Guyana Times Epaper - Thursday, August 23, 2018

US congressional, military team P arrives in Guyana 5

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Issue No. 3664

US$20M+ upgrade of Internet services underway – GTT Page 10

UN employee dies in WBD motorcycle crash Page 11

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

LGE 2018 P9 must usher in transparency at City Hall – Councillor – renews calls for forensic audit

Possible salary deductions

Injunction looms against Govt as GTU mobilises teachers Page 12

Celebrating Eid-ul-Adha

Police making mockery of judicial system – Berbice P8 Magistrate Kuru Kururu residents call for frequent P2 Police patrols

Guyanese shaken again as aftershocks rattle P11 Venezuela

The Muslim community in Guyana celebrated Eid-ul-Adha on Wednesday. In photo, several persons stood outside the McDoom, Greater Georgetown Masjid to partake in the “Festival of Sacrifice”. Inset are members of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) saying prayers over the animals before the sacrifice (Dexter Ceres photos)

Essequibians suffering at GPL’s hand – Chamber of Commerce Page 7

…calls for Govt to intervene

Security guard stabs reputed wife to death Page 3

…walks into Police Station, confesses

P10 Mother seeking help to get daughter’s body for burial

2 news

thursdAY, august 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Kuru Kururu residents call East Berbice Sugar Workers Relief Committee for frequent Police patrol prepare children for back to school

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esidents of Kuru Kururu, on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, have expressed concern due to the increased number of crimes in the area; as such, a call has been made for more frequent Police patrols in the evening.

One resident, 54-yearold Glen Ramdass, was on Tuesday evening attacked by two armed bandits as he was about to make his way into his Lot 33 Kuru Kururu home.

The man said that at about 20:10h, he opened his gate and was about to drive in his car when two dark skinned males, armed with guns, pounced on him and demanded that he lie down on the ground.

Adamant to do so, the man began shouting “bandits” to alert his family members.

His reputed wife, Diana Thakurdin, shared with this newspaper that she and her three daughters were at home watching the news with their doors wide open when she heard her husband shouting in the yard.

“We hear he holler ‘bandit, bandit close up de door’ so we close up de door,” the woman recalled. She added that her nephew, who was over at their house at the time, grabbed two cutlasses and ran out to rescue his

Kuru Kururu resident, Glen Ramdass, who was attacked by bandits

uncle.

Seeing this, the two bandits ran for cover, forgetting they were in the middle of a robbery and armed with a gun.

Thakudin explained that a report was subsequently made to the Kuru Kururu Police Outpost, which resulted in the officers visiting the area.

The woman said she believes that the men did not have a real gun since they did not hurt her husband.

Nevertheless, she said, “We would like Police patrol in the night because in here got a lot of strange people walking up and down who you won’t even know because them two people he (Glen Ramdass) said he never see them.”

Neighbours also joined the call for more frequent Police presence in the area.

Earlier this month, at about 04:30h, the lifeless body of 46-year-old legal clerk Gregory Frank, also called “Wayne”, was found lying face down in a pool of blood in the sitting room of his home at Lot 686 Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The man was suspected to have been killed during a robbery.

A post-mortem examination later performed on the body of Frank determined that the man died as a result of asphyxiation due to compression injury to the neck compounded by blunt trauma to the head.

espite the abundant natural resources in Guyana and even with the expected production of oil, Guyana’s most important natural resource is its children.

This is the view of former Attorney General Anil Nandlall as he distributed school bags and other essentials on behalf of East Berbice Sugar Workers Relief Committee as they prepare former sugar worker’s children for the new school year.

“The responsibility of all of us is to ensure that the welfare of our children is always paramount and that whatever we do, we must ensure the advancement of our children’s welfare,” he said.

Children of workers who were severed from the Skeldon estate when the factory closed its doors in December 2017 were given bags and other essential for the new school year complements of the East Berbice Sugar Workers Relief Committee (EBSWRC).

The EBSWRC provided new school bags and other essentials for school to 150 students from the Corriverton, Skeldon and Messiah Primary Schools.

Over 2000 workers at the Skeldon Estate were sent

Some of the children who received school bags and other essential school supplies

home when Government closed that estate.

Speaking to the children and their parents at the Corriverton Primary School building, where the presentations were made last Saturday, Nandlall said we are living in a society where we are facing great challenges. Those challenges produce initiatives and organisations like the EBSEWRC. He noted that when the sugar estates were closed and thousands of workers lost their jobs and the future of their families became uncertain.

“There children’s lives and future became dismal and out of that came this organisation and many of its kind right across the sug-

ar belt. These organisations came up through the People’s Progressive Party working with other social partners to try to bring some relief to the sugar workers, their families and most importantly the children of the sugar workers,” Nandlall said.

Member of Parliament Adrian Anamayah who is also a part of the organisation organised the presentation. He noted that most of the funding came from several Berbicians who nor reside overseas.

Anamayah also related that the EBSEWRC has been providing hot meals to children of the severed workers since the start of the year.

GTA seeks to meet international tourism standards

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he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced that it has committed to the international adventure travel guide standard. As such, a training activity was initiated last week which was designed to meet the adventure travel guide standard.

Entitled ‘Raising the Bar for Adventure and Ecotourism Guiding’, the training was offered to pre-qualified tour guides and held in the North Rupununi region, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The training included master training for four local guide trainers to lead future trainings. It was led by the CEO of Pandion Consulting Daniel K Moore, who has 20 years’ experience as an entrepreneur, professional travel guide, Adventure Travel Master trainer and is a trainer for the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).

The core focus of the training was on how to fit naturally in the overall adventure experience, the importance and psychology of customer survive, storytelling and interpretation, and the concept of sustainable practices.

However, the ultimate goal is to build existing capacity to train travel guides via elevating tour guide standards across the country.

“The Guyana Tourism Authority is focused on raising tourism standards in

The guides during the training exercise

country to meet international traveller expectations and international standard. We have formally committed to adhering to the principles of the Adventure Travel Guide Standard and implementing its requirements,” said the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Brian Mullis.

Approximately 150 tour guides are currently operating in Guyana, conducting independent tours or for local companies and lodges.

The GTA is of the view that it is important that they are quipped to provide a professional experience for tourists.

Part of the course included building domestic capacity by targeting five core competencies which includes technical, medical, customer service, interpretation and

sustainability.

The adventure travel industry has expanded from an estimated $89 billion in 2010 to $263 billion in 2013, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 45.99 per cent during the period 2016-2020. Guyana is highly attractive to the growing number of adventure travellers seeking personal growth, new destinations, immersive culture, and personal growth.

This year, the GTA became a member of the ATTA as a stepping stone towards meeting these international standards. Apart from that, the organisation is responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Guyana through collaboration with sister agencies and the tourism Private Sector.

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thursdAY, august 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 23 – 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30-16:00h and Friday, August 24 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, August 23 – 14:50h-16:20h and Friday, August 24 – 15:25h-16:55h.

Security guard stabs reputed wife to death …walks into Police Station, confesses

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Early morning sunny intervals are expected to give way to light cloudy skies, followed by sunny intervals returning in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-easterly to Easterly and East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 14:49h reaching a maximum height of 2.27 metres.

Low Tide: 08:20h and 20:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.90 metres and 0.94 metres respectively.

Murdered: Shenece Lawrence

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rocky relationship spanning over half a decade came to an end on Sunday when a 34-yearold security guard fatally stabbed his reputed wife at their Freeman Street, East La Penitence home.

Dead is 24-year-

her he (had been) by me and he went home back; and she gave me a number to call him, and when I called, the phone went to voicemail. He called back, and he asked where she is, and I said she gone,” the woman related.

Morris said she later learnt from her grandchildren that Lawrence did not leave the area, but had rather ventured to the Freeman Street home, and while she was there the incident occurred.

“Next thing I know, about an hour after, my grandchildren called me and said, ‘Look Jermaine and a vanload of Police in the yard,’ and I try to find out what happened, and then I hear that Shenece dead. I don’t know what went wrong; I don’t know,” Morris informed.

The woman said her nephew informed her that Lawrence had left the home

Undertakers removing Shenece Lawrence’s body

The large crowd that gathered outside the murder scene

gether for over five years, but has no children together. They recently moved into the area after moving from

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Shenece Lawrence’s mother, Nicola Lawrence, being consoled by her brother, Ryan Lawrence

old Shenece Lawrence.

According to the Police, the incident occurred at about 11:30h. Lawrence’s body was discovered in their Lot 272, Freeman Street home with a knife stuck in the neck.

After committing the act, Lawrence’s reputed husband, Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) security guard Jermaine Bristol, walked into the East La Penitence Police Station, located just a stone’s throw away from the couple’s home, and reported the crime. He was the one who led the Police to the body, and he has since been taken into custody to assist with investigations.

Bristol’s aunt, Yvonne Morris, told Guyana Times she had last seen the couple at sometime between 10:00h and 10:30h, when they both visited her home at different intervals. She said that although her nephew was not a violent person, the duo had had a turbulent relationship, with constant intense arguments being featured.

“She used to live with him, and one morning he came and said that she is not there anymore; that she gone. But they went to church (last) Sunday, and I don’t know what is the problem. This morning (Wednesday) she came and asked me for him, and I told

sometime on Thursday last, but did not give a reason as to why she had so done. She said the couple had been to-

Lawrence’s mother’s home in Broad Street, Georgetown. turn to page 11

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, august 23, 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

Women and politics

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omen play an integral role in the development of the world. They are fluid beings who manage to ascribe unto themselves all sorts of non-traditional roles that sharply conflict with conservative, conventional and traditional descriptions of what it means to be ‘female’ and a ‘woman’.

As a matter of fact, women, over the past four decades, have sought to remove the barriers set by society, and in some cases religion, about the types of jobs and roles that they must play in order to maintain what some refer to a healthy ‘gender-balance’.

In sharp retaliation, women have refused to be viewed as the weaker gender or sex; irrational, emotionally weak and incapable of leadership. They have broken so many barriers in order to prove to the world and menfolk what they have always known -- they can do anything that a man does, just as good as he does it, or even better.

In recent times, womenfolk have achieved much success in their fight for equality and gender parity, as well as equity. They have fought long and hard to be respected, but they know too well that men will not willingly relinquish whatever God-given claim they believe they have to the divine hallways of ‘power’, ‘authority’ and executive leadership on several global fronts.

And so women internationally have set about to redefine the world they live in in order to prove that they, too, possess the divine ethos to lead, govern, and be respected, if not feared. According to Forbes Magazine, last year 100 women did just that, but out of that total, three emerges as the most powerful and influential in the world of politics. These women are the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Theresa May, and Taiwan’s President Tsa Ing Sung.

No Caribbean woman featured on that list. And this is important, because only a few women within this hemisphere attempt to run for higher political office; and when they do, they have upset the norms and status quo of their respective parties in order to be selected or seen as possessing the qualities to run as Prime Minister or President. The race is most times more taxing on women than men. Portia Simpson-Miller, Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Mia Motely -- respectively from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados -- understand this all too well. But these women, when given the chance, have rolled out remarkable reforms that have resulted in booming economies, the advancement of women and children’s rights, social progress, and law and order. But many of them have been outfoxed by their male counterparts, who most times attack their sex and their suitability to govern men, even if it is not explicitly said.

At home, Janet Jagan led the way after becoming Guyana’s first female parliamentarian and Cabinet Minister (1953, 1957, 1961), before serving as the country’s first female President under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). Winifred Gaskin and Shirley FieldRidely are among others who soon followed.

At the December 16, 1968 elections, some 212 names featured on the lists submitted by political parties, but only 23 were women (10.8 per cent). This number increased by 2.2 per cent in 1970, according to the University of West Indies, and by another three per cent by 1980. The numbers climbed in the early 1990s and 2000s.

Today, over 34 per cent of all parliamentarians here are female.

By throwing her hat in the race to become the People’s National Congress’s Presidential Candidate back in 2011, the late Dr Faith Harding was attempting again to change the status quo and politics of conventionalism in her party. Despite, the fact she failed, Dr Harding wanted to send a strong message to womenfolk here. That message was that they needed to do much more than be satisfied with ministerial appointments and parliamentary seats.

If they wanted real change, they needed to steer the ship; fly the plane; lead the Parliament as Speaker and/or run the country. Also, Elizabeth Harper’s decision to accept nomination for the Prime Ministerial post in the PPP is nothing short of bold and admirable, though the PPP lost. The recent PNC Congress, too, where Volda Lawrence and Annette Ferguson clinched two of the party’s top posts, is also instructive.

By their actions, they have paved the way for ‘the girl child’ and womenfolk to build confidence to go against the grain. Guyanese women are strong and fierce competitors. Whilst they thrive under Home Economics in the conventional sense, they also understand what Guyana needs to move it forward. Those women from the major political parties, who have long languished in the dark, must seize the moment and run for office in 2020. They must break the glass ceilings above their heads and at least shake-up the country’s political establishment.

Too many of our women politicians are invisible. They must be seen and heard. 2020 may be the year when Guyanese utter the words Madam President or Madam Prime Minister again if they invest the political capital and funds needed into running a campaign using mainly women as their constituency.

A glimpse of the art gallery depicting abstract and illusion pieces that were set up at the Umana Yana on Wednesday by students of the ER Burrowes School of Art (Dexter Ceres photo)

NY Guyanese remember Vajpayee Dear Editor, New York-based IndoGuyanese fondly remember Atal Behari Vajpayee, because he conferred a lot of benefits on them and he interacted with them like no other Indian PM ever did.

Vajpayee’s love for the diaspora and his humility towards humanity set him apart from his predecessors. And not unexpectedly, Indo-Caribbean people paid glowing tributes to Vajpayee upon his passing last Thursday. They remember him as the leader who institutionalised the relationship of the diaspora with India.

They note his outreach with the increase in foreign aid to Africa and the Caribbean.

I and other Guyanese had the rare honour of meeting Vajpayee-ji several times in the US and India.

Atal-ji, as he was fondly called, had a special affinity for the Indian diaspora, and he met Indo-Caribbean persons with warmth whenever he visited New York.

Vajpayee’s first encounter with Indo-Caribbean persons was in September 1977, and again in September 1978, when, as Foreign Minister, he addressed the Indian diaspora on the sidelines of the UN. He addressed the UN in Hindi, the first person to so do at the UN body. He drew

loud applause at the UN and at the forums with the diaspora.

In September 1990, several Guyanese joined a rally in front of the UN to support India against terror fomented by its neighbour.

Vajpayee came out of the UN and applauded the participants for their support to India. Later, at the Waldorf Astoria, he extolled the virtues of the diaspora, including praising Indo-Caribbean people. He was described as perhaps the best orator of India.

Vajpayee also interacted with Indo-Caribbean community leaders on other occasions, telling them how impressed he was with their cultural retention and nationalism towards Mother India. In the 1990s, he held several meetings with overseas-based Indian communities.

At a meeting at Salaam Bombay restaurant in 1997, Vajpayee heard suggestions from Dharamdatt Durjan Sukhai of Demerara, Ramesh Kalicharran of Essequibo and this writer from Berbice for a global forum of people of Indian descent, and honouring overseas-based Indians who made outstanding contributions to the diaspora and/ or India. Dharamdatt suggested the idea of a Kowsilla

Bravery Award (named after that courageous Leonara freedom fighter) for those who courageously champion the interests of the Indian diaspora. At that session, Dharamdatt honoured Vajpayee with a Chowkee reminding him he was a bachelor – Vajpayee and the attendees burst into laughter. Vajpayee publicly promised that should the BJP ever form the government at the centre, and if he were to become its PM, he would take measures to implement the suggestion of a global forum of the Indian diaspora.

The BJP would eventually come to power (1998) with Vajpayee as PM, and in 2000, Vajpayee appointed a “High Level Committee” to meet with community leaders and media personnel of the diaspora to: assess the status of PIOs like Indo-Caribbean persons and Indo-Fijians, etc. and non-resident Indians (NRIs born in India but residing abroad) and to develop a policy framework to forge a mutually beneficial relationship between the diaspora and India.

The Committee, chaired

by Dr. L.M. Singhvi, a Member of Parliament, travelled and met the diaspora, including Indo-Caribbean persons in NYC. IndoCaribbean persons proposed

a bi-annual forum of global diaspora in a different country, and honours for Indians who made significant contributions to India or to the diaspora.

Vajpayee accepted the recommendations, and he concretised relations with the diaspora through the PBD. The first PBD was held in 2003, with Sir Shridath Ramphal and V.S Naipaul as keynote speakers and honorees. Cricket icon Rohan Kanhai was also on the list of honorees, but he did not attend the PBD. Several IndoCaribbean journalists were invited to the PBD on allexpense-paid trip to Delhi.

President Bharrat Jagdeo was the keynote speaker and honoree at the second PBD. Other Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean persons were honoured at subsequent PBDs. I attended a dozen of the PBDs as a journalist or speaker.

The NY Indo-Caribbean community is most grateful to Atal-ji for all the benefits he conferred on the Caribbean and the Indian diaspora, never mind that there has not been much gratitude. They mourn his passing by speaking glowingly of the late PM. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (PhD)

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thursdAY, august 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

US congressional, Relatives of murdered Sisters military team Village pensioner seek answers arrives in Guyana ... after only 1 of 2 identified attackers arraigned

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team of United States congressmen and military officials has arrived in Guyana as part of its familiarisation visit which was confirmed

by Government late last week.

Among those who arrived so far are Congressman Bob Goodlatte; and US House

Representatives John Rutherford, Mark Sandford, John Curtis, Todd Rokita, Richard Hudson, Steve Cohen, Scott Peters and Darrel Issa.

The group is scheduled to meet with President David Granger and his Ministers for a private meeting today.

The media have not been invited to any planned events for the visit.

Last week, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had said that the team’s visit signals the growing confidence in the relationship between the two countries.

The other members of the delegation are Sergeant First Class Alexander Morrow,

Lieutenant Colonel Eric Hanson, Staff Sergeant Michael Layton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Foster, Robert Goodlatte, Landon Sanford, Sue Curtis, Lynn Peters, Shelly Husband, Braden Ritchie, Eric Bagwell, Andrea Loving, Scott Bennett, and Jamie Miller.

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lmost two months after a Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD) pensioner was beaten and later died, his relatives are crying for justice, questioning why Police only instituted a murder charge against one man, when at least two attackers were identified. Seventy-one-year-old pensioner, Jerry Rambeer, was found lying in an unconscious state on July 1, 2018 at Back Street, Good Intent, WBD, but took his last breath on July 3 while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Joseph Rameshwar of nearby village Belle Vue, is before the courts on allegations of murdering Rambeer between July 1 and 3, 2018.

According to relatives, a close relative of the murder accused was also identified as an attacker but they are confused to why only one person was charged for the crime. The pensioner’s brother, Ricky Rambeer

Deceased pensioner Jerry Rambeer

told Guyana Times on Wednesday that they were going to hire lawyers to fight their case but were reportedly advised to keep checking with Police as the file was reportedly sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for directions on whether or not the relative of the accuse would also be charged.

“No one man can’t beat me brother; he is a strong man. The Police prepare a file with statements

and witnesses; it gone to the DPP about five weeks now and up to today, the file can’t come back,” the younger brother claimed.

Rambeer said he asked the Police last week and they reportedly told him that the file was still with the DPP. Guyana Times contacted Police on Wednesday to ascertain the position of the file but was referred to Divisional Commander Rishi Dass.

However, efforts to contact

him were unsuccessful on Wednesday afternoon.

Rameshwar, 23, was arrested at an operation in Diamond, East Bank Demerara and reportedly confessed to hitting Rambeer to the head with a rolling pin during an argument.

They were all at wedding house in La Retraite before then.

The DPP later advised that the suspect be charged with the capital offence of murder. According to Police information provided last month, when ranks arrived at the scene, they observed that Rambeer’s body had signs of marks of violence, and he had a gaping wound on his head.

As such, he was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital and admitted a patient, before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

However, at about 15:00h on July 3, 2018, the elderly man succumbed to his injuries.

Be humble enough to say ‘sorry’ Dear Editor, Congratulations to Volda Lawrence for becoming the Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

Now, with Ms Lawrence being seen as a potential future presidential candidate in addition to being a current Cabinet member, and being now the second most powerful person in the PNCR, she needs to send clear messages to the Guyanese nation that she has no problem

with apologising for wrong things said or done.

Such a gesture would be indicative of her mature and people-centred leadership and suggest that Ms. Lawrence is ready to be a leader of empathy and caring concern. Thus Ms Lawrence should: 1. Apologise to the nation in general, and females in particular, for referring to rape as ‘deflowering’. After all, rape -- especially of children -- is a heinous crime

that now carries the death sentence in some nations, and that often leaves lifetime trauma in its wake.

2. Apologise to the nation, and especially children, for saying that sexual molestation of children is a ‘family matter’. The fact is that the rape of our children should

be everyone’s concern, and should be treaated with utmost seriousness every which way, including legally.

Indeed, Ms Lawrence has created history by her ascension to the chairmanship of the PNC. Now she needs to create history by proving

that she is a leader who has no qualms about apologising for seeming to condone and/ or water down the most horrible of crimes against the nation’s most vulnerable citizens – our children.

Madam Chairman, please rise to the level of leadership demanded of

your position. Prove to the nation that you are big and strong and humble enough to say ‘sorry’.

Sincerely, Annan Boodram

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thursdAY, august 23, 2018

Page

By Lisa Firestone, PhD

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s parents, it’s safe to say that our number one goal is to make our children feel safe and loved.

However, there is a lot of gray areas and disagreements about what approach to parenting accomplishes this goal. Does good parenting mean staying by your kids’ side every second, warning them of any potential danger lurking around the corner? Or is it about taking a more laid-back approach, giving them space to grow and learn from their mistakes? How many rules are enough?

How many are too many? Is my involvement in their daily activities helicopter parenting?

Is my lack of involvement neglect?

The truth is, while there is no way to be a perfect parent, there are many ways to be a good parent. Whatever our unique approach or specific set of beliefs may be, it’s valuable to see our role as parents in perspective, as providers of a secure base from which our children can feel free to venture out and explore the world. Finding this balance between protecting our children and letting them find their own way is a fine line to walk, but there are certain principles to keep in mind that I think can be useful for any parent to remember.

The most powerful teaching tool you have is how you live your own life When it comes to parenting, our actions matter more than our words. From the moment they’re born, our children want to relate to us; they emulate us. Being a rolemodel to our kids is about how we live our lives and relate to people, not how we tell our children to live theirs. We must lead by example. This means asking ourselves: How do I talk to my children? Talk to my partner in front of them? How do I demonstrate empathy? Generosity? Hard work? We can create pages of rules and mountains of expectations, but our child learns more from seeing how we deal with life. We should ask ourselves, "Am I resilient and vital in how I approach what matters to me?"

Foundation

Having passion and meaning in our own lives teaches our kids to feel the same way about theirs. Their passions and interests may not be the same as ours, but their attitude and approach toward them can be learnt from our example. For instance, a recent study showed that childhood obesity is directly linked to the parent’s lifestyle, and that if parents have healthy habits, their kids will too.

Offer freedom within safe boundaries Kids want to run free, but they can only truly feel secure enough to do so when we provide a safe foundation from which to venture out. Part of this sense of safety naturally comes from our being attuned, loving, and affectionate to them when they need us. It also comes from having boundaries that offer structure and indicate care. These can include certain standards of behaviour such as knowing that there are specific ways we treat other people, share responsibilities, and take care of one another.

When we treat our child as the centre of the world or immediately indulge their every desire, we can actually create a lot of insecurity in them and a low tolerance for frustration that limits them later in their lives.

We do our child a great service by teaching them how to deal with disappointment and frustration and how to do things for themselves and others.

Our broader goal should be to encourage and celebrate our child’s independence, while always providing a secure and loving base. We can show our kids that we are there for them without over-intruding by supporting their unique interests separate from our own. We can encourage them to explore and have adventures without pushing them too hard. When they’re hurting, we can soothe them in ways that show them they’ll be okay and that teach them how to take care of themselves when things go wrong, so they develop a sense of their own resilience. In this way, we teach them to be free of us, while showing them that our feeling for them is always there.

Strive to understand our kids for who they are As parents, it’s hard not to project ourselves onto our kids. It’s also hard not to channel our wishing the best for them into putting too much pressure on them.

We can only do our kids justice when we recognise that they are not us. They’re their own separate people. Their interests are not necessarily our interests. They’re on their own path, and we may not always know how to relate to that journey. We can be curious and show interest in getting to know them for the individuals they are. We can observe them in various situations and interactions and experience what inspires them or draws them out. Of course, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t impose any rules or restrictions along the way.

It’s part of our responsibility as parents to equip our kids with their own sense of responsibility. It’s actually an offering of respect to expect certain things from them. Teaching them ways to take care of themselves, their home, or their schoolwork makes them feel competent and good about themselves. This helps give them a sense of purpose and build their selfesteem. However, we should balance our expectations of them with whole-hearted support for their own individual passions or interests.

We should always offer our kids space to seek what lights them up and find where they belong. We can support them by being helpful where we’re needed and by stepping back when they need their independence. Allowing this space to exist shows our children that we respect them as unique and separate people. By accepting and encouraging them to have their own interests, we offer our children a more genuine sense of being loved and accepted.

No matter what guidelines we impose upon ourselves as parents, this authentic feeling of love and acceptance for who our children truly are winds up being the most important gift we can give them. (psychologytoday.com)

T

urn the cardboard box into the best toy ever! Whether you’re breaking them down or taping them back together, cardboard boxes are all around us.

The list below provides several ways to reinterpret, reinvent, and reuse cardboard boxes either temporarily or permanently. Find an empty box, fill it with imagination and think inside the box!

“Junk Science” challenge: Save cardboard boxes and cardboard tubes of all sizes, along with string, rubber bands, lids, paper clips, yogurt cups, and so on. Then challenge children to collaborate on a project.

Made-up games: Make a list of all the games you can make with the box.

Card games? Board games? Yes, please! Cut-out and decorate unique playing cards. Draw the spaces on your board and create original game pieces. Invite some friends over and let the games begin!

Makeshift canvas: Let your children channel their inner artist with cardboard as their canvas. Frame accordingly.

Maze: You will need lots of boxes, imagination and time to create a masterpiece to crawl through!

Pinhole camera: Create that vintage photo look by capturing your digital images through a small pinhole punctured in a cardboard box. Hold the pin-hole up to the camera lens and voila – unusual, unforgettable photographs.

Memory-keeper: An old shoebox is perfect for letters or small treasures that are dear to your heart.

Play structures: An unaltered box is sufficient to keep children busy for hours. Sheets of flat cardboard can be used as “building sheets” and cardboard tubes can be used for supports. A spaceship? A submarine?

An airplane? Endless possibilities!

Pizza making: A fun activity using cardboard, coloured paper and other supplies around your home. The cardboard serves as the “crust” while you pile it high with eye-catching “toppings”.

Makeshift car: Despite having no batteries, no steering and no wheels, you will be absolutely delighted pretending in your cardboard car!

Box City or Village: Create the city or little village of your dreams made from cardboard boxes! Use paint, sharpies, clear vinyl, ribbon, scraps of paper and packaging to make windows, doors, chimneys and much more on your block houses.

Oversized blocks: Small boxes are great as disposable toy blocks.

“Bring your Own Box” party: Host a party in which guests are invited to show up with cardboard boxes of all sizes. Supply masking tape, duct tape, markers, paint and plenty of room for creations!

Hideout: Draw on the outside of a large box (stove and refrigerator boxes work perfectly) and decorate the inside any way you like. A great spot to take a nap or read a book! (chicagochildrensmuseum.org)

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thursdAY, august 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibians suffering at GPL’s hand – Chamber of Commerce …calls for Govt to intervene

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he Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) is calling on the Government to immediately intervene and bring some relief to the residents of Region Two, (Pomeroon-Supenaam) especially the business sector, who are all suffering tremendously due to the failing

power company.

The ECCI President, Suean Seewnarayan on Wednesday said the region's commerce is collapsing due to the poor service offered

by Guyana Power and Light (GPL). She added that residents, especially the business sector, are in great danger of losing millions of

dollars in cool storage items.

Businesses are already dumping products and those who have standby generators are pumping thousands of dollars into fuel and maintenance costs.

The Chamber said it has noted Government’s silence on this very important issue. “No one is saying any-

City Hall to monitor number of stalls owned by vendors

T

he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown is now seeking to draft laws which will govern the number of stalls a market vendor can own. This was recently related by Mayor Patricia Chase Green during an interview with Guyana Times.

The Mayor said when they took over the office of the M&CC, they realised that there were more than one person who own or occupied a stall which was either given to them by relatives or handed down to them or simply purchased.

“While the Market Committee is meeting, all of these issues will be discussed. How many stalls or space one person can have to offer goods for sale. All of this will be discussed in the vending policy,” the Mayor said.

The Mayor’s statement came days after the President of the Market Vendor’s Union, Eon Andrews raised concerns over persons hav-

Stabroek Market

ing a number of stalls, lessening the chances of persons who may be in dire need of a means of earning an income.

“You got big store owners and all who owns a set of stalls in the market, otherwise to their stores and those stall persons could have who are in more need,” Andrews said.

He said he believes the Council ought to conduct a survey to determine who owns what stalls and the

amount they are responsible for.

According to him, he is aware of cases where persons own more than one stall and are renting same to other vendors, which is not permitted.

The Guyana Competition and Consumer Affairs when asked to comment on the issue said the matter is out of their remit and lies solely under the control of the M&CC.

Human remains at Kuribrong

DNA samples of partially decomposed body sent for testing

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he deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples taken from a partially decomposed body, believed to be that of Patrick Vyfhuis, whose body was discovered in a mining camp, in Kuribrong, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) was recently sent abroad to confirm if it is indeed the man’s remains.

This was confirmed by Commander of F Division (Interior locations), Kevin Adonis on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the remains are being kept at a mortuary in Georgetown as it awaits a possible post-mortem examination.

The body, suspected to be that of Vyfhuis of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, was discovered on July 25, clad in a white T-shirt and grey jeans, along with a pair of blue sneakers.

Vyfhuis’ body was reportedly found by a pork-knocker some four miles away from the camp site where he was employed, and was later identified by his employer.

The man’s employers — of the said community from which Vyfhuis originated — are owners of a mining

The partially decomposed body may be Patrick Vyfhuis

camp in the interior. They told Guyana Times that the man had been mentally ill and that they were unaware of this when they had hired him.

One of the employers explained that the man had left for the interior on July 11, 2018.

They related that after he arrived at the mining camp, he had been acting strangely, and had even told them that somebody wanted to kill him.

They further related that other workers on the camp attempted to control

Vyfhuis’ absurd behaviour, but without success.

They said that as a result of this behaviour, on July 15, 2018, when they were about to escort the man to his home, the following happened. “When he reach on the landing he start running up and down at all them shops. So they (ended up) getting him back into the cruiser, and while going out now, he messed his skin up, so they stopped at a creek to wash off him, because he can’t go in the vehicle like that. So when they stop now, he run and gone in the bush,” the employer said.

Other employees again chased after the man, but failed in their attempts to apprehend him. The employer said a report was subsequently made to the Bartica and Mahdia Police Stations.

But Odessia Spencer, sister of the deceased man, rebutted the allegation made by Vyfhuis’ employer.

According to her, her brother had never suffered from mental illness.

The employers and several employees have been questioned in relation to the incident.

Essequibo Chamber of Commerce President, Suean Seewnarayan

thing about the new power plant at Anna Regina which is far from completion and residents are losing confidence in the Government for not providing answers. If this power failure is not given immediate attention, the entire economy of the region will collapse,” the Chamber President noted.

According to Seewnarayan, millions of dollars have already been lost due to damages of equipment and other electrical household items. She added that two houses suddenly burst into flames and burnt completely as a result of suspected electrical fire.

“When are the authorities going to act? When it's too late? The Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling on the

Government to immediately come to the rescue of GPL Anna Regina and give the region's economy a chance to survive,” Seewnarayan noted.

Last week, GPL had said that it will rush a generator into the region by Monday.

The power company on Saturday last had admitted that the region has been experiencing frequent service interruptions since August 13 as a result of two of its units – the Number 3 and Number 8 – with an aggregate capacity of 2.8 MWs becoming inoperable, due to major mechanical and electrical issues respectively.

“On Monday, August 13, and Thursday, August 16, two of GPL’s units – the Number 3 and Number 8 – with an aggregate capacity

of 2.8 MWs became inoperable due to major mechanical and electrical issues respectively. Since the Number 5 Unit with a capacity of 1.4 MWs was unavailable due to a major overhaul, only two units totalling three MWs are currently in operation,” GPL had said.

GPL has since noted that normalcy in electric flow is expected to return

by Monday, but according to residents, this has not yet happened.

Just recently, a single mother struggling to make ends meet for her family was forced to dump over $200,000 worth of meat and fish owing to GPL’s faulty service.

Eresha Prashad, of La Belle Alliance, Essequibo Coast, a meat and fish vendor at the Anna Regina Market, said she stocked her freezer as she prepared for the busy weekend about two weeks ago.

The single mother is laying the blame for her losses at the feet of GPL. Residents have since called on the power company to educate customers on the cycle change and how it can affect appliances which are not compatible. (Mohanlall Seulall)

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thursdAY, august 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police making mockery of judicial system – Berbice Magistrate

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erbice Magistrate Rhondell Weaver has accused Police ranks in Berbice of making a mockery of the judicial system.

As the Magistrate dismissed a trafficking narcotics case involving taxi driver Devansh Reshiram following the evidence given by Police witnesses at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, she ruled that the Police had attempted to deceive the court on what had transpired by withholding evidence.

The Police had claimed that the 20-year-old Reshiram, of 38 Palmyra Village, East Canje Berbice, had in his possession 22 pounds of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking; but based on the evidence presented in court, Magistrate Weaver said, she is of the view that the Police were out to provide false information to the court.

During the trial, the prosecution had contended that Reshiram was standing next to his car when a

Police patrol, acting on information, approached him and found the marijuana in his car.

It was also revealed that, acting on information, two other men, Delroy Christophe and Dean Grenville, had been intercepted at a Police road block at Fort Wellington and had given information on the whereabouts of Reshiram.

During the trial, Reshiram claimed that two men had given him the bags to drop at Abary, and he had seen the Police and stopped.

C o n s t a b l e Latchmansingh, who had been the chief prosecution witness, told the court he was in company of two other Police officers when Reshiram was arrested.

However, under cross-examination by Defence Attorney Joel Edmond, he admitted that two other men had been arrested in connection with the illegal substance, but they had later been sent away by a senior Police officer.

C o n s t a b l e Latchmansingh also admitted under cross examination that Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper was the person who had arrested Reshiram. However, in his evidence in chief, he made no mention that it was the Senior Superintendent who had arrested Reshiram.

According to Magistrate Weaver, the Police had attempted to deceive the court on what had transpired, and to make a mockery of the judicial system.

“He told the court he was given the bag to take to Abary by two men who jumped into another car and went ahead. At Plantation Hope he received a phone call from one of the men, and (was) told to wait where he was.” It was shortly after that (call) that Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper came to him and identified himself.

“Reshiram also said in his evidence he saw the Police coming from about five lantern posts away.

In dismissing the charge against Reshiram, Magistrate Weaver said that if Reshiram had had anything to hide, he could have fled when he saw the Police approaching.

She also noted that evidence during the trial revealed that the other defendants were sent away, and not charged.

The magistrate added that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had sent the case file back to the Police with instructions that they conduct a further investigation before sending it back to the chambers for further advice. However, Police did not do that, but rather went ahead and charged Reshiram.

“The Police must come to court with clean hands,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Police are expected to prepare and send it to the DPP a file in relation to the Police officers whom the Magistrate believes had tried to deceive the court.

Linden man on bail for narco-trafficking Brawl lands duo in court

M

arlon Adonis of Lot 24 Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden was on Tuesday arraigned before Linden (Region 10) Magistrate Clive Nurse on a charge detailing that on July 27, 2018, at Blue Berry Hill, Linden, he had in his

possession 35.6 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

On his first appearance before Magistrate Nurse, on July 30, the 24-year-old Adonis had told the court he had had no prior brushes with the law, and had

sought to be placed on bail in a reasonable sum. That request was however denied, and he was remanded.

On Tuesday, however, Adonis was placed on $75,000 bail, and the case was set for recall on September 6.

T

he case involving Lindeners Selwyn Campbell and Laurel Almond, both of Block 22, Wismar, who are facing assault charges for reportedly lashing Wismar resident Jason Lespoir with a cutlass, inflicting injuries on him on April 26, 2018 at One Mile, Wismar, commenced on Tuesday before Linden Magistrate Clive Nurse.

With both defendants being absent from court, two witnesses took to the stand to give evidence; one of those witnesses was the virtual complainant, Jason Lespoir.

The prosecution is contending that on the day in question, during a fight, Almond dealt Lespoir several lashes with a cutlass while Campbell punched Lespoir to his face.

The matter has been set to continue on August 30.

Accused bottle thief faces court

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he case of alleged simple larceny in which 64-year-old Walter Joseph of Oronoque Drive, Retrieve, Linden has been accused of removing from Black Face Disco, where he was employed, 60 cases of empty Banks DIH Ltd bottles valued at $30,000, at some time between May 2017 and February 2018, commenced on Tuesday before Linden Magistrate Clive Nurse.

The virtual complainant on Tuesday took to the stand to give evidence against Joseph, who is currently on $20,000 bail and is being represented by attorney René McDonald.

The matter has, however, been adjourned to August 27.

Earthquakes…

I

…galore t used to be said that Guyana - unlike its West Indian neighbours - didn’t suffer from natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. God figured the “unnatural” disaster called “Burnham” was enough of an infliction on us!! But of recent, even though Granger’s vowed to continue Burnham’s legacy, it looks like he can’t measure up to his mentor, since there’s been a number of seismic events in the land recently.

We can start with the tremor felt across the land with the outcome of the PNC Biennial Congress. Here it was, most folks assumed it was a straight fight between Lil Joe and the moustachioed AG Basil Williams. One of them, the smart money said, would be a shoo in to become the Chairman of the PNC. But when the dust had settled after it took seven hours to count of 800 ballots, Volda Lawrence had whupped both favourites. What did this portend for politics?

Would Basil Williams go quietly into the night, to sulk over his legal defeats by his bete noir Nandlall and now the cruellest cut of all, his political rejection by his PNC compadres? Would he turn his defeat into a victory by claiming he fell on his sword for Lawrence so the PNC wouldn’t fall into the hands of the Army clique? But with an Army man in the driver’s seat, he might’ve just written his own pink slip, no? Would that Army man, do a Desmond Hoyte and now purge the PNC to his image?

Seismic questions!!

Then there’s the tremor that left folks from Point Playa to Crabwood Creek and from Georgetown to Gunns Strip “all shook up” – literally and figuratively! As the ground started moving and houses started swaying it looked like Martin Carter’s poem “Black Friday” being acted out in Georgetown: “Were some who ran one way./ Were some who ran another way./ Were some who did not run at all./ Were some who will not run again…/And I have seen some creatures rise from holes/ and claw a triumph like a citizen,/ and reign until the tide!”

Carter, of course, was describing the reaction of the good folks of Georgetown to the riots and arson when the downtown area was practically razed to the ground in the 1962 opening act to remove the PPP from office.

Was the physical tremor a portent of what’s in store for 2020?

But some feel there’s another tremor on the way – an “aftershock” - the teachers strike threatened for this week. Your Eyewitness still believes this tectonic event ain’t gonna happen.

Why would the army types further alienate a subset of the constituency they need to maintain control?

Naah!

…and Nagamootoo’s ideological hypocrisy Nagamootoo has always boasted about his “fifty years in the PPP”, where he served faithfully under Cheddi Jagan. As a member of the declared “communist party” since 1969, Nagamootoo was one of the most hardline in his espousal of the Communist line. He routinely marched against US “imperialism” in Vietnam and other parts of the world.

So it was more than a bit disorienting – but not surprising – to read his last Chronic column where he practically split himself into two riding two horses simultaneously. He tried to ingratiate, himself with the coming delegation of US Congressmen by condemning locals he claimed were denouncing America as “a blood-sucking empire descending on Guyana.” But he couldn’t resist asserting that after 1964, Guyana “was subsequently converted into a laboratory for every conceivable ideological stratagem of American imperialism, which has since been well documented.”

He claims the US has now “changed”. But what he denounces as “imperialism” was simply defence of US strategic interests.

So he’ll denounce the US as “imperialists” if they were to intervene to protect those interests again?

…on class Back in the day, the ruling class would pass “sumptuary” laws which forbid the lower classes dressing or consuming like their “betters”.

Wiil Granger follow up his denunciation of “Guinness Bars” with such a law??

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

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thursdAY, august 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

LGE 2018 must usher in transparency at City Hall – Councillor

– renews calls for forensic audit concern of mine for all the expenditures that the City Council had and whether those expenditures are actually beneficial to the people of Georgetown. When I saw that food bill there from Parliament, I recalled in the beginning in the City Council there were these lavishes given out to Councillors and perhaps the staff also.”

“Over a period of time they have scaled back,” he

Because we don’t get any detailed financial statements.”

According to Kuppen, both he and other members of the Council have requested these documents from the Town Clerk and the head of the Finance Committee, Oscar Clarke, through Mayor Patricia Chase Green.

“There was one particular instance where the Town Clerk said, and his words were to the effect that the

City Hall Councillor Bishram Kuppen

W

ith questions recently raised over the food bill at the National Assembly, a Councillor is pressing for a forensic audit into the Georgetown as he fears that lack of accountability may be masking similar expenditures.

In an interview with Guyana Times Councillor Bishram Kuppen expressed his concern over the spending at the Council, especially as he says that promised quarterly financial reports have not been presented.

“It has always been a

City Hall

continued. “But the concern is still we don’t know what the food bill is or if the Council is buying food for the staff, whether breakfast or dinner in the morning.

Finance Committee headed by Clarke, who has been there close to 20 years, approved expenditure for the City Council.”

“At one of those meetings

also, the Chairman had said if Council Kuppen wants to see details and a quarterly report, he would get it. That was years ago and I’ve never seen it. The Committee has failed to provide full disclosure of all the expenditure and all the contracts they have approved.”

With that being said, the Councillor stressed the need for a revamp of the system coming out of Local Government Elections (LGE). According to Kuppen, LGE must be used as a catalyst to bring more accountability and transparency to City Hall.

“I think the way the City Council has been run, it has been mismanaged. The only way for the situation to change is for a complete forensic audit. No matter who wins the Local Government Elections, the ground work must be set for a forensic audit so you can start from scratch.”

“You can know what systems are there, where the loop holes are, if there were improprieties, if there were illegal activities. Just like what the President said when he launched forensic audits into the various Ministries. He said this was the way to reset things. So

“I think the way the City Council has been run, it has been mismanaged. The only way for the situation to change is for a complete forensic audit. No matter who wins the Local Government Elections, the ground work must be set for a forensic audit so you can start from scratch” – Councillor

we do need to reset the system and hold those who are accountable for misuse of the funds, accountable to the law.”

City Hall

Earlier this year, City Hall’s inability to account for monies by providing relevant documents had prompted Auditor General Deodat Sharma to announce that another audit would be carried out at the municipality.

He had made it clear that approaches would be made to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers this time around, if City Hall continued to be non-cooperative with auditors.

Last year, the AG’s attempts to conduct an audit were stymied by documents not being provided.

According to Sharma at the

time, there were a number of gaps that remained unfilled in the investigation.

He had noted that as a result of these missing and sometimes even damaged documents, there would be a number of pages in the final report that would carry disclaimers. This is all despite City Hall being the ones who wrote to the Auditor General’s Office requesting an audit.

It was at one time reported that during the final phase of the audit, the probe was stalled due to this lack of cooperation. Things had reportedly reached a point necessitating a letter to be sent to Town Clerk Royston King, over the undue delays being caused by City Hall officials not making the necessary documents available for the auditors.

No arrests in PNC Congress after-party vehicular smash-up …ruled as minor incident – Police

Camp Street, Georgetown venue.

Efforts made then to contract Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton for a comment on the issue had proved futile. Even then, details were sketchy.

However, both Police “A” Division Commander Marlon Chapman and acting Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram had confirmed the incident.

However, while Chapman had noted that he had no information regarding what had transpired, Ashram had disclosed that one State vehicle belonging to the Social Cohesion Ministry had been involved. The Traffic Chief had further explained that

W

Scenes from the smash-up outside the Georgetown Club

hile the Guyana Police Force (GPF) customarily sends out Police releases regarding matters under investigation, including accidents, the lack of information following an accident involving a Government vehicle has prompted enquiries.

This publication made contact with several Police officials, including acting Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram, to ask for an update on the investigation of the

accident that occurred last week following the PNCR’s congress, but Ashram could give no update, as he reportedly was “not at work.”

He, however, did refer this publication to a senior officer at the Brickdam Police Station; but that official was at first unsure which accident he was being asked about, and its connection to the People’s National Congress (PNC). According to that official, however, the matter is supposed to be in-

vestigated.

When contacted on Wednesday, Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan revealed that there has been no arrest. He did not say who were involved in the accident, but described the matter as “minor”.

The accident occurred following a social event held for the delegation of the 20th Biennial Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) at the Georgetown Club on Friday evening.

Festivities ended in chaos after at least five vehicles belonging to attendees -- including the one attached to the Social Cohesion Ministry -- became involved in a massive collision outside of the

the multiple-vehicle collision was deemed minor, as only vehicles were damaged.

When this publication spoke to him subsequently, he said he had only been briefed on the accident, and had not received a full report as yet. That was on Saturday.

Meanwhile, while unconfirmed, information has surfaced that the accident may have occurred as a result of the PNC/R Congress attendees attempting to drive while inebriated. Several persons were said to be injured. It is unclear whether the Police had administered breathalyser tests on the individuals involved.

10 news

thursdAY, august 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

US$20M+ upgrade of Internet services underway – GTT A

fter topping the list of complaints before the Public Utility Commission (PUC) last year, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) is shelling out millions in a bid to improve Internet services in outlying areas.

While addressing media operatives at a press conference on Tuesday, GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd said the company has so far expended US$20 million on its Fibre to the Home (FTTH) project. According to Nedd, that US$20 million capital expenditure price tag is steadily rising.

“This is really an investment in the future of the country… what I see is customers want faster Internet,” Nedd said. “They want reliable Internet. They don’t care if you deliver that Internet in a paper bag or a fibre-optic cable. So (its) based on the geography of the particular area. (But) as we continue to deploy, we look for the best technology to give people the fastest possible speed.”

“For a very linear, long stretch, 200 houses deep area, you might use a different technology to a densely

GTT is pursuing its fibre-optic rollout programme

populated area like central Georgetown. But specifically for the fibre to the home project, this is a very significant project. This is modern and future proof stuff.

It’s not something available in every part of the US,” he further explained.

He noted that there are several considerations when installing this technology, including population density. But hand in hand with the company’s continued expansion, Nedd revealed that Internet traffic has been on the rise and has grown by more than 13 per cent.

Most visitors, the CEO said, go to Google, Netflix and Facebook. He explained that there are 6000 first

time Internet customers and a waiting list of 4000 applicants. While this is a lot, Nedd noted that the company would be able to meet the needs of the country.

According to the PUC in its 2017 annual report, a total of 296 complaints were received against GTT for last year. This figure is almost double the complaints received about Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) service. Coming in a distant third was the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), as 38 complaints were recorded. U mobile cellular incorporated (Digicel) customers registered a mere three complaints for the year.

“The complaints re-

ceived from GT&T followed the same trend as previous years with the majority of complaints received pertaining to technical issues. GTT has advised that the company is in the process of providing new technological installations to some of the areas which were previously served by the obsolete Fixed Wireless System (FWA),” the report noted.

“Data service via Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology is being offered to the Essequibo Coast. Areas such

as La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara that was once served by the obsolete FWA system benefited from Fibre to the Home (FTTH),” the report adds.

The PUC expressed expectations that other areas would benefit during the year 2018 as GTT continued its FTTH rollout. It also noted that the company has been installing its new Blaze system using fibre as opposed to copper technologies.

According to the re-

port “the upgrade for existing DSL customers requires a new application for service, for which new Internet equipment, backup power supply and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone will be provided. The telephone through the fibre-optic network thus becomes an Internet phone where the local telephone number will remain the same and the service will not be susceptible to some of the challenges inherent with copper.”

Mother seeking help to get daughter’s body for burial

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mother of three is seeking the help of the Region Two Administration to get the remains of her 16-year-old daughter, whose body is at the Onderneeming Funeral Home on the Essequibo Coast.

The woman, Alva Smith of Phase Two, Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, has said her teen daughter Akeisha Smith died one week ago, but the Government Pathologist is yet to conduct a post-mortem on her body.

She said her daughter had suffered from seizures, and died suddenly at their Onderneeming home on August 15.

The grieving mother said she believes the seizures contributed to her daughter’s demise. She said the teen had gone to bed in good spirits on Tuesday night, but was dis-

Alva Smith

covered dead at about 07:30h the following morning. She said she realised that her daughter was dead when she attempted to wake her up but got no response.

She said the Police were

called in and the body was taken to the funeral home.

According to the woman, on August 20, she visited the Suddie Police Station to enquire about the post mortem, but it was only then that the ranks informed the pathologist in Georgetown. She said she heard the pathologist telling the rank that, had he been informed earlier, the post mortem would have already been done. She said that she became worried about the state of her daughter’s body, since there has been constant power outage in the region.

The woman has said she is very poor, and it is her daughter’s grandparents who will be taking care of funeral expenses. According to the woman, for religious purposes, the family is hoping to bury the teen before the ninenight service. The teen leaves to mourn her parents and three siblings.

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thursdAY, august 23, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

UN employee dies in WBD motorcycle crash

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ifty-four-year-old Oswald Dey of Good Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who was employed as a United Nations (UN) Operations Officer in Guyana, died on Tuesday evening after his motorcycle collided with a pedestrian at Bellvue, Village.

Dey was pronounced dead on arrival to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) after he collided with 35-year old Stanleytown WBD resident.

According to reports, Dey was heading North in the direction of Vreed-enHoop when he collided with the pedestrian. Police on Wednesday disclosed that the pedestrian was struck from behind and reportedly fell onto the surface of the road, while Dey was thrown from his motorcycle, hitting his head in the process. Both men were promptly picked up by a Police vehicle which was in the area and taken to the hospital where Dey succumbed to his injuries.

When Guyana Times visited Dey’s relatives on Wednesday, they were still coming to terms with the sudden loss. His son, Sherwin Dey, is a university student and his plans were completely shattered since he was set to be engaged on Wednesday night.

The young man related to this publication that his last conversation with his father was when he told him that he

Dead: Oswald Dey

was happy he was getting engaged.

His older son, Marvin Dey, an Army officer stationed in Berbice, was especially affected since he last saw his father alive two weeks ago. He said his dad was strict with education, mentored several young men in the community and was devoted to his job at the UN, which he started in 2016.

“My father was very loving; he set a great example [and] had our best interest at heart,” Marvin Dey told this publication.

He also said that his father completed his Master’s Degree in Business Administration several years ago. Dey was a father of five.

Meanwhile, the pedestrian suffered injuries to his right foot as well as his head.

Investigations are ongoing.

Security guard...

“After he done do what he do, he went to Police station and hand himself in. I don’t know what make he do that, or what get in to he; but he was not violent at all.

They used to have their arguments and so, but I never know he hit she,” the woman said amidst sobs.

At the scene, a large crowd of neighbours and passersby gathered with the common comment being disbelief that Bristol would do such a thing. When Lawrence’s mother, Nicola Lawrence, arrived on the scene, she immediately fell to the ground and had to be lifted away. A few minutes later, the undertakers arrived, and Lawrence’s brother, Ryan Lawrence, was asked to identify the body; but as he ventured into the yard and saw the condition of his sister, the man fled the scene immediately.

Lawrence’s body was removed, and is now at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour awaiting a post mortem examination, expected to be performed today.

Over at the Lawrence home in Broad Street, Georgetown, this publication spoke to one of the dead woman’s brothers, and he explained that Bristol was “stupidy”, since the duo would fight ever so often. He described his sister as a “good girl”, and expressed disbelief at Bristol’s actions.

Meanwhile, neighbours

from page 3

recounted one incident in which Bristol and Lawrence had been at a hotel in the city and he had begun to abuse her, resulting in her fleeing the location stark naked.

That incident was reported to the Police, but it is unclear whether the matter had been investigated.

Lawrence left Bristol’s home on Thursday and moved back to her mother’s, but according to her mother, her daughter only slept by her.

“She came back on Thursday and would sleep and change and go to her work.

She worked at the Hicksville Hotel,” she said.

The distraught woman said she is aware that the duo had issues, and she said her daughter had informed her that she was planning to move back home; but she maintained that the couple had not been fully separated as yet.

First Lady Sandra Granger had in March said that instances of domestic violence had increased some 14.2 per cent in the past six years, and had added that this societal scourge has become banal in Guyana. According to the First Lady, reported incidents of domestic violence by an intimate or previously intimate partner had risen from 74.8 per cent in 2011 to 89 per cent in 2017, with females accounting for an upward 80 per cent of the victims. (Lakhram Bhagirat)

Guyanese shaken again as aftershocks rattle Venezuela F ollowing Tuesday afternoon’s five-minute shaking that resulted from an earthquake in neighbouring Venezuela, Guyanese were met with more vibrations after an aftershock rocked the Spanish-speaking country on Wednesday and experts are saying that another earthquake could occur again.

According to information obtained, residents across several areas of Guyana again felt another earth tremor at about 09:30h on Wednesday after an aftershock measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale was recorded in Venezuela. However, these vibrations where not as intense as those felt on Tuesday. Region One (Barima-Waini) Chairman Brentnol Ashley told Guyana Times on Wednesday that the aftershock lasted less than one minute.

“You could hear things

Wednesday’s aftershock measured 5.9 on the Richter scale

making noise because of the trembling but it wasn’t for very long. There is no report of anything being damaged as yet,” Ashley said.

However, Guyanese could be bracing themselves for more unsettling movements since experts at the UWI Seismic Research Centre are predicting that another earthquake in eastern

Venezuela can be expected.

UWI Seismologist, Dr Joan Latchman has said that another earthquake is possible, noting that there have been at least seven aftershocks so far.

There have been early reports of structural damage to buildings, as well as cracks in floors and roads in Venezuela and Trinidad after the earth-

quake hit Tuesday. The SRC put the earthquake at a depth of 73 kilometers and it was felt in the northern parts of South America and several Caribbean nations, including Trinidad. The 7.3 magnitude struck Venezuela at about 17:30h on Tuesday and many said that it was the worst they had felt in recent memory.

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Possible salary reductions

Injunction looms against Govt as GTU mobilises teachers …Union has never been confrontational – Lyte

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s the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) mobilises teachers ahead of the countrywide strike slated for August 27, the Government could face a High Court injunction should it proceed with deductions to the salaries of teachers. This position was indicated by GTU President Mark Lyte who told Guyana Times on Wednesday that the union gave “certain instructions” on the way forward. His meeting with the lawyer comes against the backdrop of concerns teachers raised earlier this week when they expressed fear of victimisation and salary reduction should they support their union’s industrial action.

“We got certain advice and we’re going to work with that,” Lyte noted, responding in the affirmative when asked if court action was on the cards.

Commenting on President David Granger’s attributed statements that his Government does not want a confrontation with the Union, Lyte observed that on the contrary, GTU has always attempted to solve the situation amicably throughout the rule of the current Administration.

port of the Union’s strike action in spite of the day being a holiday.

“They are overwhelming supportive of the strike action,” he noted.

Linden meeting

GTU President Mark Lyte

“The Union has never been confrontational. The fact that we sat with them for almost three years to come to an agreement is an indication that the Union doesn’t advocate for confrontation. We are trying to negotiate peacefully,” Lyte told this newspaper.

Over the last two days, GTU held engagements with a meeting in Linden on Tuesday and another in Bartica on Wednesday.

Speaking on Wednesday’s meeting, the Union President highlighted that 80 out 150 teachers turned out in sup-

Teachers from Linden and other parts of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were on Tuesday updated on the strike at the Linden Concert Hall and School (Lichas) where Lyte assured commitment in ensuring that demands are met. Lyte, in alluding to the ‘good life’ promised by Government, noted that unfortunately so far, there has not been any significant progress as it relates to teachers salary increases.

As such, he pointed out that the Union is currently mobilising its members in regions across the country.

"We did engage this present Administration prior to entering into power, while they were in Opposition.

And we were given certain promises, those were relating to our members and as such, the good life that was promised, the teachers would have gone out there and supported the present Administration... We would

have expected that we would have had a smooth process in our negotiation," Lyte said.

"Unfortunately, we would have been at the table with the present Administration for the last two, almost three years and we are not making any significant movement as it relates to salary increases,” he continued.

Lyte said while there were some agreements on non-salary issues, which he thought Government did well with agreeing on, the bigger picture is teachers having a livable wage, which has not been forthcoming so far. He further stated that the recent offer for ballpark figures for debunching increase on salaries was rejected because the Union believes that after all these years it could have been told earlier that this was the situation.

"Unfortunately, the Government took us through all the corners and creases and then bring this to us.

So, the Union's position right now is that we are mobilising our members to take strike action, commencing on the [August] 27th until further notice. We also hope that during this time that the Government will make a better offer and address the 40 per cent increase that we are demanding.

We believe our teachers are deserving of this increase because they give their lives unto the classroom for the nation's children," he said.

The GTU President reiterated that teachers are proceeding with the strike action, which can materialise into other forms of industrial action, as he noted that it is within the hands of the Government to decide what will be done about the situation.

"Our presence here today was basically to inform

bers, Lyte said the necessary action will be taken, as he stressed grave dissatisfaction with the present situation. The GTU has rejected Government’s request for teachers to agree to a debunching pay-off of $200 million for 2018/19. Lyte said the Union similarly rejected the $700 million cap that was placed on salary increas-

The High Court of Guyana

our members on the ground what is happening, so that they can have a clearer understanding. This is what we're doing in the various regions,” he said.

Lyte added that teachers are in full support of the strike action since they believe that they have waited long enough. He noted that the GTU is committed to ensuring that it receives whatever it demands. Bearing in mind the interest of its mem-

es which was for 2018 only.

Government also wants the clothing allowance to remain at $8000, a figure which Lyte said was given in 2011. He said too that for Whitley Council Leave, teachers still have to wait four years before getting their one month off even though the GTU appealed for three years. The union is seeking increases of 40 per cent for its 7000 members.

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ER Burrowes Art School Jamaican teacher charged for killing he allegedly had sex with students open exhibition student – former medical student accused of

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he ER Burrowes School of Art on Wednesday partnered with the Culture, Youth and Sport Department to open an art exhibit which will showcase the works of their graduating batch of students in the coming days.

Held at the Umana Yana at the corner of Battery Road and High Street, Kingston, the exhibition will be opened from August 23 and will last until September 3.

The works of the eight students – Cassandra Chu, Renella Hamlet, Kamalita Heralall, Nankoo Esther, Herchelle Pellew, Joanna Suchit, Laurindo John and Heather Thompson – who were part of the diploma and certificate programmes, were displayed. As part of the final year project, the group was required to organise an exhibition to display their artwork. It would then be viewed and graded as the days progress.

External examiner George Struikelblok, informed that the performance and quality A piece displaying connection to mother earth of the work of the students and moreover the school, has improved with the introduction and resilience of the students and lecturof social media as a major contributing fac- ers. To the students, you walk in the foottor. “I’m happy to see all the improvements steps of great artists like Phillip Moore and and progress at the School of Burrowes. Stephanie Correia. They stood out in their Looking at the exhibition, the quality of craft because they dared to de different, the work is getting better and the courage to do something different.

The context, the concept in the work of the students and self-confident improved a lot,” Struikelblok related.

Meanwhile, the Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain addressed the gathering, noting that the Department will continue to support such initiatives to create and improve the art industry in Guyana, as she chal- This young man is captivated by the drawing lenged the upcoming graduates to diverse their skills and talents. to challenge the status quo and to create “What we will witness in the exhibition unique pieces,” Botswain added.

Administrator Ivor Thom explained that here today is as a result of the hard work the school has transformed over the years into a prestigious institution where many can utilise the services offered to be skilled in a specific field.

Some of the courses that are now offered by the School of Art include leather craft, painting, ceramics, graphic designing, textiles, sculpting, jewellery crafting and photography. This batch of students will graduate upon the completion of the exhibition.

Another piece on display at the Umana Yana

being accessory to crime

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Trinidadian school teacher in Jamaica and a former medical student have been charged in connection with the murder of a 13-year-old girl whose skeletal remains were found soaking in caustic acid last month.

The teacher, 27-yearold Sanju Maharaj, faces a murder charge; while Lenardo Madden, a 19-yearold former student at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus, is accused of being an accessory to the murder of Shanoya Wray –Maharaj’s former student – after the fact, as well as misprision

Shanoya Wray’s remains were found soaking in a bathtub in caustic acid on July 20

of a felony.

The two were remanded to prison when they appeared in court on Tuesday.

They return to court on September 10.

It is alleged that Maharaj – who appeared in court last year, accused of having sex with Wray – killed the teenager and then used chemicals to destroy the body.

The girl had sneaked away from home on the night of July 15. Her remains were found soaking in a bathtub with caustic acid at a residence in St Andrew five days later.

(Caribbean360)

Cuba denies rumours of new customs restrictions

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he customs department in Cuba (AGRC) has denied rumours about new customs restrictions, reported by foreign media and other channels of communication.

For several days now, news has been spreading, in what was described as an erroneous and malicious manner, that the AGRC will soon be putting into effect

new provisions on the customs clearance of travellers and their belongings.

The official communiqué stated that rumours have even reached the point of setting dates and presenting false documents, according to the questions posted on the AGRC’s Facebook page.

“The current customs regulations have not been modified and are not intend-

ed to be modified and are the same as those that appear on its website and on its social networking sites on the Internet,” the AGRC said.

It also reaffirmed that, as is customary, the Cuban customs department will always inform travellers in advance, by all means available, of any changes that may be made to the regulations. (Caribbean News Now)

Mexico, US ‘close’ to resolving bilateral NAFTA issues

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exico and the United States are close to resolving remaining bilateral issues in the revamp of the NAFTA trade deal, officials said, but hopes of squaring away differences on Wednesday were booted to at least later this week.

“We are already looking at all the issues. We might close this, not in a matter of hours, but these days.

We still have next week,” Jesus Seade, designated chief negotiator of Mexican President-elect Andres

Manuel Lopez Obrador, told reporters.

Since restarting last month, the talks have focused on settling differences between Mexico and the United States that go to the heart of US President Donald Trump’s complaint that NAFTA has hollowed out US manufacturing to Mexico’s benefit.

Trump has threatened to dump the 24-year-old accord between the United States, Mexico and Canada if it is not reworked to the advantage of the United States.

He hopes to reduce the US trade deficit with lower-cost Mexico and claw back jobs, particularly in the automotive industry. The prospect of a breakthrough helped the Mexican peso MXN=D2 rise one per cent against the dollar.

Earlier in the day, both Seade and Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo, the country’s top trade official, said a breakthrough could be only a matter of “hours” away. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

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Lindeners trained on Zika virus contraction being better parents risk lowered – CARPHA

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hirty parents of Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), are now certified and equipped with essential skills to improve their parenting, after successfully completing the “Honing of Parenting Skills” (HOPS) training which commenced last month and featured approximately 12 sessions based on improving parenting skills.

Parents who participated were awarded certificates, and the response from parents was reportedly excellent.

Held under the theme "Be the model parent for your children to become", the project was organised in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry's Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF Guyana). It recently wrapped up with a graduation exercise hosted at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre in Linden.

Coordinator/Facilitator of the training, Debbie Hopkinson, explained that the first phase of the exercise was birthed through a presentation she had made at the CPA's annual conference last year.

"My thesis was based on “How are parenting styles of Guyanese parents affecting wayward and wandering behaviours in our children”. So, as a result of that presentation, we recognised that our parents need to be educated on how they can hone their skills...," she explained.

Hopkinson further noted that organisers will now work along with parents to form community parenting

Some of the parents who participated in the HOPS programme

groups, or to ensure that they join already existing groups, as she emphasised the importance of parents having support networks.

Hopkinson has said that since children can be considered products of their environment, parents need the right techniques to parent effectively. As such, she said, another aim of the project was to deliver effective parenting techniques.

Some of the issues dealt with were anger control, dealing with a pregnant teenager, dealing with foster children, and children engaged in the abuse of illicit drugs.

The prime focus of the training also dealt with disrespect coming from children, social media and its influences, understanding the gaps that exist between a parent and child, and dealing with stages of development.

Hopkinson has further said that while the programme dealt with a variety of issues, it also honed in on those which are unique to parents and children in the Linden community.

"Parents had a lot of questions. We tried as much as possible to share experiences with them; to give information, to do activities,

role plays, and give them techniques that they can now go forth with", she noted.

In her closing remarks at the graduation exercise, Hopkinson said it was a privilege to have conducted the exercise in Linden.

She cited the commitment of parents who participated, and advised: "Don't consider this as completion, but...as one step closer to becoming the parent that you envision yourself to be -- the kind of parents that will model the behaviours for your children to follow... You cannot be what you do not want your children to be,” she said.

Hopkinson added that while children have rights and responsibilities, parents should also be aware of theirs. Thus she charged parents to continue to reach out for guidance.

In delivering the keynote address, Reverend Richard McDonald emphasised the need for parents to be there at every stage of their children’s development, and to be actively involved in their children's lives.

The second phase of the project will be held in Bartica, Region Seven; and it is expected to benefit another thirty parents.

he Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has concluded that the possibility of contracting the Zika virus has been lowered at this time of the year; and further, CARPHA has indicated that visitors have a very small chance of acquiring the disease.

This deduction was drawn after a review of the data that was collected over the last 30 months relative to the extent of the virus.

The Zika virus (ZIKV) was first detected in the Caribbean in 2015, and the number of cases increased in the first half of 2016, reaching a peak in the following August; but by the end of 2016, those numbers had rapidly decreased.

CARPHA has been conducting surveillance and laboratory testing activities throughout the years, and working with its 26 member states (CMS) and other partners to strengthen the ability to diagnose cases and reduce the chances of ZIKV being transmitted with other vector-borne diseases.

CARPHA and its CMS have also been seeking to create measures to prevent the ZIKV from spreading and keeping the contraction rate as low as possible.

Presently, circulation of the virus has been interrupted in the Caribbean region based on the tests that were conducted, the congruency of data available from several sources, and from previous outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.

So far, local surveillance has demonstrated a decrease

in general fever-related illnesses as well as a specific absence of ZIKV reports over the past year.

The CARPHA Regional Laboratory has informed that it is continuing to monitor and conduct tests for the disease, in the event that the figures increase in the coming months.

“These tests have shown the drastic decrease from the peak of ZIKV circulation in 2016 to a situation where no cases of ZIKV have been confirmed among samples received from any CMS over the past 12 months,” the Regional Laboratory has said.

It has further been related that the other international public health agencies, such as the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the European Centres for Disease Control (ECDC), were engaged so as to acquire information on travellers who might be returning to Canada and Europe from the Caribbean.

“The data shared indicate a similar pattern to that seen in our regional data – a drastic decrease: from a high-point in 2016 to sporad-

ic cases in the immediate aftermath, and no cases this year.”

The organisation has still maintained, however, that there is an ongoing risk for dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

“The Agency maintains continuous vigilance of health and disease trends and risks for residents and visitors in the region. We continue to work closely with other public health partners, including USCDC; PAHO/ WHO; tourism organisations; public health agencies in Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, to find innovative ways of mosquito control, including behaviour change communication and research,” CARPHA has said. For the data to remain constant, the Agency has stated, “There is need to strengthen surveillance in member states; set up registries for babies affected in the 2016 epidemic; enhance laboratory testing capacity, and document the findings of countries to ensure evidence-based policy and practice; and to look at ways to deal with climate-sensitive, mosquito-borne diseases.”

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Ramsammy’s Ruminations APNU/AFC killing GuySuCo, ending sugar in Guyana - plain and simple

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r Harold Davis has been appointed the CEO of GuySuCo. Just who appointed him is unclear, because it is an appointment that must be made by the GuySuCo Board. But it is coming up to a year since GuySuCo has not had an operating Board. The President and his Cabinet had, for some time, promised that the Board would be appointed soon.

Of course, there was a time when two different "boards" claimed they each were in charge. At such a crucial time, the nonappointment of the Board is sinister. APNU/AFC intends to end SUGAR in Guyana.

Every day, evidence emerges that APNU/AFC is doing all it can to kill GuySuCo and end sugar Dr Leslie Ramsammy in Guyana. This week, the new CEO of GuySuCo claimed that none of the $30 billion that the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) and NICIL took as a loan to support the production capacity of the three remaining sugar estates - Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt - has been disbursed to GuySuCo. This is even after the SPU has had $17 billion of the $30 billion in its account for several months now, with interest charges accumulating. Suddenly, two days after Davis exposed the ugly truth, the SPU announced they are releasing $2 billion to GuySuCo for operational expenses.

With GuySuCo experiencing major difficulties, why was the money still sitting in the SPU? They are choking GuySuCo to death.

By killing GuySuCo, APNU/AFC is ending SUGAR in Guyana. As Minister of Agriculture, I warned about this in 2014 and throughout the general elections campaign in 2015. When the agriculture spokesperson for the PNC declared -- at a news conference hosted by Joe Harmon at APNU headquarters in 2014 -- that GuySuCo should be closed and the fields used to rear tilapia; and later, the closing of GuySuCo was recommended by another senior PNC member, APNU's intention was written in stone. David Granger did deny, in the heat of the campaign in 2015, that APNU/AFC will close any sugar estate, because SUGAR was too big to fail. But that deliberate lie was intended only to fool sugar workers.

In spite of their promise, without any serious analysis, APNU/AFC -- almost as soon as they became the Government in May 2015 -- closed four sugar estates: Enmore, LBI, Wales and Rose Hall, displacing almost 7,000 sugar workers and their families. To this day, most of those workers have received only a part of their severance payments, a right guaranteed by national and international laws. They called this downsizing “Rightsizing”. They claimed this will make GuySuCo a more competitive and successful public corporation. Today, they are busy trying to give away the closed estates, claiming that these estates have great potential.

When they took the $30 billion loan, they claimed this money would be used to expand and modernise capacity at the three remaining estates. In 2017, each of the three remaining estates failed to reach their 2017 sugar production target, the target for sugar cane yield per acre, at least 20% replanting of new cane plants, yield of sugar from a ton of cane, and conversion of lands for mechanised operation. One of the excuses was that GuySuCo's financial status prevented GuySuCo from investing in these estates.

In part, the problem was that Government's willingness to return the more than $80 billion that the Government took from GuySuCo in the 1980s came to a screeching halt in 2016.

GuySuCo’s production in 2016 was the lowest since 1991.

Its production in 2017 was even worse. Production in 2018 is on pace to be one of the worst for more than 70 years.

GuySuCo failed to meet its target for the 2018 first crop by almost 40%. The 2018 second crop is so far disastrous. With problems at Uitvlugt, it is almost guaranteed that GuySuCo would fail to meet its second crop target. With all the problems GuySuCo is facing, with a workforce demoralised by watching more than 7,000 of its colleagues being sent to the unemployment line, and with a wage freeze since 2015, one would have thought that APNU/AFC and the SPU would step in with support for GuySuCo. Instead, they are sitting on the $30 billion.

APNU+AFC is carrying out its real goal - kill GuySuCo and end sugar in Guyana. Throughout this scandal and outrage, Moses Nagamootoo, who has brazenly claimed he is the champion of sugar workers, has been silent. So, too, are the other charlatans, such as Ramjattan and Charandass, whom APNU/AFC have used to fool the sugar workers and the people of Guyana. Sugar workers have been betrayed, and Guyana has been under siege.

Value-added products being explored for coconut industry

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he Head of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is of the view that the coconut can be consumed in a variety of ways apart from coconut water, milk, oil and flakes -- all ways of which Guyanese are already familiar.

Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth, has told the Regional Democratic Councillors (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) that the budding coconut industry can be a major contributor to economic development of the region through the development of more coconut-based products; because, as he highlighted, every part of the coconut can be used for one purpose or another.

He explained that even as NAREI continues to carry out research exercises on the coconut, it has been found that even the coconut coir dust can be used as a potting mixture for better germination of coconut seeds.

Coconut coir dust -- also known as coco peat, coir waste, or fibre dust -- consists of short, spongy fibres and dust which are the by-product in the processing of husk to coir fibre.

“We have been talking to investors about utilising every part of the coconut. We have persons right now doing it on a small scale, utilising that part of the coconut as a soil enhancer. We have started to do work on it -the dust, as you call it – (using) it as a potting mixture.

What we found is that germinating coconut seeds using that potting mixture (could get you) 100% germination,” Dr Homenauth is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

“We are looking at coconuts as more of an industry, and not just a commodity, a single commodity,” he added. In this regard, Dr Homenauth disclosed, NAREI is encouraging farmers to also consider intercropping.

Intercropping is the companion planting method of growing one crop alongside another crop. The purpose of intercropping is to increase yields by doubling up on available growing space.

Intercropping creates biodiversity, which attracts a variety of beneficial and predatory insects; which isn’t possible with monoculture gardening.

Intercropping is recommended to farmers now entering the coconut industry.

According to Dr. Homenauth, it can take as little as approximately eighteen months for the coconut to germinate, grow, develop, and be ready for harvesting.

“Coconuts take about 18 months to a maximum of three years before you can get any returns from investing in coconuts. That is why we are looking at intercropping throughout the country,” he explained.

Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth

He further noted that before going into the coconut industry, farmers should at least have an identified market. This would determine the scale at which they farm coconuts. They should also consider diversifying the product line of coconuts, he advised. “We are also looking at value-addition. We know about the virgin coconut oil, we know about some very nice coconut water and some other things that they are doing, and now they are having extra virgin coconut oil,” he declared.

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thursdAY, august 23, 2018

Regional

T&T works crews out in earthquake aftermath

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here was chaos on Tuesday from the most violent earthquake to hit Trinidad ad Tobago (T&T) in this century!

Buildings suffered structural damage, there were electricity outages in the East and West, Police were on high alert – and inspections are set to be carried out in full force this morning.

This after Trinidad and Tobago got the shock of its collective life around 17:31h

A severely damaged car

3 J’cans file human trafficking lawsuit against Oklahoma couple

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second federal lawsuit accusing a pair of Oklahoma business owners of luring immigrants to the US on work visas then paying substandard wages highlights what some attorneys say is a prevalent human trafficking issue in the United States that seldom calls violators to task.

The latest legal action, filed in Oklahoma City in June, is by three Jamaican immigrants who came to the US under student work visas between 2008 and 2012.

It follows a similar law-

suit filed in 2017 by three Filipino immigrants who came into the country on temporary work visas in 2012.

The Oklahoma lawsuits name husband-andwife Walter and Carolyn Schumacher and companies they own and operate in Clinton, about 80 miles west of Oklahoma City, alleging the workers were paid less than minimum wage, charged for housing that was to be free or low-cost, and were given fewer work hours than promised.

While there have been previous civil lawsuits over the treatment of immigrants in the United States on work visas, immigration attorney Kent Felty of Denver said they are and will continue to be rare, partly because of the language barrier immigrants face, their unfamiliarity with US law, and the amount of time it would take an attorney to win what might be a small judgement.

Jury selection would also be problematic, Felty believes.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Police Officer who breastfed baby on duty in Argentina promoted

A Roadway in Moruga cracked following earthquake on August 21

when the “monster” earthquake hit T&T, part of a wave extending to Grenada.

Its actual epicentre was in northern Venezuela where it was felt at a level of 7.3 on the Richter scale according to US estimates.

In T&T, the 90-second earthquake measured 6.9 according to T&T’s Seismic Research Centre at St Augustine. The epicentre was in the Paria peninsula, with the Northwest of T&T registering the quake’s strongest hit, SRC stated. The event came in waves of very strong intensity, subsiding slightly and resuming heavy shaking, followed by tangible multiple after-shocks. The centre confirmed that less intense after-shocks were still occurring past 21:00h last night and could continue for months with an earthquake as strong as Tuesday’s event.

SRC officials told T&T Guardian that Tuesday’s event was the strongest earthquake to hit this country in more than a century. The largest was in 1776 when a 7.8 ‘quake destroyed T&T’s capital, which was then at St Joseph. It was later rebuilt in Port of Spain.

In Port of Spain where all types of damage were reported, people fled buildings once the initial rocking subsided. Police, emergency and Government teams went into action immediately after the event occurred.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

A church collapsing on a car in Port of Spain, Trinidad

Police Officer in Argentina has been promoted after she comforted a crying baby by breastfeeding him. Celeste Ayala was on duty at Sor María Ludovica children’s hospital near Buenos Aires when she heard the cries.

After speaking with hospital management, she breastfed the baby, who had recently been taken away from his mother, Buenos Aires provincial Police told CNN. News of Ayala’s compassionate deed spread after her colleague, Marcos Heredia, posted a picture on Facebook of her feeding the baby last week.

Hereida wrote: “I want to make public this great gesture of love that you made today with that baby, who you did not know, but for whom you did not hesitate to act like a mother. You did not care if he was dirty or smelly … Things like that

are not seen every day.”

The post has been shared more than 100,000 times.

The incident took place on August 14, which coincidentally is national day of the female officer in Argentina.

Local media reported that the baby was one of six siblings who were malnourished.

Announcing Ayala’s promotion from officer to sergeant, Cristian Ritondo,

the minister of security of Buenos Aires province, tweeted: “We wanted to thank you in person for that gesture of spontaneous love that managed to calm the baby’s cry. That’s the type of police we’re proud of, the police we want.”

The local fire department, for which Ayala volunteers, also praised her, saying “actions like this fill us with pride”. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

Venezuela ‘paralysed’ by launch of sovereign bolivar currency

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The quake cracked a restaurant in half in Trinidad

Celeste Ayala breastfeeds a baby at Sor María Ludovica children’s hospital. The image went viral

enezuela came to a standstill on Tuesday as the country tried to deal with its newly introduced currency. Thousands of businesses closed in order to adapt to the “sovereign bolivar”, and many workers stayed at home.

President Nicolás Maduro launched the new banknotes on Monday, revaluing and renaming the old bolivar currency. The Government says this will tackle runaway inflation, but critics say it could make the crisis worse. The notes went into circulation on Tuesday.

President Maduro had declared Monday to be a bank holiday. The new currency lops five zeroes off the old “strong bolivar” – mean-

ing a cup of coffee worth 2.5 million strong bolivars in the capital Caracas last month now costs 25 sovereign bolivars.

However, people in Caracas told the BBC they were restricted to withdrawing only 10 sovereign bolivars on Tuesday from cash machines.

Earlier, cities across Venezuela were virtually deserted as people struggled to get hold of the country’s new banknotes.

Venezuela’s black market in dollars was even frozen by the currency shift amid confusion and economic uncertainty.

The Government announced several other key economic changes to accompany the new notes, includ-

ing raising the minimum wage by 34 times its previous level from 1 September, raising VAT and cutting generous fuel subsidies.

President Maduro also said the sovereign bolivar would be tied to the petro, a virtual currency the Government says is linked to Venezuela’s oil reserves.

Separately on Tuesday, Venezuela was shaken by a powerful earthquake along its northern coastal region that was felt in Caracas, where many of the city’s buildings were evacuated.

US seismologists reported a magnitude 7 quake with an epicentre in the East of Venezuela, while the Venezuelan authorities recorded a magnitude 6.3 quake. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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Around the World

New York subpoenas ex-Trump attorney in Trump Foundation probe

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ew York state sent a subpoena on Wednesday to US President Donald Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen in connection with a probe of the Trump Foundation charity, a New York state official said.

The subpoena was issued by the New York state tax department after Cohen’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, made comments about Cohen having information regarding the Trump Foundation, which is based in the state, said the official, who requested anonymity. New York state tax department spokesman James Gazzale said the agency would be working with the New York attorney general and Manhattan district attorney as appropriate.

Neither Davis nor Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani responded to requests for comment on the subpoena. The state’s attorney general, Barbara Underwood, filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, three of his children and his foundation in June, saying Trump had illegally used the nonprofit as a personal “checkbook” for his own benefit, including his 2016 presidential campaign. “We cannot comment on potential or ongoing investigations,” Amy Spitalnick, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, said on Wednesday. “As our lawsuit against the Trump Foundation illustrates, we will hold Donald Trump and his associates accountable for violations of state law, and will seek a criminal referral from the appropriate state agency as necessary,” Spitalnick said.

Danny Frost, a spokesman for Manhattan

Aung San Suu Kyi to be stripped of Freedom of Edinburgh award

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US President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen ( REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo)

District Attorney Cyrus Vance, declined to comment. The subpoena was first reported by the Associated Press. On Tuesday, Cohen pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan to eight criminal charges, including tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. In interviews after the plea, Cohen’s lawyer Davis said his client had information of interest to New York state authorities probing the Trump Foundation.

He also said Cohen had information of interest to special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.

(Reuters)

ung San Suu Kyi is set to be stripped of her Freedom of Edinburgh award for her refusal to condemn the violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar.

This will be the seventh honour that the former Nobel peace prize winner has been stripped of over the past year, with Edinburgh following the example of Oxford, Glasgow and Newcastle which also revoked Suu Kyi’s Freedom of the City awards.

Suu Kyi was given the award in 2005 to honour her role in championing peace and democracy in Burma, where she was living under house arrest. At the time the Lord Provost of Edinburgh compared Suu Kyi to Nelson Mandela, describing her

Iran threatens to hit US, Israel after Trump aide warns of “maximum pressure”

I

ran warned on Wednesday it would hit US and Israeli targets if it were attacked by the United States after President Donald Trump’s security adviser said Washington would exert maximum pressure on Tehran going beyond economic sanctions.

A US-Iranian war of words has escalated since Trump withdrew Washington from the world powers’ nuclear deal with Iran in May, blasting it as flawed and reimposing sanctions to choke Iran’s economy and force it to renegotiate or change direction.

The US turnaround, which scrapped a wary detente between Iran and the United States after decades

Iranian Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami delivers his speech during the Friday prayer ceremony at the Imam Khomeini mosque in Tehran, January 5, 2018

of hostility, has drawn defiance from Tehran despite renewed unrest over economic privations, and has unnerved other big powers where businesses have been

debating whether to divest from Iran.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton told Reuters the return of US sanctions was having a

strong effect on Iran’s economy and popular opinion.

US sanctions dusted off this month targeted Iran’s car industry, trade in gold and other precious metals, and purchases of US dollars crucial to international financing and investment and trade relations.

Farther-reaching sanctions are to follow in November on Iran’s banking sector and oil exports.

European powers have been scrambling to ensure Iran secures enough economic benefits to persuade it to stay in the deal. This has proven difficult, with many European firms keen to avoid financial penalties by the Trump administration. (Excerpt from MSN)

Kerala flood survivors face ‘great struggle’ to rebuild lives

Flooding in Kerala has killed at least 238 people since August 8. An estimated 1.2 million people are sheltered inside makeshift relief camps

P

eople in India’s flood-ravaged state of Kerala are facing a “great struggle to rebuild their lives”, local officials have warned, as high waters that have killed hundreds of people and displaced more than a million others start to recede.

Rescue teams searched throughout the southern state on Wednesday for survivors stranded during the area’s worst flooding for a century.

Torrential monsoon rains from the end of May onwards have forced an es-

17

timated 1.2 million people to shelter inside makeshift relief camps, according to government figures.

Rains subsided on Sunday after dramatically intensifying in the preceding two weeks, killing at least 238 people since August 8.

The death toll since the end of May has topped 380, while authorities say that dozens of people are still missing.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, State Relief Commissioner PH Kurian said that more than a million people remain in the camps. “The exact number is not known,

this is a dynamic figure,” he said on Wednesday.

As waters started receding over the past few days, authorities began taking stock of what is projected to be a months-long, if not longer, effort to rebuild the state’s devastated infrastructure and services.

Local officials estimate the floods caused US$3 billion of damage, with about 10,000km of Kerala’s roads and more than 100,000 houses needing to be reconstructed.

Several of Kerala’s predominant industries – in-

cluding tourism as well as tea, rubber and spice plantations – have been hit particularly hard, with estimated losses totalling tens of millions of dollars.

Hotels and tour operators in several locations throughout the state have also witnessed cancellations approaching 80 percent of all bookings ahead of peak tourist season, which runs from September to March, according to Indian Association of Tour Operators figures reported by the Times of India.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of a variety of accolades and awards

as “a symbol of peaceful resistance in the face of oppression. By honouring her Edinburgh citizens will be publicly supporting her tireless work for democracy and human rights.”

However, as state counsellor in Myanmar, Suu Kyi has repeatedly refused to speak out against violence committed by the military against the Rohingya in Rahkine state, which saw more than

700,000 people flee over the border to Bangladesh.

The crackdown, which began in August last years, saw villages razed to the ground, tens of thousands killed and women assaulted and raped at the hands of the military. The United Nations have said the violence amounted to “ethnic cleansing”.

Frank Ross, the city’s Lord Provost, wrote to Suu Kyi in November calling on her “immeasurable moral courage and influence” and asking her to allow the safe return of the Rohingya to Rahkine. After no communication from Suu Kyi, Ross has now tabled a council motion on Thursday calling for her freedom of the city to be removed with immediate effect.

This will only be the second time in 200 years that Edinburgh has revoked a freedom of the city award, following Charles Parnell in 1890, an Irish nationalist who fell into disrepute for a scandalous affair. (Excerpt from MSN)

Illegal immigrant charged with murder of missing Iowa woman

Christian Rivera (left) is accused of murdering Mollie Tibbetts, 20, who disappeared in July while jogging. Her body was found buried under corn stalks in a cornfield about 10 miles from Brooklyn, where Tibbetts was staying at her boyfriend’s residence

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24-year-old man described as an illegal immigrant from Mexico was charged with murder on Tuesday after he led detectives to the body of a woman, believed to be that of a college student who went missing a month ago, in an Iowa cornfield, state investigators said.

Mollie Tibbetts, 20, who attended the University of Iowa, disappeared in July while jogging. Authorities were awaiting test results to make a positive identification, Rich Rahn, special agent in charge of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, told reporters.

Rahn declined to say whether investigators have determined how the woman was killed, saying that the state’s medical examiner’s office was scheduled

to conduct an autopsy on Wednesday.

The suspect, Cristhian Rivera, told investigators he had jogged near Tibbetts, who warned him she would call Police if he did not leave her alone, Rahn said at a briefing. Authorities have also spelt the suspect’s name Christian Rivera.

After a lengthy interview, Rivera led detectives to the body of the slain woman, Rahn said. US Homeland Security officials said Rivera is an “illegal alien,” and Rahn said investigators believe he is from Mexico.

The woman’s body was found buried under corn stalks in a cornfield about 10 miles from Brooklyn, where Tibbetts was staying at her boyfriend’s residence.

If convicted, Rivera faces life in prison without a chance of parole. (Excerpt from Yahoo!

News)

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, august 23, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Get involved in activities that will improve your health, appearance and emotional outlook. Socialize, network or make plans with someone you love. Interaction will be exhilarating.

Size up your current situTAURUS ation and make choices that (April 20- will ease stress and lower your May 20) emotional angst. Sometimes it's best to give a little to get a little. Stubbornness won't solve anything.

dilbert

Look for a physical outlet GEMINI (May 21- that will stimulate and chalJune 20) lenge you. Test your agility, stamina and ability to think and do whatever it takes to reach your goal. Romance is in the stars.

You can make a difference if you take part in a protest or (June 21- movement. Stand up for your July 22) rights, but don’t step into a perilous situation. Peace will be relevant.

CANCER

Peanuts

Listen carefully. Someone LEO will color a situation to fit his (July 23- or her needs. Don’t feel you Aug. 22) must be a follower. Set boundaries and do only what you feel comfortable doing.

Participate in life.

VIRGO Embrace new beginnings and (Aug. 23learn from experiences you Sept. 22) share with people you find stimulating. You'll inspire others with your tenacity and vision.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don’t limit what you can LIBRA (Sept. 23- do just because someone Oct. 23) puts demands on you or because you fear failure. If you don’t succeed, pick yourself up and try again. Practice makes perfect.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD -- LIMICOLINE (LIMICOLINE: lih-uh-line: Pertaining to shore birds.)

Remain focused, precise SCORPIO and sensible. Keeping your (Oct. 24head down and pushing forNov. 22) ward with your plans will bring the results you are looking for. Don't allow anyone to intervene.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Average mark 30 words Time limit 40 minutes can you find 44 or more words in LIMICOLINE? The list will be published Monday.

YESTERDAY”S WORD -- CORRUPTS corps corpus cost coup court crop croup crust cursor curst curt

cusp opus ours oust roust rout rust port post pour pout

purr torus tour scour scout scup scut sort soup sour sport

spot spout sprout spur spurt stop stoup strop stupor

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

solution for last published puzzle

Refuse to let someone dictate what you can do.

Trust in your own assessment of whatever situation you face, and speak on your own behalf.

Look for a unique way to CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- use your skills to get ahead.

Jan. 19) Opportunity knocks, but it’s up to you to consider what’s available and the adjustments you are willing to make Share your feelings reAQUARIUS garding how someone is treat(Jan. 20- ing you. Face the elephant in Feb. 19) the room and don’t back down or give in. Unless progress is made, you are best off walking away.

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Know ahead of time what you are doing and don't deviate from your plans just because someone else makes a last-minute change or tries to emotionally manipulate you.

thursDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

19

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Semple backs Amazon Warriors to do well

F

ormer Guyana and West Indies middle-order batsman Keith Semple is backing the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) to do well in the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 championships.

According to the right-handed player who is currently residing in Canada, the Warriors have thus far shown great consistency in every department of their game.

Adding to that, Semple, who appeared in seven OneDay Internationals for the West Indies, thinks that seeing the Warriors leading the points table has given him the confidence that the Guyanafranchised team can go all the way on this occasion.

Prithvi Shaw

B

He continued: “It’s very commendable that Guyana have gotten to the finals on three occasions, although they just can’t seem to get over the line. I don’t think they’ve quite gotten the balance of the players in the squad right so far, and always seem to the lacking in one or two areas each year.”

Guyana have featured in three finals out of the six annual tournaments, but have never made it to become winners. Semple says they will have to fire on all cylinders on a consistent basis in order to overcome some of the stronger teams on paper.

“Having seen the team play in the first three games, I’m very hopeful that, with the many young and very talented players they have in

Keith Semple

the squad, they can go on to do well in the tournament. I think the squad lacks a bit of

firepower in terms of big hitting at the end of the innings an area that most of the other teams have covered,” Semple related.

Quizzed on the captaincy of Pakistani veteran batsman Shoaib Malik, Semple has said he believes Malik is experienced enough to lead this talented side to glory in 2018.

“I think he will be very impactful. He’s someone who has a wealth of experience playing for Pakistan and in T20 tournaments around the world, and hopefully, some of that will rub off on young players like Shemron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford and Kemo Paul.

“I also think he’s an excellent professional, who knows how to assess game situations and adapt accordingly,”

Semple rated.

Guyana Amazon Warriors have won two out of their three matches on home soil at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, beating Jamaica Tallawahs by 71 runs, then St Lucia Stars by three runs, before losing to Barbados Tridents by 30 runs. They bounced back to defeat St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by six wickets in Florida.

Guyana will clash with the Stars in their next assignment on Friday at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium, St Lucia.

West Indies, who are the world T20 champions, will be heading to next year’s ICC 50over world cup to be staged in England. Asked how the CPL tournament can help boost

the region’s cricket, Semple responded.

“I think the CPL T20 tournament can potentially be a big help to West Indies cricket, but I’m not sure if we’ve seen any sign of this so far.

If you take India, for example, you can see how the IPL has significantly helped the development of their young players, and this has shown in India’s very high ranking in all three formats of the game. I hope that the CPL will have a similar positive effect on West Indies cricket,” Semple, who still plays cricket occasionally in Canada, mentioned.

The CPL final is fixed for September 16 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago. (Ravi Madholall)

India call Ex-Brazilian soccer boss gets up teenager 4 years in US prison in FIFA probe Shaw for last 2 Tests

atsmen Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari have been called up to India’s Test squad for the final two matches in England. Opening batsman M Vijay, who was out for a pair at Lord’s and then dropped from the XI at Trent Bridge, and left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav, whose selection in the second Test had raised eyebrows, have been dropped.

It is understood that Vijay’s poor form - six single-digit scores in his last 11 innings - has prompted the team management to think about grooming a younger opener. At 34, Vijay’s international future now looks uncertain.

Kuldeep has been sent back home to play for the India A team in two four-day matches against Australia A in Visakhapatnam. The decision is believed to be made because of the conditions in England, where one spinner in the XI has usually sufficed. India coach Ravi Shastri told the media at the end of the Trent Bridge Test that offspinner R Ashwin, who was suffering from a hip injury, would be fit in time for the next Test in Southampton starting August 30. There is also left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the squad.

“Ashwin will be okay,” Shastri said. “The fact that he bowled 20-25 overs clearly suggests it [the hip injury] is not that bad. This break will be ideal for him. If there was a Test match starting in three days’ time, then it would have been a problem.”

‘Important to play close to the body in England’ - ShawPrithvi Shaw, who scored 70 in India A’s 125-run win against an ECB XI on Sunday, speaks about what he has learned from his coaches Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid The 18-year old Shaw captained India to the

Under-19 World Cup title in February and has since been part of India’s A teams. He also has an IPL contract with Delhi Daredevils. Vihari, meanwhile, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, and the 24-year old averages 59.79 from 63 first-class matches. No one currently playing first-class cricket has a has a better average.

Both men are in good form as well, having each struck centuries against South Africa A in Bengaluru at the start of August. They were also part of the A team in England last month, when Shaw was especially effective as an opening batsman, scoring 188 in a four-day game against West Indies A. That is his highest score - he has seven centuries in all - in 14 first-class games since making his debut for Mumbai in January 2017.

Vihari began his career with Hyderabad but has now moved to Andhra, a team he now captains.

Among his 5142 runs are 15 hundreds and 24 fifties, including a highest score of 302 not out.

There was no place in the squad for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was ruled out of selection for the first three Tests with a lower-back issue, which he aggravated while playing the third ODI against England. He has been back in India since, undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. BCCI’s release announcing the squad did not contain any updates on the fast bowler’s fitness.

India squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hanuma Vihari

(ESPNCricinfo)

Jose Maria Marin

A

former president of Brazil’s soccer federation was sentenced on Wednesday by a U.S. judge to four years in prison after being convicted on corruption charges related to the bribery scandal at FIFA, the sport’s governing body.

Jose Maria Marin, 86, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen in Brooklyn, New York. He was also fined $1.2 million and ordered to forfeit $3.34 million.

Marin, the former head of Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF), was convicted on Dec. 22 by a federal jury on six conspiracy counts, including to commit racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.

He was among the first to stand trial over what U.S. prosecutors called a sprawling scheme involving payments of more than $200 million of bribes and kickbacks in exchange for marketing and broadcast rights for soccer matches. Prosecutors said Marin received several million dollars in bribes.

“We are disappointed in the length

of the sentence but appreciate the judge’s efforts to strike a fair balance,” Marin’s lawyer Charles Stillman, said in an email. “Mr. Marin will pursue an appeal.”

Prosecutors had sought a minimum 10-year prison term, less 13 months that Marin has already spent in custody.

Defense lawyers said Marin’s age and health meant he should be sentenced to time served, court papers showed.

CBF declined to comment.

At least 42 individuals and entities have been charged in the FIFA probe, and many have pleaded guilty.

Juan Angel Napout of Paraguay, a former head of South America’s soccer governing body CONMEBOL, was a co-defendant at Marin’s trial and was also convicted. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 29, court records showed.

The third defendant at the trial, former Peruvian soccer official Manuel Burga, was acquitted. (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

CPL week two round-up:

Bravos blaze away, Stars somersault and nosedive

K

ieron Pollard torched the second week of CPL 2018 with the bat along with the Bravo brothers, while David Warner blew hot and cold. These are the major highlights from the week gone by…

St Lucia Stars trapped in Groundhog Day

It took Kieron Pollard’s blistering maiden T20 hundred and a CPL record total of 226 to break St Lucia Stars’ 14-game losing streak and give them their first win since July 2016. Afghanistan teenager Qais Ahmad unleashed a celebratory reverse somersault, captain Pollard and his predecessor Darren Sammy later led the team huddle, David Warner blew a kiss to his wife Candice in the stands, and it seemed like Stars had escaped the loop.

However, they were back in it in the very next match, collapsing for 69 in 12.3 overs, in the shortest 20-overs-a-side CPL match ever.

After the game against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, when Pollard was asked what went wrong, he replied candidly: “Everything… and we are back to square one”.

Kavem Hodge given out caught behind for a duck off Carlos Brathwaite in that game, despite

not nicking the ball, and Pollard flinging his hands across in utter shock, has been one of the enduring images of Stars’ season so far.

Trinbago Knight Riders’ encore

TKR’s batting line-up is perhaps the cricketing equivalent of the Avengers from the Marvel Universe. No target is too far from the reach of a lineup that reads: Sunil

Narine, Chris Lynn, Colin Munro, Brendon McCullum and the Bravo brothers. And they proved it in consecutive matches against Stars and Jamaica Tallawahs.

In their last five overs against Stars, TKR needed a whopping 85 off 30 balls, but McCullum and Darren Bravo blazed them home with a ball to spare. The highlight of the assault came when Darren Bravo tonked Pollard for five sixes in a 32run over - the most expensive in the CPL. While we were still wondering about the breathtaking chase, TKR did it again: mowing down 74 off 36 balls in their next game against J a m a i c a Shimron Hetmyer

Tallawahs. Darren Bravo was at it again, but it was his brother Dwayne who had provided the finishing kick with 36 off 11 balls.

Batsman of the week

In week where several TKR batsmen sparkled and Guyana Amazon Warrors’ Shimron Hetmyer, 21, became the youngest CPL centurion, it was Pollard who stood out with the bat. The most experienced T20 player in the world slammed an 18-ball half-century against TKR - the joint-fastest in the league - but it wasn’t enough for Stars.

In Stars’ next match against Barbados Tridents, he smashed a 53-ball century, which eventually gave Stars some joy. The innings was filled with his signature lofts and leg-side hoicks, with 87 of his 104 runs coming in the arc between midwicket and long-off. He ended with a strike rate of 192.59 and smart strike-rate of 237.79.

Bowler of the week

Eighteen-year-old Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane had a smart economy rate of 4.97 across two matches this week. In the game against Tallawahs, he was bludgeoned for a pair of six-

es by opener Kennar Lewis, but he still dared to toss another legbreak up and the reward was the wicket of Lewis for 49 off 24 balls.

He then teased Ross Taylor, who touched only one out of four balls from Lamichanne.

Then, against Stars, he unfurled the googly, which dipped sharply, creating distance between Warner’s bat and the pitch of the ball and broke away to take the outside edge, which was superbly held by Ben Cutting at deep point.

Lamichhane later said he has five or six variations in his repertoire, which Patriots will miss next week when he leaves the tournament for national duty.

Smith, Warner watch

Steven Smith made a cameo - 28 off 16 balls - against Stars following his match-winning 41 against Amazon Warriors last week.

Warner, meanwhile found form against TKR, with an unbeaten 72 off 55 balls, in front of his family at Gros Islet. He pillaged 42 off 24 balls from TKR’s best bowlers Ali Khan and Sunil Narine, helping swell Stars’ total to 212. However, his form has cooled off since, adding to Stars’ misery. (ESPN cricinfo)

Senior CAREBACO championships ExxonMobil kicks off in Suriname support in F ahead of ‘King of the Strip’

Team Mohamed’s Enterprise Nizmo gets the jump on Goliath

A

s the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) prepares for the annual King of the Strip (KOTS) international drag meet this Sunday, ExxonMobil came onboard to assist as racers from Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname and Barbados converge at the South Dakota Circuit.

On Tuesday, GMRSC representative Sherry Gonsalves was presented with ExxonMobil’s contribution by its rep, Nicholas Yearwood, at the company’s New Market Street office.

It is confirmed that the KOTS III expects more than 80 entries, and there since has been much buzz among the local racers along with the overseas contingent.

Team Mohamed’s Nissan GTR remains the undisputed ‘King of the Strip’, while in the other classes, Shawn Persaud’s Toyota Caldina reigns in the 8-second, Raj Panday in the 9-second; the 10-second class is currently held by Damian Persaud, son of Shawn Persaud, who also drives a Toyota.

Michael Namchand of Suriname, with his Toyota Mark II, took the 11-second class in KOTS 2 last April, with Raymond John joining his countryman on the podium for the 12-second class.

The 15-second class was won by Troy Kowlesar, with the Trinidadian bike duo of Shawn Brigs and Ian Atherly also picking up trophies.

The scorching action gets underway from 09:00hrs this Sunday, and admission to the venue will cost $1000 for adults and $500 for children.

The sponsors for KOTS 3 include Mohamed’s Enterprise, Ansa McAl, B.M. Soat, ExxonMobil, Tropical Shipping, Del Ice Company, Japarts, Palm Court and Trans Pacific Auto Sales and Spares.

ollowing a perfect outing at the junior championship this past weekend, a few of Guyana’s senior badminton players have shown remarkable grit as the senior championships opened on Monday.

Being hosted in Paramaribo, Suriname, that country’s Director of Sport, Mitchell Kisoor, and the President of the Surinamese Olympic Association, Mr Ramon TJON-A-FAT, were present at the auspicious opening ceremony, before the players from around the Caribbean took to the courts.

The Guyanese contingent consisting of Narayan Ramdhani, Jonathan Mangra, Darrell Carpenay, Akili Haynes, Tyrese Jeffrey, and recently crowned Junior Champion Priyanna Ramdhani, got off to a flying start in the first round.

Narayan Ramdhani cruised to a victory over Amir Mahabir of Trinidad and Tobago in straight sets, 21-6 and 212. Jonathan Mangra followed suit in straight sets with a win over Denzel Sweet of Suriname 21-11 and 2110.

Darrell Carpenay later defeated Jai Luo of Suriname: 2113, 19-21, 2113. However, Akili Haynes did not have the same fortune, losing to Mitchel Wongsodikromo of Suriname: 21-8, 21-6 and Tyrese Jeffrey overpowered by Kevin

Yao Lin Zou of Suriname: 21-9, 21-11.

Over in the women’s singles, Priyanna continued on her winning streak defeating Imani Mangroe of Suriname: 18-21, 21-7, 21-13.

In round two of the men’s singles, Darell Carpenay was knocked out of contention by Gilmar Jones of Suriname: 21-7, 21-6. On the other hand, in an unfortunate pairing, the Guyanese males remaining in the running were pitted against each other in their round two matchup.

Narayan Ramdhani got the better of Jonathan Mangra 21-17, 21-11.

In the first mixed doubles round, the Ramdhani sibling paired up to hand a loss to Gilmar Jones & Rugshaar Ishaak of Suriname: 24-22, 11-21, 1721.

Narayan will continue his quest for the men’s singles title with a matchup against Robert Mann of Luxembourg, whilst his younger sister plays Monyata Riviera of Barbados in the Women’s singles.

In the men’s doubles Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffery will team up against Shae Michael Martin and Dakeil Jonathan of Barbados.

Narayan Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra will face off with Jia Luo and Alain Toney of Suriname in the same category.

Later on, the Ramdhani pair will enter the second round of the mixed doubles against Suriname’s Soren Opti and Mary-Ann Zhong.

Priyanna Ramdhani

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Gated community, Versailles. Valued at $35M (Negotiable). Tel: 612-9766 PRIME LOCATION-PUBLIC ROAD, LOT 2 SARAH JOHANNA, EAST BANK DEMERARA. SIZE: 35*101 FT PRICE $6M NEGOTIABLE. TEL: 673-9231, 216-4063, 685-5476 LOT 38 BELLA DAM, WEST BANK DEMERARA, SIZE: 120*40 FT PRICE $4.5M NEGOTIABLE. TEL: 673-9231, 216-4063, 685-5476

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‘Six Head’ Gym scheduled for upgrade M ore than a decade after it was first opened, the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown, Georgetown is scheduled to get a muchneeded facelift and upgrade in the near future.

This was confirmed by Director of Sport Christopher Jones, who took a few moments out of a press conference to make the announcement.

“The NSC, for its 2019 budget, has made a specific request as it relates to the boxing gym in Albouystown, the Six Head Lewis Gym,” the Director of Sport began.

Jones went on to explain the process which the request will go through before it is confirmed. He also hinted at the standard that the gym will take on, stating, “Once those funds are received via the National Budget this year, we would see that space being enhanced to not only a regional, but an international standard in terms of having the gym not only for boxing, but actually for the sort of physical training that is needed.”

In a bid to confirm that this is not just a vision of the Commission, Jones revealed that his office is already in possession of the necessary equipment that will take up residence at the gym.

“The necessary equipment is already in our bond, and…will be made available when we re-commission the Six Head Lewis Gym.” Noting that this is the first step in a country wide initiative, he said: “This is part of a wider programme which, again, is in collaboration with the (Guyana) Boxing Association, because we have our inhouse boxing coach who has been working with the association for years, and he has been spreading boxing on the coastland.”

Jones went on to explain that there is also equipment being made available to various communities along the coast, one such community being Agricola.

The Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym was first commissioned in April, 2004 by then President Bharrat Jagdeo. ‘Six Head’ was Guyana’s first boxing world champion, copping the WBC Welterweight title in 2001.

The renowned boxer died in a vehicle accident on May 4, 2015.

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Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis

GFF Elite League III…

Stalemate all round

Wanted one porter. Phone: 6803863

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he Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Elite League III continued on Tuesday evening at the No. 5 Ground on the West Coast of Berbice (Region 5), where a double-header hosted saw two almost contrasting draws unfold.

In the first match, between Milerock FC and Ann’s Grove United, after 25 minutes of proceedings, Ann’s Grove United FC’s number 13, Maxton Adams, secured the first goal for his side.

Despite their very best ef-

forts, Milerock FC failed to equalise; thus at half time the score was 0-1 in favour of Ann’s Grove United.

At resumption of play, Milerock FC began a desperate search for the equalising goal, employing every trick in and out of the book, and even substituting players in the 46th and 70th minutes; but nothing worked in their favour.

Then something miraculous happened. When, in the 79th minute, all seemed lost, Rawle Gittens suddenly

produced a brilliant piece of play to score the equaliser for Milerock FC. And as the night continued, both teams attacked and defended well, leaving the score at 1-1 at fulltime.

Even though Ann’s Grove FC may feel they had let one slip by, Milerock exited the field a happy side, fortunate to have secured a draw.

The NA United versus Cougars match began like any other, with each player trying to find his stride early. In this way they upped the ante, re-

sulting in Leonardo Adams being dealt a red card in the 34th minute, to leave NA United with 10 players.

Cougars FC were a bit more thorough, securing only one yellow card for the night, but even with substitutions being made from both teams, the end result was scores being 0-0, leaving each team in its same position on the table.

With all four teams being in the bottom four of the table, it was a matter of playing for pride and determining who had the guts to go for glory.

East Coast teams dominate 8th of May KO round

A

fter weeks of thrilling football action, the semifinal fixtures have been set for the Beterverwagting (BV)/Triumph 8th of May Movement Emancipation Cohesion Football League.

Beterverwagting, Mahaica, Mahaicony and Tucville are scheduled to battle to determine who will compete for the grand prize of $350,000.

The knockout round concluded at the BV ground with Tucville, Mahaicony and Mahaica registering wins.

In the first encounter, Tucville redeemed themselves after they shockingly lost to BV in the previous

round. Coming up against Plaisance, the matchup seemed like it would remain locked at nil all, but Tucville secured a breakthrough in the second half. Shemroy Hayles, Joshua Braithwaite and Wayne Barker were Tucville’s scorers collecting one apiece. Despite a lone goal from Plaisance, the matchup was already Tucville’s own.

Soon after, Mahaicony took to the field to face off with the St. John Basco Orphanage team. Mahaicony was up by one early on in the matchup, thanks to Rivaldo James’s striking. Long after the second half had start-

ed, St. John’s striker Brian Fredericks took the score to one all, but their campaign was crushed by Jason Wrong, who was the hero for Mahaicony in the final minutes.

With one more match to go for the night, the semis were already decided, but the encounter still proved to be a thriller for the large crowd. The home team, BV, were paired with Mahaica in what can be considered a great game to close off the round robin stage. In another matchup that seemed to be deadlocked, both teams showcased impressive defensive tactics to restrict

the other from scoring. In the second half, Mahaica’s Omari Walcott found the formula for his team, connecting the ball with the back of the net.

The match-up went on in similar fashion to the first half, with neither side being able to score.

When the semifinals are staged, table topers Tucville will face off with third place Mahaicony, while second place finishers Mahaica take on the home team BV. The four teams will be playing for a chance to win the first place prize of $350,000, second place $250,000 and third place $150,000.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

Rotary Club to host annual Day of Sport – 20 rehab centres to compete

Parts of the action of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Day of Sports 2017

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he Rotary Club of Georgetown Guyana is scheduled to host its annual Day of Sports on September 23 at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda. With over 30 events, and with 20 rehabilitation centres participating, the crowd is certain to be entertained whilst supporting a worthy cause.

President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Ralph Persaud, and other members, has invited all persons with disabilities to come out and participate, even if they are not associated with a community-based rehab centre.

Each participant will receive a prize,

while the top three finishers will be given special prizes.

Proceeding will commence at 8:00 hrs promptly, as released by the Rotary Club.

Events such as the 25m Assisted Walk Open (use of walking aid); 25m Limited Mobility Walk (Open); 50m dash boys 8-11 (Intellectual Disability), 50m dash girls 8-11 (Intellectual Disability), 50m dash boys 1216 (Intellectual Disability) and 50m dash girls 12-16 (Intellectual Disability).

Some of the clubs participating are East Bank Special Needs School, Lion’s School for Children with Special Needs, Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Guyana Society for the

Blind, Linden Centre for the Handicapped, St. Roses Visually Impaired Unit, and David Rose School for the Handicapped.

These events would not be a major success without some of their major sponsors coming on board to help strengthen and ensure that everything is successful on the desired day. With the likes of giants such as ExxonMobil Guyana, GT&T, Digicel, Scotia Bank, Republic Bank, Citizen Bank, Banks DIH, Kings Jewellery and Namilco.

As part of the drive among the many sponsors Seaboard Overseas Trading Group, which is the parent company of Namilco (the National Milling Company of Guyana

Inc.) donated the sum of US$5,000 (approximately GYD$1,030,000) to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre (PRRC) on Wednesday August 15, who will be participating in the upcoming day of sports.

Persons interested in participating in these events, which are free of cost, can make contact with Rotarian Ariane Mangar of the Ministry of Public Health & Rehab on 225-5300, 225-4030, or contact Coordinator Afeeze Khan on 624-0041.

They are also encouraged to check out the Facebook page of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Guyana, or check their website at www.RoataryClubofGeorgetownGuyana.com.

Three Peat Promotions/Guinness Cage Competition

G/town teams aiming to continue dominance I

t has been dubbed “The East Coast Best versus The Rest”, and when play in the Three Peat Promotions/Guinness Cage Competition resumes this Saturday with Round of 16 and quarter-final action at the Haslington Market Tarmac, the battle for semi-final berths could present the most excitement seen so far in the tournament.

The remaining teams from the East Coast of Demerara will no doubt be urging fans from the respective communities to come out in full support, and represent as they attempt to halt the progress of the visiting teams from Georgetown in their quest to defeat them on home turf.

The visitors have been in raging form since the start of competition, and have placed eleven teams in the round of 16. They will be aiming to continue their dominance at the expense of the host.

On the other hand, the East Coast have five teams remaining at the same stage, and they are regarded as the best in the east, so they will

also fancy their chances of advancing, but will definitely need a massive turnout of supporters to rally around them.

Uprising seems to have the larger following, and they will be relying on the anticipated large home crowd to offer vociferous support when they face Plaisance in their Roundof-16 engagement.

BV ‘B’ face defending champions Ol Skool Ballers, who have exhibited good form; but with the expected home support, they could find the East Coast unit tough to beat.

This encounter should provide riveting action and enough excitement for the fans.

Another game that could ignite fireworks is the clash between Sparta Boss and Back Circle.

Guyana’s most successful team in the shorter format of the game, Sparta Boss, has looked way below their best in this competition, and many feel that they are a bit tired after making the final stages of almost every

dict.

Alexander Village has been the surprise package in the tournament to date, but so too is Broad Street.

These two teams have been around for ages, but somehow seem rejuvenated and full of energy and this could be an explosive encounter.

The Leopold Street versus Albouystown clash has all the hallmarks of being a blockbuster and once again the choice of picking a winner is no easy task.

It is knockout time and all the teams are evenly matched to give the fans a night to remember.

The tournament is being organised to forge integration among the participating

tournament this year. They scraped through as one of the best third placed teams.

However, big occasions are what they play for and going up against nemesis Back Circle could provide the spark they need to remind everyone that they are the best exponents in the format and certainly the street

kings.

Back Circle is no pushover either and will want to prove that to their opponents making it an interesting showdown for a quarter-final spot.

Tiger Bay and Avacado Ballers matchup is another dream game with a winner proving too difficult to pre-

communities in an effort to create a better understanding among its inhabitants.

Among the entities in support of the cause are: Banks DIH under its Guinness and Power Wine brands, Clarks footwear giants Chetsons, E-Networks Inc., KSM Investments, Yhip’s Bakery, Brass Aluminium & Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF), Ray’s Auto Sales, Y.K. Investments, Trophy Stall, Express Shipping, Woodpecker Products, National Sports Commission, ‘C’ Division of the Guyana Police Force, Jai Signs & Auto Designs, Gaming Authority, Julius Variety Store and C & C Prestigious Styles.

The fixtures are:

Hustlers vs North East La Penitence Broad Street vs Alexander Village Tiger Bay vs Avacado Ballers Leopold Street vs Albouystown Sparta Boss vs Back Circle Ol Skool Ballers vs BV ‘B’ Blazers vs Vryheid’s Lust Uprising vs Plaisance

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Tridents hold off rampant Tallawahs

Kennar Lewis takes the long walk back into the pavilion

was run out for 18 and the score dialed to 36 – 1, one ball short of the fifth over.

Hashim Amla (15) followed two balls later when he lobbed a catch to Adam Zampa at cover and now the two new batsmen were Martin Guptil and Steve Smith. Guptil was the next to make the highlight reel when Oshane Thomas bowled him with a full and fast delivery, dipping inwards. He departed without scoring and Tallwahs

Steve Smith appeals for the wicket of Glen Phillips

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he Jamaica Tallawahs left Florida heart-broken and winless as they lost by two runs Wednesday evening against the Barbados Tridents, in the 14th fixture of this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

After two consecutive losses at the Central Broward Stadium, in Lauderhill, the Tallwahs looked on course to break the streak but made a mess of an entertaining run chase in the final over.

Tridents amassed 156 – 6 which in the end proved too much for the opposition that fell short at 154 - 3.

The chase began with Johnson Charles and Glen Phillips seeing off Mohammed Irfan and Ashley Nurse in the first two overs to take Tallawahs to 11 – 0, but with the captain Jason Holder putting himself on to bowl the third, he found himself in quite unlucky.

Johnson picked up five consecutive fours from Holder in an eventful string of deliveries, but Holder’s luck wasn’t all bad as he finished with a dot ball. He made no mistake of trying another over in the match.

Charles (42) and Phillips (36) continued the onslaught until the former was caught behind by Pooran off Steve Smith, who easily broke the 80-run opening stand. Smith then claimed the wicket of Phillips four balls later.

Kennar Lewis put 17 on the board but became Irfan first victim, nicking one to Pooran. Tallawahs were now 100-3 from 12.5 overs.

Of course, the five earlier dropped catches by the Tridents could have changed the course of the game on several occasions but it just was not their night in the field.

With 57 from 43 needed to seal the deal, the Tallawahs chance of victory remained high with the experience of Ross Taylor and destructive force of David Miller at the

Johnson Charles top scored for the Tallawahs with 42

crease.

They of course navigated the challenge cautiously and executed their job beautifully up until the final over that was bowled by Raymon Reifer. The left-arm medium bowler presented a tight and

full line which cost only six runs, to win a final over battle.

Earlier in the night, the Tridents were the first up to bat, and had a decent start going at nearly 10 runs per over, when Dwayne Smith

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Tridents Innings (20 overs maximum) DR Smith run out (Powell) 18 HM Amla c Zampa b Badree 15 MJ Guptill b Thomas 0 SPD Smith hit wicket b Russell 63 SD Hope b Russell 43 N Pooran † not out 7 JO Holder (c) run out (†Phillips) 0 Extras: (b 1, lb 4, w 5) 10 Total: (6 Wickets, 20 Overs, RR: 7.8) 156 Did not bat: RA Reifer, Wahab Riaz, AR Nurse, Mohammad Irfan Fall of wickets: 1-36 (DR Smith, 4.5 ov), 2-37 (HM Amla, 5.1 ov), 3-39 (MJ Guptill, 6.3 ov), 4-142 (SD Hope, 17.5 ov), 5-155 (SPD Smith, 19.4 ov), 6-156 (JO Holder, 19.6 ov) Bowling: Imad Wasim 4-038-0, S Badree 4-0-19-1, A Zampa 4-0-35-0, O Thomas 4-0-27-1, AD Russell 4-0-32-2

Jamaica Tallawahs Innings (target: 157 runs from 20 overs) GD Phillips † c †Pooran b SPD Smith 36 J Charles c Guptill b SPD Smith 42 K Lewis c †Pooran b Mohammad Irfan 17 LRPL Taylor not out 26 DA Miller not out 25 Extras: (lb 3, w 5) 8 Total: (3 Wickets, 20 Overs, RR: 7.7) 154 Did not bat: AD Russell (c), R Powell, Imad Wasim, S Badree, A Zampa, O Thomas Fall of wickets: 1-80 J Charles, 9.1 ov, 2-82 GD Phillips, 9.5 ov, 3-100 K Lewis, 12.5 ov Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 4-0-30-1, AR Nurse 4-0-18-0, JO Holder 1-0-20-0, RA Reifer 4-0-39-0, Wahab Riaz 4-025-0, SPD Smith 3-0-19-2

were certainly on top with the score reading 39 – 3, with the eighth over approaching.

However, Shai Hope and Smith’s staged a massive recovery as they featured in a 103-run fourth-wicket partnership that took the Bajan side to 142 before the next wicket fell.

Smith’s mastery took him to 63 from 44 deliveries while Hope had 43 after facing 35 balls. The Australian, adjudged man-of-the-match

for his performance, struck five boundaries while Hope hit only two. However, both batsmen slammed three sixes each and ironically were both dismissed by Dre Russ.

Nicholas Pooran contributed a run-a-ball 7 while the skipper Jason Holder was run out on the final ball in his team’s scramble for runs in the 20th over.

Russell ended with 2 – 32 while Samuel Badree had 1 – 19 and Thomas 1 -27.

thursDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Tridents hold off rampant Tallawahs Page 23

Senior CAREBACO championships kicks off in Suriname Page 20

The Guyanese senior badminton team displays their home flag in Suriname

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