Guyana Times Friday, July 20, 2018

GTA launches new destination website P12

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, July 20, 2018

Issue No. 3630

PPP willing to dialogue with President on national issues – Jagdeo Page 3

...Nagamootoo may have to take backseat Influx of Venezuelans

Region 1 Chairman decries lack of support from Central Govt Page 7

– says over 260 refugees in Region

Enmore Co-op feud

Residents, Co-op workers clash over demolition of homes

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Construction P8 worker relieved of gold ring while visiting friend Govt votes P13 against reestablishment of Labour Ministry

Tourists, foreigners main targets at Bourda, Stabroek Markets P2 – Chief Constable P12 AML Amendment Bill tabled in National Assembly

Service Commission appointments P12 Opposition Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall on Thursday met with the aggrieved residents after several homes were demolished by workers attached to the Enmore Co-op Society. Also in photo are several household items that were thrown out of one of the dismantled houses

November 12 is Local Govt Elections Page 7

Armed men storm Mc Doom Service Station Page 2

...escape with undisclosed sum of cash

Paul Slowe brings lots of baggage – Jagdeo tells Granger

2 news Armed men storm Mc Doom Service Station friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

– escape with undisclosed sum of cash

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our armed men stormed the Shell Service Station at Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown in the wee hours of Thursday, and carted off an undisclosed sum of cash.

Guyana Times was told that at about 3:15h, the pump attendant, a resident of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, and the cashier were performing their duties when the four men suddenly materialised at the location. Two of the men whipped out guns from their pants waist, held the pump attendant at gunpoint, and relieved him of an undisclosed sum of cash.

The cashier who was in the supermarket was meantime approached by the other two men, who pretended to be customers requesting a pack of cigarettes.

As he opened a section of the grill to give the men the cigarettes, they pointed guns at him and demanded the cash kept in a box under the register. Without hesitation, and being fearful for his life, the cashier immediately complied with the men’s demand. The men then made good their escape on foot.

Guyana Times understands that

The Shell Service Station at Mc Doom

the robbery might have been an inside job, because the robbers knew exactly where the money was kept in the supermarket.

The pump attendant and the cashier were questioned. Police have managed to secure the CCTV footage from the service station, and were, up to late Thursday evening, reviewing same.

Police investigation into this incident are continuing.

This is not the first time this service station has been robbed by armed men. Back in November, 2017, three

pump attendants were robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash by a lone gunman.

It was reported that the gunman, who was dressed in camouflage clothing and had his face partially concealed by a hat, had entered the gas station and approached the women, who were standing on the eastern side of the compound.

He then held them at gunpoint, relieved them of the cash they had in their possession, and then escaped on foot. No one was arrested for that robbery.

Tourists are main targets at Bourda, Stabroek Markets – Chief Constable

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s the City Constabulary has branded the Stabroek and Bourda Markets as two criminal hotspots, they are now seen as key areas for tourists and foreigners to be robbed on a daily basis.

This is according to the Chief Constable, Andrew Foo, who told Guyana Times during an interview, that many tourists do not report these incidents and as such, the robbers continue plying their trade.

“Stabroek and the Bourda are two areas that continue to be prime areas for criminal elements to operate. Based on the fact that you have economic activities for persons who are selling and who are buying. Persons are conducting their trade and in keeping with that, you have key elements every day.”

“There’s a trend emerging where I would say what is termed to be ‘soft targets’. They tend to look at persons who may be possibly foreigners or tourists, because, in most cases, when they’re robbed, some don’t make official or formal Police reports. They tend to just leave the country,” he said.

Foo noted that while these persons – mostly Cubans and Venezuelans --- are the main targets, there are citizens who are marked by these criminals at key locations which are busy throughout the day.

He stated that for these incidents to decrease, those who are mugged or robbed

must report the offence.

“We have information where you have small networks that are operating.

We tend to focus on those persons. Sometimes, there are persons who are robbed.

Those persons don’t want to pursue matters.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Constable also related that the network of robbers usually operated in gangs, using cellphones as the main medium of communication.

“They have networks that I believe that they’re utilising because we’re in the age of technology.

There are times when these persons are using their cellphones to communicate with each other,” he said.

While systems were put in place to monitor these occurrences at all costs, the city lacks Police ranks to carry out these patrols and other functions. Some measures have also been taken to address these issues.

“We have a responsibility of ensuring that those areas are kept safe. It’s my desire for there to be an increase in our numbers, so as to ensure that we have effective public safety and security around the municipal locations,” the Chief Constable said.

“We’ve been having reports in relation to those activities. Again, in keeping with what we have, we’ve been implementing measures to treat these reports, to have a presence where necessary to arrest and prosecute those persons who are responsible,” he added.

“Zipper” freed of drugs charge – CANU failed to provide sufficient evidence

Freed: Andre “Zipper” Gomes

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ndre Gomes, called “Zipper,” was on Thursday freed of drug trafficking charges

by Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly, who ruled that the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) had been unable to support their alle-

gations against Gomes with enough evidence to warrant a conviction.

Gomes, 57, of Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, had been arraigned on trafficking in narcotics charges after a search carried out at his residence had allegedly unearthed 992 grams of cocaine, a quantity of cash, jewellery, and other valuables.

Based on reports received, ranks of the drug enforcement unit had swooped down on Gomes’s residence and conducted a search which unearthed the cocaine. Upon its discovery, the owners – Andre Gomes, called “Zipper,” and his wife -- were arrested. The case against his wife was later dropped.

Reports are that the couple has been under surveillance by drug enforcement officers for quite some time.

news

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friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 20 – 10:30h-12:30h and Saturday, July 21: no retraction, single lane at retractor span.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 20 –09:50h-11:20h and Saturday, July 21 – 11:05h to 12:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Cloudy skies should prevail throughout the day, with sunny intervals in the very late afternoon. Partly cloudy to clear skies are expected in the evening.

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

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

High Tide: 10:22h and 22:50h reaching a maximum height of 2.29 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 16:19h reaching a minimum height of 0.94 metre.

WEDNESDAY, July 18, 2018

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Thursday, July 19, 2018 DAILY MILLIONS 03 04 06 12 21 LUCKY 3 9 9 3 Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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

PPP willing to dialogue with President on national issues – Jagdeo

...Nagamootoo may have to take backseat

By Michael Younge

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uyana’s Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday reaffirmed that political Opposition party’s commitment to being part of any formal talks with the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change Coalition Government, once there is a clear agenda, and personnel on the part of the coalition who have the power, portfolio weight, and authority to make binding commitments during the discussions.

The Opposition Leader also made it clear that, as a responsible stakeholder, the Peoples Progressive Party is not interested in entering “cosmetic talks and arrangements” that are aimed at achieving political mileage and deceiving the public that progress is being made between the Government and Opposition on key areas, especially those related to constitutional reform, governance, and the fight against all forms of political and public corruption.

Jagdeo has made public his party’s recommitment to being part of discussions sponsored by the Government, once they are transparent, serious in nature, and are aimed at tackling some key issues which are eating away at the moral, social, economic and political fabrics of the country’s society.

He explained that he feels the need to publicly share his party’s position on any proposed talks, in order to clarify any misconception or belief that the PPP is not interested in dialogue with the Government, and was therefore avoiding the same because of its perceived resentment of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who initially had been identified as the person who would spearhead discussions.

Jagdeo added he is compelled to ensure that the international community and Guyanese within the diaspora do not get the wrong perception of the PPP’s posture.

“I received a call from President Carter, Jimmy Carter [former US President James Earl Carter Jr.], and after talking a bit about Guyana, he said to me he had spoken to President Granger, and somehow, (what) he got from that conversation is that the Government wanted to engage with us and we are unwilling to engage because we don’t like Nagamootoo.

So I said to him that that’s absolutely not true,” the Opposition Leader said.

Jagdeo maintained that the only issue his party has with Nagamootoo is related to his portfolio. He remarked that the PPP and its lead-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

President David Granger

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

ers do not believe that the Prime Minister has a portfolio within Government, or that Nagamootoo has an inability to make the kind of serious and binding commitments the PPP needs after being locked in discussions.

“It is not the individual, it is his ability to make commitments that we cannot accept; because -- and I pointed this out to President Carter; I said, ‘The AFC can’t even secure a meeting with APNU. They have written APNU since February of this year, and now it’s July, and I do not think they can secure a meeting with APNU to discuss the Cummingsburg Accord.

“Secondly, Nagamootoo has absolutely no substantive portfolio. GINA and Chronicle…is not a serious portfolio; and therefore, that is the reason why,” he ex-

plained.

Jagdeo said that, as a former President, he decided to raise the matter with President Granger in an attempt to seek clarity about Government being interested in discussing with the PPP, so that he could engage his party’s Executive.

“I said I’ll raise it with President Granger, and that we will be seeking two things from the President. First of all, clarity on what precisely they wanted to discuss; and two: whether Nagamootoo has the weight to make commitments on behalf of the PNC and APNU; which I did today.”

To this end, the President assured that to address the Opposition’s concerns about Nagamootoo, he is himself prepared to lead the discussions regarding the topics: crime, environment, oil and

gas.

The former President explained he was given the impression that the international community believes Granger wants to discuss governance and constitutional reform. “…somehow, I think the international community felt that the discussions had to be about governance and constitutional changes that the Government was offering, and therefore we were rejecting any discussion about governance and constitutional reform. President Carter did not mention that to me, but I had the distinct impression that the feeling was that it is about governance…and somehow, the PPP was reluctant to discuss this. But as you can see now, that was never a proposal of APNU’s to discuss…” he said.

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friDAY, JUly 20, 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

Obama and Mandela

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n Tuesday last, former United States President Barrack Obama delivered one of the most historic speeches at the 16th Annual Nelson Mandela Lecture in South Africa, in the presence of close to 16,000 people and over one billion people worldwide who were viewing/listening via the live stream and other mechanisms.

Obama’s speech, which marked Mandela’s 100th birth anniversary, came at a time when South Africa is facing tumultuous challenges as a result of the scandals related to poor and undemocratic governance, ethnic and social disunity, rising levels of institutional and public corruption, and unprecedented levels of inequality.

Also, at the time of delivering the lecture, the world is grappling to deal with the declining levels of economic, social and religious security, as a new World Order is emerging that is directly challenging some of the gains made during the 20th and 21st centuries, which include settling a number of conflicts and leading to partial peace being brokered.

It is in this context that the former US President set the tone of his tribute and reflection on the life of Mandela, when he described today’s times as “strange and uncertain” before adding that “each day’s news cycle is bringing more head-spinning and disturbing headlines.” He even went further to state that these days “we see much of the world threatening to return to a more dangerous, more brutal, way of doing business”.

Throughout the lecture, it was clear that Obama’s vision of the world vindicated the long held view that he represented a great deal of what Mandela stood for, since it struck the right chord on many important issues, and served as a forceful reminder of how far humanity has come over the past century; as well as highlighted the world’s current tensions and uncertainties.

The lecture also argued that social justice and democracy can prevail in a world in which tolerance, inclusivity, and the pursuit of a common good are the norm. According to Obama, Mandela was a humble visionary leader of international stature, seeking to bridge the divides between the North and the South, to promote a common humanity, to reinvigorate multilateralism, to fight inequality, and to provide a moral compass for the world.

Obama’s speech also emphasised the fact that Mandela’s ideas about attaining peace in Africa through negotiations and mediation, and creating more inclusive societies, are ones that still shape conflict management on the continent.

In fact, in South Africa, his contribution remains his vision of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic society that eschewed tribalism and patronage politics, and that promoted collective and servant leadership. He was a unifier in a deeply racially divided society.

But the last decade has seen a shift from Mandela’s vision – globally, continentally and nationally. Globally, multilateralism is under threat by rogue states, “America first” forms of engagement with their stress on national interests, and the return to militarised solutions for resolving conflicts.

For its part, the continent has lost its way in implementing the ideals of pan-Africanism. Today, it’s more constrained by narrow nationalist and authoritarian politics, and by high levels of poverty and inequality. Mandela’s legacy was probably under the greatest threat in South Africa itself, where there was substantial deviation from integrity, humility, non-racialism, participation, eradicating inequality and empowering all.

Obama’s speech was powerful because it drew on all these themes, and perhaps Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals can learn from the lessons outlined in Obama’s speech about the principles of Mandela.

The first lesson is that, ultimately, right makes might; and since Madiba is an example of the politics of resilience and hope, Guyanese should never give in to cynicism.

Guyanese need a collective spirit – young people are hope carriers. Keep believing in the vision; keep marching; keep building; raise your voices.

Citizens here must become wary of those strong men politicians who are on the ascendancy, hiding behind façade of elections while harassing their opponents and the media. And we have to believe in the facts. Some politicians now make up stuff, and when caught out lying, show no sense of shame.

Second, unlike some free market fundamentalists, Obama more than once made the point that if we want to work for freedom, we have to fight inequality. Where you have extreme economic inequality, the wealthy elite will have wildly disproportionate political influence. We need to keep protesting and keep resisting.

We need inclusive education, collective bargaining rights, and to break up monopolies. You must worry about economics if you want to get democracy to work.

Third, the struggle for basic freedoms and justice is never truly finished. Human rights require us to recognise the humanity in all persons. These are not western ideals, but universal ideals. Schools should teach not blind obedience, but critical thinking.

Democracy is about more than just elections. It means listening to opposing views, not only the ones you agree with. It means working with your enemies, so they become your partners.

Local author, Dr Winston Mc Gowan presents a copy of his book titled “A Survey of Guyanese History” to President David Granger during the book launch on Thursday evening at State House (Carl Croker Photo)

Laid-off sugar workers are not likely to embrace cooperatives (Part 2)

Dear Editor, I admire Minister Keith Scott for his independent thinking, and I think he has similar sentiments for me. I understand why he likes cooperatives, because he practically grew up in the era of the cooperative movement. From his formative years he was in it. I understand that he believes wholeheartedly in the philosophy of people working together to achieve a common goal via a positive group mentality, which is what cooperatives are all about.

The writer’s response failed to touch on one of the most important aspects of my letter. Why is it that the Ministry, the Honourable Minister and the Government did not think about starting to educate and prepare sugar workers to form cooperatives from the inception of the idea to close the sugar estates? That would have been the best time to feed the minds of sugar workers with the idea of cooperatives, the pooling of money in various ventures for the common good of members of the cooperatives.

Why wait until the workers were already off their jobs and facing desperate circumstances before telling them that you will help them to form cooperatives?

I advise the Honourable

Minister and the writer of his reply to re-read my first letter and the points I made about keeping these people economically vibrant.

I wrote that the former sugar workers are facing starvation. It means this is a possibility. However, with our seas and our lands, I do not think it is possible for Guyanese to be in a state of mass starvation. The former sugar workers are definitely facing serious hardships, and their spokespersons have said so publicly. When the minds of the people are in confusion, strain and stress, it is not easy for them to focus, and they can fall into depression.

There is serious poverty, and the people have less to eat than they did before. I have been there; I have seen with my own eyes deprivation and confusion among the people, and some have approached me and gotten help from me. The entire sugar belt is in crisis, and many former sugar workers living there seem to think they have no future.

It is good that Government, through the efforts of Minister Scott and others, is trying to address these issues.

Nevertheless, I think they should have been more patient while slaking their

thirst to close the sugar estates, and I think they made a big mistake by not preparing the sugar workers early for the loss of their jobs. Now the entire country suffers one way or another.

I do not think cooperatives will work for displaced sugar workers because the idea was brought up when the workers were already displaced, after the confusion and pain had already set in and the money has already been spent to make ends meet. The pain and annoyance is already ingrained in the hearts of the people. Furthermore, the people in the sugar belt were never attracted to cooperatives, except for a few small groups aligned to the then Government.

Governments in Guyana and worldwide come up with many ideas that seem good in theory, but end up being bad in practice. Here, we have the sad example from the ‘produce-or-perish’ era with the banning of imported items. Yes, it was good to urge us to consume what we produced, but it ended up breeding extensive smuggling and money laundering, from which we still suffer to this day.

Another case of good intentions gone wrong was the decision to scrap Guyana’s railway and ex-

pand the local bus company. The bus company flopped, and the ‘Tata’ and ‘Sanos’ buses ended up rusting in the ‘bus graveyard’ on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown. If we still had a railway, touts would never be dragging people and herding them into minibuses like cattle. The train would have handled public transport comfortably; who knows, we might have had a subway by now.

This is my last correspondence on the matter. I trust that readers who follow the thread of my commentaries will know that I am a patriot, and as such, I am always on the positive side of any issue related to Guyana’s development and prosperity. Once we are commenting on controversial issues, there will be differences of opinion, and we must respect that. No one can expect me to follow all the Minister’s thoughts, and vice versa. That needs to be respected.

I wish to categorically state that I will never do or say things to humiliate my country or Government, and that I will always be a positive person in support of any elected Government of this country. I have no political priorities or prejudices.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan Sr

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

Team France won Abuse prevention starts the World Cup, not with you (Pt 2) Team Africa

Dear Editor, FIFA World Cup Soccer 2018 has just come to a close, and I am sure it will be memorable for the many fans that were glued to their television sets. We have witnessed many disappointments, and the one that blew me away was when Team Germany was eliminated and didn't make it to the last 16.

Having read many reports via international newscasts, and reading the many reports on social media, I was elated to read that no player failed a drugs test at the FIFA WCS 2018. Most memorable for me... Apparently, it’s catching on that it's not worth the risk. Not sure if WADA International was assigned to conduct the testing, or whether FIFA had another agency contracted, but no negative result was detected, and hats off to whichever agency was responsible for the testing.

Team France played impressively, and deserved the win. However, my hopes were crashed, because I expected Team Belgium and Team Croatia to battle it out for the championships. Matters not what any group is protesting about, I will never support any group which invades play at any sport event to be heard. Sports events are not grounds to take your message. Yes, you can protest outside the venue, which is okay by me.

I observed on social media forums that persons were advertising a message that reads 'Africa has won the world Cup.'..Unbelievable to read such a message.

The World Cup was won by a country (France), and Africa is a continent. I respect the fact that players on Team France originated from countries in the African Continent, but, at the end of the day, I will put my head

on a block and say that their respective passports read 'French' as their nationality. It's common sense that players would have given up their rights to the country of their birth and been granted citizenship by the French Government.

Perhaps some might have being born to parents residing in France, who migrated from their respective African country.

I honestly doubt that any player was placed at gunpoint or had been forced to accept French citizenship.

They made a choice, and it allowed them to represent the flag of their adopted home country. Perhaps their countries of birth could never provide or pave the way for a soccer career, and by switching flags, it was probably the best decision, which made them world famous and wealthy to some extent.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton

Dear Editor, There is need for mechanisms to enable victims of abuse to break the silence by sharing their experiences and publicly calling out abusers, as well as seeking help. A hotline would be one such mechanism; or perhaps the Suicide Helpline can be expanded to include abuse.

Gatekeepers/lay counsellors would be another mechanism. As well, the Government should foster the creation of an app that would enable sharing and reporting of such abuse.

Also, the authorisation of the call to action must be addressed. On the one hand, almost all who suggest what should be done expect some hazy other to take action, as they remain dismissive of the call for abuse prevention to be everyone’s business, and the need for each one of us to tackle the issue in our homes, communities and workplaces; as those are really where the walls of

I am faced with a health hazard

Dear Editor, Not one, but two young female health workers are attached to the Good Hope/ Pomona NDC in Region #2; but even with their presence, no action has been taken on a complaint made by me, of being faced with a health hazard.

My next-door doctor neighbour is rearing poultry on a large scale, and the cleanings from the pens are dumped by my back fence, where the stench becomes unbearable, as well as the nuisance caused by the infestation of flies.

My home at Lot 23 Dryshore, Essequibo Coast is made miserable because I have to endure considerable discomfort, inconvenience, and suffer-

ing, which could well have been avoided if the health workers were properly performing their duties.

It is not even comfortable to have a proper meal, because some of the flies land on the food items being consumed at the time, and the items have to be thrown away.

Although more than two weeks ago it was made known to the health workers that fumigation could help, as well as other ways exist to solve this problem once and for all, it just seemed to be like a big joke to them, to laugh about without making any inspection or contacting the person responsible for my discomfort.

These officers seem to be under delusion that I

am begging them a favour, when in fact they are obligated and are duty bound to be of service to the community.

With so much being said to promote a healthy

environment, it cannot be achieved from such a lackadaisical attitude, when better needs to be done.

Sincerely, Linda Savory

silence need to be broken down, and misplaced concepts such as family honour and status need to be shunted aside.

On the other hand, the deafening silence fosters abuse, sometimes with fatal consequences; often because victims and others know not what to do, and how to do it. This need to know is critical, since abuse prevention starts with you, and you, and you; and workshops such as the ones offered by The Caribbean Voice can meet this need.

Finally, some years ago, TCV launched an online petition calling for a registry of sex offenders to be raised. Now we are rooting for the plan of Director of the Childcare & Protection

Agency, Ann Green, to be realised in having such a registry of sexual predators of children, and we hope that plans for a similar registry for sexual predators of adults will also come into being in 2018.

As well, we appeal to readers to please sign our petition calling for such a registry, and urge others to do so by clicking on the ‘Petitions’ link on the left hand bar of the index page on our website – www. caribvoice.org - and then click on the ‘Registry of Sex Offenders’ link, so that we can boost the registry’s chances.

Sincerely The Caribbean Voice

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Foundation …storytelling is play

…children benefit from self-driven summers that balance structure and downtime

By William Stixrud, PhD, and Ned Johnson

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t’s summertime, and a familiar dilemma ensues: Pack your child’s schedule with camps and summer school? Or let him laze about and relax? Many factors play into your decision – the age of the child and whether he needs supervision, your financial constraints, your logistical limitations. But let’s assume for a moment that the world is perfect and neither finances or logistics are an issue. What do you need to consider as the summer months stretch ahead?

Downtime is productive A hundred years ago, educators worried about yearround school, hewing to the view that young minds, like productive farmland, needed time to lay fallow. As you find yourself eager to snap your child out of a reverie and encourage her to do something “productive”, remind yourself that downtime IS productive.

When the brain is at rest – daydreaming, staring into space, meditating, and sleeping – it is consolidating new information and skills, making connections that only come with what we call radical downtime. When given time to rest, the brain is healthier when it returns to a period of activity. We are typically terrible about allowing ourselves or our kids time for this rest. A recent series of studies found that 64 per cent of young men and 15 per cent of young women chose to selfadminister a mild electric shot

rather than sit quietly with their own thoughts for as little as six minutes! So resist your impulse to “task” your child when she is staring absently into the clouds.

Important work is being done – you just can’t see it.

enhances the brain’s capacity to be motivated in general, even when it comes to things they might otherwise find hard to get excited about. Summer, therefore, is a great opportunity to build the brain’s motivational

Resist your impulse to “task” your child when she is staring absently into the clouds. Important work is being done – you just can’t see it.

Watching television is not downtime Sorry, kids. Unfortunately, every hour of screen time for kids is associated with increased blood pressure, while every hour spent reading is associated with decreased blood pressure.

Screen time is linked not just with physical health problems, but mental health problems, attention problems, and behaviour problems. You don’t have to throw the television out the window, but it’s not a good summertime solution. Use it in moderation.

Passionate pursuit of pastimes builds motivation Researcher Reed Larson has studied the development of motivation in children and teens, and he’s found that a feeling of “flow” is the secret sauce. When kids are highly engaged in an activity they find challenging, but that isn’t stressful, neurochemicals in the brain like dopamine spike. This

capacity. Let’s suppose your kid loves Legos and can spend hours playing with them, but during the school year he doesn’t have that luxury. Enter summertime, and Lego camp or even just a visit to the Lego store to stock up. Whatever their passion, give them precious time and space to pursue it and know that it is enhancing their ability to be a focused, engaged, and motivated human being.

Resist pushing kids to always make “good use of their time” with academic enrichment programmes: Let them do what they are into rather than what is “valuable,” as the engagement and drive matter more than the content.

When possible, make it their call There are obviously limits to the decisions your child can make involving the summer schedule. Finances, carpool schedules, siblings, obligatory family reunions, and childcare needs will all factor into what

is feasible for summertime planning. But where possible, encourage your child to make decisions about how to spend his time. If there’s a camp schedule, let him mark what he’d like to do. Don’t put him in a baking camp because you think it’s an important skill. And – this one might surprise you – don’t force summer school or academic tutoring if your child is opposed to it. Kids benefit very little from academic help they resist and don’t feel they need or want. Ask “what do you think about some work on Maths this summer? Or, can I entice you into reading more this summer if we got books that are really fun for you? Do you think that would help you?” Aim for questions that are inquisitive rather than inquisitorial. Talk through the pros and cons of various summertime decisions, and make sure your child is making an informed decision, but then if it’s feasible, go with it.

Camp choices The best summer camps have clear but limited rules and regulations, within which kids have tremendous autonomy, choosing “personal majors” or exercising control in “free choice”. Even if summer camp is more “Welcome to ‘Camp Staycation’”, building downtime, passionate pastimes, and autonomy into kids’ schedules will help them recharge and even rewire their brains for growth and development that will serve them during the school year as well. (psychologytoday.

com)

By Scott G Eberle, PhD

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nce upon a time, at the tail end of a week that had lengthened with long commutes and sagged under the weight of deadlines, I snuggled in to read a storybook –a prim, well-loved, late-Victorian cautionary tale – with my older daughter, then not yet two years old. Readers will recognise the story’s rural setting and its familiar drama as Farmer McGregor tries to protect his vegetable garden from a family of hungry humanised rabbits, one of them especially mischievous.

“Once upon a time,” I began to read the familiar beginning, “there were four little rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter.” Readers may remember what followed; the fretful warning against being put in a pie and eaten, the inevitable capture and perilous escape, the shining example of the disobedient bunny’s prudent sisters. That week these exciting twists weren’t enough to keep my eyelids from drooping, however. I began to drift as Farmer McGregor, who was planting young cabbages, waved a rake at the thieving bunny. “And Peter was…,” I tried to continue, but trailed off. A tug at my collar brought me back to the book. “And Peter was” I began, but again started to float away. Then a tiny, piping voice prompted me to go on, “And Peter was most dreadfully frightened!”

I learnt two things from the experience. The first and most obvious, that the little listener had the text word for word, in mind and by heart. Remarkable as this sounds, the talent is yet not even slightly unusual.

Linguist Stephen Pinker describes children as “lexical vacuum cleaners” for the way they powerfully suck up words.

Toddlers add a new word to

their lifelong dictionary every two hours. The acquisition rate is so rapid that by the time children are six, they will know about 13,000 words, Pinker says, and they accomplish this feat “despite those dull, dull, Dick and Jane reading primers which are based on ridiculously lowball estimates”.

And the second thing I learnt is that children learn language mostly through play.

The talent for hearing rhythm and appreciating prosody is an inborn human trait. But learning language itself, a unique feat of intellectual strength among all of our other fellow creatures, is for us humans mostly a process of playful experimentation and mimicry. I had confirmation of this about a year later, when visiting a crowded video store to rent a movie to pop in the videocassette recorder. (Many will remember renting movies and programmes this way, fewer will recall VCRs.) As we moved through the music section I asked in a stagy voice, “Who’s your favourite tenor?” She enjoyed listening to the singing of a very large perspiring man dressed in black and white. “Luciano Pavaroti!” she cried out in that same cheerful piercing voice.

I risked another question, “And who’s your favourite principal dancer?” “Mikhail Baryshnikov!” she yelled.

“Now you’re just showing off, kiddo…”

Her answer naturally drew stares from the shoppers, but it should have been no more amazing in those days than the common kids’ mastery of the multisyllabic names of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or being able to name, as they easily could, the hundreds in the modern pantheon of superheroes. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

To be continued

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friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Influx of Venezuelans

Region 1 Chairman decries lack of support from Central Govt – says over 260 refugees in Region

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Over 200 Venezuelan refugees in Region One

espite Government having committed to helping those Venezuelans fleeing worsening economic and political turmoil in that neighbouring country, Region One (Barima-Waini) Chairman Brentnol Ashley is decrying the lack of support from Central Government in providing assistance for these refugees.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, where chairmen of the various hinterland regions each highlighted the plight within their district, Ashley told media operatives that the high influx of Venezuelan refugees has been putting a strain on his region’s already small budget. “…To date, we have not seen any significant assistance coming from Government towards the issues we are facing in this

region. All I received is an email telling the RDC to cater, in our projections for 2019, within the line items six to 11, for disaster-related issues such as the influx of these refugees,” the Regional Chairman related.

According to Ashley, the Region’s 2018 Budget currently does not have funds to provide for these refugees, but with assistance from agencies such as Handin-Hand Trust, Food for the Poor Guyana and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and other good Samaritans, the region was able to provide limited clothing and food items to these refugee.

He posited that these are insufficient to match the magnitude of the situation.

To this end, he has called on Government to step forward with assistance, since the region also has to be cognisant of its responsibility to-

wards its own citizens, and there is only so much that can be done with its limited resources.

“Right now we have these persons taking refuge in the communities of Kamwatta, Imbotero, Smith Creek, and Powaikuru.

They are currently undergoing health screening, and several of them would have been found to have malaria, there are signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, there are ones who are HIV positive; and so, to speak of the region taking the issue to deal with, it cannot be done alone. That’s why I’m calling on Government to become a full partner in ensuring that we deal with the issues,” Ashley posited.

Further, the Regional Chairman went on to point out that, as of a few days ago, there were some 268 Venezuelan refugees in Guyana who are staying in churches and makeshift tents with little to no belongings.

He noted, “So we need food items, we need medical supplies, we need clothing… and so, through the RDC [Regional Democratic Council] Budget, where we do not have donations, we have to facilitate assisting these persons.”

Added to this, Ashley explained, the region is also faced with assisting those

November 12 is Local Govt Elections

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

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he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) is expected to kick-start final preparations for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE), after it was announced that the polls would be held on November 12 this year.

The announcement was made by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan on Thursday while addressing the 12th Annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, which is ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

“Local Government Elections will again be held later this year, in November of this year, and in fact,

though I haven’t made a public announcement before and it was not my intention to do so. An order issued by me is expected to be gazetted today naming November 12 to be the date when Local Government Elections will be held,” the Minister said.

This year’s Local Government polls are said to mark the first time in Guyana’s history that successive elections are held.

After being held in 1994, Local Government polls were next held in 2016 – one year after the current Administration took office.

Some $2.9 billion has been allocated for the elections with an additional $500,000 brought over from last year.

“It speaks to the commitment and the sincerity and the determination of this Administration to honour pledges given by it when we were in Opposition to rebuild this broken and damaged system of Local Government that we inherited,” Minister Bulkan posited.

In preparation, for the LGE later this year, GECOM has already commenced countrywide registration to ensure that all eligible citizens will be able to exercise their democratic right to

vote. The process commenced on May 21 and will run until July 15, 2018. Meanwhile, the Commission’s Voters’ Education Division is also active, raising awareness on LGE. GECOM Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson told this publication last month that while the preparations have commenced, the body was awaiting the announcement of the date to roll out other aspects.

“There are some things that have to be done by so and so time, but everybody awaiting with abated breath for the Minister to announce the date, because that would give us a time range when to start doing certain things.

But whatever has to be in place is in place already,” Justice Patterson noted.

Local Government polls are held in Guyana using a Mixed Electoral System of Proportional Representation and First-Past-the-Post.

Fifty per cent or half of the number of Councillors of each Local Authority Area will be elected through the Proportional Representation component and the other 50 per cent through the FirstPast-the-Post or constituency component.

Venezuelans who come over to Guyana for medical assistance in getting back to the border so that they can return home.

“Those are some of the constraints we face, and so those are the help with need for these people,” the Regional Chairman said in response to a question posed by the Guyana Times.

Moreover, asked about systems in place to monitor the influx of Venezuelans into Guyana, as well as while they are in Guyana, the Region Chairman explained to this newspaper that he would have written President David Granger highlighting these issues, and as a result, a mobile joint service base was set up at White Water, and it frequently patrols the area up to Baramita.

However, Ashley posited that there were also additional recommendations made that would not only ensure that Venezuelans crossing the border are documented, but that Guyanese here are safe as well.

One of the makeshift tents the refugees are staying in

“One [recommendation] was for additional immigration officers to be added to the region to complement the one officer here. Also, we would have recommendation for port health authorities, because we would have had a lot of meat and other products coming from Venezuela that are not screened,” he explained.

Over the past two years, Venezuela has been experiencing worsening economic turmoil following the decline of oil prices on the world

market. The country is in its fourth consecutive year of recession.

Reports coming out of the Spanish-speaking State reveal there is massive food shortage and limited access to basic health care and basic amenities such as electricity in certain parts of the country. Additionally, there continues to be rampant outbursts of looting and violence across some of the most affected cities in that neighbouring country.

8 news Hospital attendant slapped with attempted murder charge C friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

ity hospital attendant Andre Fernandes was on Thursday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged for attempted murder committed on Terry Clement in the vicinity of New Market Street, Georgetown on July 15, 2018.

The 29-year-old accused denied the allegation after

it was read to him. Police allege that on the day and time mentioned above, Fernandes wounded Terry Clement with intent to commit murder.

According to facts presented to the court, on the day in question, the two men got into a heated argument which quickly turned into a scuffle, during which Fernandes repeatedly

lashed Clement to his head and body with a piece of wood, resulting in Clement having to be hospitalised.

The attorney defending Fernandes, in an application for bail for his client, told the court the two men have a history of altercation between themselves, and that his client had, in this regard, made numerous reports to the Police.

The Police Prosecutor objected to Fernandes being placed on bail, informing the court that the victim remains in hospital with multiple injuries.

However, the Chief Magistrate overlooked the prosecution’s objection, placed Fernandes on $300,000 bail, and adjourned the matter until July 26.

Ex-soldier denies manslaughter charge ...to go on trial next Monday

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ormer Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank Alistair Woolford, accused of discharging a loaded firearm at electrician Devon Howell with intent to murder him on November 21, 2014 at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, Georgetown, denied a manslaughter charge before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury empanelled to hear the case on Thursday in the Demerara High Court.

Howell, a former resident of Da Silva Street, Newtown, Kitty, had been hospitalised after the incident, but succumbed to his

injuries on December 8th, 2014, almost three weeks later.

It had been reported back then that the two men, along with others, had allegedly been taking turns feeling the gun when Howell was shot in the neck. He reportedly received injuries to his upper spinal cord, and died without regaining consciousness.

Woolford was initially indicted with an attempted murder charge, but was later accused of manslaughter after his friend succumbed to his injuries.

The prosecution’s contention is that Woolford

Devon Howell

Alistair Woolford

discharged the loaded firearm with intent to murder Howell.

At conclusion of the preliminary inquiry in 2015, the defendant had said he had no intention of shooting

Howell.

Starting next Monday, a jury will determine if Howell’s killing was accidental, or if it was a game of Russian roulette being played.

Construction worker relieved of gold ring while visiting friend

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onstruction worker Kelvin James of Costello Housing Scheme, East La Penitence Georgetown was on Wednesday relieved of an 8-pennyweight gold ring by two armed men in the vicinity of Thomas Street, Georgetown.

The 37-year-old had reportedly gone to visit a friend at Thomas Street at about 21:45h. He had parked his motorcycle at the side of the road and had walked onto his friend’s bridge, where they sat and talked. Suddenly they were confronted by the two armed men, one of whom reportedly held James at gunpoint and demanded that he hand over the ring and key to his motorcycle.

When he refused to comply, the men forcefully took away the items and left, but James raised an alarm and the Police were summoned.

According to the victim, one of the suspects is known as Spanner.

Although the Police invested some time in combing the area, they came up empty handed, but they have taken statements, and investigations are ongoing.

Fake news… “ F …overkill

ake news” has become the meme of the 21st century after the 2016 elections in the US. But exactly WHAT is “fake news”? Is it false and misleading statements? Take the recent study asserting that drinking cow’s milk with all its delicious fat isn’t really harmful to you -- as you’ve been told for the last three decades. Was the latter “fake news”, since it is now shown to be false? Does claiming “we thought it was “real” make it not fake and true?

So what’s the connection of “fake news” with truth?

So, suppose Winston Jordan really believes the economy will grow by 20 per cent in 2020…even though he has no way of knowing whether Exxon’s projections will pan out – is his announcement “fake news”?? How about Trump’s announcement that his intelligence agencies don’t know their ass from their elbows -- now that he’s backtracking on the original statement?

Is “fake news” that which is completely “made up” by the purveyor? So what about that news printed by the Chronic on the assertion by the GRDB that “rice exports up by 43%”?? If true, this would certainly be good news for the rice farmers, who still haven’t recovered from the loss of Venezuelan rice markets in 2015. But all the GRDB manager meant was: in comparison to the first half of 2017, exports went up. He made up that COMPARISON, which is silent about the fact that not much rice had been shipped back then. If he’d compared the shipment to that of 2014, he’d have gotten a different conclusion.

Was he purveying “fake news”?

Yes! According to Thomas Fiedler, dean of Boston University College of Communication, fake news is “false information packaged to deceive the public into thinking it was produced by professionals with respect for truth.”

It’s all about the PACKAGING of the information! And from this perspective, “fake news” has been around for a long, long time. At one time, it was asserted by some big ones in the European Enlightenment that the blood of blacks was BLACK!! You may roll your eyes at that bit of FAKE NEWS and say “C’mon!!”

But look how many people still think the statement “blacks are less intelligent than whites” -- which originated at the same time – isn’t fake news!! They package the statement with all sorts of IQ test results from prestigious universities that are so self-fulfilling, it ain’t even funny.

So, dear reader, whenever you read the news, your default position should be to assume that, more often than not – especially if it’s the Government newspaper – it’s fake news!

Like when the Chronic reports, “Government working to strengthen immigration policy”, when Felix can’t account for 4,377 Haitians!!

…on paedophilia

“Paedophilia” is a mental sickness, where an adult has “a primary, exclusive, or sustained sexual interest in children under age 13”. From reports in the newspapers of men being CONVICTED of raping and sexually assaulting kids under 13, it’s clear we have a serious paedophilia problem in Guyana. Especially when -- if we go by what happens in other societies, where they investigate such matters -- what we’re seeing in the courts is only the tip of the iceberg.

And it’s for this reason we’re getting mostly fake news on the phenomenon that has prevented us from taking action at a societal level. Are we reminded that paedophiles just “can’t help themselves”, and will therefore repeat their heinous behaviour repeatedly?

Are we told about alternatives to simply incarcerating them? Take Indonesia and Korea, which enacted laws to use chemical castration of offenders. They found that the compulsive behaviour is reduced tremendously, and therefore that hallmark of the paedophile – repeating his crime – dissipates.

Let’s get the real scoop on paedophiles, and get some real remedies in place!

…on sugar

With all the fake news from the PNC-led Government and the now board-less GuySuCo about “restructuring”, “diversifying”, “closing”, “refinancing”, “retooling”, “redeploying”, “consolidating” the sugar industry; all we know for sure is: 5,700 sugar workers were screwed royally!

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

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friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Service Commission appointments

Paul Slowe brings lots of baggage – Jagdeo tells Granger

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday informed President David Granger that he has reservations about Paul Slowe being appointed to head the Police Service Commission. He explained to the Head of State that Slowe has “baggage” which may cause him to be biased in carrying out his duties.

This discussion took place between the two leaders when they met at State House to discuss the appointment of the Public and Police Service Commissions.

Thursday’s meeting was the first set of “meaningful consultations” these two leaders had to discuss the appointment of the two constitutional bodies since the National Assembly approved the nominees last month.

Updating the media after the meeting, Jagdeo said he explained to the President that, in addition to Slowe being politically affiliated with the A Partnership National Unity (APNU), for whom he had campaigned during the 2015 national elections, the former Assistant Commissioner of Police, who had been denied a promotion before his 2010 retirement, also brings issues within the Guyana Police Force.

“Now that he is going to head the Police Service Commission, I think he will

The two leaders were joined by their respective teams for the meeting

bring two sets of baggage with him. One, the political approach to the job; that is, judging people based on politics; and secondly, he has a lot of interpersonal problems with many members of the Police Force, and old scores, I believe, to settle; and therefore that could harm his judgement,” Jagdeo outlined.

The Opposition Leader noted that President Granger indicated that he would speak with Slowe to ensure that he acts impartially, and not “bring baggage to the job”.

Slowe returned to the limelight last year when he was handpicked by the Head of State to carry out a commission of inquiry (COI) on the GPF’s handling of allegations in relation to the exis-

tence of a plot to assassinate the President. In his report, Slowe had recommended major reshuffling of the Force’s hierarchy, as well as sanctions against several high level ranks.

The life of the previous Police Service Commission ended last September, and there have since been calls for appointment of the new Commission to be expedited, since the Force has lost nearly a dozen senior ranks to retirement.

Jagdeo went on to say that, during Thursday’s meeting, the President and he also had discussions about other issues, including the appointment of a Police Commissioner, on which the Head of State said they would have consultants at a

subsequent meeting.

The Opposition Leader has said he nevertheless mentioned how he had gone about as Head of State to appoint a Police Commissioner during his regime.

“I pointed out the way I approached the selection of the Police Commissioner when we selected Felix; the open, transparent ways. We

[had gotten] the four top officers, send them off for training, ranking them, and then [Winston] Felix came out number one in the ranking…” Jagdeo related.

In regard to the Public Service Commission, the Opposition Leader said, he also raised concerns stakeholders have indicated about the nominees for the

Public Service Commission.

Last month, the National Assembly approved Vincent Bowman and Mortimer Livan as nominees for the Commission, which expired back in August last year.

“Some people called me yesterday, since they found out who the nominees were, and they indicated that they had some issues with some of the nominees. I had an obligation to bring these issues to the attention of the President. Nevertheless, I pointed out to him it’s his call, because he has to fulfill the constitutional requirement of meaningful consultation,” Jagdeo posited.

At Thursday’s meeting with the Opposition Leader, the President was joined

by State Minister Joseph Harmon and the Legal Affairs Minister, Attorney General Basil Williams; while Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Anil Nandlall accompanied the Opposition Leader to the meeting.

10 news Shortage in manpower continues to cripple City Constabulary friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

…city unable to pay workers

Chief Constable Andrew Foo

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he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has confirmed that its city Police Department is understaffed and as such, cannot protect citizens who conduct their business on a day-today basis in Georgetown.

The unit is short of 100 men and women owing to the fact that City Hall is unable to pay its workers and employ new constables at this point in time.

This is according to the Chief Constable of M&CC, Andrew Foo during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Thursday.

“In terms of our constabulary, we are constrained in terms of our numbers.

It’s not what we would have asked for (because) actually our authorised strength, in 2018, should have been 345.

We are currently short of approximately maybe 100 officers,” Foo related.

According to him, this affects the maximum performance of the City Constabulary. “If we had had those officers, the Constabulary would have been able to ensure that we are visibly present on the ground by way of foot patrols and even on bicycle patrols and vehicular patrols.”

Foo stressed the importance of having uniformed Constables in and around the city as he noted that

there have been reports of criminals being deterred from their actions.

He, nevertheless, told this publication that he was hoping for the Council’s financial crisis to be dealt with the soonest which may very well help to lower the amount of crime in the city, since they will be able to recruit more Constables to patrol the city streets.

It was explained by the Chief Constable that City Hall has put a freeze on the employment aspect, but this move has only put a dent in its operations.

He said that the City Constabulary recognised the need for more Constables to be recruited and had conducted interviews with a numbers of persons, but was, however, unable to employ the applicants as a result of the crisis being experienced in M&CC. Back in 2016, the municipality was also understaffed by 140 City Constables, a Deputy Medical Officer of Health, a Pharmacist, a Practical Nurse, and clerks.

A Councillor at that time said, “…only a third of the budgeted strength [of] this administration department is actually at work. There is no Deputy Medical Officer of Health, no Pharmacist, there’s no clerk II or practi-

cal nurse.”

In January of the said year, the Chief Constable described the Constabulary as “very weak”.

Foo further stated that that the performance and

challenges within the department would be explored.

According to him, the Constabulary which comprised 178 sworn officers and 65 auxiliary security

guards, at the time, did not met the expectations of the department, owing to “trials and limitations”, including the lack of human and other resources.

Stanleytown illuminated with street lights after 35 years

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he main access road at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam were on Monday evening illuminated with street lights after residents’ pleadings for some 35 years.

Many elated residents came out in their numbers to witness the transformation. For decades, residents had been calling for lights to be placed along Main Street and promises were forthcoming.

Back in 1982, there were weekly reports of women being dragged into the Stanleytown Cemetery and raped; those reports were punctuated by reports of robberies being committed in the same way. Many of the victims in both cases were persons on their way home from work.

Back then, there were numerous appeals for street lights to be placed at strategic points, with the cemetery being the main focus, but the people had to wait for two changes of Government before the lights became a reality.

Under the previous Administration, residents were told that lights were being secured. Residents waited and saw several other parts of the region having street lights installed, with most of those areas significantly less populated.

Several petitions had been sent to different levels of Government. The Town Council had distanced itself from the responsibility claiming that since it no longer had the responsibility for providing electricity to residents, the then Guyana Electricity

Corporation (GEC) and subsequently Guyana Power and Light (GPL) had been demanding that the Council pay for street lighting, something it could ill-afford.

Residents have expressed delight at what could be considered a new development. Constituency representative Eusi Smith says the now lighted streets will have a positive impact and act as a deterrent to persons with criminal intent.

In April, Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry Annette Ferguson had announced that the street lamps would have been installed soon. The lighting programme will see street lights being installed from Stanleytown to Everton on the East Bank of Berbice covering a distance of more than five miles.

S RAIGHT Guyana does not have an enabling environment for Private Sector growth (Pt One)

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his week, we shall commence a two-part series on the private sector and its role in economic growth. There is enough empirical evidence to clearly establish that the foundation of economic growth remains the private sector. But despite this, a helping hand from the state sector can, and will, guarantee success. If the economy is robust, then the people will become more resilient to economic shocks; but none of this will occur, unless the private sector is firing on all cylinders.

At the end of the May 2015 elections, the popularity rating of the new PNC outfit (called the APNU) was higher than 50%.

All eyes were on President Granger, when he declared in his inauguration message by way of a national song: “LET US COOPERATE FOR GUYANA”, and the journey began.

But what a deceptive and pretentious journey it was, because since that rendition of President Granger’s, Guyana has been worse off when it comes to social cohesion of the nation, and this has impacted adversely on private sector development.

The evidence shows that there is no strategy on the part of the Government to break the ethnic supremacy mentality that the PNC had become known for under Burnham.

Unfortunately, the 73-year-old David Granger fell into the old Burnham mode, and surrendered his government to the ethnic extremists in the PNC. Today, with the hardliners of the PNC totally in charge, the Public Service of Guyana has been reduced to a place where mainly friends and families of the PNC leaders can be employed as departmental heads, permanent secretaries, regional executive officers, or heads of joint service agencies.

The outcome is that 85 per cent of the heads of department are from a certain ethnic group that the PNC represents; 16 of the 17 permanent secretaries, and 9 out of the 10 regional executive officers also fit into that mould. Let us not even mention the joint services’ leadership.

Can President Granger deliver on the promise to expand the economy, led by the private sector growth? The evidence over the last three years confirms that this is now impossible, because one of the key building blocks for national development – national unity and social cohesion among the people -- is on its knees today. The evidence proves that it is not within the DNA of Mr. Granger to allow such a progressive mindset to incubate, despite the sham of having a whole Ministry of Social Cohesion.

But, worse yet: on the economic front, unless the PNC is firmly in control of the cash flows, with the option of tapping that flow periodically, as we are seeing on the preferential contracts to the financiers of that party, the private sector will be stifled.

As Burnham did, the PNC under this Granger Government has shown that it must control the commanding heights of the economy.

But, in spite of this reality, I think it would be negligent on my part not to discuss a set of public policies that can expand the economy licitly. So, here we go.

THE PILLARS OF PRIVATE SECTOR-LED ECONOMIC EXPANSION In Guyana, there are five pillars that must be firmly established to facilitate private sector-led economic expansion: · Creating an enabling environment · Providing access to finance · Actively promoting investment · Aggressively promoting regional trade; and · Providing direct support to special industries.

I shall start with one of these pillars today, and complete the series next Friday.

Creating an enabling environment Can we safely say Guyana is a place where private sector investment can thrive without interference from state actors, using their positions to make the system vulnerable to unnecessary manipulation? One only has to look at the practice in the procurement of medical supplies, and the evidence is present. Not once, not twice, not thrice, but four times in three short years under this Granger Government were there major, questionable procurement practices being used to steer contracts to private entities sympathetic to the ruling regime, using public funds in a particular Ministry.

What does such public action do to the local manufacturing sector in a specialised industry such as pharmaceuticals? In addition to exposing them to an unreliable electricity system, these local medical supplies’ manufacturers have to operate in an environment wherein foreign entities that are friends of the regime are allowed to parachute into the marketplace to displace them.

So, in the final analysis, Guyana does not have an enabling environment to aid in the growth of the private sector. To fix this would require a wholesale purging of corrupt personnel from within the public service. But in the absence of national leadership on this front, and with a President who clearly appears not to have the aptitude, or attitude, or testicular fortitude to fight the corrupt forces, the investment environment will deteriorate.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local author calls for History to be taught “seriously”

…as A Survey of Guyanese History is launched

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ocal author, Dr Winston Mc Gowan during his book launch on Thursday evening at State House called for History to be taught more “seriously” in learning institutions.

“We don’t teach History seriously anywhere in our education system. They do something at the so-called Common Entrance,” Dr Mc Gowan complained.

He attacked the University of Guyana’s History Faculty, as he said the institution has not

An excited fan meets with the author of the new book

been teaching the topic in a “serious” manner.

The author added that he hoped his book,

A Survey of Guyanese History could influence History being taught in a more holistic manner and that the University of Guyana could train persons through a better approach.

Commenting on the issue, President David Granger noted that he was proud of the literary piece which was composed by his friend and anticipated that the book would facilitate social cohesion. turn to page 14

12 news AML Amendment Bill tabled in National Assembly T friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

he Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill 2018 was read for the first time in the National Assembly on Thursday.

The reading of this bill paves the way for the passage of new legislation that will ensure Guyana is in compliance with all 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other regulations.

The Bill, which was read

by Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, will also see the establishment of a national committee to tackle money laundering in all facets of Guyanese society.

The Bill seeks to amend the AML/CFT Act and related legislation to strengthen the regime for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing (AML/CFT/PF).

Clause three of the Bill amends section 7A of the principal Act to satisfy recommendation 2 of the FATF which states that countries should designate an authority to have a mechanism that is responsible for national AML/CFT/PF policies.

This will see the establishment of the AML/CFT/ PF National Coordination Committee.

This Committee will comprise the Attorney General, as Chair; the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP); the Governor of the Bank of Guyana; the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); the Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU); the General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board; the Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); the Chairperson of the Guyana Securities Council; the Chairperson of the Gaming Authority and the Chief Cooperatives and Development Officers.

Some of the Committee’s responsibilities will include developing national AML/

that the country was compliant with the AML/CFT requirements, based on statements he had made in the National Assembly.

He had pointed out that Williams admitted in Parliament he was informed by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) that amendments made to the AML/CFT Amendment Bill in 2015 were in violation

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

CFT/PF policies informed by the risks identified in the recently-completed National Risk Assessment and to develop a national action plan which includes recommendations to enable the respective agencies to competently tackle money laundering and related crimes.

Only recently, at the Money Laundering/ Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment Seminar, Williams underscored the importance of coordination and information sharing among related agencies in the fight against money laundering.

The US Department of State’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) Volume Two of March 2018 has listed Guyana, among many other countries, as “major money laundering jurisdictions in 2017”.

The report declared that there was a lack of strong interagency cooperation among Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and drug-fighting agencies, adding that these departments did not have adequate human resources and the necessary training for complete effectiveness.

The report has called for more training, education, and resources to improve the fight against money laundering. In its 2018 overview of Guyana, the INCSR posited that “narcotics trafficking and Government corruption are the primary sources of laundered funds”. Other issues outlined were human traf-

ficking, illicit gold mining, contraband, and tax evasion.

of the international guidelines.

Williams, he had observed, told the House that he was also directed to remove them from the legislation.

Nandlall recalled that when the coalition took office in 2015, the first Bill it passed was the AML/CFT Amendment Bill, Number 1 of 2015. It was tabled at the

very first sitting of the 11th Parliament.

The former AG had also noted that while in Opposition, the now Government caused Guyana to be blacklisted by the CFATF, and to be sanctioned internationally. “Now in Government, they have caused the very same thing to happen!” he posited in March.

GTA launches new destination website – to showcase Guyana to rest of world

Ineffective

The report reiterated that Guyana was a transit country for South American cocaine destined for Europe, the Caribbean and North America, noting that traffickers were attracted to Guyana’s remote airstrips, porous land borders, and weak security infrastructure.

It was outlined that Guyana should continue to provide training to “increase awareness and understanding of AML laws within the judiciary and agencies. The major agencies involved in anti-drug and money laundering efforts, such as the Guyana Police Force (GPF); Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU); the Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) were observed as not being effective enough owing to “inadequate human resources, insufficient training, and a lack of strong interagency cooperation”.

Apart from Guyana, Brazil, Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States itself were, among many others, listed as “Major Money Laundering Jurisdictions in 2017”.

Only last month, former AG Anil Nandlall accused his successor, Williams, of conveying the impression

T

Launching of Guyana Tourism Authority’s new destination website

he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Thursday officially launched its new and informative destination website, geared at enhancing effective lines of communication within the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and other supporting tourism bodies.

The main aim is to elevate Guyana’s place in the global market, it has been revealed.

The new app is expected to function as a hub of information, ranging from news to utility services, restaurants and entertainment spots.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin related that the purpose of the website is to promote and market Guyana as a tourism destination.

He explained that while the

app is still fresh, its contents must at all times be accurate and informative.

Further, the Business Minister urged that the website’s contents must always be updated. “I must commend GTA for the launching of the website.

It’s a great initiative, and I’m happy to be here for the launching,” Minister Gaskin noted.

Director of Tourism, Brian Mullis, said the focus of the new app is to facilitate and showcase products that the country has to offer.

For example, he noted, wildlife, safari, bird watching, community-based tourism, Rupununi Rodeo and sight-seeing are just few of the options visitors can choose from.

While echoing the sentiments of Minister Gaskin,

Mullis noted that even though a lot more work needs to be done, the GTA is committed to taking tourism in Guyana to another level.

He thanked the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) for the efforts that contributed towards the development of the application.

Mullis recently noted that the tourism sector has to focus on a more progressive and holistic approach to destination development, as the sector cannot continue to engage in ad-hoc tourism development.

Mullis noted that there are also plans for foreign influencers to be flown into Guyana to experience the country at first hand.

“We intend to bring in persons who focus on adventure, culture and nature to visit Guyana and experience it first hand, and write about it; because content is what is important,” he said.

The GTA Director, moreover, noted that Guyana could cater for high end markets, but due to the high cost to travel to and around the country, emphasis would be placed on how to increase investments on tourism while at the same time recognising subsectors of tourism that are not currently part of the regulatory scheme.

By doing so, he said, the aim is to raise the profile of the destination in the global marketplace, and to maximise the social and economic outcomes related to tourism for conservation aims as well. (Yanalla Dalrymple)

13 Govt votes against re-establishment of Labour Ministry news

friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

– despite Opposition’s fierce arguments in support of having one

D

espite the Opposition putting up a fierce debate in Parliament on Thursday, listing several reasons why the coalition Government should support the call for the re-establishment of a Labour Ministry, the Government used its majority in the National Assembly to vote against the motion.

Former trade unionist and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Gillian Burton-Persaud opened the debate with some solid arguments, referring to cases where the Government has shown less than favourable treatment to workers and their unions since its assumption to office.

The MP established that having a Labour Ministry in place is nothing extraordinary, as there have been these ministries created by past Governments before to address industrial relations issues. She believes that if the Government is really serious about addressing workers’ issues, then a Labour Ministry should be re-established.

Burton-Persaud point-

ed out that not only did the Government remove the Ministry and replace it with a Department, but a Junior Minister of Government in Minister Keith Scott has been appointed to head the Labour Department.

“Such a development could be seen as a slap in the face of trade union leaders and the workers of Guyana, including all of us here in this honorable house. If we pay attention to, or understand the functions of, labour, we (would) learn to appreciate its major importance in any society,” she added.

She also claimed this development has also eroded the legacy of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, and explained that labour always stood separate and apart from other ministries. The fact that it was not thought necessary to establish a Ministry of Labour is enough reason to presume that workers’ interests are not at the heart of this administration.

The former trade union leader also chastised the APNU+AFC Administration for not treating workers fair-

Opposition MP Gillian Burton-Persaud

ly, referring to the laying off of hundreds of sugar workers and Amerindians.

Another Opposition MP, Komal Chand, chastised the Government and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, who holds responsibility for labour. He said Government’s excuse that it cannot afford to establish such a ministry is nothing more than a lie, especially since it has a large

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally

bureaucracy.

The motion which was submitted in BurtonPersaud’s name cites that on May 1, 2018 at a joint rally of the GTUC and the FITUG, calls were made for the motion to be laid in the House calling for the Ministry’s re-establishment.

The call for the re-establishment of a Labour Ministry was supported by General Secretary of the

Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Lincoln Lewis. He had requested of BurtonPersaud and her party to table a motion in the National Assembly seeking re-establishment of the Ministry.

“Labour is prepared to work with you to bring this to fruition, and hopes you take this commitment in the spirit of solidarity. Labour also holds out optimism that Minister (Basil) Williams would be able to use his experience in impressing on his Administration the wisdom of having a Ministry of Labour, and the benefit of treating labour as a social partner consistent with Article 38 and 149C of the Guyana Constitution.”

Lewis argued that with the absence of that Ministry, not only does it signal the value Government places on a country’s most valued resource, but also communicates to allies and foes of Guyana that Guyanese are not considered pivotal to the country’s development. He said this was also reinforced with the country’s non-attendance at the International Labour Organisation’s

(ILO’s) conferences for the past three years.

“Where we know better and different, we must continue to act accordingly; for development of society requires of us staying the course. Employment remains a sore issue. Too many are unemployed (and) under-employed; and the retired, who need to be productively engaged, are (also) being deprived. We note the statistics of the Guyana Labour Force Survey,” the outspoken trade union leader added.

Importantly, while Lewis said that the effort of gathering scientific data is commendable, he said it must make real the science through action. “Meaning must be given to data being collected beyond collection and making findings public.” As such, he said Guyana needs a policy for the creation of decent jobs.

Trade unions have long argued that the minister needs to advise the Government better as it relates to its adherence to the Collective Bargaining Process, negotiations and workers’ rights.

Leguan’s historic St Peter’s Anglican Church in deplorable state the pace of construction.

It was in February 2017 that Business Minister Dominic Gaskin declared the St Peter’s Anglican Church a beautiful tourism destination. He remarked that it was worthy of restoration and maintenance for tourism purposes. Minister Gaskin, who holds the portfolio for the tourism sector, said the church is a historical site that was being assessed as a tourist attrac-

The decrepit state of the St. Peter’s Anglican Church. The current building was constructed in 1855. (Shemuel Fanfair photo)

By Shemuel Fanfair

O

ne of Guyana’s most picturesque and historic landmarks, the St. Peter’s Anglican Church at Enterprise on the Essequibo River island of Leguan, is showing telltale signs of existing in a state of neglect; and in this regard, many have been calling on the Anglican Diocese and the National Trust to fast track rehabilitation works on this heritage building.

The less-than-favourable state of the vintage edifice was observed during a recent Guyana Times’ visit to Leguan, an island forming part of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), to get insight into the issues affecting Leguan residents. One of their foremost concerns was the deplorable state of the church, which has been around for nearly 191 years.

In fact, this church is one of the oldest places of worship in Guyana.

Prior to the erection of the first church, services -first started on December 9, 1827 -- were held under a clump of bamboo trees.

The current brick-and-wood structure opened its doors on June 29, 1855.

In its current state, there are vines growing at various sections of the edifice, and trees growing on the tower which houses the church bell. Rehabilitation works have been attempted, but in recent months, half of the roof was left unfinished, leaving internal sections exposed to the elements -- notably the blazing sunshine, registering approximately 30 degrees Celsius, and the continuing periodic downpours.

This newspaper attempted to find out why this building has been left

in such a decrepit state, but the National Trust of Guyana has declined our request for an interview.

Guyana Times has however learnt that the National Trust is preparing to sign a contract for works to complete the remainder of the building, including the roof’s rehabilitation.

This was almost two weeks ago; and on Thursday, one resident claimed that rehabilitation works remain stalled.

Guyana Times understands further that a previous contract which has been secured was later cancelled, reportedly due to slothful execution of works. This accounts for the roof being left in a half-finished state.

An official recently told this newspaper that it takes considerable amounts of time for State entities to get out of contractual arrangements, which often delays

tion.

Gaskin told State media last year that a then Draft Tourism Policy called for the acceleration of plans for the delineation and upgrading of heritage trails and districts across the country. He in fact said the Department of Tourism in the Business Ministry intends to work closely with the National Trust of Guyana and other bodies to bring to prominence those aspects of the

building’s heritage that have value as tourism attraction.

Minister Gaskin had also pointed out that the church has a tiled sanctuary, massive brickwork, asphalted flooring, architectural rafters, and windows portraying events in the life of its patron, Saint Peter. In the coming days, Guyana Times will seek answers from the Anglican Diocese.

14 news NA Municipality implements by- New legislation likely for Gold Board law to penalise persons littering T friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

he Mayor and Town Council of the municipality of New Amsterdam (NAM&TC) announced on Wednesday that a by-law has been reinforced to penalise persons caught indiscriminately dumping waste.

NAM&TC Health Inspector Ackloo Ramsudh has said this decision was taken by the NAM&TC not to burden residents of the town, but in the genuine belief that if such a by-law were instituted, it would fix the frequent littering being practised within the town.

Ramsudh explained

that persons caught littering would be fined $10,000, but business owners caught dumping waste carelessly would be fined $100,000.

“The Municipality is pro-

viding a service, the service is most frequent, and you are required to have on your premises a container to put your waste in, so you should have no reason

to be dumping your waste all over the place. And if you want to continue with this behaviour, then you will be dealt with severely,” Ramsudh explained, while adding that the Constabulary Department is equipped and will be carrying out regular policing within the township. “And if you are caught, you will face the consequences,” Ramsudh noted.

The municipality is also offering a substantial payout to persons who can provide evidence of persons littering.

Linden Town Council in talks with Indian Govt to establish solar energy project

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he office of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) is in discussion with First Secretary of the High Commission of India, Vijayakumar K. for installation of a solar energy project in the mining town.

The First Secretary of the High Commission visited Linden Mayor Waneka Arindell at the LM&TC on Monday to have talks on the proposed initiative.

Mayor Arindell has said that while it was that official’s first visit to Linden, it came on the heels of correspondence to identify possible projects which can be initiated in the community.

“They would have sent us a letter to identify projects. So, we’re in the introduction stage of it...and they’re going to return once we provide some information...” the mayor noted.

Mayor Waneka Arindell and First Secretary of the High Commission of India, Vijayakumar K

Additionally, at the launch of the Linden Town Week of activities back in May, Minister of State

Joseph Harmon had told residents that the presence of several ‘mined-out’ areas across the Linden commu-

nity makes Linden perfect to benefit from projects under the International Solar Alliance agreement (ISA).

He posited that those areas allow for a greater level of access to solar power.

Minister Harmon had said there was an indication that the bauxite mining community would benefit from projects under the international agreement signed by His Excellency President David Granger in India.

He also noted that the solar footprints of Linden are among its greatest assets, and ought to be explored. He further related that, based on conversations taking place, he had some indication as well, that these ‘mined-out’ areas can be converted to green tourism and conservation facilities.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

A

t a recent meeting between Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and local gold dealers, it was announced that a new set of legislation is likely to be enacted to facilitate the smooth operation of the Guyana Gold Board. The new legislation, he noted, will benefit both sides of the table.

Proposed amendments to the present legislation include changes to the quantity of gold that may be legally possessed by a person; extension of the period within which a producer may legally possess gold before selling same to the Guyana Gold Board; introduction of a special dealer’s licence to possess, sell, or export gold; the ‘fit and proper’ criterion to be applied to persons seeking to possess this licence; increases in application fees, bonds, fines and penalties; and new regulations related to the acquisition of foreign exchange and the strengthening of the gold trading regime.

The discussions were deemed ‘fruitful’. The frank and open discussions made for a good understanding of the challenges and expectations of both the

Government of Guyana and the licensed gold dealers.

In a release issued by the Natural Resources Ministry, it was pointed out that the eight licensed gold dealers were able to make a number of compromises to ensure that the views and positions of all stakeholders were given due consideration.

“Minister Trotman undertook to brief his Cabinet colleague, Minister of Finance Honourable Winston Jordan, on a number of positions the dealers have laid out, with a view to reaching a final position that could see the passage of the proposed amendments in the National Assembly after consultations with the licensed gold dealers,” the release said.

The companies represented at that meeting were GBTI Property Holdings, El Dorado Trading, Gold Bar Development and Consulting Inc., Mohamed’s Enterprise, Pure Diamond Inc., Excel Minerals Inc., Dinar Trading and Adamantium Metals.

Also present at the meeting were Guyana Gold Board Chairman GHK Lall, Gold Board General Manager Eondrene Thompson, and that entity’s Legal Officer, Stacey Weever.

Sister of murdered Rose Hall man critical after stabbing incident

L

ess than a week after a man was beaten to death in Rose Hall Town, Berbice, his sister is now critical after she was stabbed during his wake on Wednesday evening.

The injured woman has been identified as Maureen Sundarsingh of Lot 316 Fifth Street, Rose Hall Town. She was reportedly attacked and

stabbed during an argument with another woman, who, Guyana Times understands, is related to the man who allegedly killed Sundarsingh’s brother.

The injured woman is battling for her life at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Her brother, Wayne Sundarsingh, called “Wino”, was allegedly beaten un-

conscious during a drinking spree at Bulletwood Street last Saturday, but died a few hours later.

Meanwhile, Police have arrested three persons in relation to the stabbing incident on Wednesday. Up to press time, Maureen was listed as critical at the Intensive Care Unit of the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Local author calls for...

He, however, said, “It’s really very moving for me and to hear his words of regret that what used to be one of the most powerful and one of the most dynamic departments in the entire University has been literally downgraded … we need people like Winston, we need books like A Survey of Guyanese History and we need to bring pressure to ensure that History is once again taught as a separate subject for the children of this country…”

The new book is a collection of historical essays and

articles, all written by Dr Mc Gowan himself. He told Guyana Times that his pieces were written several years ago and he finally decided to compile his writings to be of benefit to all Guyanese.

The exciting new book, which is now available in book stores, provides an overview of religion, education, nationalism and cricket among other topics. The book comprises 11 sections of original pieces which have never been published.

The author noted that his book would not have been completed without the

from page 11

aid of the President and GuyEnterprise, his publisher.

Dr Mc Gowan is a graduate of the University of London, England, who secured a doctorate degree in West African History. He was born during the early years of World War II and drew from some of his life experiences.

The launch saw the attendance of several other esteemed persons, who seized the opportunity to purchase a copy of the new book, which was signed by the author himself.

news

15

friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Enmore Co-op feud

Residents, Co-op workers clash over demolition of homes

Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall addressing the residents

guidance and assistance of the former Attorney General and Member of Parliament (MP), Anil Nandlall.

During his visit to the area to hear the plight of the people, Nandlall stated that by law, it is wrongful for those actions to be committed.

He is holding out that while the Co-Op is in a process of redistributing the land, they cannot merely give it to another member while noting that when a person is deceased, the beneficiary is supposed to be given the land. However, it is not a case whereby the residents were squatting on

the land.

“That is not what the law says. The law of cooperative society recognises transmission of interest upon death.

If a deceased was a member of a co-op, and would’ve been entitled to a plot of land, when that person dies, that interest passes on to the beneficiary of that deceased person,” the former Attorney General stated.

“Those who are administering the Co-Op ought to recognise that and rather than assign the property to another member of the CoOp, they’re supposed to assign it to the beneficiary,” he added.

Furthermore, if the matter is not resolved, Nandlall related that he would represent the residents in the High Court for their lands to be retrieved.

“This matter will have to be resolved either amicably at the level of the Co-Op Society or the Chief Co-op Officer. If not, we’d have to engage in a head-on battle in the High Court and I’ll be representing all these people who are affected by this problem,” he said.

As residents of the community were fearful for their lives, Nandlall visited the Cove and John Police Station, where the situation was dis-

cussed and it was promised that senior officers would be dispatched to the community to provide protection.

“I just had a brief meeting with the commander of this division and due to his attention and the seriousness of the situation, which now exists at Enmore North, I explained to him that unless the Police intervene in a firm way, the situation can descend into violence,” said Nandlall.

“He has assured me that he will assign two senior Police ranks immediately and deploy them to go to the scene and to have a continuous Police presence,” he added.

Task Force established to oversee Linden riverfront development

A Other residents stood in the rain as Opposition MP Anil Nandlall addressed their concerns

A

s the spat continues with residents of Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and the Co-Op Society, at least one house was demolished on Thursday and the occupants’ belongings tossed onto the streets after demolition workers were ordered to do so.

Based on reports received, the instruction was given by leader of the Coop Society. When Guyana Times visited the area, residents claimed that they were awakened by persons trying to dismantle several homes which were on transported land.

The Society reportedly attempted to dismantle the buildings on several occasions after transports for the land which persons had occupied for the past 30 years were issued to other persons without their knowledge.

This state of affairs, however, would have stemmed from the ongoing feud.

The residents also claimed that they were

threatened that if they should return to their property, the co-op will send its members to burn the buildings.

One of the residents, whose home was ransacked, Nadia Rambarran told Guyana Times that this was the third time that her home was invaded. She noted that a meeting was scheduled for Thursday morning by the Co-op Society to discuss the land issues but that turned into a tragedy.

“Since 1982, the land was there. My uncle was living there and after he die in 2015, we started to live there…now a man just come this morning, he just show them a transport and they start to break the door down,” Rambarran recalled.

Rambarran’s husband, Avinash Chatura, said that they were told that if they entered their house, they would be beaten and killed.

The situation had gotten to a point where the residents were completely helpless and, as such, sought the

committee has been established in Linden to develop its riverfront but, more so, Terms of Reference (ToRs) have been derived along the lines of creating a Task Force to oversee such initiative.

According to Samuel Wright, a consultant, efforts over the years to sensitise residents about the value and uses of the Linden riverfront and its significance to the community were validated by President David Granger’s recent exultations on waterfronts.

At the Linden Riverfront Festival’s annual Riverfront Development Forum, which was held on June 29, a decision was taken to convene a Linden Riverfront Development Task Force to elaborate the lines of ac-

A section of the Linden waterfront

tion needed to drive the development of the Linden Riverfront and a Draft Terms of Reference for the Task Force was created.

The Task Force will comprise representatives of the Linden Riverfront Festival Committee; the Region 10 Tourism Development Association; Linden Chamber of Commerce; Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC); the Regional Democratic Council and members of civil society. Wright said the Task Force was being convened for the purpose of pursuing all the steps needed to develop and implement an Action Plan for the development of the Linden riverfront.

He said members of the Task Force have agreed to

formally launch the entity and agreed on an agenda of actions for the next three months, as well as to identify sources of funding to enable the recruitment of a professional consultancy service to design a riverfront development plan.

This, he said, is expected to be done within an agreed time-frame and with the appropriate phasing. The Task Force will also identify sources of funding for the discharge of any function or responsibility arising from riverfront development planning, engage the LM&TC with a view to identifying areas of the riverfront which, in the short term, could be enhanced through Town Council disbursements.

Wright added that the

Consultant Samuel Wright

Task Force would also agree upon the most appropriate mechanism for communicating decisions taken, engaging other stakeholders and procuring relevant services to advance the development of the riverfront.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, JUly 20, 2018

Around the World

Peru political turmoil: Supreme Court Trump rejects proposal for Russia to interrogate US citizens President resigns over tapes scandal

U

S President Donald Trump has rejected a proposal made by the Russian leader Vladimir Putin that Russia be allowed to question US citizens.

The White House earlier said it would consider it, but now said Trump “disagrees” with the suggestion.

The offer was made at a summit of the two leaders.

In return, Putin suggested he might allow access to 12 Russians indicted by the US. The idea of allowing a foreign power to quiz US citizens sparked outrage.

“It is a proposal that was made in sincerity by President Putin, but President Trump disagrees with it,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Thursday.

“Hopefully, President Putin will have the 12 iden-

T

Russian President Vladimir Putin

tified Russians come to the United States to prove their innocence or guilt,” she said.

She also tweeted that Trump has asked his National Security Adviser John Bolton to invite Putin to Washington later this year.

The idea appeared to take US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats by surprise. He was being interviewed when he was told about the tweet.

“That’s going to be special,” he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he President of Peru’s Supreme Court has resigned amid a widening corruption scandal that has rocked the country’s judicial system.

Duberli Rodriguez’s resignation follows the release last week of audiotapes suggesting sentences could be bought and judicial influence paid for.

Orlando Velasquez, the President of the National Council of the Magistrature, has also resigned.

The Justice Minister, Salvador Heresi, was forced to step down on Saturday.

Heresi was recorded arranging a meeting with a Supreme Court judge, Cesar Hinostroza Pariachi, who seemed to be offering to sell favours. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.

Duberli Rodriguez's resignation is the latest in a scandal which has rocked Peru

On another of the tapes, which were published by a Peruvian investigative website and TV programme, a judge discussed reducing the sentence or declaring innocent a man accused of rap-

ing a young girl.

Rodriguez had come under pressure from Supreme Court colleagues to step down and cede his chair to someone untouched by Peru’s corruption problem.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Jewish nation state: UK using child spies in Police operations Israel approves B controversial bill

I

srael’s Parliament has passed a controversial law characterising the country as principally a Jewish state, fuelling anger among its Arab minority.

The “nation state” law says Jews have a unique right to national self-determination there and puts Hebrew above Arabic as the official language.

Arab Members of Parliament (MPs) reacted furiously in Parliament, with one waving a black flag and others ripping up the Bill.

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu

praised the bill’s passage as a “defining moment”.

“A hundred and twenty-two years after [the founder of modern Zionism Theodore] Herzl made his vision known, with this law we determined the founding principle of our existence,” Netanyahu said.

“Israel is the nation state of the Jewish people, and respects the rights of all of its citizens.”

However, the law risks further alienating Israel’s large Arab minority, who have long felt discriminated against. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ritish authorities are deploying children as spies in covert policing and security operations, a new UK parliamentary report revealed.

Some of the minors tasked with gathering intelligence are under 16, the report by a House of Lords review committee said.

The report, published last week, was produced in response to proposals brought forward by Government officials to extend the amount of time a person under the age of 18 may be used as a covert human intelligence source (CHIS) from one month to four.

Lord Trefgarne, Chairman of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny

Children have been deployed to collect information for the UK's domestic intelligence services [Peter Nicholls/Reuters]

Committee, said the policy of using young people as a CHIS had caused “considerable anxiety” among committee members, and he

expressed concern about relaxing current restrictions.

“We are concerned that enabling a young person to participate in covert activi-

ty for an extended period of time may expose them to increased risks to their mental and physical welfare,” he said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Govt to invite Thai boys and T&T teen killed in ‘shootout with cops’ coach to Jamaica vacation

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he Government of Jamaica will be inviting the 12 boys from a youth football team in Thailand and their coach, who were recently rescued from a flooded cave, to vacation on the island, all expenses paid.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who made the announcement on Wednesday, said he “couldn’t think of a more appropriate gesture for these brave and extraordinary young men than to have them come and enjoy our beautiful island home”.

“We will be using all our diplomatic chan-

nels through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, also the Jamaican Honorary Consulate in Bangkok, Thailand, to try and make this a reality,” he said.

“This will be an all-expense paid vacation and something that we are happy to do as part of the international community and to show appreciation for the special friendship we have had with the people of Thailand over the years,” Bartlett added.

The 12 boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach had been trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system. (Excerpt

from Jamaica Observer)

Amnesty condemns blocking probe into missing Mexican students

A

mnesty International has called the decision by a Mexican court to not go ahead with an investigation into the disappearance of 43 students “a political decision”.

In June, a federal court decided an investigative commission for truth and justice could go ahead, but that decision was struck down, preventing an official

inquiry into the disappearance.

“The Government has filed more than a 100 different legal motions before the courts in an attempt to prevent compliance with this legal ruling. This is proof of a political decision to hide the truth about the fate of the 43 students,” Amnesty Americas Director Erika Guevara-Rosas said in a

statement.

“The Mexican Government has gone out of its way to impede the creation of a special investigative commission to investigate the Ayotzinapa case, as ordered by a federal court, which ruled that this was the only way to salvage an investigation plagued with irregularities and evidence tampering,” she added. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

The incident triggered scores of residents to protest in anger and some attempted to block the roads, but were prevented by Police. Inset: the deceased, Akiel Thomas

S

enior Police Officers in the Port-ofSpain Division have launched an investigation into a shooting incident involving ranks at Hell Yard, Beetham Gardens on Wednesday which left a teenager dead.

A 19-year-old man who was shot was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

He was identified as

Akiel Thomas, of Phase Five, Beetham. Police claimed he was shot during an exchange of gunfire around 06:30h.

This incident triggered scores of residents to protest in anger and some attempted to block the roads— the Eastern Main Road, the Priority Bus Route and the Churchill Roosevelt Highway, Beetham.

Their actions were shortlived after vanloads of heavily-armed Police Officers ar-

rived on the scene.

According to a Police report, officers of the Port-ofSpain Division were conducting exercises in the community when they were confronted by a group of people at Hell Yard.

One of the men, Police said, pulled out a firearm and opened fire on the Police.

The Police returned fire shooting Thomas in the chest. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, july 20, 2018

Naya Zamana 22 for NCC on August 25

I

t will rain fabulousness at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) in Georgetown, Guyana on Saturday, August 25 when the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha stages its spectacular annual theatrical production Naya Zamana.

In its 22nd year, the production’s formula of dance melded with drama, set against breathtaking backdrops, has captured a loyal fan following whether the show plays at home or in New York.

The tickets for this show are highly coveted and grabbed quickly by theatre-goers. The creative vision of Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud who scripts, directs, choreographs and produces Naya Zamana is beautifully embellished by Trishala Simantini Persaud’s artistry in the dazzling and beautiful costumes that are a signature of the production.

Special lighting and sound will be added for enhanced effect.

The vibrant and cutting-edge choreography and the new story each year capture the emotions of the audience as they are taken on a rollercoaster of the actors’ journeys of romance, ambition, jealousy and other battles.

The liberal intermixing of Bollywood, creative, lyrical and Indian classical and folk dances by graceful and energetic dancers makes this production magical, memorable and not one you would want to miss!

Tickets for Naya Zamana 22 cost $3500, $3000 and $2000, and can be picked up at the National Cultural Centre, Dharmic Kendra, Red Mango, E-Networks and Bhagwan’s on Water Street.

8 princesses to vie for

Miss Guyana Princess pageant

Akeela Simpson

T

Dyana Joaquin

he annual Miss Guyana Princess Pageant, under the artistic direction of Nandre’s Kreations, will be hosted yet again, this time with more hype, more energy and more excitement. This year, organisers are poised to produce another pageant that caters to the pre-teen participants between the ages of eight and 12.

The pageant is slated for August 12 at the Theatre Guild Playhouse and will see eight delightful young ladies competing for the title.

Kirsten Morris

Luhanna Cockfield

The delegates will be presented to the public at a launching ceremony and fashion show in the Theatre Guild’s Eucalyptus Garden on Sunday, July 22, 2018.

Patrons will be treated to collections of fabulous designs from Wnyette Jones, Vanda Allicock, Tandika Favourite, Sydney Francious and Nelsion Nurse. The show promises to create a fun, family-oriented afternoon featuring some “tiny tots” who at the tender age of four are ready to take the runway.

Patrice Rollox

Per-yah Jones

The Miss Guyana Princess Pageant was designed to provide each participant with the opportunity to promote school, community, talent and culture, and at the same time learn more about the other participants to encourage networking, integration and social cohesion among our children.

The princesses were each given pageant names after Disney Princesses who were characters of strength, poise, beauty and bravery. Many of us grew up with Disney

Rihanna Maloney

Ske Dawson

Princesses as staples of our childhoods.

They illustrated stories of overcoming problems that were important for us to see as children. The lessons they teach still ring true today as our society progresses more. Children today learn just as much if not more from these movies than we did before them.

The delegates in this year’s line-up are Per’yah Jones, Patrice Rollox, Ske Dawson, Akkela Simpson, Rihanna Maloney, Kirsten Morris, Dyana Joaquin and Luhanna Cockfield.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, july 20, 2018

KFC Bucket Challenge heats up

8

Lake Mainstay to host

th

T

he Lake Mainstay Resort is doing it once again this summer thus giving patrons an experience of a lifetime. Yes, we are talking about the exciting regatta, which is slated for Sunday, August 12 at the magnificent freshwater lake.

This year, more action has been added to the day’s activities to cater for the motor-racing lovers. Over $3 million are up for grabs in several categories. These include the 15-, 40-, 90-, and 200-horsepower (HP) races and the Open race. All the categories will be opened to

annual Regatta T and Stage Show

on August 12

both males and females.

In addition, there will be the 200-metre male and female canoe races, but be sure to walk with that hot swimwear if you want to participate in the 200m Open swimming race.

However, there will be a memorial race in the 90-HP category in honour of Orin Belle, who lost his life a few years ago at the resort. As the sun sets, the entertainment will kick start. This year, the local artistes will take centre stage.

Those slated to perform live for their fans are the versatile Yoland Nedd

out of the Shakti Strings Orchestra, former Chutney Monarch Vanita Willie, Berbice singing sensation Vicadi, Kadi Kish and for the first time, there will be the Calibro Band, who will be performing some fine Brazilian music.

As usual, the emcee for the day will be Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones and the deejays, from the Pream’s Mega Sounds.

There will also be a children’s fun park comprising a merry-go-round, trampoline and bouncy castle. Food will not be a problem since there will be a food court with var-

ious dishes and if you did not get what you wanted, then the Lake Mainstay Resort can prepare it in a jiffy.

If you are coming to party, then there will be several beverage bars, including Banks Beer, Stag Beer and Xtra Beers.

Admission to the Lake Mainstay eighth annual Regatta is $1000 for adults and children $500. Patrons without a ticket will pay more at the door. Gates will be opened from 09:00h, with the first race getting underway at 11:00h.

he KFC Bucket Challenge took Regent Street by storm on Saturday last when the first round of the competition kicked off. Four persons competed and raced to eat 15 pieces of chicken in 15 minutes.

To say it was exciting would be an understatement with onlookers cheering and shouting for their favourites. The competition was intended to bring family fun to Guyana and that it did. KFC is a family brand and this competition most definitely provides a fun opportunity for families to bond.

At the end of round one, Jarrel Leander emerged as the winner after he ate 10 pieces of the 15 pieces given to him, while Ayesha Khan brought second with six pieces eaten.

Leander is definitely a “big eater” and had the crowd roaring with excitement. He even posed for pictures while the clock was still running.

The competitors entered the competition by posting a picture of themselves with a bucket of KFC on Facebook. The pictures with the most interactions won.

Round two is set for Saturday at the Regent Street location where another batch of competitors will compete. The final round will be on July 28 when the winner of round two will compete with Jarrel Leander (winner of round one) for the grand prize of KFC for the rest of the year. Who will be the winner?

Follow the competition on KFC Guyana’s Facebook page or witness the exhilaration at the Regent Street location on July 21 and July 28.

Art of War competitor

Dorrel Romeo T

Full Gospel Fellowship Youth Summit for this weekend

Y

ouths are the future and should be moulded to take their rightful place in society. With this in mind, the Kaneville Full Gospel Fellowship will be hosting its Youth Summit 2018 on Friday, July 20 at the Grove Full Gospel Fellowship and on Saturday, July 21 at the Park Vue HoteL, Farm, East Bank Demerara.

The event was built on the premise of creating a safe space for youths to connect and share their talent with the aim of motivating their peers to join and contribute positively to society.

Pastor Kwame Wilson, one of the organisers of the event, related that they had started about seven years ago within the confines of the church, but the event has grown dramatically throughout the country.

“We felt that we needed to do some-

thing as young people to reach other young people, because we recognised a lot of young people were not interested in the church, they felt it was boring ... so there we were: those saved in the church and in the walls comfortable and those outside facing these social ills and it seemed like nobody had any time with them and [we] so decided to start hosting this event to bridge the gap through positive entertainment.”

The church has also partnered with other churches, Non-Governmental Organisations, and Government Ministries to host activities to raise awareness against suicide and gender-based violence which featured international gospel artistes such as Papa San, Positive, DJ Nicholas and Guyana’s Samuel Medas as headline acts.

This year’s event will again feature DJ Nicholas and Medas among many other talented performers. The twoday event which kicks off Friday will provide a platform for counselling and sharing information on job and training opportunities being offered by other agencies. “We want the young people to leave feeling empowered and better able to make decisions that will better their future.”

The church will use the funds to develop communities and projects in the wider society.

Tickets for the summit cost $1500.

They will give access to the empowerment session Friday evening at the Grove Full Gospel Church and the fun day and summit at Park Vue Hotel on Saturday.

he Art of War Competition is one week away and will see six DJs competing for supremacy, bragging rights for a year, cash prizes and trophies.

As the countdown continues, Guyana Times Entertainment is pleased to introduce to you Dorrel Romeo aka DJ Magnum – one of the participants in the competition.

The 30-year-old hails from the West Bank of Demerara and Brooklyn, New York. Romeo, the 2018 Armageddon champion, began his deejaying career at 21. He previously played with the Big Life Sound, but currently plays for Notorious International.

He has been in the sound business for nine years. DJ Magnum has competed in 10 clashes and has won six trophies. His preferred musical weapons of choice are dub plates and 45s.

Romeo’s focus as a deejay is to put Guyana out there globally. He received his inspiration in the deejaying business from Jamaica’s Bounty Killer and Tony Matterhorn. DJ Magnum believes that his strongest qualities are his fluency and stage performance.

His most memorable moment as a DJ was when he lost to DJ Puffy in a clash held at the National Park. It taught him that clashes are not all about “badman and killing tunes” but also connecting with the crowd.

DJ Magnum teams up with his Selector Seen Up to make a powerful duo, creating waves in the entertainment industry.

If you want to see DJ Magnum in action, be sure to come out on July 28 at the Sports Hall tarmac.

For more information on Art of War 2018, you can check the Facebook page “Empire Media Inc”.

friDAY, JUly 20, 2018

19

Hamilton agrees to to England Test team after One-Day heroics £40M-ayear deal T until 2020

Rashid set for recall

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid

revor Bayliss has indicated Adil Rashid is in line for a Test recall for the series against India despite the fact the legspinner opted out of playing red-ball cricket earlier in the year.

The England Head Coach was glowing in his praise of Rashid after he starred in the one-Day Series win against India, the highlight of which was an outrageous delivery that bowled Virat Kohli in the deciding match at Headingley on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old made the last of his 10 Test appearances against India in Chennai in December 2016 and had seemingly abandoned his ambitions to play any more when he signed a whiteball-only contract with Yorkshire at the start of the summer.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of England’s win at Headingley, Rashid indicated he would reconsider that stance, saying: “At this moment in time I’m just concentrating on white-ball cricket. But in the meantime if something comes about, I’ll be happy.”

Bayliss has said chief selector Ed Smith, who picked Jos Buttler based purely on white-ball form for the first Test series of

the summer against Pakistan, is likely to have a conversation with Rashid to gauge his appetite for a return – potentially for the first Test at Edgbaston starting on August 1.

“That’s a decision Adil’s got to make,” said Bayliss. “I’m not sure whether Ed Smith’s had a chat with him or not. Could he get picked in the Test team on white-ball form? It’s already happened once this year. I’m sure he’ll be up for discussion, definitely.

“This year is probably the best we’ve seen him bowl. His control and his consistency has been top class.”

Bayliss confirmed Ben Stokes will play in the first Test against India despite fears he could be distracted by his impending court case.

The all-rounder will miss the second match of the series at Lord’s as it clashes with his trial at Bristol Crown Court on a charge of affray.

Given the scheduled conclusion of the Edgbaston Test is just a day before the trial starts, it would be understandable if England decided to overlook Stokes.

However, Bayliss said: “Ben’s the all-round package and just lifts everyone. Look, it’s not the best situation not having him there for Lord’s, but we want him available for as many games as possible.”

Meanwhile, England have confirmed a schedule for next summer that includes an historic four-day first Test against Ireland.

The four-day contest at Lord’s, starting on July 24, will be England’s first Test scheduled to last fewer than five days since 1971.

Ireland, who gained Test status last year and lost their first match against Pakistan in May, will act as an Ashes warm-up for England.

That series against Australia, the first to be played as part of the new ICC Test Championship, will start at Edgbaston on August 1, with further Tests at Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval. (The Guardian)

Philippines v Australia basketball: 13 players suspended after oncourt brawl Suspensions in full Philippines:

A glimpse of the basketball brawl

T

he International Basketball Federation (Fiba) has suspended 13 players after an on-court brawl during a World Cup qualifying tie between the Philippines and Australia earlier this month.

Ten Philippine players have been banned for 35 games between them, while three Australians will miss a sum of nine.

Both sides’ national federations have been charged, with the Philippines fined 250,000 Swiss francs (£191,703).

Australia have been fined 100,000 Swiss francs (£76,681).

In addition to the player bans, the Philippines have been ordered to play their

next home game behind closed doors, and Head Coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes has been suspended for one game and fined 10,000 Swiss francs (£7668).

Fiba has also removed the game’s referees from its Elite Programme, and they will not officiate at any Fiba-sanctioned competitions for a period of up to one year.

The fight broke out on July 2, in the third quarter of Australia’s 89-53 win at the 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena in Manila.

Thirteen players were ejected from the game, and it had to be later stopped after the Philippines were left with just one player on court. (BBC Sport)

Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright (one game each) Terence Romeo, Jayson Castro William, Andray Blatche and Jeth Rosario (three games each) Roger Pogoy, Carl Cruz and Jio Jalalon (five games each) Calvin Abueva (six games) Assistant Coach Joseph Uichico (three games) Head Coach Vincent 'Chot' Reyes (one game)

Australia:

Chris Goulding (one game) Thon Maker (three games) Daniel Kickert (five games)

Lewis Hamilton celebrates a victory

W

orld champion Lewis Hamilton will race for Mercedes in Formula 1 for at least a further two seasons.

The 33-year-old Briton has signed a new contract with the German manufacturer that lasts until the end of 2020.

BBC Sport understands Hamilton will earn at least £30 million a year, rising to a maximum of £40 million, depending on bonuses.

Hamilton said a new contract had been “a formality”, since he sat down with Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff to begin discussions last winter.

He said: “It’s good to put pen to paper, announce it and then get on with business as usual.

“I have been part of the Mercedes racing family for 20 years and I have never been happier inside a team than I am right now.

“We are on the same wavelength both on and off track – and I am looking forward to winning more in the future and shining even more light on the three-pointed star. I’m very confident that Mercedes is the right place to be over the coming years.”

Mercedes have dominated F1 since the introduction of turbo hybrid engines in 2014, winning four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championship doubles.

Hamilton has won three of those titles, with the fourth going to former teammate Nico Rosberg, who retired after becoming champion in 2016.

Hamilton’s first world title came with McLaren, using Mercedes engines, in 2008.

He is eight points behind Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in this year’s championship be-

fore this weekend’s German Grand Prix, which marks the halfway point of the season.

Hamilton added: “Although we have enjoyed so much success together since 2013, Mercedes is hungrier than ever.

“The competitive passion that burns bright inside me is shared by every single member of this group – always chasing the next improvement and digging even deeper to make sure we come out on top.

“I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in the next two and a half seasons.”

Wolff said: “There has understandably been a lot of interest and speculation around the whole process, so it’s good to put all of that to rest and get this thing announced.

“We signed the final documents this week and didn’t want to keep people waiting any longer!

“There is not much about Lewis as a Formula 1 driver that hasn’t been said already – he is one of the alltime greats and his track record speaks for itself.

“But what I enjoy most about working with him is getting to know the man inside the racing helmet: his relentless drive for self-improvement, his emotional intelligence as a team member and his loyalty to those around him.

“Mercedes has become Lewis’ home in Formula 1.

I am very confident that we have some incredible chapters of our story together still to come.”

Mercedes still have to confirm the identity of Hamilton’s team-mate after this season, but Finn Valtteri Bottas is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, JUly 20, 2018

Thomas wins back-to-back stages to retain yellow jersey

G

eraint Thomas won a dramatic five-man sprint finish to secure back-to-back stage wins at the Tour de France and extend his lead in the

yellow jersey.

The Welshman put in a late surge to beat rivals including Team Sky teammate Chris Froome and Tom Dumoulin after a gruelling

Stage 12 results

1. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) 5hrs 18mins 37secs 2. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Team Sunweb) +2secs 3. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +3secs 4. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) same time 5. Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar Team) +7secs 6. Primož Roglic (Slo/Team LottoNL-Jumbo) +13secs 7. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain-Merida) same time 8. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana) +42secs 9. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +47secs 10. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Team LottoNL-Jumbo) +53secs

General classification after stage 12

1. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) 49:24:43 2. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +1min 39secs 3. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Team Sunweb) +1min 50secs 4. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita/Bahrain-Merida) +2mins 37secs 5. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Team LottoNL-Jumbo) +2mins 46secs 6. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +3mins 7secs 7. Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar) +3mins 13secs 8. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo) +3mins 43secs 9. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +4mins 13secs 10. Daniel Martin (Ire/UAE Emirates) +5mins 11secs

climb up Alpe d’Huez.

Froome attacked from the leading group and passed long-time leader Steven Kruijswijk with 3.5 kilometres to go. But he was reeled in before Thomas confirmed he is a serious contender. The 32-year-old is the first Briton to win on the fabled Alpe D’Huez.

“I am speechless. There wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to win today [Thursday]. I just kept following Dumoulin and Froome,” said Thomas. “Can we just go to Paris now?”

Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali hit the deck with 4km to go, having apparently tangled with a motorbike, but remounted and eventually finished seventh, 13 seconds behind Thomas.

The Welshman has a lead of one minute 39 seconds over four-time champion Froome, with Dumoulin a further 11 seconds back.

The rest of the field are more than two and half minutes

distant from Thomas.

Thomas comes good at altitude

A brutal stage which featured 5000 metres of climbing, three hors categorie – the hardest – climbs and a daring breakaway by Dutchman Kruijswijk put strain on the entire field.

But, when h e

might have been expected to fall back into a support role, Thomas once again proved stronger than team leader Froome.

With four kilometres to go, Thomas led Froome across a gap to cover an attack from Romain Bardet, and was then able to follow

Dumoulin as the Dutchman rode back onto Froome’s wheel after the champion had launched a significant attack.

And, when the leaders approached the finish as a select group, Thomas’ sprint power and know-how, honed by his days on the track where he is a two-time Olympic team pursuit champion, proved decisive over the last 200m.

Despite now leading overall by more than a minute and a half, Thomas insisted that Froome’s Grand Tour pedigree means he remains in the service of the defending champion. “Maybe I can keep the jersey for the next few days,” he said.

“This race is so hard and you never know how the body reacts. I am still riding for Froomey, he knows how to ride for three weeks. He is a legend, one of the best ever.” (BBC Sport)

The Open 2018: McIlroy in Sochi Olympic contention, Spieth fades, Kisner leads bronze medallist dies of stab wound R in Kazakhstan ory McIlroy began his bid for a first major title in four years with an opening-round 69 at the Open Championship at Carnoustie.

The Northern Irishman, 29, sunk three birdies to leave him three shots behind early clubhouse leader Kevin Kisner.

American Kisner, 34, carded an eagle and four birdies in a five-under 66.

Reigning champion Jordan Spieth dropped four shots in his final four holes to card a one-over 72, a score matched by his playing partner Justin Rose.

“I am happy with 69 and I am happy with my day’s work,” said four-time major champion McIlroy, whose last major triumph came at the 2014 PGA Championship.

“I think with some of the spots I hit it off the tee I would take it. Even if you are off line, you can still play from the rough and that is what I was able to do today.”

McIlroy made birdies on the third, 12th and 13th and a bogey on the fifth was his only blemish, helping him join England’s Matthew Southgate and Danny Willett on two under par.

World number one Dustin Johnson, rated among the pre-tournament favourites, saw his chances harmed with a triple bogey on the par-four 18th to finish with a five-over 76.

South African pair Erik van Rooyen and Zander Lombard, along with American Tony Finau, are a shot adrift of Kisner in the clubhouse after 67s, while

at the Masters earlier this year, but has missed three cuts in seven events since.

Birdies on the second and fourth helped him turn in 34, adding another on the 11th. However, he carded a double bogey on the 15th, dropped another shot on the 16th, then scrambled a bogey on the last after driving into the Barry Burn.

“It felt like a missed opportunity. I felt like I was really going well,” said the Texan.

“I think I’m certainly in a recoverable situation. I mean, I imagine this is as easy as the course could play.”

Spieth is one of seven American players sharing a house on the east coast of Scotland this week – along with early leader Kisner.

Only Kisner and Rickie Fowler, who shot an opening one-under 70, have not won a major among the group, with Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker having claimed eight between them.

“It’s not intimidating at all,” said Kisner. “They’re all great people.

“Everybody is just really chill and it’s a lot of fun to be around those guys.

There’s a lot of great players. It’s really cool just to hear what they have to say.”

All four of golf’s biggest prizes are held by US players, with Spieth joined by Thomas (PGA Championship); Patrick Reed (Masters) and Brooks Koepka (US Open) as the

Brandon Stone – another South African who won the Scottish Open earlier this week -- is a further shot behind.

There are 156 players aiming to win the 147th Open, which is being staged at Carnoustie for the first time since 2007.

current major champions.

Reed opened with a four-over 75, while five-time major champion Phil Mickelson shot a 73.

Spieth rues “missed opportunity”

Spieth, a three-time major champion, is bidding to become the first player to retain the Claret Jug since Ireland’s Padraig Harrington a decade ago.

The world number six finished third

Willett coming back from “dark place”

Yorkshireman Willett, 30, has struggled for form and fitness since

his surprise win at the 2016 Masters, dropping towards the foot of the world’s top 500 before climbing back up to 320th in recent weeks.

He faced an early alarm call, teeing off in the third group of the day at 06:57 BST, but responded with an impressive round containing five birdies.

He started with a bogey on the first, and closed with two more, but played superbly in between to leave him feeling positive after his struggles over the past two years.

“I’m pretty hopeful we’ll never be in as dark a place as we were,” Willett said.

Asked to explain how dark it had been, he added: “Pitch black. It wasn’t good for a while, but that’s kind of the situation we were in.

“We were fighting and the body was being really uncooperative.

Unfortunately, in this game, trying to travel and play 26 weeks around the world, travelling a countless amount of air miles, isn’t good for the body.”

Southgate, 28, says knowing the course – he grew up in Southend, but his father was a Carnoustie member – was a key factor in matching Willett to card a two-under 69, featuring two eagles.

“I don’t think you can ever know a golf course too well, but I think it helps when you know, if you miss a green, exactly what you’re faced with next,” he said. (BBC Sport)

Denis Ten competing at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February

K

azakhstan’s Olympic medal-winning figure skater Denis Ten has been stabbed to death at the age of 25.

News agency Kazinform reported Ten – who won bronze at Sochi 2014 – was stabbed in the thigh in Almaty on Thursday after two men tried to steal his car mirrors.

Ten, twice a World Championship medallist, was rushed to hospital, but died three hours later of his injuries.

“Unfortunately, he is not with us anymore,” said a Government spokesman.

American figure skater Adam Rippon wrote on Twitter: “He was so kind to everyone and a huge inspiration to me and so many other people. Denis, thank you for showing us how to be a champion. Your time with us was way too short.”

February’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang was Ten’s 3rd Games, having made his Olympic debut at Vancouver 2010.

He finished 27th at the Games in South Korea.

“His outstanding achievements glorified our country and helped popularise sport among youth. Denis was not only a prominent athlete, whose talent was recognised and revered in many countries of the world, but also a man of marked individuality, a true patriot,” the Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

“Denis Ten was an incredible figure skater, the legend of our sport, our pride,” said Kazakhstan’s Minister of Culture and Sport, Arystanbek Mukhamediuly.

“This is an unthinkable tragedy and an irreplaceable loss.” (BBC Sport)

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friDAY, JUly 20, 2018 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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A

NSA McAL and Baksh Travel Service have come on board the list of sponsors for the upcoming Roy Fredericks 20/20 Floodlight Cup, which bowls off on July 21.

Activities are set to commence at 09:00h and conclude at 22:30h, with seven teams competing for supremacy. Two-time defending champions Blairmont Blazers will be hard pressed to retain their crown. They are expected to face stiff challenges from the other teams such as Albion Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Port Mourant Cricket Club, Young Warriors and Upper Corentyne Association.

The late Guyana and West Indies star batsman Roy Frederick started his cricket career at the Blairmont Centre Cricket Club (BCCC), and he later went on to play with the Demerara Cricket Club. BCCC executives and members have named the BCCC main pavilion after this great son of the soil.

Fredericks played 59 tests, scoring 4334 runs at an average of 42.49. He blasted 8 centuries and 26 half centuries during that time.

Fredericks gained international fame for his scintillating 169 scored at Perth against Australia, playing against the likes of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson.

This tournament has, since 2015, been a tribute to Fredericks, and it has become one of the club’s major fundraising events.

The Club’s executives and members

BCCC Captain and national player Javed Karim receives the donation from ANSA McAL’s Paul Azar

are seeking sponsorship for the event, and would welcome any contribution toward its success.

Proceeds will go towards the intended purposes of maintaining and developing the Cricket Club. The Club’s main project is to build an indoor cricket facility for club members and oth-

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er non-members to utilise during the rainy season.

For more information in regard to this tournament, interested persons are kindly asked to contact BCCC Assistant Secretary Ameer Rahim on 626-2563.

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21

ANSA McAL, Baksh Travel Service on board with Roy Fredericks T20 Cup

usignan Golf Club (LGC) continued its churning out of tournaments each week with ANSA McAL via its Heineken Beer brand coming on board as sponsors of this Saturday’s Invitational Open.

The simple ceremony was held at ANSA McAL’s head office, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Thursday afternoon, when LGC President Aleem Hussain and the company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Darshanie Yusuf officially launched the tournament.

Hussain said it was great to have the continued support of the beverage giant, sponsors of golf for the past five years, as it continuously sought to boost golf in Guyana. He noted that the company has, over the years, played an integral role, which has made golf as

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critical to sports today as it has ever been over the years.

Hussain said that the recent string of sponsors has been playing a key role in golf’s upward movement since

2018 began. He said that apart from Saturday’s event, the company was set to help play a key role in the development of young golfers.

Yusuf, on behalf of the sponsor, pointed out that the progression of the LGC as well as its newly-refurbished greens which have been allowing play right through the rainy season were added reasons for them staying on board with the sport.

She noted that the relationship between the two entities has been amazing over the past few years and they were optimistic that this weekend’s event would be another mega success for fans and players.

Fans, meanwhile, will be eligible for prizes while golfers will be vying for various spoils, including best gross, and nearest to the pin among others, with tee-off time set for 12:30h.

Open Tournament organised for Faye Joseph b/day tomorrow D

omino lovers and real supporters of the sport are expected to flock the Transport Sports Club tomorrow to participate in an Open Tournament to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guyana National Domino Federation (GNDF) and Georgetown Domino Association (GDA) President Faye Joseph.

According to a release from the organisers, the tournament is open to all teams from across the country and it is being staged in honour of the long-serving President, who to many has been integrally responsible for the lofty status the game enjoys right now.

Joseph has been at the helm of both entities for a number of years

GNDF and GDA President Faye Joseph

and has placed Guyana right on top of the regional ladder in terms of the sport’s visibility and success. The release added that the tournament would be played on a points system and sudden death to decide the winner.

Up for grabs will be over $300,000 in prize monies and trophies with the winning team set to receive $150,000, runners-up $75,000 and third place $35,000, with all prizes guaranteed.

Entrance fee per team is $12,000 and double-six time is 15:00h. Food and drinks will be on sale throughout the day. Interested teams can contact Mark “Jumbie” Wiltshire on 665-5855 for more information.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, JUly 20, 2018

Patrons flock CPL office on 1st day of ticket sales

Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Operations Manager Omar Khan displays two of this year’s tickets

E

ager cricket fans wasted no time on Thursday morning as they poured into the CPL office located at 238 Camp and Quamina Streets to secure their tickets at the 2018 edition of the “Biggest Party in Sport”.

The ticketing office opened its doors on Thursday morning and was met with

scores of cricket lovers, who just could not wait to purchase the Hero Caribbean Premier League tickets.

At a small press briefing, Guyana Amazon Warriors’ Operations Manager, Omar Khan shared a little about the overwhelming response.

“This has been a long awaited moment, the start of the CPL ticket sale. We

have had numerous inquiries from the cri fans not only inside of Guyana but outside of Guyana about when ticket sales would be starting. We are very happy to announce that we finally have systems, things in place and ticket sales have started this morning (Thursday) and people are excited. People are calling and inquiring about the

Encamped footballers benefit from capacity training

A

Two players go through an exercise administered by GFF PRO Debra Francis while their teammates watch on

batch of young footballers has benefited from some much-needed capacity-building sessions, which are sure to improve their game play.

The participants of the sessions were the male and female youth teams, which recently wrapped up national encampment at the Leonora Track and Field facility. The interactive sessions, which were held over the course of July 11 and July 12, were facilitated by Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Head of Refereeing Department, Stanley Lancaster and Communications and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Debra Francis, and were focused on the laws of the game and interacting with the media.

According to Lancaster, the laws of the game discussion focused on explaining same in an age-appropriate manner to the group.

Emphasis was placed on the laws applicable to the age group: “We explained Laws 4-12, which address a cross-section of issues, including player kit; ball in and out of play; determining

the outcome of the match; the principle governing offside, fouls and misconduct; the importance of discipline on the pitch, and procedure for kicks from the penalty mark. The law relative to the functions of the goalkeeper was also explained.”

Francis, in her interactive session, addressed areas relative to being a guest on a media interview: how to introduce oneself, the art of the handshake, dress, responding to questions, posture and concluding the interview. She underscored the importance of national players having the skill to effectively engage the media. “As national players, you will be required to engage the media in the form of an in-studio or field interview and it is the Federation’s responsibility to ensure we equip you with the essential skills to effectively represent yourself, Club, Association, Federation and, by extension, the country.

These skills are transferable and thus can be used for public speaking and/or interaction,” Francis stressed.

The youngsters are currently in preparation for

the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys U-14 Challenge Trophy from August 2-12 in Curaçao and the CONCACAF Girls U-15 Championship from August 6-13 at the IMG Academy, Florida, USA respectively.

Guyana are one of five countries placed in Group C of the CFU Boys U-14 Challenge Trophy along with Curaçao, Bonaire, Trinidad and Tobago and Aruba while the U-15 Girls have been placed in Group E with The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and St Lucia.

Guyana are scheduled to play their first match in the U-15 Championship against St Lucia on August 6 at 11:00h, followed by Cayman Islands on August 7 at 09:00h and The Bahamas on August 9 at 11:00h. The play-offs will begin on August 10, following the group qualifiers, with the finals set for August 13 at 11:00h.

In the meantime, the participants are awaiting the shortlisting of the squads that will be encamped from July 22-26 and July 29-August 1.

A CPL fan checks out some of the displayed merchandise

tickets,” Khan eagerly stated.

Ticket prices currently stand at $5000 for the Red and Green Stands, $3000 for the Orange Stand and $2500 for the grass mound.

Additionally, car passes are priced at $1500 for the Providence tarmac and $500 for the outer parking lot. The Operating Manager also disclosed that the 2018 tickets have been provided by a new ticketing company.

“This year we have a new ticketing company that will be doing the tickets for us – Bookmyshow.com. So you will see a difference in the colours, the system and the information on the ticket,” he stated.

As such, a representative from the ticket company

was present to explain some of the top-notch security features that are embedded in each ticket. “We have a barcode which is a logic so it cannot be changed. We have a scanner, which we will scan and get a report on it,” he explained.

While it is a known fact that Guyana will be hosting seven games at the Providence Stadium, tickets for the first three matches in August are currently on sale and tickets for the additional four matches will be available for purchase at a later date. In the first three matches, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will come up against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on August 9 at 18:00h (6pm), the St Lucia Stars on August 11 at 16:00h

(4pm) and the Barbados Tridents on August 12 at 18:00h (6pm).

When visiting the ticket office, fans can also take the opportunity to purchase their Guyana Amazon Warriors’ attire. Various merchandise inclusive of clothing, hats, autographed bats, balls, bags, whistles and other keepsakes are currently on sale. Additionally, a new line of merchandise is expected to be on sale from next week.

The ticket office will be opened from 09:00h to 17:00h (9am to 5pm) on weekdays and from 09:00h to 13:00h (9am to 1pm) on Saturdays.

Patrons are being urged to purchase their tickets for the “Biggest Party in Sport” early so as to avoid the rush of last-minute purchasing.

Petra Head anticipates exciting action at U-14 finals

O

ver the past month, both male and female Under-14 footballers from across the coast have showcased their skills and impressed onlookers with a number of thrilling match-ups, as such Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca, who has noted that he expected no different when the two finals are staged on Saturday.

“It is by no surprise to us the level of play and competition we’ve seen in this tournament and we anticipate two great finals on Saturday,” an ecstatic Mendonca stated.

The Petra Head went on to note that it was a fulfilling feeling to have hosted this particular tournament, since the organisation has been advocating for it for a number of years. “First of all, I want to reiterate the fact that we’re happy that we’re able to do this Under-14 age group. Like we said over the past seven years we’ve been doing Under-11 and Under-18.

And those Under-11 players when they excel at that level, they weren’t able to have a continuous programme,” he said.

He explained that as a result of this, many players

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca

who participated in the Under 11-tournament were back in Under-14 action. “And we saw a lot of those (Under-11) players on display at this tournament.”

Additionally, Mendonca spoke on the quality that the tournament has already taken on, even in its inaugural year.

“We want to highlight the fact that there’s a lot of the national players who are in the Under-14, both boys and girls, that are going to be on display on Saturday.”

The players he was referring

to were encamped in the Guyana Football Federation’s preparatory camp for two international engagements in August and September. Those students will be shortlisted and encamped again come next week.

The semi-final round of the ExxonMobil/Petra Under-14 tournament featured schools such as Chase Academy, North Ruimveldt Multilateral, Charlestown, South Ruimveldt Secondary and St John’s College. This, Mendonca said, was win-win for them, since they were focused on the allround development of youth.

“Seeing North Ruimveldt, St John’s and those teams excel in the finals is a breath of fresh air. Because we think that sports in itself can aid in the development of these youngsters,” he said.

The finals of the tournament will be hosted on Saturday, July 21 at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue. The female finals will feature Charlestown Secondary and South Ruimveldt Secondary while the male final will feature Chase’s Academic Foundation and North Ruimveldt Multilateral.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, JUly 20, 2018

Malik named Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain

Guyana Amazon Warriors Operations Manager Omar Khan

V

eteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik will lead local franchise Guyana Amazon Warriors in their 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign, which bowls off from August 9.

With the tournament just weeks away, the announcement was made on Thursday

by Warriors Operations Manager Omar Khan.

Tickets for the first three home games at Providence went on sale officially on Thursday, and Khan, following the press conference at the Warriors’ ticketing head office at Camp and

Quamina Streets, confirmed that the Pakistani would skipper the Warriors this season.

Khan further confirmed that the team would be commencing their pre-tournament encampment in a few weeks, adding that following the end of the camp, the team would have one final session prior to their first game on August 9.

“Our team will be assembling on the 2nd of August and the camp starts on the 3rd to the 7th. So, the camp will be from the 3rd-7th and we will practise normal on the 8th for the match the next day,” said Khan.

Malik, who is just three runs short of 7000 international ODI runs, is rated among the best limited-overs players in the world currently with almost 10,000 T20 runs in total, under his belt.

The Warriors Operations Manager said the in-form 36-year-old was ideal for the position, given his statistics and him having captained his country as well as other franchises in the past.

“The coaching staff plus the management looked at the quality of the players and who would be the best leader. He has led Pakistan before; he has led franchise teams all over the world. He has good stats under his belt and he’s a team person,” added Khan.

With the Warriors reaching the final on three occasions, Khan believes that the guys will need to shake their mental block, which he thinks is something they can work on. He further added that fewer mistakes in the format coupled with proper execution of plans is key to success in the T20 tournament.

Meanwhile, the players will assemble in a few weeks as the Amazon Warriors get their title hunt campaign on the road, as they prepare for their opening encounter against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

23

Sunset+Vine wins 3-year host broadcaster contract until 2020 for Hero CPL

– 34 matches to be broadcast across 7 countries between August 8 and September 16, 2018

S

unset+Vine, the global TV sports producer and distributor, has been appointed as the host broadcaster for the next three years of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), until 2020. The 2018 edition of the series takes place August 8 to September 16, 2018.

The Hero CPL, which first started in 2013, is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.

Combining broadcast and digital viewership, over 197 million fans watched the 2017 season to make it one of the fastest-growing leagues in world cricket.

Under the terms of the deal, Sunset+Vine will be producing the World Feed for the six-team franchised competition – a total of 34 matches taking place across seven countries – as well as creating all pre- and postmatch programming. There will be a total of 85 crew working on the Hero CPL which will be split across two teams. Three Outside Broadcast (OB) units will rotate across the eight venues.

Huw Bevan will be Executive Producer.

Huw Bevan, Executive Director at Sunset+Vine, commented; “We are delighted to have reached a long-term agreement with the Hero CPL. It is a very special tournament.

There’s nothing else quite like it. It combines the very best of Caribbean culture with worldclass cricket to create the Biggest Party in Sport.

“For 2018, aside from the action, we are committed to showcasing the true essence of this unique sporting occasion and the beauty of the Caribbean. There will also be an emphasis on behind-the-scenes access to players that will enable us to capture the fun, relaxed nature

of the tournament and take this to a growing global audience.”

Hero CPL Chief Operations Officer (COO) Pete Russell said: “Sunset+Vine have shown over the years that they are at the cutting edge of cricket broadcasting and we are delighted to have them sign a long-term deal to provide world-class coverage of Hero CPL. “We saw last year the innovative and interesting way they go about bringing the tournament to life and they are the perfect partner for Hero CPL going forward. We are sure that this year’s tournament will have even more impressive coverage than we saw in 2017.”

For the 2018 competition, each team have a roster of 18 cricketers, with the top salary slot netting the players US$160,000.

2018’s draft saw a record 227 overseas players and 121 West Indian cricketers up for selection.

Caribbean superstars Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, and Lendl Simmons, alongside international icons, including Brendon McCullum, Sohail Tanvir, Shakib al Hasan, Martin Guptill, Hashim Amla and Shahid Afridi are all confirmed participants. Amongst those making their CPL T20 debut are former Australian limited-overs captain David Warner, while Jamaican star Andre Russell returns after missing CPL 2017.

The talent doesn’t end on the field. An exciting commentary team has been assembled which includes Ian Bishop, Daren Ganga, Tino Best, Michael Slater, Tom Moody, Alan Wilkins, Mel Jones, Danny Morrison, and Mark Butcher.

This year’s tournament takes place between August 8 and September 16, 2018.

friDAY, JUly 20, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Malik named Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain

Pg 23

Patrons flock CPL office on 1st day of ticket sales

Pg 21

Pg 22

Heineken/LGC Open Golf tourney tees off Saturday Cricket fanatics on Thursday visited the CPL's office on Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown to secure their tickets for the first three games in the tournament to be held at the Guyana National Stadium on August 9, 11 and 12

LGC President Aleem Hussain and ANSA McAL PRO Darshanie Yusuf during the handing over of the sponsorship cheque on Thursday (Clifton Ross photo)

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