Guyana Times 18 July 2018

GBTI hosts annual Early Savers summer camp P17 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Issue No. 3628

PRICE

PNC Congress

Big guns face off over Chair, Vice Chair posts ...Granger unopposed for Leader

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Albouystown nightclub owner nabbed in 19-kilo ganja P17 bust

P15 Bartica youth gets 28 years for mechanic’s murder

Page 3

CJ grants interim stay in misconduct charge against Singh, Brassington

…over Sanata Complex privatisation

$80 vat included

Jagdeo challenges President Granger’s ‘domestic issues’ P14 excuse

Page 9

Page 2

Heavy winds rip through La Parfaite Harmonie homes

ERC engages national P16 stakeholders

Residents survey the damage at one of the houses battered by heavy winds in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Tuesday

Murder of Pandit, son

“Lookout man” arraigned for double Page 11 murder

West Dem official charged for using ‘presidential emblem’ on Page car, other offences 15

“We will P15 never allow such increases” – Min Patterson on Berbice Bridge tolls

2 news

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Heavy winds rip through La Parfaite Harmonie homes

A neighbour is seen assisting a resident who had her roof blown off and home damaged by the highintensity wind

B

ased on information received, gale force winds suddenly descended on the community of Onderneeming, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara on Tuesday at about 10:30h; and after nearly 15 minutes of a sustained squall, several residents were left without roofs over their heads, at least seven houses were destroyed, one building had even collapsed under

the pressure of sustained high-intensity winds, and there was massive damage to properties in the aftermath of this incident.

Guyana Times visited the community and observed that a number of persons were assisting affected home owners to repair their roofs, while others were observed gathering zinc sheets which had been dispersed along the streets.

One of the villagers, Ursula Evans, recalled the horrific incident. “There

Another house which was completely destroyed by the winds

was a squall (at) about 10:30 this morning; and then it moved to the back, rip off the roof, and it go right away round through this man house! This was

tle come inside. I look back again and I see zinc floating in the air!” Cooja detailed.

With everyone in the house, Cooja said, she made sure that everyone was hid-

One of the houses whose roof collapsed owning to the heavy winds

a high house, and it drop to the ground, and the man’s zinc raise up. It’s like about ten or fifteen more to the back so, and just these three here. Nobody was injured, because they even pick up zinc in the middle of the road deh. That swirl go round and come back round and knock the lantern post!” she stated.

Another home owner, who identified herself as Cooja, said she lost almost her entire roof by the disastrous winds, which also dislodged electrical wires.

She explained that she is now contemplating her next move, since she is not financially stable at the moment to have the damages to her home repaired.

“I was approaching the back door to close it when I saw...I don’t know if it was leaves, but I looked down the road and I say, ‘Man, this is not leaves!’ By that time the children hus-

den under the beds, as she expected the worst.

“I say, ‘This is more than just a normal breeze!’ and I start hollering for, ‘The Blood of Jesus!’ Then I heard a noise, and the whole zinc start to rip off from the top! Everything just went bizarre. The blinds, if you come in, you will see everything tear down. The electricity, everything in a disaster… This is going to affect me terrible, because we don’t have money right now,” the devastated Cooja related.

She told Guyana Times this is the second time in four years that an incident of this nature had occurred in the community, but this time around it has been much worse.

Meanwhile, no one has been reported injured, but the residents are calling for some assistance in getting their lives back to normalcy. (Yanalla Dalrymple)

NWD man remanded for wounding sister-in-law

A

Barima Karibo, North West District man was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he reportedly inflicted bodily harm on his sister-inlaw.

Lawrence Benjamin, 24, was remanded after he denied the offence, which al-

legedly occurred at Barima Karibo on July 14, 2018.

The miner will make his next court appearance on August 6, 2018.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the Court that the Virtual Complainant (VC) was still hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

news

3

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, July 18 – 09:00h-10:30h and Thursday, July 19 –09:30h-11:00h

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, July 18 – 08:00h-09:30h and Thursday, July 19 – 08:50h-10:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions and lightly cloudy skies should prevail throughout the day. Partly cloudy to clear skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 08:30h and 20:59h reaching maximum heights of 2.53 metres and 2.44 metres.

Low Tide: 14:30h reaching a minimum height of 0.72 metre.

PNC Congress

Big guns face off over Chair, Vice Chair posts ...Granger unopposed for Leader

A

head of its congress, nominations for several top positions within the People’s National Congress (PNC) party were announced on Tuesday to help define the line-up of contenders as the race heats up.

According to PNC General Secretary Amna Ally at a press conference on Tuesday, incumbent Chairman Basil Williams, Vice Chairman Volda Lawrence and Executive member Joseph Harmon remain contenders for the chairmanship; and there are eight nominees.

When it comes to vice chairmanship, there are Volda Lawrence; Joseph Harmon; Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; Social Cohesion Minister Dr George

Director of Sport Christopher Jones

teria and (are) eligible for election,” explained Ally “These things are based on our party’s constitution,” the long-time PNC member added. “After that happens, the returning officer takes over with the list of nominees, and he will conduct the elections.”

Christopher Jones, Director of Sport, via his social media page.

Back in 2012, Lawrence had contested for the leadership of the party alongside then Opposition Leader and now President, David Granger, and current Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge.

Observers and political commentators have since outlined that the dynamics playing out within the PNC for the position of Chairman point to the existence of factions within the party.

In fact, Dr David Hinds, an executive member of the Working People’s Alliance, one of the parties that make up A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), expressed his opinion public-

The race

SATURDAY, July 14, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

06

07

09

10

13

16

12 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2018 DAILY MILLIONS 05 09 18 21 25 LUCKY 3 1 8 5 Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

01

02

05

9

9

10

0

Evening Draw

17

20

21

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

Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson

Norton; Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson; former PNC Parliamentarian James Bond; Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, and overseas-based Cosbert Roberts.

No one has however dared to challenge incumbent party leader David Granger for the party leadership post.

Asked to account for the proliferation of old and familiar names in the nomination pool, Ally insisted any party member could run.

“We welcome new faces; we welcome younger faces…

Anybody! We don’t have a barrier whether we want old and experienced people, or young and new. Once you’re a member of the party, you are qualified…you can run for any position,” she said.

The nomination process, however, is a daunting one for such new faces.

Explaining the process, Ally noted that an accreditation committee would eventually be combing over the list of nominees to ensure they are ‘fit and proper.’

“For example, in the regions, if they are accustomed to ten faces, they might only nominate ten people. The process is, after we would have received the nominations, the accreditation committee will verify whether these are fit and proper people; whether they would have satisfied the membership cri-

On June 21, 2018, longstanding party stalwart, State Minister Joseph Harmon, announced his candidacy in a short statement.

He had disclosed that the PNC holds its Congress biennially, at which time all positions of leadership (inclusive of Party Leader and Central Executives) are up for voting.

This announcement was made days after the PNC had held its second General Council Meeting for the year, on June 16.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence’s candidature was announced on June 30, 2018 by party activist

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

ly that the developments indicate that a faction within the traditional party faithful want Williams ousted from the chairmanship, possibly based on his performance.

Former PNC Parliamentarian James Bond

Harmon’s entrance, he noted, indicates the presence of a newer, more coalition-minded faction in the party.

“Two challengers to Basil Williams for (chairmanship) of the party, one can assume the general membership of the PNC may be dissatisfied with Williams’s tenure, and they may be looking for someone new,” Hinds related.

“In the last week, we’ve had Volda Lawrence throwing her hat into the race. I think that Lawrence and Williams are vying for the same kind of vote amongst PNC members. So it means (her) very entry into the race is an indication that that faction seems to think Williams is unable to win, and so they turn to Lawrence,” Hinds said.

The PNC’s Biennial Delegates Congress to elect persons to these new posts is slated for August 17-19, 2018.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018

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

L

The CPL Experience

ast year, patriotism, national pride and excitement ran high as thousands of Guyanese flocked the Guyana National Stadium at Providence to be part of several exciting Hero Caribbean Premier League home matches; which no doubt had a continuing redounding positive impact on the country’s overall economic and tourism development.

It must be stated from the outset that the Hero CPL had managed also to unify a very divided Guyana, as persons from all sections of society -- regardless of their race, creed, sexual orientation and political persuasion -- rallied behind the so far very competitive Guyana Amazon Warriors.

So high was the amount of unity and cohesiveness, last year during the final three weeks of the tournament, that it is widely believed the tournament stood out as one of the clear examples of avenues that could be used to push the Government’s social cohesion agenda by the utilisation of sport as a mechanism to bridge social and racial gaps that exist in our society.

It was this unity and display of cohesiveness that have no doubt motivated and inspired the good performances delivered by the players and organisers of the 2017 tournament thus far.

While Guyana would have again lost its bid to host the finals of the game in 2017, Providence remains one of the most talked about, hyped, and packed venues when compared to the others in the league as far as hosting international cricket events and CPL matches are concerned. In fact, the country this year got even closer, as it will host two play-off matches.

Also, the Hero CPL games this year are coming to Guyana at a time when there has been a notable slowdown in domestic trade and business. Interestingly, the tournament came to the country at a time when small businesses are also struggling to catch their hands because of various factors which were working against them while depleting their expected levels of revenue and profitability.

It therefore provides these small businesses with an opportunity to maximise their profits through sale of small portions of confectionaries near the stadium and at other Hero CPL-associated parties and events. It will, no doubt, provide those who signed up officially for a number of initiatives with another means of garnering revenue, because scores of overseas-based Guyanese will return home to be part of the fun.

Larger-scale businesses and companies will also benefit tremendously from the hosting of CPL matches here, and while many of them are expected to maximise the marketing opportunities available via the tournament to boost sales and achieve brand popularity, others will settle for just mounting promotions to give back to their loyal customers by providing them opportunities to join the biggest party in sport.

With the Hero CPL, the occupancy rates at local hotels, bars, sports clubs, and community shops will be significantly boosted, especially those that would have access to the televised games being broadcast.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change Government’s endorsement of the event, and the laudable involvement of key ministers in local Hero CPL events demonstrate their commitment to the development of sport, the success of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, and the upwards movement of the direct and indirect benefits to the country’s young tourism sector because of market access and promotional opportunities for Destination Guyana.

Research shows that the Guyana economy leads others in the league as far as the benefits it accrues from the injection of millions of US dollars each year it hosts the tournament, leaving out the other noteworthy indirect benefits.

As such, more companies should get on-board the league by entering into mutual and lucrative deals with the Guyana Franchise owners, and providing various forms of endorsement and sponsorship for the Amazon Warriors whenever allowed and applicable according to the existing rules and agreement framework.

Secondly, the Government, led by its Education, Tourism and Business ministries, must do much more to press the owners of the Hero CPL and the regional organisers to bring the semifinals and finals to Guyana, even if it means investing more resources and incentives for this to happen.

The truth is, Guyana is a cricket-starved nation, and the Hero CPL provides an opportunity for the hunger of cricket lovers and supporters to be satisfied, even if a lot of other regional and international matches are not brought, as we would like, to the country.

As the Amazon Warriors continue their bid for dominance in this year’s tournament, every Guyanese is duty bound to stand solidly behind the team and its franchise owners, who have brought so much entertainment, cricket fun and countless opportunities for business to these shores over the last few years via their continued sponsorship and involvement in the league.

Teacher Taneka Sanchara engages the participants at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Annual Summer Camp at the financial institution’s recreational facility in Bel Air Park, on Tuesday

The lawlessness continues Dear Editor, Simona Broomes is in the news again, and I should say for all the wrong reasons. She is at it again, exposing her baser material this time to personnel of a private security firm.

It seems that the lawlessness and vulgar behaviour of this woman knows no bounds, as she goes on this mindless rampage.

Not so long ago, this very same individual showed to the world how base she can be when she assembled the “boom out” video in the hallowed chambers of Parliament. In that Youtube scene, Simona came over as a gleeful circus clown who was vainly trying to make us laugh as she poked fun at Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

However, little did she know that she was giving to Guyana and the entire world a poor, distasteful, idiotic display of her stupidity. This was the minister, stupid at her “best” performance.

She never apologised for that senseless and degrading act then, quite to the

chagrin of the Guyanese people, only further compounding it with this latest vulgarity. I do not think this woman can get any lower.

Broomes is a sick person, and what makes the situation even worse is that she does not know her true condition. Poor soul, she needs urgent attention. It is so sad that this is another one of those public relations stunts that the PNC is showcasing to us.

Now, I was in a discussion with one of their supporters recently. I asked him what were his views on Simona’s latest tirade in public, and his response was: she is too vulgar, and needs to be relieved of her position.

Well, I told him that is not going to happen, judging from the PNC’s track record. I sarcastically replied that she might very well be elevated, rather than being sanctioned.

Going the way of a reprimand is furthest from the thoughts of President Granger. It seems that the more you are obnoxious, particularly in a contemp-

tuous manner, the higher you are esteemed; the more you are vulgar, the more you are respected in that party.

The PNC is not going to punish Broomes.

It is not going to happen in any shape or form. So Guyanese will just have to suck this one up and brace themselves for more of its kind.

But even if one should consider Simona’s situation as bad, I urge you to analyse Basil Williams’s case in threatening a judge. That can be considered the worst case scenario. Not only was it a horrible thing to do, but it also marks the acme of stupidity. And to think of it, nothing was done about him. You are talking about the attorney-general of a country making such base remarks, but not being sanctioned, and being wholly intact in his position as a minister. Fantastic! This can happen only right here in Guyana.

You may recall The Bheri Ramsarran matter, when he made that rustic remark to Sherlina Nageer,

yes, The PNC Opposition at the time was most vocal, and promptly called for his immediate sacking.

The PPP/C Government of Donald Ramotar did just that, claiming that Dr Ramsaran did not act in a gentleman-like manner, nor did he show statesmanship.

Although he was extremely provoked (Nageer busting in when he was in the midst of a conversation with another person), the president of the day still deemed his behaviour as bordering on reproach, and for that reason he was relieved of his position. Contrast that situation with this yard fowl and you get the real picture of vulgarity reaching epic proportions with no redress forthcoming.

Finally, I would sum it up like this: The PNC is a party that is filled with persons who are vile and of corrupt stupidity, for this selfsame reason, a country called Guyana will continue to go down the long, arduous road of destruction.

Dear Editor, Having reviewed Tuesday’s presentation, Rystad’s analyst showed that, with an oil price of US$70 per barrel, annual revenues from offshore activity could reach US$20 billion shortly after 2030.

Based on my interpretation of the breakdown of revenues, it looks like a vast majority of those numbers come from free cash flow and Government profit oil.

These are very impressive figures, especially in the

context of the current size of our economy, and this new fortune can be the catalyst for exponential growth and transformation at unprecedented levels.

But the big question remains: How does Guyana utilise these earnings? How would these profits be best allocated to ensure maximised benefit on a sustained basis? Do we build new schools, hospitals, airports, roads and bridges?

Do we seek to enhance existing service and produc-

tion sectors? Do we focus on developing new non-traditional sectors?

While opinions on this may vary, a common point of reference has always been the Dubai Model. Why? Dubai has successfully utilised the profits from its oil to fund a service-based economy to a level that has earned global respect.

Admittedly, conditions between Guyana and that Arab country may not be identical; but irrespective of geographic, hemispher-

ic, economic, or populationrelated differences, diversification remains the best tool to remain relevant in a constantly changing global economy.

While emphasis needs to be placed on improving infrastructure and social services, the focus should be on identification of new sectors which can be fuelled (no pun intended) by revenues earned from oil and gas.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Utilising oil revenue

Regards, Andrew Mc Bean

wednesdAY, july 18, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

5

News

Ruby fatal accident

Drivers charged for drunk driving, other traffic offences

– causing death case file still being prepared

T

he drivers of the two motor cars that struck and killed a 44-year-old North-West District (N-WD) man last weekend on the Ruby Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), were on Tuesday fined and released on station bail after they were charged for drunk driving and a series of traffic offences.

The duo appeared

at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning and pleaded guilty to the series of charges.

Kimberly Pearson, 21, of Section ‘C’ Block ‘Y’ Grove, East Bank Demerara was charged with the following offences: Driving under the influence of alcohol; unlicensed driving; driving an uncertified motor vehicle, and driving an uninsured

motor vehicle. She was fined a total of $77,500.

Sherwin Joseph, 28, of Hyde Park, E.B.E, was also charged with the following offences: driving under the influence of alcohol; driving an uninsured vehicle; driving an unlicensed motor; and driving an uncertified motor vehicle. He was fined a total of $65,000.

In addition to the fines, the two defendants were

placed on station bail with respect to the death of pedestrian Shurman Daniels, a logger/labourer of Kamwatta Mission, NWD. The file for this case is still in the process of being compiled, but is expected to be sent for legal advice later this week.

Reportedly at some time around 01:30h on Saturday, motor cars PWW 6657, driven by Pearson,

and PRR 459, driven by Joseph, struck the 44-yearold Daniels who was allegedly walking in the centre of the Ruby Public Road.

The cars were both heading west along the southern carriageway when the vehicle driven by Joseph first struck Daniels. Immediately, the rear of the vehicle driven

by Pearson also collided

with the pedestrian.

The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. He was identified the following day by his sister.

The two drivers were arrested shortly after the accident, and were found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption.

India’s 400m gold medalist A Commission of Inquiry is needed Hima Das made me breathless for a moment Dear Editor, Breathless for a moment I was, to witness one of sports’ (track & field’s) historic moments, with India’s Hima Das’s memorable 400m under-20 win at the just concluded IAAF UNDER 20 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN TAMPERE,FINLAND 2018, which just came to a close a few days ago.

For as long as I can recall, I have followed sports of many disciplines internationally, and Team USA has always been a favourite of mine over the years.

However, when need be, credit is given to non-American athletes for their accomplishments.

Hima Das of India has just qualified for such an accolade for creating history.

I hope to witness her more in competition as we go forward.

It was always “common knowledge” that Indian athletes could never rub shoulders with the rest of the world in track and field, but India has now proven to the entire universe that it is a myth, and they have just taken command as a leader in their own right.

I hope India now has

a master plan in store for their track sports, and we will witness more of Indian athletes qualifying for the sprints.

This should also be an eye opener for potential track and field athletes of Guyana, and the competition has just been opened up wider.

Her strategy for the win was awesome. I have always said that the 400-metre race is a killer race, and it matters not if you have speed or you are a strong runner, always keep something in the tank just after the final turn in that event, as you make the home straight to the finish line.

Attached is a photo image of India’s 400m Champion

2018, Hima Das, which I am sharing from a news report via fb.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton

Dear Editor, I ask your indulgence to allow me a public forum to call for a Commission of Inquiry into APNU+AFC Minister Simona Broomes’s activities as a trafficking in persons (TIP) activist. I make this call because Ms. Broomes’s recent false accusations against hard working Guyanese citizens show a callous disregard for truth, honesty and ethics. For the minister to calmly state, “I do not know what you are talking about” when asked by reporters if she had an apology for levelling false allegations after her lies had been exposed by video evidence is the demeanour of someone well versed in deception.

Minister Broomes’s lack of remorse is stunning and worrying in equal measure.

Editor, allow me to elaborate. Minister Broomes came to prominence in civil society as a social activist seeking to bring to justice persons involved in human trafficking. From inception, her vigilante style of justice was surrounded by whispers of self-interest; of persons being falsely accused and imprisoned to make way for the minister’s mining operations as a cover for claim-jumping; of personal vendettas being settled; and in one case, to cover for the theft of a six ounce gold chain.

The last was subject of a Police investigation, and Minister Broomes’s statements at the time bear uncanny similarity to the defence of her present behaviour.

“I wish to make it pub-

lic that apart from this intimidation, and I strongly believe that this is the case, I have also been receiving emails from unknown persons who have threatened to harm me and defame my character.” 2013/09/05 Kaieteur Newspapers.

Given that we now know Minister Broomes is willing to make patently false allegations, I am asking for a Commission of Inquiry into her activities, and for the Director of Public Prosecutions to reopen any case in which her testimony or actions led to the conviction of any Guyanese citizen.

I would also urge President Granger to update his ‘Code of Conduct’.

Faithfully, Robin Singh

6

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018

Page

By Jennifer Goforth Gregory

I

spent my summers growing up swimming at the pool, going on picnics at the park near my house, and hanging with friends at day camp.

So I had a somewhat romanticised version of what summer vacation would be like with my children. I forgot (or didn't realize) that someone had to keep the children from drowning at the pool, make the sandwiches for the picnic and remember in February to register for the popular camps. And that someone would be me.

Each summer is different—my children get bigger, their friends change and I now work from home. But after eight summers as a mom of schoolaged children, I've noticed summer breaks have a typical pattern, and I often amuse myself watching the stages of summer progress.

Stage 1: Lazy days of summer

Summer vacation is a relief to everyone – no more alarm clocks, lunches to pack and homework to assist. My children are tired. I am tired. Everyone needs a break.

So we slack off and let the lazy days roll in. The children spend hours building forts in the living room and hanging out under the sheets watching way more television than I'm going to put in print. We play board games, hang out and have the conversations that never happened while rushing from event to event during the previous few weeks.

It's possible that sometimes we stay in pyjamas all day. And while I won't actually admit that I ever let Doritos pass as lunch, I can't truthfully deny it either. Sure, we go to the park a few

Foundation

times and head to the pool with friends occasionally. But our goal is to mainly do nothing, hang around the house and enjoy each other. I tell myself that this can last all summer. It's relaxing and enjoyable...

Stage 2: T-minus how many days?

...until it's not. The tide shifts quickly. One year it happened during an episode of "Good Luck Charlie." The bickering starts – mine and theirs. The boredom sets in, and the pillow fort in the living room is no longer creativity at work, but just clutter. Everyone starts to smell, and pyjamas are no longer cute. I pull out the calendar and actually count the 38 days until they go back to school, and panic sets in. Then comes the guilt because I know the years go fast, and I said I would never be the kind of mom that counted the days till they go back to school. But I am, and that makes it worse.

I lose my cool. I invite other children over. I enrol my children in the only camp that has an opening – not caring that it means spending every minute they're not with me driving across town. But at least there's silence in the backseat. I plan elaborate trips to kid's museums, playgrounds and anything else I can find. It fills the time, but nothing really solves it. The guilt to enjoy these days is overwhelming. This summer thing just isn't that much fun anymore.

Stage 3: Finding our groove

Then a subtle change happens. I'll miss it if I'm not paying attention. The bickering lessens, and we strike a balance. Some days we hang around the

house, and sometimes we go on outings, but there's an air of fun in our plans instead of desperation. We always get dressed, and Doritos are off the menu. Most days we meet a group of friends, moms and children, at the pool. It becomes our "thing," along with Popsicles, lots of Popsicles. The days have a rhythm. The children actually start to do their summer reading without prodding (at least occasionally), and I even find them playing Monopoly together. Of course, the peace only lasts 17 minutes until my daughter accuses my son of being a bank robber, but it's a start. Some days I even feel like a supermom.

Stage 4: Back-to-school panic

Some years it's a call from school.

Other years, it's a parent mentioning Meet the Teacher Day. But something always jolts me back to reality. The day I thought I couldn't wait for is 10 days away, and I haven't done a thing to get ready. I beg the doctors and dentists to squeeze us in. The days are full of haircuts and a lot of shopping – for shoes, clothes, the perfect backpack and the dreaded school supplies trip that's guaranteed to bring me to tears.

It's exciting and busy, and I can't decide if I'm happy or sad.

Then the day comes. The obligatory school pictures are taken. The annual first day of school pancake breakfast is devoured. And they are off to their day.

The truth is, I'm both happy and sad.

I get more work done, and the house stays clean. But as the school day nears its end, on a whim I pull out the sheets, just in case they want to eat dinner in the fort for old times' take. (Excerpt from parenting.com)

By Meri Wallace, LCSW

T

hey sat huddled in a cave waiting, they were panicked, frightened, cold, hungry, and badly wanted their parents who symbolised safety and protection. Would they ever see their parents again? Were they going to die? Their coach was kind and positive and tried hard to keep their morale up to help them stay alive. The whole world was watching and praying that the terrible catastrophe that nature had wrought upon them would not kill these children. All over the world people’s hearts ached, and longed for these children to be reunited with their parents. Everyone knew how horrendous it must be for the parents whose kids were inside, fearing that they would never see their beloved children alive again. The water was rising. Time was running out.

Like these children, the immigrant children separated from their parents are in a horrendous situation. They too feel desperate and lonely and ache for their parents. Though their trauma has not been wrought by nature, but by complicated world issues, it is equally serious for them. Their emotional and physical well-being is at stake. Time is running out for these children as well. Every day that passes, puts these children more in peril of lasting emotional harm.

A court has ruled that these children must be reunited, and the deadlines have passed. Roadblocks are being raise at every turn but it must be understood that there is no time to waste. Experts from countries from all over the world banded together to strategise and use all the knowledge and skills they had to resolve the situation in Thailand. The result: one by one the children were pulled out of the cave alive. Surely a joint effort and recognition of the urgency, can bring about a similar positive resolution for the immigrant children. They have an equal value to any child in the world. (psychologytoday.com)

news

7

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local democratic organs

LGC resolving complaints received – Chairman ...confirmes commission is not cashstrapped

Protests last year against City Hall officials

T

he Local Government Commission (LGC) has been addressing various concerns raised

by Local Authority Areas (LAA). This is according to its chairman, Mortimer Mingo, who also said the constitutional body is not cash-strapped.

Mingo says he is unaware of any negative impact on the commission’s functioning when it comes to finances. He noted that the LGC is presently recruiting personnel in a bid to fill its vacancies.

“We are in fact carrying out our functions as set out under the Act. What we are presently in the process of (is advertising) for staff. We

practicable.”

“We are still looking at these issues,” he continued.

“We have been looking at issues in Rose Hall and a number of these NDC. We have received complaints against overseers; we have received complaints as relates (to) the relationship between the councils and their administration, and we have been resolving those issues,” Mingo explained.

Cases

There are, in the local government systems, a number of controversies that have been in the public domain for some time. One such issue includes previous reports that, in some local

LGC Chairman Mortimer Mingo

have shortlisted, and we are beginning the process of recruitment,” Mingo related.

He stressed that the LGC deals with a number of different issues besides investigating complaints from various local democratic organs.

He went on to outline some of these complaints.

“We have much wider responsibilities: the various appointments of staff, (and) transfers, among other things. We have been dealing quite a lot with the whole question of filling of vacancies in the various Local democratic organs. We have been able, wherever complaints have been made to the commission -- given our limited resources at this present time -- we have been addressing these as far as

authority areas, officials are being appointed without any vacancy being advertised.

In addition, there have been reports that young, qualified applicants are being overlooked in favour of others.

The case last year of the

sexual abuse of a minor in the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s custody and the subsequent bungled handling of the matter, including the failure of City Hall officials to immediately report the matter to the Police, was anticipated to attract the attention of the body.

Concerned persons had last year staged several protests in front of City Hall for the removal of Town Clerk Royston King and Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green from their respective posts, and for them to be arrested. The guard accused of molesting the minor was subsequently charged, while another guard who initially reported the matter to his superiors was dismissed.

The commission is charged with, among other things, control over who gets appointed as officials in the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and other local authorities. In addition, it would have to approve budgets for the NDCs. By law, the commission is to be made up of eight members, who are to include four nominated from the Government, one from the unions, and three from the Leader of the Opposition.

The Commission’s members are: Mortimer Mingo, Clement Corlette, Marlon Williams, JoAnn Romascindo, Andrew Garnett, former Local Government Ministers Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore, and former Georgetown Town Clerk Carol Sooba.

8 news

wednesDAY, july 18, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Good Hope businessman charged for narcotics found in fishing vessel

A

Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman who was arrested following the discovery of a large amount of cocaine and ganja in a fishing vessel at Mon Repos, ECD, was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Alisha George when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Azim Baksh, known as “Bato”, of Phase One, Good Hope, denied the charge when it was read to him.

The Police stated that he trafficked 91.132 kilograms of cocaine and 56.008 kilograms of cannabis on July 14, 2018.

His Attorney, Bernard DaSilva, told the court that the drugs were not found in his client’s possession but rather in a boat.

DaSilva further argued

How does it feel…

T

The drugs found in the fishing vessel

that at the time of the discovery, Baksh was in his motor car on the Mon Repos Public Road, ECD. However, CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford told the Court that the de-

fendant has been under their watch for a lengthy period. On the day in question, he, along with another man, was reportedly seen

by CANU ranks on the boat where the illegal substanc-

es were found.

As such, Baksh was arrested after CANU had issue d a wanted bulletin for him. He will make his next court appearance on August 10, 2018.

…to be manipulated?

he Trump-Putin Summit in Helsinki has made the US establishment apoplectic at what they consider their president’s “treasonous statement” – yes, they actually called it THAT!! And what was the treason? Well, that he, Trump, believes Putin when he says Russia never manipulated the US elections in 2015…and disbelieves what his entire intelligence establishment (the CIA and the FBI, for starters) have asserted!!

The search for what may’ve motivated Trump to throw the defenders of the “American Way” under the bus for the word of the leader of the US’ Public Enemy # 1 for half a century has veered from the plausible (Trump wants to normalise relations with Russia) to the scatological (the New York Times cartoon episode showing Trump and Putin locked in a gay romance!) Yes…the NEW YORK TIMES!!

But your Eyewitness is interested from a much more mundane perspective: that at long last Americans are getting a glimpse of the shame and embarrassment us folks in the Third World (“Shithole countries”!) had to live with when the big powers interfered with OUR elections.

And our leaders had to pretend, like Trump, there never was any interference!! Or be branded and derided as “paranoid, conspiracy nuts”!!

What the American Establishment’s saying is they have the smoking gun showing how the Russians gamed the US elections in favour of Trump against Hillary Clinton.

The Russians – led by Putin – felt their interests would be better served with Trump rather than Hillary in the White House. Isn’t this what Cheddi Jagan had said back in 1964 about the British and Americans interfering in the elections of that year to put Burnham in office? Why? They were more confident Burnham would look out for their interests in the Cold War then playing out between the US and USSR! Well, there’s a “God of Little People” after all!! Not to revel in too much schadenfreude, but how sweet it is!!

Fact of the matter, we live in a world where the big fish will always eat the little fish…whether the big fish is a “nevahsee come fuh see” person like Simona “I is” Broomes, or a superpower like the US; the USSR or the upcoming Middle Kingdom of China! Back in the 1960s, a very popular book describing the syndrome was named, “The Shark and the Sardines”.

So when we were just a sardine – which we still are!!

– the American Shark did what sharks do…and Burnham went around insisting he kept ‘winning” elections fair and square. Jagan, in the meantime, became a ridiculed figure… even when the US’ own declassified records showed their interference.

The question is: Has the US now become a sardine??

…to have babies die

A shocking statistic was released last week: out of 1155 babies born at the GPHC, 119 or 10.3% died before they reached 28 days - neonatal deaths. Now, the Minister of Public Health explained the statistic is misleading, since most of the “troublesome” pregnancies from across the country are transferred to GHPC, our only tertiary hospital.

A better guide on how we’re dealing with this critical aspect of health care – keeping our next generation alive – would be to enquire on the RATE of neonatal deaths for the country on the whole. And the answer is…22/per 1000 births. Now, before we start celebrating, we should also look at how our fellow CariCom members are doing in this area. Jamaica, for instance, is half of ours at 11/1000, while TT is 12/1000. For what it’s worth, since we’ve set the US as our standard for “development,” their rate is 4/1000.

The figures show we have a long way to go.

But what happened to that $1.6 BILLION from the IDB, given in 2016 to tackle the problem??

…to be ignored

The cold and callous action of “I is” Broomes’ to the Amazonian security guards has earned universal condemnation. But will she be disciplined by President Granger?

Not in this lifetime!!

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

News

9

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

CJ grants interim stay in misconduct charge against Singh, Brassington …over Sanata Complex privatisation

T

he Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George on Tuesday granted an interim stay for the matter involving charges of misconduct in public office laid against former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington, stemming from the sale of the former Sanata Textiles Complex to Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII).

On June 9, 2018, Singh, 45, of Lot 129 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, and Brassington, 50, of Florida, USA, were called before Magistrate Leron Daly, who was hearing the case on the Chief Magistrate’s behalf.

The matter was adjourned to July 26. As a result, the charge, which alleges that the property was sold at a grossly undervalued price to QAII, was neither sworn to nor read.

Following the charges being laid in the Magistrate’s Court, Singh and Brassington filed an affidavit in the High Court, in a manner similar to the affidavits filed when three similar charges were brought in May. Attorney Sase Gunraj, who appeared before the Chief Justice for the defendants, told <<<Guyana Times>>> that despite stringent objections from representatives of the Attorney General Chambers, his arguments prevailed and the Judge granted a stay pending the hearing and determination of the substantive action.

Gunraj said that he argued that a court had al-

Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj

ready granted a stay of the other matters and this one was filed in his opinion, very capriciously in the face of the other matters being stayed.

Secondly, the charges that have been filed are almost identical to the ones that were previously filed.

Thirdly, there is the issue of the [matters] canvased here are the same ones canvased and considered by Justice Franklin Holder in the previous case,” he added.

The Attorney said the overarching consideration was the extreme prejudice to which it exposed his clients.

Singh and Brassington are already before the courts on similar charges, for which an interim stay has been granted by Justice Holder, but the charge for the sale of the Sanata Textiles Complex was filed after the stay granted, despite being almost identical in form to the previous.

The charge alleges that Singh and Brassington, while performing the duties of Finance Minister and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NICIL respectively, between

October 26 and December 20, 2010, acted recklessly when they agreed to the sale of the Sanata Textiles Complex to QAII. According to the charge, the 18.976acre property was sold for $697.8 million, but it was valued at $1.04 billion.

However, according to privatisation documents published by NICIL, the property was valued at $245 million by the Government’s Chief Valuation Officer, but QAII paid $809.5 million for the property – more than three times the Government valuation.

According to documents seen by this newspaper, upon Cabinet’s approval, QAII embarked on its promised programme of reclamation, clean-up and investment. On May 30, 2007, QAII had requested and received a valuation of the property from the Government Assistant Valuation Officer, which proposed $330.375 million (land $269.200 million; improvements $119.175 million). On June 7, 2018, NICIL had commissioned a valuation from the private firm of Rodrigues Architects Ltd, which posited that the property be valued at $1,042,403,500 (land $209.650 million; improvements $832.753 million).

NICIL also obtained on June 27, 2007, a valuation of the land and its improvements from the Government’s Chief Valuation Officer, which came in at $245.175 million (land, $130 million; improvements $115.175 million).

QAII was responsible, at its expense, for the asbestos clean-up and removal of scrap, which alone incurred a cost of above $400 million.

Former Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) had previously brought charges against the two former Government officials in April. The two men were arraigned on charges of allegedly selling several plots of land on the East Coast of Demerara to National Hardware Guyana Ltd for over $598 million. In addition, the charges include selling land to Scady Business Corporation at a cost of $150 million, and to Multi-cinemas Guyana Inc at a cost of $185 million.

Many political and social commentators, even those

in the legal fraternity, have argued that the charges against the two former Government officials may be unconstitutional on the basis that they are not “public officers” in accordance with the Constitution.

Following these events, former Finance Minister Sasenarine Kowlessar, who served from 1999 to 2006, was taken in for questioning at SOCU’s Kingston, Georgetown head office, and was interrogated for close to five hours before being released on $200,000 station bail.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said the decision to charge the duo for the sale of the lands was nothing more than a “frivolous” attempt to keep the campaign promise made by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to jail members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“It is all frivolous… This Government campaigned on a promise that they will jail all of us when they get into power because we’re massively corrupt … We were told that we had assets that we were not declaring to

Former head of the NICIL Winston Brassington

the Integrity Commission.

We’re told that the People’s Progressive Party and its leaders had stolen so much money they couldn’t stash it in Guyana, they had to stash it abroad. These were the campaign. This was in the mouth of every person who spoke on the APNU platform. Jail, jail these people,” Jagdeo told the media last month.

Former Finance Minister Singh expressed confidence that the charges brought against him would be disposed of in the near future, because they were frivolous and had no bearing.

10 news

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTT spreads joy with LOL summer promotion Man crushed to death on T Carifesta Avenue he GTT on Tuesday morning took its Lots of Love summer promotion to several media houses, including the Guyana Times Ruimveldt Estate location in Georgetown; and during the initiative, reporters and marketing executives were treated to a scrumptious breakfast.

The GTT team, comprising marketing and public relations staff, was given a tour of the Guyana Times’ facility, and appeared on RGI 89.5FM to promote the LOL initiative.

GTT’s Samantha Gooden explained that it is the GTT way of giving back to the media that has made GTT what it is today. She noted

Assistant Editor of the Guyana Times, Bhisham Mohamed, sharing a light moment with Marketing Executive of GTT, Samantha Gooden, in the RGI Studio

that without the media there would be no blue network, and extended her gratitude to Guyana Times for its continuous support.

Gooden further explained that during the GTT visits to the various media houses, the opportunity to enter into a special draw within the LOL

promotion was created just for those media house staffers.

Trademark agents were on the ground transacting same-day services, which gave those in the media a chance to be entered into the draw to win a Samsung S9 on Monday, July 23.

The excited media operatives took pictures with the GTT agents and the LOL selfie frame. All media personnel are encouraged to keep an eye out for the media caravan, which would give them a chance to win BIG with GTT; Doing more with Lots of Love this summer.

Mocha businessman gets over 4 years for 2017 fatal accident

C

leveland Softleigh, a businessman was on Tuesday sentenced to four 4 years and 6 months imprisonment for causing the death of 64-yearold Ingrid James who was killed in July of 2017 on the Herstelling Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

He was sentenced by Magistrate Judy Latchman who told him that life is priceless after the father of six begged for leniency revealing that he begged the family to compensate them.

The charge against him

Cleveland Softleigh

Ingrid James

alleged that on July 29, 2017 he drove motorcar PKK

3251 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby caus-

ing the death James.

It was previously reported that as a result of the collision, James’ left leg was severed and she sustained injuries to her body including her head.

She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre after being transported there in an unconscious state. A statement from the police had said that the woman was reportedly crossing the road when she walked into the path of the vehicle.

The body of the so-far unidentified man

T

he head of a so-far unidentified man was crushed and his brain matter splattered on the roadway after he was run over by a minibus on Tuesday morning on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

According to Police reports, the driver of minibus BWW 4632 related that he was proceeding west along the southern carriageway of the Avenue when he suddenly felt an impact. The driver said that he stopped and upon investigating, discovered the victim lying on the roadway with his head smashed.

The Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man, who was of East Indian ancestry.

The body has since been transported to the Lyken Funeral Home, to await identification and a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, the 48-yearold bus driver of Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was arrested and was made to undergo a breathalyser test, which he passed. Nevertheless, he remains in custody assisting with the investigation.

The vehicle has also been impounded pending investigation.

news

11

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Murder of Pandit, son

“Lookout man” arraigned for double murder

Orlando Douglas

T

hirty-year-old Orlando Douglas of Garnett Street, Georgetown was on Tuesday afternoon arraigned before a Georgetown magistrate, charged with the murders of 61-year-old Pandit Deonarine Liliah and his 28-year-old son Omkar Liliah, allegedly committed between July 7 and 10 at the Liliahs’ home at Delph and Craig Streets, Campbellville, Georgetown during the furtherance of a robbery.

Douglas was not re-

quired to plead to the indictable charge.

Attorney representing Douglas, Melvin Duke, argued that his client had been randomly picked out of a crowd that had gathered at the scene of the crime on July 10. He charged that Douglas was not found with any tools or weapons, and contended that the accused is being tortured to make certain “confessions” regarding the matter.

The Police Prosecutor, however, told the court that the accused was found in possession of a mobile phone that belonged to one of the dead men.

Douglas has been remanded to prison until July 31, when the case is set for recall.

A tale of horror

It was previously reported that Douglas, who is known to the Police, was caught selling two mobile phones on Leopold Street, Georgetown on Friday evening. Upon checking the phones, it was discovered that the handsets belonged to the now dead pandit and his son. As such, the young

man was arrested and interrogated, during which he reportedly told detectives that the plan to rob the Liliahs had been in the pipeline for quite some time.

He confessed that, on July 7, he and an accomplice had gone to the pandit’s premises, and after staking it out for some time, executed their plan.

The young man reportedly told detectives that he kept guard a short distance away, while his accomplice scaled the fence and entered the pandit’s home through a front door.

He told detectives that his accomplice realised that the younger Liliah was at home alone, and he and the now dead man reportedly had a scuffle, during which he stabbed the young man several times, and left him to die in a pool of blood.

The killer then ransacked the house in search of money and jewellery, and

Dead: Pandit Deonarine Liliah and Gopaul Liliah

as he was packing the loot, the pandit reportedly returned home, only to find his son’s bloodied and lifeless body lying on the floor.

Before the pandit could raise an alarm, the killer confronted him and stabbed him to death.

With both men dead, the suspect claimed, his accom-

plice left the house with two bags containing personal belongings of the now dead Liliahs. They eventually met up on Sheriff Street, Georgetown with the intention of splitting the loot, but he instead was reportedly given two phones.

On the day of the discovery, the younger Liliah’s

body was found lying face down on the floor in a pool of blood with a red jersey wrapped around his head.

There were three stab wounds to his back, one each to the left and right side abdomen, and two to his chest.

The elder Liliah was found lying on his back in the living room. He was clad in a pair of white long pants and a multi-coloured jersey, and his face was covered with a multi-coloured jersey. He had sustained four stab wounds to his abdomen, four to his left side, one to the lower back, and one to the right hip.

There was no sign of forced entry into the home.

However, CCTV footage collected from nearby buildings revealed that a male had scaled the fence and had entered the premises through a front door. After some time, he was seen leaving the house with two bulky bags and a bucket.

12 news

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Autistic child allegedly abused by teachers at school T he mother of an eight-year-old autistic child who attends the David Rose School for the Handicapped on Thomas Lands in Georgetown has accused the teachers of burning and abusing her child, who has been enrolled at that

learning institution for the past six months.

The irate woman claims her son has constantly complained of the physical abuse he has been enduring. She told Guyana Times that on three occasions her son had gone home and demonstrat-

ed to her what two teachers would normally do to him. He claims being hit to the head and mouth with a stick.

“He came home one day and told me that he was hit to his mouth by Miss (name provided) with a stick; so I have a ruler, and I showed it to him

and asked if it was with one like this (the ruler); he said, ‘No, a stick,’.”

She explained that after the child had complained several times, she visited the school and spoke with the head-teacher, who assured her that she would launch an investigation into the matter. However, this mother has said, this was never done.

This mother is further alleging that, about two weeks ago, her son had come home with a burn on his hand. When she probed him, she was told the teachers had burnt him.

Accordingly, she lodged several complaints at the Schools Welfare Department; and again she was given all assurance that an investigation would be launched into the matter, but like in the first instance, nothing was done.

“When his father picked him up from school that day, the father said to him when he came home, ‘Show your mother what happened to your hand’. When I (looked, there was) one burn on his hand. I asked him what happened, and he told me the teacher burn his hand,” this mother detailed.

“As I was preparing to go back to the school, my phone rang, and it was the teacher, who said that by accident my child was burnt with a glue gun, and that she was sorry for what happened,” the woman further explained.

The woman explained that from the looks of the burn, which had taken up about 40 percent of the surface of the

The burn on the child’s hand

child’s hand, “it looked as if someone held his hand and burn it”.

This mother has only recently alleged that another teacher attached to the institution saw her and told her of all the instances her child had been abused by the other teachers.

She also mentioned that the teacher told her that the complaints made by her autistic child are true.

“I went to town last week, and another teacher that teaches there saw me. And as we were speaking, she said that indeed one of the teachers (had) hit the child to his mouth and another burn his hands deliberately with the glue gun,” this mother detailed.

She said the teacher further related that she “didn’t

want to say anything while she was at the school, because on more than one occasion, when these things happen, the headmistress would normally cover it up.

“From the first time my child told me of being abused by the teachers, I believed him, because it is not like he doesn’t know what is going on, or he can’t speak; he knows very well, and he also told the teacher to her face that she hit him and she just walk away,” the woman related.

When Guyana Times contacted the head-teacher, Dionne McKenzie, for a comment, she refused to speak, and subsequently hung up the telephone.

This devastated mother is hoping that the Education Ministry would investigate the matter.

news

13

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Decomposed body of Herstelling man found floating in canal

Dead: Jaigobin Seecharran

T

he partially-decomposed body of a Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD) man was discovered on Tuesday morning in a canal.

The dead man has since been identified as 38-yearold Jaigobin Seecharran,

called “Red Man”, of Lot 92 Herstelling New Housing Scheme.

His body was discovered floating in the “number three canal”, which separates Herstelling and the Mocha Access Road, around 08:30h by workers of a nearby block-making establishment. The body was clad in a black T-shirt and a pair of long blue jeans.

The owner of the business, Shazad Ally, told Guyana Times, that he was in his yard checking on his workers when one of them informed him about the body in the canal.

“When I go out and check, it was a dead body in the trench, so I call the Police

Seecharran’s body floating in the canal

and inform them about it,” he recalled.

According to the businessman, ranks of the nearby Providence Police Station were summoned and subsequently contacted the undertakers to remove the body.

“The undertakers them

came and when they pull out the body, then we realised it was a villager – a guy name “Red Man”,” Ally related.

He noted that at the time word of the “floating body” had already spread through the village and persons, including relatives of

Seecharran, were gathered around and so they were able to positively identify the man.

This publication understands that Seecharran, a former minibus conductor, was last seen alive by relatives on Sunday evening when he left home around 19:30h.

His brother, Seegobin, told this newspaper that they were not worried when the 38-year-old man did not return home, since he would usually disappear for a few days without informing anyone whenever he imbibed heavily.

“Sometimes, he would go over Herstelling (old scheme) and stay there… He does

even leave and go by my other brother in Mahaica without telling anybody and stay there for like two weeks and so,” the man explained.

According to Seegobin, he was at work on Tuesday morning when his wife called and informed him that a body was found in the nearby canal and that a cousin had confirmed that it was his brother.

Meanwhile, the Police said that Seecharran’s body was found face down in the water. Checks were made for marks of violence, but none were found.

The body of Seecharran is currently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Wanted bulletin re-issued for Georgetown, Lusignan prison escapees

A

s the search continues for two inmates who escaped from the Georgetown and Lusignan Prisons last July, the Guyana Police Force is seeking the help of the general public in locating the two fugitives.

The issuance of wanted bulletins for these two escapees comes on the one year anniversary of the deadly July 9th 2017 jailbreak and fire, and the July 24th escape from the Lusignan Prisons.

The inmates being sought: Cobena Stephens of Lot 82 Gopie Street, Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast

Prisons) on July 09 and 24, 2017 respectively.

In efforts to recapture these inmates, the Force is appealing to members of the public, as well as the men’s relatives and friends, to provide the GPF with any relevant information regarding the whereabouts of these escapees, so that they can be

Demerara, and Paul Goriah of Grove Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, are wanted

by the Police for the offence of escaping from lawful custody (Georgetown and Lusignan

safely captured and returned to the prison.

They are also pleading with the escapees to surrender to the Police or relevant authority in order to avoid any serious confrontation that would likely result in the use of force being employed in their apprehension. The Police are assuring that all informa-

tion received in regard to this appeal would be treated with the strictest confidence.

“All information will be treated with a high degree of confidence, and also the rights of those escapees will be respected and upheld,” the Police have said.

Turn to page 14

14 news Jagdeo challenges President Granger’s ‘domestic issues’ excuse O wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has rubbished claims made by President David Granger that he has been dealing with domestic issues, which is the main reason why he has not been able to have frequent interactions with the local press.

Jagdeo was severely critical of the President’s comment, stating that his excuse was baseless and did not hold any truth. As such, the former Head of State fact-checked the comments the President made in relation to this issue.

“Granger shamelessly claims that he has been dealing with issues in the petroleum sector. We have so many unanswered questions,” he said. The Opposition Leader referred to the Local Content Policy, the Petroleum Commission and the Sovereign Wealth Fund as some of the issues that still needed to be looked at in that sector.

Jagdeo maintains the view that a strong local content policy will allow Guyana to safeguard opportunities for locals and not allow locals to be crowded out in the sector. On the Petroleum Commission, he argued, it ought to be a purely technical commission, but it is currently configured to

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

give excessive powers to one person.

Jagdeo made it clear that none of the critical questions surrounding the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund, promised over a year ago, have been answered by the coalition Government.

He noted that a statement of principles, such as the Santiago Principles, on which the establishment of the Fund would be based would have sufficed.

He also reiterated the need for there to be an apolitical approach to setting up the Fund, a clear definition of the purpose of the Fund, and clearly defined rules on spending from the Fund, among others.

On the President’s state-

ment on crime being addressed, Jagdeo said the country was being ravaged on a daily basis by criminals and the Government has been giving the wrong signals to the security forces.

“This country is being ravaged on a daily basis by criminals …. this hopelessly misguided, inept, government is giving wrong signals to our security forces … they are not acting … the report from the Presidential Security Advisor (Russell Combe) has not even seen the light of day yet…,” he added.

On July 9, in defending why he has not held a press conference in months and why there were fewer formal engagements with the

media, Granger said that his schedule was a major factor.

“My heart is in the right place, but right now, I’ve had a really difficult period of public engagement and overseas travel,” the President told the media on the sidelines of an event.

He added: “This time last week, I was in Montego Bay, the week before I was in Da Nang, Vietnam. It could be a very challenging period and as soon as I get the opportunity, I will engage with the press, but I’ve been travelling quite a lot …

I’m asking the media to be tolerant.”

Granger had also said that he was preoccupied with dealing with several local issues.

“It could be a challenging period and as soon as I get the opportunity, I would engage with the press, but I’ve been travelling quite a lot and then to deal with do-

mestic issues – the sugar industry, we have to deal with the petroleum industry, I have to deal with crime and security,” he had explained.

In the past, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) and other groups, including the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), have urged Granger to meet with the press.

These groups have also criticised Government for its silence on a number of matters of national importance, calling on the President to toughen up and face the entire local media corps.

The GPA had acknowledged that the President was not averse to speaking with the media on the side-lines of public events or during his “Public Interest” televised programme; however, the Association said that it believed that accountability to the Guyanese people would be best served through press conferences.

Public officials under the

coalition Government have gone mute for a while now.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who has responsibility for public information, is also unavailable to the media and does not host press conferences to update the media or the public on what is going on with his office or the Government.

Political analysts and commentators have noted that there was a new culture seemingly developing whereby Ministers of Government were abusing and assaulting the media directly when displeased with a specific line of questioning, coverage of an event or editorial position of a newspaper on a particular matter.

After two years in office, President Granger held a press conference in December 2017, only the second since the coalition came into Government in May 2015.

Wanted bulletin re-issued...

F rom page 13

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of either Cobena Stephens, called OJ, and/or Paul Goriah, is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 2258196, 225-2227, 227-1149, 226-7065, 911, or the nearest Police station.

During the July 9th uprising of 2017, some 80 per cent of the Camp Street Prisons were destroyed by fire, and prison warden Odinga Wickham was killed, while several others were injured after several inmates escaped. The jailbreak was said to be the master plan of convicted Bartica and Lusignan killer, Royden “Mark” Williams, and former Tactical Services Unit (TSU) rank Uree Varswyck, who had been charged with two counts of murder. The two, along with Stafrei Alexander Hopkinson, who also was charged with two counts of murder; Desmond James, and another inmate, managed to overpower a guard at the gate and escape onto

Camp Street. However, the inmate returned into the Prison compound after he was reportedly left behind

by Williams, Varswyck, Hopkinson and James, who had hijacked a car and made good their escape.

With the exception of Varswyck, who was shot and killed in Linden back in September, the other three were recaptured on separate occasions. However, on the night of the uprising, while inmates were being relocated from Camp Street to the Lusignan Prison, another four, including Cobena Stephens, managed to elude authorities.

Remanded Shawn Collins was rearrested hours later on Hadfield Street, while the other two escapees – Mohamed Pokhan and Anthony Marcus – walked into the Georgetown Public Hospital compound the day after the fire, both in a drunken stupor with gunshot injuries. They were treated and released into the custody of Prison authorities.

Meanwhile about two weeks after the Camp Street uprising, 13 inmates at the Lusignan Prison also escaped through a tunnel by digging a hole under the perimeter fence. Later that night, however, Odel Roberts, Jamal Forde, Rayon Jones, Winston Long, Jason Howard, Teshawn McKenzie and Jamal Joseph were recaptured.

A few days later, murder accused Clive Forde was shot and killed during a shootout with the Police; while escapees Pascal Smith, Shawn Harris and Kendall Skeet were recaptured. Another escapee, Kerry Cromwell, surrendered to authorities, while Paul Goriah still remains on the run.

Last week, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, told media operatives during a press conference that although the search is not making headlines, the Prison Service and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are still hunting for the two prisoners at large.

“While it is not in the news every day, there are a lot of persons who have escaped over the years. Efforts are always being made in order to have these persons recaptured,” Samuels said, adding that information pertaining to escaped prisoners is always being circulated with the intention of having them recaptured.

“We would do circulation of names and possible descriptions. We have prison officers who are familiar with these persons who are constantly looking for them in villages that they are from, and so on. We have Police (ranks) who are on general patrol and so on; and (we) have not given up in the hunt for these persons,” the Prison Director explained.

news

15

wednesDAY, july 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

“We will never allow such increases” – West Demerara official charged Minister Patterson on Berbice Bridge tolls for using ‘presidential emblem’

A

midst calls for Government to rethink its decision not to grant toll increases to the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI), Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has declared that Government will not, under any circumstance, allow the draconian increases being proposed by the BBCI. “The Government’s position remains the same.

We think that the proposed cost by the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) is way in excess (of reasonableness), and would be burdensome to the citizens of Berbice in Regions Five and Six,” Patterson has said.

In a Department of Public Information report, Minister Patterson further added, “We are not -- at this time or at any time at all -- contemplating raising the tolls to those levels: 300 percent! We obviously will continue to engage the BBCI for alternative solutions, save and except passing it on to the consumers.”

Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes has said the Berbice Bridge was badly conceptualised and is doomed to fail-

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

ure. He says the bridge also stands at an inappropriate location.

“The Berbice Bridge was (always) a financial disaster.

The numbers never added up, they still do not add up. They want to carry the fares up, it becomes a political issue; but the reality for us in Guyana is (that), had we initially run the numbers, the bridge wouldn’t be located where it is today; it would be located down the river, where it was narrower and more feasible…

If we had really run the num-

bers, we would have ended up with a permanent, fixed-span bridge rather than a floating bridge,” Hughes has said.

Both Minister Patterson and Attorney-at-Law Hughes were present at the National Toshaos Council’s 12th Annual Conference being hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre under the theme “Preserving Our Past, Protecting Our Future”.

BBCI Chairman Dr. Surendra Persaud recently called on Government to allow the company to increase its tolls to keep the Berbice Bridge afloat. The bridge was constructed under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) scheme, a public-private partnership venture.

Construction of this bridge under the Bharrat Jagdeo Administration was heavily criticised, because a few private investors were allowed almost total control of the bridge although they had invested only a fraction of the almost Gy$9.5 billion (US$45 million) used to build it. The Government of Guyana is the bridge’s largest investor, but can take control only after 20 years.

Bartica youth gets 28 years for mechanic’s murder

Jailed: Ryan Jones

T

wenty-two-year-old Ryan Jones, also called Rayon Jones, was on Tuesday sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon to 28 years’ jail for killing a 24-year-old mechanic on June 9, 2016 when he burglarised the mechanic’s home at Madewini, Timehri.

The victim, Puranand Baljit, had been stabbed 10 times, and died as a result of his injuries.

Jones, of Fourth Avenue, Bartica, who was recaptured after escaping from the Lusignan prison in an outbreak that occurred in 2017, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter on Tuesday, after being originally indicted for murder committed in the furtherance of a robbery. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the capital offence.

He was represented by Attorney Maxwell McKay, while State Prosecutor Mandell Moore appeared for the State.

Jones admitted he had entered Baljit’s room by climbing through a window, and had stolen the victim’s laptop and cellphone. However, Baljit suddenly awoke and confronted him, and Jones stabbed the man with a knife he had taken to the scene, the court was

told.

Baljit’s father related to investigators that on the night of his son’s murder he had heard screams coming from his room. He later discovered his son lying in a pool of blood.

Jones, who had fled the scene, was apprehended two days later at the Georgetown seawall in the company of a female; and according to court records, Jones had sold the stolen items, worth several hundred thousand dollars, for only $5,000.

He told Justice Kissoon on Tuesday that he was running his whole life, and didn’t know why; but he now knows the truth, and it has set him free.

He also expressed remorse for his actions while also saying that he has one life to live and one judgment to face.

However, the court has sentenced Jones to serve out his sentence without the possibility of parole.

Jones was 20 at the time he committed the crime, and he admitted to knowing the deceased prior to the incident.

According to the particulars of the case, after confessing to Police, Jones had taken ranks to an abandoned house where he had stashed the murder weapon and clothes which had stains suspected to be blood on

Dead: Puranand Baljit

them.

His lawyer, in a plea of mitigation, stressed that Jones had always cooperated with Police, and had had no additional matters other than the murder case and escaping from the Lusignan Prison in July last year.

However, Prosecutor Moore called on the court to consider why the victim was killed. No relative of either the victim or accused was present in court.

Justice Kissoon, in considering the sentence, told the offender that the court would normally hand down life imprisonment owing to the nature of Jones’s offence, but would not in this case, as he was 20 when he killed Baljit.

Nevertheless, the judge considered that the defendant went to the victim’s home with the knife in his possession.

In computing the sentence, 10 years were added to the base of 14 years and 5 months on account of aggravating factors. This gave 24 years, 5 months, but Justice Kissoon added 3 years and 7 months for the brutality meted out to the victim; and in the end the sentence amounted to a prison term of 28 years. (Shemuel Fanfair)

on car, other offences

A

West Demerara road safety official was on Tuesday granted a total of $100,000 in bail after he was slapped with a series of traffic charges, including using the presidential emblem on his motor car while attending a wedding.

Peter Katahan, 43, a businessman of Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was charged for fraudulent imitation of an identification mark, and driving an unregistered, unlicensed, uncertified, and uninsured motor vehicle.

He pleaded not guilty to all of the offences and was placed on $20,000 bail for each charge when he appeared at the Vreed-enHoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

According to Police reports, Katahan, who is also a Rural Sergeant

The vehicle with the ‘plastic presidential crown’ at the EBE wedding on Sunday

and President of the West Demerara Road Safety Association, decided to affix two plastic crowns to his unregistered motor car.

He then used the vehicle to transport celebrants of

a wedding last Sunday at Hubu, EBE. The matter has been transferred to the Leonora Magistrate’s Court for August 13, 2018.

16 news

wednesDAY, july 18, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ERC engages national ANSA McAL, Department of Education host Literacy Summer Camp stakeholders

A

T

he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) continues to engage stakeholders as part of its national sensitisation initiative.

Having been re-constituted on February 22, 2018, and with its first statutory meeting held in late April, the ERC is in the process of reintroducing the body to foster awareness of its twenty-four (24) functions listed in Article 212D of the Constitution, and to seek possible inputs from

Commissioners meeting with representatives of the Hindu constituency

Commissioners and representatives of the Muslim constituency

stakeholders in support of the delivery of its mandate.

The Commission met on Tuesday with representatives of the Hindu, Christian and Islamic constituents at the Herdmanston Lodge in Queenstown, Georgetown; and in fruitful engagements, pertinent concerns were raised, suggestions were offered, and firm commitments were made to work together in the struggle of promoting harmony

and good relations across the country.

The constitutional body also met on Monday last with Commissioners appointed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to serve on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). This has been part of the process of investigating the employment practice of GECOM, as requested by the PPP appointed Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn.

The ERC has already met with President David Granger; Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo; the Private Sector Commission, and the Ambassador and team from the European Union (EU).

Other meetings scheduled for this month include with the Inter-Religious Organisation and other religious bodies; cultural organisations, and representatives of women and youth constituents.

NSA McAL Trading Limited, in collaboration with the Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) Department of Education, launched its second annual Literacy Summer Camp on Saturday last, and this activity will see more than 300 children benefiting over the one week duration of the camp.

At launch of the camp, being held at the Beterverwagting Primary School, Regional Education Officer (ag) Tiffany FavouriteHarvey disclosed that this year’s camp has seen a significant increase of participants, and is geared at providing the students with an opportunity to be engaged in all activities in various categories.

This, she noted, is as a result of the significant support and assistance being given by ANSA Mc AL. “We have a great friend in ANSA Mc AL, and we at the Department of Education are exceptionally grateful and thankful for their overwhelming partnership. This is a great partnership, which I am sure will last (for) years to come,” she said.

Catering for nursery, primary and secondary school children, the camp promises to be fun-filled, challenging, and filled with creative activities, according to REDO Favourite-Harvey, who stressed that reading, writing, and comprehension for learners from nursery to

Some of the children who will be participating in the Literacy Summer Camp

Grade 9 would form part of the camp.

The REDO pointed out that, too many times owing to lack of proper supervision -- due to many parents and guardians having to work and no one being present to take care of the children -- the children are left alone, thus resulting in several of them being engaged in activities that do not bring about holistic development.

She issued an impassioned appeal to parents and guardians to utilise the benefits being offered by the camp, declared that attendance is without charge, and announced that all are welcome to participate in the camp.

“We are open to persons joining (in the activities), and I would like to appeal to parents and guardians to come

and be a part of this camp, as it affords the children an opportunity to be gainfully and positively engaged during this period,” she said.

ANSA McAL’s Brand Manager for Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Errol Nelson, said that company’s corporate social responsibility is to support the development of youths, promote education, and enrich and engage the communities that it serves.

“Our involvement in this programme is testimony to that commitment,” he declared. “The brands being used to promote this programme are Smalta, iCool Juice Drink and Cheifeez Snacks.” He added, “Our involvement will be in the form of providing refreshments and snacks for the participating youths and facilitators.”

news

17

wednesDAY, july 18, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Albouystown nightclub owner Man denies trying to murder nabbed in 19-kilo ganja bust father-in-law at Vergenoegen

A

Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU)-led operation on Tuesday morning resulted in a night club owner of Hogg Street, Albouystown being taken into Police custody for possession of narcotics.

Police “A” Division Commander Leslie James confirmed the CANU operation, but could not say the exact number of persons who were arrested.

However, the Police officer later confirmed that some 19 kilograms of marijuana had been unearthed at the night club.

Even as investigations continue, Guyana Times has been informed that parcels of compressed cannabis have been found at the club. This latest find was significantly more than another bust in Berbice one week ago, which led to three men being taken into Police custody after a boat was intercepted with a large quantity of marijuana. It was found along the Upper Berbice River in the vicinity of the Aroaima Village two Sundays ago.

Police ranks on patrol reportedly observed in a wooden boat one of the occupants, identified as

...to stand trial next Monday

S

The marijuana found at the night club

Lamount Leacock, called ‘Farrai’, 29, of Kwakwani Waterfront, Upper Berbice River, who jumped overboard with a grey tarpaulin and a bulky salt bag.

The ranks managed to intercept Leacock, and a search was conducted on the bag, during which two large parcels wrapped in black plastic and transparent Scotch tape were found. The illegal substance amounted to 5.68

kilogrammes.

The other two occupants of the boat -- Lyndon McPherson, 34, a security guard and owner of the boat, of Kwakwani Waterfront; and Sheldon Sooklall, 24, a mason of Kwakwani Park, Upper Berbice River -- were searched but nothing suspicious was found. They both denied any knowledge of the drugs being found in the bag.

GBTI hosts annual Early Savers summer camp

Participants of the annual summer camp hosted by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry

T

he Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry on Monday kick-started its annual Early-Savers Summer Camp for members of GBTI’s Early Savers Club, who were randomly selected to participate.

The one-week camp is being held at the GBTI’s recreational facility at Bel Air Park, Georgetown, and caters for two age groups: 7-10 years old, for which sessions are conducted in the mornings; and 11 to 15 years old, for which sessions are conducted in the afternoons.

This year’s camp has also seen collaboration of the locally televised children’s programme “Kids Today, Leaders Tomorrow”, who

were also actively involved in the morning sessions of the camp.

According to GBTI Public Relations and Marketing Manager Pamela Binda, the camp is geared at engaging the young minds in educational programmes and arts and crafts, while enlightening them on Guyana’s rich folklore.

Binda emphasised that the aim of the camp is to put literacy on the front agenda for the children, since technology has, over the years, taken over.

“I think we need to push that and promote that…

Technology has taken over the new generation, and so we want to bring back lit-

eracy into our little Early Savers’ account,” she said.

She related that the programme incorporates two segments, a literacy session and an arts and crafts session. The children will also be informed of Guyana’s local folk tales, narrated by poplar story teller Alan Fenty.

Binda urges members of the public to get on board with GBTI, and be the next lucky participant in next year’s summer camp.

“We encourage persons out there: If you don’t have an Early Savers Account, come with GBTI, sigh up with us and enjoy the myriad of benefits that we offer”.

She urged.

At lease thirty active members of the Early Savers Club were randomly selected in two groups of 15 each, the first being between the ages of 7 and 11, and the other being between 12 and 15. The morning session is allocated to the younger group, while the latter group is engaged in the afternoon session.

The camp will come to an end on Friday with a mini exhibition of the art pieces and a presentation ceremony for the winners of the best arts and craft projects.

udesh Rambhajue will next Monday answer to allegations that he attempted to murder his father-in-law, Latchman Narine Persaud, on September 18, 2015 at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo.

Rambhajue had been charged with felonious wounding committed on Narine Persaud, but at Tuesday’s arraignment before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Demerara High Court, he denied both counts.

The defendant did not have legal representation, but the court nevertheless empanelled the matter, giving the accused almost one week to obtain the services of an attorney to defend him in court.

Rambhajue told the

Accused: Sudesh Rambhajue

court he could not afford to retain an attorney and requested that the State provide representation for him.

However, the court’s view was that such charges do

not necessarily require the State to provide legal counsel.

Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial is leading the State’s case, and is assisted by fellow attorneys Narissa Leander and Tiffini Lyken.

It was previously reported that Narine Persaud claimed to have been attacked by the suspect after he had asked him to move out from his house. However, Persaud explained that after Rambhajue had ignored his request, he sought to repeat it when he saw the man approaching his home on the evening in question.

Narine Persaud reported that the man became annoyed, and stabbed him before fleeing the scene.

Several witnesses are expected to testify when the matter is heard next week.

Patentia mother remanded for narco-trafficking

A

Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD) mother of four was on Tuesday remanded to prison when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged for trafficking narcotics.

Allia Campbell, 31, was not allowed to plea to the allegation that was made out against her. It is being alleged that on July

13, 2018, at Bartica Police Station, the accused had 1169 grams of cannabis in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The domestic worker was reportedly intercepted in a boat at Bartica when Police acting on information confronted her.

She was taken to the Police Station, where the drugs were found in a buck-

et she was carrying. The said drugs were weighed in her presence and amounted to 1169 grams. As such, she was told of the allegation, arrested and later charged.

Campbell will make her next court appearance on August 2, 2018. The matter has been transferred before the Bartica magistrate.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, july 18, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES

Plans can be made, but

(March 21- iron out any potential probApril 19) lems before you share them

with someone who may not be in favour of them. Being fully prepared will lead to success.

Change can be good, but TAURUS before you take a leap of (April 20- faith, look at every angle and May 20) make adjustments to ensure you don't hit a roadblock that could be expensive.

dilbert

Talk the talk and walk GEMINI (May 21- the walk. If you live up to the June 20) promises you make, the results will be beneficial. Don't let someone's guilt tactics wear you down.

Personal improvements will

CANCER set you on a new and exciting (June 21- course. Offset anger or aggresJuly 22) sive behaviour by doing what's

Peanuts

right and best for you. Don't fold under pressure.

Stick to the people you LEO know well and who have your (July 23- best interests at heart. Walk Aug. 22) away from anyone trying to manipulate you or entice you to indulge or spend foolishly.

Put more time and effort VIRGO into where and how you live.

(Aug. 23- Alter what isn't working for Sept. 22) you and do your best to improve

Calvin and Hobbes

your prospects. skills.

Hone

your

Head in whatever direcLIBRA (Sept. 23- tion promises to bring you the Oct. 23) most joy. You'll reach your expectations if you make wise choices and are willing to work hard.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — EMBLAZON

Put your energy and enSAGITTARIUS thusiasm into bringing in (Nov. 23more cash.

You can make Dec. 21) gains through professional or personal investments that help you use your skills to the fullest.

(EMBLAZON: em-BLAZE-en: To make resplendent with brilliant colors.)

Average mark 33 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 48 or more words in EMBLAZON? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — ACETYLENE

acne alee ante cane cant cantle cent clan clay clean

cleat cyan eaten eely elan elate elect enact enate enlace

eyelet talc tale teal teen teeny tenace lace lacy lance

lancet lane late lateen laten latency lean lent neat neatly

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

Don't let anger take the SCORPIO reins.

Success is the best re(Oct. 24venge, so focus on what you Nov. 22) can achieve instead of trying to block someone else from getting ahead. Strive for perfection.

solution for last published puzzle

Keep your distance from CAPRICORN anyone using emotional tac(Dec. 22- tics to entice you to do someJan. 19) thing that isn't in your interest. Align yourself with people who share your opinions, ethics and integrity.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Put more energy into taking care of personal investments, settlements or health issues. Taking care of business will give you peace of mind as well as the desire to start something new.

A partnership will run amok if you or the other person uses force or emotional manipulation. Consider the motives that you or someone else might have, and ward off a problem before it begins.

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018

19

Tiger Woods believes the Open can end his drought

T

iger Woods believes the Open Championship provides his best opportunity to claim a 15th major.

A decade has passed since Woods last won any of golf’s marquee events – in that instance, the US Open – with subsequent struggles largely linked to injury.

Speaking at Carnoustie on Tuesday, ahead of his 20th Open appearance, Woods initially smiled when asked whether this tournament offered his biggest major chance. “Not to be smart, but it is the next major I’m playing,” said the 42-yearold, before taking matters more seriously.

“As far as long term, certainly, I would say yes because of the fact that you don’t have to be young to play on a links-style golf course. Look what Tom [Watson] did at Turnberry at 59. So it’s possible.

Greg Norman was there at Birkdale [in 2008] at I think about 54-ish, somewhere around there 53, 54. It certainly can be done.

“You get to places like Augusta National where it’s just a big ballpark and the golf course outgrows you, unfortunately. That’s just the way it goes. But linksstyle golf course, you can

Tiger Woods preparing to take a shot during the Open at Carnoustie

roll the ball. I hit a threeiron that went to 330 yards out here. Even if I get a little bit older, I can still chase some wood or long club down there and hit the ball the same distance.

“So distance becomes a moot point on a links-style course. But creativity plays such an important role, and you’ve got guys like Tom playing late in his career, doing well. There’s a reason why he won five of these – very creative and hit all the shots.”

Woods, a three-time Open winner, hasn’t featured in golf’s oldest ma-

jor since 2015. His last and fourth back surgery had triggered inner doubts over whether he would return to a competitive environment.

“There were definitely points in time that I certainly thought I’d never play in this championship again,” he admitted. “It’s great seeing it on TV, but it’s even better in person. I remember how it feels to come down to the last hole with a chance to win it. And knowing that I may never have that opportunity again, there were some times in there where I just didn’t feel very good.

“But now to have the

opportunity to come back to Carnoustie to play here in Scotland again, I’ve said this before throughout this year, it’s been a blessing. There were some times where I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do this again, and – lo and behold – here I am playing my third major of the year. I’ve progressed throughout the year and had some nice little momentum things, building blocks, which is positive.

“Each tournament I keep coming back to, I keep feeling a little bit better because I’m starting to play some golf again. My feels are

much better than they were at the beginning of the year and I feel like I have a better understanding of my game and my body and my swing.

“That’s just going to come with a little bit more experience and I think that I’ve made a few adjustments.

I’ve changed putters. I’ve tweaked my swing a little bit and everything’s gotten just a little bit better. I’ve put myself up there in contention a couple times. I just need to play some cleaner golf and who knows?”

Course strategy has been at the forefront of early Open week discussion.

Rory McIlroy has been candid about the fact he plans to use a series of drivers from tees, a policy not likely to be followed by Woods.

In 2006, Woods famously won the Open at Hoylake – where scorched conditions were similar to Carnoustie now – while using his driver only once in four rounds.

“There’s not a lot of opportunities to hit the driver just because the ball is going to be rolling 80 yards,” Woods said. “It’s just hard to keep the ball in play. Even hitting sometimes four and five irons, they’ve been running 50, 60 yards.”

Woods has a special affiliation with Carnoustie, hav-

ing visited for the first time as an amateur for the 1995 Scottish Open. He recalls that experience well. “It was one of the cooler things, just standing on that range and hitting the ball to the 100-yard sign. I was hitting nine-irons and four-irons and five-irons, just having a blast trying to hit the sign.

“I hadn’t been able to do that before. I had never played links golf. This was my first time. I remember my dad on the range with me saying: ‘Are you ever going to hit the ball past the 100-yard sign?” And I said: ‘No, I’m just enjoying this.

Are you kidding me? This is the best.’ So I spent probably about close to two hours on the range just hitting balls before I even went and played, because I thought it was just the best, seeing the ball bounce and being creative and using my mind.

“I grew up in Southern California where it’s kikuyu grass; nothing rolls.

So everything’s vertical. So to come here and I remember going down No 2, I was about probably close to 120 yards out and bringing out my putter and putting it – I’d never done that before.

That was one of the cooler moments. It stuck with me.”

(The Guardian)

Liverpool make £62M bid to sign

Roma goalkeeper Alisson

L

iverpool have opened talks with Roma over the possible worldrecord signing of the Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, with an initial offer of €70 million (£62.2 million) including €10 million of add-ons being lodged with the Serie A club.

Roma are holding out for another €5 million to take the total fee to €75 million (£66.6 million) for the 25-year-old, but both clubs are hopeful that an agreement can be reached. The respective valuations have increased confidence at Liverpool that Alisson will be their new first-choice goalkeeper next season.

Chelsea are also still interested in the Brazilian, should Thibaut Courtois leave. Real Madrid, another possible suitor, have yet to make contact with Roma.

Liverpool signed Mohamed Salah from Roma last season, but despite the good relationship the clubs enjoy the Italian club would not hesitate to sell Alisson to any other club that matches their valuation.

If the deal goes through, it would make Alisson the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, eclipsing the €53 million paid by Juventus for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001 and the €40 million it cost

Manchester City to buy Ederson from Benfica last summer.

Alisson has long been Jürgen Klopp’s preferred solution for the problematic goalkeeping position at Liverpool, with the manager’s interest pre-dating Loris Karius’s calamitous performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

Liverpool had been deterred from pursuing that interest at the start of the summer by Roma’s asking price. Tentative enquiries in January were also dismissed.

Ongoing concerns over Karius’s form, however, plus

the prospect of a compromise with the Italian club has prompted a renewed effort to land Klopp’s first choice.

The German goalkeeper ended last season as Liverpool’s No 1 having dislodged Simon Mignolet, who is expected to leave Anfield this summer. The 25-year-old initially made an encouraging return to the side, but his two dreadful errors in the Champions League final undermined his firstchoice

claims and he made another mistake in the pre-season friendly at Tranmere

Rovers last week.

Klopp publicly defended Karius after the Tranmere game, but knows the scrutiny on the former Mainz keeper will not diminish next season.

The Liverpool manager has also considered Danny Ward during pre-season, but is edging closer to addressing a long-standing issue at Anfield with the bid for Alisson. (The Guardian)

Alisson, who was in action here for Brazil at the World Cup, has been at Roma since 2016

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018

Elite League to benefit from capacity-building initiatives …as GFF President Forde wraps up successful trip to Brazil

GFF President Wayne Forde shares a warm moment with Botafogo FC’s President, Nelson Mufarrej

T

he Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League will benefit from significant capacity-building partnerships as a direct result of a recent three-day visit by GFF President Wayne Forde to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he met with the respective Presidents of Vasco da Gama and Botafogo FR football clubs.

This initiative will see the introduction of an elite referee programme, a player exchange programme, and the recruitment of a Coach Instructor to build capacity among the Elite

League Coaches and Coaches across the country.

“Over the couple of weeks, we will be formalising some relationships that will see an elite referees’ programme being introduced, which is a key programme I’d like to commence,” said Forde following the July 6-8 trip.

Referee courses will be offered for both males and females, and local match officials will be exposed to professional football in Brazil.

“We will also see a player exchange programme; we are looking at bringing players at

the developmental/transitional level in some of the professional clubs and maybe some of the lower divisions to play within the Elite League and taking some of our U-20 players to the Brazilian clubs.

I’m trying to get as many as 30 U-20 players into Brazil.

The goal is to get around 30 U-20 Guyanese players playing in Brazil first and foremost, and secondly, bringing good Brazilian talent and professionalism into the training and playing set-up of the Elite League.”

Additionally, Forde said coach education and development was a key pillar of the GFF, which would also be prioritised: “The GFF will be hiring a Brazilian Coaching Education Instructor to work with the Coaches within the Elite League in particular and other Coaches around the country.”

Apart from these concrete measures, Forde also discussed other developmental opportunities with the Presidents of the two leading football clubs in Brazil.

Rugby Head calls for

better practice facilities

J

ust after receiving permission from the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown to utilise the Parade Ground for much-needed practice sessions, Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Head and Rugby Coach Peter Green has made a call for better facilities to be given to sporting disciplines.

At the media briefing, the Rugby Coach described the conditions under which the team had to operate prior to receiving permission to use the Parade Ground. “That’s what will happen because of the weather and the players running up and down on at that field and I’m surprised at that, because they did some work on it and somehow it is not up to standard because just after use of several teams it became slushy,” he lamented.

Green further shared that attempts to utilise other practice facilities such as the Leonora Complex proved futile owing to them being used by another sporting fraternity. He expressed gratitude for the use of Parade Ground, but not without outlining the

GRFU Head and Coach Peter Green speaking with media operatives

difficulties they may encounter.

“Parade Ground yes, next week, but the boys have to walk the full length and breadth, because you have bottles there, and my rugby players tackle and fall on the ground. Visualise landing on the ground and a piece of glass waiting to rip you open; that’s not what we have in mind. So while we’re getting Parade Ground, we constantly have to walk the length of that ground and then we meet up with the opposition of people who are saying this

is our land, what are you doing here?” he explained.

As such, the frustrated Coach made a bold call for a facility that is strictly for rugby, stating: “Rugby needs a ground, we have land. Why is the sports policy promising and we’re not getting these facilities? I’m appealing to the Government of Guyana to kindly make a priority and give us land at least where the majority of players are, from Demerara,” he said.

The Coach explained that they were appealing for their own training ground so as to avoid having to use facilities belonging to other sporting disciplines, especially when they are hosting international tournaments.

“We’re going to have a situation where you’re going to find football’s ground that is being made there, all of us are going to be begging to use that ground for international events. We don’t want that picture.”

The national rugby team is currently in preparation for the Caribbean and Central American Games in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Day-night volleyball Alaphilippe takes stage 10 as competition Tour de France starts Alps climb for Albion this J weekend

T

BVA President Levi Nedd

he Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will be hosting a daynight volleyball competition on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at the Albion Sports Complex, in collaboration with Blairmont Centre Cricket Club.

The games are expected to start 15:30h and conclude 20:30h, with both males and females participating in their respective categories.

The male teams expected to participate are PMTC1, TC, Rollers, Corriverton Jets, Port Mourant Jaguars, Black Bush, and Number 48. The female segment will see Corriverton Jets and Port Mourant Females. Any club that is interested in entering the competition can

contact BVA President Levi Nedd on 641-9592 or Errol Chase on 688-2998.

There will be cash prizes and trophies for the winners, runners-up and thirdplace teams, as well as a prize for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in both categories.

Other attractions will include the Roy Fredericks 20/20 Floodlight Cricket Cup dubbed “Revolution”, which will bowl off 09:00h and conclude at 22:30h.

The volleyball competition is compliments of Rafeek “Buski” Kassim construction services, Baksh Travel Service, Port Mourant Training School and the BVA.

ulien Alaphilippe prolonged French hangovers from World Cup celebrations by becoming the first home stage winner in this year’s Tour de France, after a longrange attack in the mountains of the Haute Savoie led to a solo win in Le Grand Bornand.

But the Frenchman’s success came at the expense of Geraint Thomas, whose hopes of slipping into the yellow jersey were dashed after the race leader, Greg Van Avermaet, infiltrated the same breakaway earlier in the stage and held on to actually extend his overall lead.

Speaking after the stage, Thomas did his best to hide his disappointment. “We were expecting that,” he said.

“Van Avermaet did it the last time he had the jersey. It would have been nice to take it but it’s the Tour de France – nothing comes easy. But the team rode well, that was the main thing.”

Behind Alaphilippe and Van Avermaet, Sky adopted their now familiar catenaccio style, controlling the peloton with a steady tempo on every climb and discouraging any further attacks. “There were some steep climbs and we were expecting it to really kick off somewhere on the last two,” Thomas said.

“But that never really materialised. I guess there was a bit of a headwind on that last climb. With two big Alpine days to come, everyone was probably saving it a bit – or on the limit. I don’t know.”

It was a relatively uneventful day for Chris Froome too, apart from a puncture on the dirt section of the Plateau

France’s Julian Alaphilippe celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 10th stage of the Tour de France

des Glieres climb. “It was a little bit of wacky races going on there,” Froome said. “I had a puncture, got a spare wheel from a teammate only to find out that was flat as well. So, it was a little bit of a comedy of errors going on. But thankfully it was still far from the finish, so the race wasn’t too crazy and I was able to get back in.”

Only a late foray by Dan Martin, winner of the stage to Mur de Bretagne, livened up the final ascent, the Col de la Colombière. “It was a block headwind so every bit of common sense said ‘don’t attack’, but our plan from the start was if guys are five or 10 seconds off the back at the top of the climb then it could be a minute by the finish line,” he said.

“For the sake of doing a little sprint, making it hard, anybody put in the red could have been dropped,” said the Irishman, whose burst towards the final summit was enough to distance the Colombian Rigoberto Urán, second to Froome in Paris in 2017 and now almost four

minutes behind the defending champion.

Martin admitted, though, that the first Alpine stage had been something of a stalemate. “That’s what happens when you get three hard days in a row,” he said, referring to the forthcoming ski station finishes at La Rosiere and Alpe d’Huez. “The next two days are going to be brutal and also, this was the stage after the rest day, but the wearing-down process has begun. There’s going to be a lot more guys attacking tomorrow.”

If Thomas sounded disappointed not to pull on the maillot jaune, Dave Brailsford laughed off comments from Bradley Wiggins that his management style was “divisive” and “self-serving”. The Team Sky principal said: “I’ve been called a lot worse. On my Richter scale, that’s not bad. I can take that. Over the years, we’ve always tried to build teams where the top guys are very close together and they have got their own ambitions.”

But Brailsford also hint-

ed that there had been lessons learnt from the FroomeWiggins feud of July 2012, when both riders seemed intent on winning the Tour. “As you get older and wiser,” he said, “and you learn from your mistakes you know how to manage these situations, and openness is the key. You learn to talk to everybody together, be clear and frank with everybody, and these guys know the score.” But he was insistent there would be no infighting during this year’s Tour. “It’s a totally different dynamic from what we’ve had in the past – Chris and Geraint have grown up together, they have known each other a long time, they are 32 and 33 years old; they’re not young lads and they are pretty easy to manage, to be honest. Four of the riders are over 30, two are 28 and when you tot up how many Grand Tours they have done between them, there is an enormous amount of experience on that bus,” Brailsford said.

Alaphilippe, who also won a stage of the 2014 Tour de l’Avenir on similar roads that included the gravel section of the Plateau des Glières, also claimed the King of the Mountains jersey. It was the Quickstep team’s third stage win of the 2018 Tour and their 50th victory of the season. “It was a big objective to take a stage in the Tour de France and a really proud moment for me to win,” Alaphilippe said. “I was able to enjoy it a bit on the downhill and realise what I’d done. It was an incredible feeling in the last kilometre.” (The Guardian)

CLASSIFIED ADS

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

ACCOMMODATIONS Aracari hotel versailes, west bank demerara (near harbour bridge)all modern amenities, rates from usd$25. Tel: 264-2946/8 Weddings and anniversaries Rental or full services- banquet hall & catering Aracari resort, west bank demerara- 264-2946

Driving School Shalom Enterprise. Lot 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. Obtain an international driving permit covering 131 countries. Tel: 227-38356442052. Join us on Facebook

EDUCATION Electronic Course Beginning 1st June. Practical’s. Learn to repair all major electronic appliances including flat screen TVs. Earn extra cash in our spare time. Boost your income. Abdul Electronics. Tel: 2250391/226-6551 Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decorations.

670-2653, 638-8499

FOR SALE 1 two door refrigerator (foreign use), 1 six hole 20’’ mag-rims with tires, fits tundra, Tacoma, Hilux pickup, 1 diesel fuel pumps for Hilux 1KDFTV engine, 1 turbo for Hilux 1KDFTV engine, 1 turbo for Pardo 3.0 diesel engine, 1 Small twin tub washing machine. Contact Tel: 2201630 or 638-1829.

Husky puppies for sale at West Bank Demerara. Call 611-2378 for enquires.

LAND for sale One transported land for sale 100x50ft at Hope Town village West Coast Berbice Price 1.2M Contact # 680-1009

spirituality & ASTROLOGY Spiritual healing: remove blockages, voodoo, excurse, black magic, spell, business, upliftment, pregnancy, love & marriage problems, clearance, etc. Contact: 694-9569 or 683-5228 Sri Guru Raghavendra Astrology.

Master: VEERA BHADRA. Specialized in: PALM, FACE, PATRA READING & HOROSCOPE BOOK OPENING. An expert in clearing negativity in life by using ancient prayer methods. Gives complete solution to your problems like: love, children, finance, job, marriage, finance and education.

Meet him once to get guidance. All religions are welcome. Private and confidential. Tel: 695-9805 & 6526427.

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

VACANCIES

WANTED. Drivers and Security Personnel. Apply to North West Mining Investment Inc. 344 Middle and East Streets, N/Cummingsburg

One pump attendant needed at Rubis-Bel Air. Please call or whatsapp 680-3863 CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANT. CALL OR WHATSAPP 680-3863 BOTTLE WASHER: FOR DETAILS. CALL OR WHATSAPP 680-3863 One manager to work at a hotel in Essequibo. Must have experience in said field. Accommodation provided. Attractive salary offered.

Contact #226-9768, 227-7528 Vacancy for sales person to work at a mini mart. Call or whatsapp 624-0033

property for sale TRANSPORTED LAND WITH COMMERCIAL BUILDING 33X40 LAND(108X200) LOCATED AT LOWER MAHAICONY, ECD. PRICE: 38 MILLION NON NEGOTIABLE. CONTACT: 6420336, 258-0280, 655-6643

PRIME LOCATION-PUBLIC ROAD, LOT 2 SARAH JOHANNA, EAST BANK DEMERARA. SIZE: 35*101 FT PRICE $6M NEGOTIABLE. TEL: 673-9231, 216-4063, 685-5476

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

House for sale, 2-family, privacy, security, convenience, $11.5m, Garden of Eden, EBD 592-601-3232

TO LET

2-bedroom apartment $30,000 Garden of Eden, EBD. Fenced yard, plenty privacy. 601-3232 whatsapp House for rent 2 flats $50,000 Garden of Eden, EBD. Fenced yard, plenty privacy, 2 toilets, 2 baths.

601-3232 whatsapp One-bedroom apartment at Parfaite Harmonie (Dairy) Call: 670-2653, 638-8499 House upper flat, privacy, security, convenience, 2 bedrooms $30,000 Garden of Eden, EBD 592-601-3232

feature address at MSC Academy

…girls encouraged to register

T

he students who will be lucky enough to have secured their spot at the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Cricket Academy will be in for a special treat when Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for culture, youth and sport, Dr George Norton delivers the feature address at the opening of the 2018 edition of the Academy on July 23 at the Club’s venue on Thomas Road, Thomas Lands.

In addition to the Minister’s appearance, legendary cricket commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira will also be at the Academy to conduct a number of sessions which will cover topics such as the laws and history, what cricket means to Caribbean people, scoring, doing interviews, table manners and etiquette.

The successful cricketing academy will be further fortified with two additional coaches, who were provided by the Director of Sports, Christopher Jones. The

Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for culture, youth and sport, Dr George Norton

coaches are National U-17 Coach Orin Bailey and his assistant, Darien Best, who is the Coach at School of the Nations for the Sir Garfield Sobers Schools cricket tournament in Barbados.

The two-week Academy runs from 09:00h to 15:00h each day with an hour’s

break from noon for lunch, which will be provided by the Club. Both theory and practical teachings will be done with classroom work being done during the mornings and outdoor sessions in the afternoons.

The Academy caters for participants between the ages of 6 and 18; these participants will be divided into two groups: U-13s and age 13-18. The registration fee is $3000 and registration forms can be uplifted at Malteenoes on Thomas Lands.

Additionally, girls are being encouraged to join the Academy, and three overseas friends of the Club have combined to fund 18 underprivileged children who cannot afford to pay to join, and parents and guardians urged to take up this opportunity. Registration forms are still available at the Club, but only the first 120 students will be accepted.

The Academy has produced Test players Ramnaresh Sarwan,

“I

House for Sale. 3 bedrooms, bungalow-style.

Gated community, Versailles. Valued at $35M (Negotiable). Tel: 612-9766

1-bedroom apartment $20,000 Garden of Eden, EBD. Fenced yard, plenty privacy. 601-3232 whatsapp

Minister Norton to give

– Steven Jacobs

Lot mini/farm 100x285 feet, privacy, security, convenience, Garden of Eden, EBD 592-601-3232

Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, West Coast Berbice. 49ft x 10,314ft Length. $18M. Contact: 648-7109 or 686-4818

21

Joseph “Reds” Perreira

Ryan Ramdass and female Windies player Indomattie Goordial, and has been supported by the business community and friends of the Club with their contributions. Malteenoes expressed gratitude to everyone for their support. The Club’s aim is to instil discipline, cricket and life skills in the young participants.

“It was a great experience!”

LOT 15 PUBLIC ROAD #2 VILLAGE WEST COAST BERBICE. 3 HOUSE LOTS. COCONUT AND MANGO TREES. RICE CULTIVATION. RED SAND. 49FT BY 10,314 FT LENGTH. PRICE $18M. CONTACT: 648-7109, 686-4818

LOT 38 BELLA DAM, WEST BANK DEMERARA, SIZE: 120*40 FT PRICE $4.5M NEGOTIABLE. TEL: 673-9231, 216-4063, 685-5476

sports

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word

Call:

223-7230 Ext 50

t was a great experience playing in the inaugural Global T20 Canada and I [am] happy to be on the winning side as well.” These were some of the words from all-rounder Steven Jacobs after his team, Vancouver Knights lifted the trophy on Sunday at the Maple Leaf Ground, King City, Toronto.

The former West Indies youth skipper and Guyana first-class player Jacobs stated that the team played excellent cricket from the commencement to the conclusion.

“I think we just went out there and played our natural game; it was a wonderful tournament especially playing with and against players from around the world,” the off-spinner related.

Vancouver Knights were led successfully by the “Universal Boss”, Chris Gayle whose performances were also instrumental to see his side pocketing the lucrative US$500, 000.

Knights got the better of West Indies B by a comfortable seven-wicket margin.

Their win was led by

Steven Jacobs

Canada player Saad Bin Zafar, who constructed a well-calculated, unbeaten 79 while South African Rassie van der Dussen was also at the end when the momentous boundary was struck.

Jamaica speedster Sheldon Cottrell proved impressive in the championship game, snaring four wickets, including the initial breakthrough, but

Zafar claimed the man-ofthe-match award after collecting two wickets with his left-arm orthodox spin.

“Obviously, you want to win the tournament, so we had to play hard from the first match, because you have got a lot of quality players on show as well; the tournament was competitive, but I enjoyed it and glad we were the victorious side in Canada,” Jacobs

mentioned.

Jacobs finished the tournament in a disappointing manner having only taken two wickets with his offbreak conceding 101 runs from 10.3 overs.

The other four participating teams were: Montreal Tigers, Toronto Nationals, Winnipeg Hawks, and Edmonton Royals.

Guyanese wicketkeeper/ batsman Anthony Bramble captained the runners-up team while Sri Lanka ace pacer Lasith Malinger led Montreal Tigers and West Indian Darren Sammy skippered the Nationals combination. Royals were led by Pakistani Shohail Tanvir while Australian David Warner took care of Winnipeg Hawks in the absence of officially named captain Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo.

Jacobs will now be heading to the Caribbean Premier League’s eighth edition and is set to represent Jamaica Tallawahs when the action starts on August 8 in the Caribbean and Florida.

(Ravi Madholall)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018

Chase, South Ruimveldt advance to ExxonMobil Under-14 league final T

he place to be on Saturday, July 21 is the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, as the finale of the ExxonMobil/ Petra Under-14 football league is sure to be a thriller.

Over the past month, students from all across the coast of Guyana gathered to showcase their footballing talents and now they're almost at the end of a splendid competition. After the conclusion of Tuesday's semi-final action, it was guaranteed that the final would be even better. In the female semi-final showcasing South Ruimveldt Secondary and East

A glimpse of the semi-final action

Ruimveldt Secondary, a series of unfortunate events

to have lost their motivation. An ecstatic East Ruimveldt were up 1-0 thanks to a successful penalty.

But South Ruimveldt soon got their cut of the pie with a penalty of their own resulting from a "hands" foul inside the box. The rest of the half elapsed quietly.

Misunderstandings in the East Ruimveldt camp seem to shift their momentum and focus and South took full advantage.

Exhibiting some topclass dribbling and passes, South secured eight more goals in quick succession, sealing their spot as one of, if not the best in the competition.

While the girls carried on, the two male teams

Developers were running like horses from the get-go, but it was the former who secured the first goal.

However, Buxton soon equalised with a beauty of their own. The equaliser only proved to add more action to the already scintillating match-up. Chase Academy secured another slick goal, which put them in the driver’s seat.

Although Buxton had many chances at connecting with the net, none were followed through giving Chase the advantage. The boys from Chase added another goal to their tally in the second half to book their spot in Saturday’s final.

On the male side, Chase’s Academy will face off with North Ruimveldt

East Ruimveldt’s goalkeeper watches on as South Ruimveldt sink yet another goal

and indiscipline guided the course of the match-up.

Owing to late arrivals, the match-up was delayed for more than an hour and as such, the players seemed

warmed up on the other half of the field and as such, their adrenaline was at the highest for their match-up.

The young men of Chase Academy and Buxton Youth

Multilateral while Charlestown Secondary will battle with South Ruimveldt Secondary in the girls’ section.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, JUly 18, 2018

23

Windies seeking to maintain ODI form ahead of World Cup

Devendra Bishoo

A

head of Sunday’s first One-Day International (ODI) at the Providence Stadium, Guyana, Windies will be seeking to find the right flow as they count down to the 2019 World Cup. Following their 2-0 Test series mauling of the touring Bangladeshis, the hosts now turn their attention to the shorter format, which bowls off in Guyana this weekend. With three ODIs and as many T20s ahead, Coach Stuart Law said he believed the team have been gaining ideal momentum on course to their 16 remaining ODIs on their calendar, ahead of the

Cup. “This is the start of our prep for 2019 CWC, opportunities for players to stake a claim to be included in the squad. Great to have Dre Russ back as well.

His explosive power and energy will breathe life into an already-motivated squad.” said Law via a Cricket West Indies (CWI) release.

Chairman of Selectors, C o u r t n e y Browne, in the same release, echoed similar sentiments: “As we continue to prepare, there are only 16 ODIs leading up to the tournament. The panel will focus on giving opportunities from time to time to players that we believe can add value to the ODI team.

“Kemar Roach will be rested for the upcoming series as we continue to manage players’ workload. With the Super50 Championship set for October this year, we will also have an opportunity for regional players to perform heavily and place themselves in line to be considered for selection. The panel wishes Jason and his team every success in the upcoming series against Bangladesh,” said Browne.

ed to touch down on Friday.

Tickets for Sunday’s match, which bowls off at 09:30h, and Wednesday, July 25’s first-ever day-night game, which starts at 14:30h, went on sale Monday at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) head office on Regent Street.

Red Stand tickets cost $5000, Green Stand $5000, Orange Stand $3000 and Grass Mound $2000. Children under 12 years are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Senior citizens, 60 years and over, are free with the presentation of National ID at the box office. Car passes cost $1000.

Keemo Paul

Meanwhile, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Chancellor’s XI will tackle the Asians on Thursday in a practice 50over match before mapping their course to Guyana ahead of the first of two ODIs at Providence.

With three Guyanese in the side – Devendra Bishoo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, it is expected that the home team receive the usual robust support from the Guyanese fans, who are known to sell out Providence in support of their team.

Windies were expected in on Monday night while Bangladesh are expect-

West Indies ladies concluded a successful performance camp ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup

Windies Women wrap up successful performance camp

W

ith just over 100 days to go before the West Indies Women go after their second World Twenty20 title, the squad recently completed another successful high-performance camp in Antigua.

“Phase II”, which ended on July 15, was held for two weeks and focused on fitness, strength and conditioning of the women, as well as game sense scenarios and mental skills preparation.

Head Coach Henderson Springer is happy with the squad’s progress overall and notes “the enthusiasm from some of the younger squad members, while being pleased with the level of fitness from the more experienced players”. He also thought that the Windies Women’s Championship held in Jamaica in June was timely and “complemented the work the pre-Championship camp

entailed”.

Some of the women will go off to Trinidad and Tobago for the Courts T20 Grand Slam, which will run from today, July 18-July 28. The tournament will include up to 12 of the members of the Windies Women’s squad.

Springer is also happy with the timing of the tournament as he thinks “some of the ladies will get the much-needed game practice in keeping with what is required to compete”. The Head Coach also noted that the women who return to their homes “will be involved in a skills maintenance programme and they will be monitored by coaches in the respective islands/country.”

The ladies will re-assemble for another camp for three weeks in Antigua, starting in August. The Women will have at least two international series before they start their title defence cam-

paign. South Africa are scheduled to be in the Region from September 10 to October 7.

The 3-ODIs, 5-T20Is series is also part of the ICC Women’s Championship Fixtures.

India are due to play in the Caribbean in early October. A full schedule will be announced soon. The ICC WT20 will be held in Antigua, Guyana, and St Lucia, November 9-24.

The 21-member squad reads: Stafanie Taylor – Captain; Shania Abdool; Merissa Aguilleira; Shemaine Campbelle; Shamilia Connell; Britney Cooper; Deandra Dottin; Afy Fletcher; Aria Fortune; Shabika Gajnabi; Sheneta Grimmond; Chinelle Henry; Qiana Joseph; Kycia Knight; Hayley Matthews; Natasha McLean; Anisa Mohammed; Chedean Nation; Akeira Peters; Karishma Ramharack and Shakera Selman.

Shimron Hetmyer

The 13-man squad reads: Jason Holder – Captain; Devendra Bishoo; Chris Gayle; Shimron Hetmyer; Shai Hope; Alzarri Joseph; Evin Lewis; Jason Mohammed; Ashley Nurse; Keemo Paul; Kieran Powell; Rovman Powell and Andre Russell.

wednesday, JUly 18, 2018

Sports is no longer our game, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

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