to one of the security guards who were locked up by Police for 16 hours for allegedly abusing the Junior Natural Resources Minister.

She explained that she was having dinner at the New Thriving Restaurant when the security guard approached her and recounted what had transpired. After hearing his side, she apologised.

“We didn’t come into Government for issues like this. We came in to make changes,” Lawrence said, while explaining that she felt compelled to apologise on behalf of the PNCR. Meanwhile, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that it would be unprofessional for Broomes to comment on the matter when it was still being investigated by the Police.

However, Broomes is campaigning with and for Harmon, who is contesting for the chairmanship of the PNCR. He will be challenging incumbent Chairman Basil Williams and Lawrence.

Although the Minister had called the Police and had

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence the two security guards arrested, she on Thursday denied any knowledge of the incident, stating “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

On her arrival at Parliament, Broomes was flocked by members of the local press who asked the Minister for a comment on the matter, but she refused and eventually walked away.

When told about the incident at the Massy Stores parking lot, she maintained that “I don’t know what you’re talking about” and proceeded to walk towards the Parliament Chambers.

Broomes had claimed that she and her driver, whose name has not been officially released to the media to date, were the victims of verbal assaults and threats by the two security guards, who were attempting to bar her from parking in a specific section of the establishment.

The Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry, who is no stranger to controversy, had even alleged that one of the guards had pointed and “crocked” a firearm at her and the driver of her SUV vehicle at some point during the incident.

She claimed that she was fearful for her life and safety as a result of the actions of the guards, who were arrested and detained by Police ranks following the incident before being released on their own recognisance.

However, since the release of CCTV footage on Tuesday, it became clear that the version of the story told by Minister Broomes was different from what was depicted thereby forcing a tidal wave of criticisms and attacks against the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) official on social media, with Guyanese accusing her of high-handedness and dishonesty.

There have also been attacks on her integrity as more support and sympathy poured in on Wednesday for the guards, who it is being argued were “simply doing their jobs”.

Asked whether the Police have found any proof to substantiate the claims made

by Minister Broomes that a gun was aimed at her during the ordeal, Crime Chief Paul Williams has declined to make any definitive pronouncement as he dodged the issue.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believes that the Minister’s behaviour if true was atrocious and should not be allowed to continue.

He said that the incident also pointed to the fact that sometimes people rush to judgement, referring to the unwarranted arrests of the two security guards at the Massy Store over the incident without properly investigating the issue thoroughly. He believes that the Police should be held responsible, given that they acted unprofessionally.

Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2018 passed – despite Opposition highlighting issues in the economy

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he Parliamentary Opposition on Thursday spared no effort at chastising the coalition Government for its mismanagement of the local economy, and used the debate in relation to the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2018 in the National Assembly to highlight some of the issues facing the financial sector.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali gave a synopsis of the threats that face Guyana, and offered a comparison of financial statistics, which highlight how poorly the current Government has performed compared to the years when the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) was in office.

“The economy if not going in the right direction, and figures show from the Bank of Guyana (BoG). We need to strike the balance, and if we don’t, then no law would be able to help us through the crisis we are going through now,” the MP said, noting that things can get much worse than they are now.

Ali, an economist by profession, explained that the BoG profit declined from $5.1 billion in 2014 to $3.7 billion in 2018. In the meantime, gold reserves declined from $27 billion in 2014 to $3.2 billion in June 2018.

Market securities, on the other hand, moved from $96.8 billion to $85 billion as of May, 2018. International reserves were US$652 million in 2015, and they now

stand at US$485 million.

“These are the issues we have to look at, which the Finance Minister (Winston Jordan) alluded to in relation to a financial sector crisis. But a financial sector crisis is already upon us.

Our economy is not performing. We have commercial banks with high levels of non-performing loans. Nonperforming loan as a share of total loans increase from 7.4 percent to 11 percent by end of 2018,” he further added.

As Ali continued to present his arguments, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, asked the MP to focus his debate on the bill itself, and not to stray away too much from it. But Ali maintained that

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali it would not make any sense to the general public if he doesn’t take the time to explain the state of the economy, when the bill itself has a lot to do with what is taking place in the financial sector. turn to page 14

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guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, july 13, 2018

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

Public decency O n Monday last, Guyanese woke up to screaming headlines in various sections of the press, announcing that the country’s Junior Natural Resources Minister, Simona Broomes, was involved in a fracas and showdown outside of a popular business establishment on the East Bank of Demerara.

Among other things, the public learnt from the Minister and an official release from the Guyana Police Force that she and her driver were the alleged victims of aggressive security guards. At this point, it is important to note that the Government Minister reported that the guards utilised threatening language against her, and also pointed a loaded firearm in the direction of herself and driver.

Minister Broomes did not stop there. She is quoted in a section of the media as saying that she could have lost her life, and “everyone” deserves to be treated with respect. From all that was initially relayed by the Minister about the incident, which occurred on Sunday night, one could not help arriving at the conclusion that the Minister and her driver were the victims of unprofessional and irate security personnel.

The guards were arrested and detained for close to 16 hours before being questioned by ranks of the Guyana Police Force, after the Minister made a “call”, or what is believed to be an unofficial complaint.

But before more messages of sympathy and concern about the incident were relayed in the public domain, because the incident had gone viral on social media by Monday night, clearer and new footage emerged which told a very different story from the initial account given by the Minister about the incident.

In fact, the new CCTV footage showed the very minister and her driver being equally aggressive after they were told by the security personnel that they could not park in a restricted area, since it breached the establishment’s rules and regulations.

That footage also depicted the Minister exiting her vehicle and removing ‘no parking signs’ before throwing them to the ground.

And perhaps most importantly, it showed the Minister’s driver attempting to run over one of the security guards, who was arguably performing his duties. At no point in the footage released did the security guards appear to be pointing a gun at either the Minister or her driver.

Shortly after the release of this new footage, the Minister went silent, but not before telling the media that she felt “targeted” and “disrespected”. None of her colleagues has come to her rescue, and the Public Security Minister has not made any public statements about the fiasco involving Broomes.

In fact, the senior Public Health Minister, an executive of the coalition alliance of which Broomes is part, went public on Tuesday evening, apologising to the ordinary security guards before saying that “Humility and wisdom are character traits we must always ask of our Creator.” At least that official showed political maturity by admitting that the men were “wrongfully arrested” despite the fact that the Police are still investigating the incident.

This is, of course, not the first fracas a minister from the David Granger Government was involved in since that administration came to power back in 2015. It is not Minister Broomes’s first outburst or tantrum spell. Just look at the “boom out” fiasco in the National Assembly and her track record in other controversial matters relating to perceived conflict-of-interest allegations.

Firstly, the Guyana Police Force must disclose from whom it took orders to arrest and detain the men, if the Minister’s claim is that she had not up to Tuesday submitted an official statement.

It must also explain why the Minister and her driver were not subjected to the same treatment, if all parties are to be seen as equal before the law. Additionally, the Force must conduct its probe with impartiality and fairness to all parties.

If the Minister is found to have mislead the public in any way, especially with the very serious allegations which border on attempted murder, then President Granger must act swiftly and institute some form of sanction, since the Minister’s behaviour was in poor taste, and lacked civility as well as political ethics.

Surely, President Granger would not tolerate high-handedness and the usage of one’s privileges and office to access special treatment and other benefits.

President Granger has a duty -- as he demanded of former Heads of State while in Opposition -- to ensure that all members of his Government have the moral and personal integrity to govern.

He has argued time and time again that his ministers are not masters of ordinary folks, but servants to all Guyanese, and they must, therefore, conduct themselves in a manner befitting of the offices they hold, and show restraint.

Public decency is an area the President has utilised as a vocal campaign platform, and he must know that all eyes are on him as the saga continues. If nothing is done, a precedent would have been set, especially if the Minister is not vindicated by the Police probe in the end.

President David Granger met with China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun on Wednesday at State House to discuss a wide range of issues as the two countries recommit to working closely to further diplomatic relations. Over the years, Guyana and China have developed a strong, mutually beneficial partnership in areas of common interests. Building on an already excellent diplomatic relationship, the President and Ambassador discussed strategies to improve economic and cultural cooperation at the bilateral level and deeper collaboration at the multilateral level

Funding available to complete process (Part 2) Dear Editor, Has the Guyana Prize helped emerging writers living and writing here in Guyana? Rev. Cecil says, “No”. He argues that local residents do not win because there is no publishing house in Guyana; overseas writers always have an advantage over the locals because they have opportunities for good editing, publishing, and other facilities.

We have, during the past week, heard two overseas writers declare that that is a myth.

The lack of local publishing houses is indeed a problem, but that has not condemned all local writers to oblivion. Harold Bascom, while living in Guyana, had his first novel, “Apata”, published by Heinemann.

Rooplall Monar, from his home in Annandale, had “Backdam People” published in England.

Ryhaan Shah published her novels overseas without leaving home; as did a few others, including Moses Nagamootoo (Hendree’s Cure) and Deryck Bernard (Going

Home and Other Stories).

But what has the Guyana Prize done to assist writers living here?

1. The Prize was established for the best of Guyanese writing at home and abroad, and it was for published books only.

The Committee listened to comments from the local writing community and decided to assist locally resident writers by allowing them to submit unpublished manuscripts. Selfpublished works were also admitted.

2. This gave them a chance to be in the competition. It motivated several writers to produce, to compete, and to grow as writers.

3. It opened the gate for several of them to be shortlisted, and to win the Prize.

4. Several local residents won, both with manuscripts and with published books.

5. Several workshops were held, conducted by locally resident and visiting writers.

6. These workshops were not sufficient, so something more thor-

ough, regular and lasting was needed. This resulted in collaboration with the Department of Culture.

Courses in Creative Writing were created and run at the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama. Any of these courses in Fiction, Poetry or Playwriting can be taken free of cost by any emerging or developing writer.

Substantial training was thus made available.

7. Five student writers were awarded Diplomas in Creative Writing from that programme in 2017. There was a public reading of selected work.

8.

In collaboration with the Drama School, A National Creative Writing Competition in Poetry, Short Story and One-Act Plays was held for local emerging writers, and nine prizes were awarded in honour of the 50th Independence Anniversary.

9. An Annual National Poetry Slam was created for writers and performers of spoken word, performance poetry and hiphop, in cooperation with

the Drama School. Writers were challenged to create compositions on social issues, and patriotic pieces to generate a volume of meaningful compositions in a very popular art form.

10. Writers were invited to read their works publicly.

11.

The Caribbean Press was established, and one of its mandates was to fill the gap and have a good local publishing house available. This press published several local writers, and had started to pay attention to Guyana Prize winners.

Here is a Prize established for the highest quality of Guyanese writing that took on things not normally managed by literary prizes. The Guyana Prize, however, took them on, because it saw the need for developmental programmes to help writers living in Guyana to develop to create the excellence in literature demanded by the Prize.

Yours faithfully, Al Creighton

guyanatimesgy.com

fridAY, july 13, 2018

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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

MoPI failing to maintain street Appalled at the Crime Chief ’s statement lights in Regions 5 and 6 on Broomes fiasco

Dear Editor, One of the major responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) is to ensure that main roads and highways in Guyana are kept to standard, in order for Guyanese to traverse safely. Since the installation of street lights by the PPP/C Government, the responsibility of the maintenance of street lights has been a successful initiative of the Ministry of Public Works.

At almost every statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six, several issues are being highlighted, and nothing is being done by the subject ministry to correct them. The issue of the maintenance of street lights across Regions Five and Six has been highlighted by councillors for the past three years, and, to date, nothing is being done to correct this chronic disease of "non-functional street lights". While the coalition Government is boasting about installation of street lights, hundreds of street lights are not func-

tioning along the roadways of Regions Five and Six. Another important issue that needs urgent attention is the numerous amount of potholes along the Corentyne Highway.

This needs immediate attention from the MoPI, but despite many appeals by the residents, the coalition Government is not interested in fixing these potholes, and as such, serious road accidents are being caused, resulting in the loss of lives.

Another important issue that needs urgent attention is the jungle that is growing alongside the Corentyne Highway, especially from Borlam to Palmyra. Since the assumption of the APNU/AFC coalition Government to office, hundreds of millions are being spent for the maintenance of the road shoulders in Regions Five and Six, but unfortunately, those areas are in their worst state ever.

During the administration of the PPP Government, former Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha imple-

mented a system in Region Six whereby the Regional Administration’s tractors and a slasher were used to ensure that the entire Corentyne Highway was properly maintained at a very small cost, unlike the exorbitant cost by this Granger Government. Why did the MoPI not consult the Region Six Administration to continue this system?

The MoPI is presently trying to ensure that the APNU/AFC activists and contractors benefit from the squandering of taxpayers’ money for this particular project of maintaining the road shoulders in Regions Five and Six. Because of the constant cries of residents, I would like to challenge the Minister of Public Infrastructure to ensure that the cries of the people are being heard, and immediate action would be implemented to correct these issues.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

Why not nationalise the Berbice River Bridge?

Dear Editor, Our national Government seems comfortable with building, maintaining and subsiding the operation of a new Demerara River Bridge (reportedly in addition to the existing Demerara River Bridge). Commuters pay the paltry sum of $100 for a car to use the bridge, while the same commuter, who pays the same taxes to the Government, has to pay virtually twenty (20) times

more to cross the Berbice River Bridge…..and now there are moves afoot to add insult to injury by a substantial increase in the fees to cross the Berbice Bridge.

Is it not time for our ‘NATIONAL GOVERNMENT’ to simply assume full ownership, control and management of the Berbice River Bridge, and so relieve us Berbicians, who are the main users of the bridge, the heavy burden of yet another discriminatory

charge to commute nationally, especially as most critical ‘national/civil services’ are located in the city of Georgetown?

PLEASE, Mr President & Cabinet, do consider some equitable treatment for us Berbicians.

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

Dear Editor, Much has been said and written about Minister Simona Broomes’s imbroglio with the security guards at the New Thriving Restaurant’s Providence location parking lot. Her behaviour as a sitting minister of this Government could be described as nothing less than arrogant and despicable, and deserving of outright condemnation from civil society.

However, the following comment by Crime Chief Paul Williams on this same matter -- which was quoted in the July 12 edition of the Guyana Times -- makes interesting reading: “he (Williams) would recommend that security guards working in public places like the supermarket be properly trained, especially those carrying firearms. It is within your own judgement and sense, if you see a vehicle of a certain standard or class right there and then it speaks out to somebody. Even if you want to rate the person for whatever it is, whether the person is a drug lord, Minister or businessman, as soon as you see a vehicle of a certain standard, it supposed to arouse your attention and alertness.”

Is the Crime Chief advocating that security guards working in public places should be subservient and disregard applicable rules because of “a vehicle of a certain standard or class”?

I guess he was referring to the “standard and class” of Minister Broomes’s vehi-

cle, in which case his advocacy implies that the security guards at Providence should have been subservient to the minister and her driver, and disregard the “no parking” rule because their vehicle was of a “certain class and standard”.

What does class and standard of a vehicle have to do with arousing the attention and alertness of a security guard when laws and rules ought to be consistently applied, as in this case?

Editor, this is exactly what obtains on the public and city roads in this country. The Traffic Police oft disregard the applicable laws and rules because of vehicles of “a certain class and standard”, be it for speeding, tints, accidents,

or road use violations.

The Crime Chief, by his advocacy, distinguishes the applicability of rules between those vehicles of a “certain class and standard” and those not falling within that “class and standard”. So whilst the law ought to favour no one by “class and standard”, the Crime Chief’s advice now distinguishes applicability on “class and standards”. No wonder in George Orwell’s Animal Farm there is the famous quote, “All men are equal, but some are more equal than others”, which is becoming increasingly obvious in this country.

Yours faithfully, Selwyn Narinedatt

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friDAY, JUly 13, 2018

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By Andrew Adesman, MD

A

re you currently raising your children’s children, or do you think you might be doing so sometime soon? You’re not alone. More than 3 million households in the United States are “grandfamilies” — homes where grandparents are the primary caregivers for their children’s kids. There are also grandfamilies in Canada, Europe, and many other countries worldwide. I’m a developmental pediatrician, and in recent years I’ve seen more and more of these families in my office. I deeply admire these women and men—in midlife or beyond— who are making the best of what’s often an extremely tough situation.

They’re rewriting the story of their lives to provide stable, loving homes for their grandchildren, and they’re educating themselves to do the best possible job.

This article is for them, and for you, if you’re among these generous, hard-working family heroes.

Grandfamilies are often formed in crisis. What happens when a young parent struggles with addiction or dies of an overdose? Often, the addicted person’s mom or dad (or both) takes a deep breath and steps in to raise their grandkids.

Because whether it’s drugs, or alcohol, addictive substances can utterly scramble a parent’s priorities, leading to child neglect or abuse.

Foundation

“My grandson would have been seriously injured or killed in his parents’ care,” one grandparent told me. As another put it, “A child should never have to live in a car or on the streets.”

Sometimes the parenting problems stem from untreated mental disorders, or from simple immaturity or irresponsibility.

Often these issues intertwine, and incarceration plays a part in many grandfamilies’ stories.

Grandparents might see the problem looming ahead, or it might catch them by surprise.

But by the time I meet these families in my office, the older generation has risen to the challenge.

And grandparents bring some real advantages to the table—whether they step into “informal custody” arrangements, serve as foster parents, or seek legal guardianship or adoption.

Here’s why forming a grandfamily is often the best alternative for children.

Kinship care often builds on existing bonds, offering the best continuity for the child.

If a social service agency is involved in placing a child, it will

generally first seek out relatives as potential caregivers. Indeed, in many cultures throughout human history, extended and multi-generational families have provided care for their youngest.

Today’s “skipgeneration” families are a new version of that practice.

Maintaining family traditions, and access to other relatives, can be a major plus. And grandfamilies can offer the most flexibility if the birth parents eventually prove themselves able to parent again— although that outcome is by no means certain.

Grandparents are assured of the child’s safety. Once we’re aware of a danger to a child, it’s hard to stop worrying about what might happen. As a pediatrician, I fully support the “ounce of prevention” approach, especially when it comes to a child’s general health and welfare. When it comes to our family’s lives, no one wants to someday think, I wish I’d done more to prevent that situation from escalating the way it did. Grandparents want to know they did all they could. As one grandmother t o l d me, “I’m so relieved. I sleep at n i g h t n o w , knowing she is here, cared

for, and loved.”

Grandparents are motivated to nurture the child—although they may have to make a mental leap from grandparenting to parenting again. Meeting the child’s physical and emotional needs; providing structure and stability; securing medical, dental, and perhaps psychological care; navigating social lives, school requirements, and other activities—these nurturing tasks are important to many grandparents.

Grandparents are motivated to advocate for the child.

Parenting is hard work, as well as a great joy: you already know that. And children who come from troubled households may need even more support.

To help them thrive at school, you may be learning your way around new systems for addressing developmental issues or learning disabilities.

To help with your household’s new priorities and finances, you may wonder what assistance is available from local and state, sources. I’ve met plenty of grandparents who are tenaciously advocating for these children in these and other settings.

Grandparents can tap into an instant support network through social media sites.

This real-time practical support can be especially valuable for catching up on evolving and emerging parenting issues.

Two examples: Grandsplace—Grandparents Raising Grandchildren on Facebook; and The Addict’s Mom:Grandparent to Grandparent—as well as other excellent groups. (psychologytoday.

com)

By Janet H icks, Ph D

A

ll siblings disagree and bicker at some point. It would be nearly impossible for anyone to live within the same household as another person and always agree. This is especially true for children whose brains are not yet fully developed and for teens who are going through hormonal and physical changes related to adolescence. Solving ordinary disputes and learning to get along are healthy behaviours and can create positive growth and development in children. Normal sibling rivalry can go beyond normal bickering and become bullying in some families, however. When should a parent worry that one of their children is being bullied by another?

How is a parent to know the difference?

First, we need to consider what the misbehaviour looks like and if it matches the definition of bullying.

Bullying is aggressive and harmful behaviour that is done intentionally and repeatedly. It can be in the form of harassment, physical attacks, or verbal aggression. Bullying is often done by an older, larger, or more talented/able sibling who wants power and status over a smaller, younger, less talented sibling.

Siblings may also bully in order to exact revenge or to overcome feelings of inadequacy. Because victims and bullies deal with longterm consequences related to these behaviours, parents must take bullying behaviours seriously and stop them from occurring.

While the definition of bullying helps parents understand just what bullying is, it does little to help parents know if bullying is actually happening in their own home. What signs may indicate a sibling is being bullied? According to stopbullying.gov, chil-

dren who are bullying others often exhibit physical aggression, repeatedly tease and threaten others, have friends who also bully others, blame victims for their problems, and show increasing levels of aggression. Parents can, therefore, be on guard for behaviours that signal aggression, excessive teasing and harassment, the inability to take responsibility for personal actions, and scapegoating. Bullying may also occur through friends of the sibling bully who begin to model and replicate the bully's behaviour themselves. The sibling victims of bullying may also show warning signs such as unexplained physical injuries, destroyed possessions, frequent head or stomach aches, changes in eating or sleeping habits, low self-esteem, and self-destructive behaviours.

Because bullying affects people into and even beyond middle adulthood, parents must respond immediately, consistently, and in a way that says these behaviors are not acceptable. It can be done so that the parent is not “taking sides” but, rather, shows unacceptance of bad behaviour. The parent might say, “What makes you think hitting your brother is a good thing to do? Hitting is never an acceptable action in this house.” This statement lets all children in the household know that aggressive or bullying behaviors are out of bounds.

Friends of your children who bully siblings must also be stopped. Make it clear that bullying behaviour is not tolerated by anyone in your home and that all are expected to treat one another with respect. Most of all, parents should model nonaggressive behaviours so children see firsthand what is expected of them. (Excerpt from

psychologytoday.com)

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friDAY, july 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

119 neonatal deaths recorded 4 homeless as Corentyne house goes up in flames over 1-year period – Opposition decries high number

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he Parliamentary Opposition has raised concerns over what it described as the high number of deaths of newborn infants at the Georgetown Public Hospital over the past year.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Vindhya Persaud, who was allowed oral questions in Parliament on Thursday, requested Health Minister Volda Lawrence to provide statistics in relation to these deaths.

Lawrence confirmed the MP’s suspicion when she revealed that there have been 119 deaths of newborn infants at the Georgetown Public Hospital during the period June 2017 to June 2018.

According to the Minister, from a total of 1155 admissions of neonatal over the period, some 10.3 percent of those admissions resulted in deaths, which she also claimed is far too many.

“The Government recognises that it has the right, and the onus is on us to ensure that at every level of healthcare, the necessary services are provided for our people,” she told the National Assembly.

The Minister noted that Government has made large investments into improving that specific department, and that the issues there are been actively looked at, especially over the past three years.

While admitting again that the numbers are alarming, Lawrence said there has been no increase in neonatal deaths. Rather, there has been the same line in terms of how those deaths occurred.

“It has been declining, and we continue to work and put measures in place to bring it down to zero,” she added.

The Minister noted that every death in reported to the relevant authorities, and there are consistent and routine tasks done, which include sanitation, to prevent these deaths.

In relation to the investigation of these deaths, Lawrence reminded that every neonatal is reported, and a report is prepared and reviewed by the Child Mortality Committee which comprises Government and private sector officials.

If any discrepancies are found, then a further investigation is done.

“So since that period under review, there was no special investigation. We didn’t do any because we didn’t have any such discrepancies in the report to lodge one. What corrective measures? Since there was no investigation, there was no corrective measures or recommendations,” she explained.

But Dr Persaud pressed

Opposition MP Dr Vindhya Persaud

Lawrence in a follow up question on whether there as any targeted investigation being held to find out the primary causes of these deaths. The Opposition MP didn’t seem satisfied that with 30 of those deaths recorded in the first four months of the year, no investigation has been conducted.

In responding to whether there was any infrequent testing of the facility, which may have been responsible for deaths within the same period, Lawrence told the National Assembly that the hospital employs foreign practices routinely to prevent mortality. It is also cleaned thoroughly and checked frequently.

Persaud is to submit more written questions to the Health Minister for further clarity on the issue.

Despite progress having been achieved during the

last decade, Guyana continues to experience one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a maternal mortality rate estimated at 121 per 1,000 live births, and an infant mortality rate at 22 per 1,000 live births.

In 2016, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) had approved an US$8 million loan for a programme to help reduce maternal, perinatal and neonatal deaths in Guyana.

The focus of the programme is to improve the quality of care at 140 health facilities and in 88 communities, benefitting at least 140,000 women and 9,000 newborns per year.

The initiative was designed with the aim of supporting and improving maternal and child health care geared towards improving access to quality neonatal health services, and providing a better path to, and quality of, reproductive and maternal health services.

Efforts such as these must be commended.

That said, the most recent report by UNICEF has made some useful recommendations, which the Government here should seriously consider. Diligent efforts must be made to continue reducing newborn and child deaths. We believe that once there is a concerted, coordinated effort among policymakers, businesses, healthcare workers, communities and families, we can achieve the desired results as those relate to reducing child mortality rates.

Man killed in Regent Street accident yet to be identified

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is seeking the assistance of members of the public to properly identify a male who was involved in an accident on June 19th last between Cummings Street and Orange Walk, Bourda, in the vicinity of Household Plus on Regent Street, Georgetown.

The only name given for him was that of “Carpenter”.

After the accident, he was taken in an unconscious state to the Georgetown

Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was admitted a patient, and remained that way until his demise on July 2.

His body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting proper identification and a post mortem.

Anyone with information that may lead to his identification is asked to kindly contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-2672, 226-2411, 227-1152, 911, or the nearest Police Station.

F

A devastated Sunita Jagdeo

our persons have now been rendered homeless after a fire suspected to be electrical in origin completely destroyed their Lot 58 Clifton, Port Mourant Corentyne home in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

According to information received, the blaze stated in that area of the home where the electrical circuit is kept.

The blaze also destroyed a business operated by Sunita Jagdeo and caused severe damage to a nearby building.

A distressed Jagdeo told Guyana Times that at about 23:50h, while conversing with her daughter, she heard a loud sound and thought it was gunshot.

“Meh daughter said, ‘Mommy, get up! Something going off like a gunshot,’ and when me get up and peep by the crease, meh see the fire plenty,” the woman recalled.

She explained that she alerted neighbours, and they came out in their numbers to assist in whatever way they could, but unfortunately, nothing was saved from the burning building.

Jagdeo, who operated a small grocery shop at the

The aftermath of the fire

front of her home, tearfully said she had purchased close to $50,000 in goods, which she had planned to unpack in her shop.

The heat from the burning building caused extensive damage to a nearby house which Jagdeo occupied with her daughter, son and 42-year-old brother.

At time of the blaze, her brother and son were not at home.

Jagdeo recalled that on Wednesday evening she had seen wires sparking and had contacted the Guyana

Power and Light Inc. to report the matter, but after some time, the sparking had ceased.

Guyana Fire Service Officer in Charge of Operations, Clive Mc Donald, confirmed that the Rose Hall Fire Service had received a report of the fire close to midnight, and without hesitation, fire fighters rushed to the scene. They, however, managed only to curtail the blaze.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

8 news

friDAY, july 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ERC Commissioners meet with Opposition Leader – concerns raised again on GECOM racial bias complaint

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e w l y - e l e c t e d Commissioners of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Wednesday met with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to discuss matters related to complaints of racial bias at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), among other issues that fall within their ambit.

Jagdeo was accompanied

by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian Bishop Juan Edghill, who engaged the commissioners in frank and open discussions on race relations and matters impacting ethnic insecurities in Guyana.

Discussions included adhering to the objectives of fairness and transparency, but specific reference was also made to the hiring of staffers at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and the PPP’s concerns relative to the need for fair and transparent hiring practices based on merit.

GECOM Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn had written a letter of complaint to the ERC, contending there is a manifest ethnic imbalance at GECOM, and that hiring practices are being manipulated in favour of one group. The letter had asked for the ERC to investigate.

Asked for an update on this matter, Bishop Dr John Smith said investigations have not yet commenced, owing to financial and staffing challenges.

According to Smith, the commission has “to get staff. We advertised for staff, and are working to get the machine in place so we can do the work.”

But during the meeting, Jagdeo also reminded the Commissioners that the Constitution empowers them to conduct investigations on their

T

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo (centre) flanked by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira (left) and former ERC Chairman and Opposition MP, Juan Edghill, and ERC Commissioners during the meeting on Wednesday

own accord. The Commission was encouraged to examine the studies done by previous ERC in the public service, contracts and procurement, and the allocation of house lots.

According to a statement from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Jagdeo stressed that the State has a responsibility to give fair and equal treatment to its citizens, and to ensure equal access to goods and services. The Opposition Leader also encouraged the ERC to engage in a fact-based approach in adhering to their mandate, and to address issues before them in an expeditious manner.

The Opposition also made it clear that they do not support the introduction of a quota system. Jagdeo reaffirmed that the PPP stands by the principle of meritocracy as key to employment in the State (public) and private sectors, as well as to opportunities for scholarships.

He also repeated the PPP’s call for equal treatment for the more than 7,000 sugar workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the closures of the Wales, Rose Hall, Skeldon and Enmore sugar estates. Jagdeo outlined policies that were implemented to support commu-

nities in Region 10, specifically Linden and communities along the Berbice River, because of problems relating to the bauxite sector.

Those policies and subsidies remain intact today in those areas. He therefore urged the Commission to look at what needs to be done to ensure that the sugar workers benefit from equal treatment.

Concerns were also raised about the almost 2,000 Amerindian Community Service Officers (CSOs) whose services were terminated post May 2015. The Opposition Leader informed the Commissioners that with the loss of employment of these CSOs, over $700 million has been withdrawn from their communities, resulting in devastating repercussions for the people living in those areas.

Much of the discussion saw time given to the concerns about the state and welfare of AfroGuyanese, and the ERC was requested to do a fact-based study on the periods 1964-1992 (under the PNC administration), 1992-2015 (under the PPP/C administration) and 2015 to present (under the APNU+AFC Coalition Government); and facilitate a public discussion on

the findings.

The Leader of the Opposition stated that if this study was done, it would find that Afro-Guyanese did better under successive PPP/C Governments.

ERC Chairman Dr Smith has said that since resuscitation of this commission, the ERC has been flooded with requests. Some of the main issues that engaged the Commission’s attention were the allegations of discrimination at Mae’s School, and claims of ethnic imbalance at the GECOM. The Chairman also informed that the Commission is currently refining its work plan, looking at its legal framework, and recruiting to bring its staff complement to working strength.

Retired Major General Norman McLean, who is a member of the Commission, has said that despite the challenges, the Commissioners are committed to working as a team to ensure that social cohesion is truly realised. This, he said, is the main objective of the work programme that is being drafted.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by the other Commissioners.

Sanasie 2015 execution

Inspector who conducted ID parade testifies

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ttorney-at-law Mark Waldron on Thursday questioned Police Inspector Nolan Burnett as to why none of the nine males in the April 2015 identification (ID) parade had a scar under their eye as the one his client bears. The witness was under cross-examination at the High Court as the Richard Stanton murder trial continued.

Stanton is accused of gunning down 43-year-old Patricia Sanasie on January 15, 2015.

She was riddled with bullets outside her Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara home moments after arriving there from attending a religious function.

In his testimony before the 12-member jury, Inspector Burnett maintained that all of the persons in the line-up were of similar description to Stanton, and he confirmed that the deceased woman’s daughter, Romona Sanasie, had picked out the accused, who was standing at the numbered three spot.

Her mother was shot dead in her presence, and the young

Concerns…

Murdered Atlantic Gardens, ECD businesswoman Patricia Sanasie

Accused killer Richard Stanton

woman claimed she had seen the assailant’s face for 15 seconds although it was under sheer cloth.

During Thursday’s testimony, Burnett revealed that only a gazetted officer can oversee ID parades, expect in rare circumstances. He also confirmed that both he and the witness Sergeant Rodwell Sarabo had signed the form relatived to the ID parade.

Burnett related to the court

that he had informed Romona Sanasie the suspect may or may not be in the line-up, and the woman corroborated this fact via SKYPE from the United States on Tuesday.

Burnett recalled that after Stanton had been picked out as the assailant, he dismissed the line-up, and the accused had said he wasn’t a ‘murder man’ and that he was not there when the woman was killed.

Under scrutiny by the defendant’s legal counsel, the Police witness observed that while he was “made aware” that the accused had a scar under his eye; he did not ensure that other persons in the parade had such a feature.

Burnett later admitted that when Romona Sanasie was at the ID parade, she had initially pointed out ‘number seven’ as being similar to the assailant which she said she had seen that night.

The case continues before Justice Brassington Reynolds.

Tiffini Lyken, Narisa Leander and Seeta Bishundial are presenting the case on behalf of the State.

…by IMF about oil money

he IMF, like most international agencies, work with governments, and as such, have to be diplomatic in their pronouncements. So when they warned the Government not to rush into spending the oil money when it starts flowing in 2020, they couldn’t come out and bluntly say it’s because they’ve concluded most of it would be “siphoned off” into the pockets of friends, families and contributors of the Government! So they instead said the “management systems” need to be improved!!

Now, this “management system” to deal with pilfering from the public purse was introduced since the beginning of the new millennium. It’s called the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), and was in place when the PNC and its soulmate, the AFC, accused the PPP of “siphoning off billions and billions”.

So, after three years in office – and innumerable audits -- the Government hasn’t closed any loopholes there might’ve been, that allowed the said pilferings??

Well, clearly, the IMF doesn’t think so…and from the amount of chicanery going on at all levels, the people also KNOW so. A billion here (D’Urban Park Stadium) and a billion there (pharma contracts) and pretty soon you’re talking about real money!!

And the two circumstances – the drained treasury and the coming money spigot – aren’t unrelated. The latter has caused the former. The Government types are so excited about the oil money – and more to the point, what they’ll do once they get their grubby little paws on it – they’ve let the present economy go completely to the dogs. We’re sliding fast into what everybody and their uncle warned about once oil was struck – Dutch Disease. But don’t tell that to the Government. It’s all about getting a (big) piece of that oil money.

Now, on the spending, several Government big ones are talking about plunking the money into “infrastructure”, but we’re getting mixed signals on this. The Finance Minister’s talking about PPP – naaah, not their political nemesis, but Public/Private Partnerships -- for mega infrastructural projects, but others are pushing the oil money. After what the Government’s doing on the first PPP Guyana tried – the BBCI -- they’re whistling in the dark if they think anyone will partner with them!! So we’re back to the oil money.

Now, everyone with the least experience with oil has pushed the idea of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) to receive the windfall funds and invest them wisely, then using the returns for development. But the Government will never go for this. Why? They won’t be able to get their sticky fingers on the money!!

…about the Case of the Vanishing Haitians and Cubans

Back in the day – after Columbus and his cohorts had “discovered” the West Indies -- within half a century, the native Tainos and Kalingas (Arawaks and Caribs) had disappeared. And that, of course, is why most of us were brought in to fill the (labour) deficit.

But it seems like history’s repeating itself in our dear old Guyana – in which the only significant population of “Indigenous Peoples” survived, but with a twist.

Here, it’s been discovered that since the Government took office, thousands of Cubans and Haitians have entered Guyana and suddenly DISAPPEARED!! What’s going on? No one seems to have an answer -- especially the Minister of Immigration, who seems to disappear every time questions are asked on the subject! Is there a Black Hole somewhere in Guyana that’s drawing the folks into our country and sucking them into an alternate universe?

Or is it payback time for the original genocide?

Surely, it can’t be related to padding the electoral rolls?!

…addressed

Your Eyewitness may’ve earned a reputation for being a cynic on governmental operations. But never let it be said he refused to give credit where – and when – credit’s due.

The just-opened up West Coast Highway is of First World standard!!

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

News

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friDAY, july 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WCD flood compensation

“Proper assessment” yet to be submitted – Harmon …NDC says complete assessment was submitted since March

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t has been almost four months since several villages on the West Coast of Demerara were hit by a devastating flood, and residents are yet to be compensated for their losses.

Government is, however, adamant that a complete assessment of the flooding has not been submitted, and accordingly, it cannot make any reimbursements in this respect.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, explained that during his last visit to that area, it was decided that the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the relevant Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC)

ment before a decision is taken on the allocation of monies to the hundreds of affected residents.

He noted, “I haven’t heard back from the CDC or from the NDC Chairman. So I think that is where it is. Once that is done, then we can make a decision where that is concerned.”

NDC response

Uitvlugt/Tuschen NDC Chairman Vishal Ambedkar

Chairman was supposed to be in touch with the Civil Defence Commission to make a proper assessment

Contacted on Thursday, Uitvlugt-Tuschen NDC Chairman Vishal Ambedkar told this publication that the council has not received any word from the Ministry. He also contended that the assessment was completed and submitted.

“When we met, we

Waters waste the sea defence structure in early March

would make “a proper assessment” of the damages.

“The last time I came here, I indicated to them that there’s an assessment which had to be done by the CDC, and that the NDC

of the damages,” Harmon explained.

The Minister of State posited that he has not received any response from the NDC. He related that he is awaiting the assess-

would’ve indicated to Minister Harmon that we would’ve done our assessment. We have forwarded that to the Regional Executive Officer as well as to Minister Harmon. To

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

say now that he is awaiting a report is very undesirable,” Ambedkar has said.

Ambedkar noted that during that meeting with Minister Harmon, there was no indication that collaboration between the NDC and the CDC was required to conduct the assessment. However, he said, if that is what is needed to finalise the criteria surrounding the compensation, the CDC should be engaged.

“We were not aware that we had to do anything combined. If so, then I think that the CDC and representatives from the council should sit and dis-

cuss it, if that’s the way to go forward. At this point, we have received no communication which would’ve suggested that we should be part and parcel with the CDC to (compile) a list. As we are aware, our list was submitted since in March, which is the first quarter of the year, and we’re way past the second quarter,” Ambedkar said.

The NDC chairman added that while representatives from the CDC were engaged in separate consultations with a few residents, the Council is unclear as to whether their calculations were “comprehensive” and all the factors surrounding the damages were considered.

In his reasoning, Minister Harmon highlighted the initiatives other than the compensation from which the residents would benefit. Those include rehabilitation of the ruptured seawall structure.

Recap

Earlier in March of this year, waves from the Atlantic Ocean generated during a spring tide battered the seawall along the WCD, and residents were awakened from their morning slumber to find their

homes completely inundated by the waters.

Immediately, members of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) were dispatched to the various areas, where sandbags were used to temporarily fill the gaps in the seawall. When the water had receded, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had sent contractors to make temporary repairs by placing boulders along the gaps where sandbags were used to prevent the water from entering the dwellings of the residents.

As a result of the flooding, the livelihoods of many were affected, and many had incurred infrastructural and household losses which resulted from the invading waters. In some cases, the communities suffered demolished fences, confiscated bridges, and destroyed furniture and other household appliances as the ocean laid siege to a beleaguered community.

Some persons were also forced to leave their homes and take refuge in relief centres set up at various locations in the communities.

Their losses at that time had tallied to some $100 million after initial evaluations were conducted when the water had receded.

10 news

friDAY, july 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Timber operators suffering heavy losses due to worsened interior roads – GMSA

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mall, medium, and large scale logging companies are experiencing significant losses of revenue as a result of the interior roads having been made deplorable by the extended rainy season.

This is according to the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), which, in a statement on Thursday, express concerns over the situation, saying that the extended rainy season has seen the condition of the hinterland roads worsened across the country.

This, the GMSA highlighted, is as a result of

failure to maintain the interior roads prior to commencement of the rainy season. It was noted that the deplorable condition of the road is affecting not only the forestry sector, but the mining, tourism and trade industries as well.

According to the GMSA, at least 100,000 cubic metres of logs destined for delivery to markets cannot be transported, and as a consequence, many value-added manufacturers are complaining about the lack of raw material, which in turn is affecting exports.

This unfortunate situation, the GMSA added, has

resulted in significant social and economic impacts, with some companies having to stop production completely.

“Revenues of many timber companies are down by 50% and more, and (this) has an adverse effect on employment. Skilled workers are being sent home, or the workforce being downsized due to the worsened condition of the roads. There are [also] many small-scale loggers who are unable to stop working because of their financial commitments, and such operators are putting their lives in danger and causing damage to their limited equipment,” the association posited in its

This truck was stuck when a bridge along the road between Mabura Hill and Kurupukari collapsed

statement.

Furthermore, the GMSA outlined that as much as 30% of cost of production in the forestry sector is transport-oriented, with the maintenance of the interior road network being undertaken by large forest concessionaires, which in turn has been driving production cost for large operators.

In fact, it was noted that holders of Timber Sales Agreements (TSAs) are spending an average of US$14,000 to construct one kilometre of forest road and another US$5,000 for maintenance, without any support from Government.

To this end, the GMSA is calling on Government to take urgent action to repair and maintain interior roads.

The Association also wants a comprehensive programme of ongoing road maintenance to ensure quality and standard are maintained.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRE) announced last month that a series of works are expected to be undertaken to upgrade the hinterland road network, but these works will commence after the rainy season. Some

six contracts to the tune of over $650 million have been awarded for the maintenance of the Rockstone-Mabura, Kurupukari-Annai-Lethem and Linden-Ituni-Kwakwani roads.

The Ministry had said these roads have been identified following discussions with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, miners, and forest operators who had decried the condition of the roads as an impediment to their production efforts.

“Ultimately, it is Government’s intention to assist miners and foresters to achieve and maintain high yields of production, and as has occurred in the past, the intervention became necessary. Concerns raised by hinterland residents during outreaches conducted by the Ministry of Natural Resources also guided the decision by Minister [Raphael] Trotman to see the re-engagement of the Ministry of Natural Resources in hinterland roads maintenance,” the June 1 press statement had outlined.

However, small operators have complained bitter-

ly that the trail is becoming increasingly impassable as a result of heavy rains, and this condition is further compounded by the operation of heavy-duty vehicles.

To this end, there have been calls for the authorities to suspend heavy duty vehicles from traversing the trail until the rainy season is over.

“We are suggesting -- as small operators --for the suspension of especially the log trucks or the trucks moving timber (from) the interior; to suspend them until the rainy season stops. Because they are the ones that are destroying the bridges with the weights they are carrying. The bridges were not designed for those weights.

Otherwise the whole road is gonna be locked off when the bridges are destroyed, and then nothing would be able to pass,” one bus operator had said to <<Guyana Times>>.

Since commencement of the rainy season, several key access bridges in the hinterland have collapsed as a result of heavy-duty vehicles.

The most recent has been the Mile 33 Bridge, which is located between Mabura and Kurupukari along the Linden/Lethem Trail. That bridge was repaired last week after collapsing two weeks prior when an overloaded truck attempted to cross.

The Yamatawao Bridge in South Rupununi, and the Christmas Bridge located close to the Kurupukari Crossing had also collapse as a result of overweight and heavy-duty vehicles.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry has since cautioned drivers of these vehicles to adhere to weight limits, warning that breaches resulting in the destruction will see them having to incur repair expenses.

S RAIGHT

news

3 Guyanese awarded scholarships to pursue masters degrees in Mexico

Guyana needs a revolution in how Maths is taught

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t was the famous astronomer Galileo who once said, “Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe. Clearly, the system of teaching Maths in Guyana is failing when, in 2018, some 62% of our students failed the National Grade Six Assessment popularly known as the Common Entrance Exams. As the Graph reveals, this is not a today problem; this problem has been haunting us for generations.

If one were to analyse the available statistics from the last decade, one would see there never had been a year in which more than 50% of our students passed Maths at Common Entrance. This is a national development tragedy.

One has only to evaluate the CSEC (formerly called O’ Levels) pass rate at Maths over the last 25-plus years to get confirmation of the thesis that “what begins badly usually ends up worse”. Almost 61 per cent of these 5th formers failed Maths in 2017, and that includes failing to secure either Grades I, II or III. If you exclude what I consider a “barely pass” (Grade III), the fail rate at CSEC for these 15-year-olds in 2017 is more like 85%. This situation clearly reveals that the education system in Guyana is unfit for that purpose if it is incapable of equipping more than 15% of the school leavers with a Maths competency that is high enough to help them to operating in a modern society.

As the headline of this article intones, Guyana needs a revolution in

how Maths is taught if we are ever to effectively compete internationally and unleash our true potential. As the elders once told me, “Turtle can’t walk if he nah push he head outa he shell”. The policymakers in the Ministry of Education cannot continue to implement more of the same old policy and expect a different outcome. What truly matters is the establishment of a system of education which better serves the critical mass of the students, not only the top 5% who would have done well even if Guyana were at war with Venezuela.

I remember that even in the bad old Burnham days, when there was no school text, some of us -- like me -- were lucky enough to have the textbooks imported for us from Trinidad, and we had the luxury of private lessons at the homes of expert Maths teachers. It mattered not what was taught in school, we were going to pass Maths, Further Maths, Additional Maths, and any other Maths that was on offer by the examining bodies.

Nothing has changed for the top 5% today, because those students operate outside of the system. They do not need the system, but those who need the system are the ones who are being underserved, because the system of education is failing them.

Guyana would easily find itself lagging far behind the rest of the world, especially the Asian countries, in Maths, and this is where we continue to lose our competitive advantage. The problem is that the way we teach Math in Guyana is largely wrong.

At its heart, Maths is the world's most successful system of problemsolving, and it should not be taught by ROTE. The point is: There needs to be enough trained teachers who can share the skill set at how Maths frames a problem, defines the question, translates it into mathematical formulation, uses a calculation to compute the answer in Maths-speak, and then translates it back to a common sense answer. This is clearly what is missing in Guyana.

In Singapore, for example, Maths teachers have to go through 5 years of rigorous training before being able to teach in the public school.

Of course, they are rewarded for this investment with great salaries. In Guyana, we treat our teachers like class cleaners, rather than moulders of minds.

Specialised teachers who teach special subjects like Maths must be trained well and paid as specialists, if we are to move the nation forward.

Why? A Maths teacher is passing on knowledge to students to make them real-life solutions’ engineers who can deconstruct big problems and reconstruct simple solutions; that is human development to which no government can attach a price.

A one-size-fits-all approach to all subjects is unlikely to improve Guyana’s competitive advantage in the world. There must be a special place for subjects like Mathematics. Worse still, if the Granger Administration continues to disrespect the most important asset in the education system, as it is doing in 2018 (the teachers), then we must understand that the policymakers are undermining a core tool that is needed to allow Guyana to punch above its weight class in the world.

Can we afford suchyour irrationality as a nation?

Please share thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

11

friDAY, july 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mexican Ambassador Ivan Roberto Sierra and Minister Raphael Trotman pose with the three Guyanese students

T

hrough a collaboration between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Embassy of Mexico, three Guyanese students have been awarded full scholarships to pursue Masters of Science degrees (MSc) in Geosciences and Natural Resources Management in Mexico.

The students -- Paul

Bassoo, Ramish Baichoo and Jainel Bowen -- will travel to Mexico later this month to begin the 18-month programme.

On Wednesday last, the students and the Ambassador of Mexico to Guyana, His Excellency Ivan Roberto Sierra, paid a courtesy visit on subject minister Raphael Trotman,

who presented the students with their official acceptance letters to the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN), where they will be pursuing their studies.

On behalf of the Government of Mexico, Ambassador Sierra expressed delight at being able to support the students, who have not only received full

scholarships, but will also receive airfare and other essentials besides insurance to cover their time in Mexico during their 18-month stay.

Minister Trotman welcomed the continued working partnership between the two Governments, which in recent times has seen successes in the paddy trade and other investments.

He reminded the recipients of their new role as ambassadors of Guyana, and encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity to not only study, but embrace the diverse culture to which they will be exposed.

The scholarship awards are part of ongoing efforts at collaboration between the Mexico and Guyana Governments. An officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRE) is currently pursuing studies in Mexico, and four (4) other officers from the MNRE are scheduled to travel to Mexico for capacity building during August, 2018.

12 news

friDAY, july 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Granger receives courtesy call from ExxonMobil’s Senior Vice President

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resident David Granger on Thursday received a courtesy call from Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Corporation, Neil Chapman, who is in Guyana to familiarise himself with the operations, having recently assumed responsibility for the global upstream oil and gas operations at the Corporation’s headquarters.

During a meeting at State House, the two sides

discussed matters related to the status of exploratory and development works as well as the relationship between Government and the Corporation.

President Granger has said that, at the end of the process, Guyanese must be able to view the development of a petroleum industry as one that is beneficial to the national interest, as he noted that the Government will be working with ExxonMobil to de-

President David Granger

velop a long-term relationship.

Chapman said the meeting was productive, and he looks forward to building on the relationship, which was established three years ago.

“We talked about the oil development offshore with what’s taking place right now. We updated the President on not just what is taking place today, but where we see the development going in the future.

We are very positive about

the relationship between ExxonMobil and the country. We are very pleased with the developments, we are very pleased with the exploration; but the benefit (from) this is not just for ExxonMobil, it is for the benefit of the country, and that is what we talked about; how this will benefit the country going forward,” Chapman said.

This meeting was also attended by Minister of Natural Resources,

Raphael Trotman, on the Government’s side, while ExxonMobil’s executives present at the meeting were Country Manager Rod Henson; ExxonMobil’s Guyana Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs (outgoing), Kimberly Brasington; ExxonMobil’s Guyana Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs (incoming), Deedra Moe; and Director, Government Relations, Guyana, Carlton James.

Infrastructural investments will catalyse Guyana’s development – State Minister tells Brazilian investors

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inister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Thursday met with a delegation of Brazilian investors who are in Guyana to explore areas of investment in the country’s emerging oil and gas sector. The meeting took place at the Minister’s Office in the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Harmon highlighted infrastructure as an area of investment that will catalyse Guyana’s development.

“It is a very important time in our development and in our history, and so we really welcome the investments and the opportunities between Guyana and Brazil.

These opportunities are now increasing on a daily basis…

Our physical infrastructure is key, because we cannot develop our country unless our physical infrastructure

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, with members of the Brazilian delegation at his office on Thursday

is organised. That means [that] our ports have to be modernised, our road network that links the coast to the hinterland will have to be modernised,” he said.

The State Minister also said that strengthening the partnership between Brazil and Guyana would raise the

quality of life for Guyanese.

“In some countries, a river is a border, but for us, the rivers are bridges. We have built bridges over them, and therefore we’ve connected our people in more ways than one. It is this connection which, I think, we need to develop. We need

to improve on it, so that we can provide a better quality of life for our people.

Ultimately, that is what our task is as a Government, to provide that good life to our people. We are stewards of the resources of our country, and therefore it is our responsibility to ensure good

stewardship of it, so that not only this generation, but generations to come, will be the better [from] the decisions which we make now,” Minister Harmon said.

A member of the Brazilian delegation, Luis Panelli, cited the longstanding partnership between Guyana and Brazil as the main reason behind Brazil’s keen interest in investing in Guyana.

“It’s important for us to be here, not only for geo-political reasons, but because we’re neighbours… We are very interested in joining you in this effort to develop the [oil and gas] field here.

It is going to be a very important thing for Guyana and for Brazil… We have the means… we have the personnel, and we are very keen on [investing],” Panelli stated.

Another Brazilian, Alexandre Saverin, who had visited Guyana four years ago, noted the entrepreneurial incline occurring in Guyana. “You see the difference. You see the progress, and you see the excitement in everybody’s eyes.

I think we’re starting to see the change in the country, where people are starting to open new businesses and taking new risks just with the idea of the oil that is coming… We’re excited to be here, and we would love to proceed with [investment] in oil [and] in infrastructure,” he said.

This year, Guyana and Brazil are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations. The other members of the Brazilian delegation include Yucatan Reis, John Forman, and José Mario de Castilho.

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friDAY, july 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Timelines set for PPP challenge to DPP Private security association chides withdrawing misconduct allegations Parking lot controversy

Crime Chief, wants explanation

- Top Cop distances self, says Crime Chief must be held accountable

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes

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he Crime Chief, A s s i s t a n t Commissioner of Police Paul Williams, has come under fire from the Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) over comments he made on the parking lot row between Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes and two security guards.

Broomes claimed that she and her driver were the victims of verbal assaults and threats by the security guards, who were attempting to bar her from parking in a specific section of the East Bank Demerara establishment on Sunday evening.

She even alleged that one of the guards had pointed and “crocked” a firearm at her and the driver of her SUV vehicle at some point during the incident.

The guards were arrested and detained by the Police for close to 16 hours, before

being released on their own recognisance.

However, subsequent release of CCTV footage from the business place contradicted the minister’s version of what had transpired.

Speaking on the matter, Crime Chief Williams had told sections of the media on Wednesday that he would recommend private security guards working in public places, like the supermarket, be properly trained, especially those carrying firearms.

“It is within your own judgement and sense, if you see a vehicle of a certain standard or class right there, and then it speaks out to somebody. Even if you want to rate the person for whatever it is -- whether the person is a drug lord, Minister or businessman -as soon as you see a vehicle

of a certain standard, it supposed to arouse your attention and alertness,” he explained.

However, GAPSO on Thursday slammed Williams for his remarks, saying it is “unfortunate” that the security personnel are expected to apologise when the minister’s driver had attempted to breach a secure area without seeking permission, and the minister herself had thrown several ‘No Parking’ signs on the ground, an action which constitutes damage to property.

Noting that while the incident is beyond comprehension, the Association went

Crime Chief Paul Williams

on to ask whether the security guards’ conduct was consistent with their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and whether the Ministerial Code of Conduct was breached by the Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry.

“The Guyana Association

of Private Security Organizations (GAPSO) is calling on Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, an elected official who has a responsibility to act appropriately, to explain to the public her actions on the CCTV video that is in the public domain. Failure to do such, Ms. Simona Broomes must be held accountable for her actions.

The Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations is urging all security officers to not allow agitators to seize this moment to advance their often self-serving beliefs of what is erroneous. Do not allow them to bemoan the lack of trust in the private security industry. Do not allow them to beat down the hard working men and women who are security officers,” the statement on Thursday further

Top Cop David Ramnarine

outlined.

Meanwhile, as GAPSO urged the Guyana Police Force to thoroughly investigate this incident, it is also calling on the Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine, to explain if the reckless comments made by Williams represent the position of the Guyana Police Force.

Contacted on Thursday, however, Ramnarine opted not to comment specifically on the statements made

by Williams. He would only say the Crime Chief is authorised to speak on criminal matters.

“The Crime Chief is authorised to speak on matters of crime to the press, and any statements purportedly made by the Crime Chief, [or] which are attributed to the Crime Chief, he must be held responsible for them… I cannot and will not venture to respond to statements made by the Crime Chief,” the acting Top Cop told this newspaper.

Contact was made with ACP Williams on Thursday, who told Guyana Times at the time that he had not read the statement, and as such, cannot respond to same.

“I don’t have any response at this time; when I’m ready, I’ll notify the media,” the Crime Chief said.

Further commenting on the issue, Ramnarine noted that the matter is still under active investigation, and upon the completion of same, it would be sent for legal advice on the way forward.

“The CCTV footage that I saw -- which is clearly the same CCTV footage that is available all over the place -- suggests very clearly that there was an interaction between the minister’s driver and the security, and subsequently the minister and the security. It very clearly also indicates a sudden type of behaviour, where items such as parking signs were flung down by a person purported to be the minister… And my understanding is: for all intents and purposes, two wrongs do not make a right,” the Top Cop further asserted.

T

he High Court has started to hear two separate writs that are seeking to overturn the Director of Public Prosecution’s decision to discontinue private criminal charges of Misconduct in Public Office against several ministers in the Coalition Government.

Justice Fidella CorbinLincoln earlier this week ordered Attorney Anil Nandall to put in his submissions

by July 25, and gave the Attorney General’s Chambers until August 9 to issue submissions. Both parties are slated to return on September 6, 2018 to present oral arguments.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), through members Vickram Bharrat and Bishop Juan Edghill, have filed private charges against present and former Ministers of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Dr George Norton, for charges relating to sole-sourcing of drugs and Government renting a Sussex Street Albouystown drugs bond.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, and then Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine were all charged for their reported handling of $906 million of public funds under the Durban Park Project.

The DPP, back in April, 2018, had for the second time in one-week discontinued charges of “Misconduct in Public Office, contrary to the Common Law” initiated by Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) against Ministers Patterson and Jordan, and now Public Service Minister

Anil Nandlall

Dr Roopnaraine. In the first charge, the court heard that Jordan and Patterson were being accused of “paying to private limited liability company Homestretch Development Inc (HDI) the sum of $906 million, being public funds, without any resort to the procurement process as is required by law.”

The additional charge against Roopnaraine alleges that “while being a Minister, [he] acted as Director of the private limited liability company Homestretch Development Inc (HDI) and accepted $906 million of public funds without any resort to the procurement process, which is prescribed by law.”

However, DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack said, “The private criminal charges for the offence of Misconduct in Public Office contrary to the Common Law, instituted against Ministers Winston Jordan and David Patterson and Rupert Roopnaraine were discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions under Article 187 (1) ( c) of the Constitution

of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

She has maintained that “these charges concern a grave issue under the criminal law in relation to two serving Ministers. [As such,] in the interest of good governance in the State of Guyana, such allegations ought first to have been reported to the Guyana Police Force, for an investigation to be launched and the advice of the DPP sought.”

The $1 billion D’Urban Park project has been shrouded in much secrecy, and following calls from the parliamentary Opposition, the Office of the Auditor General of Guyana launched a special audit into the project. Charges were also brought against other ministers in relation to the Sussex Street Drug Bond, which was also shrouded in secrecy. However, when a case was filed in this regard, the DPP also discontinued them on the same grounds as these recent charges.

On April 19, 2018, the Opposition filed a case against Dr George Norton and Volda Lawrence. Those charges were in relation to rental of a house in Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown in the sum of $12 million to store drugs, and the sole sourcing of drugs and pharmaceuticals from private company ANSA McAL Trading Limited in the sum of $605 million.

These private charges followed charges filed against former PPP Government officials Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and former NICIL Head Winston Brassington, who were both charged and released on bail in relation to several land transactions.

14 news Enmore North residents accuse co-op of land grabbing campaign friDAY, july 13, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…new transports being issued for lands occupied for close to 20 years …co-op secretary denies allegations

By Michael Younge

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esidents of Enmore North, ECD on Wednesday called on Government to intervene in a situation that is resulting in transports being issued by the Enmore North Co-op Society to individuals for lands that have already being occupied by other residents for close to 20 years, and in some cases more.

The residents claim that since 2015 they have been faced with a situation where individuals are turning up at their properties claiming that have been granted transports and titles as well as other forms of documentation which purport to prove that they are the rightful and legal owners of land in the area.

More than two dozen residents who spoke with the Guyana Times have said the claims have increased over the past three months, with these new

Deokalie Balkissoon

purported land owners taking more aggressive actions against the residents occupying the lands in order to get them off the properties.

Mrs ‘Deokalie’ Balkissoon said her brother Jaganauth Sookram had been living at 26 Enmore North for close to 20 years uninterrupted, before he died and left the land and property built on it to his

six-year-old son at the time, Balchan Sookram. She was the caretaker of the property until the young man came of age to inherit his father’s land.

“The Co-op gave us no notice,” she said as she protested on Wednesday, explaining that the alleged new transport holders swooped down on the property and demolished the two-storey house on the land, before erecting a new fence, demarking the land. Balkisson claimed the house was being rented over a period of time, since her brother’s son, who is now 25-years-old, had resided with her at her property for a number of years.

She said that when they called in members of the Police Force on “Holy Thursday,” when the new transport owner was demolishing the property, the Police refused to assist when what she called a “fake transport” was pro-

Chandawattie Walikam

duced by an individual.

Balkisson also alleged that her husband was being chased away by the Co-op as of recent, when he attempted to pay the rates and taxes or dues on the property.

Attempts on her part to meet the officials at the Co-op to get answers about her issue have been futile to date.

Another resident,

who identified herself as Chandawattie Walikam, said she also has been experiencing problems with securing her transport for a property and land that her husband bought back in 1983. She claims someone else was issued a transport for her land, forcing her to take action in the courts in 2014, since she has resided on the land for close to 36 years.

Other residents made numerous allegations that the lands were being siphoned off and sold to persons close to the executives of the Enmore Co-op, with one person alleging that the Chairman’s son is also a beneficiary of the corruption taking place within the Co-op Society.

When contacted on Thursday, Secretary of the North Haslington Community Cooperative Society, Mary Luke, said there is no Enmore-North Society, as the lands under

question were granted to Enmore as an extension.

She said the residents who are complaining have no transport or official documentation for the properties and lands that they are claiming, and she pointed out that in some instances they have been engaged in illegal squatting and sale of the Co-op’s lands over a number of years, despite warnings and rebukes from the Police and other central authorities.

Luke challenges the residents who have grievances with the transports issued by the Co-op to take the society to court and prove their cases if they feel that some illegality has been taking place. The Coop Secretary dismissed the interference by political elements in the Opposition as pure mischief and strife, as she explained that the work of her Co-op is transparent and legal.

Prisoners should be able to access more condoms – social worker says to boost HIV/AIDS prevention

By Michael Younge

T

here is nothing wrong with prisoners within the Guyana Penitentiary System accessing more condoms and other forms of tools that would enable them to protect themselves against HIV and AIDs during their tenure there.

In fact, it is better to be safe than to be sorry, and it is time for the country as a whole to address the problem holistically, since many stakeholders already know what is taking place when the lights go out

behind bars.

These are the sentiments expressed by Social Worker and lesbian, gay and bisexual activist Anil Persaud, who is currently serving as the Homophobia Education Coordinator within the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD).

Speaking with the Guyana Times during an interview at the agency’s Duncan Street, Georgetown office on Thursday, Persaud said that while these views do not necessarily represent the official

position of SASOD, they represent his personal perspective as a qualified and trained Social Worker, and they represent the view of many other like-minded individuals.

“It is a matter of fact that persons within the prison system do engage in sexual activity, be it overtly or covertly; and it’s nothing new or nothing strange”, he remarked.

Persaud disclosed that many of the stakeholders who, from time to time, work within the local prison systems in Georgetown and New Amsterdam are fully aware of

Financial Institutions... from page 3

The former Government minister also argued that the economy is heading into bankruptcy, and people will likely suffer from this. His colleague, Joseph Hamilton, also raised several concerns with the amended bill, stating that Government should explain the cost that comes with implementation of the provisions within the bill.

He said this would be equally important to banks, financial institutions and citizens.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said the amended bill is a continuation of work which was started by the Opposition when they were in Government.

“I don’t know why they have gone down the path they have gone through. As far back as 1995, this was a development credit agreement that was signed on January 1995…US$4 million. I don’t know where the $35 million came from—I didn’t speak of it,” he said.

The Minister also stated that, since 1995, there have been talks about strengthening the banking sector. He told the National Assembly also, “Strengthening of BoG through regulations, directives to carry out supervisory activities…the trend continued through the 1990s.”

He continued, “They are called credits, but they are loans, soft pay back, 1 per cent and so on. Another development credit, private sector, June 21, 1995 about US$13 million. The argument is being made, ‘where did these bills come from?

These bills didn’t fall out of the sky, they have a history.

“Recommendations were made to improve the resolution and potential oversight of the bank. Fourteen years passed and nothing was done. We come today having to do the work that should have been done 14 years ago. Now, Mr. Speaker, if you catch a cold, and you do nothing about it, 6 months

after, when it turns pneumonia, you can’t drink apneic.”

The Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2018 seeks to amend four sections of the Act while repealing another four sections.

It notes that the inadequacies of the existing bank insolvency regime do not distinguish between corporate failures and banking failures, as both are subject to a form of commercial insolvency law, and in a number of respects, the commercial insolvency law model is ill-suited to deal with the failure of banks.

It states that the corporate insolvency model uses judicial instead of administrative proceedings, with all the attendant delays.

Despite the Opposition’s arguments, the bill was unanimously passed in Parliament.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

Social Worker and SASOD Homophobia Education Coordinator, Anil Persaud

the practice. “...the prison officers, the prison wardens, everyone within the system knows this, and so I see absolutely no problem with the distribution of the condoms…we are dealing with adults…. If we are saying that condoms should be used as a means of protecting people, then why not distribute them to this (at risk population)”, he reasoned.

The Social Worker also disagreed with the view that by making condoms available, Government and its partners would be guilty of promoting alternative lifestyles and homosexuality within the prison systems. This is an argument that has continuously being put forward by conservatives and religious stakeholders, who fear that by making them available, inmates would be lured into homosexual acts, or feel that it is an acceptable and normal behaviour to portray.

But Persaud argued that all adults have a choice to make, and will more than

likely not allow themselves to be forced into any practice that they do not ascribe to.

“Everybody has a choice”, he insisted.

He said the wider problem is that, many times, prison mates who were on remand for long periods or who would have served their time would have to be reintroduced into the normal society, and if they would have contracted some disease or HIV/AIDs while in the prison system, they could pose a threat to others with whom they engage sexually, especially if they are off treatment or were never on treatment.

“Not distributing condoms doesn’t benefit anyone or the state… likewise, distributing them doesn’t take anything out of anyone’s pockets”, he declared.

His comments come at a time when there is still widespread concern over the rising levels of HIV/AIDS within the local prison system. While official statistics have not been made available by the Public Health Ministry or the Guyana Prison Authorities, it is felt that more needs to be done to protect the inmates.

Back in November 2015, then Public Health Minister Dr George Norton had said that while Guyana has been doing well in HIV prevention and treatment in some regards, the Government is conscious of the fact that there is still a lot more work to be done in the prisons and other closed settings.

Making a presentation in Geneva at the UNAIDS 37th Programme Coordinating Board, Minister Norton said, “I wish to state in advance that I am in full support of ac-

celerating an increased access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services for people in prisons and other closed settings. Whist we are all aware of the risk for HIV in prisons and closed settings, our response in many ways has been lagging, and therefore the time is opportune that we prioritise this population.”

Minister Norton added that the issue must be tackled at all levels, including at the policy stage. “This means therefore that, at the national level, there has to be willingness and openness of all stakeholders to collaborate and share information as possible. There has to be leadership from line Ministries, such as Ministry of (Public) Security. Indeed, this brings to bear the concept of health in all policies.”

Calling for more openness, he said the discussion has to be transparent, and real issues have to be addressed in a frontal manner. “…access to HIV education and testing, the controversial condoms in prisons. The opponents of prevention services, and more particularly condoms in prison, must be educated and lobbied to ensure that there is full understanding of the issues, and that decisions are based on evidence and science. Policies have to take on board a comprehensive combination/prevention approach to HIV.” Turning his attention to the local prison system and HIV/AIDS, the Minister said, “In my own country, the prison population has (an) HIV prevalence (that is) at least two times higher than that of the general population.”

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friDAY, july 13, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Professionals equipped with training to Wakenaam, Leguan tackle aftermath of natural disasters to benefit from

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rofessionals from across the Caribbean region are now equipped with the necessary tools in mental health to build resilience and psychosocial support across the Caribbean as the Region prepares for possible impacts from the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) collaborated with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to host the three-day programme in Barbados, under the theme “Building individual and social resilience to cope with the impacts of natural hazard events: enhancing capacity for mental health and psychosocial support in disaster management in the Caribbean”.

The main objective of the project is to establish a roster of persons who can be mobilised to affected countries in the event of a natural disaster, to provide mental health and psychosocial support. In addition, participants will be provided with the tools to conduct additional training in their home countries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on July 9, Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB, said while recovery

Dr. Godfrey Xuereb

and rehabilitation efforts have typically focused on infrastructure, there is need to prepare populations to better cope with natural hazards by focusing on mental health and psychosocial well-being.

“As participants of this workshop, you will be trained in tools to provide mental health and psychosocial support, including the provision of psychological first aid (PFA). PFA is specifically geared towards addressing the immediate and practical psychosocial needs of individuals, families, and communities in the aftermath of a disaster. You will play a critical part in current and upcoming recovery and rehabilitation processes. We

cannot achieve social resilience and sustainable development without addressing mental health and psychosocial well-being”, Best has said.

Delivering the feature address at the opening of the workshop, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic, the Barbados Minister of Health and Wellness, noted that given the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, the training provided during the workshop would enable the mobilisation of a regional response in the event of a disaster.

“We are becoming increasingly aware of the emotional and mental toll that severe disasters have on pop-

ulations, and the need to design appropriate strategies.

The psychological impact of such devastation, including loss of life in some instances, cannot be overlooked.

Immediate and focused interventions are needed to assist individuals to cope with loss, devastation, and to provide the tools to emotionally support individuals and their families to the eventual transition to normalcy, or their new norm”, Minister Bostic said.

Dr. Godfrey Xuereb, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said PAHO is focused on including mental health support in its interventions.

“Addressing mental health and psychosocial support has become a priority in our disaster preparedness efforts both at the national and at the regional level. We need to raise mental health awareness pre and post disaster… Over the coming days, we hope to train a cadre of persons to enable them to identify immediate needs, and tailor interventions during humanitarian emergencies, placing particular emphasis on vulnerable groups and gender-based vulnerability,” said Xuereb.

street lights

– Hospitals, Court, Health Centre to get solar power

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n the coming months, several communities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) will benefit from LED street lights and solar (photovoltaic) systems.

This was announced by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson on Wednesday, who noted that the Region has been earmarked for these innovative developmental projects.

For the remainder of 2018, solar PV systems will be installed in five popular facilities, which serve thousands of people on a daily basis.

“The Ministry of Public Infrastructure envisions Region Three as being earmarked for the installation of renewable energy technologies in the coming years.

In the latter half of 2018, Government will continue to install grid-connected solar PV (photovoltaic) systems in five locations in Region Three, in addition to the eight buildings done during 2017.”

These are the Leonora

CTU’s ICT Road Show culminates on Saturday

Cummings Lodge residents call for better roads T R esidents of South Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara are pleading with the relevant authorities to construct better roads in the community, since the hazardous state of the present ones jeopardise their safety.

When Guyana Times visited the area on Thursday, several residents voicing their concerns said the roads are in urgent need of repair.

One of the roads mentioned is the main access road which links North Sophia and the Eastern Highway.

Residents said vehicles traversing this route would normally have to do a lot of negotiating to avoid the potholes at various sections in the roads.

Further, it was also noted that in the evening it is

most difficult to make out the roads from their corners, since sections of the road are usually dark.

Efforts to contact the Neighbourhood Democratic Council for a response in this regard proved futile.

The Georgetown City Council (M&CC), which collects taxes from residents, has repeatedly promised to fix the roads.

The current situation is very dire, with the shoulders of this main access

Deteriorated sections of the main access road which links north Sophia with the Eastern Highway

road so badly deteriorated that vehicles have to adopt awkward positions to utilise the infrastructure.

Recently, the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA’s) Project Director Omar Narine told this publication that CH&PA officials are aware of the condition of the roads, and measures are being put in place to address the issue.

He said the CH&PA is working along with the Public Infrastructure Ministry to develop an estimate to have the main access road fixed.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had earlier stated that Government is addressing the issue, and pointed out that “contracts are out for (its) repair and maintenance.”

Cottage Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Belle West Health Centre, Leonora Magistrate’s Court and the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School.

Meanwhile, it was also noted that another programme has commenced, which would see the replacement of fluorescent street lamps, with energy-efficient LED lights.

“Additionally, the Energy Efficient Programme that has commenced installation of lights and occupancy sensors in 2017 will continue in 2018 with the replacement of fluorescent lamps with LED lamps at all schools and hospitals,” Patterson said.

Furthermore, these communities will be equipped with 792 street lights, by the end of 2018.

In the first phase of the project, 178 street lights will be installed and the others will follow with 47 being allotted to Leguan and 30 for Wakenaam as the project unfolds.

he Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Roadshow which was organised by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) in collaboration with the Public Telecommunications Ministry will culminate on Saturday after witnessing a monumental turnout throughout its week of activities.

Held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Innovation: The Engine For ICT-Enabled Development”, the exhibition featured robots and robotic apps throughout the week, and saw inputs from various entities within and beyond the ICT sector.

Some of the projects on display included robots created to test the moisture content of soil, high-tech drones to produce animated characters for television shows, and smart classrooms which were attended by hinterland students. These are some of the representations of the hightech exhibits that continue to be displayed at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) today.

Every creation that was featured at the roadshow was the work of Guyanese students from several secondary schools, universities, community ICT hub clubs, and small scale entrepreneurs who were equipped with ideas, design skills and a business plan.

The exhibition is intended to bring into one physical space the many young

Guyanese IT designers, app developers and technologists who have built products that would be put to use. Running simultaneously with the exhibition today will be a robotics workshop co-ordinated by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Guyana.

Youth Day will also concluded today with a town hall-styled discussion session featuring Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes and hundreds of students at the Conference Centre.

The finale of the roadshow is slated for Saturday at the Nand Persaud Conference Hall at Number 36 Village, Corentyne, where the CTU, ICT and other experts will meet farmers and residents throughout the day.

The creators of the prize winning app, Innovative Systems (InnoSys), are expected to unveil and demonstrate their Agricultural Commodities Trade Exchange app in Berbice as well.

The team is made up of IT techs Deenauth Mohabeer, Munifa Erskine, Julius Simon and Sonny Kothapally. Essentially, the new app will also bring producers, sellers and buyers of fruits, vegetables, ground provisions, dairy products, meats and other Guyanese agro-processed foods like cassava bread and cassareep into a single online marketplace. The opportunities for export are said to be tremendous.

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friDAY, july 13, 2018

Around the World

Trump arrives in London amid Chilean Police make 1st arrest in church abuse scandal protests and Brexit chaos

C

U

S President Donald Trump has arrived in the United Kingdom for a four-day visit amid a flurry of political turmoil and planned protests against him.

After landing at London’s Stanstead airport, Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania, went to the US Ambassador’s house.

They travelled there by helicopter because Police were worried about him arriving by road because of the greater risk of large-scale protests against the US leader.

Al Jazeera’s Neave Barker, reporting from London, said that massive security precautions have been taken to keep the protesters away from the US President.

“We have seen nothing short of a ring of steel around the ambassador’s house here in London. We know that on the grounds there are heavily armed officers, dog patrols and not to mention President Trump’s

hilean Police have arrested a former Roman Catholic Church official after he confessed earlier this year to sexually abusing at least five children, a State prosecutor said on Thursday.

The arrest was the first since authorities launched a major investigation this year

Massive security precautions have been taken to keep the protesters away from the US President

own security detail,” Barker said.

“We have also started to see the start of protests.

They have been modest for now, with just over a hundred people gathering here.”

The trip will include meetings with Prime Minister Theresa May, who has described the US as Britain’s strongest ally, and is determined to secure a trade deal after the country acts on Brexit and leaves the European Union in March 2019.

Al Jazeera correspondent

Jonah Hull said the political aspirations of the meeting are mostly to show Trump the importance of the relationship between the US and the UK. “The first two days will be very much there to impress him, to keep him away from the scenes of protests taking place in central London,” Hull said.

“In the best-case scenario there will be some sort of progress on a trade deal between the UK and the US post-Brexit.”

(Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

New CCJ President to be honoured with special sitting

T

he new President of the Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Justice Adrian Saunders will be honoured today in the first of two special sittings for the regional court.

Friday’s sitting will be held at the headquarters in Trinidad and Tobago, while the second sitting will take place in Saunders’ home country of St Vincent and the Grenadines on July 20.

Saunders was installed at a ceremony in Montego Bay, Jamaica last week.

The special sitting will be attended by members of the legal community and organisations across the Region.

Meanwhile, this evening the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO) will host a fundraising dinner party to honour the new CCJ President, who is also

S

authorities that he sexually abused at least five children, according to Prosecutor Emiliano Arias, who ordered his arrest in the capital on Thursday.

Ironically, Arias told reporters that Muñoz had been responsible for receiving allegations of abuse within the church. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexico opposes US plan to make it take asylum seekers – document, source

M

exico is opposed to a US request to make people seeking asylum in the United States apply in Mexico instead, according to a source and a briefing note, in a setback to US efforts to deepen cooperation on immigration before a leftist president takes office.

US officials believe a deal known as a “Safe Third Country Agreement,” could prove a deterrent to thousands of Central Americans who travel through Mexico each year to seek US asylum, clogging immigration courts and causing a headache for US President Donald Trump’s Administration.

Yet despite growing US pressure for it to accept the treaty, Mexico views the proposal as a red line it will not cross, according to the briefing note prepared for Foreign

Flashback: Members of a caravan of migrants from Central America enter the United States border and customs facility, where they are expected to apply for asylum, in Tijuana, Mexico, May 4, 2018

Minister Luis Videgaray for a meeting he had with US Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in Guatemala on Tuesday.

“Mexico is not in the po-

sition to accept a Safe Third Country Agreement, as the United States has proposed on previous occasions,” the note says. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump tweets “very nice” letter from Kim Jong-un

U

S President Donald Trump has published a letter from Kim Jong-un, in which North Korea’s leader voices hopes for a “new future” in bilateral relations.

Trump said the letter from Kim (dated 6 July), was “a very nice note”.

But it made no mention of any efforts by Pyongyang towards denuclearisation – a

Justice Adrian Saunders

Chairman of that organisation.

Saunders graduated from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1975 and a Legal Education Certificate

from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad & Tobago in 1977.

In 2005, Justice Saunders was among the first cohort of judges to join the CCJ bench before being elevated to President. (CMC)

Birthplace of Syria uprising retaken by Government forces yrian Government forces are retaking control of the rebel-held part of Deraa, the birthplace of the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.

Troops, accompanied by Russian military Police, entered the area and raised the national flag, State media reported.

Rebels there have reportedly agreed to surrender in

into cases of abuse within Chile’s Catholic Church, which Vatican officials accused in February of “grave negligence” and a cover-up in its handling of sex abuse allegations.

Oscar Muñoz, who served as chancellor of the archdiocese of Santiago, confessed in January to church

return for amnesty or safe passage to the rebel-held north.

The army has recaptured large swathes of Deraa’s surrounding province since launching a major offensive on June 19.

The United Nations says up to 234,000 people remain displaced by the fighting, 70 per cent of whom have sought refuge in neighbouring Quneitra province, near

key issue the two leaders discussed at June’s historic summit in Singapore.

Separately, the US has accused North Korea of violating a UN sanctions cap on refined oil products.

It said this had been done through ship-to-ship transfers at sea using 89 North Korean tankers. The US did not say which countries were illicitly providing Pyongyang with the

(Excerpt from BBC News)

US reopens investigation of Emmett Till slaying 63 years later

T

he US Government has reopened an investigation into the 1955 murder of a black 14-year-old boy, whose death galvanised the civil rights movement.

A Department of Justice

(DoJ) report states the agency had received “new information” about the Emmett Till case, but offered no further details.

Till was murdered in Mississippi after a white

the frontier with the Israelioccupied Golan Heights.

Tens of thousands of other people who had been sheltering along the border with Jordan have returned to their homes since rebel fighters in the Deraa countryside agreed to lay down their weapons and accept State rule last Friday. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

products.

In December, the United Nations Security Council limited such exports to North Korea to 500,000 barrels a year.

In another development on Thursday, North Korean officials failed to turn up for talks with a US team on the repatriation of the remains of American soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Emmett Till had been visiting family in Mississippi when he was brutally killed

woman accused him of making lewd remarks and touching her.

A recent book quoted the woman as admitting she lied in her testimony.

The DoJ investigation was announced to lawmakers on March 26, but has come to light this week after a report by the Associated Press.

It is unclear what new information prompted the Government to reopen the case, but a book published last year, The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B Tyson, had said Carolyn Donham, the white woman who testified against Till, admitted she lied about the teenager’s actions in 1955 during a 2008 interview. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, july 13, 2018

Coca Cola World Cup viewing party for Sunday at Stabroek Square

Stag to host

FIFA World Cup I

final party in grand style

t is final – France will challenge Croatia for the FIFA World Cup title on Sunday and without a doubt, it is expected to be one heck of a final. Croatia has never been in this position and they will make sure that they play to their best in making their great run at the 2018 World Cup a complete success.

But, Kylian Mbappé, the French forward, will strive to lead his team to a possible second world title. All the action will unfold in front of the massive Stag viewing party at the Marriott Beach Front on Sunday.

The French supporters will definitely be decked in their

blue and white while the Croatia fans will showcase their red and white.

The Marriott Beach Front is the place to be with Stag Specials all day and into the evening for a live guest performance. The first 200 persons wearing Stag gear will receive Stag prizes. And the excitement continues with the Stag Fan of the Day collecting US$100.

Tickets for this event are not being sold, but are redeemed during the Stag Promotion. It will be a day of fun, excitement and a showcase of sportsmanship.

Music will be provided by Cloud 9.

I

t is the day of reckoning as two well-poised nations compete for the FIFA World Cup title in Russia on Sunday.

One team aims to win the title for the first time, while the second team hopes to take home the cup for the second time, but it will come down to the better team. France is known for its aggressive attitude and Croatia is known as the nation that comes from behind to pull off an upset.

Come Sunday all eyes will be on the screens in the home of millions of football fans around the world and the hundreds of thousands expected to watch the game live in Russia. In Guyana, the French fans are gearing up for a win while the fans of the “underdogs” are keeping their fingers crossed for their team to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the history of football.

The Guyanese fans are expected to congregate at various sport bars, but Coca Cola – one of the official sponsors of FIFA World Cup 2108 – is providing the most exciting atmosphere to view the final. Thousands are expected to flock the Stabroek Market area.

There will be lots of giveaways and prizes to be won. There will also be drink specials all day commencing at 11:00h. Music will be provided by Travellers Sound System.

WIST Ministries to host Art of War competitor Dance Camp July 19-21 Andrew Billion A

WIST Ministries International Board of Directors: Gillian Scot, Cathy Telford, Sandia Ramnarine, Jade Primo and Alexia Beckles

T

he months of July and August mark a period of vacation, especially for our young people, and as such, parents and their children are often looking for some new and/or exciting thing to do.

This year, WIST Ministries International would be hosting a technique dance camp. The dance camp is scheduled to be held at Regency Suites Hotel in Georgetown from July 19 to July 21, and is open to persons

of all ages.

The instructor for the camp would be Patrice Ambrose from the United States of America. She has been dancing for over 25 years, and is extremely competent in various styles of d a n c e

including ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop and more.

The former cheerleader is the owner and instructor of the Spirit of Excellence dance studio in Massachusetts, USA. She is presently the co-pastor with her husband Pastor Andrew Ambroise at Hosanna International Ministries in Brockton, MA. The host, WIST Ministries International, is a Christian dance institute that was established in Guyana 15 years ago. Over the years, it has hosted numerous events all over Guyana such as “The Shift” in Main Street in 2016; “He is Risen” at the National Park in M a r c h 2018, and its annual

Christmas production at the National Cultural Centre.

This year is no different as it seeks to edify and equip individuals through the Godgiven theme – “Our technique under His anointing for His glory”.

This camp will focus on various styles of dance technique, including the use of stunts in choreography.

Attendees are guaranteed a packed few days with various dance techniques. Attendees have the option to attend the sessions only or they can register to stay in the Regency Suites Hotel while in attendance.

There will also be a very special session called “mommy and me”, and it is open for children between the ages of 18 months and four years. It would be a very memorable and bonding event for the child and parent or guardian.

This will be held on Saturday, July 21 from 10:00h.

For registration and further information contact Jade Primo on 673-2948, or find us on Facebook at WISTministriesinternational or visit us at the Open Bible Church at Lamaha and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown.

s we count down to that big day – the 28th -- at the Sports Hall tarmac we continue to feature the DJs competing in the Art of War competition. Today, we take a look at Andrew Billion, aka DJ Platinum.

The 36-year-old hails from North Ruimveldt in Georgetown.

Billion, the 2016 Art of War champion, previously played with the Big Life Sound. He currently plays solo.

He has been in the sound business for more than 12 years.

DJ Platinum has competed in three clashes and has won two trophies. His preferred musical weapon of choice is 45s.

His focus as a DJ is on the crowd’s response at any event.

He received his inspiration in the business from Fire Links and his strongest qualities are his energy and fluency. His most memorable moment as a DJ was when he won Art of War 2016.

DJ Platinum teams up with his Selector, Skinny Hype to make a powerful duo creating waves in the entertainment industry.

If you want to see DJ Platinum in action, be sure to come out on July 28 at the Sports Hall tarmac. For more information on Art of War 2018, you can check the Facebook page “Empire Media Inc” or call telephone numbers 680-6720 or 862-233-0494.

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friday, july 13, 2018

Mr and Ms African Roots

Pageant delegates to be unveiled on Saturday

T

hirteen contestants vying for the title of Mr and Miss African Roots will be unveiled at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown on Saturday. The delegates will compete in the Teen and Young Adult categories.

At the launch on July 14, the

delegates will be sashed with the name of the country they will feature and also they will have an opportunity to market themselves for the grand coronation that is set for August 5 in the auditorium of Queen’s College.

On the night of the grand coronation, the delegates will com-

pete in an introduction segment where they will be decked out in their creative wear, as well as swimwear, talent, evening wear and intelligence segments. In addition, they will do a presentation on the respective countries they represent.

At the end of the various com-

petitions, the King and Queen will be crowned as well as the First and second Princes and Princesses. The reigning kings and queens are Stephen Johnson, Richard Layne, Tonya Harris and Keisha Braze.

After the launch, the contestants will undergo rigorous

training and make several media appearances. They will have numerous photoshoots leading up to the pageant.

The 2018 pageant is sponsored by Aracari Resort, Roraima Airways and other organisations.

Meet the delegates:

Name: Joshua Liverpool African name: Tobi Ogwando Abioye Oghene Country: South Africa Age: 17 Aspiration: Teacher and spoken word poet

Name: Ronald Taylor African Name: Bakari Jamos Country: Gambia Age: 20 Occupation: Cadet

Name: Marlon Azore African name: Chella E Mono Country: Kenya Age: 21 Occupation: Police Officer

Name: Orwin Corlette African name: Prince Jaja Abuja Country: Nigeria Age: 29 Occupation: Ministry personnel

Name: Elisha D’ornellas African Name: Akuchi Alinafe Country: Morocco Age: 28 Occupation: Human Resources Coordinator

Name: Jamal McCurdy African Name: Madzemoyo Ma’arazi Country: Kenya Age: 19 Aspiration: Medical doctor

Name: Ronaldo Thomas African name: Adha Joel Ojho Country: Ethiopia Age: 19 Occupation: GWI meter reader

Name: Eon Peters African name: Abeeku Adumaka Yafee Country: Ghana Age: 24 Occupation: Teacher

Females:

Name: Kimba Adaro Coates African name: Kia Towanxa Azyulu Country: Botswana Age: 15

Name: Shawanna Rachel Shaina Sydney African Name: Monifa Chimaka Imani Country: Namibia Age: 14 Occupation: Student

Name: Madeline Downer African Name: Omotayo Chinedu Country: Kenya Age: 25 Occupation: Self-employed

Name: Nickita Mc Farlane African Name: Liya Kebede Country: Ethiopia Age: 25 Occupation: Police Officer

Name: Tonia Angel Harris African Name: Nkeshie Annahina Aghusto Country: Angola Age: 20 Aspiration: Cosmetologist and designer

friDAY, JUly 13, 2018

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Sherfane Rutherford ton blasts Windies B into the finals S

Sherfane Rutherford hit an unbeaten 134 off 66 balls

herfane Rutherford enjoyed a dream day on the field, claiming two wickets and them slamming the first hundred of the Global T20 Canada to help Windies B hunt down Vancouver Knights' 215 and storm into the final. Rutherford slammed 11 fours and 10 sixes and remained unbeaten on 134 off 66 deliveries as CWI B overhauled the target off the last ball of the game to leave the Knights shell-shocked.

Rutherford's heroic effort with the bat was noteworthy given CWI B had slipped disastrously to 11 for 3 inside the third over of the chase.

That's when Nicholas Pooran joined forces with Rutherford.

The duo set about rebuilding the innings with the idea of a victory lingering on the horizon. Pooran was happy to play second fiddle while enjoying the proximity advantage to the Rutherford show. The duo added 130 for the fourth wicket as Gayle struggled with his fifth bowler - Fawad Ahmed and Saad Bin Zafar combined to give 63 runs.

When Pooran fell, CWI B still needed 75 runs to get off 35 balls. Captain Anthony Bramble played

just 11 of those deliveries (six of which came in the last over) leaving the stage clear for a possessed Rutherford, whose belligerent hitting affected Chris Gayle's bowling choices. Eventually Knights had to bowl left-arm spinner Bin Zafar. With 13 to get in the last over, Bramble began with a couple of twos before hitting a full toss over long off for six. After playing a dot ball, he took a two to level the scores before hitting the last ball for six, sparking jubilant celebrations.

Earlier in the day, CWI B's decision to bowl nearly blew up in their face as Chadwick Walton and Gayle hit fifties and shared a 73-run opening partnership.

Walton made 54 off 24 while Gayle scored at a more leisurely pace in his innings of 50 off 44. There were further contributions down the order from Babar Hayat (25 off 15), Rassie van der Dussen (23 off 16) and Andre Russell (29* off 16) to power the Knights to 215. Unfortunately, that total was not quite enough on the day.

Brief scores: Vancouver Knights 215/6 in 20 overs (Chadwick Walton 54, Chris Gayle 50; Sherfane Rutherford 2-25) lost to CWI B 221/4 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 134*, Nicholas Pooran 44; Tim Southee 2-39) by six wickets. (cricbuzz.com)

court than in previous rounds.

She broke in the sixth game of t h e first s e t when Gorges w e n t wide and then took the set on the German's serve when her opponent sent a forehand wide.

The second

literally didn't think I'd do this well in my fourth tournament back," said Williams.

"I don't have anything to lose and I feel I can play so free.

That's what I'm doing."

Williams only returned to the Tour in March and is playing her fourth tournament since giving birth.

Williams books her spot in Wimbledon final S

erena Williams will face Germany's Angelique Kerber for an eighth Wimbledon singles title after both won their semi-finals in straight sets.

The American former world number one overpowered Germany's Julia Gorges 6-2 6-4, while Kerber beat Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 6-3. Saturday's final will be a re-match of the 2016 showpiece, which Williams won.

Williams will be seeking a 24th Grand Slam title and her first since giving birth last September.

Fairytale ending

Williams was in control from the outset against 13th seed Gorges, who was making her Grand Slam semi-final debut.

It was the first time at these championships that the American had faced a player ranked in the top 50 and she stepped up with a powerful display that also showed better movement around the

set followed a similar pattern, with the only brief wobble coming in the ninth game when Williams was broken. But she struck back immediately and looked to the sky when an attempted lob from Gorges flew out to give her the victory.

"It's crazy.

I don't even know how to feel because I

Serena Williams

Kerber proud to be in another Grand Slam final

Two-time Grand Slam champion Kerber reached her second Wimbledon final with a commanding performance against an error-prone Ostapenko. The 11th seed saved a break point in game six before breaking the Latvian's serve in the next game.

The 30-year-old then gained an early break in the second set on her way to the victory. "It is such a great feeling to be back in the final and to play on Centre Court is always a great experience," Kerber stated.

"I'm happy and proud to be in another Grand Slam final; I will just try to play like I did and just focus on my game.

"Jelena is always fighting until the last point, hits the ball really hard, and I was trying to stay focused. It was quite tough, but I'm happy to be through."

Ostapenko, who won the 2017 French Open title, was playing in her first Wimbledon semi-final. Despite making 18 first-set winners compared to only six from Kerber, the 21-year-old also made 19 unforced errors, with Kerber only making two.

The former world number one then capitalised on more poor play from Ostapenko, breaking her serve at the first time of asking in the second set and again in the sixth game. Ostapenko saved a match point in the seventh and gained one break back, but it was not enough against the 2016 Australian Open and US Open champion. (BBC Sport)

Chandimal, Hathurusingha out of South Africa Tests S

ri Lanka Captain Dinesh Chandimal, Coach Chandika Hathurusingha and Manager Asanka Gurusinha have accepted they will not participate in the Test series against South Africa, after the ICC concluded its hearing on the trio, who had pleaded guilty to a level three spirit of cricket offence.

The ICC tweeted 10 hours before the start of the first Test that the judicial commissioner would announce his decision in “due course”. In the interim, Chandimal, Hathurusingha and Gurusinha will serve a two-match suspension at least. The hearing, which began at roughly 18:00h Sri Lanka time on Wednesday, went for more than five hours.

That the trio will sit out the Tests is no real surprise – they had pleaded guilty to an offence that carries a minimum punishment of four suspension points, which corresponds to two Tests. They will hope, however,

that judicial commissioner Michael Beloff hands out no more than four suspension points. He could slap them with as many as eight points, which would rule them out of four further ODIs as well. One suspension p o i n t to

corresponds a ban of one ODI.

In fact, Sri Lanka had hoped to talk the ICC down from even the minimum suspension of two Tests, citing several mitigating factors for their refusal to take the field on the third morning of the St Lucia Test last month.

They had a r g u e d that the entire twohour delay that

Dinesh Chandimal

morning was not solely their fault, and that a miscommunication with the match officials had lengthened the delay.

But with the three men having already pleaded guilty to the offence, a two-match suspension at least was always likely to be imposed.

The spirit of cricket charge relates to Sri Lanka’s refusal to resume play on the third day in St Lucia. After initially having reacted with shock at a ball-tampering charge against Chandimal, which was laid only 10 minutes before play on that morning, Sri Lanka had refused to take the field in protest. They had then briefly walked on to the field, believing that no five-run penalty for tampering would be incurred, and that the ball that was used the previous day would not be changed.

But upon realising that the umpires were in fact changing the ball, and

that the five-run penalty was indeed added on, they left the field again, delaying play for another 40 minutes.

Chandimal has already served a one-match suspension for tampering, but this punishment for the spirit of cricket offence will extend his ban. He is allowed to be in Sri Lanka’s dressing room throughout this South Africa series, but is not allowed to take the field. Hathurusingha, meanwhile, cannot be in the players’ dressing room at any stage during the Tests, though he may attend the match via other means. He can also continue his coaching duties as normal in between the matches he is suspended for.

Gurusinha will face the same penalty as Hathurusingha.

The loss of Chandimal is a substantial blow to Sri Lanka. He averages 52.47 as Captain, and had also led Sri Lanka to creditable results in the UAE (against Pakistan), India and Bangladesh. Suranga Lakmal is likely to lead Sri Lanka in his stead.

(ESPNcricinfo)

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friDAY, JUly 13, 2018

Tour de France: Martin wins stage 6 …as Thomas climbs to 2nd overall I

reland’s Dan Martin produced a superb late attack on the Mur de Bretagne to win stage six of the Tour de France.

Birmingham-born Martin went with a kilometre to go on the final climb and held off the late challenge of Pierre Roger Latour by a second.

Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas was part of a group three seconds behind, but climbed to second overall after securing two bonus seconds during the stage. Chris Froome was eight seconds back and Tom Dumoulin nearly a minute behind.

The Dutchman had to have a front wheel change just over five kilometres from the finish and chased desperately with the help of teammates to try to limit the damage – only to be handed a 20-second penalty for drafting behind a team car.

Britain’s Adam Yates finished sixth on the day in the pack three seconds back, and has vaulted above Froome in the overall standings. The pair are 13th and 14th, one minute two seconds behind yellow jersey Greg van Avermaet, and 21 seconds ahead of Dumoulin.

The stage, which finished with a second ascent of the category-three Mur de Bretagne, delivered the dramatic climax that the organisers had hoped for.

Martin’s surge for the line was decisive as he secured his second stage win in the Tour, five years after his maiden success in the Pyreenes. “It is great to get a win after so many second

Stage six results 1. Daniel Martin (Ire/UAE Team Emirates) 4hrs 13mins 43secs 2. Pierre Latour (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +1 sec 3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +3 secs 4. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Quick-Step Floors) same time 5. Rafal Majka (Pol/Bora - Hansgrohe) 6. Adam Yates (GB/Mitchelton - Scott) 7. Bauke Mollema (Ned/Trek - Segafredo) 8. Peter Sagan (Svk/Bora - Hansgrohe) 9. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) 10. Primoz Roglic (Slo/LottoNL - Jumbo) General classification after stage six 1. Greg van Avermaet (Bel/BMC Racing) 13hrs 33mins 56secs 2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) +3secs 3. Tejay van Garderen (US/BMC Racing) +5secs 4. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Quick-Step Floors) +6secs 5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Quick-Step Floors) +12secs 6. Bob Jungels (Lux/Quick-Step Floors) +18secs 7. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education First) +37secs 8. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +51secs 9. Rafal Majka (Pol/Bora - Hansgrohe) +52secs 10. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana) +53secs places since the last one,” said the 31-year-old.

“I wasn’t sure because of the crosswinds, but I had no team-mates and I thought I would have a go. The legs were there though – maybe it was adrenaline – and luckily it worked out.”

Froome reveals weakness?

As Martin rode clear, a host of general classification contenders endured the most testing examination of their credentials so far.

Froome, in pursuit of his fifth Tour de France title and fourth successive Grand Tour victory, let five seconds

Nand Persaud Karibee Rice Golf Open tees off Saturday G

Golfers will assemble this Saturday for another big Open

olf action continues this weekend with another inaugural invitational open, this time sponsored by Guyana’s premier rice manufacturer Nand Persaud’s Karibee Rice.

Tee-off time is set for 12:30h this Saturday at the Lusignan Course, where scores of top golfers are expected to compete as they prepare for a packed season of tournament golf to finish off the year.

It is no surprise that the executives of the company, whose products are known for great taste and quality, have decided to become members of the Lusignan Golf Club and sponsor a stand-alone tournament as their entry to the game.

Both Devesh and Ragindra Persaud have long been admirers of the sport and with the initiatives ongoing to expand the game to include newcomers, women and children, Karibee Rice, always a market leader in many aspects, decided to join forces with Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) President Aleem Hussain and the new Executive team to help realise their goals.

“Nand Persaud and Karibee Rice are proud to be associated with the LGC, and hope to be a major part of its development in the coming years,” said Devesh Persaud, as he committed to sponsoring the tournament.

Golfers will compete for prizes and honour in the Lusignan Open draw scheduled for August 4-5. Also, the company will be hosting its big horse racing meet on August 12 at the same location where Karibee Rice is manufactured: the Nand Persaud mills in Number 36 Village, Berbice, as SkyPlus hosts the $4 million sixth running of the only straight-line drag racing for horses.

Karibee Rice was launched back in 1999, and the brand has remained one of the loyal sponsors of sports in Guyana.

Dan Martin had the strength to hold off the chasing pack after a short and sharp final climb

slip in the overall standings to encourage rivals, of whom Dumoulin was Thursday’s biggest loser.

After securing two bonus seconds at the ‘bonification’ sprint?, Thomas said he went for them “because I saw the opportunity”.

“I don’t think they are going to let me get away with it again,” said Thomas, who has been given licence to ride for himself for the first nine stages of the Tour at least.

The 181km (112-mile) stage had earlier been brought to life by New Zealander Dion Smith forming part of a five-man breakaway in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to wrestle the polka-dot jersey from Tom Skujins. (BBC Sport)

Joe Root

still believes he has a T20 future despite England axe

J

oe Root remains confident he can carve out a future as a T20 player despite being dropped from the England side.

Root, England’s Test Captain, was the man to make way from the England T20I team in Bristol on Sunday once the return of Ben Stokes was confirmed, but insists he has no fears that his career in that format could be over.

“I’m fully confident in the ability I have in that format,” Root said. “I’ve proven in the past that I can perform in T20 cricket. I don’t see it as a closed door for me at all. I’ve got to make sure I keep putting the work in and those limited opportunities I do get, keep trying to perform, keep my name as current as I can in that format.

“I don’t have any fears about it. I want to see us being as complete a side as possible in all three competitions, but I want to be a part of them.”

Part of Root’s problem is that, as a key part of England’s Test and ODI side, he has little time to appear in the domestic T20 leagues that might provide him with greater experience.

But while he accepts that is an

issue, he is adamant that his priority remains England’s fortunes in the 2019 World Cup and Test cricket.

“It would be nice [to play in various domestic T20 tournaments],” Root said. “You see guys come back from those tournaments with a huge amount of experience and a rounded way of looking at the game; a different take on certain aspects.

“Until there’s a really good block for me to go and play T20 cricket somewhere in a domestic tournament, it’s going to be hard for me to get a string of games together and really put that case across. If something fits into place – fantas-

tic, but if not, I’ll find a way. I feel like I’m an experienced enough player now at international cricket to be able to do that.

“Ultimately it’s got to fit around playing for England.

The priorities at the minute have got to be that white-ball World Cup next year and as Test Captain, we’ve got some big series coming up and the Ashes next summer.

“So whether it’s making sure I get enough rest, or if there are international games throughout those tournaments, I’m going to have to miss out. Playing for England comes first.”

(ESPNcricinfo)

Joe Root

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R

eal Madrid midfielder Luka Modric thanked Cristiano Ronaldo for his extraordinary contribution to the club as he rued the star forward’s sale to Juventus.

Ronaldo completed a sensational €100 million switch to the Serie A champions earlier this week, bringing an end to his successful nine-season stay in Madrid.

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Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric

ceded his disappointment over the departure of the Portugal great. “My wish was for Cristiano to stay. He is unique and it is a pity he has left,” the 32-year-old told reporters after Croatia’s semi-final win over England.

“I thank him for everything he did at Real Madrid. I wish him all the best except when he is playing against Madrid.” For now, Modric’s focus is squarely on helping Croatia upset France in his nation’s first-ever World Cup final appearance.

The former Tottenham man has been widely praised for leading Zlatko Dalic’s side to the decider, but says he has no interest in whether he is named the tournament’s best player. “I do not care about the Golden Ball, really,” Modric said. “I just think about the final and to be able to lift the World Cup with all my team-mates. That’s what we want.” (SportsMax)

Cricketerbook becomes powerful marketing tool

C

ricketerbook the social media site for cricketers, fans and cricket lovers has now become a powerful marketing tool for all interested, as it has taken the social media arena by storm.

Owned and operated by Maq Media Group, the site has been doing very well in terms of communicating people across the globe. At present Cricketerbook has 20 million viewership and it is here that people come to interact with anything concerning cricket. You simply go to www.cricketerbook.com and join as a member. When you do this you become part of the 20 million-member family and now you can interact and promote yourself.

This site is very popular

Mahammad Qureshi

among cricketers so here is an opportunity for young people to pick their brains, to find out what made them successful and you in turn can be on the right part to becoming a success. Also when you post your videos and other information about your cricket, you can be recognised by a number of talent scouts. This

is a site for cricket, so it he here that opportunities in cricket can come to you. So far many people who have come to the United States to play at the US Open T20 have communicated their skill sets on cricketerbook. com and they have been snapped up by team owners. Cricketerbook more than any other social site

gives you a direct lead into cricket and all the happenings that are going on around the beautiful game.

Speaking on the success of cricketerbook, CEO Mahammad Qureshi is happy with the results :”In a very short time we have done fantastic in terms of the interactions on the site. Our site manager Muhammad Omair Sheikh has done a wonderful job in promoting it and he is reporting that it is growing by leaps and bounds by the hour. This is another wonderful step in the marketing of cricket which as you know still comes in second after soccer. However, sites like these will only serve the broaden the reach and bring more people into the game.”

Mbappé developing quicker than I did, admits Pogba P

aul Pogba hailed Kylian Mbappé ‘s rapid ascent to the top of world football and claimed the 19-year-old has a good grasp of the game, saying: “He understands things I didn’t when I was his age.”

Paris Saint- Germain forward Mbappé has been one of the stars of the World Cup, scoring three goals and terrorising defences in six appearances to help his country reach a third final in 20 years.

Ahead of Les Bleus’ clash with Croatia on Sunday, Pogba heaped praise on Mbappé’s desire, ambition, and maturity. “Kyky is young, we know it, he knows it, but on the pitch there are no youngsters,” Pogba told reporters. “He says he wants to win titles. He’s not being pretentious; he wants to do it.

“He’ll do everything to do

Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappé

it, he has the talent to do it.

But it’s not bad, he’s allowed to be ambitious and I think it’s good at his age, he wants to win things.

“He’s going to learn, he’s going to grow, he’s young, he’ll get more experience, he’s already ahead for his age but he’ll keep working, I talk to him, I give him advice, but that’s his talent.

“He’s mature enough,

he’s very mature for his age to understand, he understands things I didn’t when I was his age. So it’s only good things for him.”

Turning to his own performances, Pogba was frank about the fact that his role in the France team differs from the job he does for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

The 25-year-old has

scored 11 goals in 57 Premier League appearances since returning for his second spell at Old Trafford two years ago, but his performances under Mourinho have frustrated the club’s supporters at times.

He admitted the experience of playing for France Coach Didier Deschamps was a departure from domestic football, saying: “Of course the relationship with Mourinho and Deschamps is not the same; they are two different people.

“This is not the same team, this is the French team, the other is Manchester. It’s not the same system; I’m not doing the same thing.

“This is different but the relationships are good, I always listen to what they say to me, whether it’s Mourinho or Deschamps. Both help me improve, I’m learning from both coaches.” (SportsMax)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, JUly 13, 2018

Thrilling Exxon semi-finals on tomorrow R

iveting football action will go down at the Ministry of Education Ground tomorrow as the ExxonMobil Under-14 League heads into the semi-final round.

Over the past month, the teens from secondary schools all across the coast of Guyana have been tirelessly competing weekend after weekend just to make it to this stage. Like the round-robin segment, the semis are expected to hold stunning upsets and brilliant exhibitions of young talent.

Despite not being able to make it into the top four, the remaining teams in the com-

petition will be given the opportunity to play exhibition games for the remaining slots. This method will allow for them to be ranked within the top eight.

While the other teams will play for the lower spots in order to save face, the big battles will go down after the semi-finals are staged.

In the female division, the formidable South Ruimveldt side will face off with East Ruimveldt Secondary. South Ruimveldt, having drawn one game and won all the others, have been very confident about their chances of reaching the final.

However, the underdog East Ruimveldt team will be en-

tering the semis with an upset on their agenda.

The other semi-final will showcase a determined New Campbellville side and a determined Charlestown Secondary team. While New Campbellville have lost one of their three games, Charlestown will be entering the semis with a blemish-free record. New Campbellville will be playing to break that winning streak, but Charlestown’s public relations rep is confident that the team has what it takes to make it through.

The male semis are also expected to be thrillers, with the first match up being contested by St John’s College

and North Ruimveldt Multilateral. Both teams stumbled earlier in the tournament, but will seek to make the most of their shot at the final.

However, the undis-

K

Shimron Hetmyer drives into the off-side watched by wkpr Nurul Hasan

and Darren Bravo as he faced 250-plus deliveries in an innings for the sixth time in his career.

He fell late in the day, trying to hit Mehidy for a second successive boundary through midwicket, only to find Taijul swiftly moving at short midwicket to complete the catch. By then, however, he had neutralised Bangladesh's early thrust as they unleashed their spinners in the morning.

Despite the pace and bounce on offer, Shakib went in with three spinners - as opposed to West Indies, who dropped their only specialist spinner - and used them immediately to good effect.

Opening the bowling himself, Shakib and Mehidy created plenty of chances in the first hour, taking advantage of the big turn available outside the line of the stumps.

They kept the close-in fielders busy with half-chances, and Devon Smith's in-

side-edge, off Mehidy's slightly leg-sidish delivery, resulted in a simple catch to Mominul Haque at short leg.

No. 3 Kieran Powell tried to break the shackles, but when Mehidy noticed his inclination to hang back to full deliveries, the offspinner's patience paid off when he was trapped leg-before to a similar delivery for 29. But

Saturday’s fixtures: Tucville Secondary v Uitvlugt Secondary Vergenoegen Secondary v Dolphin Secondary South Ruimveldt Secondary v East Ruimveldt New Campbellville v Charlestown Secondary

Semi-final Semi-final

Boys 13:00h 13:00h 15:00h 15:00h

Marian Academy v Tucville Secondary Vergenoegen Secondary v Dolphin Secondary St John’s College v North Ruimveldt Multilateral Chase Academy v Buxton Youth Developers

Semi-final Semi-final

Brathwaite's single-mindedness in defence slowly offset Bangladesh's early advantage. He reached his fifty in the second session, taking 149 balls to get there. He added 79 runs for the third wicket with Shai Hope, who struck two fours in his 29 off 79 balls. Hope then inside-edged Taijul Islam on to his pads, the ball lobbing up towards silly point for wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan to complete a diving catch.

In Brathwaite's presence, West Indies picked up pace in the final session. He took Taijul Islam for three fours before blasting Kamrul Islam Rabbi past point. Three overs after Brathwaite reached his century, Hetmyer sliced one past the slips for four to raise his fifty.

More boundaries followed during the HetmyerChase stand. Chase tucked Mehidy past fine-leg and through the covers for his first two fours, while Hetmyer struck the day's first six, in the 90th over, over long-off. The shift in gears summed up West Indies' progress from being severely tested against spin at the start of the day, to batting quite freely by the end of it. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies 1st Innings KC Brathwaite c Taijul Islam b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 110 DS Smith c Mominul Haque b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2 KOA Powell lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 29 SD Hope c †Nurul Hasan b Taijul Islam 29 SO Hetmyer not out 84 RL Chase not out 16 Extras: (b 18, lb 7) 25 Total: 295/4 (92 Overs, RR: 3.2)

semi-final should mirror the anticipation that World Cup fans felt during the Brazil v Belgium match-up.

Saturday’s action will begin at 11:00h with the girls’ exhibition match.

Girls 11:00h 11:00h 12:00h 12:00h

Brathwaite, Hetmyer put West Indies in command

raigg Brathwaite's second consecutive century helped West Indies establish early dominance on the opening day's play in Kingston. West Indies went to stumps comfortably-placed at 295 for 4, having accumulated runs at 4.85 per over in the post-tea session: a significant jump from 2.25 and 2.83 in the first two sessions respectively.

Brathwaite added 109 for the fourth wicket with Shimron Hetmyer, which came on the back of a 79-run third-wicket stand with Shai Hope, and 50 runs for the second wicket with Kieran Powell. Hetmyer, who had added 48 for the unbroken fifth-wicket stand with Roston Chase, remained unbeaten on 84 off 98 balls - his second Test fifty.

But the day truly belonged to Brathwaite, who once again stood out for his tenacity. He was equally cautious against left-arm spin, orthodox offspin and pace, without showing any weakness or liking for a particular bowler. Brathwaite nullified Bangladesh's first long spell of spin through the second session, doggedly defending anything outside his stumps, even as the ball zipped around.

He collected the bulk of his runs on the on-side, with the singles and twos behind the square region a common occurrence. Six of his nine fours also came on the onside as Bangladesh did well to restrict him from driving freely. But given his boundless patience, Brathwaite still looked at ease. He also ran hard between the wickets, picking up three threes.

Having benefited from Bangladesh's failure to take a review when he was rapped on the pad on 98, Brathwaite went on to pass Shivnarine Chanderpaul

putable headliner of the day will come when Chase Academy and Buxton Youth Developers meet.

Both teams have been dominant in the competition; as such, the excitement for this

Yet to bat: SO Dowrich †, JO Holder (c), KMA Paul, ML Cummins, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-9 (DS Smith, 8.1 ov), 2-59 (KOA Powell, 24.3 ov), 3-138 (SD Hope, 57.2 ov), 4-247 (KC Brathwaite, 83.2 ov) Bowling: Abu Jayed 10-4-220, Shakib Al Hasan 18-3-51-0, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 27-990-3, Taijul Islam 21-3-65-1, Kamrul Islam Rabbi 8-1-220, Mahmudullah 8-1-20-0

Reifer, Brooks keep Windies A on top

W

indies A skipper Shamarh Brooks’ ton coupled with Raymon Reifer’s 5-fer kept the Caribbean side in a strong position versus India A in their ongoing unofficial Test.

The Tri-Series hosted by England, which features the Windies and India, continued at the Cooper Associates County Ground, in Taunton, with more intense Test cricket action. Brooks scored an elegant 122 not out in the first innings to help his side post 302 all out after Mohammad Siraj grabbed four wickets for the Indians.

A brilliant exhibition of left-arm swing bowling from the Guyana Jaguars franchise player Reifer saw India A crumble to 192 all out as none of their batsmen reached fifty, thanks to the Bajan who ended with 5-50 Windies were also shut down for a meagre score batting a second time, managing just 210 with half-centuries from opener John Campbell and Test player Jermaine Blackwood.

The 24-year-old pacer Siraj was again the Caribbean side’s tormentor as he bagged another four wickets to end with eight in the match.

India, on

day three on Thursday, were trailing West Indies A by roughly 150 runs with both of their openers already back in the shed.

Meanwhile, the Windies A unit were not so fortunate in the 50-overs version of the tour, as they ended the Tri-Nation Series winless. The management unit is, however, optimistic that with less than a year to go before the CWC 2019, “once a Windies unit can score 300 runs or more consistently, that will be what is required for any team to be competitive in the Cricket World Cup 2019.”

While the conditions were brilliant for cricket on and off the field, the management has said “with specific work in key areas, the players will adjust after weeks of intense sessions in a high-performance programme. We have seen some areas of promise, but we think more can be done in the starts and rotation in the middle. We are hoping for our opening batsmen to improve their strike rates.”

The management has also identified that “Jason Mohammed put on a promising show with two centuries and a half century. There were also promising signs from Chandrapaul Hemraj, who had decent starts.”

Raymon Reifer

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, JUly 13, 2018

23

Largest-ever Guyanese contingent ready for CAC Games

W

ith the Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games fast approaching, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has unveiled a 98-member team that will travel to Barranquilla, Colombia to represent the “Land of Many Waters”.

The contingent, which comprises 79 athletes and 19 officials, can be considered the largest one that Guyana has ever taken to an international engagement, and will depart these shores in a matter of days for the Games, which will run from July 19 to August 3.

At the press briefing on Thursday, GOA President KA Juman-Yassin voiced

high hopes for the team’s performance.

The explained the importance of the team being successful in Colombia.

“Apart from swimming, I think everyone else had to qualify which is exceedingly good. The success of these games for athletes would be to qualify for the Pan Am Games next year in Peru,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, JumanYassin has disclosed that the GOA has provided all the necessary resources for the athletes with little assistance from the Government of Guyana.

Guyana will take representatives from 10 disciplines inclusive of badminton, boxing, taekwondo, squash, cycling, table ten-

GOA President KA Juman-Yassin

nis, hockey, athletics, rugby, and swimming. The teams will be accompanied by one or more coaches and Deion Nurse will act as Chef-

Youth provisional squads encamped

– preparations begin for CFU and CONCACAF Youth Tournaments

The encamped male team

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has made the first step towards participating in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys U-14 Challenge Trophy and the CONCACAF Girls U-15 Championship respectively, with the encamp-

and Akilah Castello being the assigned Head Coaches of the respective squads.

Among the 34-member female squad that has been named, there are 10 internationally-based players from Canada and the USA selected by GFF International

and Tobago and Aruba.

Meanwhile, the U-15 Girls have been placed in Group E with The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and St Lucia.

Guyana are scheduled to play their first match in the U-15 Championship against St Lucia on August 6 at

de-Mission while Phillip Fernandes will act in the assistant capacity. Nurse explained that he was expecting top-class performances from the Guyanese sportsmen and women.

“We’re expecting our athletes to go out there and to do their best. After that whatever else comes will be icing on the cake. There’re a few sports that stand out that we expect that should do well and as such, we look forward for them to materialise,” he said.

Badminton Coach Gokarn Ramdhani expressed immense confidence in his small team of seasoned players. “They’ve been training very hard for the past two to three weeks and beyond that. As you know, we’re up against a lot of tough players from Central America, but we

will still try our best to build our rankings points towards Pan Am and future tournaments,” Ramdhani said.

Additionally, Guyana Taekwondo Association (GTA) President Ramjeet Ramphal also expressed high levels of confidence in his athletes. “We expect quite a lot from these two athletes. I’m hoping that these two can bring about a change in taekwondo, and at least bring home a gold,” he proudly stated.

Badminton – Gokarn Ramdhani (Coach); Narayan Ramdhani; Priyana Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra.

Boxing – Terrence Poole (Coach); Keevin Allicock and Colin Lewis.

Taekwondo – Roland Thomas (Coach); Mark Choy (Coach); Adrian Spellen and Justin Choy.

Squash – David Fernandes (Team Manager); Ramon Chan-A Sue (Coach); Juanita Fernandes; Mary Fung-A-Fat; Ashley Khalil; Taylor Fernandes; Sunil Seth; Kason Khalil and Nyron Joseph.

Cycling – Joseph Britton (Coach) and Romello Crawford.

Table Tennis – Matthew Khan (Coach); Godfrey Munroe (Coach); Priscila Greaves; Trenace Lowe; Christopher Franklin; Natalie Cummings; Shemar Britton; Nigel Bryan; Joel Alleyne and Chelsea Edghill.

Hockey (Men) – Robert Fernandes (Coach); Jamarj Assanah; Aroydy Branford; Rayon Branford; Jerazeno Bell; Hilton Chester; Marvin Dannett; Jason DeSantos; Robert France; Randy Hope; Kareem Mckenzie; Mark Sargeant; Meshach Sargeant; Medroy Scotland; Andrew Stewart; Steven Xavier and Dwayne Scott.

Hockey (Women) – Latoya Fordyce (Manager); Damon Woodroffe (Coach); Sheneki Baptiste; Vanessa Pires; Min Sodia Culpepper; Ashley DeGroot; Ulrica Sutherland; Dominique DeGroot; Dacia Woodroffe; Trisha Woodroffe; Nicole Eastman; Marisha Fernandes; Princess Wilkie; Samantha Fernandes; Alysa Xavier; Marzana Fiedtkou; Gabriella Xavier and Bushani Kaladeen.

Athletics – Sham Johnny (Coach); Troy Doris; Winston George; Janea McCammon; Leslain Baird and Emanuel Archibald.

Rugby – Peter Green (Manager); Lawrence Adonis (Coach); Dwayne Schroeder; Claudius Butts; Avery Corbin; Richard Staglon; Peabo Hamilton; Patrick King; Ronald Mayers; Jamal Angus; Godfrey Broomes; Rondel McArthur; Ryan Gonzalves and Osei McKenzie.

Swimming— Sean Baksh (Coach); Andrew Fowler and Jamila Sanmoogan.

An old rivalry resumes this Sunday at Everest

– Regal Masters looking to extend winning streak

T

New York Independence Cup champions Regal Masters will be in action on Sunday at Everest

The encamped female team

ment of the two squads.

The CFU Boys U-14 Challenge Trophy is scheduled for August 2-12 in Curaçao while the CONCACAF Girls U-15 Championship is slated to kick off at the IMG Academy, Florida, USA from August 6-13. As such, the national camps are being conducted from July 8 to 16 at the Guyana Fire Service Training Facility, Leonora, featuring a provisional squad of 35 boys and 35 girls, with Bryan Joseph

Women’s Coordinator Paul Beresford. The remaining players are locally based, with 23 from the GFF Academy Training Centres (ATCs) and one player from Region One. On the other hand, the entire Boys’ squad comprises locally-based players who have benefited from the ATCs. Guyana are one of five countries placed in Group C of the CFU Boys U-14 Challenge Trophy along with Curaçao, Bonaire, Trinidad

11:00h, followed by Cayman Islands on August 7 at 09:00h and The Bahamas on August 9 at 11:00h.

The play-offs will begin on August 10, following the group qualifiers, with the finals set for August 13 at 11:00h.

At the conclusion of the camp, a shortlist of the squad will be done, after which there will be two additional encampment periods, from July 22-26 and from July 29-August 1 respectively.

he recently-crowned champions of the New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Cup, Regal Masters, will spring into action on local turf this Sunday when the Ink Plus, Crown Mining Supplies and Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop grand softball tournament resumes with three matches.

Local teams and individual players had a working break of two weeks from action on home soil to take part in the annual tournament in the ‘Big Apple’, where Regal Masters easily won the Eagle, the symbol of supremacy in the over-45 years category.

The highly-anticipated

softball action will bowl off on Sunday when the champs take on HS Masters on Pitch One at the Everest Cricket Club Ground in the first of three matches scheduled for the day. The excitement will continue later in the day when Success Masters take on Narine Masters on pitch two while Fishermen Masters will seek to defeat RR Masters on pitch three.

Prior to their departure for New York, Regal Masters were on a four-match winning streak and will be looking to extend that when they take the field against familiar rivals HS Masters. At the start of the tournament in May, Regal Masters suffered a heart-breaking defeat to HS Masters off the

last ball in a cliffhanger of a game at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) Ground and will no doubt be looking to turn the tables while their opponents will be buzzing with confidence for a repeat.

Eoin Abel, Mahendra Hardyal, Mohendra Arjune, Parsram Persaud, Eric Thomas, Fazleen Mohamed and Mahesh Chunilall are among the top-class players who will be in action looking to continue their good run with both bat and ball when the competition resumes at 09:30h.

The tournament is organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc, and is being contested in the Over-45 and Open categories on a round-robin basis.

friDAY, JUly 13, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Largest-ever Guyanese contingent ready for CAC Games Pg 23

GOA officials and Coaches of the various sport disciplines

Brathwaite, Hetmyer put West Indies in Sherfane Rutherford command ton blasts Windies Global T20 Canada…

Pg 19

Pg 22

B into the finals

Kraigg Brathwaite kisses the crest on his helmet after reaching his 100

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