Guyana Times - 28 July, 2018

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

Issue No. 3638

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, July 28, 2018

PRICE

AML/CFT Bill passed

WHAT'S INSIDE:

AG, 25-member AML/CFT authority will pay no taxes

Driver’s P7 licence of dead bandit found in allegedly hijacked car

…Opposition reprimands Govt for weakening FIU Page …Govt snubs Top Cop, CANU from committee 9

Lone gunman robs M&M snackette Page 12

Chinese likely to fund Linden-Lethem Road, new Demerara River bridge …Guyana sign on to ‘Silk Road’ initiative

$80 vat included

Page 3

Pensioners P11 against electronic payment system – survey Parking lot fracas

No charges for Minister, driver, guards P12 – DPP

Consumer P13 Affairs recovers over $8M for 1st half of 2018

US$35M MoU signed with World Bank P10 Parliament sitting

Driver’s licence exams

2…ascops slapped with 38 counts of fraud TSU ranks charged for accepting bribes …another rank charged for attempted robbery

See stories on pages 8 and 11

Road closure causes major traffic jam P10 …commuters call for better arrangement

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 28 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, July 29 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 28 – 05:00h-06:30h and Sunday, July 29 – 05:30h-07:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected followed by light rain showers starting in the late morning hours and sunny intervals in the late afternoon. Thundery showers are expected to return in the early evening hours followed by partly cloudy skies. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 17:04h reaching a maximum height of 2.48 metres.

Low Tide: 10:39h and 22:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.65 metre and 0.72 metre.

WednesDAY, July 25, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

06 09 14 15 24 28 04 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 11 16 19 24 25 LUCKY 3 2 5 6 Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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

Chinese likely to fund Linden-Lethem Road, new Demerara River bridge …Guyana sign on to ‘Silk Road’ initiative

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uyana could soon see funding for two major infrastructural projects: the Linden- Lethem Road and the new Demerara River Bridge, as the country signs on to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The MoU was signed

by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and Chinese Ambassador Cui Jianchun at the Chinese Embassy in Guyana, in commemoration of 47 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The accord is expected to enhance cooperation in five main areas, namely: policy coordination, facilities connectivity, trade and investment, financial integration, and people-to-people interaction. Public infrastructure is also expected to be a major focus under this agreement.

Minister Greenidge has posited that signing of the MoU is further demonstration of the two countries’ commitment to further strengthening their ties of friendship and cooperation. He added that Government is looking to explore projects under the agreement that can build on this priority, particularly in the area of infrastructure, which he said is grossly inadequate.

The Foreign Affairs Minister hinted at the possibility of the currently deplorable Linden-Lethem road being financed under this initiative.

“We have been speaking to all bilateral and multilateral partners. During our discussions with the Brazilians, we did discuss and explore the possibility of using funding from the Latin AmericaChina Funds to fund the road.

That is something very much on the cards, and something we are working on,” Minister Greenidge indicated.

In July last year, members of a ministerial team from Guyana visited their counterparts in neighbouring Brazil, during which it was agreed that both countries would provide financial resources for the engineer-

President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge share a photo op with Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, at the Chinese Embassy

ing and design of the LindenLethem road.

It was reported that the two countries would be working closely with the People’s Republic of China to access a $50 billion China Select Fund to complete this critical piece of infrastructure that holds great potential in terms of integrating the two countries and improving trade between the neighbours and the Caribbean.

Minister Greenidge also noted that another major project that can benefit from this MoU with China is the new Demerara River Bridge, which Government is working on constructing to replace the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which has outlived its 10-year lifespan.

According to the Chinese Ambassador, the signing of the MoU marks a new and promising chapter in the bilateral relationship enjoyed by the two countries, as it will bring mutual benefits and a brighter future to both countries.

He noted that the ancient ‘Silk Road’ embodies the spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual earning, and mutual benefit; and he said it is his hoped that this will continue to characterise the relations shared.

“The glory of the Silk Road shows that geographical distance is not insurmountable. This new step is out of the initiative proposed by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping. Guyana is the first English-speaking country in South America to sign the

document. The belt and road initiative is a great undertaking, which requires dedicated efforts. Let us pursue this initiative step by step to deliver its achievements one by one. By doing so, we are confident that we will bring tangible benefits to our two peoples and nations,” he said.

The Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a significant development strategy launched by the Chinese Government with the intention of promoting economic co-operation among countries along the proposed Belt and Road routes.

The initiative has been designed to enhance the orderly,

free flow of economic factors, and the efficient allocation of resources. It is also intended to further market integration and create a regional economic co-operation framework of benefit to all.

The initial focus has been infrastructure investment, education, construction materials, railway and highway, automobile, real estate, power grid, and iron and steel.

Already, the Belt and Road Initiative has been listed as one of the largest infrastructure and investment projects in history, covering 73 countries, now a total of 74 with the addition of Guyana. as well as 28 international organisations.

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

Tough talk D

uring his address to the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF’s) 179th Anniversary Awards Ceremony, Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine had some tough words for ranks, some of whom are bent on operating in the most reckless and unprofessional manner.

The Commissioner was of course referring to the numerous examples of officers being involved in road accidents, resulting in serious damage to the GPF’s vehicles and, more importantly, causing the public to lose trust in the work of the organisation.

During his address, Ramnarine disclosed that from July 2016 to June 2017, eighteen members of the Force were involved in various categories of accidents while driving GPF’s vehicles. This compares to an increase of 23 ranks involved in accidents during the period July 2017 to June 2018. A total of 41 ranks, including seven subordinate officers and 34 constables [were fingered in these accidents]. Add this to another 18 ranks, over the two-year period, being involved in various accidents while driving private vehicles.

Ranks involved in these accidents have been made to pay over G$2.3 million for damaging the Force’s vehicles thus far this year.

Ramnarine was quoted in the media as saying: “The occurrences cannot be ones that we are satisfied with. We have taken an oath, we are here in uniforms, we have higher learning and training; and therefore we must conduct ourselves a lot better than we do”.

In reminding members of the Force that road regulations are applicable to all road users, Ramnarine warned that the GPF will no longer tolerate such reprehensible and disrespectful behaviour from ranks who continue to breach road rules and traffic regulations.

As it relates to ranks driving around in tinted vehicles, the Traffic Department had started a drive to remove the tint from vehicles belonging to Police Officers and those used in patrols. However, there are still some bent on breaking the laws. We had said before that the law should apply to everyone, irrespective of their status, except in cases where the chief licensing authority grants an exemption and in a few other special cases. As it currently stands, only certain vehicles are permitted to have tints without the expressed permission of the Public Security Minister. These include diplomatic vehicles and those belonging to senior Government and high-ranking military officials.

One could understand the reason for the Commissioner adopting a no-nonsense approach to the matter, considering that the issue of unprofessional conduct of ranks and corruption in general within the Force are nothing new.

Previous Commissioners, Government officials, and even most recently President David Granger, had brought the issue to the fore with the hope that the necessary measures would be put in place that would seek to ensure that ranks maintain high professional standards.

While we do not intend to paint the entire Police Force with the same brush, as there are many professional and honest officers within the Force, we are convinced that unless what is perceived as the endemic corruption in the organisation, and the traffic section in particular, is addressed in a holistic manner, efforts being made to rebuild public trust and to reform the Police Force in general will not achieve the desired results.

The GPF’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the Police Complaints Authority need to be more proactive in ensuring that complaints brought by members of the public and other stakeholders are acted upon in an effective and efficient manner. The necessary disciplinary action must be taken against ranks who are found to be breaching their oath and the laws of the country as a whole.

We had stated before that the Police must lead by example. If they want to win the public’s trust, they must be seen as having integrity and decency. They must engage in serious introspection, and monitor themselves to ensure they, too, are held to higher standards. Police officers cannot be seen as breaking the same laws they expect the public to abide by. It is well accepted that the success of any organisation depends on the integrity of its officials.

The tough warning by Ramnarine, and the fact that ranks are made to repay for the damage to vehicles would certainly send a strong message to ranks that they would not be able to get a free ride anymore.

These students from various schools around the city, who are on work study attachment were in Parliament on Friday observing debates by Guyana’s elected representatives (Carl Croker photo)

Corruption in Region 6 is taking a quantum leap Dear Editor, Corruption in Region 6 is taking a quantum leap. A group of persons go around in every nook and cranny, promising a varied array of services for a fee, whilst getting their clients to sign AFC membership forms.

Recently, eight AFC members were lavishly awarded when they were given huge chunks of contracts, worth in excess of $15 million each, to slash and clean the shoulders of the Corentyne Highway. One of the ‘contractors’ is a member of the National Executive Committee and belongs to the Diaspora NY Chapter.

Another one is the Chairman of the AFC’s Regional Management Committee, while one is an AFC RDC Councillor, and another is the CIIP Supervisor. It’s jobs for the boys!

Another point to note is that none of these ‘contrac-

tors’ has any experience or competence to do the job, and one from Black Bush Polder actually sub-contracted the work out to an experienced contractor.

Also, there is a lot of substandard work done, the bush and grass are not cut properly, and there are long stalks left standing; and in some cases, the garbage remains on the road sides. What system is in place for the Ministry of Infrastructure to certify these works? It is reported that there is a senior AFC member within the MoPI who was instrumental in the awarding of these contracts.

These men were simply handpicked by the AFC and given these contracts on a platter. There were no advertised tenders, and no procurement rules were followed. The AFC was most vociferous during the 2015 Elections Campaign, calling

for transparency, accountability and an end to corruption; but, today, the AFC is in the forefront of practising wholesale corruption, cronyism and nepotism. All the procurement rules are thrown on the wayside. This is shameless; no wonder the AFC in Region 6 is losing ground rapidly.

Many of our qualified and experienced contractors made complaints to Mr Gobin Harbhajan, the PM’s Regional Representative, and when objections were made by Mr Gobin, two of these persons made negative comments, and even made reports to the #51 Police Station that they are being slandered. He was made a target of a part of this nefarious gang, infamously known as the Three Musketeers. But I am sure that Mr Gobin will not be deterred, he is an adamant fighter against corrupt prac-

tices.

As a member of the PNC and an NDC Councillor, I am calling on the various ministries to ensure that contracts are awarded according to the procurement laws, and that such contracts are awarded through the Tender Boards.

It is time to stop handpicking contractors, so that the public trust and confidence in our procurement process can once again be maintained. The Honorable Junior Minister of Public Infrastructure, Ms Annette Ferguson, should look into these corrupt AFC ‘fly by night’ contractors as a matter of urgency. They should be fired immediately.

It is time our President put his foot down on this type of corruption.

Yours sincerely, Raj Lakhram (Lakhram Singh) #52/74 NDC Councillor

Guyana is not on the mend, it’s falling apart Dear Editor, I was totally dumbfounded upon reading in sections of the media an editorial captioned ‘Guyana on the mend’.

There were so many inaccuracies and empty rhetoric devoid of any factual data that the only conclusion that I could have drawn is that the editorial is bent on ‘selling dreams,’ just like the Coalition Government is selling dreams to a ‘good life’.

The editorial said the crime rate, especially murder, rapes and gang violence, has reduced and road fatalities are lower’. In January this year, the same media house carried an article captioned ‘US warns its citizens about Guyana’s crime rate - says local police lack resources to respond to serious crime’. I had stated

that the US Department had asked its citizens to exercise increased caution when visiting Guyana, due to the country’s crime rate. That same article further added that, in terms of crime, ‘Guyana is at the same level with Jamaica…Since the year started, there has been an increase in armed robberies, with three to four reported cases daily’.

Every day the newspapers’ headlines on crimes are sending shock waves throughout this country. I wonder why suddenly an editorial in the same newspaper can carry such a contradictory editorial.

The editorial lauded the Guyana Revenue Authority for being less corrupt, reducing the smuggling of counterfeit items and increasing its

revenue collection. The writer needs to understand that bringing a few smugglers to justice has not reduced smuggling. Most of the times when smugglers are caught, it is because they failed to adequately bribe the relevant officials. Only recently, a high-ranking SWAT officer was intercepted with 30 cases of whisky. In that case, the arresting officers were not aware whom the whisky belonged to. Then, in April, a boat smuggling fuel was intercepted simply because the GEA officials were not aware that a senior Government official was involved.

Be not fooled, smuggling in Berbice is business as usual! Moreover, it does not take a fortune teller to tell us the increased revenue collection is the result on increased tax-

ation, and the 200 new taxes are catapulting this nation into poverty! Businessmen and citizens are reeling from this increased taxation, but the writer sees this as complimentary.

The writer should tell us how effectively this increased revenue is being spent by this spendthrift Government!

On the other hand, the Government’s policies have negatively impacted the construction sector mainly through increased taxes and other fees. In November 2017, the World Bank highlighted a decline in doing business in Guyana. The Report for Ease of Doing Business in 2018 showed that Guyana slipped two places, from 124 to 126. continued on page 5

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

How can GECOM conduct an election without a budget?

Dear Editor, The Minister of Communities recently announced 12th November 2018 as the date for Local Government Elections (LGE).

This announcement implies the obvious clear signal by the Guyana Elections Commission of readiness; albeit, the oblivion surrounding new Local Government areas, and the tight schedule implications for all concerned stakeholders.

The required notice comes with a measure of pomposity as it relates to the Government’s so-called interest in democracy at this level. The superfluous talk-up must be recognised for the deception it seeks to camouflage. This is given the Coalition Government’s subversion of the Local Government Commission; the rather numerous acts of non-support, and often tolerated disruptive thuggish actions by many of their agents in councils of Local Authority Areas they did not win at the last LGE.

Local Government Elections is a serious matter, and GECOM’s readiness must be transparent, timely, and equally revealing to all stakeholders, persons and groups contesting the Elections, and voters at large. The Chairman, Mr Patterson, recently boasted of his confidence in GECOM’s Public Relations mechanism to achieve this end. Observably, however, one cannot agree that these expectations have been efficiently and sufficiently met.

Cases in point are as follows: GECOM is yet to prepare a budget for the elections. While it is known that G$2.9 billion has been approved in appropriations by the National Assembly for the event, it is sad that the sincerest view of the general public is that this will be yet another opportunity for the GECOM Secretariat to spend wild and have a threemonth party.

We are yet to hear about the clear demarcation of the constituencies in Local Authority Areas to be served

by specific Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). Clear lines of demarcation of the boundaries is a must.

While we are hearing that Minister Ronald Bulkan announced that there will be ten additional local Authority Areas, GECOM must clearly provide the communities and the leaders of the communities with all the relevant information, so that the candidates can prepare themselves properly for the up-coming elections.

Minister Bulkan, in June this year, published in the Official Gazette an order to remove fourteen constituencies from well established areas. This gerrymandering is a matter of serious concern, and citizens are contending that this will further complicate the situation and lead to confusion. Splitting the NDCs will create serious problems, as there are several issues that are pending since 2016 Local Government Elections. The Malgre Tout and Canals NDCs suffered

serious unsolved boundaries’ problems, and the Commissioners at GECOM cannot leave these boundary issues to the fantasy of the GECOM Secretariat.

How can GECOM conduct an election without a budget?

The Minister is absolutely correct to say that there is wasteful and un-necessary spending at the GECOM. Presently, the public is questioning the extravagant spending on transportation and meals at the just concluded continuous registration. Hundreds of friends and families of a particular party are employed, or they are on the payroll just to provide cover-up for the massive spending at the Secretariat.

Guyanese are now demanding that the numerous transactions must be done in a transparent and accountable manner!!

The Commission must ensure that proper consultations are done with the relevant stakeholders -- inclusive of political parties and the residents themselves

Guyana is not on the mend...

In addition, the Bank of Guyana Report 2018 stated that construction and service activities were relatively flat at the end of March 2018. Private Sector credit to construction and engineering declined by 11.6 per cent, while public spending on construction projects fell by 37.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2017. The Finance Minister had projected construction to grow by 14.5 per cent in 2018. It seems that the Sector is off to a ‘good’ start.

The writer unabashedly bragged about the Government’s “zero tolerance” policy on crime, corruption and illegal drugs working, when an entire penitentiary was razed to the ground by inmates, drugs are being openly peddled even in our prisons, and prisoners celebrate parties with expensive liquor and drugs. So one can just imagine what happens on the outside! Moreover, cor-

ruption has been galloping in all directions and at all levels from the very inception of this Government taking office: the lack of transparency and accountability in the Durban Park project, the Sussex Street Drugs Bond, the single sourced drugs’ procurement, the awarding of contracts to party hacks and cronies who are ill-qualified, etc. In every region there are reports of corruption from AFC Party officials, especially in Region 6; and, most remarkably, until now, Cabinet still awards contracts while the Procurement Commission remains toothless and neutered.

Moreover, far from the truth, people do not believe that things are getting better under this Government, and that the country is on the mend. The economy is on a downward slide, recording the lowest growth rate of 2.1 per cent in 2017,

and inflation is on the rise, with over 5000 dismissed sugar workers living in dire poverty. Even those who are currently employed are finding it difficult to have three square meals. Since 2015, they have not been given a cent increase, and, in fact, many benefits were snatched from them. Until now, the Government does not have a plan to resolve the many debilitating issues affecting GUYSUCO, while the sugar production level keeps on decreasing.

Forsaking agriculture for oil is asinine.

from page 4

Youths are still jobless, as their exodus gains momentum, and their hopes have withered beyond redemption under this Government.

Unfortunately, ‘empty promises and propaganda are NOT things of the past, as this Government continues to sell dreams of a ‘good life’! Guyana is not on the mend, it’s falling apart!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region 6

-- regarding the newly instituted boundaries of the Local Authority Areas. In this respect, there is need for much clarity.

Further, in the Local Authority Areas which now have reduced constituencies, a comprehensive boundary plan has to be established and tested before been put into operation.

The Commission should edify the population on the criteria used in defining those new boundaries. A search on the website and the Official Gazette is yet to reveal the authority to which the new boundaries would be established.

The Commission should also inform the nation on whether the new Local Authority Areas had their

demarcation of boundaries done recently, or whether they are using the old established demarcations.

In essence, the problems -- old and new -- MUST be effectively addressed by GECOM. As much as possible, the general public has to be informed, in a timely manner, of procedural changes, and be given clear and precise directions.

We look forward to GECOM’s pronouncements on how the dissemination of key information is evaluated, and what actions are taken when the approaches prove to be less than effective.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Flooding at Charity Dear Editor, Residents of Charity, Essequibo Coast, would be extremely grateful for your newspaper publishing our plight.

Our problem is that of continuous flooding -- as soon as it rains -- since our main drainage system is clogged up for many years now, and despite several reports to the authorities, no one seems to care.

Charity is a commercial and residential area, and we do suffer thousands of dollars in losses when our goods and stocks are destroyed. Flooded waters remain on the land for days, and cause us discomfort.

We are tax payers; where will we derive monies to pay our food, electricity and water bills, much less our rates and taxes?

We tried to contact the area representative, but he has not answered our call.

The NDC seems unable to handle this matter. We have sent correspondence to the REO and the Regional Chairman; everyone seems lackadaisical, and no one seems to care for the ordinary people.

What amazes us is that we were duped with promises from Government.

Sincerely, Charity resident

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Continued from Friday

By Carl Pickhardt, PhD

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hat can parents constructively do to maintain respectful standing, responsible influence, and reasonable communication with especially challenging teenagers? The following is a list of some parenting strategies to consider and why, because there is no good point in acting in ways that make a hard wilful situation worse.

Parenting strategies

Expect more limit testing and breaking. The wilful adolescent is strongly motivated to do life her or his way, to be less tolerant of family and social demands and restraints.

‘Expect’ does not mean ‘endorse’; it means to be prepared for more opposition through argument and refusal.

Parents might declare: “We will not tolerate any challenge to our authority.” However, I believe it is better to explain: “We will be firm where we have to when our mind is made up; we will be flexible where we can if there is room for discussion; and we will always be ready and willing to hear whatever you have to say when you respectfully disagree with what we have decided.”

Operationally, keep clarifying basic family rules and expectations.

Beware of talking in generalities, us-

Foundation

ing vague terms like the young person being “responsible”, “considerate”, and “helpful”. These are non-informative words in that they have no instructional power. Objectively describe what is wanted in terms of operations –identifying actions, doings, or behaviours that define what you want or do not want to have happen. Under pressure, parental language often becomes more abstract and less specific. Generally speaking they might say: “We just want you to be more conscientious about your schoolwork!” No. Better to speak operationally and say: “We expect you to bring all classroom assignments home, do them completely, and turn them all in on time.”

Consistently supervise what you want. Supervise all requests to completion and all rules to compliance. If it’s important enough for parents to ask for, then it should be important enough to follow through.

Practice the art of parental pursuit; be willing to nag – the drudge work of parenting. With a strong-willed adolescent, parental inconsistency can send a double message: “Sometimes my parents mean what they say, and sometimes they forget or give up and don’t.” The wilful teenager is likely to vote for “don’t”. Used to their supervisory commitment, however, the wilful teenager is more likely to accept what cannot be changed:

“I just do what they’ve said because I’ve learned they never give up about this.”

Keep correction non-evaluative. There will be more frequent times when family rule violations occur. Better to address choices made than critically attack the character of the choice-maker which only injures and inflames the opposition.

“Once again you’ve stupidly ignored our instructions!” No. Better to declare: “We disagree with the choices you have made, this is why, this is what needs to happen in consequence, and this is what we wish you to learn.”

Allow natural consequences to bite. Wilfulness can not only lead to violations of home rules, but to violations of societal rules as well. When social consequences for youthful mistakes or misdeeds arise, it is human for parents to want to prevent the harmful costs. However, rescue the young person from consequences, make a special exception, give another second chance, and they may encourage the belief that the wilful teenager can get away with anything. “We’ll get you out of this if you promise it is the last time!” No. Better to declare: “We’re sorry you have this price to pay, but hope you can learn from the unhappy outcome of what you chose to do.” (Excerpt from psy-

chologytoday.com)

E

very time you pair a book with an experience, you are giving your child an opportunity to learn more about their world. Below are some suggestions for books and corresponding activities to extend your child’s reading experiences.

If you are taking a trip to a new place, you may pick up a travel book to learn more about your destination. Reading makes our real-world experiences more meaningful. It gives us historical perspective, a sense of other cultures, an introduction to the symbols and viewpoints we may encounter. Books help us make sense of what we see around us.

Books do the same thing for children. Fictional stories help children work through fears and desires, and nonfiction helps them understand processes and observe patterns. Every time you pair a book with an experience, you are giving your child an opportunity to learn more about their world.

Art Read: a fiction or non-fiction book on art.

Activities: Have your child draw a self-portrait, and then have him or her tell you about it. Visit an art museum or a public art show, or find examples of art in your community (such as murals or sculptures) and talk about which pieces you like and find interesting.

Food Read: a fiction or non-fiction book on food, or read a cookbook.

Activities: Make a family recipe with your child and talk about where it came from.

Storms Read: a fiction or non-fiction book on storms.

Activities: Put together a storm kit with items like a flashlight, extra batteries, and bottled water.

Brainstorm some things you could do at home if the electricity went out. Put the list in the storm kit!

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saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Driver’s licence of dead bandit found in allegedly hijacked car

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he driver’s licence of Ian Forde, who was shot and killed during a shootout with Police at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Tuesday, was found in a car that was allegedly stolen several days ago.

The car, PNN 8866, was found parked in a street aback Industrial Site, Ruimveldt at about 06:00h on Friday morning.

However, based on reports received, the car had been seen parked at the location since Tuesday morning.

The security guards of a nearby business thought that something was amiss since no one had collected the car over the past three days, and as such, contacted the Police on Friday morning.

Upon arriving, the Police noticed the dead man’s driver’s licence hanging on the rearview mirror. Ranks from the Major Crimes Unit were contacted, and based on reports received, the car was unlocked and a search was conducted.

Guyana Times understands that several live rounds of ammunition of various calibre were found in the silver-grey Toyota Premio motorcar, along with several other items.

Those were taken by the

Dead bandit: Ian Forde

Police as evidence. The car was impounded as investigations continue.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, the detectives were conducting their investigations. One of the investigators was observed taking away several bags of evidence containing mobile phones, a wrist watch and documents, among other things.

Ian Forde was among five bandits killed by Police as they were attempting to rob a house at Pattensen, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown. The others are Timothy St Hill, 38, of Warlock, East Ruimveldt Georgetown, and also of Diamond New Housing Scheme, East

Bank Demerara; Andrew Daly, 40, of Westminster, West Bank Demerara; Levi Braithwaite, 31, of North Ruimveldt and also of Albouystown, Georgetown, and Jermaine Doobay.

It was reported that at about 03:00h on Tuesday last, the five men were breaking into a house owned by a Guyanese who resides in Florida. The men had already cut the locks to the gate of the property and had entered the compound, but as they attempted to gain access into the house, the caretaker and his family were alerted, and quickly retreated to a secure room in the house, from where they called 911.

An anti-crime patrol unit in ‘C’ Division was aware that a CID Headquarters plainclothes patrol was in the vicinity of Sophia, and when they contacted them, the two units joined forces and proceeded to the location.

At an emergency press conference, Police Commissioner David Ramnarine has stated: “They proceeded rather cautiously, by ensuring that the vehicles were secluded in a particular area… As they arrived at the location, two men were seen in the yard with rifles.

Police challenged them,

Detectives searching the motor car

the men opened fire on the Police, and (the Police) returned fire… Both men fell.

“A third man who was in the house ran out and was caught in the exchange of gunfire, and he collapsed on the ground. Seconds after, a white motorcar drove up, and two occupants exited and opened fire on the Police. The Police took cover and returned fire. Both males fell.”

He further related that an AK-47 assault rifle and

two magazines taped together were found close to the motorcar. In addition, a quantity of live rounds and two rifles were found in close proximity to the two men who were shot in the yard.

Also at the scene, three mobile phones, a pair of gloves, a nipper, two crowbars, a hacksaw, four warheads, a pair of slippers, an identification card, tope, bank cards, a membership card to Princess Casino and

other items were found.

The Police also retrieved 24 spent shells of two different calibre weapons at the scene.

The acting Top Cop also related that the front wall of the besieged building was riddled with bullets, and several bullet holes were seen.

The shot men were transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

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saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Driver’s licence exams

2 cops slapped with 38 counts of fraud

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wo members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were on Friday slapped with a total of 38 counts of fraud when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Police Corporal Shanice Fraser, 31, and Police Corporal Ryan Grey, 25, were not required to plead to the charges when they were read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The court heard that on August 12, 2017 while in Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, the two worked together to commit an offence by forging a total of 38 examination papers for persons who allegedly paid to acquire a driver's licence.

According to the prosecution’s case, Grey is responsible for 20 of the examination papers while Fraser, the Traffic Chief’s Confidential Secretary, was suspected of forging 18 of the papers.

Police Prosecutor

Charged: Police Corporals Shanice Fraser (left) and Ryan Grey

Gordon Mansfield made no objection to bail being granted, but requested that conditions be applied. The two were ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters every Friday to the officer in charge until the conclusion of the matter.

Fraser was granted bail in the sum of $150,000 while Grey was released on $160,000 bail.

The matter will continue on August 17, 2018.

On April 18 last, major irregularities surfaced in regard to the driver’s licence’s theoretical examination.

Some 174 persons were registered to write the examination, but only 106 persons presented themselves to write it; yet, 207 scripts were submitted at the conclusion of the examination, with 155 completed.

The GPF had said that since members of the Cops and Faith Community Network became involved in the invigilation of the learn-

er driver’s theoretical examination, there have been reports of a significant reduction in the opportunities for corruption, complaints, and allegations; thus, this voluntary involvement will continue.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) recently discovered that some unscrupulous members of its staff were working in collusion with outsiders and members of the public to issue forged drivers’ licenxes, certificates of compliance, and registrations.

While announcing that details surrounding this development would not yet be divulged, the GRA had announced that an investigation has been launched.

The GRA has also revealed that those individuals who were part of the illegal operations have been sent on leave.

Several other Police ranks were questioned in relation to the matter.

Constitutional…

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…Frankenstein

n trying to create a “human being”, Dr Victor Frankenstein took various and sundry parts from cadavers dug up from graves, put them together, and with that surge of electricity from lightning, gave the creature “life”. But was it a human being? The recent convocation by the PNC-led Government of a “National Conference of Local Democratic Organs” (NCLDO) reminded your Eyewitness of that story; he remembered the origin of the NCLDO in our 1980 Constitution.

What Burnham did was take bits and pieces from various Constitutions to create a “Constitution” for a “socialist” state and “socialist” democracy in Guyana. But was it a Constitution – in the tradition of “Constitutionalism” that had developed in western liberal democracies over the previous three centuries?

That it CERTAINLY wasn’t!! What it was, was a transparent effort to “legalise” his dictatorship, which rested on powers more extensive than those of any other ruler of the time! Constitutionalism, which insists everyone is subject to the “rule of law”, was certainly not ushered in in 1980!!

Burnham strode like a colossus among the rest of the Guyanese citizens. His favourite slogan was “the small man is the REAL man”. This was understandable since, compared to him and all his powers, EVERYONE else was small – in all senses of the word!! To emphasis how BIG he was, he liked to ride around, with jodhpurs and such like, on a horse. To make sure the point was made, he sometimes donned the uniform of a General -- like we see in those old-time pics of Latin American dictators.

Burnham’s Constitution was made into his “creature” by those parts brought in from socialist countries – like North Korea, which defines “socialist” democracy. This wasn’t just substituting words, it substituted a new way of organising society; a “socialist” way, where power flows from top to bottom – and not the other way round.

Anyhow, we’ve all heard -- ad nauseum! -- of the efforts, culminating in the Constitutional changes of 2000, which were passed unanimously to cut the presidency “down to size” by reducing its powers.

Supposedly it brought back Constitutionalism and Liberal Democracy. Right!! So why did Art 1 still insist “Guyana is in transition from capitalism to socialism”??

And we arrive at this socialist excretion called “NCLDO”!

The people of Guyana used to elect only 53 MPs directly, and the RDCs and NCLDO the remaining 12, remember? It was another PNC way to rig the election of MPs. The excretion was EXCISED in 2000, but it now looks like the PNC-Reloaded is bringing it back.

Did you see the composition of those who showed up at the meet, to listen to PNC leader Granger??

Frankenstein is back!!

…rules and SOCU

After the PNC/AFC mountain laboured about “corruption by the PPP”, it produced SOCU. It then promised there’d be so much wealth returned to the Treasury that Guyana’s spending would be funded for years!! Numbers like “$300 billion annually” were on the low side of the estimates on pilfering by the ‘criminalised” state – in the phrase coined by Clive Thomas – the head of SARA. But not only has SOCU and SARA proven to me mice, so’ve been the comparable sizes of their prosecutions!!

Asked by his erstwhile comrade, Clement Rohee, to supply details, Public Security Minister Ramjattan claimed it’s because -- according to the courts -- the AML/CFT Legislation doesn’t allow SOCU access to the Banks’ records of customers’ deposits!!

Well…duh!! If, up to now, there’s been NO access to the Banks’ records, how in the world did SOCU and Thomas pronounce so DEFINITIVELY on how much was stolen?? Do these worthies mean to tell us that all of their “sturm und drang” was just based on mere SUSPICIONS??

And there’s been no SUSPICION since 2015??

…discrimination??

The PNC-led Government is following up on its promises to fund African-Guyanese cultural activities with “millions and millions” of dollars.

Aren’t they afraid of being challenged constitutionally by other groups for discrimination, for NOT getting equivalent funding??

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

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saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

AML/CFT Bill passed

AG, 25-member AML/CFT authority will pay no taxes

Lone gunman robs M&M Snackette

…Opposition reprimands Govt for weakening FIU …Govt snubs Top Cop, CANU from committee

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overnment has been lambasted over several worrying aspects of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, upon which a spotlight was shone in the National Assembly on Friday.

A major point of contention was the AML/CFT Proliferation Financing National Co-ordination Committee. The Opposition pointed out that this committee will be chaired by Attorney General Basil Williams himself, despite his ‘expertise’ being in the field of law, and not finance.

One of the most contentious sections of the bill was Section 7 (g,1), which states that “the Committee, its assets, property, income and its operations and transactions authorized by this Act, shall be exempt from all taxation, including customs duty, consumption tax, capital gains tax, corporation tax, income tax, property tax and purchase tax, and the committee shall be exempt from payment of any tax or duty whatsoever.”

PPP Member of Parliament Juan Edghill, zeroing in on this, noted that the bill proposes tax free exemptions for the 25-member committee. The fact that sections of the bill also give the Chairperson the power to pay staff did not escape Edghill.

“Who is this committee?

Let me remind the people of Guyana who are the members. The Attorney General; the DPP; the Governor of the Bank of Guyana; the Commissioner General of the GRA; the Director of

AG Basil Williams

the Financial Intelligence Unit; the Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit; the General Manager of the Guyana Gold Board; The Chairperson of the Gaming Authority,” Edghill observed.

“So the Attorney General is paying staff, which should be the duty of the Permanent Secretary. If you go to section 7 (b) of the principal act, (you will find that) the Chairperson of the Committee shall pay from the funds of the committee the salaries, fees, allowances of the staff of the committee, and any other expenses incurred by the committee in the performance of (its) duties. The Attorney General has now become the head of a budget agency. He is paying fees (of) the staff. The Attorney General!” Edghill declared.

Further declaring that this provision allows for political interference, Edghill demanded that the Attorney General show which Financial Action Task Force/ Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (FATF/CFATF)

PPP/C Member of Parliament Juan Edghill

recommendation this complies with.

25-member committee

The originally proposed 25-member committee also came up in the debate. In his introduction of the bill, Williams had questioned the logic behind the creation of a committee with so many persons. However, the PPP heckled that it was the current Government who brought it into place.

Williams reeled off several provisions within the bill, including the penalties for contravening the different clauses. For a legal person, the penalty is $50 million, while others are subject to a fine of $10 million. He noted that entities must also file suspicious transactions’ reports.

“The bill before this house will do what the other amendments have done; that is, strengthen what already exists, and provide the foundation for us to demonstrate that our systems and policies are effective,” Williams said.

“Some of the functions of the committee include developing national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing policies informed by the risks identified by the National Risk Assessment,” he explained.

But Edghill, in his presentation, noted that the FIU was not made stronger by the Government, but rather weaker. He pointed out that there are a number of important omissions from the committee, including the Police Commissioner and the Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit (CANU).

“The authority would have had a chairperson from the members who came through the parliamentary process. The authority would have also had ex-officio members. But notably, they have left out from the committee the Commissioner of Police.

The Solicitor General has been left out. CANU, left out.

Registrar of the Deeds, left out. Rather than strengthening, we are leaving out,” Edghill declared.

Overridden

However, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan claimed the tax exemptions would apply to the committee, and not to individual members. He denied that individual committee members would become “millionaires” because of the tax exemptions contained in the law.

Williams, in his rebuttal, also supported Ramjattan’s contention. He was adamant that individuals would not profit. turn to page 14

The robber caught on camera

A

lone gunman on Friday afternoon carried out a daring robbery on the M&M Snackette at Houston, East Bank Demerara, carting off an undisclosed sum of cash.

Speaking with Guyana Times, a staff of the entity revealed that at about 15:00h on Friday, while a single staff member was at the location, the gunman walked into the snackette reportedly wearing an or-

ange hat and white T-shirt.

He whipped out a pistol, and pointed same at the staff member as he demanded that she hand over the cash on premises. The frightened woman readily complied, and the man quickly made good his escape on a bicycle.

Contacted, the Police visited the business place and have since retrieved CCTV footage from the snackette.

An investigation has been launched.

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SaturDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

US$35M MoU signed with World Bank – Jordan dubs money “balance of payments” support

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$35 million-mill i o n - d o l l a r Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the World Bank on Friday, with Finance Minister Winston Jordan dubbing the money as “Balance of Payments” support.

The signing was done at the Finance Ministry, under the eyes of incumbent World Bank Country Officer Pierre Nadji. The money had first been announced in June, intended to go towards strengthening the financial sector. According to Jordan, the money was fast tracked.

“Today’s (Friday’s) simple ceremony is to sign the development credit that has been extended us by the World Bank for approximately US$35 million in support of the emerging oil and gas sector,” Jordan stated. “I would like to thank the World Bank, and Mr. Nadji in particular, as our country manager for fast tracking this facility.”

“The World Bank has made available roughly US$90 million for us over the next two to three years; all of this is coming from the IDA (International Development Association) resources, which is the soft window of the bank, and this roughly US$35 million is part of that facility,” he said.

Jordan noted that a second tranche to go specifically towards the oil and gas sector is being worked out. He referred to the US$35 million

Finance Minister Winston Jordan displays the MoU alongside Senior Country Manager Pierre Nadji

as balance of payments’ support.

Since the money was announced, some persons have linked the recent financial legislation passed in the house to the loan. And in response, Nadji congratulated Government on passing these bills.

“We commend the Government and our team for the joint effort in partnership.

We prepared this loan in a record time, (it) will support the budget of the Government, help stabilising the financial sector, and prepare the grounds for some physical management. The operation is about $35 million; it’s the first of a series of two which we hope to be able to do within the coming year.”

“I must also say the latest legislative act that was passed was passed right at the time for this agreement; and really, this was a significant effort on the part of

the Government. So we’re pleased, and (are) looking forward to continuing doing more of these, and help the Guyanese people address the many challenges,” Nadji related.

BoP Balance of Payments is statistical data on a country’s fiscal transactions, including imports and exports. To record a deficit, a country would have had to spend more on imports, among other things, that it derived from exports.

Data from the Finance Ministry has shown that there is a deficit in balance of payments. In fact, Guyana’s overall Balance of Payments deficit has skyrocketed to US$94 million, compared to US$8.8 million for the corresponding period last year, this represents a telling indicator of Guyana’s economic situation.

The recently released Bank of Guyana (BoG)

Quarterly Report and Statistical Bulletin, from which the above figures are culled, attributes this Balance of Payments deficit to an expanding current account deficit and to higher fuel prices.

“This was primarily due to an expansion of the Current Account deficit, despite a surplus on the Capital Account.

The deficit on the Current Account resulted from a higher merchandise trade deficit due to higher imports, primarily fuel,” the report states.

According to the report, Guyana’s overall Balance of Payments situation in the 2017 fiscal year showed a deficit of US$69.5 million.

This is a hike when compared to US$53.3 million of the previous year. And a breakdown of the figures shows stunning disparities.

On the one hand, the Current Account shows a deficit of US$287.4 million for the year 2017. But in the previous fiscal year, the report notes, this was just US$12.4 million. The report admits that this is because of a negative balance on the merchandise trade account.

“The further weakening was due to the negative balance on the Merchandise Trade Account. Merchandise exports were slightly lower than projected, mainly on account of lower export earnings of gold and other exports in the last two months of the year,” the report states.

Parliament sitting

Road closure causes major traffic jam …commuters call for better arrangement

The corner of Hadfield Street and Manget Place during the road closure

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he closure of several main roadways in the vicinity of Parliament Buildings to facilitate parliamentary sessions on Friday once again resulted in major traffic jams across the city. Many drivers and public transport vehicles were left with no choice but to utilise other routes.

Guyana Times visited several locations in close proximity to the closed roads, and observed long queues of vehicles spanning the streets in their attempt to divert from the traffic.

While Police officers were deployed at the areas to direct and monitor the steady flow of traffic, many vented their frustrations at the time they had to spend

in the humid weather conditions.

One of the drivers who commented on the issue opined that the situation has become unbearable, since all the vehicles are crammed into one street at times such as this. He noted that the streets were barricaded hours before the sessions began, which added to the commotion.

“This can’t be happening! If they want to close it for a few hours, at least do it at that time; not since this morning, when you have people that have to go places,” the driver lamented.

On Hadfield Street, Georgetown, another driver indicated that he had spent 15 minutes to move from High Street to Manget Place. Turn to page 14

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saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pensioners against electronic Policeman slapped with attempted payment system – survey robbery charge

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he Social Protection Ministry (MoSP) plans to upgrade the present pension payment system to electronic, but might just have to ditch the idea because most pensioners are against the upgrade.

This was related to Guyana Times on Friday by a reliable source attached to the MoSP, who also informed that the decision to ditch the upgrade was arrived at after a survey had been conducted.

According to the source, the survey was conducted about three months ago by the Telecommunications Ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).

“Based on the reports from the survey, most of the pensioners did not want the upgrade,” the source informed.

This newspaper was further informed that despite the findings from the survey, talks are ongoing for an upgrade to the old age pension system.

The Government had first revealed its plan to introduce an electronic payment system for pensioners back in 2016.

The intent of the system is to have pensioners uplift their monthly allocations through the local banks.

Assistant Chief Probation and Social Services Officer Ricardo Banwarie had explained back then that, in the upgraded system, pensioners would sign on the coupon booklet and access their cash.

The pensioners’ information would be entered into the database for the GPOC to keep record of pensioners in the system.

“Added to that, we will be having the agents, for persons who are shut-ins, persons who are not capable of going to the Post Office to uplift their pensions. We will be able to have the names of the persons who are going to be authorised to uplift the pension on behalf of the pensioner in our data base,” Banwarie explained.

He clarified that this new system was intended not to scrap the coupon booklet system, but to run parallel with it. Banwarie added that if a pensioner has to relocate, he or she must inform the Post Office.

Then Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence, had told the National Assembly in 2016 that the new electronic payment system would be implemented in 2017.

TSU ranks charged for accepting bribe

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rank attached to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) of the Guyana Police Force was on Friday arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of obtaining money from road users to drop a traffic charge.

Twenty-eight-yearold Police Constable Chris Brown of Lot 1590 La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara faces the indictable charge along with his alleged accomplice Mark Collins, who did not make an appearance in court.

The court heard that on December 7, 2017, at the Ruimveldt Police Station,

Chris Brown

while being employed by the state, Brown obtained a sum of $10,000 from Iyana

Hutson as inducement or reward to forego instituting charges against Dwayne Dover for a traffic offence he had committed.

Brown's attorney, George Thomas, in a submission for bail, told the court that his client is innocent, and is also unaware of the allegations that were made against him.

Brown was placed on bail in the sum of $5,000, and the matter was adjourned to August 5.

The court was not informed about the whereabouts of Collins, but he is expected to make his appearance in court on the next hearing.

T

wenty-year-old Randy Bowen of Lot 184 Duncan Street, Newtown Kitty was on Friday remanded to prison until August 3 after he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of robbery under arms.

A serving member of the Guyana Police Force, Bowen pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

It is alleged that on July 25, 2018, while on Regent Street, Georgetown and in the company of another, Bowen attempted to rob Rajkumar Rupa.

Randy Bowen

According to the facts presented to the court, on the day in question, at 14:45h, Rupa was an occupant of a Route 40 minibus, and the duo and another male were also passen-

gers in the bus, when Bowen whipped out a chopper and demanded that Rupa hand over the bag he was carrying.

The Prosecution is contending that Rupa refused the demand and hurriedly exited the bus, later making a report to the Brickdam Police Station. The accused was subsequently arrested and charged.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to Bowen being placed on bail, citing the serious nature of the offence.

The prosecution’s objections were upheld, and Bowen was remanded.

The matter will continue on August 3.

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saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Labourer’s partially decomposed No charges for Minister, body found at Kuribrong Parking lot fracas

driver, guards – DPP I n regard to the recent fiasco involving Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes, her driver and two security guards at a popular establishment earlier in the month, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Friday said no charges will be instituted.

The DPP returned the file to the Police on Friday with a recommendation that no charges be laid against the parties involved.

The Police, in a release, said that after reviewing the footage and statements taken, the DPP made her decision.

“Please be informed that the file was completed and sent for legal advice, which was obtained to the effect that based on all the statements and video footage, no charges are advised,” the statement said.

It was initially reported on July 9 that two security officers attached to the Massy Store at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) were in hot water after one of them had allegedly pointed a shotgun at the Minister.

Reports indicate that the Minister’s driver had stopped at the entrance of the store to access the New Thriving Restaurant which is housed in the upper flat of the building. While there, two security guards approached them, and the confrontation ensued.

However, CCTV footage made public has shown a scenario very different from that reported by the minister. In the footage made public, the minister’s driver is seen turning her vehicle into the parking lot where the incident occurred, and stopping a little distance from the Massy supermarket. He exited the vehicle and removed a ‘no parking’ sign. One of the security guards noticed his actions and ventured to the vehicle, replac-

Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes

ing the sign which was removed. The minister’s driver exited the vehicle once more, and there followed a heated exchange between him and the security.

Minister Broomes then exited the vehicle and pushed two of the ‘no parking signs’ to the ground as she confronted the security.

The Minister had reported to the Police a matter contrary to what had actually occurred, and two security officers were arrested and detained for some 16 hours following the incident. They were later released on their own recognisance.

Following the incident, Broomes refused to issue an apology, and when questioned by media operatives about the incident, stated, “I don’t know what you are talking about”.

Her colleague, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, subsequently met with the guards and offered an apology.

…family calls for Police probe

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partially decomposed body, clad in a white T-shirt, grey jeans and a pair of blue sneakers, was discovered on Wednesday in Kuribrong, Region Eight.

The body is believed to be that of 42-year-old Patrick Vyphuis of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, who went missing weeks ago.

News of his passing has been received with shock by friends and family members, who are now calling for a thorough investigation into his suspicious passing.

The father of three had reportedly been employed as a labourer with a couple who operate a mining dredge in the Kuribrong area, and had been taken to the area to work since July 5.

Guyana Times understands that this is the second time Vyphuis had ventured into the interior to work with the couple.

Odessia Spencer, Vyphuis’s sister, explained that she finds her brother’s passing a little strange. She explained that family members had, a few days ago, heard a rumour that her brother was missing; however, when they attempted to contact his employers, the duo reportedly refused to provide any helpful informa-

Dead man: Patrick Vyfhuis

tion. Spencer contends that she believes it is the duty of the employer to inform relatives of any mishaps.

Spencer even said that after family members had heard that Vyphuis had gone missing, a team was about to head into the area in search of the man. The search was called off after relatives heard on Wednesday that his remains had been discovered.

The dead man’s sister told this publication that her brother’s partially decomposed body was reportedly identified by his employer, who related he was

able to identify him by the clothing on his body.

She related that the family is still awaiting the remains, to conduct a post mortem examination; while they fear that a DNA test may even be necessary because of the body’s deteriorated state.

Vyphuis’s relatives are calling for a thorough investigation into his demise, especially since, according to them, a young man had lost his life a few years ago while working with the same couple.

Almost in tears, the gloomy woman recalled that she had last seen her brother on the eve of Father’s Day. She said what bothers her is that his employers have not been held in custody, even as Police continue to probe his mysterious death.

Efforts made by this newspaper to contact the employers proved futile.

Commander of ‘F’ Division (Interior locations), Kevin Adonis, has confirmed that the remains were found, and that no one is presently in custody. He explained that the Police were advised to send the remains to be tested so as to confirm its identity. He notes that investigations are ongoing.

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SATURDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Consumer Affairs recovers over $8M for 1st half of 2018

GECOM chairmanship appeal

Appeal Court grants PPP’s ‘expedite’ request T

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he Court of Appeal on Friday granted an application to expedite the proceedings filed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, who is appealing the High Court ruling that upheld President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of Retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

At the first hearing on Wednesday, Mustapha’s legal team, led by Attorneyat-Law Anil Nandlall, had applied for the matter to be expedited given the importance of the case. As such, at Friday’s hearing, the Appeal Court panel, led by acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, agreed with Nandlall that the matter was one of “national importance” and should be expedited.

However, this was not before the court heard arguments from both parties.

Attorney General Basil Williams argued that the hearing of the appeal should be postponed to after the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE), which were already set, and monies spent for preparations.

However, Nandlall, a former Attorney General himself, dismissed those arguments, saying that the Local Government polls

could always be rescheduled and pointing out that the Party’s paramount concern was to have the appeal determined way ahead of the 2020 General and Regional Elections so that there was sufficient time for further appeal at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) if necessary.

After hearing the arguments of the two sides, Justice Cummings-Edwards set October 4 as the soonest possible date. During this time, the parties will have to file their submissions with regard to the appeal case and the acting Chancellor urged them “to observe the timelines”.

The acting Chancellor in her ruling on the ‘expedite request’ said that “…a hearing of the appeal should be conducted in a relatively short space of time …This is not to say we are not mindful of other matters that are before us, but such matters of national importance have been dealt with before”.

Shortly after the hearing, Nandlall told reporters that he was pleased with the court’s decision, since the matter could have been fixed at a much later date.

Nandlall went on to say that he did not see any issue with the LGE being rescheduled if the court ruled in a particular way since December was initially earmarked for the Elections.

On the other hand, AG

Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

Williams indicated to media operatives that he would be ready with his submissions, since they would be premised on the same arguments he proffered in court, stating that President Granger properly appointed the GECOM Chair and that Chief Justice Roxane George confirmed that appointment in her ruling last month.

However, he was adamant that with November 12 already set as the date for the LGE this year, the appeal proceeding would not affect it.

“We made our application on law, that is, when Mr Nandlall filed his action, an election date has not been announced. An election date is now announced and it means that the process has commenced and the courts really ought not to interfere with that process … The

law tells you quite clearly, the court shouldn’t stop any election by an application made before the holding of the elections because of the volume of money and activities that would have already been spent and already undergone. It didn’t make sense; it would be more debilitating than progressing,” the AG pointed out.

However, Attorney Nandlall contended that no monies were spent.

After rejecting three lists of nominees submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, President Granger went ahead and unilaterally appointed Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM. This decision had been, and continues to be, the centre of contention.

In fact, it was as a result of this that the PPP Executive Secretary approached the High Court to challenge the appointment. But on June 8, 2018, Chief Justice George had ruled that the Constitution of Guyana allowed for the President to unilaterally appoint someone to fill the position of GECOM Chair.

As such, Mustapha earlier this month filed legal proceedings to appeal the High Court decision.

he Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) has recovered more than $8 million in exchanges, refunds and repairs on behalf of consumers for the period January to June 2018.

This was announced on Friday by Director of the CCAC, Dawn Holder-Cush, who said the Consumer Affairs Act is one of the most effective Acts, and it gives the Commission the authority to defend the rights of consumers in Guyana.

The recovery of the more than $8 million came mainly from businesses in the auto, electronics, furniture, clothing and accessories, and construction materials supplies industries. These cases account for 100 of the 150 cases received by the Commission for the first half of 2018. The remaining cases are still under investigation.

However, complaints to the value of over $122 million were investigated in 2017, with a 91 per cent resolution rate.

The CCAC was established to administer and enforce the Competition and Fair-Trading Act 2006 (CFTA) and the Consumer Affairs Act (2011). The Commission is urging consumers to take advantage

Director of the CCAC, Dawn Holder-Cush

of the inherent rights given to them through the Competition and Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs Acts, and encourages consumers to seek redress with the Commission should they feel disenfranchised by the purchase of a good or service.

Consumers are reminded that among their rights are the right to a refund and the right to return goods under specific conditions. It is the responsibility of consumers to always demand proof of purchase, inclusive of a receipt and contracts where necessary.

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saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Caricom members exposed to training Ministry awaiting to better monitor medicines residents’ vote to ─ UNDP hosts sub-regional workshop in Guyana make final decision St Cuthbert’s Mission renaming

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he Public Health Ministry in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) is currently hosting a Post Market Surveillance and Pharmacovigilance Workshop in Guyana, to improve monitoring of medicines for safety and quality in Caricom states.

The sub-regional workshop is intended to expose senior regulatory officials

A section of those who participated in the workshop

Advisor for Regulatory Systems Strengthening, UNDP, Charles Preston

from Caricom countries to key approaches and tools that can advance understanding of post-market surveillance and pharmacovigilance; related to the prevention, detection, and response to substandard and falsified medicines according to a Department of Public Information report.

The training exercise is

also intended to assist participants to refine their national approaches to these areas. And also, to develop in-country priorities and strategies to address these problems.

UNDP’s Advisor for Regulatory Systems Strengthening in Medicines, Charles Preston explained that the first aspect of training exercise deals with the regulation of medicines.

This looks at the steps taken – what are procedures and how is the regulatory authority notified – when there is substandard or a falsified medicine in the market;

what are procedures and how is the regulatory authority notified.

The other aspect of the training deals with Pharmacovigilance, which is the science of drug safety – what happens if the medicine itself is unsafe and the patients have an adverse reaction.

Preston noted that the overarching goal is to ensure Member States are knowledgeable of the necessary steps to be taken when reporting to the WHO’s Global Database so that the organisation can track when medicines are harmful and cause

AG, 25-member authority enjoy...

from page 9

Other members who spoke on the bill included PPP Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and MP Harry Gill. But with the Government holding a majority, the opposition’s objections were overridden, and the bill was pushed through.

The Bill seeks to amend the AML/CFT Act and related legislation to strengthen the regime for combating money laundering, terrorist

financing, and proliferation financing (AML/CFT/PF).

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

The US Department of State’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume

Two of March 2018, had listed Guyana among many other countries deemed as “major money laundering jurisdictions in 2017”.

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

(Jarryl Bryan)

negative reactions to patients.

Among countries participating in the threeday workshop are Guyana, Belize, Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Haiti.

The monitoring of medicines for safety and quality is an important component of improving access to medicines and achieving universal health.

mid concerns from a vast section of the residents of St Cuthbert’s Mission about the proposal that was made for their village to be renamed, the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister has announced that the people will decide on the changing of the village’s name to Pakuri.

Speaking during an interview earlier this week, the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock stated that the matter was a “sensitive” one and there have been consultations with persons from the community.

“This is a very sensitive issue. We have been going to and fro from the community, but it is amazing to see the division on this name change. However, we would take guidance from the majority of the people,” he said.

Allicock informed that the Ministry was currently awaiting feedback from the villagers, who will indicate their decision on the renaming process.

“We have already given them the opportunity to make a decision, so they’re supposed to send back their

results, so we’ll take it from them when we get their decision at a meeting that they’re supposed to have already completed,” he said.

When asked if the decision of the people of the community would be the final one, the Minister responded, “That is the thinking.”

In September of last year, the Government had expressed its plans to rename the village during the annual Heritage Village Day. At that time, it was related by then Toshao Lennox Shuman that the original name of the village was Pakuri and hence he agreed with the renaming process.

The settlement is located on the left bank of the Mahaica River and was first set up by Joseph Ferguson in the late 1800s.

Ferguson went on to become the first chief of the settlement, which was named Pakuri after a species of Platonia tree which was abundant throughout the area. However, when the first Anglican missionaries arrived and founded a mission on St Cuthbert’s Day in 1889, the village was renamed.

Road closure causes...

He asserted that better arrangements should be in place to accommodate traffic flow, since the area is a busy hub for many activities.

The traffic buildup intensified as the afternoon hours progressed, exacerbating the situation for the tr,avelling public.

It was another scenario at the Stabroek area, since some of the bus parks were relocated. According to drivers, this means that commuters would have to walk longer distances to reach their desired buses, and would have to manoeuvre their way into the traffic jams, causing addition-

al time to be spent on one trip.

Brien, a bus driver who operates at the Route 31 bus park (Georgetown to Patentia) related, “We wasting time in this line!

I say they got to make better arrangements, cause if this happening every week, what going to happen to we?

“Some people don’t know where they put we (the buses), so they gotta ask round. And then when they find we, them complaining of how far they walk and all kinda thing,” he added.

Furthermore, since access to the Stabroek Square was not granted through

From page 10

Brickdam, it was indicated there would be an increase in the number of petty robberies and other crimes in the evening hours, since persons would have to use other streets which are isolated or unlit. According to him, Lombard Street is one such area which is identified for its many petty robberies, since the area is congested and lined with vendors on Friday nights.

“You see like how now is Friday and they get market, you can’t move through here; cause them people got to sell, so they block up the road. So if more [people] got to use the road, then you can imagine.”

news

15

saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

34 Lindeners to benefit from CHPA single-unit houses

Government to keep track of Venezuelans seeking refuge in Guyana

S

A makeshift shelter for Venezuelan migrants at Khan’s Hill

Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie Adams-Yearwood (seated front centre); CHPA Public Relations Officer (PRO) Iva Wharton (right) and Regional Housing Officer Leticia Drakes (left) flanked by some of the successful applicants

T

hirty-four Lindeners are to be beneficiaries of single-unit homes, which are soon to be constructed through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) at Amelia's Ward, Mackenzie, Linden.

These persons will form the first batch of persons from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to benefit from the estimated 60 single housing units, which include flat and elevated houses. These houses are to be constructed at the location at the costs of $6.3 million (elevated) and $5.3 million (flat).

While 128 Lindeners had been prequalified for the 60 homes by commercial banks, the 34 applicants were selected from a public drawing for prequalified applicants conduct-

I

ed by the CHPA in Linden on Wednesday. Names were pulled from two envelopes, one for flat homes and the other for elevated, according to the choice of the prequalified applicants. Twenty names were pulled for single flat units while 14 were pulled for single elevated units.

Speaking at the public draw, Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie Adams-Yearwood, in her remarks, noted that the houses would be constructed in batches of five and upon completion, homeowners would be given their keys. Contractors are presently mobilising at the site at Amelia's Ward, and construction work is expected to commence shortly. Under the initiative, another 60 homes are expected to be construct-

ed by the CHPA at Wisroc, Wismar, Linden.

The Minister noted that the CHPA was, however, still finalising details as it relates to ownership of the land. "We are still trying to have the 60 houses built in Wisroc. We're still finalising with the Co-op Society and Lands and Survey (as it relates to) ownership of the land. As soon as that land is handed over to us, we're going to commence building 60 houses ... We were hoping that that process would have been completed so that we can start this year, but it doesn't look that hopeful. So, we're going to put that money back into 2019 budget to have those houses and hopefully we can get all the red tape out the way and we begin construction," Minister Adams-Yearwood noted.

everal reports have surfaced in the media regarding the strain the recent influx of Venezuelans is causing the Region One Administration, and Citizenship Minister Winston Felix visited Mabaruma on Thursday and declared that Venezuelans who have entered Guyana through legal ports of entry or by illegal means need to be registered, so that Government can compile a record in this regard.

He noted that Government is not intent on deporting the Venezuelans, because “we are very humane in our treatment of people arriving here in difficult circumstances.”

During the process of be-

ing registered, migrants will have to provide basic information, such as their names, date of birth, and the names of persons who will be accommodating them. This information will be used to keep track of migrants in the event that they relocate to another part of the country.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Public Health Ministry have been engaged in the registration process, and in ensuring that the necessary health checks and medication are administered to the migrants.

The Citizenship Minister disclosed that while migrants are being accommodated by persons in the village, “the Government would

like to take it a stage further than that.” He noted that migrants need to be “placed in conditions where they can enjoy a reasonable state of comfort.”

It was announced that the team is “seeking to find a way to have Government control the inflow of Venezuelans, and the Minister announced, “We can settle them in a given area.”

Minister Felix explained that Government would have a better control of the situation if the Venezuelan migrants are all placed in a designated area, as opposed to being scattered across the nation, and being accommodated by hospitable residents.

Dance aerobics classes introduced at Palms Geriatric Home

Correction

n an article published on July 26th, 2018, Guyana Times inadvertently named landlady Diana Oxford as the reputed wife of a man charged for damaging her property.

This newspaper wishes to clarify that Oxford is the landlady, and not the reputed wife, of 33-year-old Anthony Marshall of Lot 145 Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

Marshall appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore and denied that, on July 21, 2018, he unlawfully damaged one grill valued at $10,000, four louvre frames valued at $6,500, and four louvre panes valued at $2,246, all property of Oxford.

R

Trainers engaging the seniors of the Geriatric Home in a dance routine

esidents of the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam were on Friday engaged in dance aerobics classes which were organised to foster fitness and improve their general well-being.

The programme was held in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry and Fitness Paradise Gym to encourage good physical health.

Social Services Department Deputy Director Abiki Samuels highlighted that the Ministry recognised the importance of physical activities in leading healthy lifestyles and as such, the seniors would benefit from these workout sessions.

Samuels stated, “As our loved ones become older, it always becomes a bit more difficult for them to keep up a healthy and active lifestyle.

Their memory fails, they fall easily, and have difficulty working and maintaining their balance. There is a noticeable difference in their mental and physical wellbe-

ing.

“Research has shown that through different types of physical exercise, dancing and aerobic training, both increases the area of the brain that declines with age. In comparison, it was only dancing that leads to a noticeable behavioural change in terms of improved balance and reduced risk of dementia,” she added.

It was also related that the staff of the Geriatric Home would be somewhat relieved, since the independence of the residents would increase if they continue their dance sessions. They would also be able to keep up with their daily routines more easily.

Throughout the programme, trainers will visit the centre to work with the residents in various aspects of dance aerobics training where choreographed dance numbers would be produced by the dance instructors.

Meanwhile, an insight into the planned activities was given by the Manager of

Fitness Paradise Gym, Dian Sinclair, who is also the mastermind behind the ideas for this project.

“What the dance classes are is an instructor will come to choreograph a dance session to suit your needs, because it’s important that the instructor reaches out to you and where you are at. [It] will not only help you physically to feel better, but will also help you mentally and emotionally.”

She noted that the senior citizens would be engaged in such activities at the gym and this initiative would now allow for them to reach a wider spectrum.

“What I have seen in those classes have motivated me to try to reach out to see institutions where we can give back to the people and somehow change their lives in some small way,” Sinclair said.

The seniors were encouraged to participate in these exercises every week which can improve cognitive and physical function.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018

Regional

Jamaica, Caricom ready for greater Head of Barbados Private Sector global partnerships, says Holness body, another businessman and

sailor charged in major drug bust

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness says that Jamaica and Caricom are ready to work with the global community in support of global unification and economic prosperity.

Holness, the current Caricom Chairman, said that this should be done through enhanced bilateral and multilateral partnerships. He was making a presentation to world leaders at the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa Friday.

Holness pointed out four critical challenges that should be addressed on multiple fronts by global leaders, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister said.

He said that world leaders should enhance productivity; engage in trade; address climate change; and ensure social protection, inclusion and empowerment of people.

Holness argued that focusing on those four areas would “further the cause of sustainable and inclusive economic development and to translate support into action and prosperity” for all, according to the OPM release.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness

“In Jamaica, we are using our limited resources more efficiently to increase production and improve quality of goods and services across sectors. We are seeking to improve the capacity of small farmers to expand agricultural production higher up the value chain particularly through agro-processing. We are also seeking to provide support to [micro, small, and medium enterprises] MSMEs to ensure they can participate in the formal economy through access to credit and institutional support,” Holness was quoted as saying.

He reiterated the need

for engagement in trade, noting that it is essential for growth in small economies.

“For all of us, moving towards a sustainable future requires a determination to build resilience in the way we plan our cities, design transportation and communication infrastructure; and develop key industries across the globe. We join and reiterate the BRICS’ call for all countries to fully implement the Paris Agreement and for developed countries to provide financial technological and capacity-building support to developing countries in this regard,” said the Prime Minister.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

B

From left: Chris Rogers, Walter Prescod and Charles Herbert (Photo credit: Barbados Today)

arbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Chairman and Goddard Group Chairman Arthur Charles Herbert, along with another senior official in the Goddard Group and a sailor were Friday slapped with charges stemming from the discovery of 125 kilograms (276 pounds) of marijuana on board the company’s yacht earlier this week.

Police confirmed that

UK and Ecuador in talks on WikiLeaks founder’s fate

T

he United Kingdom and Ecuador are holding ongoing talks over the fate of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the British Government has confirmed.

Assange, 47, has been living in Ecuador's London embassy since 2012 when he was granted political asylum.

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno said on Friday that he was never "in favour" of Assange's activities, and

that both sides were in permanent contact.

Moreno has previously referred to Assange as a "stone in our shoe".

The Ecuadorean President was in London this week for a global disabilities summit, but a UK Government spokesperson said Assange was not discussed during his visit.

Previous efforts to negotiate Assange's departure have failed, but a recent report in the Sunday Times

newspaper stated that talks were back on.

Moreno confirmed the accuracy of the Sunday Times article on Friday, at an event in Madrid.

Any eviction of Assange from the Embassy must be carried out properly through dialogue, he said.

The Australian will be arrested by UK Police if he leaves the embassy for breaching bail conditions.

The bail relates to sexual assault allegations he faced

in Sweden. His six-year-old arrest warrant was upheld in February.

Although Sweden has dropped its rape investigation, Assange believes his arrest for breach of bail would lead to an extradition to the US for publishing US secrets on the WikiLeaks website.

WikiLeaks made global headlines in April 2010 when it released footage showing US soldiers shooting dead 18 civilians from a helicopter in Iraq. (Excerpt from BBC News)

St Kitts and Nevis PM joins fellow Monetary Council members for talks in Grenada

S

everal matters of importance to the Region’s financial sector are being discussed at the highest level, as the 91st Meeting of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) got underway in Grenada on Friday.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr Timothy Harris, is representing St Kitts and Nevis at the meeting being held under the chairmanship of Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr Timothy Harris

Mitchell.

During the meeting the Council will receive the ECCB Governor’s Report on Money and Credit Conditions in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

The Finance Ministers are also expected to address matters including changes to the substrate of the ECCB banknotes from cotton to polymer, as well as means of generating growth and competiveness within the ECCU sub-region.

The Monetary Council is the highest decision making authority of the ECCB and comprises the eight Ministers for Finance of the ECCB member governments.

Chairmanship of the Council is rotated alphabetically each year among the eight ECCB member countries – Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

(CMC)

Jamaica: Twin teens arrested for burning down mother's house

T

he Police have reported that 19-yearold twin brothers from Ebenezer district in Manchester were taken into custody for allegedly burning down their mother's house following a dis-

pute Thursday evening.

Reports from the Newport Police are that both men allegedly had a dispute with their mother about 17:00h at their home and shortly after fire was seen coming from a section

of the six-apartment house they occupied.

The Police were summoned and they responded along with a unit from the Mandeville Fire Station, which carried out cooling down operations. The two

teens were subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson.

Loss is estimated at J$6 million and the house was reportedly was not insured, the Police say. (Jamaica Observer)

62-year-old Herbert; company director Christopher Glenn Rodgers, 56; and 55-year-old Walter Oneal Prescod have been charged with possession, possession with intent to supply, and trafficking of the cannabis, with an estimated street value of BDS$534,160 (US$267,080).

The three had been in custody since Monday when the drugs were discovered on the boat, Ecstasy, at the Bridgetown Port.

They were expected to appear in court Friday.

On Thursday, Goddard Enterprises issued a statement indicating that Herbert had not been relieved of his post, but William Putnam, the Deputy Chairman of the GEL Board of Directors, would act in that role until such time as Herbert can resume his official role.

Herbert was elected as chairman of the BPSA in August 2016. (Caribbean360)

Maduro in denial over Venezuela hyperinflation – former Finance Minister

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro holds a bank note of the new Venezuela's currency Bolivar Soberano (Sovereign Bolivar) as he speaks during a meeting with Ministers at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, July 25, 2018

V

enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has refused to recognise the country’s hyperinflationary problem and has no plan to address it, a former finance minister, who served under the late socialist leader Hugo Chávez, said in an interview.

The South American nation’s annualised inflation topped 46,000 per cent in June, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates it will surge to one million per cent by the end of the year as the socialist economic system continues to unravel.

Maduro, who says his country is the victim of an “economic war” this week said the Government was cutting five zeroes off prices, a move that critics say will do nothing to rein in soaring prices or ease chronic shortages of food and medicine.

“Ending any hyperinflation requires a monetary programme, Venezuela will not

escape it through rhetoric,” said Rodrigo Cabeza, who during his term as Minister led an effort to remove three zeros from the country’s currency.

“What the government needs to realise is that hyperinflationary situations are created by Governments,” he said, adding that indicates the root problem is indiscriminate expansion of the money supply.

Cabeza was named Finance Minister in 2007, at a time when rising global oil prices were swelling the nation’s coffers and allowing Chávez to provide generous subsidies for the poor and to finance imports of consumer goods.

Cabeza’s comments come in the run-up to a congress of the ruling Socialist Party that starts this weekend, in which Maduro has promised to discuss new measures to improve the economy. (Excerpt from Reuters)

SaturDAY, JUly 28, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Pakistan election: Rival parties reject result and call for new poll

A

group of Pakistani political parties has rejected the results of Wednesday's general election that looks poised to bring ex-cricketer Imran Khan to power.

Khan's PTI party is ahead in the poll and has declared victory, but rival parties allege vote rigging.

After joint talks in Islamabad, one party leader said they would launch protests to demand fresh elections.

The rival parties include the former governing PML-N, which had earlier said it was ready to go into Opposition.

Leader Shahbaz Sharif, brother of former PM Nawaz Sharif who is in jail on corruption charges, said the party had yet to decide whether or not to boycott parliament.

Sitting alongside him at a news conference, Maulana Fazalur Rehman, leader of the MMA party and spokesman for the group of rival parties, said: "We will run a movement for holding of

17

Party leaders included Shahbaz Sharif of the PML-N (second left) and Maulana Fazalur Rehman of the MMA (second right)

elections again. There will be protests."

Leaders of more than a dozen parties had called the conference to form a joint strategy after the election.

The election was seen as a contest between Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party and Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-

Nawaz (PML-N).

With most votes counted, Khan's party is leading with 115 seats in the 272 National Assembly constituencies being contested, far ahead of the PML-N on 64.

In third place with 43 seats is the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of as-

sassinated two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The PPP did not attend the meeting of rival parties on Friday.

A total of 137 seats is required for a majority and while Khan is on course to become prime minister, he will have to form a coalition government. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump thanks Kim as North Korea hands over Korean War remains

N

orth Korea on Friday handed over 55 boxes carrying remains thought to be of US soldiers killed in the 195053 Korean War, a first step in implementing an agreement reached at a landmark summit in June.

The handover of the boxes, draped in the blue and white flag of the United Nations, represents a modest diplomatic triumph for US President Donald Trump from his June 12 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore that was aimed primarily at persuading North Korea to give up a nuclear weapons program that threatens the United States.

“I want to thank Chairman Kim for keeping his word,” Trump said at a White House event, at which he hailed “great fallen heroes from America.”

“We have many oth-

ers coming. But I want to thank Chairman Kim in front of the media for fulfilling a promise that he made to me. And I’m sure that he will continue to fulfil that promise as they search and search and search,” Trump said.

The transfer of the remains coincided with the 65th anniversary of the 1953 armistice that ended fighting between North Korean and Chinese forces and South Korean and US-led forces under the UN Command. The two sides remain technically at war because a peace treaty was never signed.

More than 7700 US troops remain unaccounted for from the Korea War. About 5300 were lost in what is now North Korea.

The pledge to transfer war remains was seen as a goodwill gesture by Kim at the summit. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India stocks hit record highs as experts Israeli Police raid al-Aqsa mosque after clashes; 2 dead in Gaza consider their safe haven potential

The National Stock Exchange building in Mumbai, India

A

s India's stock markets soar to record highs, equities could be in a sweet spot that has prompted one emerging market investor to consider the asset class a "safe haven".

India's benchmark S&P

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) ended trade on Friday up 0.95 per cent at 37,336.85, having hit a record high for the fourth day in a row. Meanwhile, the broader NIFTY 50 continued its rise, ending up 0.99 per cent higher at 11,278.35

after hitting an all-time high of 11,283.40. For the week, the NSE index gained 2.44 per cent, its biggest gain since the week ending March 17, 2017, according to Reuters.

Performance was boosted by strong corporate results as firms reported their second-quarter figures.

The positive sentiment contrasts with the dark cloud of uncertainty that has hung over global markets as the US, China and Europe grapple with a war over import taxes.

It is thanks to a combination of factors that India is a "relative safe haven for equity investors," according to Jon Harrison, managing director for emerging markets macro strategy at research firm TS Lombard. (Excerpt from

CNBC)

I

sraeli troopers entered Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque, the third-holiest shrine in Islam, and carried out arrests on Friday in what Police described as a pursuit of youths who had lobbed rocks and fireworks during clashes with its forces outside.

The rare raid, on a site that is an emblem of Palestinians’ statehood hopes and a frequent catalyst of their conflict with Israel, came as medics in Gaza said Israeli army gunfire killed two people – including a boy – during a weekly border protest.

A Police spokesman said the troopers were sent into al-Aqsa after suspects who had barricaded themselves in after running confrontations in the surrounding compound, during which masked men launched fire-

Palestinian demonstrators gather during a protest at the IsraelGaza border, in the southern Gaza Strip July 27, 2018

crackers from handheld canisters.

There was no immediate word of any violence in the mosque, whose older male worshippers said they had been allowed to exit after being searched. Witnesses later saw around 20 younger men detained by Police,

and said mosque prayers later resumed.

Police put the number of arrests at 24, and said four of its officers were injured in the melee. Muslim authorities said dozens of people were hurt by Israeli police stun grenades. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

Vanuatu: Ambae island evacuated Mali elections: Insecurity, fraud concerns overshadow key polls again over volcano eruption

A

Vanuatu island is being fully evacuated for a second time as its volcano erupts again.

The Manaro Voui volcano began spewing ash in recent days, prompting officials to order thousands of residents on tiny Ambae island to leave immediately.

The volcano began rumbling in September last year, which led to the island's first full evacuation.

Now officials in the South Pacific nation say it once again presents a danger to life.

Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu tweeted that Friday's evacuation was compulsory.

Residents are being moved to

Volcanic ash has covered large parts of the small island

neighbouring islands.

One Ambae resident told media outlet news.com.au that it had been hard to sleep because of noise from the volcano, adding that the ash was aggravating children's asthma.

"I want to leave, but I don't know where I'm going to live," said Lillian Garae.

Pictures taken from Ambae several days ago showed grey skies with little visibility.

Authorities said last weekend that the volcano was in a "minor eruption" state. Observation flights recorded "explosions and ejection of hot rocks" and ash being emitted.

But the activity intensified over the past week, with heavy ash blanketing many parts of the island.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released satellite footage showing the latest eruption. (Excerpt from BBC News)

M

alians go to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president amid growing concerns over the country's fragile security situation due to ongoing attacks by armed groups.

Voters will decide whether to give President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, 73, a second term or replace him with one of his 23 rivals.

Opposition Leader Soumaila Cisse, 68, is seen as his main challenger.

Mali has struggled to deal with armed groups and sectarian infighting despite international military interventions and a 2015 peace deal, and much of the coun-

try's north remains beyond government control.

The election takes place against the backdrop of high-profile attacks by a number of armed groups, while accusations of heavy-handed counterterror operations by Malian troops and deadly communal clashes between wary ethnic groups add to the insecurity.

Meanwhile, the local branch of al-Qaeda issued warned voters this week to stay away from the polls.

Adama Djiguiba, a shopkeeper in a village in central Mali, said he is "very scared for the elections".

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, july 28, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES

You can make a difference

(March 21- if you attend a rally that adApril 19) dresses a cause you believe

in. Don't let someone else's uncertainty deter you from doing what's best for you.

Look

for

opportunities

TAURUS that will bring about positive (April 20- change. Be prepared to walk May 20) away from situations that could

dilbert

cause damage to your reputation or status. Focus on self-improvement.

Make plans with friends GEMINI (May 21- or relatives you haven't seen June 20) in quite some time. Share information and you'll come up with ideas that will improve your life.

Home improvements, fam-

CANCER ily gatherings and personal (June 21- changes will help to stabilize July 22) your life. New ideas or concepts

Peanuts

can be integrated into an important partnership successfully. Romance is highlighted.

Observe what's going on LEO around you quietly. If you (July 23- make a fuss or engage in a deAug. 22) bate with someone who overreacts, it will be difficult to reverse what transpires. Offer kindness and understanding.

Personal changes will turn VIRGO out well. Incorporate a new (Aug. 23health regimen into your evSept. 22) eryday routine. Proper diet and exercise will do wonders for your appearance as well as your attitude.

Calvin and Hobbes

Take on tasks that have LIBRA (Sept. 23- been left undone. Neglecting to live up to your promises will Oct. 23)

leave you subject to criticism.

Limit your spending and don't lend or borrow.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD— TEMPERA (TEMPERA: TEM-per-uh: A painting medium.)

Average mark 32 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 47 or more words in TEMPERA? The list will be published tomorrow.

Change the way you hanSAGITTARIUS dle your money or earn your (Nov. 23income.

Invest in yourself Dec. 21) and your ability to get ahead.

Don't let someone from your past take advantage of you.

You'll be offered an interCAPRICORN esting tip that will help you (Dec. 22- make a change you've wanted Jan. 19) to make for some time. A personal relationship will get a boost if you are romantic.

THURSDAY’S WORD — LITTORAL

lair liar lilt lira iota tail tailor tall taro tarot tart

till tilt tiro toil toll tort tortilla total trail trait trial

trill trio troll trot olla oral rail ratio rialto rill riot

roil roll alit allot alto aril atilt atoll

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

Pay closer attention to the SCORPIO way you look and feel. Make (Oct. 24adjustments to your lifestyle Nov. 22) to ensure that you maintain good health. Ward off bad habits and distance yourself from excessive associates.

solution for last published puzzle Make your position clear if

AQUARIUS you don't like what someone has (Jan. 20- to offer or is trying to do. Use Feb. 19) your intelligence to make adjustments that will create distance from indulgent situations.

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A last-minute change of plans someone makes shouldn't be allowed to disrupt your day. Take charge and do what you set out to do. Romance is on the rise.

saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018

19

Thomas edges closer to victory

after 2nd place on stage 19 G

eraint Thomas edged closer to winning the Tour de France by finishing second to Primoz Roglic on stage 19, the final day in the mountains.

The Briton outsprinted closest rival Tom Dumoulin on the run-in to Laruns to pick up six bonus seconds and extend his overall lead with two stages left.

Thomas leads Dutchman Dumoulin by two minutes, five seconds with Saturday's 31km individual time trial to come.

Sunday's processional finale into Paris will see no change in the standings.

Tradition dictates that the yellow jersey is not attacked on the final stage, so if Team Sky's Thomas leads after the time trial, he will become the third Briton to win the race, after Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2012, and four-time champion Chris Froome - so long as he crosses the finish line in Paris.

Defending champion Froome finished in the group with Thomas but dropped out of third place overall on stage 19, with Slovenian Roglic, who raced clear on the descent to the finish to win by 19 seconds, jumping above him in the standings.

An unassailable lead?

A hilly 31km time trial separates Thomas from the Tour title and while he is the

and he made sure he profited again today.

He sprinted clear of the six other riders he came into Laruns alongside to earn six bonus seconds for finishing second - he has accrued

33 bonus seconds overall, to Dumoulin's 12.

Team Sunweb rider Dumoulin was also penalised 20 seconds earlier in the race for drafting behind a team car. (BBC Sport)

Stage 19 results:

Geraint Thomas (yellow jersey) will be looking to hold off the challenge of Tom Dumoulin (centre) and Primoz Roglic (left) in Saturday’s time trial

British time trial champion - a crown he won last month - he will remain wary of the challenge of reigning world champion Dumoulin, while Roglic is also a renowned time trialler.

Roglic will start the race against the clock two minutes, 24 seconds adrift of Thomas. Froome, who has won four individual time trials in Grand Tour races, and two Olympic bronze medals, is a further 13 seconds back.

The riders will go out in reverse order with Thomas last to start as race leader and he is expected to start his time trial at about 15:30

BST - there will be live coverage on the BBC Sport website from 13:00 and commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.

"I'm certainly in a good position but I'm still trying not to get carried away and think about winning the yellow jersey," Thomas told BBC Sport.

"As soon as you take your eye off the ball, you can slip up. I've got a two-minute advantage but still need to ride well on Friday. I hope it's enough."

In his stage-by-stage guide for the BBC Sport website, Mark Cavendish picked Thomas as his "one

to watch".

Cavendish said: "It's a mixture of ups and down on technical roads. It's not going to be someone who can only mash a big gear who is going to win this.

"It's going to be someone that can make a plan and stick to that. A lot of guys will go off hard and with a little kick in the last 3km are likely to lose a lot of time even though it's less than a kilometre long."

Every second counts Throughout the race Thomas has looked to pick up bonus seconds, awarded mainly on the finish line,

1. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Team LottoNL-Jumbo) 5hrs 28mins 17secs 2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) +19secs 3. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) same time 4. Daniel Martin (Ire/UAE Team Emirates) 5. Rafal Majka (Pol/Bora-Hansgrohe) 6. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Team Sunweb) 7. Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar) 8. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 9. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Lotto NL-Jumbo) +31secs 10. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha-Alpecin) same time

General classification after stage 19:

1. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) 79hrs 49mins 31secs 2. Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Team Sunweb) +2mins 05secs 3. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Team LottoNL-Jumbo) +2mins 24secs 4. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) +2mins 37secs 5. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Lotto NL-Jumbo) +4mins 37secs 6. Mikel Landa (Spa/Movistar) +4mins 40secs 7. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +5mins 15secs 9. Daniel Martin (Ire/UAE Team Emirates) +6mins 39secs 9. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar Team) +10mins 26secs 10. Ilnur Zakarin (Rus/Katusha-Alpecin) +11mins 49secs

Irving insists he'll be ready for Celtics camp

K

yrie Irving isn't in a position where he could play with USA Basketball this week at

its minicamp.

He made the trip to Las Vegas anyway.

The way Irving sees it, if USA Basketball calls, you answer. So he was in the gym Thursday for the start of the two-day camp, watching and interacting with guys but not partaking in the on-court action.

And he insisted that when the Boston Celtics start training camp in about two months, he will be fully ready to go.

''Easily. Easily. Easily,'' Irving said. ''It's just the summertime. This is probably one of the first summers in my last seven years where I've actually had time to kind of develop and work on things that I want to improve on.''

Irving's first season with the Celtics ended in midMarch with a knee issue that required surgery. The Celtics went to the Eastern Conference finals even without him and Gordon Hayward (who missed all but the first five minutes of the season because of injury)

anyway. In April, Irving had his surgery, which involved having two screws removed from his left patella after the Celtics revealed a bacterial infection was found at the site of the screws.

Irving said that the infection that was found on the metal wiring and screws in his knee could have turned into a staph infection. However, the infection was caught and treated in enough time to avoid that outcome.

"I mean, you ask anybody with an infection, they will probably try to down-

play it," Irving said when asked how scary the infection was. "It's a personal thing because your body is going through it. I was fighting an infection in a specific place in your body where you can't necessarily reach with your hands. You got to go in there and kind of see what's going on, and what happened for me was, the metal wiring and the screws that I had in there, the infection was on that, so I had to remove that and then be on antibiotics for about two months. ''At the end of the day,

we're going to be battling anyway,'' Irving said. ''We haven't started. Everyone's 0-0 right now. The expectations, the power rankings, all that other good stuff that the media loves doing, it's all part of the game.

Obviously there's some expectations that we have to meet individually and then as a group.'' Irving was the third-leading scorer for the U.S. at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, starting all eight games and averaging 11.4 points. The U.S. went 8-0 in Rio on the way to gold. (NBA.com)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018

Nagico/Thorne-sponsored Joseph “Reds” Perreira visit an outstanding success

A sign of things to come?

Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel are expected to be the pacesetters this weekend

Vettel tops practice with Lewis Hamilton 5th

F

Joseph “Reds” Perreira with representatives of the UCCA

B

erbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster has described the Nagico/ Vernon Thorne-sponsored visit of the legendary Joseph “Reds” Perreira as an outstanding success which surpassed all expectations.

The four-day visit was arranged by the BCB with several objectives, including providing inspiration to young cricketers, to educate administrators on their duties, to strengthen the management of clubs and the BCB, and to allow youths to learn from Perreira’s vast experience of over 57 years of being associated with cricket. Perreira arrived in Guyana on Wednesday, July 18, and visited Blairmont, Albion, Rose Hall Canje and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), where he spoke to hundreds of junior cricketers.

At the RHTY&SC alone, he spoke to 120 youths about the importance of hard work, dedication, practice and remaining humble.

The legendary commentator ,who described the 147 Test matches, 200 ODIs and 350 FirstClass matches for which he provided commentary as a treasure and memorable, also held inspirational meetings with Executives of the BCB and Berbice Umpires Association.

Numerous visionary ideas were discussed and accepted by the management of the Cricket Board as it strives to lift Berbice cricket to a higher level.

Courtesy calls were also made to Region Six Chairman David Armogan and the Mayors of Rose Hall Town, Corriverton and New Amsterdam.

Accompanied by officials of the BCB, Perreira was able to inspire the elected officials to commit themselves to playing a bigger role in the promotion of the game and the hon-

ouring of outstanding cricketers by naming of streets, etc, as a mark of respect.

The highlight of the visit was on Saturday last as the BCB hosted over 70 youth Berbice players and representatives of 63 clubs from across the Ancient County in separate developmental sessions with Perreira and Foster.

The entire trip, Perreira stated, went like clockwork and he was totally impressed with the passion, vision, discipline and dedication of Foster, who is working beyond the call of duty to make a positive difference.

Perreira donated three boxes of cricket balls to the Board while the Umpires Association also received 24 counting clickers for its members.

Donations were also made to the Berbice Volleyball Association, football clubs, and the Berbice branch of the National Library.

The BCB also honoured the Pomeroonborn Perreira by presenting him with its highest award, “The Tribute to Hero Award of Excellence”. The St Lucia-based former commentator stated that he was humbled by the honour and committed himself to working along with the Board in the future.

The Board expressed gratitude to overseas-based Guyanese Imran Mc Sood Amjad, Vernon Thorne and Oscar Ramjeet for their assistance in making the visit possible.

Special thanks, according to the BCB, must go to Nagico; RHTY≻ Blairmont Cricket Club; Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA); Albion Cricket Club; Big ‘B’ Restaurant; St Francis Community Developers; Rose Hall Canje Community Centre; Regional Chairman David Armogan and the Mayors of Rose Hall Town, Corriverton and New Amsterdam.

errari's Sebastian Vettel was fastest in second practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix while his title rival Lewis Hamilton was only fifth for Mercedes.

Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas made errors on their fastest laps in a car that appeared to lack rear grip.

Max Verstappen's Red Bull was 0.074secs down on Vettel, with their respective team-mates Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen a couple of tenths back.

Hamilton ended up an unrepresentative 0.753secs off the pace.

Had the Mercedes drivers completed their laps, it appeared as if Hamilton could have been around third place on a track where the team were expecting to struggle a little compared to Ferrari.

"It has been a relatively normal day," said Hamilton.

"As we expected, the Ferraris and the Red Bulls were quite quick and had a little bit more pace than us, so we've got some work to do tonight.

"This is a tricky circuit and the tyres are overheating; looking after the rear tyres is the biggest issue.

The temperatures today and the layout of the track - corner after corner after corner - made it really tricky for the tyres as there's no time for them to cool down."

Hamilton is 17 points clear of Vettel following his victory in Sunday's German Grand Prix, where the Ferrari driver crashed out of the lead and Hamilton came from 14th on the grid to win.

Ferrari appear to have the expected edge over Mercedes on the tight and twisty Hungaroring, looking quicker in both qualifying pace and race pace.

"The qualifying and the start is very important, overtaking is very difficult - if we are ahead after the first corners that will be crucial. The car is pretty good for one lap, we can still improve but it has been one of the better Fridays," said Vettel.

Asked about his German Grand Prix disappointment, he said: "It is good to have a race straight away to get your head away and hopefully we can cancel it out and make this race count and forget properly."

Red Bull look quick on long runs, but the question is whether they can compete for the front row in quali-

fying when Mercedes and Ferrari turn up their engines into an extra power mode that Renault do not have.

Romain Grosjean was best of the rest for Haas, ahead of the Renault of Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly's Toro Rosso, the Force Indias of Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso's McLaren.

Kavin Magnussen's Haas was 13th after missing his qualifying run because of engine problems, while Renault's Nico Hulkenberg was 14th, starting the session later because of an energy-store change after a failure in the first session.

Alonso's team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne was 19th after spinning into Turn Five on his qualifying simulation run when he put his left rear wheel on the grass on entry.

Sauber's Marcus Ericsson made it three spins in one day with an off at the final corner but, in 16th place, he still managed to edge out team-mate Charles Leclerc, who missed the first session because Ferrari third driver Antonio Giovinazzi was driving his car. (BBC Sport)

EX-FIFA Secretary General loses appeal against 10-year ban

F

ormer FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has lost his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his 10-year ban from football.

Valcke, 57, was suspended in 2015 when FIFA ruled he had breached the body's ethics code on a series of occasions.

The Frenchman was originally given a 12-year ban and a 100,000 Swiss franc fine (£76,600), before the ban was later reduced by two years.

CAS said FIFA's punishment was "wholly proportionate".

In backing the 10-year ban and fine, Cas added it had "concluded that the offences found to have been committed

by Jerome Valcke were cumulatively of a serious degree of gravity".

Valcke, the former righthand man of EX-FIFA president Sepp Blatter, has always maintained he did "absolutely

Luiz Felipe Scolari

Jerome Valcke became Secretary General at Fifa in 2007

nothing wrong".

As well as being implicated in a scheme related to the resale of World Cup tickets, FIFA's ethics committee said Valcke had "acted against FIFA's best interests and caused considerable financial damage" by taking private flights for sightseeing trips with his family at the organisation's expense.

It was also critical of his involvement in the sale of television rights for below market value and said he "deliberate-

ly tried to obstruct the ongoing proceedings against him by attempting to delete or deleting several files and folders relevant to the investigation".

Blatter was banned by FIFA for eight years, later reduced to six, over ethics breaches when he was found to have made a £1.3m "disloyal payment" to ex-Uefa boss Michel Platini.

His appeal to Cas was rejected in December 2016. (BBC

Sport)

Former Chelsea boss returns to Palmeiras

F

ormer Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been appointed manager of Brazilian side Palmeiras for a third time.

The 69-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Sao Paulo club, who are nine-time champions of Brazil.

Scolari first managed Palmeiras between 1997 and 2000, then returned to the club for two more years in 2010 after Chelsea had sacked him just eight months into the job in 2009.

He won the World Cup as boss of Brazil in 2002.

Scolari returned to lead Brazil at their home World Cup in 2014, where they were beaten 7-1 by eventual champions Germany in the semi-finals.

His last managerial job was in China with Guangzhou Evergrande and he has been without a club since November 2017. (BBC Sport)

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21

12th Annual Guyana Cup…

THAG endorses Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee O ver the past 12 editions of the Guyana Cup, the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee has been expanding to cater to increasing numbers of visitors – new and returning – having received approximately 12,000 at last year’s event.

The Tourism and Hospitality Association (THAG) was pleased to endorse the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee in its hosting of the 12th Annual Guyana Cup in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf Club on August 19, 2018.

The Annual Guyana Cup is a successful tourism event in its own right having been responsible for bringing a unique niche of visitors to the destination following the offspring of their internationally bred horses from the USA, Suriname, Trinidad, Canada and other locations.

It is with delight that THAG endorses this sporting tourism initiative hosted by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee and proposes that it should be added as a calendar event for fans of horse- racing and families alike seeking new experiences while in Guyana.

THAG members during their meeting with the Cup’s Organising Committee members

Sport tourism refers to the experience of travel to engage in or view sport-related activities. It is generally recognised that there are three types of sport tourism including sport event tourism, active sport tourism, and nostalgia sport tourism.

Sport event tourism includes hallmark events such as the Olympic Games and the World Cup football championships. Since the early 1990s, international sporting events such as the World Cups and the Olympic Games were actively promoted as tourist attractions bringing large numbers of people to the destination following their team or in this case, favourite horse.

In addition to these major hallmark events, sponsored tournaments such as the IPL Twenty20 cricket and tennis have also joined the plethora of this spectator-based sector of sport tourism. Similarly, tourism associated with professional sport teams and athletics namely the Digicel Meet in Jamaica are part of this type of sports tourism. Who is to say that the Annual Guyana Cup cannot attain these heights?

Given that the Cup is a family-oriented and key tourism event for Berbice, THAG encourages all patrons to have a designated driver; if you drink, drink responsibly and travel safely when departing the event.

Matthew Prass named Best Cricketer at RHTY&SC Academy T

he curtains came down on the best-ever Cricket Academy of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) last Friday.

More than 120 youths between the ages of eight and 19 attended the twoweek Academy at the Area H Ground.

Level Three Coach Winston Smith along with national senior player Eon Hooper conducted the Academy along with Pre-Level One Coach Joel Pike.

RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu served as Director of the Academy, the 28th of its kind to be organised by Guyana’s most dynamic youth and sport organisation.

Seventeen-year-old Matthew Prass copped the prestigious Cricketer of the Academy Award, as well as the Most Committed prize, after being selected by the Coaches based on personal dis-

cipline, commitment, performance and attendance. Other awardees were Best Batsman –- Jonathan Rampersaud; Best Bowler— Jeremy Sandian; Most Disciplined – Collis Williams; Most Improved – Matthew Pottaya; Best Female – Akeela James and Most Promising – Rampersaud Rampertab.

Also claiming awards were Christopher Deroop, Rampertab Ramnauth, Asif Marimuthu and Arif Marimuthu who received special prizes for their hard work. Prizes distributed included trophies, medals, cricket bats, batting gloves and pads, wicket-keeping pads and educational materials.

The 2018 Academy, which had the largest number of registration in the Club’s history, and the Coaches were able to identify dozens of prom-

ising talents for the Sports Club.

This, long-time RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster stated, is important as the Club strives to uphold its hard-earned reputation as one of Guyana’s best cricket clubs. Over the years, the Academy has produced six West Indies players, 16 national players, 56 national juniors and 105 Berbice players at all levels. The 2018 Academy was sponsored by funds donated by Club Patron, President David Granger and the Guyana Goldfield Inc. The RHTY&SC, MS, said it would also like to express gratitude to Guyana Beverage Company, Rana Persaud, HA Snacks Co Ltd, S Tulsi, Bello Welding Shop, Nermala Hussain, Stephen Sampson, Ryan Tillack, Mayor Vijai Ramoo and Sunil Marimuthu.

Gunathilaka suspended for 6 international matches S

ri Lanka Cricket has suspended batsman Danushka had been arrested as a suspect.

Gunathilaka for six international matches for That Gunathilaka's conduct has repeatedly been an isbreaching the board's Player Code of Conduct and sue while he is playing for Sri Lanka will rankle with the Contractual Obligation. The offence was understood to be selectors. His suspension last year had been for turning up a serious breach of curfew during the second Test against for a match without his gear, and for having a lax attitude South Africa in Colombo. Gunathilaka will also not be paid towards training in general. Whether he will be considered any match fees for the Test, "along with any bonus and or for selection even after his suspension is served remains to other payments in connection thereto," an SLC release said. be seen. (ESPNcricinfo) The first three matches of the sixmatch suspension are for Gunathilaka's current breach of the code of conduct, while the other three have been enforced from the one-year suspended sentence of a three-match ban that was in force from October 2017. He had initially been suspended for six matches last year, which was later revised to three matches. He was also fined 20% of his annual contract fee.

Gunathilaka's offence is related to a separate criminal investigation into sexual assault, which had allegedly occurred at the team hotel. The Sri Lanka Police reiterated that Gunathilaka was not a susDanushka Gunathilaka pect in the criminal investigation, but another man, who is known to Gunathilaka,

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018

Match times, venues for Hero CPL 2018 confirmed

–play-offs set for Providence on Sept 11 &12

T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) fixtures, venues, and start times have been confirmed for the 2018 season, which gets underway on August 8 when defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders take on St Lucia Stars in Trinidad.

The tournament will then visit Guyana, St Lucia, Jamaica, St Kitts, Barbados and the USA before returning to Trinidad for the final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on September 16.

The tournament will feature 34 matches between the six franchises with each team playing five home matches.

The Jamaica Tallawahs will play three of their home games in Lauderhill, Florida meaning the CPL is returning to the USA for the third successive year.

The Hero CPL has signed a three-year agreement with Trinidad and Tobago to host the finals in the country following the successful final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in 2017.

This year’s tournament will once again see a mix of the best global a n d Caribbean cricketing talent with the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, David Warner, Steve Smith and Brendon McCullum among those taking part.

Hero CPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Damien O’Donohoe said: “We are really excited about the 2018 edition of the tournament. We have gone from strength to strength since we first started in 2013 and we know that the sixth Hero CPL is going to be the biggest and best yet. “The Biggest Party in Sport” is coming and we can’t wait for it all to get started.”

Tickets are available at cplt20.com and from local box offices and they are selling fast.

Hero CPL 2018 Fixtures (all times shown are in Eastern Caribbean Time) Wednesday, Aug 8 Thursday, Aug 9 Friday, Aug 10 Saturday, Aug 11 Saturday, Aug 11 Sunday, Aug 12 Tuesday, Aug 14 Wednesday, Aug 15 Thursday, Aug 16 Friday, Aug 17 Saturday, Aug 18 Sunday, Aug 19 Tuesday, Aug 21 Wednesday, Aug 22 Friday, Aug 24 Saturday, Aug 25 Saturday, Aug 25 Sunday, Aug 26 Tuesday, Aug 28 Wednesday, Aug 29 Thursday, Aug 30 Friday, Aug 31 Saturday, Sept 1 Sunday, Sept 2 Sunday, Sept 2 Tuesday, Sept 4 Wednesday, Sept 5 Friday, Sept 7 Saturday, Sept 8 Sunday, Sept 9

Tuesday, Sept 11 Wednesday, Sept 12

Friday, Sept 14 Sunday, Sept 16

Trinbago Knight Riders v St Lucia Stars, Queen’s Park Oval, 8pm Guyana Amazon Warriors v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Providence, 6pm Trinbago Knight Riders v Jamaica Tallawahs, Queen’s Park Oval, 8pm Guyana Amazon Warriors v St Lucia Stars, Providence, 4pm Trinbago Knight Riders v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Queen’s Park Oval, 8pm Guyana Amazon Warriors v Barbados Tridents, Providence, 6pm Jamaica Tallawahs v St Lucia Stars, Sabina Park, 7pm (6pm local time) Jamaica Tallawahs v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Sabina Park, 7pm (6pm local time) St Lucia Stars v Trinbago Knight Riders, Daren Sammy Stadium, 8pm St Lucia Stars v Barbados Tridents, Daren Sammy Stadium, 9pm Jamaica Tallawahs v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Central Broward Stadium, 8pm Jamaica Tallawahs v Trinbago Knight Riders, Central Broward Stadium, 6pm St Lucia Stars v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Daren Sammy Stadium, 6pm Jamaica Tallawahs v Barbados Tridents, Central Broward Stadium, 6pm St Lucia Stars v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Daren Sammy Stadium, 9pm Barbados Tridents v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Kensington Oval, 4pm St Lucia Stars v Jamaica Tallawahs, Daren Sammy Stadium, 8pm Barbados Tridents v Trinbago Knight Riders, Kensington Oval, 6pm St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Warner Park, 6pm Barbados Tridents v Jamaica Tallawahs, Kensington Oval, 8pm St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v St Lucia Stars, Warner Park, 6pm Barbados Tridents v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Kensington Oval, 8pm St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Trinbago Knight Riders, Warner Park, 6pm Barbados Tridents v St Lucia Stars, Kensington Oval, 2pm St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Jamaica Tallawahs, Warner Park, 6pm St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Barbados Tridents, Warner Park, 6pm Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Queen’s Park Oval, 8pm Trinbago Knight Riders v Barbados Tridents, Queen’s Park Oval, 8pm Guyana Amazon Warriors v Jamaica Tallawahs, Providence, 8pm Guyana Amazon Warriors v Trinbago Knight Riders, Providence, 6pm

PLAYOFFS Playoff 1 – 1st v 2nd, Providence, 6pm Playoff 2 – 3rd v 4th, Providence, 6pm

FINALS Semi-final -Winner Playoff 2 v Loser Playoff 1, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad, 8pm Final – Winner Playoff 1 v Winner Semi-final, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad, 5pm

Clubs commit to supporting Crandon racks up another GFA-IMC mandate 50 in Canada League

V

GFF President Wayne Forde flanked by members of the IMC and GFA

M

ember clubs of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) expressed readiness to support the work of the recently-installed Interim Management Committee (IMC).

This commitment was made during a successful meeting with Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde on Wednesday last at the Sleep Inn International Hotel, where the members were formally introduced to the IMC members.

In his introductory remarks, IMC Chairman Trevor Williams expressed willingness to serve in his capacity and advocated an open engagement approach to enable a mutually-beneficial relationship.

President Forde, during his presentation, assured the members that the appointment of the IMC was in complete alignment with the GFF’s statutes. Additionally, he informed the members that the GFF Executive Committee, CONCACAF and FIFA were aware of the efforts by some to destabilise football in Guyana and, as such, the international football governing bodies were consulted on all important constitutionally sensitive decisions of the GFF. Forde outlined the level of support the members would be given in the coming months that would allow them to organise the critical developmental competitions and improve the administration of the sport.

A GFA Competitions Committee was appointed by the members that will commence the organisation of competitions immediately. More details will be released in the coming weeks.

ikings Cricket Club continued their winnings ways in the 2018 Toronto and District Cricket Association Super 50-over competition after recording a comfortable 63-run win over Mississauga Dolphins at Maple Leaf, King City, last Saturday.

Vikings now have played in six matches, chalking up five victories with the other fixture being rained out. Vikings batted first and set up a challenging 194 all out off 36 overs while Mississauga Dolphins, in reply, reached 131-8 in 25.2 overs.

One batsman was injured.

Former Guyana and West Indies player Royston Crandon has been in fine form this season and once again scored a half-century (55) while Marvin Small and ex-Guyana youth skipper Eugene Lafleur chipped in with 38 and 21 respectively. Slow bowler Salman Nazar captured 4-33 off his 10 overs.

Hassan Mizra led the fight for Dolphins, hitting 42 as medium-pacer Akash Shah snapped up 3-44 from eight overs, while there were two wickets apiece for LaFleur and former Guyana quickie Jeremy Gordon.

Another former Guyana youth cricketer, left-arm spinner Raj Nanna collected a wicket and only conceded a mere three runs from 10 overs among them eight maidens.

The competition continues on Saturday, but Vikings will be out of action owing to a bye. They are set to resume their quest for supremacy on August 8 when they collide with Centurions Cricket Club at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club venue. (Ravi Madholall)

Royston Crandon

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, JUly 28, 2018

23

Windies eye another series win W

est Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has been ruled out of the last OneDay International (ODI) set for today at Warner Park, St Kitts, with the hosts looking to tie up another impressive series win.

The Jamaican has since had treatment to his knee and should be fit for selection for the three-match T20 series. Bangladesh and Windies are currently locked

– Russell to miss final ODI

in a 1-1 state heading into the final match on Saturday, following two brilliant games at Providence.

Windies will be sweating the loss of the power-hitter, but have drafted in Russell’s countryman, left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell, who will play in the last game.

Cottrell, who was injured back in March and was replaced by Guyanese Keemo Paul in the Windies squad, made a strong return bagging

wickets in the Global T20 Canada Cup where his franchise, Vancouver Knights, were crowned champs.

Guyana lit up over the past few days with the return of international cricket after nearly a year. The touring Bangladeshis racked up a big win in Sunday’s opener thanks to Tamim Iqbal’s 10th ODI ton and a solid 97 from Shakib Al Hasan.

It was, however, the tagteam of skipper Mashrafe

Minister Norton calls on Police to use sport to build relationships with communities

O

fficers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were on Friday urged to use sport as a way of building relationships with members of the communities which they serve. This call was made

by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton at the opening of the GPF’s 63rd annual swimming and athletic championship finals.

The event was held at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary under the theme “Fostering unity and partnership with the police and public through sports.”

Minister Norton reminded the officers that as law enforcement officials, sport can go a far way in strengthening their role in the Guyanese society. Sport, he said, is an effective tool that can be used to build trust

with members of society that police have a responsibility to serve and protect.

“Your involvement and promotion of sports at the community level can have a positive influence on our young men and women who have fallen prey to social ills.

This paves the way for life-changing mentorship. More importantly, sports help to foster the holistic development of any individual.”

Additionally, the Minister asked that the sporting activity not be a one-off event and urged that the officers continue to use it for positive changes.

The GPF’s 63rd annual swimming and athletic championship finals culminate their 179th-anniversary celebration activities.

Mortaza, returning to the side for the first time since 2015 and Mustafizur Rahman who bagged four and two scalps each to seal a good win.

Young Shimron Hetmyer was the star in a losing effort with a vital fifty, but soon turned the tides on the Tigers during Wednesday’s epic day/night game. In a match where skipper Jason Holder defended seven from the final over, Hetmyer smashed the highest score by a Guyanese (125) on the track as well as rack up the honours of being the youngest West Indian to top score at Providence.

The Caribbean side almost encountered a scare when Tamim, Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim hit resurgent fifties during the 280run chase. While the bowl-

ing has not clicked fully for the hosts, it is left to be seen what combination they will go for in Basseterre.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be eyeing gold after they suffered a 2-nil hammering in the Tests. Prior to the tournament, Mortaza was relishing the fact that his side had been making huge strides in limited-overs cricket and as such, had predicted a more dominating ODI series compared to the Tests. With the batting coming on strong minus huge con- tributions from Mahmudullah and

Sabbir Rahman, it is still unlikely that the Tigers will change their batting combo.

Change is also unlikely in the Tigers bowling unit, which has been the better of the two sides to date in the ODIs. Mustafizur, Mortaza and Ruben Hossain have been making steady inroads while the spinners, most notably Mehedy Hasan Miraz, have been doing their job well.

Play at Warner Park is set to bowl off from 09:30h on Saturday, July 28.

Meanwhile, the three-match T20 series will start in St Kitts on July 31 with the last two matches being played at Central Broward Regional Park in Florida on August 4 and 5.

F u l l Squad: Jason Holder – Captain; Devendra Bishoo; Chris Gayle; Shimron Hetmyer; Shai Hope; Alzarri Joseph; Evin Lewis; Jason Mohammed; Ashley Nurse; Rovman Powell; Sheldon Cottrell; Keemo Paul and Kieran Powell.

Andre Russell (Clifton Ross)

SaturDAY, JUly 28, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Devendra Bishoo leads the West Indies with wickets while Shimron Hetmyer is ahead with the bat

Windies eye another series win

Tamim Iqbal heads the scoring list for the series while Mashrafe Mortaza is the top wickets taker

Pg 23

– Russell to miss final ODI

Match times, venues for Hero CPL 2018 confirmed – play-offs set for Providence on Sept 11 &12

Pg 22

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