Guyana Times Epaper - Wednesday, August 15, 2018

PSC welcomes American Chamber of Commerce P10

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Issue No. 3656

PRICE

Balance of Payments

Page 3

Revised outlook even – former more threatening Minister …wider deficit expected if mining sector underperforms – economist

Ukrainians remanded for assaulting Guyanese miners

Page 8

City Hall finds temporary location for Route 31, 42 minibuses

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Business Minister satisfied with progress made in petroleum sector P9 …despite Opposition’s criticisms of Govt’s unpreparedness

Councillor concerned over high crime rate in Zeelugt P10

Page 12

Venezuelan refugees

P12 Land identified for humanitarian centre

…drivers complain of criminal activities at new location Planned strike

GTU will not accept one-off payment – Lyte

…hinterland teachers on board as Union to dispatch officers …actions are not consistent with initial agreement – Govt

Sophia man sets brother’s home on fire …after row over clothes

Page 9

Page 2

Guyana could become new Panama in the region – Jagdeo Page 7

...decision to scrap initial CJIA plan will hamper progress

National P9 footballer slapped with 10 robbery charges

Stakeholders meet to P11 advance phasing out use of mercury

2 news

wednesdAY, august 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Planned strike

GTU will not accept one-off payment – Lyte …hinterland teachers on board as Union to dispatch officers …actions are not consistent with initial agreement – Govt

A

lmost one week after the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) announced a countrywide strike following a breakdown of talks between itself and Government, no representatives of the coalition Administration have officially engaged the Union on its demands.

This was disclosed by GTU President Mark Lyte,

who told Guyana Times on Tuesday that the Union would not cave in on its promise to not accept any one-off lump sum payment from Government.

“We are not going to be able to take any lump sum payment because that’s not what we’re bringing to the table,” Lyte stressed.

“We haven’t gotten a single response from the

Administration, [but] we are still open for talks providing that they come, but the talks have to be definitive because we are not going to renege on our plan. The only way that will be aborted is if the plan that is brought to the table is acceptable and satisfying,” he further asserted on Tuesday.

On Monday, the GTU circulated a letter to inform its

GTU President Mark Lyte

members that they were not to report for pre-term activities until further notice.

The Union has also urged head teachers to also begin handing over school keys to the respective regional Education Departments.

Lyte told this newspaper on Tuesday that a majority of teachers were against the

Administration’s “unreasonable” proposals brought to the Union. The GTU Head added that for now, a “full out” strike has not begun, but if nothing comes to the table, there will be picketing and later, several marches.

Lyte envisions that 90 per cent of teachers in the public schools were ready to support their union’s move.

“From all corners of the Union, the members are with us in saying that Government has been unreasonable in terms of what they brought to the table and the Union needed to take this option. We have great support all across and we believe that when we go through with this, it’s going to significantly see a large number of our teachers,” he noted.

He said too that hinterland teachers were on board but to solidify their stance, GTU would mobilise its re-

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

sources to get additional support for the industrial action.

“In the new week, we will be having officers sent out to the different regions, including the hinterland to further mobilise our members for the action,” Lyte said. turn to page 7

news

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wednesdAY, august 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 15 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, August 16 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 15 – 06:50h-08:20h and Thursday, August 16 – 07:35h-09:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

Balance of Payments

Revised outlook even more threatening – former Minister

…wider deficit expected if mining sector underperforms – economist

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals followed by light rain showers are expected to prevail in the morning, with sunny weather returning in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-easterly and East North-easterly and North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:15h and 19:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.70 metres and 2.62 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:47h and 13:10h reaching minimum heights of 0.51 metre and 0.57 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018

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Opposition MP and former Minister Irfaan Ali

W

ith the overall Balance of Payments (BoP) recording a deficit of US$139.8 million in the first half of 2018, compared to a deficit of US$46.0 million recorded in June 2017, former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government Minister Irfaan Ali has said this trend is becoming even more worrying.

Ali, the finance spokesperson for the Opposition in Parliament, told Guyana Times that in order to finance this humongous deficit, the Government usurped US$110 million from the Bank of Guyana’s (BoG) Foreign Assets Reserve, tanking the reserve to a 10year low of US$473.4 million.

The overall Balance of Payments, by end 2018, is projected to record a total deficit of US$182.1 million.

He said it is also important to note; the initial projection of the BoP deficit was set at US$79.7 million for 2018. In other words, we have surpassed that amount by 130 per cent within the first half of 2018.

Moreover, the former Minister, noted that the current account deficit is expected to weaken to a deficit of US$366.3 million by end 2018, down from an initial projection of US$292 million.

“In other words, the revised outlook for our Balance of Payments is even more ominous than initially anticipated,” he explained.

According to him, this means there would be a greater need for more foreign exchange by end 2018 to cover Guyana’s import bills, something that may be difficult.

Ali said another critical element of the BoP is factor services (net). And according to the report, net factor services is projected to record a higher than anticipated deficit of US$66 million, compared to US$11.5 million last year. This is mainly the outcome of lower investment income and higher interest payment.

Widening deficit

Meanwhile, economist Collin Constantine told

Guyana Times also that based on the report, the widening BoP deficit is driven largely by higher import prices for fuel and lubricants. “When this is juxtaposed with lower export earnings in sugar and gold, we must expect a worsening of the external accounts,” he opined.

Constantine reasoned that part of the widening deficit is also related to the recovery in the construction sector, a recovery in real estate increases the importation of capital goods.

Further, the economist noted that the downsizing of the sugar industry will definitely have an adverse effect on the BoP balance.

“It (sugar) served as a major source of foreign exchange earnings… since gold is underperforming a wider deficit is expected,” the economist added, while reiterating that projection is it will widen further.

Despite this this,

Constantine feels that the projected 3.7 per cent growth rate is achievable because as he explained, the wider BoP deficit is not driven by consumption but by intermediate imports, which are key inputs for production and therefore growth could be experienced.

“I cannot speak to specific numbers but the expectation of a growth rebound seems plausible. However, construction recovery and so on will have an impact. We also have to see how gold performs for the remainder of the year,” he added.

The Mid-Year Report warns that global risks, such as rising commodity prices, climate change and turbulent international trade relationships, do pose a threat to the stability and progress of Guyana’s economy. And it warned that increased importation will put a strain on the country’s foreign reserves.

“Specifically, the issue of climate change, which brings with it unpredictable weather patterns, has the ability to adversely affect the agriculture and mining and quarrying sectors, and, consequently, restrict production. On the other hand, while commodity prices are expected to strengthen, in 2018, this will have mixed effects.”

However, on the positive side, it states that rising prices offer favourable prospects for the exporting sectors – gold, rice, timber and aluminium. However, the

Economist Collin Constantine increased importation of intermediate goods, especially fuel and lubricants, and consumption goods, could likely offset the gains from export earnings.

This could put a strain on Guyana’s international reserves, reinforcing the urgency with which economic diversification and resilience.

Balance of Payments is statistical data on a country’s fiscal transactions, including imports and exports.

To therefore record a deficit, Guyana would have had to spend more on imports, among other things, that it derived from exports.

According to the 2017 Macro-economic Report, Guyana’s overall Balance of Payments in the last fiscal year showed a deficit of US$69.5 million. This is a hike when compared to US$53.3 million the previous year.

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

City Council reform

T

he years 2011, 2015 and 2017 saw residents of Georgetown and core stakeho lders demand a change in the political leadership and directorship of the Georgetown City Council.

This change was demanded in part because of the need to end mass corruption at the Council which had reached unimaginable levels since the last Council took office back in 1994.

The change was also lobbied for because citizens and the Private Sector had become weary of the poor levels of service they received from the Council despite the fact that they paid their rates and taxes.

Also, support for a change in political culture of the Council also increased over the past 20 years because of the lack of progress made in creating a more cohesive and modern capital that could stand on the pillars of social and economic justice, transparency and accountability.

It should be noted that while in Opposition, the current A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change parties supported this hunger for change in the way business is done at the City Council. They mounted a strong campaign against the People’s Progressive Party and in defence of the then Hamilton Green-led Council as they explained that the Council was handicapped because of continued ministerial interference, a lack and drought of resources from Central Government to the Council and weak political and formative support from the PPP/C. City Hall was also turned into a battle field taking on the then Town Clerk Carol Sooba who was a Government appointee while undermining her efforts at straightening the Council and exposing corruption there.

As history would have it, Sooba was forced out when the coalition secured Government and long overdue Local Government Elections were held. New faces and civilpolitical groups took Council seats with a majority joining to the coalition.

Patricia Chase Green, who served the old Council, became Mayor and Sherod Duncan was placed as Deputy Mayor as if to be a poster boy in order to pander to youths.

Royston King, a coalition supporter, became Town Clerk.

Along with the other Councillors, they delivered an unexpected brand of change. This change so far has proven to be ineffective management of the city’s resources, continued controversial policy positions and an increased polarisation of the Council’s work.

This is not the change residents of Georgetown demanded but nobody seems to care at the Council or Central Government. There are alarming reports of new instances of nepotism, corruption and cronyism at the Council with large and small contracts being handed to business and political interests in the city in breach of the bylaws and tendering process.

There are reports of misuse of funds at the Council but when the media seek clarifications on these matters, they are met with arrogance and resentment from office holders.

Also, the workers’ lives have not improved, and their unions seem incapable of fighting for their rights. Not much positive has happened at the Council despite their efforts at cleaning select parts of the city and the reorganisation of the vendors at Stabroek and Merriman Mall.

In fact, the new Council must account for the millions spent on its clean-up drive and other projects since it came to power.

In order for real positive change to occur, the Town Clerk’s office must become de-politicised and obedient to the Council. It cannot function as an extension of the APNU/ AFC Government.

Additionally, new Councillors must have their say and must be allowed to pursue all contracts and agreements entered into in the past and future by the Council. No more unnecessary trips abroad. Similarly, demolition exercises must not take place without full Council agreement.

The Central Government must heap criticism on the Council when it is out of place and when the Council’s policies appear to be anti-poor, anti-modern and lacking imagination.

All of the hard fought for reforms to Local Government laws and the elections are meaningless unless the political culture at the Council changes.

These kids, along with a relative, are seen enjoying the black waters of Lake Mainstay during the annual regatta event, which was hosted on Sunday at the Lake Mainstay resort

Contract splitting is illegal Dear Editor, After a plethora of negative reports on the alleged clandestine and corrupt award of the $120 million ‘split contracts’ to slash the shoulders of the Corentyne Highway, the Public Infrastructure Ministry (MoPI) is yet to make a public statement on the issue.

Unfortunately, like all other allegations of corruption, the Minister is awaiting the inevitable cooling off period which will inundate and drown the voices against the escalating level of corruption. This type of ‘closure’ is now the trademark of the coalition Government.

In my opinion, if these allegations of corruption are false, then the MoPI should have released the names of the ‘contractors’ to quell the doubts of the public.

The public is not in a hurry to forget that it was the coalition Government which campaigned vigorously on the eradication of corruption.

One sitting Minister had claimed that 20 per cent ‘kickbacks’ are inherent in contracts and an economics professor in the coalition had claimed that the previous Government ‘stole’ more than $300 billion annually. These Government Ministers and officials are now so consumed and submerged in corruption that

it will take a lifetime for State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) and Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to tackle these when this Government is inevitably rejected by the Guyanese people.

This $120 million road slashing contract was giftwrapped and served to seven Alliance For Change (AFC) officials. These ‘contractors’ were summoned and given the contracts which was split. It should be noted that ‘contract splitting’ is illegal but it seems that it was meant to keep Cabinet out of the focus and allow the AFC boys to reap their harvest.

All these AFC officials got contracts between $10-15 million each. Some register their companies in their relative names but some have used their own names.

At this point I wish to state that the award of these contracts can never be legal since apart from contract splitting, the contracts were not advertised in newspapers of wide circulation and posted in public places. It must be noted that in this case public tendering is mandatory. I would hardly classify slashing of the road shoulders as emergency work or work of a specialised nature and even prequalification must be advertised widely.

Another illegality is the

qualification of these ‘contractors’. The Procurement Act makes it clear that contractors and suppliers must have ‘technical competence, financial resources, equipment and other physical facilities, managerial capability, reliability, experience and reputation and the personnel to perform the contract’. There is now another big scandal since it is apparent that some of these ‘contractors’ have failed to conform to the qualifications criteria as set out in the section quoted above. At least three of them have sub-contracted the work to competent contractors who should have been awarded the contracts in the first place. It is now evident that these AFC ‘contractors’ lack the resources, the competence and the equipment to do the job.

However, the biggest embarrassment is that the workers have not been paid for a period of two months and one of the contractors, who is an AFC national executive member, has flown away on a holiday in the USA. These workers who are from the Number 19 Village went to the home of another AFC Executive member at Fyrish and complained bitterly but went away angrier when they were told that the ‘contractor’ is holidaying in the US. From all indications, it seems that these

workers have been ripped off. Moreover, the sub-contractor claimed that he is yet to receive any payment from the AFC contractor, so he cannot pay the workers.

It is evident also that the work was not properly executed since freshly grown grass is covering the dried heaps of grass which should have been disposed of.

It is also clear that even where a Ministry or a department or an agency has a duly constituted tender board, that tender board must function in accordance with the Procurement Act and should any action contravene this Act then such an action is null and void.

Therefore, the Ministry’s Tender Board must not breach the Procurement Act. It is time that the details of these contracts made public and a thorough investigation by the Public Procurement Commission done immediately. Region Six has now become the designated hunting ground for these corrupt AFC officials and this is a gross insult to us.

It is time for Region Six to reject the AFC and their parasitic rogues.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region Six

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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

Govt officials not addressing oil payout proposal honestly Dear Editor, Since Professor Clive Thomas made the proposal that a part of the oil revenue be used to pay cash transfers to each Guyanese household, and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) subsequently adopting the recommendation, pointing out its potential transformative effects on the lives of the poor and powerless in the country, there have been a number of letters and articles expressing opinions for and against.

I am aware that Dr Thomas and the WPA welcome the spirited debate that has emerged so far in response to the proposal, and are paying keen attention to positions and ideas coming from both policymakers and citizens.

While I appreciate the interest shown in this matter, I am personally disappointed that critics, including Government officials, have chosen not to address the proposal honestly, but instead to engage in the tactics of deliberate misrepresentation and disinformation.

Interestingly, this approach to the debate cuts across the political divide (Government, Opposition, and civil society), so much so that a case can be made that morality and honesty in public debate have become something that our political culture is devoid of.

To illustrate the above, I have chosen to cite a recent letter written by Hamilton Green and published in the Guyana Chronicle’s Monday, August 13, 2018 edition, un-

der the caption, “ Professor Thomas’ proposal may not be the best course of action”.

Green has been a politician and public administrator for most of his adult life, and as he reminds readers, he had been “…on the hustings for generations”. Now retired, he has ample time to read and comprehend, and in relation to the Thomas/WPA recommendation for the use of part of the oil money as cash transfers to each Guyanese household, I can only assume that the veteran politician has done so. But his letter runs contrary to that logic and forces one to conclude, that he consciously decided to engage in deception and disinformation in stating his position on the proposal, bearing in mind that

Thomas and the WPA made it quite clear that the cash transfers to each household of a minimum of one million Guyana dollars annually, would amount to a very small portion of the expected oil money since it represents between two to five per cent of gross revenue.

This means that the Government has at least 95 per cent of the oil revenue to spend on other policy initiatives. Hamilton Green and similarly minded critics have mentioned in letters and articles many areas that the money should be spent on. In Green’s letter, he cited seven areas, all of which and more can be funded from the 95 per cent of the oil revenue the Government will have after giving the five per cent

in cash transfers to the poor and powerless.

I am convinced that the detractors of the proposal are aware that the Thomas/ WPA proposal represents a very small portion of the enormous wealth that will be in the hands of those who manage the State. In spite of this knowledge, they choose to demonstrate ignorance in the public space (not understanding simple maths). In doing so they do a disservice to themselves and the country.

The way they are debating this important national issue gave Clifford Krauss the ammunition to justify his ridiculous and racist description of our country and its people.

Finally, I end by taking

note of an article published on August 14, 2018 captioned, “Justice For All leader hammers WPA cash transfer proposal”. In this article, the Honourable Minister, Mr Jaipaul Sharma is quoted as referring to “... the suggestion from the WPA that oil revenues should be used for cash payouts to every Guyanese…”. This clearly illustrates my point about the dishonest approach to this debate by some Government officials. If he is quoted correctly, the Minister is devoid of political morality – he can’t claim that he doesn’t know the difference between each household and every Guyanese.

Sincerely, Tacuma Ogunseye

CoI into Georgetown City Council WPA should not try to make fools of Guyanese people Dear Editor, I would like to throw my firm support behind all those persons who have been calling for a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to be urgently held into the workings and outrageous goings-on at the Georgetown City Council.

However, I would like to ask that the scope of the inquiry be extended to include not just the shenanigans of the Mayor’s office and the Town Clerk’s department over the last two and a half years, but it should encompass the entire municipality for the last two and a half decades.

From the myriad of expensive and useless overseas jaunts, to Councillors receiving $57 million purportedly to spend on community projects in the 15 constituencies, and at the same time utilising the facilities of the Council’s equipment and services of the staff, to the monies the very Councillors are paid to sit on special committees, payments which are outside of their regular allowances and stipends they receive.

There still needs to be an investigation into the scandalous parking meter contract to see if any inducements were offered before its aborted implementation and if any sweeteners will be continuously offered should this outrageous initiative be operationalized.

A serious relook at all of

the contracts that have been awarded by the Council to individuals and companies for cleaning the cemetery, the drains and parapets, etc, particularly those that did not conform to tender board procedures.

Review must be undertaken of the Human Resource Department of the Council to examine how employees were recruited, and placed on varying points of the salary scales, and of how the leave of certain officers were deferred whilst others had theirs cancelled if not taken when it was due, and of how some retired officers received their pensions and gratuity expeditiously while others didn’t, and of strange policies for promotion etc.

The markets department has to be examined to see what yardstick is used for the allocation of stalls, and how the rents are calculated in the various markets, on how secure the revenue collection system is in light of recent frauds, and the physical security and public hygiene of these facilities.

At the City Engineer’s Department, explanations ought to be given as to how building inspectors who are responsible for ensuring building codes are enforced and maintained, are also allowed to be drawing plans privately for buildings being constructed in Georgetown.

And as to how so many vi-

olations are allowed in the city, a case in point that was highlighted in a recent fire at a major hotel in the city.

The Treasurer’s Department should be the subject of special scrutiny, with regard to the waiver of interest for delinquent property owners, and with its procurement systems etc.

It may take years to unravel the mysteries of City Hall, buy finally and most importantly, there should be an inquiry into the ‘assets’ including properties, money and other interests held by the senior officers of the Council, particularly those suddenly acquired over the last three years in Guyana or elsewhere.

Sincerely, Mark Roopan

Dear Editor, I have read the statement from Dr David Hinds on behalf of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and I saw its call for all civic organisations to begin discussions on the prospects of the coming oil and gas and the call for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government to not make final policy and governance arrangements without inputs from these discussions.

I find it very strange that this call would come from the WPA so late, especially since civil society people, like Christopher Ram, have been speaking consistently about oil and gas issues, but have been ignored. Even on

the Al Jazeera programme on Guyana’s oil and gas sector, Christopher Ram pointed out that the APNUAFC coalition Government is unwilling to accept contributions from civil society.

I have also read what seems to be a defence of the APNU/AFC coalition Government’s failure to ensure that the necessary legal framework for the oil and gas sector is in place. The WPA said, “This rapid development is partly responsible for the lag in setting up the institutional and legal framework.” I find it very strange that such a weak excuse would from the WPA. Is this all they could manage, three years after the APNU/ AFC coalition Government

said it started working on a legal framework? Is the WPA trying to excuse the incompetence of the APNU/ AFC coalition Government?

I read too that the WPA said the developmental challenges associated with managing the petro economy should not be underestimated. This again, I find very strange, since the WPA, until now, has ignored all the calls for the same thing and has not supported civil society voices who have called for a change.

The WPA should not try to make fools of Guyanese people with the strange calls that have been made with even stranger timing.

Regards, Arnold Sanasie

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By Bobby Hoffman, PhD

F

or many parents and some students, the return to school is perhaps the most wonderful time of the year. Those who enjoy rising at 6:00 am, eating boxed lunches, and doing monotonous homework look forward to the school year because they crave a fresh start, relish the opportunity to learn new things, and anticipate connecting with old friends or making new ones.

However, not everyone loves school! For those who despise the school experience, starting the new academic year can be a source of incomparable stress that triggers anxiety, frustration, and even fear.

The first step toward curing academic tension and the inevitable emotions of boredom, apathy, anger, or irritability is awareness of what may cause the anxiety in the first place. Unfortunately, humans are notoriously bad at accurately identifying their true motives and explaining why they prefer to avoid certain environments. If you hear comments from kids such as “school is stupid,” “we never learn anything” and “the teacher doesn’t like me”, it is possible these remarks are smokes screens designed to psychologically insulate the student from what they anticipate might happen when school begins. However, as a parent there are at least five concrete steps that you can take to avoid a potentially negative school experience (and nine months of aggravation and fighting with the kids).

Create an end-of-summer routine One delightful aspect of summer life is tranquillity. Alarm clocks are off, parents are dreaming of vacation, and the thought of deadlines is a distant memory. The dog days of August minimally promote relaxation, a state of mind that is radically different than what is needed for success during the school year. However, one of the most important aspects of success for adults and children alike is structure and routine.

Research reveals that students who prepare in advance for the challenges of school have

Foundation

more positive emotions about school and perform better academically (Struthers, Perry, & Menec, 2000). You can create a proxy routine by scheduling leisure activities according to certain times, offering kids the opportunity to journal the highlights of a summer vacation, or have them make to-do lists. These techniques promote a mindset of consistency and structure which can easily be transitioned into the mechanised rigors of the school year.

Set reasonable expectations One of the most common drivers of student stress is the perceived inability to meet the expectations of parents and teachers (Englund, Luckner, Whaley, & Egeland, 2004). When children (or adults) believe they lack intellectual horsepower to be successful, they often put forth less effort and become resistant to academic challenges. While it is crucial for parents to provide academic support and encourage educational interest, setting unrealistic learning goals like earning straight As or getting a perfect test score can backfire.

Students often mistakenly believe that they should master course content almost immediately. Parents who remind kids that learning new material takes time and effort will ease academic tension. Students need to believe that it is okay to allow themselves to learn – and fail- and should be commended for having the courage to admit when they don’t know something.

Avoid comparisons to others One reason students may dread the return to school is because they feel inferior when comparing themselves to others.

Points of comparison set the boundaries for our goals and behaviours. Often kids will compare themselves to smarter or more popular classmates and feel inferior, which in turn promotes social anxiety. Conversely, downward comparisons can result in the student feeling better about themselves, but gives the learner a false sense of academic superiority. Regardless of the type of

comparison, when we set goals and targets in comparison to others we may still come up short. Parents can help their student by encouraging comparisons to one’s own past performance. When kids realise that they have improved from prior years they will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, which in turn will help them associate school with positive emotions rather than frustration or failure.

Accentuate the positive Let’s face it, for many returning to school means getting up early, effortful concentration, and less discretionary time for the activities we prefer to do. However, school also provides opportunities that may not exist during the summer. The return to school often means more access to friends and socialisation, the ability to participate and attend school clubs and athletic events, field trips, and yes, even the opportunity to learn new things. Neurological research reveals that the acquisition of new skills and abilities gives our brain a similar sensation as the one we experience when we win money and receive rewards (Mizuno, Tanaka, Ishii, et al., 2008). Thus, parents have a prime opportunity to shift student mindset toward a focus on the benefits of school, which may or may not include academics.

Provide emotional and academic support Contrary to some popular beliefs, success in school is NOT an individualised effort where the student takes exclusive responsibility for their own results (De Bruyckere & Hulshof, 2015). Achievement is a three-way effort that is most successful when parents, teachers, and students share involvement and mutually commit to student learning outcomes. Commitment begins with encouragement, but also includes modelling positive behaviours (like reading books and helping with homework when necessary).

Parents should avoid constantly judging learning outcomes (grades) or belittling the learner for questionable effort and lack of academic interest. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

Y

ou need to send a message to home from your tree house, but it’s too windy to send a paper airplane! Fortunately, you have a taut clothesline and a supply of balloons from last week’s birthday party. How can you make a balloon rocket, and how can you make it travel as far as possible?

Problem How does the volume of air in a balloon affect the distance it travels?

Materials Rubber Balloons Binder clip String or Thin Rope Straws Tape Cloth Tape Measure Two Posts (At least three feet tall and fifteen feet apart) Paper Pencil Graph paper Helper Procedure Tie the string or rope to one of the posts at the height of at least three feet. Leave the other end loose.

Cut some straws into lengths that will fit on your balloon. One third of a straw is usually a good length.

Inflate a balloon and seal the air inside by folding the neck over once and clamping it shut with a binder clip.

Measure and record your balloon’s circumference by wrapping your tape measure around the balloon’s widest point. You might need your helper to lend a hand: Keeping the balloon’s opening shut, tape a straw to your inflated balloon. Make sure the straw and the nozzle of the balloon are parallel to each other.

Thread the loose end

of your string through the straw so that the neck of the balloon is facing towards you.

Pull your string taut and line it up with your second post. Measure a point off the ground that’s the same height as the knot holding the other end of the string to the first post. Be sure to hold the string at this height whenever you’re conducting

a balloon launching trial.

Why do you think holding your end of the string at the same height is important?

Count down to zero, and let the rocket fly! Have your helper use the tape measure to measure and record the point on the string at which the balloon stopped.

Repeat steps 5-8 with two more balloons inflated to the same circumference as your first balloon.

Average the distance travelled for all three trials.

Repeat steps 5-10 with three balloons inflated to a circumference 5cm greater than your first balloons were.

Keep conducting trials using balloons inflated to progressively bigger circumferences. You can use a table like this as a guide: 20cm 25cm 30cm 35cm 40cm 45cm Using a sheet of graph paper, plot your trials on a line graph. The x axis should be circumference in centimetres. The y axis should be distance travelled in feet.

Look at your graph. What is it telling you?

Results If you had a large enough difference between your smallest and largest circumferences, you should see the average distance travelled go up very quickly as the balloon’s circumference increases. (startwithabook)

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wednesdAY, august 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana could become new Panama in the Region – Jagdeo ...decision to scrap initial CJIA plan will hamper progress

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ased on Guyana’s unique geographic location, it stands to serve as a major hub in the Region, even becoming the new Panama, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has suggested.

But Jagdeo, a former President, said Government’s move to scrap the initial plan to expand the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) could prevent this from becoming a reality.

The Opposition Leader claimed that the plan was catered to make CJIA a modern airport to accommodate aircraft from various countries, which would have eventually created trade opportunities.

“It’s an enhanced cake

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

shop now…they have cut out all the modern features.

The length of the runway was critical to bringing in some types of aircraft here.

We can’t even go to market,” he stated.

Jagdeo recalled that un-

der the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration, discussions were held with KLM Royal Dutch Airline and Suriname Airways to look at the possibility of having flights to Europe.

According to him, the

GTU will not accept...

According to information provided, when the two sides were still engaging in dialogue, GTU impressed on Government that it was willing to negotiate percentages for multi-year agreements. As reported, the Union initially requested a 40 per cent increase in 2016, a 45 per cent in 2017, and a 50 per cent in 2018, 2019 and 2020. However, they compromised during the negotiation phase and agreed to accept a 40 per cent increase to serve as a base from 2016 with five per cent incremental increase for the remaining years. Guyana Times was told that though GTU proposed a 40 per cent increase, it would have been willing to accept 25 per cent.

Another of the main issues was debunching where GTU said that it was willing to negotiate 0.5% from each of the years 2011-2015 and to have the debunching implemented for 2016 onward. Guyana Times learnt Tuesday that the union would have accepted $16,000 clothing allowance as opposed to the initial $25,000 they were asking for.

Govt’s position

Meanwhile, Government broke its silence on the matter later on Tuesday through Education Minister Nicolette Henry.

Through the Ministry of the Presidency’s Public Information and Press Services Unit, Henry said that the talks have not yet been concluded. She said Tuesday that a decision was taken for another meeting, which will be geared to iron out the remaining issues.

This meeting could be held by the end of this week. The Ministry’s statement added that “Government remains committed to paying teach-

ers their increases”. “[On] the issue related to duty-free concessions, we agreed entirely on what was proposed; when it came to the issue of housing and the Revolving Fund, we agreed also. However, [on] the issue of salary and debunching, we did not agree on at all, [since] the Government proposed a ballpark figure.

In the case of debunching, we are looking at $200 million to address debunching for the year 2018. The Union suggested that they believe that it should be retroactive and, therefore, they were not in agreement with looking at just 2018. In addition to that, the issue of salary also, for which we had allocated the sum of $700 million, they felt that should also be retroactive,” Henry is quoted as saying.

The Minister said further that there was no ulterior motive or “nothing sinister” about awarding a ballpark figure. She was in fact quoted as saying that remuneration would be given in keeping with what Government could afford at present. At

from page 2

the same time, she said that it was agreed at the initial meeting that “a consultant will be hired to determine how these monies are going to be allocated in the case of the teachers, regarding both debunching and salaries.”

Minister Henry further outlined that in the absence of a Multi-Year Agreement, Government provided salary increases in 2016 and 2017 for teachers in accordance with what was given to public servants. She noted too that the Government, over the past three years, “invested heavily in improving the education system to create a more conducive environment for teaching”.

The GTU-Government negotiations have been ongoing since 2015 when the Multi-Year Agreement came to an end. It was last week that GTU’s Executive met with the Education Minister and Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, among other senior officials, but Government rejected the Union’s proposals for salary increases. (Shemuel Fanfair)

idea was to create an avenue where flights could have departed Guyana to Suriname and then onto Europe and vice versa. At present, Guyanese travelling to Europe have to travel to either Panama, Miami or New York, before they can go directly into any European country.

“We could have direct flights into Europe but they will not come because those aircraft can’t land. That was the objective of lengthening the runway. You can’t go and market for a hub until you have facilities. That is what we were doing, but they have done their own thing,” he opined.

Boost traffic

The Opposition Leader said that traffic would have been increased had these initial plans had been carried out. First, Jagdeo said that perishable exports could have seen an increased. “Once you have more airlines flying you will see the cost of freight going down,” he said, which would

have lent to that uptick.

He also lamented that Guyana could have had more regular flights to Suriname, Northern Brazil, Barbados, Trinidad and onto Europe and North America.

The PPP Administration was also in talks with South African airlines, discussing the possibility of them operating here, but the runway was an impediment.

“They not marketing anything…If we look at the cost of borrowing, we would have borrowed over $170 million more in debt payment and if you add a small fee to every passenger and security you would have serviced the loan… It was a feasible project… but they need to do much more,” he added.

The US$150 million project was scheduled to be completed within 32 months of its commencement in 2013.

However, Thorne noted that the deadline was extended to December 1, 2017, since the project would have experienced several delays.

In 2012, Guyana, under the leadership of former President Donald Ramotar,

had secured a US$138 million loan from the China Exim (Export-Import) Bank to fund the expansion and modernisation project, for which the Guyana Government has injected some US$12 million.

However, when the coalition Government came into power in 2015, the project was put on hold, but following discussions between Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and the contracting company China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), it was announced that the project would be continued.

Government was optimistic of the project being completed by 2017. At a project update briefing, it was noted that of the US$150 million, only US$37.3 million had been expended to date.

Of this amount, some US$33 million was spent by CHEC, which included US$1.9 million of local funds put up by the Government of Guyana.

To date, the project is still to be completed and the airport remains in a haphazard state.

8 news

wednesdAY, august 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ukrainians remanded for assaulting Guyanese miners

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he two Ukrainians who allegedly assaulted and threatened two Guyanese miners were on Tuesday taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Vitaly Paraschuck, 38, whose local address was given as Lot A 173 Robin’s Place, Bel Air Park, Georgetown and Maksym Furtak, 33, who was stationed at Quartzstone, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) where the incident occurred, denied the allegations through a translator.

The men who were represented by Attorney-at-Law Mark Waldron answered to their charges separately.

It is alleged that Paraschuck, on August 3, 2018 at Quartzstone Backdam, Cuyuni River, while employed as a coordinator and security officer by the West Bank Demerara Gold Incorporated Security Service, failed to wear his uniform prescribed by the

Guyanese Charles Clarke

Guyana Police Force as a supernumerary constable while on duty.

It is also alleged that on the same day at the same location, he made use of threatening behaviour – by pointing a gun – at Charles Clarke, thereby breaching the peace.

Paraschuck also reportedly unlawfully assaulted Clarke so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

The charges against Furtak, who is a general manager of the company, stated that on August 3, 2018 at the same location, he failed to wear his uniform prescribed by the Guyana Police Force as a supernumerary constable while on duty.

He is also being charged for allegedly making use of threatening behaviour to Rudolph Deane, thereby breaching the peace on July 28 at the said location.

Eye pass…

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Maksym Furtak and Vitaly Paraschuck being escorted by Policemen following their court appearance

Attorney Waldron, in his bail application, told Chief Magistrate McLennan that his clients did not pose a flight risk, since they have already lodged their passports with the Police.

He revealed that West Bank Demerara Gold Incorporated Security Service has taken the decision to have the men remain in Georgetown until the matter is completed.

The men are also said to be cooperating with investigators.

However, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail, noting that the men had no ties to Guyana as no local address was given for one of the defendants as well as contrary to the claims of their attorney, their passports have not been lodged with the Police and as such, they pose a flight risk.

Prosecutor Mansfield also informed the Court that the men were supernumerary constables (a supernumerary is a fully sworn officer who has the same powers as other officers, but does not hold a full-time position or is licensed to carry a firearm).

Both men were remanded to prison.

The case will continue on August 23 at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile, Guyanese security clerk Charles Clark was charged for failing to wear his uniform prescribed by the Guyana Police Force as a supernumerary constable while he was on duty.

However, he was released on $10,000 bail, since there was no objection to bail. Clarke will also make his next appearance on August 23.

It has been reported that the assault on the two miners took place at the Quartzstone River two weeks ago, but an official report was made to the

Police only last week.

Upon making this report, one of the miners was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was examined and treated by a doctor. He was discharged, and subsequently led a team of Police ranks to the area, resulting in the two guards, who were initially reported as being Russian, arrested.

Upon their arrest, they were informed that at the time of the incident, they were not attired in the uniform prescribed by their employer and approved by the Guyana Police Force.

Following the incident, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has registered his concern over the contents of the video.

“I am concerned about foreigners having weapons – licensed weapons. I am told that precepts were issued. A precept is really a kind of permission given by the Police Force to persons to act as security guards and also to carry firearm licences. I am concerned about that, and the number of persons who may have them,” Trotman disclosed.

He explained that the interior is known to be like the “Wild West”, and so the number of guns present there would have a direct bearing on the levels of crime and violence in the area.

“It also tells us that people expect or need a greater Police presence, and so I believe Government is looking at that. We recently launched the Corps of Wardens, and that Corps of Wardens will come alongside the Police Force, when necessary, to assist not just with law and order, but, of course, to ensure that the laws (such as) mining laws, forest laws, wildlife protection laws, etcetera, are respected,” the Minister added.

Porter slapped with robbery under arms charge …begs Magistrate for bail

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porter attached to August Beverages located on Norton and Green Streets, Georgetown could face prison time if found culpable of a robbery under arms charge.

Akeem Sinclair, of Lot 237 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, denied the allegation when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

The charge stated that on July 29, 2018 in the vicinity of Longden Street, Georgetown, while Sinclair was in the company of another and being armed with a gun, he robbed money changer Ricford Richardson of $120,000.

The prosecution is contending that on the day in question, the defendant went to Longden Street, Georgetown where the Virtual Complainant (VC) operated a money-changing business and demanded that he handed over his cash.

Akeem Sinclair bows his head as he is escorted to prison

The court heard that the accused then brandished a gun and shot the victim once to his lower body. It was after the shots were fired that the VC being

fearful for his life, handed over the money. Sinclair then escaped on a waiting motorcycle.

The injured money changer was picked up by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted as a patient.

In a bail application on his own behalf, Sinclair told Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan that he was picked up by a friend, who offered him a ride home. “I didn’t know, me ain’t know nothing,” he exclaimed.

Moreover, the young man pleaded with the Magistrate to be lenient with him, since he was a first-time father with a one-week-old baby.

The Prosecutor objected to bail, and his submission was upheld by the Chief Magistrate. The case will continue on August 31, 2018.

…on new Demerara Harbour Bridge hen will this confounded thiefin’ stop??

Your Eyewitness knows, dear reader, you’re scratching your head, wondering WHICH particular thiefin’ is troubling him today!! Yes, there IS a “thiefin’ de jour”!! Well, he’s kvetching about the ILLEGALLY PROCURED bid on the design of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge and how it’s now being “justified”.

First of all, this procurement abuse has been in the public domain from day one of this PNC-led Administration – for the simple reason the PNC and AFC had made such a fuss about their claims on alleged PPP abuses. Now you’d think after all their denunciations, they would’ve been somewhat circumspect about thiefin’ right away, wouldn’t you?? But you would’ve wasted a thought!!

Before you could even say “Forbes Burnham”, the procurement thiefin’ started with the bottom-house warehouse and the ANSA pharma giveaway! At the time, your Eyewitness thought the PNC types were getting their thiefin’ done before the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) was in place. There was no one guarding the milk and the cat was loose!! He felt vindicated when the PNC/ AFC Government dragged their feet appointing the PPC till the end of 2016. And which didn’t really get going until a year later!!

The irony was the AFC had made the appointment of a PPC as a centre point of their campaign and when it was finally in place, Ramjattan had exulted, “I am so proud that it has happened in the first half of our term, after waiting for more than a decade. The Cabinet’s role will fade away and it will now be the task of the Procurement Commission.”

Yet it was the Cabinet, not the PPC or the Tender Board, that approved the sole-sourced design for the new DHB. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s explanation for the sole-sourcing would’ve been a veritable comedy of errors if it wasn’t so contemptuous of the nation’s collective intelligence. Their actions describe what they did quite accurately…where they become ridiculous is their EXPLANATION of their decision as being LEGAL! At the point where their “Bid evaluation team” – all drawn from MPI’s employees” – rejected the three submissions from the 12 short-listed firms, they should’ve started the process all over again. Not take a NEW (unsolicited!!) proposal from one of the shortlisted firms and have the MPI and the Finance Ministry decide that this fit the bill!! This is tantamount to short-circuiting a new bidding round by sole-sourcing through unauthorised agencies on the specious ground of “urgency”.

The irony is, after spending $148 million illegally, the sole-sourced design has now been rejected by the Government, after the Chinese ambassador described it as 19thy century!!

So, what happened to “urgency”?? …rectified on Chanderpaul?

The University of the West Indies will be bestowing an honorary Doctorate to Shivnarine Chanderpaul for his contributions to West Indian cricket. If there’s anyone who’s earned a doctorate in this field it’s “the Tiger”!!

There are many who’re born with blinding talent – such as a Lara or Viv – who can take the game by the scruff of the neck and give it a good shake, through just innate talent.

But Chanderpaul had to learn his craft through painstaking observation, forming hypotheses and then testing them in in the field and on the pitch. His success demonstrates the success of his scientific approach to the game befitting a doctorate. Take his batting stance – which some derided as “crablike”. It might be that – but it darned well worked!! The test of the stance is its success in generating runs!!

Then there is his tremendous ability to concentrate on each ball and never just give away his wicket – which some felt was a “West Indian” idiosyncrasy.

Today we wish our players would imitate this Cricket Doctor!! …and pussyfooting AG Basil Williams has been accused of “pussy footing” on implementing the Judicial Review Act. “Pussyfooting” means delaying taking action but Williams actually is scared activating the JRA will put his Government in jail. He’s actually pusillanimous!!

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

News

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wednesdAY, august 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Business Minister satisfied with progress made in petroleum sector …despite Opposition’s criticisms of Govt’s unpreparedness

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ince the discovery of oil and gas in Guyana, there has been much debate and discussion surrounding the slow pace at which Government is looking to implement policies to guide how revenues are spent from this new-found natural resource.

But Business Minister Dominic Gaskin feels Government has been doing its best to prepare for this sector. As such, he told a recent forum that he is pleased with the progress the coalition has made but said it is now left up to Guyanese to make use of the opportunities available in the sector.

“Everything may not be perfect, and I don’t think anyone is saying that it is, I am certainly not saying that everything is perfect, but what I am saying is, that I'm satisfied with the progress that has been made in the petroleum sector since the announcement of the discoveries in 2015 and to date.”

The Minister said he is also satisfied that some Guyanese are already benefiting from the sector and many more Guyanese will most likely benefit once oil production begins in 2020.

“I'm also satisfied that our Government is doing ev-

erything it can to ensure that Guyanese, not just now but for generations to come will benefit from Guyana’s oil,” he stated.

According to Gaskin, with the circulation of oil money in Guyana through local procurement, local employment, and through local spending by expatriate employees, contractors, consultants and other professionals, Guyana’s economy will experience significant growth.

“Should we try and maximise the benefits that Guyanese will enjoy from oil and gas? Of course! There is more than one way to achieve this…of course, there is,” he added, noting that while some people are questioning Government’s approach, others and taking advantage of the opportunities.

However, he said it is unfortunate that many are not, because they are caught up and distracted by the negative rhetoric coming from a handful of what he described as self-appointed experts, many of whom are quietly positioning themselves to benefit from the industry.

“Some of them want to get there first because little competition is possible and that therefore happen to see Guyanese disenchant-

generally a good thing for us, in fact, the actual news is extremely positive, the discovery so far and the outfield development, the development of the production vessel and the shore-based activity, it’s all very good news for Guyana and we need to turn it into positive outcomes.

Unpreparedness

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

ed with the prospect of oil, he explained adding that many Guyanese still live below the poverty line and they too must benefit from the oil resources. “…They (the poor) are looking forward to oil production. They are depending on Government to make the right decisions for their future and their children's future.

I want to assure you all that this is what our Government will do and we will ensure that every Guyanese benefit,” he stated.

He added that the prospect of oil production has created quite a buzz in Guyana as well as outside of Guyana, noting that he believes “it’s

National footballer slapped with 10 robbery charges

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member of Guyana’s national football team was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with 10 counts of armed robbery.

Omalla Williams, 26, of Lot 83 Leopold and Breda Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charges.

It is alleged that on July 27, 2018 while in the vicinity of Breda Street and armed with a gun, he robbed Darlene Gaines, Joe Hughes, Christina GainesSluss, Daisy Gaines-Sluss and Dennis Grant of one Samsung Galaxy S8 mobile phone valued $140,000; a quantity of medication valued $80,000; one MP3 player valued $5000; a US passport and US$2100 among other valuables.

It is also alleged that

Williams, while being armed with a gun, robbed Dr Guy Low on Smyth Street, Georgetown on April 24, 2018; Jannel Walters and Avil Crowther at Cross Street, Georgetown on April 27, 2018 and Rodwell Maynard at Leopold Street on April 30, 2018.

Further, Williams was also accused of discharging a loaded firearm with intent to cause actual bodily harm to Damion Elliott on April 30, 2018.

Reports are about 13:00h on July 27, 2018, Gaines, Hughes, Christina GainesSluss, Daisy Gaines-Sluss and Dennis Grant were all in the city to do some shopping, but were robbed by Williams.

According to reports, all five victims are members of the Coomacka Church of Christ, who arrived in Guyana from the USA. Darlene, Daisy, Joe and Christina were picked

up at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA)

by Robin Collins, also of Coomacka Mines, in minibus BKK 337. They all then proceeded to Georgetown to do some shopping, and as they were proceeding east along Leopold Street, Collins slowed down at Breda Street to allow other vehicles to pass.

At that point, Williams reportedly walked up to him and held him at gunpoint.

The perpetrator then pulled out the bus keys, while three other suspects rushed up and relieved the other occupants in the vehicle of their belongings. The four suspects then made good their escape by running east along Leopold Street. However, based on investigations, Williams was arrested. The father of two was remanded and was expected to return to court on August 27, 2018.

With just two years to go before first oil, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said Government has not made any substantial plans for the oil sector. Jagdeo has urged the coalition to formulate a national oil spill policy as a priority, and said the other key legislations are still not in place.

“I’m saying to you, if we

don’t address these critical issues, if we don’t address the rest of the economy, Guyana will be worst off in the next decade than we are now. You read the experience of many of those countries. Check the assessment of Chad and Nigeria and Venezuela and all those places. And just hear where they are today,” Jagdeo urged at one of his press conferences.

Further, Jagdeo said, “They were supposed to get the Sovereign Wealth Fund to protect our interest and they failed on that.

They failed on the Petroleum Commission. They failed on local content. It’s the same pattern. They’re failing to address this issue in a manner that protect Guyana.”

However, Jagdeo made

it clear to reporters that his position on the state of preparedness for the new industry was at variance to what is contained in the Government publication. “We still haven’t gotten the Petroleum Commission, no local content legislation, no Sovereign Wealth Fund, no decision on whether they will auction the blocks… but all the measures are in place for 2020,” he said.

Some stakeholders and sections of the society in Guyana have said that preparations for first oil should have been at a more advanced stage since the country is less than two years away from production. Government has however maintained that all systems will be in place in time for 2020.

Sophia man sets brother’s home on fire

…after row over clothes

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n A Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown house was on Tuesday set alight by a man, who was charged for killing his elder brother in 2012. On Tuesday, the 23-year-old man reportedly had an altercation with another sibling over clothing.

Reports are following the argument, the man allegedly set fire to his brother’s flat wooden house about 11:40h.

Fire Prevention Officer Andrew Holder told Guyana Times that the 23-year-old and the sibling had a huge ar-

gument over a piece of clothing. According to Holder, after the man and his spouse left their house, the perpetrator set the house alight and it was gutted in mere minutes.

The couple’s son was in the house at the time of the fire, but was rescued by relatives who saw smoke emanating from the property.

On Monday night, the man was allegedly heard saying that “I could murder again” following an altercation with his brother, which is said to be a frequent occurrence since

he was released from prison.

He reportedly wore his brother’s clothing which his sibling objected to, angering him. The suspect is currently being hunted by the Police.

He was charged in 2012, after he allegedly stabbed his 19-year-old brother, Sherwin Kennedy to death following a fight over a pair of pants.

This had resulted in a heated argument and later a scuffle during which he reportedly took out a knife and stabbed his brother.

10 news PSC welcomes American Chamber of Commerce T wednesdAY, august 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Monday hosted a formal ceremony to commemorate the newly established American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Guyana.

Attending the event were US Ambassador Perry Holloway; Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of GPL, Albert Gordon; and CEO of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr Richard Van West-Charles while AmCham was represented by its President, Zulfikar Ally and other representatives inclusive of Liz Wyatt and Clairmont Cummings.

The visiting delegation from the US Chamber of Commerce was headed

by Vice President for the Americas, Anne McKinney, who was accompanied by George Kalantzakis and Mitchell De Silva.

Past Chairman of the PSC and Corporate

S Executives of the newly-launched American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) along with PSC members and US Ambassador Perry Holloway

Coordinator, Manniram Prashad, congratulated AmCham and welcomed the visitors to Guyana while Ambassador Holloway lauded the collaboration between Guyanese and American businesses as he deemed it the “best kind of diplomacy”.

McKinney noted that AmCham will catalyse and strengthen cooperation between Guyanese businesses

and American business and facilitate two-way trade.

She expressed her enthusiasm for working with the Private Sector Commission and the American Chamber.

The American Chamber of Commerce was officially launched in Guyana on Monday evening at the Marriott Hotel.

The President of the Chamber said it plans to

place emphasis on small businesses to ensure that they, too, have opportunities to grow.

“We see this Chamber as a Chamber that will help to facilitate investment into Guyana. There are 116 chambers all around the world and… our job will be to help to facilitate and guide [businesses],” he said.

Councillor concerned over high crime rate in Zeelugt

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ouncillor of Constituency Number Four, Zeelugt, Poorandai Sukhu on Tuesday vented her frustration over the village’s alarming crime rate, which she claimed is not being addressed by the Police Division.

Sukhu told Guyana Times she is certain a robbery occurs at least every three days in the community.

It is due to this fact that the Councillor noted that the matter was brought to the attention of the D Division (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) Commander, who only reportedly committed to meeting with the Neighbourhood

Working girls

Councillor of Constituency Number Four, Zeelugt, Poorandai Sukhu

Democratic Council (NDC) members in June, but never showed up.

“The crime rate is very very high. Extremely high I would say because is like every night someone house is (being) broken into. Every night…,” she said.

Sukhu said on Monday night a villager’s house was broken into and several items were discovered missing. “One week prior to that they went in his shop and clean the entire shop with all the goods and everything and couple days after, they went back there. Earlier in the month they went to a supermarket in the village also,” she stated.

The Councillor said despite reports are being made of these incidents to the Police, little or nothing is being done to remedy or even investigate the occurrences.

According to her, a number of reports were made by villagers to police stations, which is often to no avail.

“I know of (a case) where one resident caught a thief man in his veranda and called the Police and the thief man claimed that he was going there to look for something to eat (because) he is very hungry and after two (or) three days, the Police loose him,” she explained. continued on page 15

atiricus was livid. As he strode to the Back Street Bar, he seethed that the world was going to the dogs! He’d just read the news report of twenty-seven strippers being picked up at Convent Garden! Convent Garden!! It wasn’t just that the word “Convent” was in the name of the village but that it WAS a village!!

“This is the last straw, fellas,” he said with a deep sigh as he took his seat at the back of the bar.

“Ah who tr’uble yuh, Sato?” asked his pal Cappo solicitously. “Yuh look like cow bruk rope!”

“Didn’t you fellas read about the Police arresting TWENTY-SEVEN foreign strippers at Convent Garden?” Satiricus demanded.

“Yes! Me read da!” agreed Bungi. “An’ me vex like tail dem Police do da, too!”

“I don’t think Sato vex at the Police,” observed Hari mildly. “I think he’s upset at the strippers.”

“Well, actually I’m upset that strippers have invaded our villages!” Satiricus explained.

“Why yuh upset?” asked Cappo, in a puzzled tone. “Abee village ah tu’n like tong!!”

“Damn right!” exploded Bungi. “Wha’ mek only tong people get fuh see naked skin gyaal?”

“You miss the point, fellas,” said Satiricus patiently. “So next thing when we get “choke and rob” in the village that will make us more like town?”

“Looking at naked girls is illegal in town and villages,” pointed out Hari. “And Sato feels we’re supposed to be more law abiding in the villages.”

“But wha’ mek am illegal?” piped up Cappo.

“Ah wan private place an’ dem gyaal mos’ly fram Venezuela who want wuk. Nobady na fo’ce dem fuh tek aff dem clo’se!”

“Well the law is the law, and people can’t just break the law!” said Satiricus angrily. “Prezzie said we must preserve our culture in the villages.”

“Prezzie also seh abee mus’ stap hang out in Guinness Bar,” said Bungi. “Wha’ baad abee a do w’en abee come ah de Back Street Bar?” “The fellas have a point, Sato,” said Hari. “Who decides what is our culture?”

news

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wednesdAY, august 15, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Stakeholders meet to advance phasing out use of mercury

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wo major projects targeting the reduction of the use of mercury in mining will soon be introduced as part of a National Action Plan (NAP) on the phasing out of mercury in the mining sector.

On Monday, the Natural Resources Ministry met with regulatory agencies, miners’ associations and international partners to discuss the advancement of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

During the meeting, it was noted that Conservational International (CI) Guyana and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are preparing to introduce two major projects which will see the reduction of dependence on mercury.

CI Guyana in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will soon introduce the Eldorado Gold Project. The $1.2 billion (US$5.8 million) project will work with artisanal and small-scale miners in Regions Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to explore mercury-free mining by 2025 along the supply chain from prospectors to producers.

The WWF, with funding from the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), will be working with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commissions (GGMC) to align the Minamata Convention. The GY$804 million (€3.4 million) project

will see the demonstration of mercury-free extraction models and sharing of mercury data on a regional level.

Both of these projects are scheduled to be launched later this year.

Guyana signed onto the United Nation’s Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013 and ratified the convention in 2014.

The Ministry has partnered with the WWF and the GGMC to draft a (NAP) which will see a phased reduction of the use of mercury in the mining sector to complete elimination by 2027 through the implementation of a phased mercury reduction strategy.

The NAP captures a number of objectives and strategies as outlined in the Minamata Convention.

These include mercury use reduction, increasing the viability of small- and medium-scale mining, management of mercury waste, environmental assessment, contaminated sites, public health aspects and public information awareness and education.

Monday’s meeting according to the Department of Public Information (DPI) sought to create a working group to advance the work of the NAP and address any shortcomings in the document, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said.

The stakeholders will be

New E Division Headquarters 95% complete

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The new E Division Headquarters

he newly constructed E Division (Linden-Kwakwani) Headquarters, situated at Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) is now 95 per cent complete. The project, which was initially expected to wrap up June monthend is now past its deadline. However, Divisional Commander Anthony Vanderhyden has indicated that the contractor is now applying the “finishing touches” on the building.

Among the works to be completed are internal electrical wiring as well as the fence and landscaping.

Construction work had commenced last December after the former structure was demolished to facilitate the reconstruction of a $80 million modern po-

licing facility, equipped with all modern amenities.

The project is being funded through an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan.

The Divisional Commander had noted that while the project was expected to take up to five months to be completed it was given an extended period of a month. The larger two-storey facility which is being constructed measures approximately 135 feet by 45 feet. The modern facility, when completed, is expected to bring about an ease in the state of affairs at the Police Station.

Presently, the Police department is operating out of make shift offices within its compound, in an effort to facilitate the reconstruction process.

Stakeholders meeting to discuss advancing the phasing out of mercury use in mining

meeting again in September.

The need to have conclusive, viable alternatives to mercury is more important than ever following health and safety concerns that arose earlier this year with unsafe emissions at the Guyana Gold Board Brickdam facilities.

The complex has since been cleaned up and mercury emissions were declared below threat levels by a PAHO/

WHO team that conducted an assessment.

Only on Monday, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has issued a call on its members to utilise mercury in a much more responsible and safer way.

The GGDMA has said it is committed to the responsible use of mercury in small- and medium-scale gold mining, while reaffirm-

ing its commitment to the Minimata Convention on Mercury. Additionally, the GGDMA has said it is still waiting on Government to provide the technical and financial assistance to miners under the Convention.

Over the last few months, there have been reports on increased levels of mercury in several waterways in interior regions. Additionally, the Guyana Water Inc was

forced to temporarily close its Port Kaituma well after it discovered high mercury content in the Kaituma River. High levels of mercury were also found in a number of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission employees.

The GGDMA notes it is aware of these instances of unsafe mercury exposure as well as the challenges in finding a solution. The Association said that while the GGMC’s workers’ exposure to mercury was unfortunate, it did in some way convince the Government that addressing the issue of mercury requires more than just compliance enforcers.

The Association said it intends to seek partnership with the large-scale foreign mining and petroleum companies with the goals of finding feasible solutions to the mercury challenge, and support for health and safety and environmental management in small-scale mining in general.

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City Hall finds temporary location for Route 42 minibuses …drivers complain of criminal activities at new location to insufficient lighting and criminal activities.

In the past, the Route 42 drivers had complained about thieves in the park area.

United Minibus Union (UMU) President Eon Andrews has since described City Hall’s move to remove the drivers as “ridiculous” and “visionless”.

He said the move was also irrational as it was clearly not thoroughly thought

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On Tuesday, Town Clerk Royston King told Guyana Times that he met with the drivers and they have agreed to the temporary location.

“We met with the bus drivers yesterday (Monday) and we had a discussion and they agreed that they will go to Bugle Street, on a temporary basis and they would operate … they agreed that they would operate from Bugle Street in a certain way, using a certain ap-

already protested and were able to come up with a solution with the M&CC. The drivers have agreed to pay a $1500 fee to the M&CC to use the area.

This newspaper was told that the car drivers would be given a lane to operate in at the park.

The livelihoods of those car and bus drivers have been severely affected since August 31.

Venezuelan refugees

The temporary location where the minibuses are now operating

ore than two weeks after displacing the Route 42 (Georgetown-Grove, East Bank Demerara) minibuses, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has taken a decision to temporarily relocate them on Bugle Street, Georgetown. The Route 42 bus park was cordoned off to allow the Stabroek Market Wharf vendors to ply their trade there following the collapse of their facility.

through.

The bus drivers came out on Monday morning to protest M&CC’s decision to relocate vendors to their park.

They held a protest that started on Brickdam, Georgetown and stretched all the way to Lombard Street, where bus drivers were trolling through the roadways to secure a spot as soon as one of their colleagues departed.

Short-drop car operators who were also affected have

proach on a temporary basis … it is (located) south of the old GNCB Bank,” King told this publication.

He said that there were a few objections in relation to the area, “but it is the responsibility of the Council to find solutions to some of these challenges and this is what we are doing”.

Some of the drivers are contending that Bugle Street is dangerous for passengers, especially at nights, owing

Land identified for humanitarian centre

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix along with officials of the multi-agency coordinating committee

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itizenship Minister Winston Felix has announced that a plot of land in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) has been identified for the establishment of a homestead settlement area or a humanitarian centre for registered Venezuelans who have fled to Guyana.

According to the Minister, the land has been identified as a result of a collaborative effort of the Mayor and Town Council of Mabaruma and the Citizenship Ministry. The decision was taken during a multi-agency coordinating committee meeting on Tuesday.

Felix said the resettlement area was currently privately owned and that the Government would now initiate efforts to determine what arrangements could be put in place to acquire the land for the establishment of the centre.

The Ministry of the Presidency, in a statement, said that while this process was being undertaken, Felix has tasked the region-

al administration to set up a Regional Coordinating SubCommittee, which could take charge of the situation on the ground even as the agencies on the national committee continue to lend the necessary assistance to those in the region.

The Public Health Ministry has since established health posts in the outlined areas, including at Mabaruma and Morawhanna, and is expected to establish yet another outpost at Imbotero Village by the end of this week at which migrants and residents would be screened and vaccinated.

Additionally, the Ministry would be bolstering its presence in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). Refrigerators for the storage of vaccines at the locations have already been procured and would be dispatched and set up by the end of next week.

Meanwhile, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has committed its support to addressing the migration of Venezuelans and to help boost Guyana’s capacity to deal with such situations in the event of

future occurrences.

The IOM is currently conducting work in gathering data on the migrants, and has observed trends through a Displacement Tracking Matrix in Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Following calls by Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley for Government and donor agencies to provide more assistance to Venezuelan refugees, the Administration on August 6 signalled its intention to construct several facilities to respond to the Venezuelan influx. This was announced by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon at his post-Cabinet briefing. A number of local businesses and Guyanese have provided food and clothing to the refugees.

Venezuelan refugees mainly from the Warrau tribe have been fleeing the economic and political turmoil in the Spanish-speaking country.

According to information provided, there are over 600 refugees in Region One.

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Mabaruma solar farm to be fully operational by month end

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he first ever solar farm located at Khan’s Hill, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) is expected to be fully operational by the end of this month.

According to the Department of Public Information, the farm has been substantially completed with testing being carried out to efficiently integrate its electricity supply into the local grid system.

The initiative is anticipated to increase the elec-

tricity supply to residents by eight hours. According to the mid-year report, feasibility studies for the establishment of solar farms have so far been completed Financing for the development of these farms is being pursued with support from the country’s development partners. The report further states that geotechnical studies for the development of hydropower projects at Kumu and Moco Moco are expected to begin in the

The solar farm at Khan’s Hill in Mabaruma

third quarter, and once completed will be included in a feasibility study.

Following a recent visit to Norway by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and other officials, Government has secured $80 million under the Guyana-Norway partnership agreement.

The money will be directed towards intensified

efforts to achieving 100 per cent renewable energy use.

To date, under the energy efficiency programme, a total of 11,273 LED lamps and 1027 motion sensors have been outfitted to Government buildings. A total of 90 of said buildings – above the 74 target – will have solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed by year-end.

This represents 1.9 kilowatts of new installed solar capacity.

NAREI helps Baramita residents establish kitchen gardens

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he National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is assisting 10 households in the mining community of Baramita, Region One (Barima-Waini) to manage and establish kitchen gardens.

According to NAREI, between August 9 and 12, 2018, its Hinterland Coordinator Aaron Ramroop assisted participants with practical training in cash crop seedling production and orchard management. The training was conducted at small holdings owned by some participants and also at the Baramita Training Centre.

The commencement of this training is part of the Ministerial Task Force approach to improve the standard of living within this community. NAREI’s in-

Participants engaging in practical training in Baramita, Region 1

volvement mainly focuses on promoting food security and nutrition through diversifying and increasing crop production.

Each participant was given three seed trays and seeds for various cash crops including hot and sweet peppers, cabbage and Boulanger.

They also received small packs of ochro seeds and 20 seedling bags to plant soursop and pawpaw.

NAREI through its ex-

tension services will be monitoring the progress of the 10 households. The institute is confident that the project will benefit the participants,

especially those who are single parent mothers and members of the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS).

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Illegal mining

Lindeners call for equipment to be removed

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eeks after an alleged illegal mining operation was shut down in the Demerara River in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), residents are joining the calls by officials for the removal of two draggers which were placed in the river at Watooka, Mackenzie, Linden. The operators of the equipment were instructed by Police to remove their equipment until relevant documentation is provided.

However, Chairman of Region 10 Renis Morian indicated on Tuesday that this was not done. Morian stressed that to date, the miners have not produced an Environmental Impact Assessment, which he noted is a necessary document for such activities.

Residents and officials, including Chairman of the Linden Chamber of Industry Commerce and Development (LCICD) Victor Fernandes have since expressed concern over mining actives in the re-

The dredge which was spotted in the Upper Demerara River

gion's waterways. Fernandes also cited health and environmental impacts as a concern.

Fernandes said while development is necessary, it must not be at the expense of the people.

"As the voice of the Private Sector...our concern majorly is environmental, which is everybody's concern. The environmental issues are genuine concerns for us and I think

that members of this community we would like to know what are the environmental considerations in the first place in terms of issuing licences," Fernandes told members of the media on Tuesday.

Resident Oscar Hector cited health concerns, noting that residents, including those in Indigenous communities, depend on the river for a livelihood. "What we can't

understand in this community is how is it that this county could allow foreigners to come and work in our waterway and contaminate the water, where we have 40,000 residents approximately, using this water... Also, we have these Amerindian people more up in the river who using the water naturally... things like that should not happen... We need it to stop immediately,"

he noted.

Taxi driver Robert Greene in voicing his concern said he believes environmental laws and procedures should be followed as it relates to mining. He further stated his belief that if miners coming into the community receive the nod after consulting with the Environmental Protection Agency, then they should be allowed to conduct activities, however if they do not, he said it can be termed a violation.

Meanwhile, Divisional Manager of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Rawle Friday explained that should there be any water mining mishaps, approximately 18,000 residents who depend on the water system can be adversely affected. Friday said GWI would have taken interest in the mining activities given the risks of contamination.

He added that in Linden, there are three water treatment plants which extracts water from the Demerara River and there is no capaci-

ty to deal with contamination caused by harmful chemicals.

These plants, he noted serve around 18,000 people collectively. "As such, we have a situation where we have to be extra careful in taking care of this most precious source and commodity to ensure the health and well-being of all...."

Officials have noted that residents, mainly Indigenous communities situated along the river, stand to be affected. Already, they noted, there is some amount of activity occurring up river.

A number of persons, including nine Brazilians were questioned and released by Police in connection with the activity which was shut down weeks ago by Police and regional officials. Morian said upon inspecting documents presented by the miners, he realised that some of the Brazilian nationals' passports would have expired on July 25, 2018 and some were without work permits.

“Young people rock the world” – Ferguson

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inister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson, was the guest speaker at the launch of First Lady Sandra Granger’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) training programme in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

on August 10.

The ICT programme attracted 36 young people from within the region and is being conducted at the St Ignatius Secondary School. The duration of the programme is four weeks and caters for school dropouts as well as children in school. It will provide them

with skills in Information Technology, literacy and numeracy, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) among others.

In her feature address, Ferguson told over 30 participants, “When you would have finished this programme, I would like you

Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson along with some of the participants of the ICT programme

to return to your communities and educate your fellow youths.” She further added, “young people rock the world.” She also applauded the First Lady’s initiative.

The Minister noted with exposure to programmes such as these, the youths can save their finances and work towards becoming entrepreneurs with their own

businesses, providing employment for others.

Facilitators of the ICT programme are Fitzroy Younge, Oveanne Mansell and Trevon Sinclair.

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Ramsammy’s Ruminations Safer childbirth through Public Procurement Commission provides proof that Minister Patterson was misleading

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avid Patterson, when in Opposition, self-righteously proclaimed himself as absolutely incorruptible, totally committed to accountability and, particularly, to all procurement laws. Now, as Minister, he is in charge of a Ministry seriously vying for the title champion of corruption.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) last week confirmed that Minister Patterson's Ministry deliberately violated procurement laws in awarding the Demerara River Bridge consultancy contract to a Dutch company.

The report justifies the call Dr Leslie Ramsammy for Minister Patterson to resign immediately. I know the Minister will not resign and I know that, as he hides from the media, President Granger will ignore this and other corrupt deals that have become the norm for his APNU/AFC Government.

In September 2017, the Chief Whip of the PPP in Parliament, Gail Teixeira, wrote a letter of complaint to the Chairperson of the PPC, charging that the Public Infrastructure Ministry, with the full approval of Minister Patterson, knowingly violated the Public Procurement Act of Guyana. The complaint related to the award of a contract to a Dutch firm that had submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Ministry, after having ignored a tender that resulted in 23 companies submitting expression of interest. While the PPC has been slow and seemingly disinterested in the slew of corrupt procurement practices that appear to be daily events in Guyana, it did take time to investigate this quite blatant violation of the laws.

The consultancy recommended that the new bridge be constructed across the Demerara River from Houston, Greater Georgetown; to a property in Versailles, West Bank Demerara; a property owned by a member of the PNC. Last year, the PPP MPs vigorously objected to the contract and described vividly how the procurement laws were violated by Minister Patterson's Ministry. The Leader of the Opposition addressed this issue more than once in his engagement with the media. Independent political commentators have also addressed the issue. Now the PPC, headed by the wife of a former leader of the PNC, has unambiguously stated that Minister Patterson's Ministry, indeed, blatantly breached the procurement laws of Guyana. The report is unequivocal that the Minister was fully aware of the transaction at every step.

Twenty-three companies expressed an interest to provide consultancy services – 12 were shortlisted and two submitted their proposals in accordance with the tender requirements.

However, the Government annulled the tender. In spite of the recommendation by the National Tender and Procurement Administration Board (NPTAB) that the Public Infrastructure Ministry re-tender for a consultant, given that the original tender was annulled, the Ministry proceeded to award a contract to the Dutch Company, LievenseCSO Engineering Consultancy BV. This company had not submitted an interest in the consultancy and submitted an unsolicited proposal only after the annulment of the original tender to provide consultancy services for the Demerara River Bridge project.

Minister Patterson, by memorandum dated November 18 2016, requested Cabinet's approval to use funds from the Demerara Harbor Bridge Corporation (DHBC) to fund the feasibility study and to commence a contractual engagement with LievenseCSO as of January 1, 2017. Minister Patterson's memorandum was a direct request from the Minister, sidelining the NPTAB and the DHBC. Cabinet approved the memorandum submitted by the Minister Patterson in November 2016 for a total sum of $161,514,420 to be used from the DHBC to cover cost for the feasibility study for a new bridge across the Demerara River. Rawlston Adams, General Manager of the DHC, signed the contract, but informed the PPC that the Board of the DHC was not a party to the decision to use these funds for this purpose. He was clear that he had not signed the contract on behalf of the DHC, but only signed the contract because he was requested to do so by Minister Patterson. The Minister, facing public queries, had also mis-represented that the funds came from the IDB, a claim the IDB rejected.

Since this scandalous development, the Minister now informs us that they will not use this feasibility study because they want to change the kind of bridge to be constructed.

Whatever happens, taxpayers’ resources are being wasted and there is no accountability. This transaction, as pointed out by the Opposition and by many others, has now benefited from scrutiny by the PPC and confirmed to have breached the procurement laws of Guyana. The Minister must resign for clear misconduct in office. If he will not, the President has an obligation to dismiss him.

Lamaze technique

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workshop is underway to train healthcare professionals how to teach young mothers how to give birth less painfully through breathing and other techniques.

On its second day, Iesha Urling and Beverly Nelson – both physiotherapists within the Public Health Ministry – facilitated the practical session by highlighting to the professionals the basic ‘dos and don’ts’ and the set up the classrooms for teaching expectant mothers.

Beverly Nelson highlighted that it is important to engage pregnant teens in the exercise practices inspired by Dr Lamaze.

These sessions focus on getting the pregnant teen to relax while observing breathing techniques and continuous emotional support from the father/significant other and a specially trained nurse and/or midwife.

When these class sessions take form, pregnant teens enrolled in adolescent health clinics can benefit from simple physiotherapeutic practices that would help in a safer delivery.

“Some of the benefits would be to the mother and some benefits to baby as well. This would include a decrease in blood pressure,

The healthcare professionals [trainees] practising exercise techniques to take back to their respective health centres to teach pregnant adolescents

improving of the mother’s psychological well-being, increased energy, increased strength and endurance because labour as it is, is a task so she needs to have the strength in her muscles and she also needs to be able to endure the period of labour and delivery; it prepares her for labour and delivery and it helps to regain the pre-pregnancy body more quickly.”

Nelson encouraged that even as the nurses, midwives and doctors return to the health centre to set up these classes it is important to have a plan. For

example, the exercise sessions must not exceed a 30-minute time frame.

“For example, you can start with five minutes warm up, then do the stretches for about 20 minutes then cool down and relax.” Nelson added saying that, “We do not want to exercise them to the point of exhaustion and fatigue.”

Additionally, the importance of breathing cannot be overemphasised. Nelson said, “We want to encourage mothers to not hold their breath, they need oxygen for their muscles and need oxygen for the baby

as well so we don’t want the mother to hold their breath during exercises.”

As the teen goes through her pregnancy, physical activities and movement are to be encouraged while lots of fluids should be taken to prevent the chances of dehydration.

The Lamaze training concept was inspired by the work of Dr Fernand Lamaze, a French obstetrician who introduced a method of childbirth focused on a less stressful labour process, safe delivery and a healthy mother and baby.

Essequibians forming Councillor concerned group to push tourism over high... from page 10

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he Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce (ECC) have embarked on a project to form a group to push tourism in the region.

This was according to Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Councillor Vilma Da Silva, who said the project was part of the region’s flagship tourism project.

In 2017, a team from the Department of Tourism visited regions across Guyana to garner the views of stakeholders on tourism attractions and market appeal. The regions were tasked to identify tourism hotspots to promote at the regional level.

Da Silva said, “We recognised that we have a lot of tourism hotspots in the region that can benefit us economically. Essequibo is mainly into agriculture, but we just want to add tourism to our economic activities.”

The Councillor said the Chambers and the RDC were currently working on creating a trail to connect Capoey Lake, Mainstay Lake and Tri-Lake. “We are also looking for Government’s intervention into this project.”

This, she explained, will

Region Two Councillor Vilma Da Silva

enhance bird watching, nature walks, and water sports tourism activities.

Da Silva related that the project would include all members, since it aimed to benefit all residents. People will be selected to form a committee to oversee tourism projects. “We already sent out messages to the Toshaos of the region, members of the business community and even farmers to take part in the formation of the group.

We want everyone involved.”

The committee members are expected to be elected today.

The woman said the crime rate is so high and has become so scary that many times persons are forced to stay away from family activities and forums because whenever the home is left unattended, the thieves take advantage. It is because of the same reason, she said, that persons are now refraining from wandering on the streets after dark.

“This is really frustrating. Persons should not have to live like this in fear. The Police ought to look into our worries,” she added.

The Councillor added, “where I am living in my street, this is about seven days ago, they went in (somebody’s home), break the window and those people were in their house sleeping.

They carried away bottles of water, them two litre bottles thinking it was kero and they carry away that. Carry away the fan and even the people groceries.”

Meanwhile, when contracted, Divisional Commander Rishi Das dismissed the claims made by the Councillor. He said he was never contacted to attend any meeting by the NDC.

“Nobody never invite me to meet with the members of Zeelugt (NDC). I did Community meetings in West Demerara Station District. I went to Bonasika, I went to Santa Mission, I went to Canal (and) I went to Par Faite Harmonie… I never promised anybody to go anywhere,” Das said.

He even said that based on their records, the crime rates are not as high. On Monday last, a man was nabbed with several items he stole from the Zeelugt Shiva Mandir.

A caretaker of the building who visited the temple on Monday at about 06:00h to switch off the lights found the idols stripped and the building ransacked. She raised an alarm, and the incident was reported to the Police.

The devotees who suspected the man went to his home with a team of officers and unearthed the missing items in his fowl pen. Taken into custody, he subsequently confessed to the crime at the Leonora Police Station.

A public-address system and over $200,000 in decorations and other items were stolen.

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Regional

Cubans cheer as Internet Maduro announces curbs goes nationwide for a day to cheap gas in Venezuela

In this file photo, tourist guide Daniel Hernandez, 26, sits on his Russian-made car as he speaks to his girlfriend who lives in Britain, at an internet hotspot in Havana, Cuba, September 24, 2017

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uba’s Government said it provided free internet to the Communist-run island’s more than 5 million cellphone users on Tuesday, in an eight-hour test before it launches sales of the service.

Cuba is one of the Western Hemisphere’s least connected countries. Staterun telecommunications monopoly ETECSA announced the trial, with Tuesday marking the first time internet services were available nationwide.

There are hundreds of WiFi hotspots in Cuba but virtually no home penetration.

Dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez, considered the country’s social media pioneer, raved that she had directly sent a tweet from her mobile. In another tweet, she called the test a “citizen’s victory.”

On the streets of Havana, mobile users said they were happy about the day of free internet, even as some complained that connectivi-

ty was notably slower than usual.

“This is marvellous news because we can talk with family abroad without going to specific WiFi spots, there is more intimacy,” said taxi driver Andres Peraza.

Forty per cent of Cubans have relatives living abroad.

Leinier Valdez, one of a group of young people trying to connect, said, “this is great. Its better and more so when you can connect for free.”

Hotspots currently charge about $1 an hour although monthly wages in Cuba average just US$30.

The Government has not yet said how much most Cubans would pay for mobile internet, or when exactly sales of the service will begin. But ETECSA is already charging companies and embassies US$45 a month for four gigabytes.

Analysts have said broader Web access will ultimately weaken government control over what information reaches people in a country where the state has a monopoly on the media. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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resident Nicolás Maduro announced that from now on Venezuela’s dirt-cheap fuel will be available only to people with a special Government aid card that the opposition has denounced as a tool for controlling people.

The Government of the economically-ravaged country has for many years heavily subsidised petrol and Maduro says this has now led to a voracious black market in oil smuggled to neighbouring countries.

People who want to keep benefiting from subsidised gas prices in this oil-rich nation must register their vehicles by Friday using the so-called “carnet de la patria,” or fatherland card, which provides access to government assistance.

“Anyone who does not

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

respond to the call for this census, who does not wish to participate in the direct subsidy, will have to pay for gasoline at the international rate,” Maduro said Monday without specifying when this rate would kick in.

Gasoline is practical-

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Episcopal Conference, the Church leadership in Chile, looking for evidence of accusations made about members of the Marist Brothers religious community.

Prosecutor Raul Guzman told reporters on Tuesday that police had collected documents and computers from the Episcopal Conference and had begun to process the information.

Several offices of senior church figures have been raided as prosecutors search for evidence of accusations of sexual abuse by clergy not reported to the civilian police, and evidence of cov-

er-ups. Earlier in August, the Episcopal Conference said it was committed to collaborating with civil authorities on accusations of abuse.

The scandal has rocked the Church in Chile. In June, the country’s 34 bishops were summoned to Rome by the pope after Vatican investigators produced a 2300page report alleging that senior Church officials in Chile had failed to act on abuse claims and in some cases hid them.

Pope Francis has accepted resignations by five of those bishops. (Excerpt from Reuters)

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Ecuador accident: 2nd deadly crash within days

Chile asks Vatican for information on sex abuse cases he Chilean government asked the Vatican on Tuesday for documents related to sex abuse accusations against clergy in Chile, as local prosecutors raided another office of the Roman Catholic Church in Santiago.

Chilean prosecutors said in a statement that the Chilean foreign ministry, through its embassy in Italy, had requested from the Vatican information related to nine clergy members accused of abuse.

Prosecutors said in a statement that police had searched the offices of the

ly given away in Venezuela with the subsidy, meaning a single liter of gasoline costs a bolivar, which is next to nothing. One US dollar exchanged on the black market would buy nearly five million liters.

But at the international rate it is out of reach of most Venezuelans. With runaway inflation, their monthly wage is about one US dollar, which hardly buys a kilo of chicken.

Maduro said that the low cost of gasoline has spurred trafficking into Colombia, estimating that this amounts to a net loss for the country of US$18 billion (15.8 billion euros) per year.

He said the new subsidy policy will work with the fatherland card system, which the Venezuelan Opposition has denounced as a tool of political and social control.

The bus overturned after clashing with an SUV

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t least 24 people have been killed in a bus accident East of the Ecuadorean capital, Quito.

The bus collided with an SUV carrying five people, three of whom died. Most of the 38 people listed on the bus’s passenger list are Colombians and Venezuelans, officials said.

The accident comes just two days after 12 fans of Barcelona SC football club

were killed when the bus they were travelling in overturned on their way back from an away game.

Tuesday’s accident happened between the towns of Pifo and Papallacta on a bend called locally “devil’s curve” at just before 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT).

Firefighters said the bus belonged to the Colombian company Cotrans and had originated in the Colombian

city of Neiva.

Its Colombian driver is reportedly among those killed.

Ecuadorean officials have contacted the relevant embassies for help identifying the dead.

Fourteen people are being treated in nearby hospitals.

Traffic accidents are common in Ecuador. An average of seven people are killed on its roads every day, according to road safety group Justicia Vial. Official figures suggest 96 per cent of accidents in Ecuador are caused by human error. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Chile care home fire: 10 women killed in dormitories

St Kitts-Nevis Police Chief tight-lipped T about missing evidence in drug cases

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olice Commissioner Ian Queeley has issued a statement confirming that drugs that were evidence in a pending criminal case were stolen from Police Headquarters, but the content of his statement has raised more questions than it has answered.

For about two weeks now, reports have been circulating that marijuana was stolen from police custody. WINN FM was able to confirm through independent sources that the missing weed was evidence in a recent drug importation case that is currently be-

fore the magistrate’s court.

According to Queeley’s statement issued on Saturday evening, “Small quantities of cannabis, which are exhibits in matters before the Magistrate’s Court, have recently gone missing from police custody. At the time of its disappearance, the drugs were placed at a location outside of the secured exhibit room.”

This raises the question of why evidence in an active criminal case was not secured under lock and key and whether or not there were security cameras in

Police Commissioner Ian Queeley

the area where the evidence was placed.

The Commissioner went on to say that, when it was

discovered the drugs were missing, an investigation was immediately launched, and the Force has sought

the assistance of experienced investigators from within the region who were already in the federation in a different capacity.

The statement made no mention of how long ago the drugs went missing, but noted that the investigation being conducted is in respect to a single incident.

What was also glaringly absent from the statement is the fact that at least one police officer was taken into custody for questioning about the missing drugs. (Excerpt from Caribbean News

Now)

en elderly women died after a fire swept through their dormitories in a nursing home in the city of Chiguayante in southern Chile. Only three women could be rescued from the two rooms which caught fire.

It is not yet known what caused the blaze but experts have been sent to the home to investigate. There were 42 residents in the home at the time of the blaze. Officials said that luckily the flames had not spread to other dormitories.

An official said that a wood-burning stove was found inside the home. But he said that witnesses reported hearing an explosion before the fire which could indicate that there had been a short circuit.

A Chilean news channel tweeted an aerial photograph of the charred home.

(BBC News)

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Around the World

Dozens feared dead in Italy India rejects patent plea for 'immoral' sex toy as motorway collapses

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A

motorway bridge has collapsed in the northwest Italian city of Genoa, killing 26 people and badly injuring 15, Police told the BBC. Dramatic video footage captured the moment of the disaster when one of the huge supporting towers crashed down during torrential rain.

Cars and trucks plummeted 45 metres (148 feet) on to rail tracks, buildings and a river along with slabs of concrete.

Searches for people trapped in rubble are expected to go into the night.

Fears that other parts of the bridge might fall have prompted the evacuation of buildings in the area, a rescuer told Italy's Ansa news agency.

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini promised that anyone found to be responsible for the bridge collapse would be held to account.

"I have crossed that

Injured people were winched to safety

bridge hundreds of times," he said. "Now, as an Italian citizen, I will do everything to get the names and surnames of the managers responsible, past and present, because it is unacceptable to die like that in Italy."

A representative of the motorway's operator, Autostrade, told Reuters news agency there had been "no reason to consider the bridge was dangerous".

Shares in Atlantia,

Autostrade's parent company which runs much of the country's motorways, fell 6.3 per cent after news of the collapse.

It fell around 11:30 local time (09:30 GMT) during heavy rain. Police reported a violent cloudburst.

"We saw lightning strike the bridge," eyewitness Pietro M all'Asa was quoted as saying by Ansa. "And we saw the bridge going down."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump campaign takes legal action against ex-aide Omarosa

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resident Donald Trump's election campaign has begun legal action against an ex-White House aide and reality TV star for allegedly breaching her contract.

Donald J Trump for President Inc has filed for arbitration against Omarosa Manigault Newman, claiming she violated a 2016 non-disclosure agreement.

A feud between the two has escalated as Newman promotes a new book that is very critical of the President.

On Tuesday, Trump angrily denied her claim he

was taped using the N-word.

He tweeted: "I don't have that word in my vocabulary, and never have."

Newman – a former star of “The Apprentice” who was fired after a stint as a White House adviser – claimed that Trump was recorded using the word while working on the show he hosted for 11 years.

But she has not said she ever heard him using the word himself.

Their war of words hit arguably a new low when the President called Newman, who had previously been one of his most prominent black

supporters, a "dog".

"She made it up," he wrote, also calling her a "lowlife", "a loser" and "Wacky and Deranged".

In the latest development, a senior Trump campaign official sent a statement to US media confirming the legal action.

"Donald J Trump for President Inc has filed an arbitration against ManigaultNewman with the American Arbitration Association in New York City, for breach of her 2016 confidentiality agreement with the Trump Campaign. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ndia's patent office has rejected a plea by a Canadian company to patent a vibrator because sex toys violate "public order and morality".

Invoking India's obscenity law, the patent office said the law "has never engaged positively with the notion of sexual pleasure".

The patent office said sex toys are considered to be obscene objects and are illegal in India.

But a 2011 court ruling had said sex toys could not be considered obscene.

An Ontario-based company called Standard

Innovation Corporation had applied for a patent in India for a new vibrator, to prevent generic local copycats being sold in the market, according to Shamnad Basheer, a visiting professor of law at India's National Law School who is working on a book about public health law.

In April, the patents office rejected the plea, saying that sex toys lead "to obscenity and moral deprivation of individuals".

"These are toys that are not considered useful or productive. Mostly these are considered to be morally degrading by the law," the office said.

President Erdogan has accused the US of seeking to 'stab [Turkey] in the back'

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urkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his country will boycott US electronic products, after Washington imposed punitive sanctions on Ankara.

"If [the US] has the iPhone, there's Samsung on the other side," Erdogan said, referring to Apple and its South

Korean competitor.

The US doubled tariffs last week over Turkey's refusal to extradite a US pastor who is imprisoned there.

Turkey's weakened currency, the lira, plunged by a full 20 per cent in response.

President Erdogan said Turkey was taking measures to stabilise the economy, and

(Excerpt from BBC News)

News)

Jail for Burundi Head Teacher busted sitting student's exam

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court in Burundi has sentenced a head teacher to five years in prison for trying to disguise himself as a student and sit a national exam on another person's behalf.

Benjamin Manirambona was also banned from teaching or holding any public office for 10 years.

Plainclothes policemen arrested him on Friday after acting on a tip-off as he took the exam in a school uniform.

The officers had staked out the school overnight, waiting to catch him.

With nowhere to run, Manirambona, the head of Butere Technical College in the capital Bujumbura, ad-

mitted to the deception on the spot.

He explained he was taking the electronics exam on behalf of a soldier who is serving in Somalia as part of a Burundian peacekeeping force.

He said the student wanted the grades to qualify for university.

The soldier promised him a payment on his return to Burundi, Manirambona added.

Burundi's Education Minister Janvière Ndirahisha, who arrived at the scene on Friday with uniformed officers, dismissed Manirambona's explanation.

"Everything you're say-

ing is a lie, so we're taking you away... we're going to investigate because from what we hear it's not the first time [you've done this]," she told him.

His two accomplices, school accountant Eric Nkurunziza and teacher Lazard Nihezagire, have been given prison sentences of two years each and have been banned from holding any public office for five years.

The two were found guilty of covering up for the headmaster.

Four students also suspected of cheating, including one accused of putting the soldier and headmaster in touch, were released without charge.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump adviser Bolton to meet Russians next week in Geneva

Turkey to boycott US electronic goods should not "give in to the enemy" by investing in foreign currencies.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is visiting Ankara, branded the US sanctions an illegitimate policy at a news conference on Tuesday. He accused the US of seeking an unfair competitive advantage in global trade.

Since January, the Turkish lira has lost more than 34 per cent of its value against the dollar, pushing up the price of everyday items.

Erdogan has presided over soaring inflation and borrowing levels, but insists the lira's plight is the result of a "campaign" led by foreign powers.

In a televised speech on Friday, he called on Turkish citizens to exchange foreign currency and gold for lira, calling it an "economic war".

"The law views sex toys negatively and has never engaged positively with the notion of sexual pleasure".

The office also invoked the Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a 155-yearold colonial-era law, which criminalises gay sex and unnatural intercourse, in refusing the patent.

An appeal to strike down provisions of the law is currently pending before the Supreme Court.

Sex toys are openly sold online, and in a thriving black market in India. (Excerpt from BBC

US National Security Adviser John Bolton attends a news conference in Moscow, Russia, June 27, 2018

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hite House national security adviser John Bolton

will meet Russian officials in Geneva next week as a follow-up to the sum-

mit meeting that President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had in Helsinki last month, the White House said.

Bolton, as part of his trip, will also visit Israel and Ukraine for meetings with officials in those countries, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

Trump has defended himself against criticism that he was too cosy with Putin in their talks in the capital of Finland and a subsequent joint news conference.

The Trump Administration in the aftermath of the summit imposed more sanctions on Moscow.

Trump has invited Putin to visit the United States in 2019.(Reuters)

India denies China printing currency claim amid social media row

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he Indian Government has denied a report that a Chinese company would be printing its currency notes, calling it "baseless" amid social media outrage.

The report by the South China Morning Post claimed a Chinese company had been contracted to print international curren-

cies, including the Indian rupee.

The news spread quickly on social media, prompting outrage over how this could endanger national security.

India prints all its currency in four high-security presses.

"Reports about any Chinese currency printing corporation getting any or-

ders for printing Indian currency notes are totally baseless. Indian currency notes are being and will be printed only in Indian Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) currency presses," an official from the Department of Economic Affairs told news agency ANI. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, august 15, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES

Size up whatever situa-

(March 21- tion you face and figure out April 19) the best way to bring about

positive change. A partnership will improve if you intelligently discuss problems or obstacles.

You’ll discover informaTAURUS tion that will change your (April 20- way of thinking. Consider May 20) your options and choose to head in a direction that will encourage cooperation. Be a team player.

dilbert

Personal and physical GEMINI (May 21- changes will turn out well. A June 20) social event will lead to discussions that will encourage a better understanding of your feelings and intentions.

Get

out

and

about.

CANCER Embarking on a shopping (June 21- spree or taking part in an event July 22) that will bring about positive

Peanuts

change is favoured. Control your emotions to avoid getting into a shouting match.

Nurture relationships LEO and concentrate on self-im(July 23- provement, personal growth Aug. 22) and how to best reach your life goals. Make progressive changes that will help to stabilise your life.

A lifestyle change that will VIRGO add to your comfort and bring (Aug. 23you greater security or cash Sept. 22) flow should be considered. An older relative or friend will offer stellar advice.

Calvin and Hobbes

Emotional situations will LIBRA (Sept. 23- surface if you pay too much Oct. 23) attention to one person and not enough to another. Try to appease everyone by offering equal opportunities to get involved in your plans.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Don’t trust in hearsay.

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You’ll make an impresSAGITTARIUS sion at work that will help (Nov. 23you build better relationships Dec. 21) with your peers. A joint venture will interest you, but should be considered carefully.

YESTERDAY’S

solution for last published puzzle

Don’t neglect your health.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- An emotional incident will Jan. 19) lead to positive change. Trust in your instincts and follow through with your plans.

Protect your possessions and reputation.

Use your charm to wheel AQUARIUS and deal until you get what (Jan. 20- you want. Refuse to let anyFeb. 19) one speak on your behalf. It’s your responsibility to set your goal and achieve it.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Look at your long-term goals and start heading in the direction that will take you where you want to go. A change at work will turn out to be to your benefit.

wednesDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018

19

Sri Lanka scrape home on Chandimal’s return S

ri Lanka ended South Africa’s tour of the island as they started it: by strangling their visitors with spin to win the only T20I in front of a sell-out crowd. But they made hard work of a small chase and lost seven wickets in a tense low-scoring affair, which also served as Dinesh Chandimal’s comeback match.

Chandimal was returning from a six-game suspension and played as though he had never been away. He was there at the end and held firm through sustained pressure from the South African pack to see Sri Lanka home. Kagiso Rabada built up a good head of steam, Junior Dala used the short ball well and Tabraiz Shamsi claimed a T20I best of 2 for 26 but their batsmen had not given them enough to work with.

South Africa slumped to another batting low; after being dismissed for their lowest Test score since readmission (73) and lowest ODI score in Sri Lanka (121), they were bowled out for their lowest T20I score and literally fell on their sweeps.

As a collective, South Africa’s approach to spin appears to have 99 problems and needs more than an annual camp to India to solve.

South Africa would only really have started believing when stand-in captain Duminy brought himself on in the 15th over and took a wicket with his first ball. Sri Lanka only needed

11 runs to win at that stage, though, and Chandimal kept his cool to rotate strike before Isuru Udana drove Ngidi down the ground to end the match with four overs to spare. (ESPNCricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka won the game when South Africa were bowled out for just 98

South Africa’s innings started promisingly when Quinton de Kock took three boundaries off the opening over - and only one of them was laced with luck.

But the sign of things to come was clear in the next over. De Kock was almost run-out at the non-striker’s when Hashim Amla sent him back after initially agreeing to a single. Amla was caught at extra-cover two balls later, trying to scoop a Dhananjaya de Silva delivery over the infield and bagged a second duck in succession and third on the tour and South Africa’s slide started.

Rain interrupted the innings for two minutes at the end of the seventh over, but did not change South Africa’s fortunes. JP Duminy was out lbw on review when he missed a reverse-sweep, giving David Miller the opportunity to build an innings. But that chance was taken away in Lakshan Sandakan’s third over, a triplewicket maiden.

The visitors were in deep trouble at 73 for 7 after 11 overs and Miller only had the tail to work with. Under pressure, he tried to sweep Akila but top-edged to short midwicket to leave South Africa in shambles.

Sri Lanka too would have had some early nerves when Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the opening over of their reply. Kusal Perera gifted Tabraiz Shamsi a catch at mid-on and Kusal Mendis was out lbw on review to an inswinging yorker that would have gone on to hit leg stump.

Chandimal got in on the act when he flicked a low Rabada full-toss for four and then showed South Africa how to sweep successfully, smacking a six and a four off Shamsi.

The de Silva-Chandimal partnership grew to 53, giving Sri Lanka more than half of what they needed to win, when they were rocked again.

South Africa Innings (20 overs maximum) Q de Kock †run out (Sandakan/ de Silva) 20 HM Amla c Shanaka b de Silva 0 RR Hendricks b Dananjaya 19 JP Duminy (c) lbw b de Silva 3 H Klaasen c Mendis b Sandakan 18 DA Miller c †Chandimal b Dananjaya 14 AL Phehlukwayo b Sandakan 0 K Rabada lbw b Sandakan 0 CJ Dala not out 12 L Ngidi c †Chandimal b Rajitha 4 T Shamsi c †Chandimal b Udana 0 Extras (b-1, lb-5, nb-1, w-1) 8 Total (All out; 16.4 Overs) 98 FOW: 1-14 (HM Amla, 1.5 ov), 2-30 (Q de Kock, 3.4 ov), 3-42 (RR Hendricks, 5.3 ov), 4-57 (JP Duminy, 7.6 ov), 5-69 (H Klaasen, 10.1 ov), 6-69 (AL Phehlukwayo, 10.4 ov), 7-73 (K Rabada, 10.6 ov), 8-84 (DA Miller, 13.3 ov), 9-93 (L Ngidi, 15.6 ov), 10-98 (T Shamsi, 16.4 ov) Bowling: Rajitha 3-0-27-1, de Silva 4-0-22-2 (nb-1), Dananjaya 4-0-15-2 (w-1), Sandakan 4-119-3, Udana 1.4-0-9-1

Sri Lanka Innings (target: 99 runs from 20 overs) MDKJ Perera c Shamsi b Rabada 3 BKG Mendis lbw b Rabada 1 LD Chandimal †not out 36 DM de Silva c Phehlukwayo b Dala 31 AD Mathews (c) c Klaasen b Shamsi 0 MD Shanaka c Hendricks b Dala 16 NLTC Perera b Shamsi 0 A Dananjaya b Duminy 2 I Udana not out 5 Extras (nb-2, w-3) 5 Total (For 7 wickets; 16 Overs) 99 Did not bat: PADLR Sandakan, CAK Rajitha FOW: 1-4 (MDKJ Perera, 0.4 ov), 2-6 (BKG Mendis, 0.6 ov), 3-59 (DM de Silva, 7.4 ov), 4-63 (AD Mathews, 8.3 ov), 5-82 (MD Shanaka, 11.5 ov), 6-83 (NLTC Perera, 12.2 ov), 7-88 (A Dananjaya, 14.1 ov) Bowling Rabada 4-0-24-2 (nb2), Ngidi 3-0-25-0, Shamsi 4-1-26-2 (W-1), Dala 4-0-222 (W-2), Duminy 1-0-2-1 Result: Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets (with 24 balls remaining)

Fernando Alonso set to retire from Formula 1

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panish two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has announced he is to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.

The McLaren driver will end a career that began with a debut for Minardi at the Australian Grand Prix of 2001.

Alonso, 37, who is competing in his 17th F1 season, won the 2005 and 2006 championships when racing for Renault.

“After 17 wonderful years in this amazing sport, it’s time for me to make a change and move on,” he said.

“I made this decision some months ago and it was a firm one. There are still several grands prix to

go this season, and I will take part in them with more commitment and passion than ever,” he added.

“Let’s see what the future brings; new exciting challenges are around the corner. I’m having one of the happiest times ever in my life, but I need to go on exploring new adventures.”

Alonso has in recent years branched out into other series and in June, he won the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race at his first attempt.

He joined Toyota’s World Endurance Championship ( W E C ) programme this season with the aim of winning Le Mans,

and has dovetailed it with F1.

That victory provided him with the second part of motorsport’s ‘triple crown’. Twice a Monaco Grand Prix winner, he is only missing Indianapolis 500 success.

He competed in the Indy 500 for the only time to date in May 2017, retiring towards the end of the race with engine failure, having run strongly throughout and led for a total of 27 laps.

Only Englishman Graham Hill has won all three classic races in the history of motorsport.

Alonso ended Michael Schumacher’s five-year dominance of the drivers’ championship when he won the first of his titles in 2005.

At the time, he became the youngster-ever driver to win the title.

He has also finished championship runner-up three times, and to date has achieved 32 wins, 22 pole positions and 97

podium finishes.

In his statement confirming he would retire at the end of this season, he suggested there may be a chance of him one day returning.

“I want to thank everyone at McLaren,” he said. “My heart is with the team forever.

“I know they will come back stronger and better in the future and it could be the right moment for me to be back in the series; that would make me really happy.”

“Thank you, for being my life” Alonso tweeted a video ‘letter’ to F1 in which he said: You were not expecting me and I wasn’t sure I wanted to get to know you. When I barely knew how to walk, I ran towards y o u r noise, y o u r circuits,

without knowing anything about you. We had very good times, some unforgettable, others really bad.

We have played together, against incredible rivals. You played with me, and I learned how to play with you too. I have seen you changing, sometimes for good, sometimes in my opinion for bad. Every time I close the visor of my helmet I feel your warm embrace, your energy, there is nothing like it. But today I have some other bigger challenges than those you can offer me. And this year, while I am still driving at my best, is how I want to remember you. I can only be grateful to you and to the people that are part of you, for having introduced to me so many cultures, traditions, languages, wonderful people, for having been my life. I know you love me, be certain that I love you too. (BBC

Sport)

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018

Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship 2018…

Guyana among 35 teams to battle for supremacy T

he Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) on Tuesday confirmed the programming for the draw of the 2018 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship, scheduled to be played November 1 -21, at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The official draw, which will sort the thirty-five participating teams into six groups, for the first round of the competition, will be broadcast Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 10:00 am ET. Fans will be able to follow the event through Concacaf.com and the

…top 4 finishers to play in FIFA U-20 World Cup Confederation's rights partner networks.

Unlike the previous format of the men’s under-20 competition, which included regional qualifiers in the Caribbean and Central America and one final championship, the redesigned 2018 edition will ensure that all the participating teams have access to play more top-level football matches.

The draw will be conducted using a single-blind system, involving five pots.

Based on the Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Ranking, the top six ranked teams will be seeded into position one of each group, while the remaining 29 teams will be distributed in five pots as

follows: Seeded Teams (group and position): United States (A1), Mexico (B1), Honduras (C1), Panama (D1) Costa Rica (E1) and El Salvador (F1) Pot 1: Cuba, Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti,

BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement Emancipation Football League…

Canada and Jamaica Pot 2: Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Curacao, Aruba and Suriname Pot 3: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and Guyana

Pot 4: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Cayman Islands, Barbados, Belize and Dominica Pot 5: US Virgin Islands, Martinique, Saint Maarten, Saint Martin and Monserrat The draw will begin by placing the seeded teams in their respective groups.

Once they have been confirmed, the first team will be drawn from Pot 1 and placed in position A2. The same will be done for the remaining five teams of Pot 1, placing them in positions B2, C2, D2, E2 and F2 according to the order in which they are drawn. The procedure will be repeated for Pots 2, 3, 4 and 5, using group positions 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively.

The thirty-five participating teams will be sorted into six groups, five groups of six teams and one group of five teams, for the firstround group phase. After round robin play, the six group winners will advance to the qualification stage, where they will be divided into two groups of three teams. After a second-round robin play, the two group winners plus the second-place finishers will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Additionally, the two groups winners will advance to the tournament’s final to determine the regional champion.

“Got To Go” beats “Echo” in Sprint Classic

Plaisance overpowers St John’s Bosco in 2nd encounter

S

everal rounds of riveting football action lit up the Beterverwagting Playground over the past weekend as the Plaisance team continued to show their prowess in the BV/ Triumph 8th of May Movement Emancipation Cohesion Football League.

The League, which is being fuelled by Bakewell/ Lloyd WP Britton/GO Benjamin/GLDA and NAREI, witnessed two rounds of magical football from the boots of Plaisance.

On Sunday last, Plaisance registered their second demolition, this time exerting their power over the St John’s Bosco Orphanage team.

Plaisance, entering the second round after a commendable firstround display against country team Mahaica, clearly worked hard on their game plan against St John’s Bosco, putting them on the

Dwayne King (left) and Denzil King

defensive very early in the match, with Travis Simon scoring within the first two minutes of the encounter.

Throughout the match, Plaisance demonstrated their outstanding capabilities, with an exhibition of high levels of skill, tactic sand professionalism. These traits, which proved highly competitive for their firstround challengers Mahaica,

gave St John’s Bosco a horrendous time, as four goals were scored in the first half of the 60-minute match, with Denzil King, Dwayne King and Vincent Thomas, respectively scoring in the 15th, 18th and 23rd minutes. And as if it was not already enough to rub salt into the wounds of St John’s Bosco, Thomas completed a triple when he added to his first-half goal, by drilling the net in the 41st and final minute of the encounter, to give Plaisance a convincing victory of six goals to nil.

Plaisance will play their third and final-round preliminary encounter against East Ruimveldt – one of the spectators’ favourites to win the league- on Friday, from 20:15h at the BV Playground.

The League, which kicked off on August 10, received the stamp of approval from Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, who stated that the BV/Triumph 8th of May organisation was truly “a movement”. Ten teams are currently competing for cash and prizes. The first-place winner will receive $350,000 while second and third will cop $250,000 and $150,000 respectively.

“G

ot To Go” of the Jumbo Jet Stables produced a brilliant performance to beat favourite Golden Blue Echo of the Nand Persaud Stables in the Sky Plus Mega Sprint Classic on the Corentyne on Sunday.

It was the first time a horse from the Nand Persaud Stables did not win the Sky Plus Sprint Classic, which saw its sixth edition at the Number 36 Village race track.

The race, which had a top prize of $400,000, ended with the two animals finishing neck and neck with Jockey Colin Ross piloting “Got To Go”. “TNT” of the Nand Persaud Stables ran a close third.

In other events on the day’s card, “Angel Eyes” won the L Class 3-furlong event for fillies and mares in a time of 35 seconds ahead of “Barbarosa”, “Miss Anjalie” and “Black Bird” in that order while “Uprising” won the L Class for colts and geldings in 46.5 seconds.

The other noted finishers were “Plane Land”, “Byron” and “Massapequea Dr”.

“Victoria” proved to be

It was a close call with “Got to Go” on the left, “Golden Blue Echo” (centre) and “TNT”

Jockey Colin Ross and “Got To Go” surrounded by supporters at the presentation ceremony

the best two-year-old, winning a third straight race this year. The four-furlong race was won in 46.48 seconds and had a top prize of $200,000.

Second place went to “Perfection” with “Set the Flame” and “Awesome Drift” following in that order.

The K and J race saw Jockey W Appadu piloting “Pikachu” to victory ahead of “Barbarosa” and “Uprising”.

Horse racing action moves to the Rising Sun Turf Club this weekend, where the Guyana Cup will be held.

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Team Guyana will be eyeing top awards at the 2018 IKD World Championships

ith gold on their minds, 23 members of the Association Shotokan Karate-Guyana (ASK-G) winged out on Monday ahead of the third International Karate Daigaku (IKD) World Championships.

Led by senior instructor and Karateka Roger Peroune, the Kata Captain, and Kumite

Captain Keith Beaton, the team, which also included ASK-G Senior Instructor, President and judge Amir Khouri, left Guyana on August 13 and are expected back on August 20.

The international competition will see over 350 highly-skilled and trained competitors vying for the

top spots. The Guyanese contingent will have their hopes at an all-time high, as members are anxiously awaiting their events with optimism of returning home with medals for their country and Association.

Karatekas recently got themselves prepared for the event with a number of local

competitions for both junior and senior fighters. Meanwhile, the Association extended its heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors and the parents of students, most of whom are self-sponsored fighters, as well as the ASK-G fundraising team who ensured the karatekas were able to compete.

Hussain, Chan star as hunt for Annual LGC title continues

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W

ayne Chan defied the rain and wind to take top Best Net honours as the race for the title of 2018 Annual Club Champion continued at the Lusignan Golf Club this past weekend.

Chan racked up a Gross 69 while in the Best Gross category, it was Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) President Aleem Hussain who landed in first place while twotime Guyana Open Champion Mike Mangal finished second and Pur Persaud third.

Persaud continued to make a statement as he shot a net 72 to come in second with MACORP executive Guillermo Escarraga making a strong return to the Greens with a net 74 to finish in

LGC President Aleem Hussain

third position.

The winner of the annual point competition gets a

variety of prizes along with a full year of bragging rights and the competition was keenly contested in the early stages, but after winning the first four events, the Best Net Champion Title looks to be a shoo-in for Club President Hussain who has performed extremely well this year.

There is still a battle for the Best Gross Title as Mike Mangal refuses to quit and with just two matches left to play, it might come down to the very end.

The LGC has seen an increased number of tournaments this year and as more major companies join the sponsorship ranks, the game is becoming more popular, drawing the attention of all ages

and genders.

Meanwhile, the 2018 Guyana Open promises to be a major event with golfers from more than 12 countries expected to participate. Only 100 spots are available for this year’s event and golfers are urged to register early to ensure that they have a spot to contend. Non-members are eligible to play in the twoday tournament and the fee of US$200 covers all expenses for the entire event.

Tickets for the Guyana Open will be available from October 1.

Please contact the Club at 2205660 or visit its Facebook page @ Lusignan Golf Club for more information.

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Kevelon Anderson

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arbados sprung a surprise 3-wicket defeat on defending U-19 Regional Champs Guyana, as round three of the 2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional U-19 3-Day Championship ended in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Match 8 at the Park Hill Playing Field saw good performances from both sides, Guyana batting first were knocked over for 203

despite Kevelon Anderson’s gutsy 71 with 10 fours and a six which helped lay the foundation for the total. Windies U-19 wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Persaud hit a brick 39 from 30 deliveries with eight fours and a solitary maximum, while Kevin Sinclair continued his form with a useful 33.

Camarie Boyce starred for Barbados with 3-27 while Nyeem Young was the next best bowler with 2-47. Barbados’ first innings saw Nico Reifer, the young opener, top-scoring with 69 while contributions came from Kadeem Allen and Matthew Forde who scored 35 apiece and Jaden Edmund, 28.

Spin did the job for the champs with left-arm spinner and match MVP Kelvin Umrao bagging 5-83 and Windies U-19 spinner Ashmead Nedd chipping in with two wickets to keep the Bajans to 214-10. Batting a second time, the Guyanese crumbled for 142 despite some

fight from Anderson, who returned to top score with 44, and openers Javed Karim (31) and Sachin Singh (37).

Young and Boyce did the damage, with the former adding four more scalps to his collection as he snapped up magical figures of 4-6 while Boyce grabbed three wickets to take his total to six. With a meagre target for victory in Barbados’ sights, Reifer followed up his first innings topscore with another handy knock of 39 while his partner, Shian Brathwaite’s 22 was enough to get them over the ropes.

Other third round results: Trinidad and Tobago beat Jamaica by 10 wickets Jamaica 190/9 declared; 267 TT - 400/2 Leeward Islands beat Windward Islands by 6 wickets Leeward Islands 156 and 60/4 Windward Islands 115 and 98

22

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wednesDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Buoyant Tallawahs prepare for Gayle storm

T

20 World Boss Chris Gayle will lead his St Kitts & Nevis Patriots into battle against his old franchise Jamaica Tallawahs with a red-hot Andre Russell in-form as Match 8 of the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) bowls off tonight at Sabina Park in Jamaica’s capital city.

The Tallawahs won the title twice under Gayle and with the left-hander now giving his services to another franchise, it will be important to see how the Tallawahs approach the in-form Gayle at the top of the order. Jamaica will have a number of options in their bowling department with left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie, Windies pacer Kemar Roach, Aussie spinner Adam Zampa, Pakistan spinning all-rounder Imad Wasim and others.

Before last night’s game at Sabina Park against the St Lucia Stars, the Tallawahs showed their depth in bowling and batting with superman Andre “Dre Russ” Russell clobbering 13 sixes in his whirlwind ton down the order to which he added to his hat-trick against defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders last Friday night in Port of Spain.

Kenar Lewis also cashed in with a fifty in the opening game in support to his captain while big guns like Glen Phillips, Johnson Charles, Ross Taylor, Rovman Powell and Andre McCarthy will also look to contribute with the bat in this colossal match up. The former champs will also want to capitalize on their wining start in order to keep the momentum going.

Gayle’s men will also look to continue the celebration after

bouncing back from defeat to the Guyana Amazon Warriors in Match two to blow away TKR in match five by a whopping 42 runs. Gayle, who made 86 versus the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the first match, is in good hitting form while his teammates who missed out in Guyana but made amends against TKR will look to continue in the same manner.

All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite smoked 41 off 15 with four and five big sixes at the back end of the innings to get his form with the bat going. Middle-order batsman Devon Thomas warmed up with a half-century while overseas power-hitting all-rounder Ben Cutting continued to show glimpses of savagery after a brief start in Guyana.

The Patriots will bank on their pair of Windes pacers in Alzarri Joseph and Sheldon Cottrell while overseas player Mahmudullah Riyad of Bangladesh offers much with his spin and should bowl well in tandem with Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane who is also in good form with the ball.

Brathwaite, Tom Cooper, Anton Devcich and Cutting are all good second options for Gayle against the talented Jamaican side at home.

Last the time these two sides met in Hero CPL 2017, it ended in a 1-1 result with Jamaica losing the first encounter before beating the Patriots in their final match of last season’s tournament. Playing at home in Kingston should favour Gayle while the original home team should also be quite knowledgeable of the environment as to properly prepare for the visiting Patriots. The first ball is set to bowl off at 18:00h (19:00h Guyana time).

sets his sights “Project 100” kicks off in Rio Lee on National Junior

T

Some technical work being done prior to session two

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) this year made a promise to all Guyanese that come 2026 they would be able to cheer for their home team at the FIFA World Cup. As such, the Federation is currently putting plans into place which would allow for that dream to become a reality, beginning with qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup for which the Caribbean Nations League is the gateway. The first of those plans is “Project 100”, which began on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Project 100 – according to newly-appointed Head Coach Michael Johnson, who is leading the biggest technical staff ever put together in the history of the GFF – aims to break into the FIFA top 100 rankings.

The core of the player

pool is Guyana-based and mostly Under-23 players, as the focus of this new project is to give the young players an opportunity to show that they have what it takes to be a part of this programme, Johnson stated.

“This Project 100 is pretty simple: while we are here, we have a lot of young players who are given an opportunity to try and be involved in the qualification campaign for the CONCACAF Gold Cup starting in September. So, this is a great chance for them to showcase themselves and to show that they really mean business.”

The former Jamaican national player noted that this is not just a camp to improve players. “It’s a camp that we’re saying to them, ‘go and make yourself visible, make yourself known to the staff that you are capable of meeting the

demands necessary to go and play or be part of this squad, come September.”

Johnson reiterated that it’s an opportunity for the U-23s. “Let’s have a look at them, let’s see which ones are capable of stepping up, not just on the field, also off it.”

The programme here in Rio at the Estadio Municipal Jose Maria De Brito Barros would be intense, Johnson posited, referring to the fact that Monday saw the players being involved in three sessions, two on the field (morning and afternoon) and one classroom session Monday evening at the team hotel.

“There’ll be down time, of course, we can’t go at this pace all the time, but what we wanted to showcase from the very first stage is that we are here to work; yes we want to have fun at the same time, but

we want to be doing things the right and proper way.

That means we want to take them out of their comfort zone, we want to make them uncomfortable and see how they handle the training. We’ve also got some interesting runs for them just to see the character of them without the ball. So this camp is really about challenging them physically, mentally, tactically, and technically,” he noted.

The first day’s session was summed up by Johnson: “I think it was really good for us to get an insight into some of the players, the staff as well, the intensity and what they want to play at; they’re a good group. What we’ve seen today is that they’re an honest group: they gave you everything; technically they are ok and also physically, you know the players can move. I think where we really need to work is tactically and that’s why we did a session this afternoon based upon where should you be when somebody’s got the ball, what’s your movements off the ball, how do you receive it.”

The Head Coach believes that if significant gains were made without the players having the ball; composure; technical ability and physicality, which some of the players already have, Guyana can be in an interesting place in the next few years.

The sessions continued on Tuesday with a game between the players as they prepared themselves for the first of several matches in Rio de Janeiro.

Championships

F

ifteen-year-old Ethan Lee has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with after securing an undefeated streak thus far in 2018. As such, the young man has indicated interest in the National Junior Chess Championships, which will come up again next year.

The teenager, who attends Marian Academy, is now finding his place in the

well. It was a free-for-all and we got to finally see who is the best.”

Speaking on his impressive track record, the teenager noted that he was working on improvement; he also had praise for his colleagues like Joshua Gopaul, Jaden Taylor and Rajiv Lee. “I think that I’ve really improved since Saints and then Marian and I feel like

chess world. For this year so far, he has won 24 of 26 matches, with two draws and no defeats.

He has been in competition mode and to his delight, he has been successful at each tournament. Lee has been crowned champion at Saint Stanislaus, Marian Academy and two Wendell Meusa Foundation championships.

Reflecting on his latest competition, Lee disclosed that he was grateful for an event where he could compete with the best of the best juniors.

“I think it was a very good competition: Guyana’s best junior chess players came out and they played

I’m going to continue improving, so I could play more internationally, but the other guys here are improving as well,” Lee said.

He broke into the World Chess Federation rankings in May of this year, along with three other junior players: Joshua Gopaul (1312); Jaden Taylor (1131); and Nellisha Johnson (1123).

Lee, who currently has a score of 1121, has now set his sights on excelling at the 2019 National Junior Chess competition.

“Definitely. We’re good friends and the competition is really good, so I feel like Junior Championships is something I’d like to achieve,” he stated.

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wednesDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Clinical Tallawahs thump Stars by 6 wickets …take on Patriots tonight

A

fter Andre Russell’s miraculous one-man show to see off the Trinbago Knight Riders it was far more of a team effort as Jamaica Tallawahs secured a second Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory of the season with a six-wicket success over St Lucia Stars, whose long wait for a win goes on.

The Stars gave themselves a chance of snapping what is now a 14-match winless streak with a solid batting display.

Contributions throughout the order, headed by a 33-ball 43 from opener Andre Fletcher, lifted them to 175 all out – well above the 158 average firstinnings Hero CPL score on this ground despite threewicket hauls for man-ofthe-match Adam Zampa and Oshane Thomas.

But it wasn’t quite enough.

Tallawahs keeper-batsman Glenn Phillips smashed six Hero Maximums in his 58 off 40, with an opening stand worth 81 inside eight overs with Johnson Charles (31 off 20) to break the back of the chase. Despite some stumbles, Jamaica always looked favourites to get home from there on.

Phillips had already hit two sixes when he really injected some pace into the Tallawahs’ run-chase in the final over of the Power Play, launching successive deliveries from legspinner Q a i s Ahmad over the leg-side r o p e s b efo re crunching the very next ball through square-leg for four more.

Obed McCoy applied some pressure, conceding just a single from his first over, but normal service appeared to have resumed when Phillips again cleared the ropes off Hodge. But McCoy struck in his second over, ably assisted by a smart low catch from Kesrick Williams at third-man as Phillips looked to uppercut a short ball into the stands.

Andre McCarthy and Rovman Powell continued the charge, though, with both men clearing the ropes within the first eight balls of their partnership. Every time it looked like the Stars might be able to get back in the game, the Tallawahs had the answer.

McCarthy lost all momentum to his innings, and the Stars were dreaming of victory once more when the required rate crept up to 10 an over from the last five when McCarthy fell for 20 to a superb catch from Pollard in the deep. The grateful bowler McClenaghan roared in delight, but within four balls all the momentum was back with the Tallawahs as Powell dispatched

McCoy for a six and two fours.

With 19 runs altogether coming from what would prove a pivotal 16th over, the target was suddenly a far more

comfortable 32 from 24.

Powell hit four sixes in all in his unbeaten 43 from 23, but there was still one more nervy moment to survive after Russell holed out early.

A target of 13 from 15 balls became eight from the final over as Ross Taylor struggled to get bat on ball. With just one run coming from the first two balls of Pollard’s final over, the Stars again had a sniff. Again it proved illusory as Taylor smeared a six over square-leg to bring the scores level before scrambling a single to complete the victory.

Earlier, David Warner’s lean run for the Stars continued when he dragged a full, wide one from Thomas into his stumps from way outside off for just 7, but Fletcher and Lendl Simmons picked up the baton.

Fletcher clipped Santokie effortlessly off his pads for six over square-leg before taking Thomas for back-to-back fours.

Fletcher was handed a life when McCarthy put down the simplest of chances at squareleg.

Simmons was a spectator through that drama but then struck a six and a four from Imad Wasim’s first over of the night.

Russell brought himself on but couldn’t halt the charge.

Simmons picked up six over long-off before Fletcher found the square-leg boundary as the score raced to 54/1 after the Power Play.

The boundaries continued to flow, with Fletcher levering Imad over wide long-on for another Hero Maximum as the 50 partnership came up in 32 balls, but Simmons perished soon after as he carved Russell to Johnson Charles at deep

SCOREBOARD

St Lucia Stars Innings (20 overs maximum) ADS Fletcher †c Russell b Zampa 43 DA Warner b Thomas 7 LMP Simmons c Charles b Russell 22 KA Pollard (c) c Taylor b Zampa 26 MS Chapman b Zampa 0 DJG Sammy c Taylor b Thomas 36 MJ McClenaghan b Thomas 3 Qais Ahmad c Russell b Santokie 7 KAR Hodge c Imad Wasim b Russell 21 KOK Williams run out (Powell/†Phillips) 2 OC McCoy not out 0 Extras (b-1, w-7) 8 Total (All out; 20 Overs) 175 FOW: 1-12 (DA Warner, 1.4 ov), 2-66 (LMP Simmons, 7.5 ov), 3-88 (ADS Fletcher, 10.4 ov), 4-89 (MS Chapman, 10.6 ov), 5-125 (KA Pollard, 15.1 ov), 6-145 (DJG Sammy, 17.3 ov), 7-145 (MJ McClenaghan, 17.4 ov), 8-161 (Qais Ahmad, 18.5 ov), 9-174 (KAR Hodge, 19.5 ov), 10-175 (KOK Williams, 19.6 ov) Bowling: Santokie 4-0-36-1 (w1), Thomas 4-0-39-3 (w-1), Imad Wasim 4-0-24-0, Russell 4-048-2 (w-1), Zampa 4-0-27-3

Jamaica Tallawahs Innings (target: 176 runs from 20 overs) GD Phillips† c Williams b McCoy 58 J Charles b Hodge 31 AM McCarthy c Pollard b McClenaghan 20 R Powell not out 43 AD Russell (c) c Simmons b Pollard 3 LRPL Taylor not out 8 Extras (lb-11, w-2) 13 Total (For 4 wickets; 19.4 Overs) 176 Did not bat: K Lewis, Imad Wasim, A Zampa, O Thomas, K Santokie FOW: 1-81 (J Charles, 7.6 ov), 2-100 (GD Phillips, 11.2 ov), 3-125 (AM McCarthy, 14.6 ov), 4-163 (AD Russell, 17.4 ov) Bowling McClenaghan 4-030-1 (w-1), Hodge 4-0-42-1 (w-1), Williams 2-0-13-0, Qais Ahmad 3-0-32-0, McCoy 4-026-1, Pollard 2.4-0-22-1 Result: Tallawahs won by 6 wickets (with 2 balls remaining) Player of the match: Adam Zampa (Tallawahs) Points: Tallawahs 2; Stars 0

point.

Australia leg-spinner Zampa turned things the Tallawahs’ way with two wickets in his second over.

Fletcher fell short of a halfcentury on 43, holing out to Russell at long-off, before Mark Chapman was completely bamboozled and bowled by a pitch-perfect googly first ball.

With the score now 89/4 and over half the innings gone, a promising start was in danger of being squandered as seasoned all-rounders Pollard and Sammy took on the task of getting the Stars to a decent total.

Both made starts but both fell in similar circumstances after miscuing attempted big hits to Ross Taylor on the edge of the ring on the off-side.

Pollard was the first to go for 26 from 22 to hand Zampa his third wicket of the night, while Sammy did clear the ropes three times in his 24-ball 36 before becoming Thomas’ second victim.

McClenaghan fell in bizarre circumstances to the very next ball, bowled attempting to ramp a high full-toss that cannoned into the top of off stump. Kavem Hodge hit his first two balls for four and Ahmad launched a huge six

onto the roof before becoming Krishmar Santokie’s first victim.

Hodge’s late cameo continued as he top-edged a pull over Phillips for four to end the 19th over before smearing a flat six over midwicket in the final over. His eight-ball blast brought 21 runs to boost t h e final total.

Still,

though, the Stars came up short.

They will have home advantage when they next aim for that elusive victory against the Knight Riders in two days’ time.

David Warner

wednesDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018

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

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Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Jamaica Tallawahs are undefeated after two games heading into tonight’s clash with the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on top of the points table

Clinical Tallawahs thump Stars by 6 wickets Pg 23

…take on Patriots tonight

“Project 100” kicks off in Rio Pg 22

The Golden Jaguars go through their first warm-up session

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