Guyana Times 15 September 2017

P14

NDIA’s Region 3 office nears completion Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3333

New Demerara River crossing

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, September 15, 2017

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WHAT'S INSIDE: Dubbed a ‘serious pillar’ in the Police Force

Page 9

Patterson claims ignorance of coalition financier’s connection

Blanhum P11 will not be removed as Crime Chief – Ramjattan

...despite meeting ALL affected property owners to be paid off by Govt Miracle births at GPHC Page 7

Doctors deliver twins from mother’s separate uteruses

Consultant in charge of the case, Dr Lucio Pedro (left) and the OBGYN who delivered the babies, Dr Rafi Rozan at the GPHC on Thursday

IAC condemns ‘racial slur’ by Page President’s 10 Press Officer

– says incident yet another reason for reestablishment of ERC

Aviation sector

Alleged cronyism

Page 7

AFC denies knowledge of ‘front companies’ applying for oil licences

“I will not be lectured to!”

– GCAA Director to operators

Page 2

... in response to criticisms from industry stakeholders

Samples P15 from plane wreck to be sent overseas

... on-site inspection for ASL crash ruled out due to terrain

Peruvian P8 remanded for overstaying 3 hospitalised after bee attack at P11 Pomona Prisoner recaptured after P15 escaping from Mazaruni

2 news

friDAY, september 15, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Aviation sector

“I will not be lectured to!” – GCAA Director to operators

…in response to criticisms from industry stakeholders

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n the wake of several accidents and criticisms about his agency’s response, the Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has put his foot down, insisting that he will not be lectured to by operators in the field.

Citing his long background and experience in the field of aviation, GCAA Director General Egbert Field, insisted during a press conference on Thursday, that he had the Government’s support for what he was doing.

The retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) admitted that some of the criticisms from operators had merit and would be considered. But Field also insisted that he would continue to execute the Government’s mandate and not be side-tracked.

“This is not a knee-jerk

The headquarters of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority

reaction,” Field said, in response to one of the prevailing criticisms. “And this Director General, who has spent over 40 years of his life in aviation, who has traversed military, commercial and regulatory aviation, will not be lectured to by anyone in aviation. This Authority of well-trained individuals and this Director General will not be lectured to,” Field declared.

“We will listen to any constructive comments,” he went on to state. “There are a few comments that have been made lately by members of the industry, which do hold some soundness. And we will take that and embrace it. But we will not be lectured to,” he stressed.

Following a number of accidents involving shuttle flights, the Authority had

announced a ban on all such flights. This ban was to allow operators to present the GCAA with their documented flight procedures and policies, for vetting.

But the ban was described by one operator as a knee-jerk reaction – one that would have an adverse effect on interior business. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Roraima Airways, Captain Gerry Gouveia had opined that instead of suspending operations, there needed to be increased operational control and oversight.

According to Gouveia, this includes monitoring of pilots’ on-duty times, the enhancement of search-and-rescue systems, as well as improvements to the runways and air safety training.

“I believe it (ban) was unnecessary. What this is doing is not hurting the operators, but the people in the hinterland; because these operations brought down the cost of living in the hinterland in Guyana tremendously,” he

GCAA Director, Egbert Field

explained.

Gouveia said shuttling, which is basically short flights to transport goods and fuel between interior airstrips, does not cause accidents. “Pilots should obey and observe the same rules of flying, same technical operations of the plane, and same respect for safety altitudes,” he posited.

Review

Meanwhile, it is under-

stood that out of all the operators who submitted their documents, only Trans Guyana Airways was cleared by the Authority. According to Field, the documented flight policies of the other operators were returned in order to be updated. He stated that they were yet to be re-submitted.

The Director General also clarified that the ban was specifically placed on fuel and cargo and not the transportation of passengers. He also noted that while the other operators submitted their manuals as a group, it is required that they make their submissions individually.

When the ban was instituted, no specific period was given for it to be lifted, but Field had said he was hopeful the operators would submit their documents in a timely fashion. He had also revealed that some operators indicated that they were in the process of compiling those documents and would be submitting them either on the day of the ban or after.

Plaisance man wanted for CJIA cocaine bust

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force’s Narcotics Branch are looking for a Plaisance, East Coast Demerara resident in relation to a recent cocaine bust at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Wanted is 27-year-old Delvor Bunbury of Lot 37 Victoria Road, Plaisance.

He is wanted for questioning into a trafficking in narcotics matter that occurred on Monday last. About 16:35h on the day in question, Narcotics Police intercepted an outgoing passenger, who was bound for the United States, and conducted a search on his

Wanted: Delvor Bunbury

belongings.

They subsequently unearthed 1828 grams of cocaine. The suspect, who has been identified as Travis

Mendonca of Kara Kara, Linden and Ozone Park in Queens, New York, was taken into custody and narcotics trafficking charges were instituted. However, he is yet to be placed before the court.

Guyana Times was told that Bunbury’s name came up during investigations; hence, the wanted bulletin was issued.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Delvor Bunbury is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 226-2870, 229-2655, 229-2289, 2271149, 226-7065, 911 or at the nearest police station.

news

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friDAY, september 15, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 15 – 13:30h-15:00h and Saturday, September 16 – a night retraction at 01:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 15 – 12:45h-14:15h and Saturday, September 16 – 13:45h-15:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy to thundery rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with thundery showers expected to continue in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly and Ease South-easterly between 2.68 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 12:32h reaching a maximum height of 2.22 metres.

Low Tide: 05:51h and 18:26h reaching minimum height of 0.91 metre and 1.02 metres respectively.

WEDNESDAY, september 13, 2017

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FREE TICKET

Thursday, September 14, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 04 05 06 08 12 LUCKY 3 8 4 0 Afternoon Draw

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

Secret Cabinet missive exposes another drug scandal

...as Govt bypasses Tender Board to handpick ANSA McAL for $515M purchase

D

espite pronouncements that Government breached the laws of Guyana to award a $605 million drug contract to one of its corporate supporters, the Administration has again sidelined the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to once again sole source in excess of half a billion dollars in drugs from ANSA McAL. The leaked secret Cabinet document outlines that the sub-committee considered and approved the procurement of emergency pharmaceuticals to the tune of $515.2 million.

The sole sourcing practice was a strategy vehemently railed against by the then Opposition, now governing coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

The request to bypass NPTAB was submitted by Finance Minister Winston Jordan and seeks to waive the competitive bidding and evaluation process in favour of sole sourcing the emergency supplies from ANSA McAL. The award of the contract is reminiscent of a similar contract that was handed to ANSA McAL to the tune of $605 million, for which the Public Procurement Commission had launched an investigation and had found that there were breaches of Guyana’s procurement laws in order to facilitate the purchase.

ANSA McAL is the company that had built a multimillion-dollar arch, which was donated to the APNU/ AFC Administration and subsequently erected on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Highway.

The request was approved on Monday last and bears the signature of the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and the decision circulated to the Ministers of Finance and Public

Health.

While the laws of Guyana do provide for the single sourcing of goods and services, these are obtained under special circumstances as spelled out in the Procurement Act. According to that legislative instrument, “The procuring entity may engage in single-source procurement when – (a) the goods or construction are available only from a particular

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

The secret Cabinet decision signed by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

supplier or contractor, or a particular supplier or contractor has exclusive rights with respect to the goods or construction, and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists; (b) the services, by reason of their highly complex or specialised nature, are available from only one source”.

Single sourcing from a supplier is also permitted in the event of a catastrophic incident and there is an urgent need for the goods, ser-

vices or construction, making it impractical to use other methods of procurement because of the time involved in

using those methods.

Government this past year had allocated in its Budget some $4.8 billion for the procurement of drugs, but of that amount $4.4 billion was spent by the Administration using handpicked suppliers, including the owner of the controversial Sussex Street ‘drug bond’.

The investigation by the Public Procurement Commission had found that procurement laws had been broken.

Chairperson Carol Corbin, at the time, had said: “As everyone noted, if the entity was supposed to go to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board and they did not do that, then the law was broken. So, yes, it was found that laws were broken.”

That report has since been submitted to the National Assembly, but the nation will have to await its return from its annual recess next month before having access to the findings.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence had come under intense public scrutiny when it was discovered that she was integral in pushing for the purchase of the supplies using the sole sourcing method.

She had subsequently denied any involvement in the drug purchase arrangement, but not before a missive was released by that Ministry, which indicated that it was the Public Health Minister who wanted to fast track the drug purchase by seeking to bypass the NPTAB. turn to page 9

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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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

The ‘racial slur’ controversy D

iscussions on race in Guyana have always been a delicate topic considering the historical past of the perceived status of ethnic dominance, insecurity and mistrust among the two dominant factions – Indo and Afro – in our society. As such, there is an unspoken rule of diplomacy when public office holders speak, so as not to offend others in a pluralistic society.

Making the headlines in the local dailies and online news on Thursday was President David Granger’s Press and Publicity Officer, who hurled some racial remarks about her colleagues during a private Facebook group chat. A snapshot of the conversation shows the officer saying, “She don’t know these coolie…They still friendsing she while kissing my a**,” referring to colleagues at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The seeds of racial and ethnic disharmony were sown in the British colonial era, but have unfortunately continued in our society even today. The President’s Press Officer’s comments highlight that there is some racial disunity at the Ministry of the Presidency and as a matter of fact, some feeling of ethnic superiority there. Superior behaviour at workplaces can pit employees against one another and in this instance, if one were to follow the conversation trail between the Press Officer and her friends, this is exactly what occurred.

Already President David Granger has distanced himself from his officer’s comments and was quoted as saying, “It is not the policy of the Ministry of the Presidency and it is certainly not my policy.”

However, what is required is not mere distancing the Government from this scandal but rather action.

Zero tolerance for such behaviour is the stronger message the President should be sending. Scandals caused by public officials are in many instances a result of the deteriorating behaviours – in this case by the President’s Press Officer – who has reportedly indulged in all sorts of practices and for this instance, in racial remarks. As such, it is now up to Government to genuinely show Guyanese that it will demand that Public Sector officers strengthen ethics, integrity, accountability and professionalism or be fired. The Government has a duty to tackle any form of racial issues/discrimination within the workforce and more specifically at the Ministry of the Presidency. To ignore its Press Officer’s comment or to downplay it is a dangerous trend to set in Guyana as it will undermine our collective strength as a country and will create deeper divisions. It would be rather disappointing if this racial scandal involving a public official is not thoroughly investigated. Already in Guyana, there is much debate over the lack of interest to investigate instances of corruption, lack of transparency and unprofessional behaviour by the Government.

Employees, whether in Government or Private Sector, expect to be treated fairly and considerately in their respective workplaces. In this instance when it comes to an issue of race, the Government has a moral and legal duty to investigate. In probing this incident, those who are investigating should peruse the Prevention of Racial Discrimination Act, Chapter 99:09. We await Government’s official position on this matter after the “investigation” has been completed.

Lightning strikes behind Las Vegas Strip casinos as a thunderstorm passes through Las Vegas, Nevada (Reuters/Steve Marcus)

Any effort to fight corruption must be free from political control Dear Editor, I wish to put on record for public consumption my views as it relates to the current plague of corruption that has infected the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government and their insincerity in doing anything about it.

It was the APNU and AFC before the 2011 elections and again as coalition partners while in full campaign mode before the May 2015 election, which saw a ‘jumbie behind every bush’ and screamed corruption.

Today, corruption is not about perception but it is real, live, current, able to relate to wickedness, dishonesty, lies, deception, and in many instances now, bold, barefaced crassness. This is further compounded by the manifest acts of cover up by the Executives and their culture of non-disclosure/manipulation of information and non answers to questions raised by the MP’s during deliberations of the National Assembly. This Government is not just engaging in corrupt practices, it is corrupt.

Society is still restless and there is still buzzing on the ground from the continuous effects and consequences of the mass dismissals, political discrimination, the racial and ethnic victimisation and mass witch-hunting by the coalition Government since it took the reins of Government.

I welcome with bated breath the disclosure in sections of the media on September 12, 2017, which read “UN expert has plans to tackle corruption, drugs and to spearhead anti cor-

ruption projects here”. The United Nations (UN), including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and its personnel like all other international agencies has and will continue to play significant roles in Guyana. But I caution these experts and international agencies that they must not be used as a ‘fig leaf’ to cover the current cesspool that exists in the bowels of the current Government’s bureaucracy.

Any effort to fight corruption must be free from political control, if not, those efforts will be misdirected to shake down political opponents and protect allies.

The anti-corruption fight must be led by actors outside of those who exercise discretionary, coercive, or administrative powers. Our current Attorney General is not in any position to lead a fight against corruption. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which is a department of the Guyana Police Force that was established to support and strengthen the investigative capacity of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), has now been politicised and used as a tool to target political opponents. It is lacking in operational independence and it is subject to the direct control of political personalities. It is bordering on becoming a rogue unit of the Guyana Police Force. Guyanese must remember that Mr Sittlington, British expert assigned to the Guyana Police Force/ SOCU was physically present when businessmen were being shaken down at the behest of political masters and was undeniably

present at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and at Freedom House when SOCU sought to arrest and question top leaders of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) as part of the APNU/AFC’s witch-hunt.

This current initiative by the UN expert must not be hijacked by the political circus being led by the current AG. The SARU and now SARA, another political outfit masquerading under the guise of the recovery of state assets through its statements in the media and actions on the ground have all been targeted against PPP/C leaders and supporters. There have been no investigations by SARA into the notorious Sussex Street Bond Scandal, the $632 million procurement scandal at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and the $1.3 billion rape of the Treasury for the construction without any procurement process of the now infamous D’Urban Jubilee Park at Homestretch Avenue. There has been no action against known smugglers and traffickers of illegal fuel by persons connected to this Administration.

Would the Attorney General speak to the issue of $500,000 being spent on monthly rentals for homes for Government Ministers and in one instance $1.5 million being paid by the Ministry of the Presidency for rent for a senior Government official?

Would the SARA or SOCU go after the insider trading, the policy of sole sourcing of contracts that is always favouring friends, family and financiers of the coalition Government?

Therefore, the photograph and the headline and statements by credible international partners must not be misconstrued to suggest that all is well with this current Government.

I strongly call upon the United Nations’ experts, international agencies, organisations of international reputation not to allow themselves or the names of distinguished officials associated with them, to be used as the clean sheet to decorate a defiled bed. The shameless, unrepentant, disrespectful and presumptuous actions of Ministers of the Government and their surrogates must not be allowed to be excused as clumsy mistakes and bad policymaking; they must be seen for what they are, raiding the public purse.

In the days of the Messiah’s sojourn on earth there were those who positioned themselves as the standard bearers of righteousness, decency and morality. There were namely two sects: Scribes and Pharisees but Jesus undressed them in public view when he referred to them as ‘white sepulchres’, meaning nicely painted tombs but rotten on the inside. The facade of nice suits, biblical quotations in speeches and pandering to the gallery, singing songs of Zion are all now tattered, worn. The true man is being seen. Stop hiding APNU/AFC; face the light of scrutiny, transparency and accountability. Answer the people’s questions.

Yours truly, Bishop Juan Edghill PPP/C Member of Parliament

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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

This charade is window dressing for good governance

Dear Editor, The role of the Opposition is to question the Government and hold them accountable to the people. A responsible press does very much the same.

But while most journalists adhere to the principles of their noble profession, there are those who are forced to compromise their integrity to protect their jobs from the wrath of a vindictive Government that is determined to deceive the nation.

So the burden is on the shoulders of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Opposition, to compare the public pronouncements of Government to its actions, which are often deceptive and superficially attractive in appearance, until they are examined more closely.

In fact, this A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) charade is window dressing for good governance.

The Granger Administration operates at two levels consistent with its duplicitous character.

It utters all the right buzzwords about governance for public consumption, but in reality, it practices something very different.

The Government invites the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to work on a Green strategy, but it is destroying the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) by not implementing it. Although the President promised that Guyana would have a 100 per cent renewable power supply by 2025, they are now talking about a 50 megawatt fossil fuel power plant which is something totally different.

They involve the United Nations and the Carter Center on Constitutional Reform, but does everything to delay efforts to reform the Constitution.

A United Nations Advisor, David Robinson, is presently in Guyana, to help the Government fight corruption. This UN Advisor has already drafted an anti-corruption work plan which sets out activities to strengthen Guyana’s anti-corruption regime.

The truth is, this Government is only interested in fighting corruption if it can somehow be traced to a PPP official or former Minister. The Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) has been used as part of the Government’s witch-hunt campaign to harass and intimidate former President Bharrat Jagdeo and members of the PPP, but chooses to ignore the highly controversial and corrupt Pharmaceutical Drug Bond deal. But like my colleague Bishop Edghill wrote in a recent letter, “I caution these experts and international agencies that

they must not be used as a ‘fig leaf’ to cover the current cesspool that exists in the bowels of the current Government’s bureaucracy.”

I therefore urge these international bodies to look beyond the witch-hunting exercise that they will be guided towards, and investigate the true source of corruption plaguing the nation, the Government of Guyana.

After all, the credibility of the United Nations and the British Government is at stake here.

As a strong advocate for ethnic unity, I was pleased with the establishment of the Social Cohesion Ministry. But how serious could the President have been when he selected a person in the form of Amna Ally to run that Ministry?

And although she is no longer there, how could this Government ever achieve social cohesion among our racially and ethnically divided people when: * The Granger school buses are always too filled to stop for children as they pass through the Indian communities * When Indo-Guyanese and those Afro-Guyanese who were perceived to be supporters of the PPP/C were either fired or forced to resign after the 2015 elections * When 1972 Amerindian Community Service Officers were fired because of their association with the PPP * When the Government removed 6000 solar panels that were purchased for the Hinterland Household Electrification Programme and used instead at the Ministry of the Presidency and State House. * And when former PPP Ministers and officials are constantly targeted and harassed by SOCU as part of an ongoing witch-hunt campaign against the PPP. The more I think of the Social Cohesion Ministry, the more I am convinced it was set up as a slushfund in preparation for the APNU/AFC re-election campaign in 2020, but we’re keeping an eye on this.

There are several documented instances where the President and his Ministers have deliberately and knowingly misinformed the nation that the PPP left the Treasury empty. But the questions remain, how can the Treasury be empty when: * They gave themselves a 50 per cent salary increase mere weeks after taking office * When they urge Guyanese to use the Georgetown Public Hospital to avoid paying the 14 per cent VAT imposed on private hospitals, and shamelessly send Ministers to Ireland for medical treatment at taxpayers’ expense * When they splurge taxpayers money on trips overseas; on private jet char-

ter flights; on $500,000 a month house rental for junior Ministers and $1.5 million a month to rent a house for a senior Cabinet Minister. * When they criticise the PPP for spending $2 million on dental work for a former PPP Minister, but spends over $4 million in medical bills on toenail surgery for one of their own.

In our last Budget, the theme was, “The Good Life Beckons.” Yet this Government introduces austerity measures in the same budget that takes away any hope of ordinary Guyanese ever enjoying that “good life”.

The President tells residents at the West Berbice Expo earlier this year that Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) has established itself as “a bastion of Guyana’s food security”,

yet allows MMA to evict 41 cash-crop farmers from the lands they cultivated there and took away their livelihood.

The APNU/AFC propagate that the PPP is a racist party, yet only two of about 60-70 employees working at the Ministry of Legal Affairs are Guyanese of Indian descent. The others were all fired or forced to resign.

This Administration talks about the need for better education, yet there are no jobs for young, highly qualified graduates because job opportunities are only available to retired military personnel.

During the 2015 election campaign, the mantra of the APNU/AFC coalition was all about transparency and accountability. Yet they refuse to publish the contract signed with ExxonMobil,

using a non-existent nondisclosure clause to prevent the nation from knowing the truth, and has raised tremendous suspicion that the true motive behind this cloak and dagger arrangement may be one that is riddled with Government corruption.

The PPP was accused of corruption, yet the Health Minister disregarded procurement laws and processes and directed the Board of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to give a $632 million contract to ANSA McAL for the purchase of drugs at a price much higher than the market value.

This Government speaks with a forked tongue, and simply cannot be trusted.

The Guyana economy is suffering because corruption and incompetence seem to be perme-

ating in every part of this Government. But President Granger seems either unaware or incapable of addressing the failings in his Administration. It is time for this coalition to stop blaming the PPP for everything that goes wrong in Guyana. They are now in Government, they must fix it.

And the witch-hunting of my colleagues in the PPP must stop. Because by 2020, the APNU/AFC would have achieved very little for Guyana and her people, and they would have wasted five long years trying to prove their perception of PPP corruption in the courts at great expense to our taxpayers.

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

Guyanese deeply worried about being able to receive due share of oil wealth Dear Editor, A recent public statement on behalf of the Government of Guyana by Minister Raphael Trotman, the minister responsible for the natural resources sector in relation to the issuance of new oil and gas Exploration and Production licence, was that “whether we go openly and publicly with international bids, or whether we have quiet and private discussions, will be determined by the national interest,” should have all Guyanese deeply worried about being able to receive its due share of oil and gas wealth.

The common and best practice to confer licences

especially in the oil and gas sector in an area where a petroleum system has been proven is by public auctions and not “private discussions”. This is the best way to realise maximum economic value on behalf of all Guyanese and maximum economic value is what is ultimately in the national interest.

In addition, the GuyanaSuriname basin is the second most prospective in the world and the recent success rates of discoveries together with the quality of oil means that there is massive global interest in Guyana’s potential. These elements are all the more reason for there

to be a public auction. Any other method of “private discussions” is simply selling off Guyana’s interest on the cheap and an opportunity for massive corruption as politicians and their acolytes become filthy rich at the huge expense of Guyana and Guyanese people.

What makes this scenario even scarier for me as a Guyanese is the revelations disclosed by the Leader of the Opposition on Wednesday in relation to applications for oil and gas licences by persons close to the APNU-AFC government when combined with the minister’s statement of in-

tention to confer licences by “private discussions”.

The potential for corruption is already huge where natural resources are concerned let alone oil and gas but does not only occur when production starts – it also happens well in advance of production and the Guyanese people must demand that all oil and gas exploration and production licences be taken to public auction. That is in the national interest of Guyana.

Sincerely, Charles S Ramson Esq

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Understanding families:

The role of the family in adolescent development

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evelopmental theories view adolescence as a period of growth in which identity formation is addressed.

This can be interpreted to mean that the role of family is lessening or that family have only a limited role in the lives of young people at this time.

Research shows, however, that ongoing positive family connections are protective factors against a range of health risk behaviours.

Although the nature of relationships is changing, the continuity of family connections and a secure emotional base is crucial for the positive development of young people.

Family is still important It is normal for young people to begin to think for themselves and question aspects of their lives and of family relationships.

These changes may mean times of anger and frustration that is levelled at the family, but in the majority of circumstances these feelings are likely to be temporary or circumstantial.

Parents will benefit from being supported to understand the role of rebellion in young people’s development. Limit setting still needs to occur for poor or unacceptable behaviour.

Many young people who display difficult behaviour are actually doing so in an attempt to have someone set some boundaries and limits.

A great deal of emphasis is placed on the importance of peer groups, and how they become more influential than parents at this age. Whilst peers do become significant,

the quality of the relationship is different, with peers providing intimacy based on equality, and parents providing a relationship still based on a power imbalance.

Peer relationships, therefore, have a purpose, but do not usually become more important to young people.

The need for a secure-base Adolescents are moving towards becoming independent physically, emotionally and cognitively, and yet they are still growing.

Young people still require stability in a home environment,

and a secure emotional base from which to explore and experience the world. This also provides them with somewhere to come back to for reassurance, support and unconditional love in tough times.

A young person benefits from expectations of respect, consideration and reciprocity in family relationships. They still benefit from ‘trying out’ thoughts, feelings and behaviours within the family environment, and from observing and experiencing relationships within families.

There will still be times when they fall, and will benefit from understanding and support to pick themselves back up.

Changing role of parents A parent’s relationship and caring role with a young person continues to be important, although the relationship will need to be flexible to adapt to the teenager’s changing needs.

At this time, there will need to be a gradual change from a more authoritative approach, to a more collaborative approach.

Parents have to face the (sometimes hard) reality that

their child is no longer a child, is becoming independent and is no longer within their control.

They may feel distressed as they perceive that the young person won’t listen to them, or does the opposite of what they may suggest.

They may have to watch their young person disregard the things they thought they taught them were important, such as ways to look after their health, or their future goals (as the parent envisaged it).

Parents have to learn to ‘let go’, not of the relationship, but

of their dreams for the young person, and their authority over the young people, so that they may allow a young person to develop their own dreams and greater self- responsibility.

Guidance and boundaries Guidance and boundaries are still important, however the quality of the relationship, and collaboration rather than ‘obedience’, becomes increasingly important if a relationship is to survive and be maintained.

Joint discussions about rules/options, compromise and flexibility for win/win solutions are important. Warmth and understanding are important, rather than judgmental comments or telling a young person what to do.

C o n se q u e n ce s need to be ageappropriate, and not punitive (see: Setting Boundaries).

Monitoring of a young person’s whereabouts is still important to the extent possible, especially when adolescents are still young. Parental supervision, and access to a parent for support and assistance, are crucial protective factors in young people’s health.

It can be helpful for caregivers to consider the age at which they think their young person will be an adult, and to think about and look forward to, how they would like their relationship with their child to be then. This may lead them to think about and nurture the relationship shift needed between now and then. (strongbonds. jss.org.au)

To be continued

A new type of literacy

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ith this month of September having been designated Education Month, there is a lot of discussion surrounding literacy and numeracy rates amongst the Guyanese populace.

Obviously, this discourse centres on traditional learning, such as being able to read, yet, in this day, there are other forms of literacy that are incredibly important and need to be emphasised.

Whilst being able to read and write is inarguably essential in today’s world, our children should also be technologically literate.

There is no debate that our society is changing. Once, it was that only an elite few were given the privilege of an education. Now, education is seen as a fundamental right. With the advent of improved technology, we saw something similar happening, where only a select few were computer literate. However, it is now becoming evident that being computer literate is less of an asset and more of a necessity.

Yet, we concentrate on traditional forms of literacy for our young children. It seems as though most adults regard computer literacy as a secondary skill, something that can be learned later in life. While this may be true, is there a time too early to start? Technology is always evolving and improving, and therefore, we in turn need to be continuously learning.

Arguably, it is easier to adapt when you have been introduced to computers from an early age.

There is understandably some reservation about the abuse of technology, and the poor effects that it can have on a child’s developmental mental and physical health, especially if introduced to them when they are quite young. However, it is often argued that children learn in different ways, and that technology used in the right way can assist students. I don’t need to talk about the many ways that technology has vastly improved selfstudy; from educational videos on Khan Academy, to learning games for t o d d l e rs , t o providing social media as an avenue to easily distribute surveys for Social Studies.

These benefits are easily

noticeable.

Contrastingly, perhaps what often go unmentioned are the hidden skills that children pick up from doing seemingly “mind-numbing” tasks on their devices. For example, a

Ashley Anthony

parent may despair at their child playing video games on their iPad for an hour or two, and even chastise them, suggesting that they should go read a book instead.

However, videogames can help to improve practical abilities such as hand-eye coordination; they can teach structure and order, since young children will be forced to accept and obey the game’s rules and conventions in order to play; they can teach valuable transferable skills such as accuracy, attention to detail and precision. The major reason why I believe most adults see the increased use of devices such as tablets, phones, and personal computers as dangerous is because they associate them with the mind not being engaged, whilst this is almost always not the case.

Although ensuring their child is technologically literate may not be the first concern of a parent, it should be a major one.

Of course, devices are expensive, and classes are even more costly, but initiatives such as the One Laptop Per Family help to make computer literacy more attainable for some.

Finally, I want to say that just because it may not seem as though something is d i r e c t l y educational, it might be helpful in less obvious ways. Video games and s o c i a l media aren’t inherently bad, and can assist learning if used in moderation.

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friDay, September 15, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Miracle births at GPHC

Doctors deliver twins from mother’s separate uteruses pared to the normal things we go over every day. We have a lot of things happening with good outcomes. You may hear about some of the bad things that happen, but every day, OBGYNs save

By Shemuel Fanfair

D

octors at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) are receiving praise for having pulled off a rare and intricate feat following the successful delivery of two healthy babies from a mother who carried the twins in separate uteruses. What made the 20-year-old mother’s story particularly special was that her type of pregnancy was so rare that statistics suggested its odds at one in a million. The delivery and discovery was made via Cesarean Section (C-Section) on August 25 and her twins – a boy and a girl, were born with normal weight. The boy’s weight was five pounds, eight ounces, while the girl weighed 5 pounds, six ounces.

At a press conference at the GPHC on Thursday, doctors announced that both mother and children were happy and healthy and were discharged from hospital. Consultant in charge of the case, Dr Lucio Pedro said the mother’s rare condition falls under Mullerian duct anomalies (MDAs) which cause “abnormal embryological development of the Mullerian ducts”. The 20-year-old mother’s MDA is called Didelphys Uterus which means she has two uteruses. She delivered full

lives,” Dr Rozan affirmed.

Given the risk of such pregnancies, the mother has implanted two intrauterine devices (IUD) to prevent additional pregnancies. Dr Lucio Pedro, the consultant,

explained that such pregnancies are associated with increased chances for spontaneous abortion, premature labour and cesarean delivery as against normal pregnancies.

Alleged cronyism

AFC denies knowledge of ‘front companies’ applying for oil licences A depiction of the condition

term at 37 weeks, one day and it was likened to winning the mega lottery, given its chances.

Reporters were eager to get into the mind of the doctor who delivered the twins from the separate uteruses, especially considering that the ultrasound did not pick up what was transpiring inside of the mother’s body.

“When I actually went in and I delivered the male baby, there was no way to get into the other side; you had to make another incision in order to go over into the other side for the baby girl,” Dr Rafi Rozan stated on Thursday.

The Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) expressed that he was indeed anxious when he made the discovery, noting that the condition is so rare that he

will probably never see another of the same case in Guyana, given that our population is under a million.

“During post-graduate studies, you read so many things but you don’t actually get to see them, so this was a first for me, I’ve seen a case on TV that’s why I know that the statistics of that say it’s one in a million but these are very rare and you would often get them one time, if not at all, in your medical career,” stated the doctor who also functions as a Senior Registrar at GPHC. He added that the case was just one of many extraordinary achievements that doctors would normally carry out.

“I’m always excited about things. I love a challenge but this is not a challenge com-

O

ne day after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo came out accusing the coalition Government of being involved in cronyism as it relates to the exploration and production licences for oil and gas, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has denied these claims and has urged Jagdeo to name those involved.

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, who holds the portfolio of Public Security Minister, told a news conference on Thursday that instead of Jagdeo accusing the entire coalition Government, he should specifically name the relatives, friends and associates of Ministers and senior Government functionaries being incorporated into companies through complex shareholding arrangements and are applying for exploration and production licences for oil and gas.

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan

But Jagdeo said that if the AFC could deny this and assume the opposite, that meant that it knew of the application and knew every member of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Cabinet who was part of the company. Jagdeo believes the party’s denial could mean that it had full knowledge.

“Rather than investigate it, you come out 24 hours later with a denial. There is no way he could find out from every APNU/AFC member whether they have family members who are part of it,” he opined.

The former President also took Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson to task over his remarks that there were no more blocs in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Atlantic. “All the blocs are being given out…,” Jagdeo said, while urging that the available blocs be auctioned instead.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Jagdeo said this move could see middlemen, through these ‘front companies’, with close relations to the coalition APNU/ AFC Administration, raking in tens of millions of US dollars. turn to page 15

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friday, September 15, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPHC to investigate reports of staff negligence

F

ollowing an uptick of reports accusing medical, nursing and administrative staff of negligence, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is urging the public to lodge complaints at its Complaints Office, near the institution’s New Market Street Complex.

The GPHC said the complaints would be treated confidentially and investigated by the Patient Complaints Committee.

In an official release on Thursday, the GPHC noted that it provided “competent and professional” services to over 400 patients at its Medical Outpatient Department and alluded to its concern over some members of the public having grievances with the services provided. The GPHC indicated that after the investigations conclude, it would make efforts to correct the deficiencies to prevent reoccurrences.

For years, medical personnel at the public health institution have been at the receiving end of intense criticism regarding their treatment of patients and instances of maternal and toddler deaths.

On Wednesday, a Better Hope, East Coast Demerara pregnant woman, Davya Singh expressed bitter complaints against the GPHC for almost causing her death for what she reportedly believed was negligence on the part of the staff at the institution.

The woman indicated that she al-

Terms of…

T

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

most died from blood poisoning, alleging that a cut made to remove an abscess on her leg was not properly mended and she was only saved after she sought treatment at a private medical institution.

According to a senior source at the GPHC, many of the district hospitals, such as the ones at West Demerara, Diamond and Suddie, are declining to treat intricate medical procedures and would often make referrals to the GPHC. This, the senior doctor said, is putting much strain on the main hospital and the official criticised those institutions for avoiding any case which posed a challenge.

“They are not doing much, they are sending all the difficult cases to Georgetown Hospital, so we have to bear

the brunt of these complicated cases and when somebody comes here and dies, we [at GPHC] are the ones who take the blame,” the senior doctor disclosed.

Another issue plaguing healthcare delivery is staff shortage at public health-care institutions which Guyana Times highlighted earlier this week. At the West Demerara Hospital last week, it was disclosed that several departments have staff shortages, including the x-ray department, theatre and pharmacy.

Meanwhile, persons with grievances regarding the service they received at the GPHC can contact the Public Relations Officer at telephone number 227-8234 or the Quality Improvement Manager on 227-6902.

Peruvian remanded for overstaying

F

ifty-two-year-old Manuel Fernandez, a Spanish-speaking visitor from Peru, was on

Thursday arraigned before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for overstaying his time in Guyana

in violation of instructions stipulated in his travel document and without seeking an extension of stay.

Fernandez appeared before the court of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, who read the charge detailing that between June 4, 2017 and September 10, 2017 at Georgetown, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, he failed to comply with conditions subject to which any permit had been granted, that is to say having been permitted to stay from March 4, 2017 to June 3, 2017, he overstayed the said period.

The unrepresented defendant, who cut a lone figure before the court of the Chief Magistrate, denied the charge instituted by the State and continued to maintain his innocence by entering a not-guilty plea.

Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore prosecuted the case, and bail was refused in light of the existing issue of border insecurity which opens a gateway for persons evading the law to easily and illegally enter the neighbouring country of Brazil, thereby undermining the laws of Guyana.

Fernandez was remanded to prison pending the outcome of trial, which is expected to commence shortly. In the meantime, he was ordered to return to court on September 25, 2017.

…(non)endearment

he firestorm over Prezzie’s Press Officer’s (PPO) put-down of a co-worker as a “coolie” isn’t going away as some had hoped. It’s now reported there will be an “investigation”. We don’t know by whom.

Unfortunately, Prezzie’s top honcho PRman, Captain (retd) Mark Archer, didn’t say it would be a Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Now before you, dear reader, think your Eyewitness is over-reacting, chew over this.

First of all, who was it in Prezzie’s office that earned the put down? Was she actually an Indian-Guyanese or was the word “coolie” used as a trope for what “those people” stand for? What defines “those people”? In the screen-shot we were privy to, the PPO made two charges. Firstly, the “coolie” was “trying to turn (the PPO’s) staff against” her. If we had a CoI, for instance, we would be able to find out whether this promotion of insurrectionary behaviour is a typical trait of “coolies”.

On the whole, your Eyewitness up to now thought this was a rather GUYANESE trait, especially since he was recently reminded so by Prezzie – when he vowed to construct a new 1823 Monument for the insurrection by African slaves in that year. But maybe “coolies” only foster insurrections in localised and not national situations? And this would kinda make them more like the “house slaves we’ve been conditioned to condemn, wouldn’t it? They were the ones who took “massa’s” side whenever there was a conflict between him and the field slaves – who were the ones really oppressed.

Now the question arises, as to whether the PPO sees only Indian-Guyanese who work in the President’s office as “house-slaves or those stirring up insurrections in any part of the entire governmental apparatus. Is PM Nagamootoo, for instance a “coolie” in this usage of the word, since he not so long ago was attempting to rouse his AFC colleagues to an insurrection over the Cummingsburg Accord not being observed?

But maybe not – because of the second objectedto characteristic of the “coolie” as adumbrated by the PPO: they’ll be “friendsing” the person pushed into insurrectionary behaviours while kissing “massa’s” a55 – here personified by the PPO. Now, while we don’t know about the “a55-kissing” proclivities of the PPO’s co-worker who earned her ire, we do know for sure the other stalwart Indian-Guyanese who brought their 11 per cent into this Government are most definitely NOT “a55-kissers”.

Now if we had that CoI, all of these points would’ve been clarified, as for instance occurred with the oneman CoI into the Police reaction to that alleged death threat to Prezzie.

And maybe we can get rid of all the “coolies” like in the GPF!!

…building bridges

Back in the day, there was a song about being a “bridge over troubled waters” for someone you cared about. It was soooo sweet! Well, it looks like this Government has a heart, after all. Your Eyewitness thought it was kinda cold for the Government to cut loose all those businessmen who made “political investments” in the Jubilee Park. Well, he THINKS they were cut loose.

But on the newly announced bridge the Government’s laying across the troubled waters of the Demerara River, it’s just revealed they’re doing it in part (and there will no doubt be MANY parts!) for one financer of the APNU/AFC coalition – Stanley Ming.

Now your Eyewitness doesn’t know why some are upset about this. After all, the Government through Trotman (of the Nassau Accord fame) did announce his “political investment” doctrine right up front, didn’t he?

So if Ming just happens to own the piece of land over at Versailles where the bridge was located, isn’t that just the way the cookie crumbled?? Wink! Wink!

Commuters should be pleased. When the bridge retracts, their vehicles will be ‘allowed to park” on it!!

Some comfort for the delay, eh?

…fraternity?

How dare the Moca NDC automatically assume the Lombard St squatters that’ll be relocated to houses built for them there, won’t be choir boys?

Racists!!

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

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friDAY, september 15, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

New Demerara River crossing

Patterson claims ignorance of coalition financier’s connection ...despite meeting ALL affected property owners to be paid off by Govt

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ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has claimed ignorance on whether a coalition financier stands to benefit from millions of dollars as a result of the chosen location for the construction of the new Demerara River crossing spanning Houston and Versailles.

Patterson met with members of the local media corps on Thursday for an Alliance For Change (AFC) press engagement, during which he claimed that the Ministry has had meetings with the property owners and residents of all of the seven locations examined.

Despite this acknowledgement, the Public Infrastructure Minister claimed that he did not know whether coalition financier Stanley Ming did, in fact, owned the property on the western bank of the Demerara River at Versailles.

Minister Patterson was at the time responding to concerns raised by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who said the previous day it was “miraculous” and “not coincidental” that the very location that had been identified

by Ming in 2015 for the erection of the new river crossing had been chosen by the Government.

According to Patterson, Government will have to acquire properties on the eastern bank of the River and had identified a plot of land owned

by Muneshwar’s, in addition those bearing a nursery school and two private dwellings.

Despite acknowledging meetings with those to be impacted by the new bridge at Versailles, Patterson told media operatives he was unaware that the coalition fi-

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

nancier owned the property.

Jagdeo was adamant it was no coincidence that Ming, a senior member of the Reform component of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), now stood to benefit from possibly hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Opposition Leader, during his media engagement, used the occasion to draw reference to a plan that had been devised by Ming in 2015, which had concluded that the best location for the new bridge was between Versailles and Houston.

Jagdeo surmised that Ming’s suggestion was made without the aid of a feasibility study and juxtaposed his then suggestion, with the recommendation in the feasibility study which ‘miraculously’ chose that location as the best option for the bridge. This despite the conclusion of any environmental and other social impact studies being conducted on the identified alternative locations.

According to the former President, Ming now stands to benefit from huge sums of money, since the land at the Versailles end of the proposed bridge belongs to him and

Government will have to pay him to acquire the land.

Patterson insists, however, that the proposed bridge location was in fact known to the Opposition Leader, since studies that had been conducted under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had identified it as a possible site.

Jagdeo had, on Wednesday, told media operatives that he consulted with the then Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, who had indicated to him that the PPP/C Administration had seen an area closer to the existing bridge as a viable option.

Patterson was also questioned on the proposed acquisition of lands by the State for the construction of the new bridge. While refusing to divulge the Ministry’s request of the Finance Minister for funding to begin the project in the 2018 budget, slated to be presented before the end of the year, Patterson did divulge that monies for the acquisition of property and for the construction of the approach road network would be included in the 2018 Budget.

Patterson also used the opportunity to deny that there was any secretive arrangement in pursuing the project, as was first raised by this publication in its Wednesday edition, which pointed to a non-disclosure agreement that would have to be inked by contractors looking to be prequalified.

He said this non-disclosure agreement only applied to ‘proprietary information’ supplied by the contractors to the Government.

The Minister did not address any of the other prohibitive conditions implied in the request for contractors to be

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

prequalified.

This publication had highlighted that under the arrangement Government was looking to pursue with contractors, in addition to the non-disclosure agreement, bidders will be forced to waive a number of rights.

These include the right to protest if a bidder believes an unqualified or undeserving contractor was given the nod ahead of everyone else.

Ensuring the Government is protected from any fur-

ther lawsuits from aggrieved companies, the invitation for prequalification bars bidders from taking legal action against the State regarding the selection procedure, evaluation and the final decision for the tender.

It adds that “by participating in this procedure, you (bidder) accept and acknowledge the aforementioned and waive all rights in connection therewith, including the right to protest against the decision for the shortlist and the selection of the preferred bidder, to claim damages against the Employer, its director or any of its affiliates and advisors”. Additionally, the bridge designs which firms submit cannot be considered the firms’ property. The invitation states that bidders waive their right to ownership of all information and designs they provide in the prequalification and bidding period.

Firms also waive the right to any payment or compensation of costs they would have incurred in tendering, no matter the outcome of

Stanley Ming

the process. As if that is not enough, companies can have their bids refused without any reason having to be provided.

According to the Ministry’s invitation to prequalification, “The Employer reserves the right, at its sole discretion and without stating any reason, at any time and in any respect, not to award a contract following the tendering, or to terminate the prequalification and/or tender procedure.”

Secret Cabinet missive...

Drug purchases by and for the nation’s premier health institutions had come under intense scrutiny earlier this year when probity by the political Opposition had found glaring discrepancies and breaches of the laws of Guyana.

It was discovered that of the total $8.5 billion allocated to the entity for the year, employment costs account for $3.1 billion; capital expenditure has been budgeted at $527 million; dietary and meals at $537 million; and other purchases, such as cleaning supplies and security, have been budgeted at

$579 million.

This meant $2.6 billion was left for the year for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies.

As such, with $2 billion of that money already spent in the first two months of the year – representing some 77 per cent of the total allocation for the year – Government was undoubtedly pegged to be heading to the coffers for more money.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill, in what can now be termed as a clairvoyant moment, had predicted “raping of the treasury will take place”

from page 3

during the August recess, and the full amount would not be made known until October when Government is made to lay a Supplementary Financial Paper in the National Assembly, detailing the expenditure.

Parliament is currently in recess and will resume on October 8. It was discovered that more than 90 per cent of the drugs purchases made this past year was done on an emergency basis.

“Are we manufacturing emergencies to avoid proper procurement…this manipulating of the system must stop!” Edghill declared.

10 news

friday, September 15, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Makers of ‘concrete blocks’ to abide with GNBS requirements – consultation held with block makers in Region 2

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Some of the concrete block makers/contractors from Region Two during Thursday’s consultation with the GNBS

cores of concrete block makers/contractors from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) voiced their views on the move by the Guyana National

Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to standardise block making.

Many of them said if they should do so, then the price for a concrete block would eventually increase. They

raised their concerns at a consultation session held on Thursday in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The hollow block makers

IAC condemns ‘racial slur’ by President’s Press Officer – says incident yet another reason for re-establishment of ERC

T

he Indian Action Committee (IAC) has said it has taken note of the media reports of alleged racial utterances purportedly attributed to the President’s Press Officer, Lloyda Nicholas-Garrett.

“Given the uneasiness that such alleged comments can precipitate and the negative impact it can have on the fragile fabric of social harmony, the IAC reiterates it’s another reason for the urgent establishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC),” the IAC said in a statement.

The IAC, while welcoming the investigation reportedly launched into the incident, said it was gravely concerned given what was in the public domain. It, therefore, urged that the investigation be conducted thoroughly, unhindered, swiftly and its findings made public soonest, for such incidents can have national ramifications especially given its reported source.

The IAC said it wished to unequivocally state its condemnation of anyone who resorts to the use of racial slurs and racial bashing in reference to and during engagements with others. “In addition, these alleged utterances unnecessarily bring to bear humiliation on those targeted,” it posited.

The IAC said such actions have no place in society and have over time proven their potential in the sowing of discord. The IAC calls on all organisations to ensure its members, agents or representatives do not indulge in such actions, and they should be expelled if found responsible.

Public Information and Press Services Officer, Lloyda Nicholas-Garrett

The IAC believes that mixed messages were being sent through the alleged transgression by someone with direct access to the Head of State who established the Ministry of Social Cohesion with its mandate an administrative priority.

The IAC also reminded that all, especially those who hold public offices, have a national responsibility not to engage in any activity or place comments in the public domain that threaten peace and harmony.

would now be required to follow the standards required by the GNBS and, as such, the contractors are calling on the Bureau to have a standardised ratio of all raw materials that will be required to make one block. This consultation came after several consumers complained of purchasing “weak blocks”.

According to GNBS Public Relations Officer Lloyd David, the purpose of the consultation is to develop a draft bearing standard for

block makers.

Once the standards are approved, then the requirements will become a law and all block makers will be responsible for following same.

David said that the GNBS would be responsible for the enforcement of the requirements.

The consultation was part of a series in an effort to set a standard for block makers as well as to represent consumers’ rights. (Indrawattie Natram)

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S RAIGHT

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friDAY, september 15, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Dubbed a ‘serious pillar’ in the Police Force

Blanhum will not be removed as Crime Chief – Ramjattan ... Assistant Commissioner Williams to act as Crime Chief

Are householders important to the economy?

I

f you dig into the Greek meaning of Economics, it is classified as the “law of household management”. There is no greater economist than an ordinary householder who manages the expenses in a home. There is a piece of work by Xenophon, a great General in classical times where he relates to a conversation between Socrates and an ordinary farmer called Ischomachus.

That conversation was defined as the conversation on “Oeconomicus” and the essence of that conversation was nothing but the art and science of household management, which turned out to be the essence of essential economics.

Socrates defined the meaning of wealth as a result of that conversation and identified it with usefulness and well-being of the beneficiary; not merely possessions of toys by a few. It comes back to the old aphorism “a rising tide lifts all boats”.

Similarly with economic management, if only the Granger cabal multiplies their possessions during 2016-2020, then clearly the economy is going backward because less of the people will be finding themselves useful and this will translate to them doing worst not just economically, but socially and mentally.

I started this week’s Straight Talk Column with this philosophical line because too many people believe that you have to have a Masters in Finance or a Doctorate in Economics to really understand what is happening in the Guyanese economy and this is just not true. The ordinary controller of the cash in each household actually has more practical knowledge about how to run an economy that the academics. These people feel the real pain points every single moment of the day and are constantly making economics decisions.

So when friends of mine, who are ordinary head of households, says to me “Sase, this is the worst year for me in all my adult life living in Guyana”, you have to take their words seriously because you can bet your last dollar that the respective heads of household are relating to the reality of the economy. When those members of a nuclear family tell you that over the last two years they had to alter their overseas vacations from once per year to every two years, then you have to ask why? Did one of them lose they job? No! Are they working for less absolute cash? No! So what is the problem?

Then the money manager of that family blurts out “our collective income today is purchasing less that it was purchasing two years ago and we have less free money to put aside for a vacation, so we have no choice but to cut our cost before we end up losing our house”. As the conversation advanced, I garnered that their first priority is to pay down their mortgage and then provided the essential foods for their children. Then the transportation cost, lessons fees, school supplies and so on. Think of this carefully. Isn’t this how a nation's affairs ought to be managed? Housing first while at the same time paying down the debt?

So why is the Granger regime doing the complete opposite? Running up the debt and dis-incentivising Private Sector investment in the housing sector is horrible public policy from ‘Team Granger’.

The Minister’s statement in the Half Year Finance Report for 2017 said “the CH&PA expects to commence construction in the second half of the year of … 40 duplexes at Perseverance; 40 at Onderdeeming, Essequibo Coast; 40 at Experiment, West Coast Berbice; 40 at Perseverance second phase; 20 at East Bank Demerara; 50 at Perseverance Phase 3, East Bank Demerara; 60 at Amelia’s Ward, Linden; 60 at Wisroc, Linden; and 80 at New Amsterdam”. If we include the few that were built in the first half of 2017, the total new housing units added to the national stock of housing is less than 500 housing units for all of 2017.

Under the People’s Progressive Party's (PPP) tenure, the Private Sector was incentivised to drive this process, which saw, over 3000 homes per year being added to the national housing stock. This is the philosophical difference between the previous PPP Government and this current People’s National Congress (PNC)-led Government. One aims to incentivise and empower the Private Sector and one wants to crowd out the Private Sector and expand the Public Sector by centralising core economic activities. There is logic as to why the PPP model added six times as many new homes to the national stock of housing compared to this PNC-led Granger regime. It comes down to a deep distrust of the Private Sector by ‘Team Granger’. When will Minister Jordan get it that his model is Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com. wrong?

Acting Crime Chief Paul Williams

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum

Assistant Superintendent Rabindranath Budhram

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

he recent move to send Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on leave has sparked controversy, with many persons claiming that the decision is one that could be a clear indication that there may be some major reconfigurations waiting to take place within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

But Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has put those rumours to rest, stating that Blanhum had accumulated excessive leave and based on a request from him, leave was granted.

In fact, Ramjattan said the Crime Chief had accumulated over one hundred days annualised vacation.

“I noticed that a lot of people are saying we are trying to get rid of Blanhum.

Blanhum is a serious pillar in this Police Force.

Whatever it is, understand that; and he has done a fantastic job in the opinion of the Government and in the opinion of the Minister,”

Ramjattan told media operatives on Thursday.

The Minister stressed that he would need the Crime Chief back on duty in time for Christmas when there is always a peak in criminal activities. His leave was approved for September to December, 2017.

In explaining what took place after Blanhum proceeded on leave, Ramjattan explained that while Blanhum’s Deputy Detective Senior Superintendent Rishi Das would have been the next person in train to take up that post in his absence.

Das decline and later fell ill on the job.

Given the circumstances, the initial decision was made to have Commander of F Division (Interior locations), Assistant Superintendent Rabindranath Budhram take over until such time.

However, it was felt that Budhram was doing an already good job in his assigned area and that he should re-

main there.

“We need Budhram in F Division because you would appreciate that that Division has three regions under it (Regions Two, Seven and Nine) and Budhram has been doing an extremely good piece of work since he has taken on that Division.

And we are also doing a further sub-divisioning of F Division,” he added.

The Minister said at this point in time, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams will act as head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) until Blanhum returns. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Lindon Alves will act as Commander of B Division (Berbice).

“He (Williams) has a law degree and the arguments

were made that he would be better placed there,” he further added.

Ramjattan asserted that when a senior Police Officer is on leave it automatically puts pressure on the system and leads to a temporary reshuffling that is necessary to keep the Force functioning effectively. He argued that while the temporary reshuffling has raised some suspicion, this is not the case.

“It is about strengthening and ensuring that we have continuity in where it should be…So, it is not what is going on wrong.

The implicit messaging of your questions is as if a whole set of things going on wrong. No, it’s not and we are trying as best as possible to address this issue.”

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3 hospitalised after bee attack at Pomona

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esidents living in Pomona New Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (SupenaamPomeroon) are fearful about freely going about their daily routine owing to a swarm of bees in the area.

Seven persons have thus far been stung by the bees, three of whom are presently hospitalised at the Suddie Public Hospital. They are currently being treated for hundreds of bee stings.

According to resi-

dents, the bees, suspected to be Africanised, are currently on a mango tree near an abandoned house.

The house was previously occupied by some overseas-based Guyanese.

Pomona residents are, therefore, calling on the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to chop the mango tree down or to have someone in the business of apiculture remove the bees from the area. (Indrawattie Natram)

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guyanatimesgy.com

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n embracing the heritage of his African ancestors, Local Steel Pan Champion, 20-year-old Hanana Ben Lewi, has for some eight years now been indulging in the arts and music. This is as the award-winning performer seeks to revive the culture of his forefathers by continuing the traditions which were brought to the Caribbean during the days of the plantation system.

While pursuing a secondary education at The Bishops’ High School, the budding artist became exposed to avenues which later led to several noteworthy accomplishments he now has under his belt.

It all began back in 2009 when the student picked up his first pair of steel pan sticks. Since then, Ben Lewi has evolved as an upand-coming musical genius, even winning himself a number of prizes at various platforms, both at home and aboard.

Among his achievements are his titles at the Republic Bank Panaorama Competition which saw the young artist securing second place in the Junior Solo category in 2015. However, this was certainly not enough for the overachiever who subsequently went on to cop the top spot and was crowned the first place Champion

in the very category for two consecutive years to follow. Given his many successes, he now looks ahead to the senior championship, come next year.

Adding to that, the 20-year-old who is now a second year International Relations student at the University of Guyana, has also dipped his toes in drama and poetry. In doing so, the young man recently walked away with the 2nd place prize at this year’s Hip Hop and Poetry Slam Competition.

“I play pan because it acts as a link between me and my forefathers,” expressed the Junior Solo Champion is his attempt to outline what prompted his interest in music and more so this particular instrument.

Ben Lewi went on to say, “Given that steel pan is the only instrument invented in the 21st century and was birthed in the Caribbean, I am filled with pride when playing this instrument.”

Moreover, he explained the link to his art and that of his ancestors by noting, “I carry the torch of talent and innovation.

This is to remind myself and the world that the Africans who were brought here were not savages but men of talent and intellect.”

Just last month, the young musician was a part of the Guyanese delegation that journeyed to Barbados to participate in Carifesta XIII. In fact, Ben Lewi was placed at the forefront as his band took to a local school to inspire interest in steel pan by hosting mentorship sessions with a group of students.

“This was my first time participating in Carifesta and it was a real honour to represent my country. It was also a pleasure to perform for a foreign crowd, especially given that our performances were amazing. Everyone was excited to see us play,” relayed the young artist.

In light of his expertise and pursuit of the arts, the young man recently returned to his alma mater as he takes on the role as a Music and Literature teacher, as well as the Pan instructor of the high school band from which he hails.

Stemming from his participation in a three-week cultural exchange to the United States as a part of the Youth Ambassadors delegation of 2015, the young enthusiast has his eyes on a career in politics and one day hopes to represent his country on a more official basis as an Ambassador of Guyana.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, september 9, 2017

J

ust months after being sashed as Guyana’s representative at this year’s Miss Global International Pageant, local beauty queen Cynthia Dookie on Saturday copped the overall title, as the 23-year-old walked away with the dazzling 2017 crown.

Dookie on the evening of September 9, 2017, swept the RIU Montego Bay Hotel in St James, Jamaica into a frenzy, as she competed alongside a total of about 35 beauties from across the globe. During the showcase, the fitness trainer copped a number of the significant prizes, placing her at the forefront among her pageant sisters, resulting in the 23-yearold being crowned Miss Global International 2017.

The pageant on Saturday last featured a variety of segments, which included displays of national costumes, swimwear reflecting the colours of the participating countries, evening gown, talent showcase, question and answer, as well as the segment carrying the most weight; the interview.

With her outstanding performance, the local beauty queen not only walked away with the coveted Global International Crown, but managed to secured Best Evening Gown and Most Aware awards as well. Dookie thereby won herself several eye-catching prizes, of which US$1000, a trip to Dubai and a gift basket from Bute Cosmetics were all among the mix. The Guyanese queen was trailed by first runner-up Annie Newball of San Andre, while Miss Trinidad and Tobago Djennicia Francis secured the second runner-up spot.

This is not the first time the 23-year-old had tried her hand at pageantry, as Dookie only recently participated in the local leg of the Miss India Guyana Pageant from which she emerged as the second runner-up.

The local leg of the Miss Global

Miss Global International 2017, Guyanese Cynthia Dookie (middle) joined by 1st runner up – San Andres (right) and 2nd runner up – Trinidad and Tobago (left)

International Pageant only recently came under new leadership as the now National Pageant Directors – Hashim Alli and his wife, Melicia Partab-Alli – took over the reins of the pageant some four years ago. Ever since then, Guyana has recorded significant improvements in the performance of representing delegates, with Guyana copping the ultimate title this year. Just last year, musical sensation Poonam Singh finished first runner up at

this very platform, while taking with her the special prizes of Best Personality, Best Maja Outfit, Best Evening Gown and Best National Costume. Prior to that, Alicia Bess finished as second runner up, when the pageant was held in Trinidad and Tobago back in 2015.

However in 2014, Onesha Hutson managed to make her way to the top five, winning Best Talent and Best Smile as well.

Dookie being crowned Miss Global International 2017 marks the second time Guyana has secured an international crown, with the first being local queen Alana Seebaran, who won the

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Miss I n d i a Worldwide title of 2012.

The complete results for the 2017 Miss Global International Pageant are as follows: Guyana’s Cynthia Dookie, Miss Global International 2017; 1st runner up – San Andres; 2nd runner up – Trinidad and Tobago; Best Talent: Miss Trinidad and Tobago; Best Smile: Trinidad and Tobago; Miss Congeniality: Philippines; Best Figure: San Andreas; Best Cultural Presentation: Guyana; Best Costume: Jamaica; and Best Gown: Guyana.

District Lounge to come alive for “Rise Again” disaster relief party T he District Ultra Lounge housed at the Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, is set to come alive on September 24, as local organisation, Young Pioneers, is set to host a grand benefit relief party in aid of the victims who suffered at the hands of one of the most intense Hurricanes in the Atlantic.

This is in light of the massive destruction brought on as Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc across the Caribbean just days ago.

As such, in an effort to lend a helping hand to the recovery efforts currently underway in several countries across the region, the youths of the non-profit organisation are inviting the public to join in on the “Rise Again” initiative, and party to great music – all for a charitable cause.

This noble venture comes to you with the kind compliments of the Young Pioneers in collaboration with the Ultra District Longue, with the partnership further extending to including the Guyana Live online entertainment platform.

Founded in 2013, Young Pioneers is a non-governmental organisation with a special focus on youth development and giving back in service to the community and country at large. The non-profit entity targets young individuals with the aim of exposing them to leadership skills and training while creating avenues for them to become involved in charitable service projects.

This is all with the intention of unlocking the full potential of young Guyanese leaders. The Young Pioneers are of the belief that there should be a balance of

humanity and individuality in one’s life, hence their move to offer assistance to the victims of the widespread natural disaster.

Over the past years, Young Pioneers have organised and executed a number of activities similar to this; their most recent undertaking included toy drives, book drives, outreaches, food and clothing distribution, funds for medical assistance, health and other social campaigns, visits to retirement homes and orphanages, among others.

Adding to that, the army of change

members attached to this organisation has also benefited from development opportunities including networking, mentorship programmes and exposure to overseas organisations, along with other training capacity building opportunities.

With that in mind, the local group now moves to extend their reach beyond Guyana, and as such, the staging of this benefit party is most timely and fitting, especially since the assistance will be much welcomed by the victims across the region.

Doors to the grand “Rise Again” disaster relief party are set to be opened at

20:00h with the revelry promising to last through the night. Admission to the event is tagged at $2000, with all proceeds being directed towards funding relief efforts for those suffering losses as a result of Hurricane Irma and the disaster that accompanied the hurricane.

Given the worthy cause, the Young Pioneers group is calling on Guyanese to come out and support this venture while cashing in on the experience provided at one of the hottest party spots around the city.

14 news

friDAY, september 15, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

NGOs partner to distribute AFC wants process to establish LGC fast-tracked 300 backpacks to vulnerable – nominates party General Secretary for the Commission

Former Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud

has been given assurances that it could be addressed in a matter of weeks. “There were names given and we indicated that there were some persons who ought to be named on it, and we are trying to rectify that and get confirmation from some of the people that we have considered,” he opined.

Despite these efforts, members of the Opposition have accused Government of deliberately delaying the process of establishing the Commission and attempting to trample on local democracy.

By Samuel Sukhnandan

A

fter numerous calls and much clamouring from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), a major party in the coalition Government has said that it wants the process of establishing the long-awaited Local Government Commission (LGC) fast-tracked so that Guyanese from across the country could see their local government systems become more effective, and which will bring about development in communities.

Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan said his party is keen to have the LGC fully constituted. “It is the party’s position that the nominees for the Commission should be fast-tracked and that the Guyanese people benefit from a fully constituted LGC,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Ramjattan, a senior Government Minister, said the AFC is fully tuned in to the need to have this Commission constituted and will continue to play its part in ensuring that it does all is required to ensure that is done. In fact, the AFC has nominated a senior AFC party member.

He said, “We have already gone through the gamut as a party to nominate Marlon Williams (AFC General Secretary) for that process and we have already gotten some names from the Cabinet as to who should be members on that Commission and the Opposition nominees.”

While acknowledging that the process has gone a far way, Ramjattan said Cabinet is now in the process of looking at two other names to finalise the team for the establishment of the LGC. “The impression is being given by some of the naysayers as if we do not want LGC. The AFC has made it quite clear; we want as early as possible the LGC. We have named our names and we would expect that Cabinet would come up with the names as early as possible,” he argued.

At the last Cabinet meeting, the Minister said he raised the issue again and

AFC General Secretary and nominee for the LGC, Marlon Williams

While the AFC has indicated that the process could be completed soon, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan had told this publication that Government will be working to meet the deadline by the end of this year.

Bulkan said while Government had set previous deadlines, it will work hard to ensure that the next deadline is met. He said the appropriate site to house the facility is still being sought after, explaining that the problem is trying to get a suitable location. However, he said there is no intention on the part of Government to abandon the setting up of that body.

Former Local Government Minister and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) Ganga Persaud has, however, argued that it is extremely disappointing that after all the statements and concerns expressed by the coalition Government to enhance democracy and to rush bills while promising to give more autonomy to the local government bodies, the LGC is yet to be established.

The former Minister also chastised Government for its delay in appointing nominees for this important body, claiming “it’s a deliberate ploy, because the Minister wants to use their terms, he wants to be the control freak, to hug up all the sources of power and roll them up under his thumb.”

Persaud went on to state that it is most unfortunate, given all the major promises made by the now Government to restore local

democracy, give greater autonomy to people, and allow them to manage their own affairs, so that local government can grow to the benefit of all Guyanese.

Another PPP Member of Parliament, Neil Kumar, has also accused the coalition Government of trying to do everything in its power to frustrate the smooth running of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) after that party had been soundly thrashed at the March 2016 Local Government Elections.

Kumar had also said that if the LGC is not established soon, the entire machinery of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would be shut down, and the only function of the Elections Commission would be that of identification cards’ distribution at all the permanent centres.

In the 2016 budget estimates, some $30 million was allocated by the Government to the non-functioning LGC. When asked, Bulkan had stated that this was to al-

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

low the Commission to operate independently of Central Government.

The LGC, when established, will have oversight over the various Local Authority Areas in the country. It would also be responsible for appointing officials in the NDC and Local Authority Areas, as well as approving budgets for the NDCs. By law, the Commission is to be made up of eight members – four nominated by the Government, one from the unions, and three from the Leader of the Opposition.

Former acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba and former Local Government Ministers Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore were nominated as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) representatives on the LGC. In addition, the Committee on Appointments had recommended that Andrew Garnett of the Guyana Local Government Officers Union be appointed as the union representative. Government is the only stakeholder yet to fulfill its responsibilities to nominate representatives to the Commission.

children in Linden

Students from Linden pose with their backpacks

By Utamu Belle

T

he late great Maya Angelo once said, “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed”. These words ring true and continue to inspire those affiliated with the Linden based non-governmental organisation For the Children Sake Foundation (FCSF), the Linden Fund USA (LFU), Food For The Poor (FFP) and The Carter Jaiden Foundation.

These organisations are committed to helping families thrive in disenfranchised communities.

Recently, they partnered to distribute much needed backpacks and other school essentials to assist scores of vulnerable children in getting back to school. Three hundred students from Linden were beneficiaries.

During the distribution exercise, Tisha Campbell, Director of FTCSF, echoed a quote from the late Maya Angelou, noting, “As Dr Angelo stated, the act of giving is a blessing.”

Campbell said “this is why we hope to contin-

ue this partnership, distributing these much needed resources to the community. Furthermore, we are thankful to FFTP for the donation of books so that our youths can become educated and independents adults. We are thankful for this initial donation and we hope that this is a sign of a better, stronger collaboration,” she continued.

Campbell, in citing an example, said many times children in vulnerable situations do not have anything to call their own, hence the gift of school essentials can mean a lot to parents who cannot afford to purchase them.

Kellyann Reece, Programme Manager of FTCSF said, “we have always had a strong interest in helping communities rise, and through various programmes (Nutritional Enhancement programme, Child Development and Food Hamper programmes) we will ensure that each child grows up in an environment that facilitates their positive growth and development”.

Mr Hope of the Carter

Jaiden Foundation pointed out that in many instances these school children hardly have the financial solvency to buy a school bag.

“Any earnings made by their families meet basic needs and a school bag for them is a luxury. As a socially responsible corporate entity working tirelessly to making a difference in the community, we believe that it can help these children by becoming a part of their lives, which may help them to dream bigger through a proper education”, he said.

Office Manager of Linden Fund, Cheryl Waite, also noted that it was a joy to present a child with a backpack filled with school supplies.

“Children immediately put them on, and smiles spread across their faces,” she said. The organisations expressed heartfelt gratitude to Samantha Fraser, Fonda King, Dr Gregory Harris, Dr Eertenisa Hamilton, Ms Theresa Carrington, Rushell McCalmon, Francine Major and Romaine Hudson who assisted in making the activity a success.

NDIA’s Region 3 office nears completion

T

he rehabilitation of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Region Three office is 98 per cent complete.

The capital expenditure item, which was factored into the Authority’s 2017 budget, caters for decentralised services being offered within the Region.

The building houses the NDIA office, as well as the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) offices.

Renovation of the upper flat of the building located at Den Amstel on the West Coast of Demerara was estimated to cost $8.5 million and included window replacement, repairs to roof and ceiling, plumbing, refitting of basic amenities, repainting, and furnishings.

According to NDIA’s regional engineer, Lall Piterahdaue, who super-

Rehabilitation work on the NDIA building is almost complete

vised the project, prior to repairs, the building was unsuitable for use by NDIA’s regional staff. Lall said the regional engineers often times travelled to the Ministry’s central office to facilitate the Region’s administrative work. The upgrade is, therefore, timely.

Devcon Construction and Contracting Services was awarded the contract in May 2017.

NDIA Chief Executive Officer Frederick Flatts anticipates the doors of the office will be opened to the public at the beginning

of October. Decentralised NDIA services in the Region now mean that farmers and other persons seeking technical support and assistance would no longer have to travel to Georgetown to access it.

Additionally, regional engineers will also be able to function more effectively within the region.

The Department of Public Information said the regional office was one of the first of a series of NDIA offices which were to be set up in all 10 administrative regions.

news

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friDAY, september 15, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Samples from plane wreck to be sent overseas ... on-site inspection for ASL crash ruled out due to terrain have noted facts from the interviews that this aircraft flew to Eteringbang loaded with drums of fuel.”

“Some of the drums were not secured. Thus, we are looking at areas surrounding the engines, but also shifting load and other factors.”

ASL crash

Killed: Roraima Pilot Colin Martin

Killed: ASL Captain Imran Khan

By Jarryl Bryan

pilot flew from the Eugene F Correia International Airport in the morning and executed a total of 19 shuttle flights.

“We are investigating,” he related. “And we are paying close attention to the flight and duty time limitations in this accident.”

A

s it continues its investigations into three recent plane crashes, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is facilitating the overseas transport of samples from the wrecked Roraima Airways plane that claimed the life of Major Colin Martin.

This was disclosed

by Director General of the GCAA, Egbert Field, during a press conference on Thursday. Field related that the engine and propellers of the BrittenNorman island aircraft Martin was piloting would be transported to the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) in Washington, DC, United States, as part of the investigation.

“In the first accident, involving a Roraima aircraft (in which) the pilot Colin Martin died, the aircraft was found nose down. In relation to that accident, we have retrieved the engines and the propellers and they were brought to the Eugene F Correia Airport for safe keeping. It is now awaiting exportation to the NTSB,” he related.

“In such cases, it is the responsibility of the operator to ship the engines. But they are kept under safe keeping. We have the lock and the seals, so it is about to be sent to the National Transportation and Safety Board in Washington.”

Fields noted that the Authority had completed all its interviews with the various eyewitnesses.

Giving a synopsis of the events preceding the accident, Fields stated that the

Field said that the final crash site where Air Services Limited (ASL) Captain Imran Khan lost his life was almost inaccessible for GDF special forces.

He noted that the GCAA’s own inspectors have thus far been unable to access it.

In fact, Field ruled out any of the GCAA’s inspectors accessing the crash site. He stated that as a result, the authority would be pursuing its investigation from an analysis of the pictures the Army took.

In addition, he revealed that officials from Captain

Injured: Captain Dominique Waddell

Wings Aviation crash

Meanwhile, he also gave an update on the airplane crash that occurred on August 8, involving Captain Dominique Waddle. Waddle, who is attached to Wings Aviation, survived this crash, when he went down early in August.

“We have also retrieved this engine and the propellers, which are secured at the Eugene F Correia Airport and are also awaiting exportation to the NTSB. We have interviewed the standby witnesses and in this case, we

Khan’s company and the station from which the aircraft took off would be interviewed.

The last crash had involved Captain Imran Khan, 41, of Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), who had been attached to ASL. At the time, he was flying from Chi-Chi to Mahdia when his Cessna 206 (8R-GFM) aircraft went down.

On August 8, 2017, a single-engine Cessna aircraft, piloted by Captain Dominique Waddell, was taking off from the Eteringbang airstrip in Region Seven (Cuyuni-

AFC denies knowledge of ‘front...

He said they could flip those licences to international companies, since they were unable to raise the required capital for the exploration and development activities required for commercial oil production. One such company identified in recent times is Totaltec, which is spearheaded by the brother of the Petroleum Advisor to President David Granger,

Dr Jan Mangal.

The Opposition Leader said: “There are at least two companies that we know of that have developed complex shareholding structures that have made applications.”

Speaking to the need for the available blocs to be instead auctioned off rather than having preferred companies apply, Jagdeo sought to point out that a

from page 7

premium must be considered.

He was adamant that several of the local companies applying for petroleum licences “have no means whatsoever – who are aligned to Ministers and their families, etc, and some others, cronies – they have no means of finding hundreds of millions of US dollars to do the exploration work.”

Mazaruni) when it crashed.

The Wings Aviation plane was on a shuttling mission from Eteringbang to Ekereku when the incident occurred.

On July 25, 2017, Captain Collin Martin, a retired Guyana Defence Force Major, was piloting a Roraima Airways aircraft when it crashed, killing him

almost instantly. Martin perished after the BrittenNorman Island aircraft he was operating crashed on landing at Eteringbang.

Prisoner recaptured after escaping from Mazaruni

A

lthough successful, a bid to escape from custody was shortlived after law enforcement officials recaptured a 31-year-old convict who was discovered missing from the Mazaruni Prison farm on Wednesday.

Vijay Sanchara, a former resident of Wakenaam, Essequibo, is currently serving a seven-year sentence for attempted murder.

While details surrounding Sanchara’s disappearance remain sketchy, it was revealed that he was picked up by prison wardens and taken to the farm to work. It was during this time that he made good his escape.

Acting Prison Director Gladwin Samuels told Guyana Times on Thursday morning that both Prison and Police ranks were out looking for the escapee. He disclosed that they received information from a tractor operator who reported that he gave a ride to someone matching Sanchara’s description from Karrau – a neighbouring settlement –

Recaptured prisoner Vijay Sanchara

to a crossing some distance away.

The Acting Prison Director noted that from where the escapee was reportedly dropped off, he would travel further into the hinterland where mining operations are being carried out or to the Region (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara – Region Three) from which he hailed.

Samuels subsequently confirmed that Sanchara was recaptured sometime around 17:15h at Goat

Creek, a mining district in the region.

Meanwhile, the Joint Services are still continuing their manhunt for the three inmates who managed to break out from the Camp Street and Lusignan penitentiaries back in July.

On August 31, Police in Linden shot and killed Camp Street prison escapee Uree Varswyck, also called Malcolm Gordon, during an armed confrontation.

This was during an intelligence-led operation after reports of Varswyck and Mark Royden Durant, called “Royden Williams” and “Smallie”, another Camp Street prison escapee, plus another inmate, were seen in the Central Amelia’s Ward Area in Linden.

Durant, who is alleged to have been the mastermind behind the July 9 jailbreak and fire that flattened the Camp Street Prison in Georgetown, managed to escape from the Police. He is still on the run along with Cobena Stephens, who also escaped from Camp Street, and Paul Goriah.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, september 15, 2017

Regional

Brazilian President Irma creates bittersweet travel bonus for luckier Caribbean islands Temer faces new corruption charges T

Brazil’s President Michel Temer attends a breakfast with leaders of the allied base in the Chamber of Deputies at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, September 13, 2017

B

razilian President Michel Temer was charged on Thursday with obstruction of justice and racketeering, the office of the Prosecutor General said in a statement on its website.

It will now be up to the Lower House of Congress to vote on whether or not the President should stand trial before the Supreme Court.

The charge is related to the plea-bargain testimony

by executives at the world’s largest meatpacker, JBS SA. They have accused Temer of taking bribes in return for political favours and conspiring to stifle testimony that would implicate him. Temer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Last month, the Lower House rejected a prior corruption charge Temer faced – that he took bribes from JBS officials.

(Reuters)

Number of US staff hurt in mysterious Cuba incidents now 21 – official

U

nited States officials are aggressively investigating what caused symptoms ranging from hearing loss to mild brain injury in 21 people linked to the US Embassy in Cuba, a State Department official said on Thursday.

Spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a briefing that no new incidents had been reported since late August, but testing continued, with 21 people saying they had been injured in what some media accounts have called an “acoustic attack”.

“We are, at the State Department, very deeply concerned about what has taken place and what has happened to our American personnel who have been serving at our Embassy in Cuba,” Nauert said. “This has certainly turned out to be a difficult situation for some of our people.”

The incidents, which began in late 2016, were first confirmed by a US official in August. Nauert said at that time 16 people had been in-

jured.

Some of those had returned home for testing and treatment, Nauert said, while others had been tested in Cuba, where the Embassy has a fulltime medical officer.

News media have reported that Americans and Canadians working in Cuba have been diagnosed with hearing loss, nausea, headaches, balance disorders and conditions as serious as mild traumatic brain injury and damage to the central nervous system.

“The investigation into all of this is still underway. It is an aggressive investigation that continues and we will continue doing this until we find out who or what is responsible for this,” Nauert said.

She said US diplomatic security personnel had been able to look through the rooms of some of those injured and conducted searches but still had not determined the cause of the injuries. (Excerpt from Reuters)

oday, a cruise ship carrying around 3000 passengers will dock at St John’s harbour in the Caribbean island of Antigua.

It will not be where the passengers expected to land when they booked, however.

The Carnival Plc ship was meant to dock in Saint Martin, 100 miles (160 kilometres) to the northwest. However, Hurricane Irma devastated the island, wrecking its port and infrastructure, and leaving it out of bounds for tourists.

Antiguan officials now expect the Carnival Fascination to visit every Friday, and have gotten about 25 calls from major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Norwegian Cruise Lines looking to make stops through the end of the year.

For Asot Michael, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister for Tourism, the unexpected arrival of thousands of tourists is a bitter-

An aerial view of the houses destroyed by Irma during the visit of France’s President Emmanuel Macron to the French Caribbean island of St Martin on September 12, 2017

sweet bonus.

“We are going to be benefiting. I don’t want to benefit from others’ misfortune after such a disaster,” Michael said.

“But because the port is so damaged in Saint Martin, so damaged in Tortola in the

British Virgin Islands, we’re getting some of those cancellations. Those cruise lines now are making ports of call into Antigua.”

Hurricane Irma left behind a stark divide in the Caribbean ahead of the winter tourism season that

is the Region’s economic lifeblood. As travel to the Region picks up again, cruise lines, hotels, airlines and other companies are directing customers to places that are able to host them, and away from the worst-hit areas. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuela’s rabbit plan encounters cultural problem

V

enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has devised a “rabbit plan” to counter the economic war he says is being waged against his Government by “imperialist forces”.

The President urged crisis-hit Venezuelans to breed rabbits and eat them as a source of animal protein.

Venezuela is facing record levels of child malnutrition amid persistent food shortages.

An Opposition politician said the plan was “a bad joke”.

President Maduro revealed the idea on State television, saying that “for animal protein, which is such

an important issue, a ‘rabbit plan’ has been approved because rabbits also breed like rabbits”.

The leader did say that the “rabbit plan” had not got off to a good start and the Minister of Urban Agriculture, Freddy Bernal, said there had been a “cultural problem”.

President Maduro said rabbit kittens had been handed to 15 communities as part of a pilot project by Bernal.

“When he came back, to his surprise he found people had put little bows on their rabbits and were keeping them as pets; it was an early setback to Plan Rabbit.”

“A lot of people gave names to the rabbits, they took them to bed,” Mr Bernal said.

The Minister urged Venezuelans to start seeing rabbits “from the point of view of the economic war”.

Amid laughter from fel-

low Ministers at a Cabinet meeting, he said that “we need a publicity campaign on radio, TV, in newspapers, in cartoons, everywhere, so that the people understand that rabbits aren’t pets but two and a half kilos of meat”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Former guerrilla is Uruguay’s 1st female Vice President

L

ucia Topolansky, Senator and wife of ex-President Jose Mujica, has become Uruguay’s first female Vice President.

Topolansky took over after the resignation of Jose Sendic amid corruption allegations.

A former left-wing guerrilla like her husband, she escaped prison, spent 13 years in jail, and survived torture.

Uruguay has been led by the left-wing Frente Amplio party, which has promoted generous social welfare policies, since 2005.

Under the Constitution, Sendic, the former Vice President, should have been replaced by the Senator with the most votes in the

Lucia Topolansky (right), wife of ex-President Jose Mujica (left), received unanimous support from the General Assembly

last elections.

That should have been Jose Mujica, the former President, who became popular across the world for giving away most of his salary and was dubbed “the

world’s poorest president”.

However, Mujica is ineligible due to a prohibition on presidential re-election, so the senator next in line was his wife.

Topolansky will also

head the Senate and the Uruguayan congress’s general assembly.

The couple were separated for 13 years while imprisoned in separate jails Mujica and Topolansky were involved in Uruguay’s armed insurgency, known as the Tupamaro movement, in the 1960s and 1970s.

Topolansky left her upper class family to join the insurgency, and was nicknamed “La Tronca” (“The Tree Trunk”) for her reputation for toughness, after spending time in prison.

She was one of 38 political prisoners involved in a high-profile prison escape from the Carcel Cabildo, a women’s prison, in 1971.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

friDAY, september 15, 2017

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Around the World

UN seeks massive help for Rohingya fleeing Myanmar T

he United Nations appealed on Thursday for massive help for nearly 400,000 Muslims from Myanmar who have fled to Bangladesh, with concern growing that the number could keep rising, unless Myanmar ends what critics denounce as “ethnic cleansing”.

The Rohingya are fleeing from a Myanmar military offensive in the western state of Rakhine that was triggered by a series of guerrilla attacks on August 25 on security posts and an army camp in which about a dozen people were killed.

The US has called for a massive intensification of relief operations to help the refugees, and a much bigger response from the international community.

“We urge the international community to step

Rohingya refugees stretch their hands to receive aid distributed by local organisations at Balukhali makeshift refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, September 14, 2017

up humanitarian support and come up with help,” Mohammed Abdiker, Director of Operations and Emergencies for the International Organisation for Migration, told a news conference in the Bangladeshi capital. The need was “massive”, he add-

ed.

The violence in Rakhine and the exodus of refugees is the most pressing problem Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has faced since becoming national leader last year.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the

UN Security Council on Wednesday urged Myanmar to end the violence, which he said was best described as ethnic cleansing.

The Government of Buddhist-majority Myanmar rejects such accusations, saying it is targeting “terrorists”.

Numerous Rohingya villages in the north of Rakhine have been torched, but authorities have denied that security forces or Buddhist civilians set the fires. They blame the insurgents, and say 30,000 non-Muslim villagers were also displaced.

The crisis has raised questions about Suu Kyi’s commitment to human rights, and could strain relations with Western backers supporting her leadership of Myanmar’s transition from decades of strict military rule and economic isolation.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US urges China to use oil leverage on North Korea

U

S Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said it is “very difficult” to get China to agree to an oil embargo on North Korea, but he is hopeful that the “great country” will decide to use its “powerful tool” of oil supplies to persuade Pyongyang to reconsider its development of nuclear weapons.

Tillerson’s remarks came on Thursday at a joint news conference with UK’s Foreign Minister Boris Johnson in London where he met British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron.

He said the United States has sought an embargo on oil imports to North Korea at the

The United Nations agreed last week to weaker measures against the North [Hannah McKay/Reuters]

UN Security Council in response to North Korea’s most powerful nuclear test to date.

But the UN agreed last week to weaker measures against Pyongyang – although the UN is banning textile exports, an import-

ant source of revenue for the North.

“It’s clear that with respect to oil, and a complete embargo on oil from the UN Security Council, that’s going to be very difficult,” he said.

“In effect, that is direct-

ed at China alone because China supplies essentially all of North Korea’s oil.

“I am hopeful that China, as a great country, a world power, will decide on their own, will take it upon themselves to use that very powerful tool of oil supply to persuade North Korea to reconsider its current path towards weapons development, reconsider its approach to dialogue and negotiations in the future,” he said.

Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara, speaking from London, said China and Russia believe that stripping North Korea of everything will push Pyongyang to the war. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Celebrations as Nigeria’s ‘Chibok girls’ reunited with families

M

ore than 100 “Chibok girls” freed from Nigeria’s Boko Haram have been reunited with their families and will soon return to school.

Now young women, they were among 276 girls kidnapped by Islamist militants in 2014, and have spent months undergoing rehabilitation therapy.

Women Affairs Minister Aisha Alhassan says they are now “fully recovered”.

They were handed over to their parents at a party in the capital Abuja.

Most of the girls were released by Boko Haram in May, in a controversial prisoner swap deal with the

17

The girls were reunited with their families at a party in the capital Abuja

Nigerian Government that saw five Boko Haram commanders released.

The girls spent months in Government custody, undergoing psycho-social therapy after their traumatic

experience at the hands of the Islamist militants.

The Government says they are now “fully rehabilitated” and has promised to sponsor their further education.

Alhassan said: “They are going to be in one of the best schools, the American University of Nigeria, where they will start a special foundation programme like a pre-degree.

“It’s a very happy day.

When the girls came out, they were so traumatised that they didn’t even believe they were free. They are fully recovered, and they are very anxious to go to school.”

More than 100 of the schoolgirls kidnapped from Chibok remain in Boko Haram captivity.

But Alhassan said negotiations with the militants are ongoing to secure their release. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iraq: At least 60 die in twin attacks near Nasiriya

A

t least 60 people have been killed in two attacks in southern Iraq, Police and health officials say.

A suicide bomber detonated a vest and gunmen opened fire inside a restaurant near Nasiriya, capital of Dhiqar province, security sources said.

Soon afterwards, a car bomb exploded at a nearby checkpoint.

So-called Islamic State said it carried out the attacks. Shia Muslim pilgrims, including Iranians, were killed by the suspected militants.

According to news agency AFP, one report said the attackers were disguised as

members of Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) – a mainly Shia group that has fought alongside Iraqi forces against IS. The attackers struck at midday local time (09:00 GMT) in stolen army vehicles.

“One attacker blew up his suicide vest inside the crowded restaurant while a group of other gunmen started to throw grenades and fire at diners,” said police colonel Ali Abdul Hussain, quoted by Reuters.

At least seven Iranians were among the dead, health officials said, adding that more than 90 people were injured. (Excerpt from BBC News)

India to invest $17B on Japanese bullet trains

I

ndia will invest US$17 billion to build its first high-speed train system, having reached a deal with Japan to help finance the project.

The network, which will run 508 kilometres between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, was announced on Thursday

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This is the new India, and the flight of its dreams is endless,” he said. “The bullet train project will bring speed and employment. It is human-friendly and eco-friendly.”

Japan will fund more than 80 per cent, nearly US$1.4 billion, of the project’s cost, providing a 0.1 per cent interest loan due to be repaid over the next 50 years.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the development – a joint venture

between Indian Railways and Japan’s Shinkansen Technology – will prove beneficial for both nations.

“A strong India is good for Japan, and a strong Japan is good for India …

We are fully committed to supporting this initiative,” he said on Thursday.

Abe said the deal marks increasing levels of cooperation between the two regional powers.

“The Indo-Japan relationship is not just about bilateral trade. It has developed into a strategic and global partnership in the Indian-Pacific region,” he said.

The line, which will use Japanese bullet trains and technology, is expected to be complete by 2023 and will cut travel time between the two cities from eight hours currently to around three.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Qatar ‘uses US$38B to support economy’ during Gulf crisis

Q

atar has used US$38 billion to support its economy during a dispute with other Arab states, a rating agency says.

The trade, tourism and banking sectors have been worst hit by the restrictions put in place since June by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain, according to Moody’s.

It estimates that about US$30 billion has flowed out of Qatar’s banking system and expects further withdrawals.

Qatar’s neighbours say they cut it off over its alleged support for terrorism.

It denies supporting extremist groups and says the

crisis is politically motivated.

The Saudi-led bloc announced on June 5 that they had severed all links with Qatar.

Qatar’s only land border was closed; ships flying the Qatari flag or those serving Qatar were banned from docking at many ports; and much of the region’s airspace was closed to both Qatari aircraft and foreign airlines flying to and from Doha.

The Qatari Government stressed that it had sufficient resources to defend its economy during the crisis, but foreign investors took flight with no progress being made towards a resolution.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FriDAY, september 15, 2017

ARCHIE

ARIES

Excessive

behavior

on

(March 21- your part or on the part of April 19) someone you are close to will

cause friction. Impulsive actions will lead to a division that will result in regret.

Stick to what you know

TAURUS and the things that work best (April 20- for you. Be specific and tactful May 20) when presenting what you have

dilbert

to offer and you’ll get good results.

Don’t take chances while GEMINI (May 21- traveling or when dealJune 20) ing with the powers that be.

Make sure your personal papers are up to date and that you don’t take careless risks.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Enjoy the comfort of home with friends and family. Your hospitality will help you gain popularity, but don’t break the bank trying to please. You cannot buy love.

Instability at home or work will leave you feeling emotionally drained. Don’t let uncertainty drag you down.

Instead, work on finding new opportunities that could offer greater security.

Simplicity, moderation VIRGO and discipline will be re(Aug. 23quired if you want to reach Sept. 22) your goal. Don’t give in to anyone using emotional manipulation or possessing ulterior motives.

Don’t jump to conclusions LIBRA (Sept. 23- or overreact. Be reasonable and Oct. 23) have patience with those using emotional tactics to entice you into doing something you shouldn’t. Partnerships need to be handled with care.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — NOVELLA

Giving in to an impulse SAGITTARIUS will result in trouble. Don’t let (Nov. 23- your emotions lead you down Dec. 21) a slippery slope. If you cannot afford something, don’t buy it.

Caution is your best friend.

(NOVELLA: no-VEL-uh: A short prose tale or novel.)

Average mark 18 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 26 or more words in NOVELLA? The list will be published tomorrow.

Show reluctance if someCAPRICORN one tempts you with something (Dec. 22- that isn’t good for you. Take a Jan. 19) conservative position and opt out if an offer is costly, indulgent or risky.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — QUARTZITE quart quartet quartz quiet quire quirt quit quite quitter quiz

urea utter attire azure azurite rate ratite raze rite tare

tart taut tauter tear teat tetra tier tire titer trait

treat trite true tzar zeta irate etui

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

Share information and SCORPIO communicate openly. Your (Oct. 24straightforward attitude will Nov. 22) help you in business and when dealing with delicate matters at home or with friends.

Express your feelings.

solution for Last Published Puzzle Don’t overspend trying to AQUARIUS compensate for something (Jan. 20- you did or didn’t do. The best Feb. 19) way to deal with mistakes is to fix them without going into debt. Do the work yourself.

Listen to others, but don’t PISCES (Feb. 20- react in haste. There will be March 20) good and bad in the information you receive. Look for ways to salvage what you can and to counter with something that’s fair.

FRIDAY, september 15, 2017

Pakistan vs World-IX Independence Cup…

19

Pyeongchang Games 2018…

Anti-doping bodies standing Lahore bracing firm on Russia ban for thrilling finale S F

inally, it is about the cricket once more. All the talk of the World XI’s tour of Pakistan being more than just a cricket tour may well have been poignant, but the competition can only be worthwhile if there’s something on the line and if the action on the cricket field actually matters.

The first T20I especially suffered for this lack of consequence; the fans seemed simply happy that cricket was being played in their country, and were there for a party. With the game itself a bit of a dud, the whole thing felt rather flat afterwards.

The second game, both in its competitiveness and drama, reminde d everyone what it was

on Wednesday, in which he conceded just seven runs, means he could go into the final game with plenty of confidence. The visitors have the upper hand in the power hitting department, and if Thisara, Darren Sammy and David Miller all click, Pakistan would be in danger of having the game wrenched away from them.

In the spotlight

Recently appointed Pakistan’s all-format captain, Sarfraz Ahmed has so far had a quiet tour, scoring 4 in the first T20I, before being dismissed for a golden duck on Wednesday.

In the field, his decisions came in for scruti-

the results could be far more destructive.

Team news

Pakistan’s top six are fairly settled, and any tinkering that might occur is likely to happen lower down.

Arthur stressed the importance of giving new players opportunities, so Faheem Ashraf, who faced just one ball and bowled just one over, could come back in.

Very popular in Pakistan, Sammy’s omission from the playing XI in the second T20I came as a surprise, and he might start again.

takes place from 9-25 February, would be clean.

Last year, an independent report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) found evidence of state-sponsored doping in Russia, for which the IOC is yet to decide on sanctions.

Two commissions

Russia were well represented at the Sochi Games 2014

Hashim Amla steered the World XI chase with an unbeaten half-century (AFP)

they had so desperately missed in their country, and completely divorced from its wider perspective, achieved its purest purpose. A game of cricket was on, and boy, was it worth watching. The crowd may not have got the result they wanted, but Thisara Perera’s late heroics ensured that Gaddafi Stadium on Friday won’t just be a venue for the culmination of festivities, but a Colosseum that befits professional competition.

Pakistan’s biggest concern, following their failure to defend 174 on Wednesday, is regarding the fitness of Hasan Ali. Coach Mickey Arthur expressed hope he would be fit to take the field on Friday but said they’d assess him on the morning of the game. Usman Shinwari, who played in Hasan’s place in the second T20I, wasn’t an option captain Sarfraz Ahmed looked too comfortable using; he bowled just one over in the innings.

As for World XI, the bowling looks much stronger with the inclusion of Samuel Badree and Morne Morkel’s first three overs

eventeen national anti-doping organisations have demanded that Russia is banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Less than five months before the start of the Pyeongchang Games, the group said the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) “refusal to hold Russia accountable for one of the biggest scandals in sports history... imperils clean athletes and the future of

ny, following the last-over loss, with some suggestions that the bowlers - Shinwari in particular - weren’t utilised to the best of their ability. There is nothing in the slightest that would indicate a sustained dip in form or judiciousness. But as the man leading the Pakistan side in such a feel-good series, nothing would cap the tour off better - at least for Pakistan fans - than the wicketkeeper-batsman making a winning contribution in the decider.

Tamim Iqbal has offered tasters of what he is capable of in both games, cameos of 18 and 23 whetting the crowd’s appetite, but is so far yet to follow up with a main course. It’s not like he can’t score big runs in the format; he has a hundred and a pair of 80s, and the left-hander in his groove is perhaps the epitome of a subcontinental player’s talent being fully expressed. His opening partner Hashim Amla was able to kick on after a start in the second game, eventually making a match-winning contribution. If Tamim follows his lead on Friday,

George Bailey is the only World-XI player yet to get a game and could find himself thrown in for the decider. (ESPN Cricinfo)

the Olympic movement”.

The Nados, which includes the UK and US anti-doping agencies, said the country must be punished “for proven corruption of the Sochi 2014 Games and continuing failure in its obligations to clean sport”.

They also warned they had “serious doubts” that Pyeongchang 2018, which

set up in December have still not concluded, with speculation that Russia could face a heavy fine, escaping a ban.

Canadian law professor Richard McLaren’s 144page independent study concluded more than 1,000 Russians benefitted from the doping programme across 30 sports.

As a result, Wada recommended all Russian athletes be banned from competing in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

But the IOC chose not to impose a blanket ban, instead leaving decisions on whether Russians could compete to individual sporting federations. In total, 271 Russians competed in Rio. (BBC Sport)

President’s College football programme targets over 400 students A

t a special general assembly to commemorate President’s College’ 32nd Anniversary on Thursday, former student Jafar Gibbons launched the “President’s College Football Teams” project in the presence of his Excellency, President David Granger and Region Four’s Regional Education Officer, Penelope McIntosh.

The President’s College Football Teams is a project founded by Gibbons and backed by the student alumni. It’s aimed at the establishment and the development of football in the school which is home

to more than 400 students, and targets both males and females with the ultimate goal of forming a team for both genders respectively.

The first phase of the project began with the clearing of the school’s ground which hasn’t been cleared for close to a decade.

The project will commence on September 24 at the Golden Grove comm u n i t y ground.

Jafar Gibbons speaking at the launch of the “President’s College Football Teams” project

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, september 15, 2017

Grenada vs Guyana International Friendly

Rashid Khan goes "Jackie Chan" recalled to Adelaide Strikers …young talent also included F

ollowing his impressive form in T20s this year, Afghanistan's Rashid Khan has signed with the Adelaide Strikers for the 2017-18 Big Bash League.

The 18-year old legspinner ended his first IPL earlier this year as Sunrisers Hyderabad's second-highest wicket-taker, with 17 from 14 matches. In the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League, he claimed the tournament's first-ever hat-trick and finished with the best economy-rate of 5.82 for Guyana Amazon Warriors.

"I am very happy to have signed with the Strikers for the BBL," Rashid said. "It is a huge honour to be a part of such a great tournament and even more of an honour to be the first Afghanistan player to participate on the BBL stage. I look forward to linking up with my Strikers team-mates and backroom staff."

Strikers coach Jason Gillespie said: "Rashid has set the world alight in T20 cricket with his energy, enthusiasm, and great control for a young guy. He has some great variations, can bowl stump-to-stump and can be very hard to pick. We're delighted to be able to offer him the opportunity to play for the Adelaide Strikers."

Rashid joins former South Africa batsman Colin Ingram as the franchise's two overseas signings.

Strikers, who had finished sixth out of eight in the last season, will open their campaign this year against Sydney Thunder on December 22.

Adelaide Strikers squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Jono Dean, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Colin Ingram, Rashid Khan. (ESPN Cricinfo)

T

he Senior Men’s National Team, the Golden Jaguars have called up a provisional locally-based squad in preparation for the International Friendly against the Grenada’s Senior Men’s National team on October 7 in Grenada.

The squad consists of four Goalkeepers, seven Defenders, 13 Midfielders and three Forwards with players coming from Silver Shattas Football Club (FC), Den Amstel FC, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC, Milerock FC, Santos FC, Western Tigers FC and GFC. Among those called up is veteran striker Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson, young defender Jeremy Garrett and his counterpart Ryan Hackett.

Interim Head Coach of the Golden Jaguars, Wayne Dover, in a release to the media said the squad has some young talent and noted that he will be focusing on fitness as Guyana prepares

Wayne Dover

to face one of the toughest opponents in the Caribbean.

“There is a large group of young players in the squad who earned their call-up from performances in the Corona Beer Cup and Mayor's Cup. The other players who make up the squad are players who are part of the senior national pool. Training will be done three days per week and will focus on aerobic, aerobic

endurance, anaerobic and strength” Dover revealed According to Dover, a shortlist of the local squad will be done prior to departure and they will be joined by the selected international players: “At the end of these sessions, the technical staff will select the best players as well as the best overseas-based players to shortlist a final 18-man squad for the upcoming game.”

The squad is scheduled to depart to Trinidad for a two-day encampment before leaving for Grenada on the 5th October. Other members of the technical staff include Rawle Adams –Team Manager; Charles Pollard – Assistant Coach; Linden France – Physical Trainer; Eon De Veira – Goalkeeper Coach and Denzil Hernandez – Physiotherapist.

Bryan Joseph, Head Coach of the National U15 male team, will assist with training in the absence of Pollard who will join the squad in Trinidad.

Aliyah Gordon aiming to be ‘competitive’ at Pan Am Hockey tournament A

By Michelangelo Jacobus

lready a star on the local hockey scene, Guyana’s young female hockey sensation Aliyah Gordon will be looking to further establish herself on the international

stage when Guyana hosts the Pan American Indoor Hockey Tournament in October.

The female team is currently undergoing intense training at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall which will also be the venue for the

tournament.

Guyana Times Sport had a chat with Gordon at a recent training session and the forward revealed that along with the other players they are “really putting in the work” as these are the final days leading up to the

tournament.

The main aim of Aliyah and the team as a whole is to be as competitive as is possible with the other competitors in the tournament.

The Pizza Hut GCC player couldn’t help but express her pleasure at the team being

Table-toppers Essequibo face Upper Demerara/ East Bank at Everest

H

Ricardo Adams

aving a perfect record in the ongoing Jaguars’ Franchise 3-day League, leaders Essequibo will now face Upper Demerara/East Bank today at the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) when round three actions gets underway.

The team from the Cinderella county have two outright wins which place them on 32.5

points, 9.5 points ahead of their closest rival Upper Corentyne.

For Essequibo, much will again be relied on the in-form Ricardo Adams with both bat and ball.

The return of Keemo Paul should bolster their chances added with the likes of Kemol Savoury, Kevon Boodie and Anthony Adams.

For Upper Demerara/ East Bank, Chandrapaul Hemraj who has the ability to compile big scores and be handy with his left-arm spin will need to fire for a team positioned fifth on the eight–franchise points table.

Over at the Lusignan Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara franchise will battle Georgetown. East Coast has had two abandoned matches, which makes this one essential for them to gather momentum. At

the top, Brian Sattaur has looked to be in good touch but needs to kick-on from the starts and lay a big score against a competent bowling line up.

Off-spinners Gajanan Suknanan and Ramaal Lewis has been the city side trump cards and along with leg-spinner Steven Sankar, they ask serious questions of the opposition batsmen.

With the bat, Georgetown has looked suspect with only Christopher Barnwell, Robin Bacchus and to a lesser extent young Raymond Perez looking assured at the crease.

Powerhouse West Demerara will host West Berbice at Tuschen, east Bank Essequibo. The hosts will be confident since two of their players Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Tevin Imlach got centuries in their last encounter. While the pacey Romario Shephed

Gajanan Suknanan

will again be a threat.

The Berbice franchise lies at the bottom of the table and even though the magic of Gudakesh Motie has wreak havoc they still find it hard to defeat sides.

The final match will see Lower Corentyne coming up against Upper Corentyne at Albion.

All matches are slated to commence at 09:30 hrs.

Aliyah Gordon (left) is a picture of concentration as she practises a short corner

able to practice on the newly imported plastic-tile playing surface which is much faster than the surface at the National Gymnasium on which the local players are accustomed to playing on.

“The transition was a bit tough because we are accustomed to playing on the Gymnasium floor which is a bit slower, so this is new, this is faster, we had to get accustomed to the pace, our game pace changed totally after the floor, it is really good for us,” she revealed.

She credited the coaches for their hard work in helping the team adapt noting that within one week the players grew accustomed to the playing surface.

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) in an effort to ensure that the male and female teams are afforded every possible advantage to help them in the tournament imported the plastic-tile surface which also meets the international standards of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

The tournament which will see the participation of eight female teams and seven male teams inclusive of

host nation, Guyana is going to be the largest tournament in its history which dates back to 2002. It was last played in 2014 and was hosted by Uruguay when Canada’s female and male teams won the tournament.

Teams from North, Central, South America and the Caribbean will participate in the women’s tournament with the likes of Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and USA who have both been finalists in the past as well as Barbados, Mexico, Uruguay, Canada and host nation vying for gold.

The seven teams of the Men’s competition are Guyana, Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA. Canada remains the favourites having won the competition a record four times out of six while host nation Guyana male team will look to improve on their last tournament finish of third place.

The tournament will serve as a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup which will be held in Berlin, Germany.

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Gayle, Samuels inclusion will help Holder – Richards

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Sir Vivian Richards

ity of key players could have been of great use to the team and Holder in recent struggles, hailed the move as a step in the right direction. Despite showing

management changes

Merissa Aguilleira

W

Chris Gayle (left) and Marlon Samuels

signs of promise, Holder, the 25-year-old Barbadian has at times come in for heavy criticism a fact Richards believes could be attributed to a lack of experience around him.

“It’s pretty tough for you to get things right at all times and that is where, sometimes, I think you need some of the more professional folks in the room, folks who would have gotten the experience at the higher level giving the sort of information and that’s the time where I think he would have had a letdown because of the lack of information,” Richards told the Antigua Observer.

“One has got to remember as well that he is very inexperienced and his performances as captain hasn’t quite warrant-

ed him, in a sense, to be that dominant, to say the things and to do the things aggressively when you are performing as a captain,” he added.

“Chris has been pretty phenomenal. Anyone who can score 10,000 runs at the T20 level is something very special. He is one of the West Indian greats in that sense. Marlon Samuels being also experienced. There have been some problems but I just believe that there are times when you hear people speak about better late than never but I don’t think it works in this particular situation but it’s nice that they are back. I think it’s just a sort of dressing and it could be the kind of send-off that I think Chris Gayle deserves.” (Sportsmax)

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indies women’s vice-captain, wicketkeeper-batter, Merissa Aguilleira wants her team to put the recent changes to coaching staff behind them and put all attention into onfield issues, especially with Sri Lanka set to tour the Caribbean at the start of next month.

Cricket West Indies, announced last week, that it had sacked the entire coaching staff of the Windies women’s team in the wake of a failed bid to compete at the World Cup in England where the women’s team failed to win a game.

The changes meant Hendy Springer now holds the position of interim head coach after the removal of Vasbert Drakes.

Drakes head was not the only to roll though, as Ezra Moseley, Stuart Williams and operations manager Ann Browne-John had all been removed.

Gus Logie will assist Springer in the interim.

Physiotherapist Oba Gulston has been replaced

by Ariane Mangar while Shayne Cooper is the new fitness coordinator after

GFSCA Softball Tournaments…

Wellman, Floodlights register big wins

GUYANA W TIMES in your area?

21

Aguilliera warns team to focus on Sri Lanka, not

F

ormer West Indies batting Sir Viv Richards believes the inclusion of the experienced Jamaican duo of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels could provide needed support for team captain Jason Holder ahead of the England tour.

Samuels and Gayle have been returned to the squad following an amnesty of sorts for the region’s senior players, which once again makes them eligible for selection having previously been made ineligible due to stringent regulations.

Richards, while hinting that the availabil-

taxi services

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ellman and Floodlights are the latest teams to register victories when the Nauth’s Motor Spares, Trophy Stall and Mike’s Pharmacy nationwide softball cricket tournaments continued last Sunday at the Hydronie Community Centre ground East Bank Essequibo.

Playing in the over-40 category, Greg De Franca blazed 62 and got support from Sheldon Bovell (36) and Raymond Harper (34) as Wellman piled up 179-6 from their 20 overs before bowling out Sunrisers for 121 to win by a whopping 56 runs. Nandram Samlall bagged 3-26 bowling for the victors while Naresh Narine and R. Gopaul made 26 runs apiece for Sunrisers.

In the second game of the day, Floodlights made light work of Parika Defenders with a 32-run trashing.

Veerapen Moonsammy top-scored with 56 while Ramesh Narine contributed 41 of the 171-6 total.

Narine came back with the ball to

Ramesh Narine

snare 2-14 to restrict Parika Defenders

to 139-9 with Mark Fung showing some resistance with 25.

The tournaments continue on Sunday with action in two categories at two venues. At Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown Georgetown, Floodlights will take on Ariel Masters on Pitch Number One from 10:00h while Wellman will battle Amazon Warriors from 13:00h also on the same pitch in Over-40 action.

In the Open category, Regal All Stars will engage Success XI from 10:00h on Pitch Number Two followed by the Speedboat versus Farm XI match up at 13:00h.

At the Hydronie Community Centre Ground, Regal Masters will come up against Parika Defenders from 10:00h.

The tournaments which are organized by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) is still at the preliminary stage and also includes a female Open category.

Hector Martinez-Charles was shown the door.

“We are a bit saddened but CWI has made their decision,” said Aguilleira, pointing out that CWI would not have made a decision that the body thought was not in the best interest of cricket, despite her personal feelings that the coaching staff did well on the tour of England.

“We don’t know what angle they are seeing it from.

We have Sri Lanka coming up and we don’t want to focus on the wrong things,” she said. (Sportsmax)

Inter-ward Schools tape ball tournament bowls off Saturday

W

ith the motto: To develop the game and promote it in an organised manner for youths, the Royal Tape ball cricket academy has partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sports Promotion to host an Inter Ward Schools tournament.

The tournament is a Boys’ Super 6 and will be played on an 11 a-side knock out basis at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac from September 16 to 23.

Teams will be drawn from wards such as South Ruimveldt, East Ruimveldt, Tucville, Lodge, East La Penitence, Charlestown, Cummingsburg, Kingston, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands, Werk-enRust, Campbellville, Cummings Lodge and Plaisance.

Several trophies, medals and cash prizes donated by P.K.F Barcellos Narine & Co, Goodwood Racing Service and P&P Insurance Brookers.

The organaizer have asked that teams willing to participate must contact Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell on mobile numbers 628-1656 or 666-5857.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, september 15, 2017

Emrit to return home following explosion T

&T cricketer and Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Rayad Emrit was on the cricket field in Kabul, when the suicide bomber blew himself up outside the ground in Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Emrit is the only West Indian cricketer taking part in the Afghanistan T20 league called the Shpageeza. He is playing for the Boost Defenders and was on the field when the action occurred. Speaking to Guardian Media Sports the former T&T captain said: “We were in the field bowling when the situation occurred. It was the second over of the innings and we heard a loud explosion go off on the outside. I felt the stadium shake, such was the force of this explosion.

When I looked outside I saw

Rayad Emrit

Firefighters in action outside Alokozay Kabul International Cricket Stadium where the explosion took place

a tall building shaking and broken glass all over. The entire area of the building was in smoke. We were told by officials that it was a gas

cylinder that went off.”

Emrit, a resident of El Dorado continued: “We were still very shaken and we just went through the mo-

tions. We ended up winning the game but still it was not the same. It is only when the match ended, we heard the true story of what oc-

curred.

It was not a nice situation.” The Alescon Comets player said he decided to stay in the stadium and finish the game because it was safer inside there. Emrit added that he wants to come home (T&T), but is unable to, as the next available flight is on Friday.

A statement on Islamic State’s Amaq news agency claimed responsibility for the incident, the latest in a string of suicide attacks in Kabul mounted by the

group. The Shpageeza tournament, now in its fifth season, is one of a small number of Western-style sports competitions along with Afghan Premier League football that have grown up since a U.S.-led campaign toppled the Taliban in 2001. A small number of foreign players from countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka as well as the West Indies, are taking part. The Afghan Cricket Board reported that all players were safe. (Guardian)

UG, GDF clash to highlight 1st Division action

G

eorgetown Cricket continues to roll-on fine fashion and this

weekend the University of Guyana and Guyana Defence Force clash should

spark some interest in the GISE/Star Party Rental First Division 2-day com-

petition when they play from Saturday at the Camp Ayanganna ground.

The students will be entering the contest with great confidence after they drew with Ghandi Youth Organisation last weekend – a match in which one of their players, Devon George scored an even century.

More so, the soldiers were defeated by Transport Sports Club (TSC) by a mammoth margin of 174 runs at home last Sunday.

In both innings, GDF failed to pass a 100 runs. Umpires Cyril Garnath and Flemroy Lambert are expected to do on-field duties.

The other match-

es will see Police hosting Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) with Hortence Isaacs and Abena Parker calling play. The other match pits TSC against Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) at Malteenoes Sports Cub (MSC) with Andre Hurry and Ravishwar Latiff in charge. Playing hours will be 09:30h to 17:30h each day.

In the Noble House Seafood Second Division 2-day, GCC will play home to TSC with Velaidum Ritney and Joseph Jeffrey in control while at GNIC, Sophia will play UG under the guid-

ance of Matthew Kissoon and Shermilla Austin.

MSC will travel to GYO to play Ace Warriors with Linden Matthews and Stephon Josiah doing the umpire duties. Play will b e from 10:30h to 17:00h daily.

Devon George

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, september 15, 2017

Major revamp in Jaguars’

23

Super50 squad on the cards

– “You will see a different Guyana one-day squad” – Chairman of Selectors

By Akeem Greene

S

ince the 2005 KFC Cup Guyana has not won a Regional 50-over title which begs the question “What have they been doing wrong?” Is it the quality of the players? Or is it simply down to bad luck? Is it the lack of preparation?

The answer to one of these questions should be known come the next regional tournament since according to Guyana Cricket Board

The men at the helm! Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith (left) and Head Coach Esuan Crandon

(GCB) Chairman of Selectors, Rayon Griffith some major changes in personnel will occur.

“I know for the past couple of years, things were not going in our favour but I think come this year you will see a different Guyana one-day squad, different quality. A bunch of guys who you will see ready to play One-day cricket,” Griffith said in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport on Wednesday.

The Guyana Jaguars Regional Super50 squad in 2016 comprised of Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (Vice-Captain), Anthony Bramble (wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Barnwell, Raymon Reifer, Rajendra Chandrika, Steven Jacobs, Assad Fudadin, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Paul Wintz, and Jonathan Foo. That squad failed to reach the semi-finals after being placed in a group B alongside eventual champions Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpions, ICC Americas and Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners. The only teams they defeated were the latter two.

Playing all of their matches in Barbados, Johnson was the highest run scorer with 243 runs at an average of 40.50. Chanderpaul (101) scored the only century for the team. With the ball, left-arm Barbadianborn seamer Raymon Reifer led the charge with 16 wickets at an economy rate of 4.89.

With the exception of Foo, Beaton and Wintz that squad mirrored those who would have played in the

Regional four-day – a tournament they have now won for three consecutive years.

Griffith was questioned whether these ‘changes’ meant they adapt the concept of ‘horses for courses’.

“Definitely. Some of the guys who play the four-day are in the one-day squad consistently and what you find because of the bad weather we have had, for many years you never get to see everyone and sometimes as selectors it puts us under pressure to select a team but sometimes you go for guys who may be in-form but definitely you will see horses of course this year,” the former First-Class player posited.

The cause of concern lies not only with the squad but the fact since December 2015 when Lower Corentyne won the Jaguars’ franchise league there has not been another national 50-over competition. There was one slated for January 2017 ahead of the regional tournament but that was postponed due to bad weather. It is understood that another was slated for August this year but that still is yet to come to fruition.

Conscious of these issues, the selector explained they are trying to have a tournament played. “The board is having plans. We are trying to get a competition going. We are already drilling some of the players in terms of white ball cricket.”

The tightened regional 4-day competition which commences on October 26 is expected to conclude on January 21, paving the way for the regional Super50.

Hamilton Green Football Georgetown to renew rivalry with Linden delayed by schools’ athletic championships T GT Beer Sunday night Super Cup semi-finals

– Essequibo/Pomeroon collide with West Demerara

F

Keon Sears

ootball fans in Linden will have to wait yet again to see the continuation of the Hamilton Green Knockout Tournament.

The organisers of the tournament told Guyana Times Sport that due to the Mc Kenzie Sports Club ground being used for the Annual Schools Athletics Championships, today’s games will have to be pushed back to a later date.

Two games were scheduled to be played at the ground this evening and would have seen Silver Shattas taking on Riddim Squad in game one while Eagles United would have lined up against Soesdyke.

The winners of those games will face Police FC and Western Tigers respectively for a chance to book quarter-final spots.

Winners Connection and Mile Rock have already secure quarter-final berths having beaten Kuru Kururu and Plaisance on Sunday last (September 10).

Mile Rock hit three goals past Plaisance without reply as Denzil Fordyce notched up a brace while Winners Connection netted four against Kuru Kururu on the back of two goals from Keon Sears.

Six games remain in the knock out stages with 12 teams vying for spots in the quarter-finals; teams such as GFC, Santos, Police and Western Tigers will all feel that they have what it takes to walk away with the trophy.

The teams are playing for in excess of $1,000,000 in cash prizes with the winning team set to pocket $500,000 and the Minister of Citizenship trophy while second, third and fourth place will pocket $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively along with the corresponding accolades.

he semi-finals of the inaugural GT Beer Inter Association football championship organised by the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) will have two mouth-watering semi-final matches come Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground with the two teams that have played unbeaten in the group stage; host Upper Demerara and West Demerara in separate clashes.

However, the old rivalry between traditional power houses Upper Demerara and Georgetown should take the cake as the night cap showdown because of their rich history.

The Linden based team would fancy their chances of getting past their nemesis based on the form they have produced in reaching thus

Linden

far. The Upper Demerara side has won their three games and scored ten goals the most in the tournament coming through the round robin group stage and allowing three as they finished on nine points ahead of Essequibo/Pomeroon who have improved tremendously to reach the final four.

Knowing that they stand the best chance now of getting past Georgetown the Lindeners are confident that this time is their time and they intend to cash in on it with the $2M first prize at stake.

Georgetown lost their only game against West Demerara who headed their group and they would want to avenge the 1-0 loss with a victory against Upper Demerara come Sunday.

However, one would expect that Georgetown would put their best play-

Georgetown

ers in this ‘win or go home’ encounter against Upper Demerara and would want to settle for nothing but the top prize. It is because of this that one expects Georgetown to summon their best artillery knowing the high stakes on offer.

On the other hand, West Demerara are going to play it safe against this upstart Essequibo/ Pomeroon side which eliminated East Bank while East Coast were also in their bracket of the draw. Essequibo/Pomeroon cannot be taken lightly and after reaching this far, they are confident that they can contest the championship match.

West Demerara are seeking to remain unbeaten and advance at Essequibo/ Pomeroon expense, one would know until they face each other in the first game on Sunday at the tour-

nament’s venue the MSC ground.

Essequibo/ Pomeroon have scored seven goals and conceded five, as against the seven netted by West Demerara who let in just two. In Group A Essequibo Pomeroon won once, lost one and drew one.

East Bank won one, lost twice to finish on three points, behind Essequibo/ Pomeroon who ended on four points.

The other team in that group East Coast drew one game and lost two others to ended with one point.

In Group B, after Upper Demerara scored three wins, Georgetown won twice and lost to West Demerara in their group to be on six points. The other two teams in that group Berbice and Bartica both had two losses and one draw to be eliminated with one point each.

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

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Major revamp in Jaguars’ Super50 squad on the cards

Pg 23

– “You will see a different Guyana oneday squad” – Chairman of Selectors

Grenada vs Guyana International Friendly

"Jackie Chan" recalled …young talent also included Pg 20

Jeremy Garrett

Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson

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