Guyana Times August 30, 2018

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NEW GPC awards bursaries to employees’ children P11

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Issue No. 3671

PRICE

Prolonged power outages

Essequibians walk out of meeting with GPL Page 13

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GTU books not audited since 1989 – AG P9 …“We have nothing to hide” – Union President

“Whistle”, accomplice remanded for several robberies

P8

City Hall’s financial woes

Lone gunman robs Bounty Supermarket

Page 14

Labour Dept monitoring P10 non-payment of NIS, PAYE Child abuse registry to be launched in September P9

Optimistic Page 10 3.8% growth rate unlikely – Opposition MP

Asbestos discovered at Christianburg Wismar P15 Secondary School

Dismissed sugar workers turned guards not paid in over 2 months Page 15

LGE gerrymandering

Govt pushing to form CDC in titled Amerindian village – Toshao Page 2

…Council says move designed to create disunity

Mother remanded for killing 3-year-old …psychiatric son evaluation ordered

“Expect more Venezuelans” ‒ human P3 rights body …as economic instability prompts fear of humanitarian crisis

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LGE gerrymandering

Govt pushing for CDC in titled Amerindian village – Toshao …Council says move designed to cause disunity

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hile Government has already been accused of reshaping Local Government Areas aimed at cutting People’s Progressive Party (PPP) wins at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE), another issue has surfaced where one of the coalition’s Members of Parliament (MP) has been accused of forming a Community Development Council (CDC) within a tilted Amerindian community.

Deputy Chairwoman of Four Miles, Roxanne Rajab – a community located in Region One (BarimaWaini) – claimed that the coalition Government is pushing to form a CDC in the Amerindian titled village, when there are no provisions within the law to allow this.

Rajab told Guyana Times on Tuesday that a meeting was organised on Monday by a few members of the community with the support of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) MP, Richard Allen, and the assistant Regional Executive Officer of the Region One Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Yvonne Shelto, where the idea was pitched to just a handful of residents.

In a letter that was dispatched to the Indigenous

Richard Allen, APNU/ AFC Region One MP

People’s Affairs Minister – signed by Rajab and three other persons, who currently sit on the Village Council – and seen by this newspaper, it explained in detail what took place at that meeting.

According to the missive, persons were already selected to hold various positions, with the alleged support of Allen.

The Deputy Toshao explained that there is a handful of APNU/AFC supporters who are pushing this issue.

She explained that the matter has caused some tension in the village and major disunity among villagers. Najab nevertheless reminded that a CDC cannot be formed within

a village council, something that Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valarie GarridoLowe has also confirmed.

Another resident explained also that because the village is managed by a Council where a Toshoa and Deputy Toshoa are elected, it is impossible for them to form an CDC. It is the sole responsibility of the Village Council to make representation for and on behalf of the people in that village. But no one from that Council were ever contacted or consulted before the meeting was held to pitch the idea of forming a CDC. When contacted, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Region One representative, Collin Croal said this issue highlights the “bullyism tactic” that continues to be practiced by APNU/ AFC operatives. He said this must be stopped from continuing. At the same time, the MP called on the Indigenous Affairs Ministry to play a more hands-on role in addressing these issues.

“What you have coming up there is an establishment of a parallel village council, because already they don’t even recognise and seek the blessings of the current Village Council which has its legitimacy through

the Amerindian Act. The residents in general must not tolerate same. Likewise, they must ensure that at all fronts that they fight this.

That is why we are asking the Government who is a stakeholder in all of this, because they are the ones who issues titles to Amerindian communities through the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission…they should ensure that that recognition and rights are adhered to,” he added.

Croal also accused the DREO of playing divisive politics. He said questions must be asked about the use of State resources because she allegedly utilised the Education Department bus to transport the APNU/AFC operatives, including Allen. “Questions must be asked about the use of those resources for activities that are not geared towards Government or regional activities, but it was purely political in nature.”

Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley also confirmed receiving numerous complaints over this same issue. He told Guyana Times on Tuesday that he has received calls from many concerned villagers and members of the Four Miles Village Council.

The Chairman recalled that Four Miles received their

Four Miles Deputy Toshao, Roxanne Rajab

title sometime in 2015 as an Amerindian reservation.

“This is the habit of this particular Member of Parliament and also activists of APNU/ AFC of going into this particular community… and they try to intimidate, bully people… they are trying to create an illegal CDC. The RDC does not recognise any such CDC,” he stated.

Ashley has raised concerns before over the active participation and involvement Allen in the affairs and functions of several State agencies and elected bodies in the region.

In February, he had pointed to Allen’s active in-

volvement with the General Register’s Office (GRO) visiting team issuing birth certificates in the region. Ashley went on to disclose that he had even received reports of Allen personally distributing birth certificates in bulk to people in various communities.

With LGE due this year, birth registration documents are critical for the registration of voters and in the past, the Toshaos and other community leaders had been the ones who worked with the GRO team, since they were knowledgeable about the eligibility of residents in their communities.

Only recently, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo raised concerns over 16 constituencies being removed from 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs). The order for the removal of the constituencies was signed by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan and published in an extra-ordinary gazette on June 7.

Jagdeo described it as gerrymandering in a bid to reduce PPP wins at the upcoming LGE. He said the order was a clear attempt by the governing coalition to influence results by restructuring the boundaries of LGAs.

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thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 30 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, August 31 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, August 30 – 06:30h-08:00h and Friday, August 31 – 07:05h-08:35h.

“Expect more Venezuelans” – human rights body …as economic instability prompts fear of humanitarian crisis

By Samuel Sukhnandan

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:43h and 19:00h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.65 metres respectively.

W

ith thousands fleeing Venezuela on a daily as the humanitarian crisis intensifies, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has warned that more persons are likely to seek refuge in Guyana.

Most Venezuelans are fleeing to Latin American countries that border Venezuela, but GHRA President, Mike McCormack said while the numbers here might not be as many as

der controversy, the nature of the terrain, the language barrier, may be reasons why they are not coming but that could change because there is a lot of interest being shown.”

McCormack told this newspaper that the GHRA is also monitoring the situation and would encourage everyone to continue to be observant.

“If we can keep up the work and the ‘don’t panic kind of attitude’…and don’t anticipate major problems before they actually arrive, I

Low Tide: 00:17h and 12:36h reaching minimum heights of 0.52 metre and 0.58 metre respectively.

Learning curve

“Our feeling is the Government has been on a learning curve and we feel much more assured now with the official response to the crisis than… say a year ago, when the standard response of when Venezuelans coming to Guyana was either they needed a passport or a visa and then if they over stayed they were put before the courts and fined and so on,” he stated.

According to McCormack, that has changed, as there is GHRA President Mike McCormack

now a more flexible, efficient and comprehensive response to allowing Venezuelans who are seeking to stay in Guyana.

“The way that kind of manifested, is…not only did they require passports or visas, but they got a threemonth initial visa and it is renewable. Government has improved its reception procedure,” the GHRA President noted, while pointing out that medical checks are also being done. turn to page 7 Venezuelans at a make shift camp in Region One

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those other countries, they will continue to come.

“It is possible that the numbers will increase here, particularly now that this crisis is getting worst,” he told Guyana Times on Wednesday, explaining that the Government must do everything to prepare for such an event.

McCormack noted that countries in the Andean region seem to be reaching their capacity and they have also made life a bit more difficult than it was before for Venezuelans, by placing visa restrictions, among other things. This, he said, could lend to more Venezuelans coming here.

“We will see more people coming. My sense is, we won’t see this massive number marching down roads.

But I think we need to make a modest effort to try to get early warnings,” he said.

The GHRA President feels persons in the bordering regions, particularly in Region One (Barima-Waini), should be educated and trained to respond to these cases.

“So, if they notice the numbers are increasing and if we get that information early, we can take measures and, coordination groups in the various Ministries could respond effectively.”

He also noted that the arrival of over 100 Arrau, a few months ago, was handled efficiently.

“We have been learning by experience. And we have been fortunate that the bor-

think we can keep this humanitarian obligation intact.”

On that note, he commended the Government for its response, saying it has been doing a “remarkably good job” in adhering to calls by international agencies to use a flexible approach to the issue.

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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

The 5 Cs of social media S

ocial media is a world within a world and for those who were born in the 21st Century, technology is only but a natural phenomenon. Cell phones, iPods, and video games are practically inevitable for teens and young adults. Along with these technologies come social media networking, which is part of the daily routine for many. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace have millions of visitors daily. Facebook alone has over 500 million users which make it the most popular social network website on Earth. Research conducted by Facebook shows that 50 per cent of its users are active users who log on daily and spend over 700 billion minutes per month on the site. There is no doubt that social media and social networking are here to stay; however, added to these ‘natural’ luxuries are risks and dangers.

While these sites’ open dialogue allows individuals to express themselves, there must be some amount of user censorship not necessarily by the domain host but rather by individuals themselves. Creating a profile, giving details about yourself, hobbies and educational background are all acceptable; however, for many every aspect of their day, work and lives are posted. Like driving, the users of social media should be cognisant of the five C’s – caution, care, common sense, courtesy and consideration – as many of the things posted can arise in the future to haunt thrones. Only recently, it was observed locally that a number of young persons were posting on social media their intent to resign from their current place of employment. Common sense – one of the 5 C’s – would inform that such information is personal and should not be posted on a social network, as such behaviours can stymie future employment.

What if the situation changed and that person needs to stay at the current place of employment? What if an intended employer does a social media search and sees such uncouth behaviour? It is thought-provoking that an employee can overlook his /her posting on any social networking site and talk their way out of potential employment. It seems as though these consequences are often not in the minds of teens and young adults when they take to the social media world to express themselves.

Interestingly, many young persons do not take into account or acknowledge the dangers of such postings on social networking sites since to them, all the social sites seem innocent.

Recent research has shown one of the greatest impacts of social networking is on the social skills of people. According to a BBC report, while on one hand, social networking sites seem to bring people together and connected; on the other hand, it creates social isolation.

Research has shown that older generations of networkers learnt how to communicate and interact long before networking was even a thought, but much of the younger generations do not interact socially. According to the report, social networking has created a serious breach in the ability of young people to communicate and interact with each other.

It is clear that there is evidence suggesting that social networking can be risky to a dangerous extent, but it is an area that cannot be ignored, as it is the driving force of the world today. Like the many pleasures of life, social networking can be beneficial in moderation; however, unfortunately, moderation and the social media world do not coincide in society. As such, all one can hope for is that young people have a deeper understanding and be conscious of what they are posing on social media, taking into consideration its impact today, tomorrow and years ahead.

Extreme Vespa enthusiasts drive their bike near the site of a weekend festival for extreme Vespas in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia (Reuters)

Straight-thinking citizens, professionals being marginalised Dear Editor, There is a story that is told about Bob Marley.

Bob Marley was shot while at his home (Jamaica) in December 1976, two days before he was due to perform at a concert. The story goes that when he showed up to perform at the concert and was asked how he found the strength and courage to show up, he answered, “The people who are trying to make this world worse… they are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness.”

I am reminded of a group of people in Georgetown, Guyana who lit up the darkness in a way that Guyanese have seldom seen. They are the civil society group the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM). The entire country watched in awe as this group went up against City Hall and exposed its corrupt negotiations, stopping them in their tracks.

The sheer awesomeness of the strength and power of a spontaneous movement of Guyanese united against injustice was a small signal of the potential of a United Guyana. A secondary but no less important observation is that the organisers who were a part of MAPM had more knowledge, principle, and a greater sense of justice than those corrupt officials in City Hall. What if these roles can be reversed? Dare we dream of a day when principled, decent, law-abiding Guyanese are the administrators of the city?

What would Georgetown be like if the best of us, instead of the worst of us, were its administrators?

At a national level, politics is dominated by opportunism. There is no space within the major political parties for development-focused individuals.

They are pushed to the side while the biggest opportun-

ists take centre-stage. The moral corruption has now been completely extended into the public sector, where the ruling party decides who is hired and who is fired. When the Guyanese politicians invite qualified, competent, overseas-based Guyanese professionals to return to Guyana, they need to add the fine print ‘to be our stooge or to do our bidding.’

The political culture of Guyana is now so corrupt that the worst of us are elevated into positions of power at both National Elections and at Local Government Elections, creating a huge human resource crisis and condemning us to permanent Third World status. Decent, law-abiding, straight-thinking citizens and professionals are marginalised, pushed out and excluded from the decision-making processes of nation building, and re-

placed by weak-minded individuals.

Guyana is a Third World country, and will remain a Third World country because the best and most qualified of us are deliberately excluded from being involved in decision-making and administration. This is a direct consequence of an opportunistic political culture.

The human resource crisis that is facing the nation and stifling our development is a created crisis that can be reversed, but only if there is a radical change in the political culture. The impetus for change has to come from the people of Guyana. If we fail to take our responsibilities to our nation seriously, especially with the threat by the military-industrial complex on the horizon, we can be assured that we are the only ones taking the day off.

Sincerely, Sandra Khan

Hypocritical Freddie Kissoon (Part one) Dear Editor, Freddie Kissoon has got some nerve, trying to desecrate the character of my friend and colleague, fellow Member of Parliament Gail Teixeira. She is well-respected, dignified, cultured, highly educated, and one of the leading candidates to replace Granger as President in 2020. More importantly, she is a woman with a vision, and is a patriotic Guyanese.

In his usual condescending way, Kissoon uses a

statement made by the PPP General Secretary to disqualify Gail Teixeira’s electability on account of her age. Here’s my take on this, to show just how hypocritical Freddie Kissoon really is: Since when does it matter to Kissoon what Bharrat Jagdeo says?

He has never before agreed with the former President on anything.

Further, with Guyana having a 72-year-old retiree as President, and with other senior citizens in his Cabinet

the likes of 72-year-old Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, 70-yearold Moses Nagamootoo, 72-year-old Noel Holder, and 69-year-old Carl Greenidge; and also with the appointments of 80-plus-year-old Dr Clive Thomas as the Head of SARA, 84-year-old Justice James Patterson as GECOM Chairman, and others too numerous to mention, I’m sure you get the drift.

President Granger has now ensured that a person’s age could no longer be an is-

sue in public life. In any event, Gail Teixeira is much younger than all those mentioned above. In his diatribe, Kissoon also references the Tennessee Williams’ play “Orpheus Descending” to describe Teixeira. This time he readily admits to not being a literary critic, as “Orpheus Descending” is about trying to live bravely and honestly in a fallen world. Ironically, this sums up the character of Gail Teixeira. 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

Another failed witch-hunting expedition Dear Editor, The freeing of Dr Jennifer Westford and Ms Margaret Cummings is another failure in the latest witch-hunting expedition of this Government, as well as another nail in

the Coalition’s coffin. They had instituted trumpedup charges, and were further embarrassed by a nocase conviction statement from a magistrate.

I do not know how many more trumped-up charges

this Coalition must pursue for them to hear those embarrassing words, "You have no case"; but such is the sorry situation of this bunch we have for a Government, where they would not accept the

Hypocritical Freddie...

From page 4

Living one’s life according to one’s convictions, and bravely defending them, is thought to be something honourable. But only the tainted and venomous mind of Freddie Kissoon could view it otherwise.

This self-righteous individual has a long-standing axe to grind with Gail Teixeira, so it is necessary for me to debunk some assertions made in his column.

Freddie was opposed to her being appointed to serve on the Council of the University of Guyana, and blames the PPP for his dismissal. The truth is, as stated in a press statement in February 2011, the UG Council did not renew Kissoon’s contract by a majority vote on two grounds: He was past retirement age, and had produced no research or academic publication in the 20 years he worked there. His columns in the Kaieteur News did not count. By the late 1980s, both Teixeira and Kissoon had served on the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD), for the PPP and WPA respectively. The PCD is a body that was set up with all the opposition political parties to push for free and fair elections after decades of dic-

tatorship under the PNC. Back then, even the WPA could not handle Kissoon, and soon banned him from PCD meetings, after it was recognised that he would prematurely break-up the PCD. But his bitterness festered, and has since turned to pure hatred for anyone associated with the PPP. Hence his daily anti-PPP rhetoric in the Kaieteur News.

The WPA, however, ultimately, in 1991, broke up the PCD with their demand that, firstly, Cheddi Jagan should not be the Presidential Candidate, as Afro-Guyanese would revolt against an Indian leader; and when they subsequently acquiesced, they demanded that Dr Jagan could be the Presidential Candidate, but the PPP could only have 13% of the seats in Parliament, regardless of how many they won. We all know how that turned out.

Gail Teixeira was involved in the thick of all these battles; and yes, on behalf of her Party, she fought on principle against such opportunism. Time has also shown that the PPP was right; as, look at the WPA today… totally compromised and in bed with the PNC, the party which assassinated their

leader Dr Walter Rodney, according to the findings of the 2016 Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Dr Walter Rodney’s assassination.

Let us not be fooled, Freddie Kissoon has his own agenda. He has openly declared his preference for my other friend and colleague, the former PPP/C Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who gave him $50,000 while he was building his house.

Kissoon said so himself in a previous column. It therefore seems that Kissoon wants to crush any potential threat to his choice for the PPP presidential candidate. I expect that other uncomplimentary articles will soon be written

by Freddie Kissoon on those that stand in the way of his choice; but let me make this pellucid: Anil Nandlall, if elected, would be an excellent presidential candidate, as well as any of the other front-runners, but this decision must be the collective wisdom of the Party. The PPP will never allow Freddie Kissoon to determine who its presidential candidate should be.

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

fact that their incompetence is the real problem, and not the PPP/C, who ran a successful Government, one based on sound economic principles and one that had as its benchmark above board management.

So, to earn a conviction of any kind on any one of the PPP/C administrators is a definite no-no. The prudent management of state funds during the PPP/C era dictated that they follow the straight and narrow, so I am convinced that all of these witch-hunts would turn up empty.

The Coalition, when in Opposition, represented a conglomeration of parties whose sole aim and purpose was to get the PPP/C out of office. So they embarked on a vicious campaign call of “corruption! The PPP/C is corrupt.” This followed a mass appeal that there would be mass incarceration of "all" PPP/C personnel. So, at the inauguration of that very same coalition, a financial audit was set up to check on the books to unearth all financial improprieties, then round-up all PPP/C so-called fraudsters and put them in jail.

To date, that has not taken place, so what we are witnessing here with this last dismissal case is a mad scramble to get a conviction somewhere somehow.

Jaipaul Sharma is hard pressed to bring in someone guilty. This is the million-dollar question he is faced with: How can he get a conviction?

So, he, in his desperation, is calling for a rein-

stitution of charges against the two former PPP/C officers. What an oddity! let me reBut mind Sharma of a few things: it was this very same Junior Finance Minister who, after being paid millions to conduct audits into the former Government’s accounts, said there was no evidence of misconduct or embezzlement of public funds. I am sure folks are familiar with those statements. So how can Sharma now expect Westford and Cummings to be guilty of anything when he was the one in the first place who cleared them of wrongdoing? It just does not make any sense.

In the same vein, it does not make any sense to re-institute charges against the two, because the same result would prevail. If anyone should face the heat, it should be Sharma; because to so brazenly drag these two fine ladies to court, and after wasting millions of taxpayers’ money he cannot

get a conviction, Sharma is the one who is plain guilty, and should be thrown in jail for peddling lies.

But as the situation unfolds, the Government is not giving up. It is prepared to waste taxpayers’ millions in another shot in the air with this political manifesto of massive corruption under the PPP/C Government, without a shred of evidence to support their claim.

Finally, Sharma is digging in his heels, seeing time is running out on him and his Government to prove that "corruption" fairytale story true. Sharma, for his own part, is also at his wits’ end to earn his keep as "a minister" in the Coalition.

He must show some degree of "relevance" in that coalition of sorts, but what he has to understand is that a lie is a lie, and no amount of talk can change it. I rest my case.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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ost children generate a little chaos and disorganisation. Yours might flit from one thing to the next – forgetting books at school, leaving towels on the floor, and failing to finish projects once started.

You'd like them to be more organised and to stay focused on tasks, such as homework. Is it possible?

Yes! A few children seem naturally organised, but for the rest, organisation is a skill learnt over time. With help and some practice, children can develop an effective approach to getting stuff done.

And you're the perfect person to teach your child, even if you don't feel all that organised yourself!

Easy as 1-2-3 For children, all tasks can be broken down into a 1-2-3 process.

Getting organised means a child gets where he or she needs to be and gathers the supplies needed to complete the task.

Staying focused means sticking with the task and learning to say "no" to distractions.

Getting it done means finishing up, checking your work, and putting on the finishing touches, like remembering to put a homework paper in the right folder and putting the folder inside the backpack so it's ready for the next day.

Once children know these steps — and how to apply them — they can start tackling tasks more independently. That means homework, chores, and other tasks will get done with increasing consistency and efficiency. Of course, children will still need parental help and guidance, but you probably won't have to nag as much.

Not only is it practical to teach these skills, but knowing how to get stuff done will help your child feel more competent and effective. Children feel self-confident and proud when they're able to accomplish their tasks and responsibilities. They're also sure to be pleased when they find they have some extra free time to do what they'd like to do.

From teeth brushing to book reports To get started, introduce the 1-23 method and help your child practise it in daily life. Even something as simple as brushing teeth requires this approach, so you might use this example when introducing the concept:

Foundation Getting organised: Go to the bathroom and get out your toothbrush and toothpaste. Wet your toothbrush and put on the toothpaste.

Staying focused: Dentists say to brush for three minutes, so that means keep brushing, even if you hear a really good song on the radio or you remember that you wanted to call your friend. Concentrate and remember what the dentist told you about brushing away from your gums.

report to write. What do you need to do to get started?" Help your child make a list of things like: Choose a book. Make sure the book is OK with the teacher. Write down the book and the author's name. Check the book out of the library. Mark the due date on a calendar.

Then help your child think of the supplies needed: The book, some note cards, a pen for taking notes, the teacher's

Getting it done: If you do steps 1 and 2, step 3 almost takes care of itself. Hurray, your three minutes are up and your teeth are clean! Getting it done means finishing up and putting on the finishing touches.

With teeth brushing, that would be stuff like turning off the water, putting away the toothbrush and paste, and making sure there's no toothpaste foam on your face!

With a more complex task, like completing a book report, the steps would become more involved, but the basic elements remain the same.

Here's how you might walk your child through the steps:

list of questions to answer, and a report cover. Have your child gather the supplies where the work will take place.

As the project progresses, show your child how to use the list to check off what's already done and get ready for what's next. Demonstrate how to add to the list, too. Coach your child to think, "OK, I did these things. Now, what's next?

Oh yeah, start reading the book" and to add things to the list like finish the book, read over my teacher's directions, start writing the report.

1. Getting organised Explain that this step is all about getting ready. It's about figuring out what children need to do and gathering any necessary items. For instance: "So you have a book

2. Staying focused Explain that this part is about doing it and sticking with the job. Tell children this means doing what you're supposed to do, following what's on the list, and sticking with it.

It also means focusing when there's

something else your child would rather be doing — the hardest part of all! Help children learn how to handle and resist these inevitable temptations. While working on the report, a competing idea might pop into your child's head: "I feel like shooting some hoops now." Teach children to challenge that impulse by asking themselves "Is that what I'm supposed to be doing?"

Explain that a tiny break to stretch a little and then get right back to the task at hand is OK. Then children can make a plan to shoot hoops after the work is done. Let them know that staying focused is tough

sometimes, but it gets easier with practice.

3. Getting it done Explain that this is the part when children will be finishing up the job. Talk about things like copying work neatly and asking a parent to read it over to help find any mistakes.

Coach your child to take those important final steps: putting his or her name on the report, placing it in a report cover, putting the report in the correct school folder, and putting the folder in the backpack so it's ready to be turned in. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

Stamps honour many things: • People • Places • Animals • Plants • Important issues • Events The rarest – and most expensive – stamp in the world is the British Guiana OneCent Magenta Stamp (issued 1856). At the time, all the colonies had to wait for stamps to arrive from the United Kingdom. The boat was delayed, and the postmaster created his own collection of stamps. There is reportedly only one specimen of this stamp left, and it is in very poor condition.

It was sold in 2014 for US$9.5 million.

At their most basic, stamps are The British Guiana One-Cent Magenta Stamp simply proof that the mail they are attached to was posted, but with the addition of graphic designs that honour people, places, animals, plants, important issues or events, they become something much greater. You can imitate that long-ago postmaster and create a stamp of your own design. Choose your favourite topic from above and get started! (Adapted from postalmuseum.si.edu)

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GTU pushes for arbitration to settle teachers’ salary dispute …Education Ministry refuses to participate

…conciliation talks halted

A

s the impasse between the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Education Ministry continued over wage increases for teachers, the union said on Wednesday it would consider calling off the strike as long as its conditions are met, which include uitlising arbitration to settle the matter.

This disclosure was made after conciliation talks at the Social Protection Ministry’s Labour Department, where the GTU outlined its justification for arbitration.

However, Guyana Times understands that the GTU was excused and a brief closed-door meeting with Education representatives and the Labour Department was held.

It was related that after this meeting-within-a-meeting concluded, the Education Ministry’s officials returned, holding on to the position that conciliation is the way forward. Under arbitration, a neutral party would take evidence from both sides and then make an award afterwards.

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald, in an interview with Guyana Times, contended that the MoE’s representatives: Social Protection Minister Amna

Ally; her junior, Labour Minister Keith Scott; Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle, and Labour Advisor Francis Carryl, were all members of Government who were advocating on the employer’s (Education Ministry’s) behalf.

The union believes that such advocacy compromised the spirit and intent of conciliation.

“The Education Ministry’s acting DPS (Deputy Permanent Secretary) said they are prepared to go to conciliation, and to ensure that we go to every step of the way until we would have exhausted the process; then we can move on to arbitration...

“GTU, at that point, reiterated our position: that we are prepared to go to arbitration because we have no faith and confidence in the persons who’re representing Government wanting to stand as the mediator,” she explained.

GTU, through its letter to the Labour Department, advised that the State installs an arbitration panel of three persons – a chairman they can both agree on, and one of two additional members to be nominated by each side.

The union said there should be no victimisation by either

side. It further demanded that teachers must not lose pay or their seniority. The GTU also wants the arbitration panel and its chairman to be identified before teachers turn out to school, and for all parties to respect the final decision of the arbitrator.

However, the Social Protection Ministry, in a statement on Wednesday, said “Conciliation talks” were adjourned until further notice. The Ministry maintained that “before any progress could be made at conciliation, the current strike action initiated by the Union must be called off after a memorandum containing terms of resumption has been signed by the parties.”

According to the Ministry, it is unfortunate that the GTU did not find comfort with the suggestion, which it states necessitated the continuation of conciliation.

“Since the GTU could not find favour with possible terms of resumption facilitating the termination of the strike and the progression of conciliation, the meeting was adjourned to a time and date to be determined shortly,” the statement highlighted.

The union is seeking agreements of 40 per cent

“Expect more Venezuelans”...

from page 3

He said that is an indication of the Government being more confident from the experience of addressing the situation. McCormack also pointed to an example, where 27 females, mostly Venezuelans, were found inside a “strip club” at Bikers Bar, Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara.

“A year ago, they would have all been charged for prostitution and put before the courts and deported. This time the Police raided the place, the girls were checked by the medical authorities and those who didn’t have visas, they were given and their status regularised. And the

people who own the bar were prosecuted,” he observed.

According to the human rights activist, this approach is much more effective and a humanitarian way of addressing the current situation of Venezuelans coming to Guyana.

While Colombia has received far more Venezuelans than other countries so far, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said they are spreading out to other countries.

At least 40,000 Venezuelan migrants arrived in Peru in the first two months of

this year. Thousands more have emigrated to Panama, Ecuador, Chile, Spain, the United States and beyond.

It has been reported also that boats carrying Venezuelan migrants have landed on some islands in the Caribbean. In January, one capsized off Curaçao, killing at least four people.

The number of Venezuelans seeking asylum abroad has rocketed by 2000 per cent since 2014.

Brazil is another of the countries to have received a huge influx. There is about 600 Venezuelans in Region One (Barima-Waini).

Representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Protection Labour Department and Guyana Teachers’ Union engaged in discussions

increases on each year from 2016 to 2020, but Government has stressed that this request is just not feasible for the over 10,000 teachers in the system.

Education Minister Nicolette Henry was not present at Wednesday’s meeting. However, at an engagement at Queen’s College

on Tuesday, she observed that GTU had made an “unnecessary proposal” for duty-free concessions for Union executives.

The Education Ministry has been hosting several meetings, urging parents to send their children out to school when classes start next Monday. The Ministry

has said that striking teachers would be substituted by CPCE trainees, recent graduates and retired teachers.

Some parents, however, fear that their children could be shortchanged by this arrangement, especially those preparing for CXC examinations and National Grade Six examinations in 2019.

8 news

thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

“Whistle”, accomplice remanded for several robberies

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ell known character Leon Duncan, called “Whistle,” who on numerous occasions had been before the court on several allegations, including murder -- and who was shot on Saturday last

by Police following a robbery accusation -- found himself yet again before the court slapped with said robbery charge and other offences.

The 28-year-old of Lot 1977 Festival City, North Ruimveldt, and his alleged accomplice, 20-year-old Wayne Lawrence of Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, were both remanded to prison when they appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman.

It is alleged that the duo robbed Shezeena Hoosein of

Leon Duncan, called “Whistle”

$90,000 on August 25, 2018 on Hadfield Street, Stabroek Georgetown, while using violence in the course of the robbery.

The court heard that the men attacked Hoosein at

about 05:50h, and gun-butted her to her face before making off with her cash.

According to the prosecution’s case, the duo was apprehended on Breda Street, Werk-en-Rust.

However, Duncan was shot after he allegedly attempted to disarm one of the arresting officers.

On Wednesday, Duncan was additionally charged for robbing Nikel Pikerson of his $98,000 gold chain on July 14 at Second Street, Alberttown.

Additionally, on April 15, he reportedly discharged a loaded firearm at the National Gymnasium, for which he was also charged on Wednesday.

Finally, he was slapped with a charge of assaulting two Police officers on August

25, who were at the time executing duties.

Attorney for Duncan, Keoma Griffith, told the court that his client was shot to his upper right thigh.

He noted that Duncan is currently not able to take care of himself, and requested that pre-trial liberty be granted to his client.

However, Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris strongly objected to Duncan being placed on bail, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offences for which he was accused.

Duncan was placed on $100,000 bail for the allegation of discharging a loaded firearm, but was remanded, along with his co-accused Lawrence, on the robbery charges.

Mechanic slapped with fraud charge A

29-year-old mechanic found himself before City Magistrate Judy Latchman on Wednesday morning at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged for fraud.

Anil Sookram denied that on June 15, 2017, in Georgetown, while being entrusted with the sum of $1.2 million by Kerwin Mars to purchase spare parts to repair his minibus, BVV 784, he converted the cash to his own use and benefit.

Reports are that the virtual complainant’s motor vehicle was involved in an accident, and his insurance company referred him to the defendant to effect the repairs on the bus.

An estimate prepared

by Sookram indicated that a total sum of $1.6 million would be required to complete repairs on the said vehicle.

On June 15, Mars handed over the $1.2 million for works on the vehicle to commence. The works were

Anil Sookram

to be completed in 30 days, but the defendant failed to honour the contract; and when a check was made, no work had been done on the vehicle.

This prompted the insurance company to confiscate the vehicle, and Sookram was later arrested and charged after he failed to return the cash which he had been given.

He was placed on $200,000 for the offence, and is expected to return to court on September 26.

Electra Foundation staff slapped with fraud charge

A

n Electra Foundation employee who reportedly defrauded a client of $1.2 million which

was to be used struction of a house, was on answerable to

for the conlow-income Wednesday Georgetown

Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Nazia Persaud of Lot 44 Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who allegedly has

similar matters at the Providence, Anna Regina and Linden Magistrate’s Courts, denied the charge read to her by the Magistrate.

It is alleged that on October 14, 2016, with intent to defraud, she obtained the sum of $1.295 million from Margaret Daly by falsely pretending that she was in a position to construct the said low income house.

The virtual complainant (VC) reportedly handed over the cash to Persaud for the house to be constructed in Corentyne, Berbice, but this was not done.

Attorney for Persaud, Stanley Moore, told the Court that the VC had cancelled a contractual agreement made with Persaud, which states that she is entitled to a refund minus 25 per cent to be given to the company.

Moore requested bail to be granted on the basis of the information. However, Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to bail, informing the court that it is not the first time that Persaud is being accused of such an offence.

Persaud was, however, placed on bail in the sum of $400,000, and was ordered to reappear in court on September 26.

Heritage…

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…of First Peoples ith the month of September nigh upon us, we’ve been reminded that this is “Amerindian Heritage Month” – or “Indigenous Heritage Month”, or “First Peoples’ Heritage Month”. Take your pick – but remember there’s a lot in a name! “Amerindian” is now passé, since in this dawning of the Age of Aquarius, that’s like a “slave” name bestowed by their oppressors, who were arrogant enough to declare they “discovered” them!

They, in THAT scheme of things, weren’t humans whose consciousness led to self-discovery, but were akin to mountains and rivers that had to be “discovered” by Europeans to be hailed into existence!! “Indigenous” became the preferred moniker with decolonisation and all of that. It reminded one and all they were here “from time immemorial”. But since some have been crass enough to take that expression literally and then question it, of recent, representatives have demanded of the ERC that they be called “First Peoples”.

This, of course, is a pointed reminder that everyone else in the land is “second” or lower in some order that’s obviously meant to suggest a natural ranking!! Looks like it’s a response to those who’re claiming a greater right to the national patrimony. But the First Peoples are reminding all and sundry that they ought to get first dibs at whatever’s being doled out. Including, presumably, the oil revenues that are already being divvied up by coast landers!

Now, because of the history of exclusion and exploitation that’s now being rejected by the First Peoples, your Eyewitness was intrigued by them opening up their Heritage Month with a “prayer service” led by a group from the “Hallelujah Religion”. This, we are informed, is the only surviving “Indigenous Religion”. But from the name, it’s obviously a syncretic form of worship that includes Christian elements.

This is a step forward, since at least it suggests that not only are the First Peoples choosing their own name, but also their own spiritual practice.

Another important aspect of the First Peoples’ Heritage in the coming month that must be emphasised is the legacy of Stephen Campbell in securing their land rights. There are many who’re jumping up and down like fowl cocks making all sorts of ridiculous statements that Amerindian land rights were a form of reparation. It’s not!! In the 1960s, Campbell, as the first “First Peoples” MP, worked tirelessly to develop a First Peoples’ democratic consensus on their claim to their land on which they had lived, and he presented this directly to the British Government.

As a condition for Independence, Annex C of the Independence Agreement spells out the nature of those rights.

This September, all Guyanese should put that in their pipe and smoke it!! …and TT oil It’s the end of a looong era!! Imagine, the Trinidad oil company Petrotrin’s closing down and has put 1700 workers into the streets. If nothing else, this should remind some of the hard heads (not hard hats!) in OUR Government that sugar isn’t the only industry that can become obsolete. While former TT PM Eric Williams used to boast that “oil can’t spoil”, Trinis have now found out it can run out! And this is worse!!

Oil was being pumped since early in the 20th century, and made TT the most prosperous colony during colonial times. But after Independence, Williams doled out all the jobs in the industry and all the ancillary support companies to his PNM supporters!! He didn’t save for a rainy day, nor did he invest in diversifying the economy – especially agriculture. So that now the (oil) well is dry, some of the Trinis ‘ah halla and some ah bawl”!!

Your Eyewitness hopes Granger takes notice. He’s already shut down sugar.

But he’d better hold the line on the “handout” culture!! …and bullyism So when will Cabinet be holding that promised meeting on Broomes’s shameful bullyism of those security guards??

She recently pontificated about “safety of miners”.

What about safety of security guards??

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

News

9

thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTU’s books not audited Child abuse registry to be launched since 1989 – AG …“We have nothing to hide” – Union’s President in September D

GTU President Mark Lyte

A

s the countrywide teachers’ strike over wage increases enters its fourth straight day, attention is simultaneously being placed on the financial status of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), after a request was made for Auditor General Deodat Sharma to conduct an audit of the union’s finances.

This request was made after the union announced that it cannot pay full strike relief to all teachers.

While the probe has not started, Auditor General Sharma told Guyana Times on Wednesday that, based on the information obtained so far, the GTU’s books have not been audited in almost 30 years. He pointed out that his office had written the GTU in the past to submit its records.

“The last audit was since 1989. We had written them to submit their records. I don’t think they’ve got it for those years, but I have to double-check my records.

Normally, based of financial statement audits, unless we get the financial statement, we don’t really go in, unless there is some inquiry or accusation,” Sharma observed.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

Sharma cautioned that the audit would move forward once the records are present. On those grounds, he pointed out that at this point he could not say how long a probe would last.

“I don’t know. First of all, it’s due to the availability of the records. Once we get the records, within two to three weeks we should be able to have something,” the official surmised.

GTU not afraid

Meanwhile, at least two executives of the GTU, while responding to disclosure of the possible probe, questioned the timing of the request and pondered if the letter has truly come from a concerned teacher. GTU President Mark Lyte told this newspaper that the union is focused on advancing improved wages.

“It (the letter) says it’s coming from a teacher, but I believe it’s coming from a certain office that everyone knows where,” Lyte said.

He told this newspaper the GTU’s books were audited, and maintained that the union has no issue with being re-audited.

“Why does the media have to be tracking us down for this? The issue at hand is teachers’ livable wages and salary, and that is the focus right now. If the books have to be audited, the people who have to audit, come and audit; we don’t have anything to hide,” Lyte disclosed.

Even as the possibility of an audit probe looms, the union President stressed that the teachers’ 50 percent strike relief would not be affected.

“It affects nothing; we’ve already said to the teachers that strike relief would be provided,” he asserted.

No distraction

Lyte’s fellow executive, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald, declared that the union has been a transparent one, having suggested that there continues to be regular internal audits.

“We have no difficulty with [an audit]. Our books are always opened.

Our teachers at any time can come and peruse our books. At every General Council meeting, we have a report from the treasurer, with audited statements coming from our auditors,” McDonald declared.

“If you check history, every time a union decides to call industrial action, whichever Government in power always wants to threaten you that your books are not audited; so we will not be distracted by them,” she added.

Guyana Times, in trying to ascertain when the last audit was done, the executive stressed that the GTU auditing is ongoing.

“Auditing is a process, so our process is ongoing. In 2016, we had our elections, and we had audited statements that were issued.

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

Our focus is to move this matter to arbitration, end this fiasco and ensure that our nation’s children are being taking care of before we fight to see if our books are up to date,” she noted.

In the August 23, 2018 letter, the “concerned” teacher requested that an audit be conducted in the management of funds paid to the Guyana Teachers Union.

It related union President Mark Lyte initially saying that the union could not provide relief benefits as the union had other financial commitments, such as bursaries, death benefits, and buildings to maintain.

Teachers had been concerned that there would be cuts to their salaries, and were not sure if the union would provide strike relief; but the GTU General Council held a meeting on Tuesday and decided to offer partial strike relief to teachers amounting to 50 percent of their salaries. However, Lyte also cautioned that the relief fund could cover teachers for up to one month. Teachers are seeking increases of some 40%.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

irector of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA), Ann Greene, has revealed that the long awaited and much needed child abuse registry will be launched in September.

This was recently related to this newspaper by the director, who reminded that this year’s Child Protection Week will commence on September 23 under the theme ‘Supporting families to prevent child abuse through education and community involvement.’

The child abuse registry will be helpful in providing information in relation to a person’s biography. Greene pointed out that the perpetrators of sexual abuse will be publicised and exposed to the public, who will be able to access the requisite information on the internet.

“People were clamouring for that, and so I gave a commitment to launch the child abuse registry. It is really to put online the persons who would have committed offences against children. If anybody wants to employ anybody, you could run the child abuse registry,” she explained.

According to her, a few “final touches” are being added to the registry to ensure it meets the mandatory requirements. “We got some equipment to set up, and that is being done right now,” she asserted.

Greene did not reveal the cost of the programme, but only said it was budgeted for and it is a rather technical database.

“A lot of information will be made available through the registry; (like) the type of abuse, the person’s age, their name, where they’re from, and so on. Because

CC&PA Director Ann Greene

when we set up this database, we can do drafts and look and see where the abusers are. We can pull up the map and see where they are,” she revealed.

The perpetrators’ pictures, she said, will also likely be available through the registry, since the department is cognisant of the fact that people have the same names.

It was on this note that the Director reiterated the importance of such a database in combating child abuse nationally.

The Social Protection Ministry first announced plans to establish this type of registry back in 2016. The then Guyana Information Agency (GINA) had reported that the Ministry would be embarking on a series of community outreaches countrywide to develop a registry to ensure that all vulnerable individuals and families are accounted for.

Minister Volda Lawrence, who then was in charge of the Ministry, said, “For instance, if someone goes to the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) for a job, that agency will be able to see that person’s information…”

10 news Optimistic 3.8% growth rate unlikely – Opposition MP thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

T

he revised Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 3.8 percent for 2018 is undoubtedly optimistic, and again highly improbable, Opposition Member of Parliament and Economic Spokesman Irfaan Ali has said.

The MP gave reasons why he thinks that the projected growth rate that was pitched by the coalition Government is unachievable. One reason is Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s track record of erroneous projections.

However, Ali said, more than that, the wholesale and retail trade and livestock, which Jordan has described as the two trump cards for growth, are very unlikely to achieve the grossly inflated growth rates, Ali suggested.

“Reason being: wholesale and retail trade will likely be affected by shortage of foreign currencies.

Two: other sectors, such as rice, timber, gold, and sugar, are like to record worse-than-projected output levels,” the MP pointed out.

He said the deplorable condition of roads coupled with high fuel prices is expected also to further add to production cost and reduce

accessibility to hinterland areas.

Moreover, given the dip in international foreign reserves at the Bank of Guyana (BoG) and the fact that in excess of US$71 million will be needed to cover the import bill of fuel and lubricants for the remaining of 2018, Ali said there is a high possibility of shortage of fuel, and other key foreign goods and services.

Domestic debt

Touching on the issue of local debt, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) MP recalled that Jordan, in his 2015 Budget speech, made attempts to address the importance of macroeconomic stability and its critical role for the achievement and sustainability of the “good life.”

In doing so, the Minister made a commitment to ensure the maintenance of macroeconomic stability, by creating conditions to foster a positive growth trajectory while improving expenditure management.

Ali also recalled Jordan saying that this would involve the undertaking of prudent and targeted fiscal policy in order to reduce the deficit in both the Central Government and public enterprises.”

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

“Three years later, after fact-checking the above statement, it is conspicuous that the Government accomplished the complete opposite. By end 2018, overall deficit after grants for both Central Government and public enterprise is projected to increase to $51.5 billion, up from $36 billion in 2014, a difference of $15.5 billion. To satisfy this shortfall, approximately $41 billion will be sourced domestically,” the MP rightfully pointed out.

Foreign exchange

Pointing to another issue, Ali said the economic climate is expected to further deteriorate, with added pressure being placed on Guyana’s foreign exchange

reserves.

He pointed to the 2018 Finance Ministry’s MidYear Report, which outlined that by end 2018, to satisfy the import bill of fuel and lubricants, another US$71 million will be needed.

Further, to satisfy the overall balance of payments deficit, that is now projected to increase by US$112.6 million or 162 percent, up from an initial projection of 14.4 percent, “A total of US$108 million will be usurped from the Bank of Guyana’s International Reserves, up from the initial projection of US$6.5 million. The huge increase in demand for foreign exchange, however, is likely to increase significantly, given the Minister’s abys-

mal track record of highly erroneous projections,” he added.

Balance of payment

Meanwhile, focus was also paid to Guyana’s overall balance of payments which has recorded a deficit of US$139.8 million in the first half of 2018, compared to a deficit of US$46.0 million recorded in June 2017.

Ali said that to finance this huge deficit, the Government usurped US$110 million from the Bank of Guyana’s Foreign Assets Reserve, taking the reserve to a 10-year low of US$473.4 million.

The overall balance of payments by end 2018 is projected to record a total deficit of US$182.1 million.

But the Opposition MP has said it is important to note that the initial projection of balance of payments deficit was set at US$79.7 million for 2018. In other words, we have surpassed that amount by 130 percent within the first half of 2018.

“Moreover, the Current Account deficit is expected to weaken to a deficit of US$366.3 million by end 2018, down from an initial projection of US$292 million. In other words, the revised outlook for our Balance of Payments is even more ominous than initially anticipated. In short, there would be a greater need for more foreign exchange by end 2018 to cover our import bills,” Ali observed.

City Hall’s financial woes

Labour Department monitoring non-payment of NIS, PAYE

I

n light of the recent complaints which surfaced in relation to City Hall’s non-payment of National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions owed to the relevant agencies, the Social Protection Ministry’s Labour Department has announced that it is currently monitoring the situation.

This was related to Guyana Times by Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle during an interview.

“We are monitoring the situation. We had a tripartite meeting (at) which the NIS General Manager indicated (the issue); that’s how we know. We wrote them (City Hall) and they responded, (so) we are monitoring it all the time. We continuously continue to monitor the City Hall,” he related.

Ogle informed he is aware of a payment plan the M&CC have arranged with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and NIS to ensure the dues are paid.

“They have a payment plan for the Union dues, the NIS (and all) the different things with the different agencies (like) the GRA,” the Chief Labour Officer pointed out.

According to him, the agencies would have agreed to the payment plan, since City Hall “does not have the money”.

Questioned if the Department would take any action against City Hall if it continues along the line of failing to pay the dues, Ogle said, “What actions could we take? There is a shortage, or a lack of funds, or whatever; so they have an agreement with these agencies to

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle

pay as soon as they get the monies.”

Workers in different departments of the Mayor

unable to be financial compensated when sick or in need of glasses, etcetera.

“Them ain’t paying the money! So when people sick, they can’t go for nothing.

The people sayin, ‘Go back to Council’, cause Council not payin the money,” a worker in the Drainage and Engineering Department told this publication.

He added that nonpayment of the workers’ salaries is becoming very frustrating, especially at this time of year, when parents are expected to buy school supplies for their children.

Recardo Grant, another worker, said the workers have been promised that de-

City Hall

and City Council took to the streets on August 20 as they protested the non-payment of their dues and several other issues.

According to them, the Union dues and even NIS deductions were made from their salaries, but whenever they visit the NIS, they were being told that their payments are not up to date, which results in them being

ductions made from their salaries would accordingly be remitted to the relevant agencies, but this has not been happening.

“No NIS money have been paying for we, (and) no back pay… They only promising we…is long this man (King) deh pun this thing.

We can’t eat promises; I can’t carry promises to the market,” Grant stated.

11

News

thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

ExxonMobil recommits to NEW GPC awards bursaries environmental obligations NGSA examination

to employees’ children

Recipients of the bursaries along with NEW GPC Human Resources Manager Faye Scott; Company Secretary Zulfikar Ally; Executive Assistant Jonnellor Bowen; GLU General Secretary Carvil Duncan, and a CCWU representative on Wednesday

N

EW GPC on Wednesday distributed several bursary awards to its employees’ children who would have written the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations.

Among those in attendance at this ceremony were the awardees, summer attachments of the company, staff members, and representatives from the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) and the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU).

The six bursary awardees, Narendra Maraj, Menakshi Singh, Kelly Singh, Darryle David, Reshma Seemangal and Alaycie Datson, were also given school supplies.

Meanwhile, recognition was also given to three work study students, Shaqueon Scott, Shelleeza Mohamad

and Neveash Kumar.

Company Secretary Zulfikar Ally charged the students to work towards excellence as he renewed the company’s commitment towards assisting the students in their academics.

“The NEW GPC Inc once again is proud to continue this tradition of handing out bursary awards to students and children of our employees,” said Ally.

“We have been doing this for a very long time, and we will continue to do this as long as we have bright young kids who continue to excel. Your whole future is ahead of you, and we would like to support you in your quest to become whatever you would like to be,” he said to the students.

General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union, Carvil Duncan, in his re-

marks, told the young students, “It is not where you are that is important, but where you want to be.

Everything you want to achieve in life you’ll have to work for it.”

He noted that for all students to excel, preparations must be made from the time they commence their academic journey.

“You must programme yourselves from now for what you want to become in the next ten, fifteen years; and once you programme your thoughts and you are conscious of what you want to become, then the responsibility lies with you.”

Additionally, Jonathan Motieram of Covent Garden Secondary was also named the top bursary graduate for securing eight subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

…as Int’l body tells Govt to keep eye on plan

U

nited States oil giant ExxonMobil has responded to calls made by Open Society Institute (OSI), which has urged Government to pay keen attention to the system ExxonMobil will use to dispose of possible hazardous waste.

Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs, Deedra Moe, said Wednesday that her company is committed to ensure that they operate in an environmentally safe manner in all of its activities in Guyana.

“Managing waste responsibly is an important part of our operation and included in our project Environmental Impact Assessment,” she told Guyana Times, explaining that the company will work to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations and our environmental commitments.

In addition, Moe reminded that ExxonMobil will be monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during their course of operation here and it will seek to act responsibly.

But the OSI, an international organisation that promotes democratic governance and human rights, warned of the environmental consequences that oil can have on a country, throughout the entire process of development.

It noted that exploration, onshore and offshore drilling, refining, pipelines and other forms of transportation, poses serious risks to the ecology and public health.

Further, the OSI said that every environmental medium: air, water, and land has the possibility of being affected. It therefore urged large Government oversight, and

ExxonMobil’s Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs, Deedra Moe

conditions in particular ecosystems as production nears in 2020.

Another significant concern raised, was the disposal of oil wastes from offshore drilling operations. This, it said, has significant impact on both human and marine life.

The OSI said the only way to solve the problems caused by offshore discharges is to capture the waste and dispose of it in a properly lined waste disposal site on land. It said Guyana’s EPA needs to keep a close eye on this area.

Many persons in civil society have raised similar concerns, including conservationist Annette Arjoon-Martins, who has said that there is still no comprehensive national oil response plan. This is even as ExxonMobil’s commercial production of oil is slated to begin two years from now.

But the results from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) into the Liza Phase 2 development

project has almost cleared ExxonMobil’s subsidiary from the presumption that its operations will cause damage to Guyana’s wildlife and the environment – that is, pending an independent assessment.

The report’s findings are that damage will be “negligible to minor” when it comes to various categories. That is, save for damage to marine mammals, which the report does find will be moderate.

According to the report, which was commissioned

by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), observations before and after the issuance of the environmental permit show that large members of the cetacean family (particularly whales) rarely appear South of the Stabroek Block.

The report states, “marine mammals have the potential to be impacted by two types of sound from planned project activities… Continuous sound from vessels and machinery operating in the (Project Development Area (PDA)) and comparatively louder, shorter-duration impulse sound from the Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) and pile driving.”

Government had announced that an international firm, Ramboll US Corporation, will be contracted at a cost of $40 million to review the EIA. That sum will be footed by EEPGL, seeking environmental authorisation for the second phase of its Lisa project.

It is understood that the Liza Phase 1 development project will produce about half the oil in the Liza field, Stabroek block. The Liza Phase 2 development project will produce the other half.

12 news

thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Route 44 minibuses demanding double fare – passengers …hotline to be established for exploited commuters – minibus association

A

Passengers rushing to enter a minibus on one of the crowded bus parks during peak hours

lthough the minibus fare is expected to be increased by $20 come September 1, several route 44 (Georgetown-Mahaica) minibus operators have established their very own fare structures and have been demanding an additional fare from commuters.

Guyana Times understands that some operators have been demanding as much as $100 extra at nights, and are even overloading the minibuses, since according to them, gasoline prices are high.

Speaking with this newspaper, a disgruntled passenger said he finds it extremely upsetting that a decision was taken to raise minibus fares when those very minibus drivers and conductors, particularly those who operate on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) bus park, continue to exploit passengers.

“Passengers like me are left to wait for long periods for minibuses especially in the evening and because the park is always filled with passengers especially around 18-19:00h. They tend to raise their fares sometimes doubling it and overloading the buses. I have come across cases where some passengers complain but because they have waited for half an hour, one hour and sometime more, they tend not to say anything because most times they have spent hours at work and are tired and just want to get home,” the commuter said.

Another pointed out that minibuses that operate the Victoria, Anns Grove, Golden Grove route charge $200 per passenger in the evenings.

“The passage for a person at Mon Repos is $120 and Montrose $100. Even for those who refuse to pay the price they call for, they’re sometimes verbally abused and embarrassed by the same minibus drivers and conductors. The situation at the 44 minibus park is becoming more and more ridiculous and must be looked into urgently with the aim of finding a solution to the problem.”

When this publication visited the park on Wednesday afternoon, several passengers agreed that the minibus operators are indeed exploiting them.

A 14-year-old school child of Golden Grove complained that when he travels with the minibuses in the route 44 zone to and from schoo, they would usually take his money and not give him any change. Whenever he requested it, the conductors would insult him.

Deon (only name given), from Buxton, ECD, who also uses the route 44 minibuses said although the fare is $120, “They request like $200 sometimes, but I don’t pay it.

I always have my change so I would pay just the fare that I know.” She said whenever she fails to pay what the drivers request, some would verbally abuse her.

According to her, the increase is usually demanded in the evening. She added, “It is very dangerous and I would like to call on the relevant authorities to look into it”.

Robena Seamore from Haslington, ECD complained, “The Victoria buses they take $160 while the

Enmore buses take $200… they have favourites at certain times of the day so pas-

sengers are here waiting almost stranded… but during the day if you come they are running coming to get you.”

Meanwhile, when contacted, President of the United Minibus Union (UMU), Eon Andrews made it clear that the reign and dictatorship that minibus operators have over passengers on the various bus parks are winding down as the Business Ministry, through its Consumer Affairs Department, continues to engage the Union on ways to implement a much needed code of conduct for the ‘un-

ruly’ drivers.

Andrews explained that the Union and the Business Ministry are in talks to establish a hotline number where passengers will be able to make complaints against the sometimes rude and exploitative drivers.

According to him, the Business Ministry will be working along with the Public Security Ministry and possibly the Public Infrastructure Ministry to ensure that the necessary control over these drivers is achieved in the near future.

The President of the

UMU noted, “Because of this so called free market system, people get the power to do a lot of things which doesn’t mean the travelling public has to go along with it”.

He said he is aware of the fact that minibuses in various zones have been exploiting passengers tremendously.

Although the head of the UMU was unable to say how soon the hotline number will be launched for the general public, he reiterated the importance of such a measure being implemented.

Amerindian Heritage Month activities kick off tomorrow

T

he Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry is set to kick off its monthlong calendar of activities on Friday, in observance of Amerindian Heritage Month, which is being observed under the theme “Proud of our Indigenous identity, celebrating in Unity.”

In an interview with Guyana Times, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Aletha Grant, said the Hallelujah Group from Jawalla in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) would be the headline performance at the prayer service scheduled for Friday. She said the Ministry chose the Group since not a lot of coastlanders are aware of the Hallelujah religion.

“So it's basically, we have a member of that group blowing a horn which means that you’re welcoming people, you’re calling them to gather and when that’s done we have this religious dance…. we form a circle and we go around and members of the group leading that procession will sing hymns of course in their own language and we will be participating,” she explained.

This year, the Ministry expects the Heritage Village at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, Greater Georgetown, to be bigger than previous years and has since taken the initiative to add two tents to facilitate additional exhibi-

Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry PRO, Aletha Grant

tions.

Currently, the organisers do not have a direct count of the amount of exhibitors but Grant noted that persons are indicating their interest on a daily basis so the number is forever growing. She adds that the ceremonial opening of the month’s activities is scheduled for Saturday at the Sophia Exhibition Centre and Heritage Village will run from September 1-5.

There are a lot of activities planned for the Hertiage Village exhibition. It was related that there will be a number of Indigenous artistes. Additioanlly, there would be 10 groups from the various regions travelling to Georgetown to showcase their talent.

“We're trying to bring talent out there that people

would've never known about.

So we’re trying to spread it out so that everybody can have an equal opportunity and other Guyanese can say wow, Indigenous people are really talented,” Grant explained.

The cultural extravaganza is expected to last for two hours on each night and starts at 19:00h, with follow up entertainment by various artists, such as Blaze Antonio, calypsonian King Harpy and the Mighty Perai.

One of the most anticipated activity of the Amerindian Heritage Month’s celebration is Heritage Sport which will see Indigenous sportsmen and women competing in football matches, archery, cricket, swimming and volleyball. The games would be held at the Everest Ground on the weekend of September 23.

“We just recently… last week came back from the North Pakariama Games and that was really exciting; very very exciting. Paramakatoi in the finals defeated Kanapang 5-2 (in the football match), so of course they are so excited to come meet Region One because they hear so much about the Mabaruma team and they want to come head on. These guys are really really preparing to show the ball weaving skills they have,” Grant said.

Additionally, MoIPA will be hosting Grade Six stu-

dents from Monkey Mountain in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Baramita, Region One (Barima-Waini) during the week of September 10 as a part of its educational tour schedule. The students would be exposed to various historical sites and monuments while understanding the workings of city life.

This is to better equip them with the skills needed to sit the National Grade Six Assessment examinations.

This year, MoIPA is aiding exhibitors in the creation of a brand for their products so as to ensure uniformity and easy understanding for those intending to purchase.

Grant explained that they would be providing the exhibitors with labelled bottles and packets for their products to be displayed and sold.

“What we’re trying to do is get that Ministry brand out there, so these products will be branded properly; it will be visible enough so as soon as you look at it… and that is what we want out there so that people can see every year we try to improve our presentation,” she said.

The month of activities will culminate with the annual Fundraising Dinner at the Mirage Banquet Hall on September 29. Tickets costs $10,000 and all proceeds would go to enhancing the Amerindian Hostel located on Princes Street, Georgetown.

Child neglect, abuse continues to rise – RCC investigator

I

n its quest to protect the constitutional rights of children across Guyana, the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) has been receiving an increased number in cases of abuse and neglect.

This information was related to Guyana Times during an interview with the investigative officer and Human Rights Activist at the RCC, Andre Gonsalves, who indicated that there are 26 pending cases along with 53 dating back to 2017.

Within these, some also deal with underage pregnancies and discrimination.

“We have currently 26.

We had 53 and of that 53

which is from last year, we would’ve referred many of them to the Child Care and Protection Agency and to the Police. We also refer them to the Ministry of Social Protection and we do follow up to ensure that the matter continues to receive attention. The numbers so far have been increasing but what we should look at is what particular type of cases are coming in more often than the others,” Gonsalves said.

It was relayed that in the school setting, many reports are filed of discriminatory cases. In his perspective, this continues because the Education Ministry has

not established policies to engage discussions and solutions for such incidences.

“Most of the cases that we’ve received have to do with neglect and abuse in all its forms and we have some discriminatory cases in the school setting. The Ministry doesn’t really have any policy to engage or to remedy such and even our laws in the Constitution don’t really give us any actions so that is definitely a vulnerable group.”

In the teenage and underage pregnancy cases where the father may be the only provider for the mother and child, there are programmes set up to monitor and offer

counselling to the family or a similar organisation is called that can provide support.

The activist claimed, “We have some instances where a child may have a baby at 15.

Police may not have the will to go and arrest the father because one of the popular notions is that who will take care of the child? With cases like that, we would provide counselling for the teenage mother. In this way, we would seek institutions or an NGO to offer that.”

Recently, a study was conducted to attain information on the magnitude of juvenile crime in Guyana and the statistical information found indicates that

the Sophia Holding Centre is in the highly concentrated region for such crimes.

However, there was a stretch from Sparendaam in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) to Springlands in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with a prevalence of wandering and simple larceny.

“We did an analysis of juvenile crime in Guyana and we found that most of these crime, the catchment area was the Sophia Holding Centre, so we found that most of them were from Sparendaam to Springlands in Region Six. However, there is a bigger concentration in the Sparendaam to Vigilance area,” he said.

From this, it was decided that parenting programmes should be the next item on the agenda of the RCC. “Most of them were victimless, non-economical.

Some of them were wandering and simple larceny. We found that those were because of a necessity, hunger, the family environment.

That’s why we advocating for better parenting programmes.”

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the organization, Aleema Nazir, provided additional statistics which indicate that 65 per cent of children at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) holding centres are held for wandering.

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News

thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prolonged power outages

160th anniversary

Essequibians walk out President pledges support to of meeting with GPL Guyana Police Force Band

President David Granger meeting with the GPF military band at a special luncheon, which he hosted at the Baridi Benab, State House

Residents and regional officials walking out of the meeting

I

rate residents of the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) on Wednesday walked out of a meeting with officials from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) which was held at the Regional board room, Anna Regina.

Reports are residents accused the personnel from the company of stonewalling them but not facilitating proper answers to their questions.

The Essequibo Coast has been plagued with prolonged power outages for almost one month now.

The power company on

in the dark and has been reluctant to give answers about the power woes in the region.

The protest led to a team of GPL officials from the city visiting the region on Wednesday for the meeting. At that meeting, GPL’s Public Relations Officer Shevion Searswas was present but was unable to answer the questions which several residents, regional officials and members of the business community posted.

The meeting was attended by the acting Chairman of Region Two, Nandranie Coonjah; Councillors of

Last week, the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce called on the Government to immediately intervene and bring some relief to the residents of the region.

According to Chamber President, Suean Seewnarayan, the region is suffering tremendously due to the failing power company.

She added that the region's commerce is collapsing due to the poor service offered by GPL. On Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPL, Albert Gordon told this publication that every effort is being made by his

Residents holding up placards during the meeting

August 18, 2018, had admitted that the region has been experiencing frequent service interruptions as a result of two of its units – the Number 3 and Number 8 with an aggregate capacity of 2.8 MWs –becoming inoperable, due to major mechanical and electrical issues respectively.

Over two weeks now, GPL along with Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, had assured residents that the situation will be rectified soon. However, after this was not forthcoming weeks after assurances, residents were forced to protest in front of the GPL’s Anna Regina sub-station as they express their frustration over the situation.

Representatives from the regional administration joined in protest action on Friday to demand answers from GPL. According to residents, GPL has left them

the Regional Democratic Council, as well as the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils; members of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI); and residents.

However, after not getting sufficient answers, the group walked out of the meeting. “This meeting was a waste of time,” one regional official remarked after leaving.

According to officials, the PRO could not give answers and as such they are demanding to meet with senior management of GPL. “The senior management needs to be here. Where is Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo? He needs to be here,” a resident demanded.

Another protest is planned for Friday if no senior Government or senior GPL official mets with regional officials and residents.

technical team to address the situation, which he described as unfortunate.

However, the GPL head said a permanent solution to the issue may take until December, as the company is now in the process of acquiring new units to replace those that are currently not in operation due to several reasons.

“We (are) actually in the process of getting new plants to replace these, which are medium-scale diesel that are more suited for (this) operation. But that is not expected until mid-December,” Gordon told this newspaper, while explaining that the GPL has been working around the clock to address the situation.

The GPL CEO said the team is also working to repair the other units, and hopefully by today there could be some significant improvements.

P

resident David Granger on Wednesday pledged his support and that of the Government to the Guyana Police Force’s military band at a special luncheon, which he hosted at the Baridi Benab, State House, to celebrate the band’s 160th anniversary.

In his brief remarks, President Granger noted that the Police Force Band has become a national institution, which has served the Guyanese people well.

“The Force has built up a formidable reputation not only in Guyana but also in the Caribbean and even as far as the UK and it has produced a great number of talented musicians.

The Band has had an important role in the development of Guyanese culture because it is the best band in the land. The fact that the band has been award-

ed a National Award signifies the seriousness with which the State has taken the role, which the band has performed,” the President is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

The President expressed the hope that the band can become decentralised, with a presence in all of the ten administrative regions.

“The band doesn’t just have a proud past, it also has an important future.

Youngsters who are interested in playing music in all of the villages and regions are encouraged to emulate the Guyana Police Force Military Band. It will be such a great thing to be able to go to a region and see that every region has a major Police division and every Police division has a band. Some of the members may be volunteers, young apprentices. I would like to feel that the Police Band

as a national institution shouldn’t do so much travelling as it has to do now.

It should be able to stimulate the growth of divisional bands throughout the Police Force. It is possible that young people can be encouraged. On the part of the Government of Guyana, I commit myself… This is a national institution and it deserves national support from a national President,” he said.

Woman Superintendent, Charmaine Stuart, Director of Music and Culture at the Guyana Police Force Band, said the Band has planned activities in Linden, Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara in observance of its milestone.

Acting Police Commissioner, David Ramnarine as well Assistant Commissioners of Police and other senior officers of the Force were also present.

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thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Dismissed sugar workers turned guards not paid in over 2 months

By Shemuel Fanfair

D

ecember 2016 marked the end of employment for the majority of workers when the Wales Estate factory wound down operations. Over 1000 workers were employed with the estate at the time of its closure and some took up work at the Uitvlugt Estate, while others refused to travel over the 22-mile distance for employment.

To date, many former employees are experiencing difficulty finding consistent employment to sustain their families. However, for two fathers who finally gained jobs as security guards at the beginning of 2018 said they can barely make ends meet as they have not been paid in over two months by their employer, Sentinel Security Inc. Guyana Times recently spoke with the men, who were too afraid to publically come forward out of fear of possible victimisation. They are both fathers – one of which is a grandfather of two.

“They taking too long to pay we and they not keeping any meeting to tell we why them ain’t paying we... it hard,” the younger guard related, noting that he has a 10-year-old who is attending school.

His more mature colleague, the grandfather, expressed that it is not easy for a man to be going home every evening without any income to support his family.

The man said he is finding it difficult to afford his electricity and telephone bills. He said too that he now eats one meal during the day.

“You got to find food to carry in the night. When everybody sleeping, you working; it worse than when we went in the sugar industry” he noted.

The men related that several other guards in the West Demerara district enduring non-payment of salaries.

Guyana Times understands that Sentinel provides services to many of the schools on the West Bank of Demerara, as well as clinics at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

However, due to non-payment to the company by financial operatives in Region Three (Essequibo-Islands West Demerara), the workers’ plight remains unchanged.

On Wednesday, this publication reached an official from the company, who identified himself as L Adams. He did

not deny that the guards were owed but related that the Region Three administration would be in a better position to give insight into the outstanding payments. He however noted that some workers could be paid in the coming days.

When contacted, Region Three Regional Executive Officer (REO) Denis Jaikarran said the region is currently in the process of bringing resolution to the matter. He said that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) discussed the matter at its statutory meeting on Wednesday. He furthermore stated that the

region is currently in discussions with the Finance Ministry.

“It is not a shortage of money but there were some difficulties and challenges we faced in terms of the releases... that matter is going to be resolved in quick time,” Jaikarran assured.

He claimed that the RDC has been engaging the Ministry over the last three weeks. Guyana Times learnt that the RDC has already forwarded the requisite documents to the Finance Ministry and is scheduled to meeting with officials to sort out the matter sometime today.

Lone gunman robs Bounty Supermarket A lone gunman on Wednesday afternoon carried out a daring robbery on Bounty Supermarket, in Kitty, Georgetown, carting off a large sum of cash.

The robbery occurred at about 15:00h, however, details at this time remain sketchy.

Guyana Times was informed by an eyewitness that the robbery occurred while customers were in

queue waiting to cash out their items. This publication was told that the gunman only robbed the cashiers.

Efforts to contact management of the supermarket for a comment on the matter proved futile. This publication was told that CCTV footage from the supermarket has been handed over to Police.

An investigation has been launched.

Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue upgrade begins

R

ehabilitation work on the $6.4Billion Sheriff/Mandela Road upgrade project has begun.

The project is being carried out in phases beginning with drainage works and the relocation of pipes/utilities. Acting Project Manager for the Donor Programme at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Mark Green told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that contractor Sinohydro Corporation Limited is currently cleaning all the canals and doing sand filling to facilitate the installation of the new pipes and fittings.

“Once we complete the drains and pipe works we’ll then start the embankment work which is to excavate the earth with the sand, loam and crusher run. From then we’ll get a repaired surface on which we’ll build the sidewalks and parking lanes.

Once that is completed then we will look to do the pavement rehabilitation,” Green explained.

Acting Project Manager for the Donor Programme at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Mark Green

Once completed, Sheriff Street will remain a two-lane road while Mandela will be a four-lane. Green said the upgraded roads will be outfitted with new features including cycle lanes, separate sidewalks and smart traffic signals which will use above ground vehicle detectors.

“Also, along the roadway, there’ll be a concrete median similar to that on Carifesta Avenue so you won’t have

A section of the drainage works being done as part of the road upgrade project

vehicles changing lanes randomly and colliding with other vehicles. In that median, there will be LED street lighting. At the four-lane from Mandela Avenue to the Hunter Street junction, the concrete median will be retained and a shared pedestrian and cyclist path will be included.”

Additionally, two culverts at the junctions of David Street with the Cummings Canal and Lamaha Canal

bridges will also be replaced. The wooden bridge at Homestretch Avenue will be replaced with a concrete structure and other culverts will be extended. A pedestrian overpass and roundabout at the Sheriff Street-David Street junction are also included. Safety features include traffic signs and thermoplastic reflectors and road markings.

The final phase of works will see the pavement up-

graded and asphalted. All the entrances to side roads will be upgraded, however, side roads will not be rehabilitated. Most of the construction materials and equipment will be sourced locally.

Work on the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) venture is being executed with an eye to ensure minimal disruption to traffic and should wrap up within two years.

Theresa May signs security partnership with Nigeria's President

T

heresa May has signed a security pact with Nigeria’s President aimed at helping the country combat the militant group Boko Haram through better military training and anti-terrorist propaganda techniques developed in the UK. The British Prime Minister’s agreement with Muhammadu Buhari was announced at a summit between the pair in Abuja and billed by the UK as an example of May’s ambition to promote a greater British presence in Africa and support states under pressure from terrorist threats.

“We are determined to work side by side with Nigeria to help them fight terrorism, reduce conflict and lay the foundations for the future stability and prosperity that will benefit us all,” she said.

Billed as the UK’s first security and defence partnership with Nigeria, the pact was the centrepiece

Theresa May shakes hands with Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President, at their meeting in Abuja

of the second day of May’s three-day trip to Africa, in which she will visit Kenya on Thursday having been to South Africa on Tuesday.

The UK will provide training to the Nigerian military to help it contend with improvised explosive devices used by Boko Haram, and has offered to help train full army units, as opposed to individual soldiers, before they are deployed in the country’s north-east, where the Islamist militant group

has its base.

It also hopes to cut the flow of new recruits by working with local communities “to push out counter-narratives” to Boko Haram, drawing on the UK’s experience of “countering terrorist propaganda at home”, according to the pact announcement. An additional £13 million will be spent on an education programme for the 100,000 children living in the conflict zone. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

news

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thursdAY, august 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mother remanded for killing 3-year-old son

…psychiatric evaluation ordered

T

wenty-six-year-old Pat Brenda Ferriera of Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), who murdered her three-year-old son, was on Wednesday arraigned at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court and remanded to prison.

Dressed in a skirt and blouse with slippers on her feet, the pregnant woman appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh, who ordered that she be psychologically evaluated.

Ferriera appeared in court as the three-year-old boy was being laid to rest by his father and grandmother.

She was remanded to prison until September 12.

Reports are the woman

Pat Brenda Ferriera

to die, she did not want her favourite child to be left behind.

The Police stated that on

The house where Pat Brenda Ferriera lived with her family

stabbed her son, Ramdeo Ferreira in his heart after she had a dream that she would have died on August 25.

She told Police that if the dream was true and she was

Saturday last, the woman began pursuing the hapless lad in the yard with a knife in her hand.

A few minutes later, ranks at the Enmore Police Outpost received a report that the child had been

stabbed by his mother; and upon arriving at the scene, they found the child lying unconscious in a pool of blood with suspected stab wounds to his neck and back.

He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries about three hours later.

Based on reports received, the woman would usually neglect the children when their father was at work and this, neighbours stated, would lead to constant arguments between the couple. The aggrieved father told media operatives that his reputed wife started to act in an abnormal manner days prior to the incident.

He recalled lodging a report at the Enmore Police Station about her behaviour, but the ranks never visited the home until Saturday after the child was stabbed.

After the incident, neighbours blamed themselves for not intervening in the situation at an earlier stage. It was reported that the woman was reported to the Child Care and Protection Agency for child neglect, but the officers visited once when no one was at home and never returned.

This claim was refuted by Director of the Agency, Ann Greene, who told Guyana Times that officers of the Agency revisited the home three times since the initial report but was allegedly told that the woman had moved out.

Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition is completely ‘Sold Out’ – Business Ministry

T

he Business Ministry together with our private sector partners is proud to host the Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GuyTIE) 2018.

This inaugural activity, the largest and most exciting business to business event in Guyana, will be held from September 19th-22nd at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

GuyTIE is strategically aligned with the objectives of the Ministry of Business and broader government policy to create the enabling environment that will foster business growth and development in Guyana. In light of this, the Private Sector bodies are in full support with regards to planning the event and sponsorship.

More than sixty exhibitors will be on display throughout the entire indoor conference area of the Guyana Marriott Hotel. Participating businesses will represent various business sectors in Guyana including Agroprocessing, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Construction, Food & Beverage, Food Processing, Forestry and Wood Products, Information and Communications, Print and Publishing, Printing and Packaging, Tourism, Arts and Craft, and other services.

Buyers have also registered from around the globe, from as far away as India and Korea, and will be here as Guyana signals that it is "Open for Business". Buyers from Trinidad and Tobago,

Belize, Haiti, Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba and Brazil are also registered to be there and will be looking for avenues to interact with the business community in Guyana. The opportunities for business linkages, sales and promotion are nothing but far-reaching, allowing businesses to tangibly benefit from the interactions during the event.

The Steering Committee has expressed confidence that the Public/Private Sector partnerships, which have resulted in GuyTIE being created, will benefit Guyana in a major way.

These partnerships will create incentives for the Private Sector to develop their export capability. It will also develop the sector to provide a better service and open up markets for joint venture participation.

Asbestos discovered at Christianburg Wismar Secondary School – officials call for urgent attention

Christianburg Wismar Secondary School

T

he rediscovery of asbestos at the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) in Linden Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has led to urgent calls by regional officials and parents for immediate attention by the Education Ministry.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian has indicated that officials recently received reports from parents while conducting checks on the school's readiness for reopening, as the asbestos had been discovered in the ceiling of the school by contractors who were conducting repairs.

"This is a great problem for us because school is reopening on Monday... I am calling on the Ministry of Education to move urgently.

This is disaster risk mitigation right now and we need to move now to remove this asbestos before Monday...

These are the findings of the parents in this community

and it's valid and this matter needs to be addressed," Morian stressed. He added that there might be a few days delay for the school's reopening when asbestos is removed since the school would have to be ventilated.

He pointed out, however, that this should not be considered a form of strike action but a genuine cause for concern. The Regional Chairman further related that officials are aware that in 2001 to 2002, a contract was handed out for the removal of asbestos from inside the school; however, he noted that it appears as though some had been hidden given the way they were placed.

"Now that a new contractor is doing works, those things are being discovered... Our interest is the health of our children and teachers...," the Regional Chairman said, as he promised to make contact with several education officials. Meanwhile, Region 10 Education Committee

Chairman Denise Belgrave confirmed that based on a visit to the school, there is indeed the presence of asbestos as she noted that it is important to look at the health of students and teachers.

She also thanked parents for bringing the issue to the attention of officials.

"We are trusting that the relevant authorities will give us that time so that we can rectify this issue and have school sessions continue on a regular basis," Belgrave said. Officials are presently in the process of visiting schools across Linden to ensure that they're ready for next week's reopening.

The removal of asbestos must be done with great care due to the toxic properties of this substance. Asbestos removal is a very dangerous and expensive undertaking.

Locally, very few companies have the capacity for proper removal of this hazardous substance.

Lindener charged for failing to submit to breathalyser test

A

Linden man who appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday was granted $10,000 bail on the charge of failure to submit to a breathalyser test, requested by a member of the Guyana Police Force.

Shawn Niekerk of Lot 1841 Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, denied the charge which stated that on August 16, 2018, he drove motor car HC 7824 along Sir David Rose Avenue and failed to comply in accordance with a member of the Police Force who had stopped him and re-

quested that he submit to a breathalyser test.

The 50-year-old man was represented by Attorney René McDonald, who in a bail application told the court that the Niekerk is a taxi driver. The prosecution did not object to bail.

The matter will continue on September 12.

US woman legally married to deceased partner

A

Utah state judge has declared a 74-yearold woman and her long-term lesbian partner legally married, three months after her wife died.

Judge Patrick Corum declared Bonnie Foerster legally married to Beverly Grossaint, who died in May in Salt Lake City at age 82.

Same-sex marriage became legal in Utah in 2013 and nationwide in 2015.

Utah does not have com-

mon law marriage but residents can petition the court to recognise a marriage.

"My heart was so full with love," Foerster recalls of the 21 August ruling.

Judge Corum "came down from the bench and hugged me and said, 'yes you are married,'" Foerster told the BBC. Robert Hoole, Foerster's attorney and friend of the couple for more than 20 years said the ruling is un-

usual, though not unprecedented.

Hoole told the BBC that this month's ruling marks the second case of its kind in Utah.

"It's even more rare do it with same-sex couples" he said.

In the many years he knew the couple, Hoole said he saw a "real bond" between the partners. (BBC News)

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, august 30, 2018

Regional

Argentina asks IMF to release US$50B loan as crisis worsens

Son of St Kitts’ Govt Minister gunned down A

P

olice are hunting down the men who fatally shot the 32-yearold son of St Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Public Infrastructure, Posts, Urban Development and Transport, Ian ‘Patches’ Liburd on Monday night.

And Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris has called on anyone with information about the murder of Mickail ‘Mitch’ Liburd, the 20th person to be killed in the twin-island federation this year, to assist police in their investigations.

Reports indicate that Liburd was ambushed by masked gunmen who opened fire on him as he got out of his car, around 22:15h. He

tried to escape but collapsed in nearby bushes and died on the scene.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Prime Minister Harris, who is also National Security Minister, encouraged citizens to provide any information they deem relevant to the investigation of the fatal shooting.

He also offered condolences to Minister Liburd, whom he described as his “trusted colleague and confidant”.

Liburd’s murder came just days after officers of the St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force were given policing powers, in government’s effort to step up its fight against crime. (Excerpt from

rgentina’s government has unexpectedly asked for the early release of a US$50 billion (£37.2 billion) loan from the IMF amid a growing economic crisis. President Mauricio Macri said the move was designed to restore confidence in the Argentine economy.

The Argentine peso has lost more than 40 per cent of its value against the US dollar this year and inflation is rampant. The IMF confirmed on Wednesday it was looking to strengthen the arrangement and changing its phasing.

“I stressed my support

Mickail ‘Mitch’ Liburd was fatally shot on Monday night

Caribbean360)

Maduro tells Venezuelan migrants to ‘stop cleaning foreign toilets’

P

resident Nicolás Maduro is calling on Venezuelans to return home and “stop cleaning toilets” in other countries as Brazil sends troops to the border with its crisis-ridden neighbour.

According to the United Nations, some 1.6 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015 as four years of recession, hyperinflation and a collapsing economy have left millions destitute.

“I’m telling Venezuelans ... who want to return from economic slavery: stop cleaning toilets abroad and come home to live in your homeland,” said Maduro in a live address on television and radio on Tuesday evening as he signed petroleum

President Nicolás Maduro

agreements.

The far-left leader hit out at the “racism, contempt, economic persecution and slavery” that Venezuelans following “the songs of sirens” have encountered in Peru.

Venezuela put on a chartered airplane to bring 89 citizens back home from Peru on Monday. Peru says more than 400,000 Venezuelans fleeing poverty and economic meltdownare living in the country.

“They longed to return to their homeland to receive the embraces of their friends, neighbours, companions, relatives and the human warmth that we Venezuelans know how to share,” added Maduro.

His broadside at the treatment of Venezuelans in Peru comes at a time when Brazil is sending troops to its border following a violent attack by locals earlier this month drove 1200 migrants back across the border. (Excerpt

from Jamaica Observer)

Briton, 19, died after taking hallucinogen in Colombia, inquest told

A

British backpacker died after drinking a hallucinogenic herbal concoction during a tribal ritual while travelling around Colombia, an inquest has heard. Henry Miller, 19, who was described in court as a curious young man, died after taking part in a ritual during which he took yagé, which brings on vivid hallucinations and supposedly spiritual experiences.

The teenager from Bristol also consumed scopolamine, which comes from plants of the nightshade family, the inquest in Flax Bourton near Bristol was told.

Maria Voisin, the senior coroner for Avon, described Miller as a “happy and healthy young man” who

had been preparing to study English at the University of Brighton. She concluded his death had been accidental.

During the inquest it emerged that the tribe had held its own hearing in which it said there had been no intention to harm Henry, but the shaman Guillermo and his wife, Mama Concha, were ordered to undergo punishment with nettles together with their son and his friend.

The coroner said she would write to the Foreign Office to highlight the findings of the inquest. “We know there are a lot of students and young people travelling in that part of the world and I will be making a report,” she said. “I will be phrasing it in such a way to

encourage some standard message warning about this ceremony.”

Ignatius Hughes QC, representing the Miller family, said they wanted other travellers to be aware of the dangers of taking part in such ceremonies. “Other young travellers might benefit from being made aware of the small but real dangers inherent in this perfectly lawful practice,” he said.

Miller travelled to Bogotá on February 14, 2014, and was staying in a hostel in the south of Colombia run by a retired Belgian Police Officer. His last contact with his family was on the evening of April 22 before he set off to attend the tribal ceremony that led to his death.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

for Argentina’s policy efforts and our readiness to assist the government in developing its revised policy plans,” Christine Lagarde, the International Monetary Fund’s managing director, said in a statement.

Investors are concerned Argentina may not be able repay its heavy government borrowing and could default.

Correspondents say the decision to speed up the IMF bailout smacks of growing desperation.

When the terms of the loan were agreed in May, President Macri said he expected the economy to re-

cover and did not plan to use the money. Argentina, which has been plagued by economic problems for years, asked for assistance from the IMF in May after its currency hit an all-time low.

The country committed to tackle its double-digit inflation and cut public spending as part of the deal.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said at the time that the plan had been designed by the Argentine government and was “aimed at strengthening the economy for the benefit of all Argentines”. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

State-owned oil refinery in Trinidad to close

A

s Trinidad and Tobago is about to celebrate its 56th anniversary of political independence, its State-owned oil refinery company Petrotrin, which has employed thousands of permanent and contract workers over the last decades will now be shutting down in the near future, according to Petrotrin officials and Government Ministers.

Petrotrin is a Stateowned enterprise in the integrated oil and gas industry, engaged in the full range of petroleum operations including exploration for development of and production of hydrocarbons, and the manufacturing and marketing of a wide range of petroleum products.

Petrotrin has played a pivotal role in the economy of Trinidad and Tobago and its closing may mean that the subsidies on petroleum and oil-based products enjoyed by residents will inevi-

The Petrotrin refinery

tably come to an end.

All 1700 jobs in refining will be terminated.

The Pointe-a-Pierre South Trinidad Refinery was built

by Petrotrin’s predecessor Trinidad Leaseholds Limited (TLL) in 1917.

British Petroleum (BPTT), Shell, Texaco and others were also joint partners.

The refinery, which later became the largest refinery in the country, went through a

number of transformations over the years, while corruption at government levels increased, resulting in monumental debt.

Petrotrin has lost a total of about TT$8 billion in the last five years; is TT$12 billion in debt; and owes the government of Trinidad and Tobago more than TT$3 billion in taxes and royalties.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Hawksbill nesting in Barbuda lower than usual

T

he damage done to the coastline of Barbuda by Hurricane Irma has had a negative effect on the nesting of the hawksbill sea turtles on the sister island.

Head of the Antigua Sea Turtle Project, Mykl ClovisFuller, made the disclosure recently to Observer media.

“Overall, we did see a lower level of nesting than we expected, judging from the stints we’ve spent on Barbuda before. Once

we do the number we will have a better idea if it was an overall lower number but in general the activity was lighter than we expected and we wonder if it is because of the damage to the habitat,” Fuller explained.

She stated that the hawksbill turtle, unlike other species, does not nest in the open but within the vegetation of the beach and the lack of vegetation regrowth since Hurricane Irma devastated the island in

September 2017 was a concern to her and her team as they carried out their research.

Clovis-Fuller said that the Antigua Sea Turtle Project conducted a three week project in Barbuda in conjunction with the Barbuda Council to gather data on the nesting habits of turtles on the 11-mile beach on the west coast of the island.

She said that they expected the coastline to have been damaged by the Category 5 super storm but they were taken aback by the amount of dead vegetation and minimal regrowth of the coastal vegetation. According to Fuller, the situation in Barbuda further highlights the importance of keeping natural habitats intact and how the most minute of changes and changes we cannot control could have long lasting adverse effects on endangered species. (Excerpt from

Antigua Observer)

17

thursdAY, august 30, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Trump sees no need for US-South Aung San Suu Kyi won't be stripped of Nobel Korea war games at this time Peace Prize: committee

U

S President Donald Trump believes he has a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and there is no reason to be spending large amounts money now on war games with South Korea, the White House said on Wednesday.

The statement comes a day after the US Defence Secretary hinted that the drills could resume.

The White House, in a statement sent on Twitter

by Trump, said the US President believed North Korea was under “tremendous pressure” from China, but that Beijing was also supplying Pyongyang with “considerable aid,” including fuel, fertiliser and commodities.

“This is not help-

US President Donald Trump speaks at a Make America Great Again rally at the Civic Centre in Charleston, West Virginia, US, August 21, 2018. At right, South Korean Army K1A1 and US Army M1A2 tanks fire live rounds during a US-South Korea joint live-fire military exercise, at a training field, near the demilitarised zone, separating the two Koreas in Pocheon, South Korea April 21, 2017

ful!” the statement said.

“Nonetheless, the President believes that his relationship with Kim Jong Un is a very good and warm one, and there is no reason at this time to be spending large amounts of money on joint US-South Korea war

games,” it added.

The statement came after US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said, amid a breakdown in diplomacy with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, that the US military has no plans yet to suspend any

more major military exercises with South Korea.

Mattis said no decisions had been made about major exercises for next year, but noted that the suspension of drills this summer as a good-faith gesture was not open-ended. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India's Supreme Court criticises Police for arresting activists

I

ndia's Supreme Court has asked the Indian Government to explain the arrests of five prominent activists in connection with caste violence that took place earlier this year.

The high-profile arrests triggered outrage and protests across India on Wednesday.

"Dissent is the safety valve of democracy. If you don’t allow the safety valve, the pressure cooker will burst," Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud,

who is among the three judges hearing the case at the Supreme Court, observed.

The arrested human rights activists received a reprieve from the top court, which directed that they be held under house arrest instead of Police custody.

On Tuesday, searches were carried out at the homes of poet Varavara Rao in the southern city of Hyderabad; activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Maharashtra, trade union campaigner

and law professor Sudha Bhardwaj in Faridabad; and civil liberties activist Gautam Navalakha in New Delhi. Subsequently these five were arrested.

Police said the activists had spurred Dalits in the face of a pride event at Bhima Koregaon in January that spilled over into weeks of violence and protests across Maharashtra state.

Dalits, at the lowest rung of the Hindu caste system, have suffered thousands of years of exclusion

and extreme poverty. On Wednesday, protests were held across India by 37 civil rights groups and enraged Indians protested on social media even as activists warned of a further crackdown on those defending human rights in the country.

The Police are also probing the alleged connection of those arrested to Maoist rebels who have been involved in an armed struggle for decades against Indian security forces. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Facing protests, Russia’s Putin backtracks on pension reforms

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed a series of measures to soften a deeply unpopular pension reform, in an apparent attempt to stem a major fall in his approval ratings.

In a rare televised address, Putin suggested raising the state pension age by five years to 60 years for women, instead of the earlier proposed eight-year hike to 63, among other measures.

"The treatment of women in our country is special, gentle," Putin said in the 30-minute speech. The proposed retirement age hike for men – by five years to 65 – will remain unchanged.

The Russian leader, who is 65, also suggested early

Russian President Vladimir Putin

retirement for mothers with large families. And he said companies that fire or refuse to hire employees because they are nearing pension age should face administra-

tive or criminal liability.

The proposed reform – already approved by parliament's lower house in a first reading last month – has led to a rare of outburst of pub-

lic anger, with tens of thousands rallying across Russia in recent weeks.

Putin had sought to distance himself from the controversial measures and had been widely expected to soften the proposals to buttress his falling approval ratings.

At the same time Putin reiterated Wednesday that tough measures were needed, citing "serious demographic problems" stemming from the country's huge losses during World War II and the fallout from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The State pension age in Russia is among the lowest in the world and the proposed reform will be the first such hike in nearly 90 years.

(Excerpt from France24)

Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi holds a talk with scholars at Yangon University in Yangon, Myanmar August 28, 2018

T

he Nobel Peace Prize to Aung San Suu Kyi will not be withdrawn in the light of a United Nations report that said Myanmar’s military carried out mass killings of Muslim Rohingya, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said on Wednesday.

On Monday, UN investigators said Myanmar’s military carried out mass killings and gang rapes with “genocidal intent”, and the Commander-inChief and five generals should be prosecuted for the gravest crimes under international law.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who leads the Myanmar Government and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for campaigning for democracy, has been criticized for failing to speak out against the army crackdown in Rakhine State.

“It’s important to remember that a Nobel Prize, whether in Physics, Literature or

Peace, is awarded for some prize-worthy effort or achievement of the past,” said Olav Njoelstad, the secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

“Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for democracy and freedom up until 1991, the year she was awarded the prize,” he said. And the rules regulating the Nobel Prizes do not allow for a prize to be withdrawn, he added.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee consists of a panel of five Norwegians, mostly former politicians and academics that reflect the different forces in the Norwegian Parliament.

The other Nobel prizes are awarded in Sweden.

Last year, the head of the Committee, Berit ReissAndersen, also said it would not strip the award after previous criticism of Aung San Suu Kyi’s role in the Rohingya crisis. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Morocco arrests 12 suspects over teen’s 2-month torture

M

oroccan authorities arrested 12 suspects and were hunting three others after a 17-yearold girl told Police she was gang-raped, tortured, and held against her will for two months.

Anger erupted in Morocco after news reports last week that the teenager was abducted, brutalised, and forcibly tattooed. The case sparked a new public outcry over women’s rights and sexual abuse in the North African kingdom.

Ibrahim Hashane, a member of a group of volunteer lawyers who are pressing her case, said on Wednesday an examining judge ordered investigations into allegations of kidnapping, rape and abuse.

Hashane told The Associated Press among the 15 people suspected in the

case, 12 are in custody and three are on the run. He added that the judge scheduled a first hearing next week.

Police confirmed there had been arrests but wouldn’t say how many or give details. A court official on Tuesday said the suspects were aged between 18 and 27. The main suspect, 20, was being held on suspicion of rape, torture, kidnapping, making death threats, and forming a gang, the official said. In an online video interview with Morocco’s Chouf TV last week, the girl alleged her kidnappers “would assault me one by one”, burned her, and didn’t feed her or let her shower. She appeared to have scars from cigarette burns on her hands. The girl said she was held captive in the town of Olad Ayad, in the central Moroccan province of Beni Mellal. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Chinese hotel group investigates possible leak of millions of guests' data

A

Chinese hotel group is investigating the possible leak of millions of customers' records, which appear to be for sale on the Internet. An advert is offering the 140 gigabyte data trove in exchange for Bitcoin

on a dark web forum.

Security experts believe the firm's database may have been accidentally uploaded to the Internet. Huazhu Hotels told the BBC in a statement that it "called the Police without any delay".

Shanghai Police is investigating the potential breach. Data breaches are nothing new for China, but the scale of customer data involved has led to international press attention for the hotel group.

It is one of China's largest hotel chains, operating more than 3500 properties across 13 brands including Ibis and Mercure. Cyber-security firm Zibao told a local news outlet that it believed the breach was a result of the ho-

tel group's software developers accidentally uploading a database to Github, a service where developers can collaborate.

The group told the BBC in a statement: "We have paid significant attention to

this matter and immediately implemented an internal audit to guarantee the safety of our guests' information."

It added that it was using external companies to verify whether a leak had happened. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, august 30, 2018

ARCHIE

Take a moment to digest and react to what's happening.

(March 21- Problems with peers, relatives April 19) or an employer should be noted and dealt with before they grow worse.

ARIES

You are ready to take on TAURUS the world. Stand tall, trust (April 20- in your abilities and don't May 20) for a minute let someone else take over your interests.

Opportunity is within reach.

dilbert

Changes are taking place GEMINI (May 21- behind closed doors. Consider June 20) what's happening and refuse to be left out. Offer insight that will make others take note and invite you to join in.

How you help others will

CANCER make a difference. You can let (June 21- someone take advantage of you July 22) or you can set the standard,

Peanuts

make the rules and ensure that you are treated fairly.

Beware of anyone pushing you

LEO to make an abrupt change. Taking (July 23- on too many expenses to please Aug. 22) someone will cause more stress, making matters worse. Offer only what you can afford.

Rearrange your schedule to VIRGO include something that brings (Aug. 23- you joy. A lifestyle change will Sept. 22) encourage you to make an even

Calvin and Hobbes

bigger shift.

A personal change may not LIBRA (Sept. 23- be your choice, but accepting the inevitable will lead to benOct. 23) efits. If you discuss your concerns with a former co-worker, something positive will transpire.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD - WITHERS (WITHERS: WITH-ers: Dries up or shrivels.)

Time limit 50 minutes Can you find 44 or more words in WITHERS? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — MARINER amen amir rain ramen ramie rani rare ream rear rearm

rein remain reran rime name namer near earn emir

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

about favorable changes. A partnership will enhance your prospects.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Average mark 32 words

main mane mare marine mean mien mine miner mire airmen

An interesting concept will SCORPIO get you thinking about different (Oct. 24ways to use your money to bring Nov. 22)

solution for last published puzzle

Use your intelligence to come up with an alternative that will work to your benefit. Don't give in to someone trying to pressure you into something you don't need.

Look over your personal CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- papers, negotiate contracts or Jan. 19) invest your money in something concrete. Refuse to give in to emotional spending and don't try to buy someone's love.

A change proposed by oth-

AQUARIUS ers will not live up to expecta(Jan. 20- tions. Take the smart route and Feb. 19) wait for evidence that supports the promises being made.

You'll receive the help you PISCES (Feb. 20- need if you ask for it. Much can be accomplished if you are disciMarch 20) plined and ready to implement the changes required to get what you want. A job prospect looks promising.

thursdAY, august 30, 2018

19

Visually impaired students benefit from swimming session T

he Guyana Society for the Blind and the visually impaired (GSBVI) today commenced the second staging of their Independent Living Skills day camp, which will equip their students with critical life skills.

The camp, which is quickly becoming an annual fixture, is the brainchild of the GSBVI, and the initiative allows students to learn basic skills and sport, which they may find useful in their future lives.

The four-day initiative began on Wednesday with the students being introduced to, or refreshing their memory in, the sport of swimming, which is also seen as a vital life skill. Swimming Instructor

Marvalyn Durant was present at the Tower Hotel pool to teach the participants.

Executive member of the organization Ganesh Singh elaborated on the reasoning behind the event.

“The main, or the overall, goal of this camp is to help promote and build that level of independence amongst the children who are blind and visually impaired. (It is) also to empower them with other life skills that they will need as they grow and take their rightful place in society,” he stated.

He explained that because of their disability, the students are often deprived of basic skills which are readily available to others. Another factor he ex-

Americas Rugby Challenge…

Paraguay proved too tough for Guyana

plained, is their lack of socialisation.

“Many of them really do not socialise with their sighted contemporaries, and that’s a major problem. So their interpersonal skills are lacking. In having this camp, we’ll definitely try to work on those skills.

We can do it in four days, but we’ll at least work and give them some tips that they can build on,” Singh explained.

Aside from this morning’s swimming activities, the students will be introduced to blind cricket over the course of their camp.

Singh also took the opportunity to extend gratitude to those persons who played a key role in making the camp a reality.

Swim Instructor Marvalyn Durant going through a floating exercise with one of the students as a few others observe

“Publically, I must thank the Minister of Education, Honourable Nicolette Henry, and her

team at the Ministry, because they came on board and sponsored in a significant way. Also, I must

thank Roshan Khan, Ms. Gaitree Shivsankar, Tower Suites and the Malteenoes Sports Club,” Singh said.

Caribbean Pre-Cadet Table Tennis C/ships 2018…

GKMS backs team Guyana in Santo Domingo G

G

Ryan Gonsalves

uyana Men’s Rugby Team suffered a massive defeat at the hands of their Paraguayan counterparts when they locked horns proverbially in the Americas Rugby Challenge which continued on Wednesday in Medellín, Colombia.

Selwyn Henry scored a try and Ryan Gonsalves made good on the conversion, but Paraguay won 86 – 7 and Guyana picked up their second loss in as many games.

Gonsalves, the Guyanese captain, believes defence was the common denominator that contributed to the blowout result. According to him, they were too scrappy on second and third phases when defending.

He also mentioned that the level of play in Colombia is altogether higher than the local ruggers have to offer, but the locals are not far away.

The scrum-half further noted, “The team is very disappointed, and will use the remaining days before our final game against Mexico on Sunday to clean up the errors that cost us, and look for the win.

“This is a learning experience for the entire team playing 15s rugby at this level. We can only build from this and adjust to it; work to improve on our weaknesses, and build on our strengths,” he admitted.

The final round, slated to be held on Sunday, September 1, will see Mexico clash with Guyana, and Colombia come up against Paraguay as the closing match. The winners will be the team accruing the most tournament points.

raceKennedy Money Services (GKMS), the agents of Western Union in Guyana is celebrating 25 years of dedicated service to the country and as part of our commemoration of this milestone, they are assisting the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) in their bid for supremacy in the Caribbean Pre-Cadet Table Tennis Championships currently taking place in the Dominican Republic.

The GTTA have assembled 16 of its most talented, disciplined, scholastically inclined and brightest players to represent the country at these games and have reached out to corporate Guyana for assistance in sending the young charges to the August 24 to September 1 championship.

According to GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe, the players selected represent the next generation and nursery of Guyana's future champions. The players have been consistent in tournaments, while exemplifying and demonstrating great work ethics at a tender age. “We believe that our boys 13 years and under team includes a very formidable group of players and are strong candidates for medal performances and selection to

Members of the Guyana Table Tennis Association flanked by Western Union’s Marketing staff Dennis Heywood (left) and Tina Seabra at the presentation ceremony

the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Hopes programme,” Munroe stated.

To this end GraceKennedy Money Services presented a sponsorship cheque to the association prior to their departure for the Dominican Republic. The sponsorship will assist in the air fare and accommodation of a team member, who is

also fulfilling their dream of representing the Golden Arrowhead.

The presentation was done by Western Union’s Marketing Assistant, Tina Seabra to GTTA Treasurer, Nkechi Mc Rae and other members of the team at the GKMS offices on Water Street, Georgetown.

The Caribbean Cadet and Junior Championships is for girls and boys between

the ages of 11 and 13 years and under in the Caribbean region. lt is a signature competition on the GTTA's and Caribbean’s calendar of events, since its forms the basis for regional table tennis supremacy and incubator for the development of young emerging table tennis talents and. platform from which all of the region table tennis stars commence their journey.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, august 30, 2018

Windies squad named for challenging India tour T

he Guyanese trio of Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo and Keemo Paul have once again been included in the 15-member West Indies squad which commences their tour of India from September 26.

Spanning a period of almost seven weeks, the West Indians will engage the number one Test team in two Tests, five One-Day Internationals and three T20 matches.

West Indies completed a similar three-series tour under a month ago when they hosted Bangladesh and won the Test Series but lost both the ODI and T20 series.

Meanwhile, India are currently engaged in a gruelling five-match Test series with England on their tour

of Ireland and England.

West Indies and India have played 94 Tests against each other since 1948, with the Caribbean side ahead on 30 wins, while they’ve lost 28 and drawn 46.

The Test side, to be captained by Jason Holder also features a bowling department with the likes of Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jomel Warrican. Roston Chase, the all-rounder, will be supporting in the batting department, which comprises of Kraigg Brathwaite, Shane Dowrich, Shai Hope, Sunil Ambris, Jahmar Hamilton and Kieran Powell.

Chairman of Selectors Courtney Browne said, “The panel congratulates Jason Holder and his team on the excellent performance

The tour concludes on November 11 with the final T20 match.

The schedule for the tour:

against Bangladesh. As the team embarks on a tough

tour of India, the successes against Sri Lanka and

Bangladesh should them in good stead”.

hold

1st Test October 4 – 8, Rajkot 2nd Test October 12 – 16, Hyderabad 1st ODI October 21, Guwahati 2nd ODI October 24, Indore 3rd ODI October 27, Pune 4th ODI October 29, Mumbai 5th ODI November 1, Trivanthapuram 1st T20I November 4, Kolkata 2nd T20I November 6, Kanpur-Lucknow 3rd T20I November 11, Chennai

Gold and bronze for Guyanese Agricola holds on to ladies on CAREBACO fourth day top spot as Timehri T looks threatening EBFA/Juicy Juice U-13 League

Y

outh football action is getting hotter than ever on the East Bank of Demerara as the East Bank Football Association (EBFA)/Juicy Juice Under-13 League winds down.

With just six matches left to be played in the inaugural competition, an exciting climax is being anticipated by the eager fans.

The battle for the top spot will definitely be between Agricola and Timehri, who are both on 21 points, with Agricola currently leading on goal difference. However, the ball is in Timehri’s court because they have two matches remaining, one more than Agricola. One can expect a scorching battle between the two teams when they meet in the remaining encounter.

The EBFA is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a decision made by a coach to withdraw his players from an encounter. The matchup between Herstelling Raiders and Diamond Upsetters saw Herstelling commanding a large 4-0 lead, thanks to the efforts of Solomon Austin (2), Xavi Atkinson and Albert Adams. But the matchup was cut short by the Diamond players’ departure.

In another thrilling encounter, Diamond United demolished Soesdyke Falcons 8-1 on account of goals from Shaquan Braithwaite (29th, 31st, 37th, 46th), Shakeem Welcome (23rd, 34th), Shaquan Joseph

Eon Daniels of Agricola Red Triangles

(25th) and an own goal from Soesdyke’s Joshua Saures in the 60th minute.

Soesdyke got on the score sheet in the 50th minute through a Daniel Da Costa goal, but it was a little too late.

Agricola showed why they are currently on top of the table with a massive 10-1 victory over Kuru Kururu Warriors. Eon Daniels led the charge with an impressive helmet-trick, followed by three other goals.

Captain Jonathan Andries pitched in with three, while Floyd Boyse contributed two, and Seon Grant one, to bring Agricola’s tally to ten.

In the other matchups, Herstelling was defeated by Swan FC 2-1, while Samatta Point/Kaneville edged past Hararuni Eagles 3-2. Herstelling received a 7-0 trashing, this time from Timehri Panthers, whilst Agricola upset the Diamond Upsetters 3-1.

he fourth day of the CAREBACO International Under-11, 13, 15 and 17championships bore much fruit for the young Guyanese team, along with a change in fortunes. The team has so far copped two medals out of the round robin plays, with the ladies being the shining stars.

In the Under 11 category, Mishka Beharry had a bumpy start to her singles competition, but made an impressive comeback for a player who hasn’t had much international exposure. In match four of her competition, Beharry lost to T’Shelle Barnes of Trinidad and Tobago 21-5, 21-2. However, the youngster bounced back in her fifth matchup to defeat Suriname’s Megan Chen 2114, 21-12. This win secured her a bronze in the round-robin segment.

Priyanna Ramdhani and Mishka Beharry

Priyanna Ramdhani took the Under 17 division by storm, securing gold in the Girls Doubles round-robin and cementing her spot in two finals.

In the Singles segment, Ramdhani registered yet another win, this time against Suriname’s Kayleigh Moenne, 21-11, 21-5, to advance to the finals of the com-

petition.

Later on, Ramdhani and her mixed doubles partner, Vance Juteram of Trinidad and Tobago, defeated Danny Chen and Chaista Soemodipoero of Suriname: 21-12, 12-21, 21-16 to cop yet another spot in the finals.

Ramdhani found a partner in Barbados’ Robyn Sobers for the Girls Doubles roundrobin. In their second match, the duo easily defeated Fiona Li and Demi Sjauw Koen Fa of Suriname in straight sets, 21-11, 21-12.

In their next encounter, the pair lost to Suriname’s Erisa Bluea & Chaista Soemodipoero in an extremely close match up, 2221, 19-21, 21-10. However, Ramdhani and her partner were awarded the gold medal based on the amount of points they amassed in the competition.

US Open 2018…

Murray loses to Verdasco in 2nd round A

ndy Murray's return to Grand Slam tennis ended in a four-set defeat by Spanish 31st seed Fernando Verdasco in the US Open second round.

The former British number one, playing his first Slam in 14 months, lost 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-4 in New York.

In sweltering conditions, Murray, 31, battled hard but did not have enough to overcome 34-year-old Verdasco.

Compatriot Cameron Norrie lost 6-2 2-6 6-4 6-4 to Serbia's Dusan Lajovic as British singles representation ended.

It was only Murray's fifth tournament back since having hip surgery in January.

The Scot looked exhausted at times during a physical encounter on a humid Arthur Ashe Stadium - likely to be a combination of the conditions as temperatures rose close to 100F (38C) and his lack of five-set matches since being sidelined through injury.

But he continued to show the dogged determination that helped him win three Grand Slam titles at the peak of his powers, pushing Verdasco to the limit before succumbing to a third match point in three hours and 23 minutes.

Despite defeat, it was arguably his best performance since returning to the ATP Tour in June. (BBC Sport)

Andy Murray was playing at the Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since his 2016 quarter-final defeat by Kei Nishikori

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sports

21

Three Peat Promotions/Guinness Cage Competition…

Finalists will be known on Friday F

or every second that can be counted, or for every hair follicle raised on your skin, the teams of the 2nd Annual Three Peat Promotions/ Guinness Cage Competition have proven to keep you tuned in to this Friday at the Haslington Market Tarmac.

The youthful Golden Grove unit known as Uprising must now face a resurgent Broad Street unit that does not plan to eventually fade away. With the odds against them, Uprising remains the only team in ‘The East Coast Best versus the Rest’, with odds looking 3-1.

Being a unit that is young, its members are full of fire, vigour, and have proven they can handle pressure well, since they’ll be facing Broad Street who possesses

Part of the sizeable crowd that witnessed the round of 16 and quarter-final action in this year’s competition

a lot of experience.

High-calibre players such as Les Charles Critchlow, Shamar Scott, Phillip Williams, David Wilson and Seretse Huntley all make this a formidable unit that may prove too difficult to get past, as proven in the sudden death penalty shootout against Blazers in the quar-

ter finals.

However, the game of the night is expectedly Sparta Boss against Leopold Street, for a spot in the final. As of recent, the two teams met in the GT Beer ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ Competition, in which Sparta Boss prevailed on that occasion; but Leopold Street have looked tough

throughout this tournament, and must be feeling confident of victory.

But Sparta has the likes of the one and only rated most skillful footballer in Guyana, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, who looked increasingly menacing in their last game and could prove to be the X-factor.

Sparta also has the skillful Sheldon Shepherd, Courtney Britton, and the ‘energizer,’ Eusi Phillips.

Leopold Street will be spearheaded by team leader Okanie Fraser, Mark Jhalu, Carl Tudor, Darren Benjamin and Tyrese Forde.

Who is going to win?

Many say it’s going to be a Sparta versus Uprising final because an East Coast team must be in the finals, but in their hearts they know that Sparta is going to go for gold.

Johnson, GCA One-Day Cricket Clinic underway W est Indies left-handed middle order batsman and Guyana Jaguars four-day captain, Leon Johnson, joined forces with the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), and is hosting a one-day bowling clinic currently being held today from 9:00h to 3:00h at the GCC cricket ground.

The clinic is meant to target GCA- associated clubs, young batsmen and bowlers between the ages of 15 and 18.

Johnson, a prolific batsman and major sponsor of the clinic, said, “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, a form of giving back to clubs in the association that I’ve grown up playing in. when I was younger, I was given the same oppor-

tunities to learn and develop, so it’s only right that I give young talented players those same opportunities”.

At the camp, batsmen and bowlers will be taught how to improve & fine-tune their techniques and game sense situation approaches. They will be taught by some of the most prestigious coaches known to Guyanese cricket, and will be led by Technical Director Mark Harper and coached by Clyde Butts, Roger Harper, Reon King, Peter Persaud and Derian Best.

The clinic will host 11 clubs that fall under the GCA. Players named for the event include Trevon Jones, Jeffery Blair, Jeremiah Benjamin,

Leon Johnson

Raymond Bandhu, Jamual Michael, Akeem Clark, Noel Haynes, Devon Allen, Daveanand Khemraj, Andrew Samaroo, Ajay Gainda, Shafeek Khan, Dwayne Dick, Chandrapaul Ramraj, Navindra Persaud, Zechariah Mootoo, Joshua Gardner, Niron Bissu,

Bryon Bowen, Ryan Ronaldo, Shane Niles, Amernaut Wickham, Chad Shiverattan,Wayne Bollers, Tuen Hicks, Kester McAllister, Kareem Whitney, Daniel Mootoo, Jason Holder, Garrick Persaud and Tameshar Permaul.

Stars penalised for slow run rate S

t Lucia Stars, led by Kieron Pollard, have been penalised for a slow run rate by having a deduction of 0.15 taken from their already dwindling Net Run Rate.

The Stars failed to complete their 20 overs in the 85 minutes allotted during their match against the Jamaica Tallawahs on Saturday last.

In that match, they took 94 minutes to complete their bowling innings, and as a result were two overs down.

The Stars ended up losing the match by 21 runs, and are still at the bottom of the table with four points, tied with the Barbados Tridents, but there is a significant difference in their Net Run Rate.

The new rule, introduced by Hero Caribbean Premier League for the 2018 tournament, penalises teams which do not complete their 20 overs in the playing conditions, after taking into account all allowances for stoppages.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, august 30, 2018

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Stars must win to survive S

t Lucia Stars head into today’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in quite a precarious position, as they are still not able to find

ing to the playoff round.

The teams have played six matches against each other in the Caribbean Premier League, with the Nevis Patriots winning four of those and the Lucia Stars two. The St Lucians, hav-

Fletcher, Kieron Pollard, David Warner and Lendl Simmons. They post pretty decent scores, while their bowling department has struggled.

Mitchell McClenaghan has been their most suc-

what is needed to get off the bottom of the points table.

Stars have just one match remaining in the preliminary stage following the result today, and must win both in more-than-convincing fashion if they stand the slightest chance of advanc-

ing faced defeat in their first four straight matches for 2018, finally managed to break their shackles to win games over the Barbados Tridents and the Amazon Warriors.

In their batting department, they have Andre

cessful bowler so far, and he has been supported by Obed McCoy, who claimed a three-wicket haul against the Tridents.

Patriots, on the other hand, have won three game and lost the same amount, which currently places

Williams continues working to improve F

ormer national junior cricket captain Shaquille Williams is currently fulfilling two dreams simultaneously; he is reading for his Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Financing at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, and is simultaneously developing his cricket skills with hope of donning those maroon colours once selected to play for the West Indies national side.

Williams left the shores of Guyana in September 2014, and was scouted by the UWI whilst still in his second year at the University of Guyana. Even before he was scouted to play for the UWI, he was already a local talent contesting for a spot in the local side.

Speaking with Williams via social media, Guyana Times Sport learnt that he has had a passion for cricket from a very young age, as he was actively involved in sports such as cricket and football.

Williams currently plays semi-pro cricket representing UWI Blackbirds at the UWI High Performance Centre. He is a batting all-rounder who bowls part time off-spin. He said he is currently working to get back to high bowling standards, since as of recent he

has been batting a lot.

Williams is by no means ordinary, since he averages 35 in the 50-Over format, and 38 in Three-Day cricket. Representing the UWI, Williams continues to shine and make Guyana proud.

He has a high score of 96

them fourth on the points standing.

Skipper Gayle has so far scored the most runs for his side, while Lewis is yet to make a mark. Ben Cutting has been the side’s leading wicket-taker with eight wickets in six matches, while the Patriots would also bank on the likes of Sandeep Lamichane, Sheldon Cottrell and Carlos Brathwaite.

Expected Patriots Playing XI: Chris Gayle (C), Evin Lewis, Tom Cooper, Devon Thomas, Anton Devcich, Mahmudullah, Sheldon Cottrell, Ben Cutting, Carlos Brathwaite, Jeremiah Louis and Sandeep Lamichhane Expected Stars Playing XI: Kieron Pollard (C), Darren Sammy, Qais Ahmad, Kavem Hodge, Odean Smith, Mitchell McClenaghan, Obed McCoy, Andre Fletcher, David Warner, Rahkeem Cornwall and Lendl Simmons.

Kieron Pollard

GIKMAA shine again in Suriname

about his studies. He is by no means in a rush to return home to try and break into the Guyana Jaguars team, but if he is fortunate enough to be given an opportunity, he would accept.

To date, the CCC have already given Williams op-

T

The victorious Guyanese team donning their brand new medals

Shaquille Williams playing for UWI BlackBirds

and best bowling figures of 4-16 in the One-Day format.

Although his cricket is moving ahead, Williams is equally enthusiastic

portunities to play warm up matches against West Indies and English county sides Hamsphire and Nottinghamshire.

he Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts Academy (GIKMAA) left Guyana with a team of 12 on August 17, to compete in the Shuirken Martial Arts School Tournament which began on August 19 in Suriname.

Led by Grandmaster Soke and Dr Nazim Yassim, they were able to cop nine medals.

They took with them seven students who were eager to participate in the tournament. They were: Christian Freeman (13), Joshua Bascombe (17), Govindanauth Persaud (17), Vikash Somwaru (17), Bhudesh Shilchand (18), Shakeel Rahat (23) and Maranda Bennett (23).

Being a confident unit, the team fought with ev-

erything they had, and thus secured three gold medals, five silver medals and a bronze medal. This feat was no easy task, as it required hard work and dedication.

Enmore resident Govindanauth Persaud fought extremely well, but lost the bout in the quarter finals.

Instructor Vikash Somwaru claimed all three gold medals: in the Kata, weapons Kata, and Kumite 16-19 divisions.

Christian Freeman secured silver in the 13- 15 Kumite; Joshua Bascombe struck silver in the 16-19 Kumite; Bhudesh Shilchand won two silver medals in the 16-19 Kata & Kumite Division; while Shakeel Rahat, who fought for the first time, landed bronze in the Kumite.

Lone female on the team, Instructor Maranda Bennett, claimed silver in the 20- 25 Kata.

Even though that leg of the competition is completed, Grandmaster Soke stated that he is not going to let the medal count get to his head, as the team is already being prepared for the Open International Championship on September 23. His team (kyo-Kushin-Kai Guyana) will be doing battle against Suriname, Trinidad, and local teams at the National Gymnasium.

Dr Nazim Yassim also expressed heartfelt thanks to the National Sports Commission, Gafsons Industries Ltd, and all the parents that supported the Kyokushinkai Guyana Team.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, august 30, 2018

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Clinical Tallawahs leave Tridents reeling Wahab Riaz is bowled

by Oshane Thomas

T

he Jamaica Tallawahs were on track to solidify their place at the top of the Hero Caribbean Premier League table when they seized control of the match with the Barbados Tridents on Wednesday night at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Poor shot selection from the home team, accompanied by a disciplined bowling attack from the Tallawahs, signaled an early downfall for the Tridents who did manage to still post 151 - 9, compliments of Martin Guptil who had more than half the score at any point in the innings.

Up to press time, the Tallawahs were comfortably pacing toward the target to secure the win and

Mohammad Irfan (centre) gets the wicket of Glenn Phillips

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Tridents Innings (20 overs maximum)

HM Amla lbw b Badree 3 MJ Guptill c Russell b Powell 73 SD Hope b Thomas 1 SPD Smith c †Phillips b de Grandhomme 9 JO Holder (c) run out (Charles) 7 N Pooran † c Roach b Zampa 2 I Khan c Lewis b Roach 20 AR Nurse c Powell b Russell 20 Wahab Riaz b Thomas 1 CK Holder not out 4 Extras (lb 1, w 10) 11

momentarily reclaim the leading position. A rampant Johnson Charles outdid Guptil, being 44 not out from just 21 balls as

TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 7.55) 151/9 Did not bat: Mohammad Irfan Fall of wickets: 1-5 (HM Amla, 1.3 ov), 2-12 (SD Hope, 2.1 ov), 3-37 (SPD Smith, 5.4 ov), 4-44 (JO Holder, 6.1 ov), 5-55 (N Pooran, 8.6 ov), 6-115 (I Khan, 16.2 ov), 7-129 (MJ Guptill, 17.5 ov), 8-131 (Wahab Riaz, 18.4 ov), 9-151 (AR Nurse, 19.6 ov) BOWLING: O Thomas (4-022-2), S Badree (2-0-14-1), KAJ Roach (4-0-27-1), C de Grandhomme (2-0-26-1), AD Russell (4-0-33-1), A Zampa (10-7-1), R Powell (3-0-21-1)

Tallawahs were 56 – 1 after six overs.

Contrastingly, Tridents had a miserable start; Hashim Amla (3) was

England batsmen hungry for runs – Root

E

ngland captain Joe Root says his batsmen are "very hungry" to prove themselves in the fourth Test against India, which begins on Thursday.

The hosts were bowled out for 161 in the first innings of the third Test as India cut their series deficit to 2-1.

However, England can still seal the series with victory in Southampton.

"It's been frustrating, but this is another opportunity to put it right," said Root. "There are a lot of very hungry guys to do that."

England lost all 10 of their first-innings wickets between lunch and tea on the second day at Trent Bridge, the third time in less than two years that they have been bowled out in the space of a single session.

The home side then fell to 62-4 in the second innings, the latest in a string of top-order disappointments that has seen them lose their fourth wicket with the score on 100 or lower in half of their previous 62 Test innings.

From there, Ben Stokes shared a fifth-wicket stand

of 169 with Jos Buttler, who completing his maiden Test century.

Root added: "Having seen Jos go and score a Test century, and how much that means to him, hopefully that drives other guys on too."

In that second innings at Trent Bridge, Stokes was promoted to number five and Buttler to six after Jonny Bairstow suffered a broken finger while keeping wicket.

They will keep those places in Southampton, with Buttler taking the gloves and Bairstow, playing as a specialist batsman, moving up to four.

He fills the role vacated by the omitted Ollie Pope.

His place has been taken by Moeen Ali, who will bat at number seven.

"The way that Jos and Ben batted at Trent Bridge in the second innings at five and six means they should be given the opportunity to do that again," said Root.

"It was a fine partnership and a great example for the guys of how to play Test cricket in difficult circumstances. It was good lesson to the rest

coming into this week.

"Moeen will bat at seven because that is where we feel we get the best out of him.

Even though it was at three for Worcestershire, generally he has performed at his best for England at number seven.

It gives us good depth in that department."

England's reshuffled middle order comes behind an opening pair of Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings, both of whom are struggling for runs.

Cook is England's all-time Test run-scorer, but averages only 19.21 in 2018, while Jennings is faring little better since he was recalled earlier in the summer, averaging 20.50.

Four years ago, Cook arrived in Southampton against the same opponents as an under-fire captain, struggling for batting form and with his side in the middle of a horrible run of results.

They had been whitewashed 5-0 in Australia, gone through the controversy of sacking Kevin Pietersen, suffered a home series defeat

by Sri Lanka and were 1-0 down to India after two matches.

(BBC Sport)

the first to depart, being trapped lbw to Samuel Badree, then Shai Hope (1) was bowled by the fiery Oshane Thomas. Steve Smith got to 9 then edged one to Phillips behind the stumps off the bowling of Colin de Grandhomme while Jason Holder’s mix up with Guptil led to him being run out for just 7.

Even though wickets kept falling at regular intervals, Guptil never lost a step, striking at well above 100. The talented Nicholas

Pooran (2) continues to find it hard to get runs when his team needs it the most after he could not adjust his tempo for the scenario and got out to a careless shot. At that point Tridents were 55 – 5 from 9 overs.

Rain interrupted with the score on 56-5, three deliveries later for approximately half of an hour, undoubtedly, some rest for Guptil which worked quite well since he came back out to stage the recovery.

While Guptil picked up

four fours and three sixes in his 60-ball innings, Imran Khan and Ashley Nurse both dug deep to contribute 20 runs each at the bottom of the order as Tridents eventually ended up with a decent total.

Thomas led with two wickets each for the Tallawahs and was supported by the entire bowling attack since a wicket each went to Samuel Badree, Roach, Grandhomme, Dre Russ, Adam Zampa and Rovman Powell.

thursdAY, august 30, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Clinical Tallawahs leave Tridents reeling Page 23

Stars must win to survive Page 22

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