Guyana Times 30 June 2018

P15

Guyana/Canada: An alliance of shared values – Greenidge Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, June 30, 2018

Issue No. 3609

PRICE

Fuel woes

WHAT'S INSIDE:

PPP Govt solved price hikes with one phone call – Jagdeo …urges Cabinet to make timely intervention Page 3

Hess sells interest in Utica shale to invest in Guyana

Brother jailed for stabbing sister Page 8

$80 vat included

SOCU charges

P11 Case against Singh, Brassington adjourned

“Fish cleaner” charged for attempted murder of exlover P2

Page 10

CJIA tests new boarding corridor, bridges

P12 GPHC commissions new Oncology Department

2 injured in 3-vehicle collision at Mocha P2

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Friday tested the new boarding corridor and one of the boarding bridges, as the facility's expansion continues. According to CJIA management, the tests were successfully executed by employees of CJIA’s Engineering and Technical Department (ETD) who were trained by the project's contractor China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC)

Sanctions on RUSAL

Labour Dept meets with Oldendorff top brass, workers Page 12 – record-keeping, working conditions inspected

DDL Chairman calls for more attention on manufacturing sector

…local businesses urged to be more competitive, innovative

Page 7

Trafficking of minors cases increases – TIP Taskforce head P14 admits

2 news

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

2 injured in 3-vehicle collision at Mocha

“Fish cleaner” charged for attempted murder of ex-lover

Geeta “Pinky” Deochand

R

The vehicles at the scene of the accident

T

wo persons, including a school child, were injured on Friday following a three-vehicle collision along the Mocha Access Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Among those injured is a taxi driver identified as Davindra Premnauth.

He reportedly suffered a broken leg, lacerations to the body and minor head injuries. The child, who was in the vehicle driven

by Premnauth, was rushed to the Georgetown Public

Hospital where he was admitted.

Based on reports received, the taxi bearing registration number HC 3999 was on its way out of Diamond, EBD, when another vehicle with registration plates PVV 6845 which was in front of it suddenly pulled to the corner of the roadway, forcing the taxi driver to overtake.

In the process of overtaking, Premnauth hit PVV 6845, causing him to lose control of his motor vehicle which resulted in

him going into the opposite lane where he collided with the right front of a motor lorry, GVV 8446.

The child and the driver from the taxi were pulled from the wreckage by public spirited citizens and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. The child however, was in an unconscious state upon arrival at hospital.

The wrecked vehicle was towed to the Providence Police Station as Police continue their investigations.

amsawan Singh was on Friday arraigned in a Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the attempted murder of his ex-lover, Geeta “Pinky” Deochand, allegedly committed at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara on June 28, 2018.

The 27-year-old accused was not required to plead to the indicated charge, which stated that, with intent to commit murder, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Deochand of Lot 12 Sea View Street, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara at about 8:00hrs on the day in question.

Singh has been remanded to prison, and will make

Ramsawan Singh

his next court appearance on July 12.

Recap Based on reports received, 28-year-old Geeta “Pinky” Deochand was taking her son to school on June 18 at about 08:00h when the 27-year-old Ramsawan Singh rode up to her at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara and requested that she allow him to kiss his son. The woman did not give him permission, and an argument ensued.

Enraged, Singh allegedly whipped out a knife from his pants pocket and started to stab the woman in the presence of their threeyear-old son. The wom-

an was reportedly stabbed several times about her body, and is currently a patient at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where her condition is listed as stable.

After committing the act, Singh, who works at the Meadow Bank Wharf as a fish cleaner, jumped on his pedal cycle and rode away, but was later apprehended by the Police.

Relatives told Guyana Times that the couple’s relationship, which ended two years ago, had been a rocky affair. The threeyear-old child in question is reportedly staying with the relatives of the injured woman.

news

3

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 30 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, July 1 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 30 – 05:25h-06:55h and Sunday, July 1 – 06:00h-07:30h.

Fuel woes

PPP Govt solved price hikes with one phone call – Jagdeo …urges Cabinet to make timely intervention

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with intermittent sunny skies, while thundery to partly cloudy showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-westerly to southerly and East South-easterly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 05:31h and 17:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.46 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:32h and 23:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.77 metre.

Opposition Leader and former President, Bharrat Jagdeo

F

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo has said he wants a timely and effective intervention from the Government on the issue of hikes in the prices of fuels, and has recalled that his Administration would have dealt with increases in

and say, ‘The prices have gone up, and here is the room’; because we moved up the prices when the prices were low, and we dropped them when the prices were high, as a stabiliser. And I (would) say, ‘Okay, go ahead’, as president.

“And I’m sure he did the same thing with (former President Donald) Ramotar…

The prices have moved, that’s what you do!” Jagdeo said.

“They now need a whole Cabinet to explore this about what they do with the fuel. Is this not total incompetence?” he asked rhetorically.

When the announcement of Cabinet considering the issue was made, it was noted that times are different. In defending the Government’s caution, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had specifically alluded to considerations about Guyana’s Balance of Payments’ situation.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

of the United Minibus Union (UMU), Eon Andrews, had cause to vent his frustration over Government’s slow approach to a proposal submitted to the Business Ministry over a week ago.

Andrews expressed dissatisfaction over Government’s

wednesDAY, June 27, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

08

11 14

18

21 24

28 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 04 10 14 16 24 LUCKY 3 2 3 3

9

Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

02

03

04

07

5

6

Evening Draw

9

14

17

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

Protests have become commonplace following the hike in fuel prices and Government’s delay in acting

fuel prices on the world market in a particular manner.

With the rise in fuel prices having spawned protests from several sections of society, Government has announced that Cabinet would deliberate on this issue.

Jagdeo is, however, unimpressed with this approach to the issue. During a recent press conference, the former president recalled that when he was in office, issues of this sort used to be solved by one phone call.

“Cabinet (is) to explore options of what they will do about fuel prices? (Back then, former Finance Minister) Ashni Singh would call me

Minibus and hire car operators have already protested the hike in fuel prices. Some have called for the Government to look into the situation urgently, as they are practically on the breadline.

It has been related that because the rice industry is failing, many farmers have turned to the transportation sector for their survival.

These drivers have also contended that if Government does not intervene, there is likely to be a hike in crime.

Frustrations

Only last week, President

seemingly careless attitude towards tackling the woes of the minibus and transportation sector at large.

Andrews’s proposal had not only been for a fare increase, but several other requests in regard to the transportation sector, with the hope of having several issues plaguing that sector addressed.

He had contended that, instead of leaving the union proverbially at sea, the Business Ministry should have informed the Union that several other Ministries would have to be consulted on the matter before a determi-

nation is made.

“I noticed in (Guyana Times where he (Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin) had indicated that he got to — because of the nature of the thing (proposal) — he has to consult the other relevant ministers. But he had not indicted that to me, and that would have been good if he had said that to us, so that we would have known we would have had to wait a little bit. I don’t know why the Government is wasting our time,” Andrews had declared.

He added that, under the previous administration, such matters were given more urgency, especially since it is one which has a chain effect on not only drivers, but commuters as well.

“They (the previous administration) would have dealt with it, even if we had to just talk. They would have called us in already, we would have been talking…they always would have called us in quickly,” he said.

The Union head has said he is concerned that minibus operators might take certain actions which may very well affect commuters, if the Government does not deal with the issue in a timely manner.

According to him, it is not the UMU’s vision to exploit commuters, but to set fares which are “fair to everyone”.

Andrews has said he is aware of cases in which passengers are being made to pay increases in transportation fares as high as $60, when all that the UMU has requested is a $20 increase for short drop drivers, and $40 increase for drivers who travel longer distances.

“We are concerned because, if they (minibus drivers) take action, it means that especially the travelling public, they will punish. There may be persons who may react to those increases; and, you know, there might be some violence and Police story and these kinds of things.

So I don’t think that’s the way anybody wants us to go. So I think that the Government ought to do something quickly,” the UMU president had posited.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, june 30, 2018

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

Separation policy

P

ublic outrage is growing against US President Donald Trump’s Administration’s hardline approach being taken in relation to the thousands of immigrant children and their parents, who have been separated at mostly the southern Mexico border. It had been reported last week that the US military has been asked to get ready to house these children who have been separated from their families at the border since the implementation of Trump’s zero-tolerance policy, in which anyone caught entering the US illegally is criminally prosecuted.

According to the United Nations, US Immigration authorities have detained almost 2,000 children in the past six weeks alone. And for quite some time now, the debates have been raging in various quarters as to the best approach the US authorities could take in handling the matter, so as to ensure the children’s interests are taken into consideration.

A few days ago, a top UN official called for an immediate halt to the practice, which he condemned as abuse. Children cannot be jailed with their parents; instead, according to official sources, after the adult is charged, children are held briefly by Homeland Security officials before being transferred to Health and Human Services, which operate more than 100 shelters for minors in 17 states.

President Trump has signed an executive order rolling back his own policy of separating parents from their children — claiming to solve a problem that was of his own creation. But experts have pointed out that this order is no solution at all; it still leaves open the long-term detention of immigrant children.

The executive order includes no plan to reunite these children with their parents; something that should be done as quickly as possible. Further, some legal experts have pointed out that the wording of the executive order is ambiguous, and that family separations could continue. It was also not clear if the Government would keep prosecuting cases against people caught crossing the border illegally.

Writing in an Op-ed in the New York Times, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo referred to the fact that, to make matters worse, the federal Government is prohibiting his State from providing health and mental health services to the hundreds of children who have already been placed by the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement in centers around the State.

It is well known that Trump campaigned on a narrow anti-immigrant and American nationalistic agenda, and it was bought by a majority of American voters. It therefore came as no surprise when he signed a sweeping executive order on immigration, expansively defining the “criminal aliens” he intends to target.

Caribbean nationals, including Guyanese, are among the millions of illegal immigrants living in the US, and they were anxiously waiting for the time when they could have their status regularised. For many, there are still a lot of uncertainties as they fear that their immigration status could be affected overnight, or the immigration laws which apply to them for certain categories of sponsorship could be changed with very short notice.

Previous US Administrations had focused on removing immigrants with criminal convictions, regardless of whether they have legal residency. However, Trump’s immigration policies prioritise anyone who has been charged with a crime, whether that person is convicted or not. This includes anyone who has committed “acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offence,” whether or not the person has been convicted, charged, or even arrested.

What is of more concern is that the Administration has been relying much more heavily on state and local law enforcement for making such enforcement determinations.

As expected, this has raised some level of concern among immigrant communities.

The administration’s immigration policies have indeed caused a great deal of unease for many. It would therefore be in persons’ own interest to take all the necessary precautions to ensure they are not affected unnecessarily, especially those who are yet to get their immigration status “regularised”.

Certainly, many are rightfully concerned about the long-term impact and trauma, including the irreparable harm that these forcible separations will have on children.

A man kicks a football as he takes part in an event celebrating National Paddy Day, also called Asar Pandra, that marks the commencement of rice crop planting in paddy fields as monsoon season arrives, in Lalitpur, Nepal (Reuters/Navesh Chitrakar)

GuySuCo should stop highhanded approach to workers Dear Editor, The GAWU was disappointed to see the comments of GuySuCo’s Corporate Communications Manager Ms Audreyanna Thomas -relative to a picketing exercise by workers and pensioners of Uitvlugt Estate on June 27, 2018 -- in sections of the media on June 28, 2018.

Ms Thomas is reported to have indicated that GuySuCo is of the opinion that “…GAWU is using the situation to encourage workers to protest”.

It seems to us that the GuySuCo spokeswoman is

living in a disjointed reality, and we cannot help but wonder whether she rationally considered her statement.

Doesn’t she find it strange that workers would stand in the pouring rain in order to let their strong views be aired? The fact that workers are willing to protest in spite of the adverse weather conditions should send a clear and unambiguous message to the Corporation.

The news article goes on to say that Ms Thomas said our Union should encourage workers to get

bank accounts. Apart from the Corporation never formally engaging us on its new policy, the statement serves, dismayingly, to demonstrate once more the company’s clearly inconsiderate view of its employees’ realities and plight.

Rather than adopt a contemporary approach of discussion and dialogue, the Corporation, like it has done in recent times, is literally commanding the workers to go in the direction it seeks.

We urge the GuySuCo, as we have done before, to listen sincerely to the

workers’ concerns. We genuinely believe that such an engagement would be useful. Experience has taught us that the bullin-a-china-shop approach does not breed success.

We also once more urge the GuySuCo to accede to the workers’ justifiable requests, rather than continue to take a high-handed approach to the issue, as this can only worsen the bad situation that workers face today.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary, GAWU

Blatant corruption should be subject of prosecution Dear Editor, The more I read about the drugs bond at Sussex Street, Georgetown, the more I am convinced that this blatant corruption should be the subject of prosecution in the courts.

But I am also equally convinced that SOCU would never do that, since its autonomy has been compromised.

The ex-Health Minister, Norton, should be charged for misconduct in public office, since it is evidenced that since commencement of the rental, the bond was only utilised to store con-

doms, lubricants, and now a CT scanner. It was supposed to store ‘drugs’.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had justified the rental of the bond.

He had stated that ‘the possibility of a fire and the issue of traffic congestion were just two of the many reasons considered for embracing the contract’.

In addition, a Cabinet Committee that visited the bond had concluded that it was ‘suitable for use as provided for under the contract’.

He said the members recommended that the

bond be used until the Government is able to build an alternative facility. This was in August 2016.

In December 2016, just a few months after this ‘factual statement’ by Nagamootoo, a group of MPs made a startling discovery at the bond: there were boxes of condoms and lubricants, some empty refrigerators, but no drugs!

It should be recalled that MP Irfaan Ali had, at the time, requested that even one tablet be shown, but Minister Norton could not have provided that.

Now, more than one

year after that discovery, still not a tablet is being stored at the bond.

This begs the question: What has happened to the PM’s fire and congestion issues?

It is evident that the Cabinet sub-committee’s justification of the rental of the Sussex Street Drugs Bond is frivolous, as it was corrupt and was meant to deceive the public.

There was no urgent need for the bond, but there was an urgent need to reward Mr Lawrence Singh! continued on page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, june 30, 2018

5

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

That National Dialogue on State of the La Penitence Market Domestic Violence (Part 1) Dear Editor, For these August holidays, parents can save themselves a bundle -which they would have had to spend taking their children to fancy zoos overseas, or on a safari in some exotic foreign land, to enjoy a vast array of wildlife and nature -- by just taking them to visit the La Penitence Market in Georgetown.

Certainly, the largest, most vicious and audacious rodents and other pests in Guyana call the La Penitence Market home.

From their giant size and brawny appearance, one can only assume that these rodents probably sneak over to the nearby pharmacy after hours and gorge themselves on testosterone, as it is logical to assume that that are on anabolic steroids.

And they await neither the cover of darkness nor

the quietude of the closed market to move about and seek out food, but can rather be seen on a daily basis nonchalantly sauntering past patrons and vendors.

But witticism aside, the La Penitence Market -- if you wish to call it a market -- is the grimiest, darkest, and dankest bazaar in this hemisphere. The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown should be ashamed of themselves for subjecting stall holders and shoppers to the squalid conditions at that market while collecting substantial stall rents and property taxes from the citizens.

It is just unfathomable how the Mayor and Town Clerk -- who recurrently tour South, Central and North America, Asia and Europe and see what modern shopping centres, malls, markets and bazaars are

like -- would be happy to subject the visitors and residents of Georgetown to such grime and insanitary conditions.

Is this a part of the plan to transform Georgetown into a ‘Green City’? Does this constitute their vision for a modern capital?

No attempt should be made to repair or rehabilitate that market. It should instead be torn down, and a completely new facility built in its place.

No sane, sensible or decent person would want to venture into that market to say they are shopping. How are those vendors expected to compete with modern supermarkets, shopping malls and grocery stores? It is just so unfair!

Sincerely, Anu Bihari

Mercury pollution in Bartica Dear Editor, I note with considerable interest that a PAHO team is in Guyana to address the mercury clean-up at the GGMC Complex.

Could Minister Raphael Trotman be persuaded to have the team address the mercury content in the Cuyuni and Mazaruni rivers, at the point at which these rivers flow into the Essequibo River at Bartica?

There is not much point in the President’s determi-

nation to “Green” Bartica if the rivers surrounding the town are mercury polluted from gold mining operations upriver from the town.

The colour change of the rivers from the turbidity from the mining is very, very visible.

I have complained to the EPA about this on numerous occasions; and, indeed, I have complained to the Minister, but it simply gets worse.

Four of Guyana’s top

tourism destinations surrounding Bartica -- including the beaches surrounding Bartica -- are threatened by this rising pollution.

We have worked very hard over the last decade and more to establish Bartica and its surrounding resorts as a yachting destination, and with some success. This, too, is now threatened.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Will the City Council ever get it right?

Dear Editor, Last Monday, Guyana observed a national day of mourning for the fishermen who were killed by pirates seven weeks ago in Suriname waters.

According to a proclamation by President David Granger, signed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, the day was intended to serve as a solemn memorial to the victims.

As I drove around our capital on that day, I saw all state entities and most private sector entities quite appropriately flying their flags at half-mast. I felt so patriotic and proud to show respect to those fishermen, who died in an effort to put food on our tables.

Then I passed the Stabroek Market Square and observed the flag there flying lustily at full mast. I had

to ask myself the question: Will the City Council ever get it right? Could it be that City Hall believe that they are above the laws, protocols and established etiquette of our country? Or is it simply that they are just unsophisticated, unworldly, and unsuitable for positions of leadership?

Sincerely, Roseanne Rodgers

Dear Editor, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) fervently hopes that First Lady Sandra Granger’s upcoming National Dialogue on Domestic Violence would consider proposals made by a number of commentators, analysts and letter writers: a coordinated community response via a task-force; review of the domestic violence laws and a concerted effort to implement and enforce them; Police training on the provisions of the Domestic Violence Law, emphatic communication, and an overall more effective approach to domestic violence; timely and greater responses to complaints and requests for protection orders supported by stringent enforcement; domestic violence courts; social workers and/or counsellors at all Police stations, a batterer’s intervention programme; an education campaign that focuses on modelling and highlighting healthy relationships, and on tackling the victim blaming and shaming mentality that currently exists; provision of more safe houses; more Probation and Welfare Officers to service the courts; greater interagency and stakeholders’ collaboration; videoing by the public of inappropriate Police behaviour/responses to complaints and submission of same to their superiors.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was recently quoted in the media as saying that domestic violence is “a very difficult thing to prevent when someone (is) feeling angry for whatever reason…I don’t know what we can do, or how we can legislate against that…What we have to do is…ensure better education; but, there again, the officer (Orwain Sandy) that did what he did was an educated fella”.

Actually, anger is not a root cause for domestic violence. The same person whose anger leads him/her to violence in a relationship would generally not be violent at the workplace, in a Government office, or with

Blatant corruption should...

It is also evident that this Government could have built an alternative facility before renting the bond. They have spent $264.4 million up to March this year, and another $112 million before the proposed termination. This means that a total of $376 million would have been wasted.

The drugs bond at Kingston, which was budgeted for by the Government, would have cost only $250 million! It was reported in the press in December 2016 that, during consideration of the

2017 Budget estimates of expenditure, Public Health Minister George Norton announced that Gy$250 million have been set aside for the drugs bond at Kingston to store drugs and medical supplies. Therefore, we could have gotten a brandnew bond and saved $126 million, which could have gone towards paying the sugar workers’ severance pay.

On that same vein, since the drugs bond was never utilised to store drugs in case of ‘fire and traffic congestion’, the entire sum

could have gone towards the severance payment.

Monies are being squandered like there is no tomorrow, while 5,700 sugar workers and their families are starving, and their erstwhile ‘champion’, Moses Nagamootoo, is just focusing on yarn spinning to justify such squandermania and save his skin! This is utterly disgraceful!

The award of the contract to a PNC financier is a deliberate act of corruption, and if it can be concluded that Dr Ashni Singh and Mr Winston Brassington

from page 4

sold lands which were undervalued, then it should be clear that the rental of the condom bond is astronomically above what a bond of similar size and in a similar location can be rented for.

I am sure that the next PPP/C Government will ensure that these flagrant corrupt practices will get their much-deserved deliberations in our courts of law.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region Six

a leader or opinion shaper, no matter how angry he/she is. Domestic violence occurs because the abuser needs to be in control and/or dominate the other partner, and/ or the abuser is socialised into thinking intimate partner violence is an acceptable way to solve conflicts.

Anger, drugs, alcohol catalyse the abuse. What in effect is needed is the implementation of the requisite programmes, policies and strategies, some of which have been mentioned above, and some of which may need legislation. Others would include programmes – anger management, anti-alcohol and anti-drugs --to address the related mental health issues.

Additionally, measures are needed to shape the socialisation process, so that children -- especially boys -- are imbued with the right mentality from young; so that parents can apply appropriate parenting skills; so dysfunctional relationships can be re-engineered to evolve without violence, and so that schools can provide discipline without violence. As tennis champ Serena Williams stated in a June 21st article in the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper, “It's important to get the message out there to our young men, to our boys, to our

daughters”.

Also, it must be noted that academic education does not necessarily prepare someone to not descend into abuse. In fact, abuse cuts across all strata and segments of society, and all walks of life.

With respect to multi-stakeholders’ collaboration, a good starting point could be this National Dialogue. When The Caribbean Voice held its National Stakeholders’ Conference in August 2015, over 75 stakeholders were present from across Guyana.

In terms of logistics and resources, the First Lady is in a position to do far better, and so we hope that her national dialogue would see representation from all stakeholders involved at any level in addressing domestic violence: persons who already have displayed passion and commitment to addressing domestic violence; persons who are already on the ground, giving of their time, effort and resources, and thus having a grasp of the realities around domestic violence would be there for the long run, 24/7, and not only from 8 to 5 until the money runs out.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

6

saturDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

Page

Foundation Physical punishment – and violence

Continued from Friday

By Miriam Kirmayer

Making new friends is daunting but worth the risk

Whether you are the first one in your group to have a baby or the last, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll feel like branching out and making new friends. Putting yourself out there in the way that’s needed to make friends can be uncomfortable at the best of times. But when you’re a new parent, it can feel even more daunting. We might feel out of practice, especially when it comes to interacting with people in social settings and we might be feeling uncomfortable in our own skin for a variety of reasons.

Connecting with someone new who is going through a similar life experience can be incredibly rewarding.

Friendships that are formed during life’s bigger moments are the ones that often impact us the most. While playgroups and playgrounds are great ways to meet other parents, the prospect of ap-

proaching someone out of the blue can be intimidating.

That’s why online apps and communities can be so helpful.

Lessons Learnt:

As uncomfortable as it can be, being vulnerable about the struggles that come with being a parent and making new friends is often the thing that makes it easiest to connect with other people.

It’s okay to essentially use your child as a pawn for meeting other parents!

Striking up a conversation by asking for some friendly advice or by suggesting a playdate can be a great way to create a friendship by proxy.

Don’t forget about who you are outside of your role as a parent. Connecting over things that have little to do with your child and opening up about your own personal experiences can help you turn a casual acquaintance into a close friend.

Investing in friendships sends an important

message to our children

Second to sleep, one of the things that are lacking the most in parenthood is often time. Time to meal prep, time to clean, time to take care of ourselves, and time to socialise. When we’re short on time, our friendships are often the first thing to go and we tend to treat them like a luxury. We forgo our need for human connection for the sake of someone else. We convince ourselves that our ability to invest in our friendships is at odds with our ability to be a present and involved parent, when in reality, this could not be further from the truth. Investing in our friendships is actually one of the ways we can focus on being a better parent. Not only does it allow us to model important social skills (whether it’s how to make new friends or resolve a conflict), it sends a powerful message to the next generation that prioritising our need for social connection is an important part of self-care.

Lessons Learnt:

It’s easy to fall into the trap of “I’m busy" or “I don’t have time." That’s not to minimise the very real barriers or constraints that come with having kids. But convincing yourself that you aren’t able to maintain your old friendship or invest in new ones ends up doing both you and your little one a disservice.

Ultimately, our ability to invest in our friendships is not at odds with our role as a new parent. Instead, they really are complementary.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

Part 2

By Paul C Holinger, MD

T

he Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) came out formally (2016) with statements that physical punishment is child abuse (p 8) and that physical punishment should be banned (p 46). This is a significant public health development.

Some reasons behind physical punishment There appears to be many reasons underlying humans physically punishing their children.

Efforts to socialise and discipline the children; to get behavioural compliance, for reasons of safety, protocol, and right/wrong as the parent sees it; to tie the child closely to the parent using pain, fear, and shame.

Feelings of frustration, fatigue, distress, anger, and shame.

Not being aware of the short-term and long-term damage physical punishment creates in the child himself/ herself and in the parent/child relationship.

The ambivalence humans feel toward children – both love and hatred. Donald Winnicott, in a classic paper, “Hate in the Countertransference” (1949), noted over 15 (conscious and unconscious) reasons why parents might hate their children.

Helen Beiser (1989) discussed ancient roots and incidents of infanticide and

child sacrifice in early cultures and literature. War has sometimes been suggested as being motivated by a need to kill off children and future competitors.

Leon Hoffman’s pioneering paper (2003) focused on normalising mothers’ ambivalence toward their children (“Mothers’ Ambivalence With Their Babies and Toddlers: Manifestations of Conflicts With Aggression”). He also noted the irony of parents’ use of physical punishment to curb aggression and anger in their children.

Donald Rosenblitt wrote a wonderful paper highlighting the ambivalence toward children (2009). It is called “Where Do You Want This Killing Done? An Exploration of Hatred of Children”, taking a line from Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited and the Biblical rendition of God and Abraham’s struggle.

A blindness to the importance of feelings in general … a lack of understanding how interest (curiosity), distress, anger, shame, fear, and other feelings work.

The research data: the problems with physical punishment The data documenting the associations between physical punishment and psychopathology and sociopathy are compelling. They can no longer be overlooked.

Pioneering research has been conducted in this area over the past decade by Gershoff, Bitensky, Straus, Holden, Durrant, and others.

Gershoff (2008, 2002) examined hundreds of studies and presented the results of meta-analyses of the association between parental physical punishment and child and adult outcomes. She found that, in childhood, physical punishment was positively associated with aggression, delinquent and antisocial behaviour, and being the victim of physical abuse; it was negatively associated with the quality of the parent-child relationship, mental health, and more internalisation (child’s internalising of socially acceptable behaviour); and associations with immediate compliance were mixed.

When measured in adulthood, physical punishment was positively associated with aggression, criminal and antisocial behaviour, and adult abuse of one’s own child or spouse; physical punishment was negatively associated with mental health.

Gershoff (2008, 2002) also summarised the various demographic and

risk factors which are more likely to be associated with use of physical punishment: being single, separated, or divorced; excessive stress from negative life events; maternal depression; lower income, education, and job status; and conservative religious beliefs and affiliation.

Bitensky (2006) presented a detailed summary of the international findings regarding physical punishment. She also described the various efforts made by the United Nations to prevent physical punishment.

The issues are detailed below.

Durrant and Ensom (2012) have provided an eloquent historical review and summary of recent research. In addition, they outlined the steps necessary to continue the progress toward eliminating physical punishment. More recently, Straus et al have done a remarkable job summarising the research on associations between physical punishment and various psychopathology and sociopathy (2014).

They found 15 major trends associated with physical punishment: Increased antisocial behaviour and delinquency as a child and as a young adult; Greater approval of other forms of violence, such as the belief that torture is sometimes justified to obtain information critical for national defence, or that there are occasions when it is justified to slap a wife or husband; Greater impulsiveness and less self-control; Poorer parent-child relationships; More risky sexual behaviour as a teenager; Greater juvenile delinquency; More crime perpetrated as an adult; Poorer national average mental ability; Lower probability of graduating from college; Higher probability of depression; More violence against marital, cohabitating, and dating partners; More violence against nonfamily members; More physical abuse of children; More drug abuse; and More sexual coercion and physically-forced sex.

This growing body of research strongly suggests that a variety of poor outcomes are associated with physical punishment. There are more than 50 countries that have prohibited physical punishment in all settings, including the home. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

7 DDL Chairman calls for more attention to manufacturing sector news

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…says local exporters must lift standards

W

ith Guyana’s Balance of Payment position showing a US$69.5 million deficit last year, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Chairman Komal Samaroo on Thursday made a charge for more emphasis to be placed on developing the manufacturing and export sector.

Samaroo was at the time addressing persons gathered for the launch of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s business magazine. The business executive warned that, with the global market as competitive as it is, more needs to be done to lift local standards.

He noted that to do this, high levels of technical competence and discipline are needed; but, he said, there are challenges even with these lofty goals. Here he was referring to the bu-

reaucracy some manufacturers must deal with when transacting their business.

“In today’s world, the advance in the digital and artificial technology is transforming all aspects of business,” he related. “It is important that our education system in Guyana be revamped to produce people who are fully equipped with the skillsets to manage businesses in the Technical Age. “Even today, about a quarter of the US economy consists of manufacturing of physical goods.

When you add the distribution and sales to retail outlets, you are talking closer to three quarters of the US economy,” he disclosed.

Samaroo pointed to statistics that a quarter of the US economy is made up of manufacturing physical goods. This, he said, coupled with distribution

DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo

and sales to retail outlets, means the superpower economy is built largely around manufacturing.

“We have to export to international and regional markets. The international market is very competitive, complex and constant-

ly changing. If one is to be successful, one has to be equipped with the market data to respond to those changes,” he cautioned.

“Our production system must meet international levels at all times, and this requires a high level of technical competence and discipline in management of manufacturing companies,” Samaroo related.

Balance of payments To record a deficit in the Balance of Payments, Guyana would have had to spend more on imports, among other things, that it derived from exports. And indeed, the 2017 macroeconomic report speaks to below projected merchandise export earnings.

According to the report, Guyana’s overall balance of payments in the 2017 fiscal year showed a deficit of US$69.5 million. This is a hike when compared to

US$53.3 million the previous year. A breakdown of the figures shows disparities.

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

“The further weakening was due to the negative balance on the merchandise trade account.

Merchandise exports were slightly lower than projected, mainly on account of lower export earnings of gold and other exports in the last two months of the year,” the report states.

When Finance Minister Winston Jordan presented the 2018 budget last year, he had announced

that merchandise imports were estimated to grow by 9.6 per cent. This had been attributed to increased imports of mining machinery, chemicals, fuel and lubricants. According to the report, imports exceeded the Government’s projections.

“Imports were slightly more than the US$1.59 billion projected at the time of the presentation of the 2018 budget. As a result, the merchandise trade deficit of US$196.2 million was considerably higher than the projected deficit of US$147.2 million.

“Notwithstanding, the deficit on the services account was lower than estimated… the improvement in the services account more than offsets the weaker balances on both the non-factor services and unrequited transfers accounts,” the report states.

(Jarryl Bryan)

Body recovered from Better Hope drain tem examination which is expected in the coming days.

Police ranks in C Division (East Coast Demerara) were on the scene taking statements at the time this newspaper arrived at Better Hope, ECD. Persons in the area and other curious onlookers were standing in disbelief and could be heard saying they recognised the deceased when Police recovered the

Police, along with residents, watch as ranks retrieve Ravin Fowler’s body from a drain in Robert Street, Better Hope North, ECD

P

olice on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) are probing the death of Campbellville, Georgetown resident, Ravin Fowler, whose lifeless body was recovered from a drain at Robert Street, Better Hope North, ECD, on Friday afternoon.

Guyana Times understands that the 32-year-old

man’s body was submerged in the drain near a culvert for almost two hours before it was removed.

This newspaper was told that Fowler would often be seen in the area drinking with friends. Reports are the deceased was also imbibing in the area on Friday.

Two persons told this publication that he left the com-

pany of his drinking buddies and sometime after, he was discovered in the drain.

When Guyana Times spoke with the deceased’s friends, they said they had no knowledge of how he ended up in the drain but reasoned that he may have caught a seizure. However, the cause of death will only be drawn from a post-mor-

body from the drain.

According to information disclosed, relatives would often argue with the now dead man about the excessive amount of hours he spent in Better Hope rather than being at his Georgetown home where he resided. His brother, Raymond Doorsammy, told Guyana Times that his late sibling was not taking the treatment doctors had prescribed for his seizures.

He noted that it was in recent times, that his brother started to consume alcohol heavily. He recalled that he was at work when he received the message of his brother’s demise.

Undertakers transported the body to the Lyken Funeral Parlour and an autopsy is expected to be performed on Wednesday.

Fowler had no children and leaves to mourn five siblings.

8 news

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ECD man charged for defrauding woman of $5M A Reaction …

B man who defrauded a woman of $5 million under the pretext that he can get the murder charge brought against her relative dismissed was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Richard Alder, 46, of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) denied the allegation which started that he collected the mon-

ey from Nicola Duggin between September 20, 2016, and January 20, 2017, claiming to be in a position to get a murder charge against Robert Benn who was charged with the murder of 22-year-old Collin Pereira dismissed.

Benn, a businessman, shot and killed Pereira and injured Gail Ann Chacon in July of 2016 when they reversed on his Perry Street, Tuchville, Georgetown bridge.

The defendant Richard Alder

From left: Robert Benn, Gail Ann Chacon and Collin Pereira

According to reports, Pereira, who was driving a heavily-tinted motorcar, with Chacon in the front passenger seat, attempted to turn the vehicle in front of Benn’s residence.

In the process, Benn, who was reportedly in his yard, whipped out his licenced handgun and discharged several rounds at the vehicle, hitting the victims about their bodies.

Attorney for the accused, Keavon Best, called the charge of fraud one without substance, stating that his client did not receive any cash.

However, Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh told the court that Alder was given the money which totalled $5 million on several occasions, promising to give same to Pereira’s mother but failed to so.

Bail was not objected to and Alder will make his next appearance on July 20.

Guinness thief fined $50,000 Brother A jailed for stabbing sister

sif Mohammed was on Friday fined $50,000 after he admitted that between June 14 and 18, 2018, he stole from Orin Forde five cases of Guinness among other beverages totalling $102,000.

No stranger to the courts, the 51-year-old had recently served a 6-month sentence for stealing an air conditioning unit from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); and prior to that, he had served an 18-month sentence for

Asif Mohammed

stealing tools.

The man reportedly en-

tered Forde’s premises where the items were stored and carted off the items.

He was, however, caught on surveillance camera removing the items, and as such, Police swooped down on him at his Garnette Street home, where some of the stolen beverages were found. He was arrested and charged.

He has now been fined $50,000 for this latest misdemeanour, and if he fails to pay the fine, he has an alternative of three months’ imprisonment

A

T u c v i l l e , Georgetown, man who stabbed his sister with a pair of scissors in the vicinity to her heart was on Friday sentenced to three months imprisonment by City Magistrate Leron Daly.

Daniel Boutrin, 20, reportedly whipped out the scissors and inflicted the injury on his sister, Jeverie Boutrin, on April 10 at their Tuchville home. According to the facts, on the day in question, Daniel was verbally abusing his grandmother after she refused to give him money. The enraged man got more upset after his sister intervened in the matter and told him to find a job in order to support his family.

In retaliation, the suspect pulled out a pair of silver and black scissors and inflicted a stab to the young woman’s chest causing her to receive eight stitches.

Daniel Boutrin admitted to the offence but told the court that he and his sister are in the habit of fighting.

He further begged for mercy but instead he was handed down the sentence.

… to rigging

harrat Jagdeo’s facing a tsunami of invectives from the PNC-led parties in Government – and their partisans, of course – for saying his party won’t take it lying down if the PNC rigs the 2020 elections. And the man hasn’t even said he’d be advising his supporters to take up cutlasses!! But, in truth, there needs to be a serious discussion in Guyana about what Guyanese are to do if the PNC rigs.

Now, of course, there was Jagan and his PPP -- with folks like Nagamootoo at his side -- who just marched up and down the streets protesting the rigging, but ultimately accepting the results and showing up in Parliament, even if the PNC had ordered soldiers to shoot some of your supporters!

You could invite “international observers,” who may pronounce the elections “more crooked than barbed wire,” but when the PNC shows they don’t give a hoot, you return to Parliament, where you refer to the PNC riggers on the Government benches as “Honourable this” and “Honourable that”!!

But are these the only LEGITIMATE responses to Government’s rigging? What about doing what the French peasants have been praised for doing since 1789: when they showed up with their pitchforks in Paris -in effect, using what Jagdeo’s being criticised for, even though he didn’t actually call for it? The “IT”, of course, being “violence”.

Now, your Eyewitness is merely asking what the great thinkers did advise before and since the French Revolution, which led to the first democratic government since the Greeks, following a 2000-year hiatus. Basically, what they said was this: When you, the citizens, vote a government into office, you’ve created a contract with them. They’re supposed to hold up their side of the bargain, and you’re supposed to see their rule as legitimate. If either side breaks the contract, all bets are off!!

And if they don’t even bother to ask your permission to form the Government – which is what rigging is! – then there’s actually no contract between you, the citizen, and them in Government!! At this point, then, we’re back to what was the situation that existed before we came up with this democratic method of choosing governments in the first place: the law of the jungle!!

And you, the citizens, have the right to remove them by any means necessary – as our own Walter Rodney advised back in the 1970s!

Now, some may say this should be the last resort, after trying all the peaceful ways. Of course!! But this is Guyana, and this is the PNC…so we KNOW what the OTHER ways will do. Absolutely nothing!

So, dear readers, YOU tell Jagdeo if he should roll over and play dead if the PNC rigs!

…the minibus mayhem

Now, no one has even hinted that the good citizens of Guyana should take up arms against the minibus drivers of Guyana, who make life on our roads such a living hell. And the question is: Why?? Think about what happened that caused those two brothers on a cycle to be killed so gruesomely over on the West Coast of Demerara the other day. The minibus pulled over to discharge passengers, the cyclists rode onwards, as is their right. But the driver pulled his minibus into the traffic, knocking the cycle handle and pitching the riders onto oncoming traffic – and their deaths. How many times haven’t we seen this?

If the bus driver had followed the mandatory instruction and looked into his side mirror, two lives would’ve been spared. But that’s not the minibus way!!

No, they make their own laws: boring, overtaking, overloading, speeding, stopping without warning, etc, etc.

How come the now ubiquitous traffic Police don’t haul them into the stations? Check the ownership and relatives on the Force!

…to the perfect score

Out of the mouths of babes!! Asked the usual question of what she wanted to “become”, the first child to score the perfect score at the NGSA said, “JK Rowling” – the writer of the Harry Potter series.

But if that’s not possible, she’d settle for being the President of Guyana!!

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

News

9

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local businesses urged to be more competitive, innovative

G

uyanese businesses must become more innovative, imaginative and competitive as well as industrious in order to grasp the countless opportunities which are emerging as of recent in several traditional and non-traditional sectors of the country, if buoyancy is to return to the sluggish and underperforming economy.

This was the core sentiment expressed by the leadership of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) as the entity launched the ninth edition of the ‘Business Guyana Magazine’ on Thursday evening at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

That launch was attended by several high-level officials within the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change coalition Administration, the Private Sector, civil society and a handful of key socio-economic lobbyist groups.

Guyana’s Finance Minister Winston Jordan and his Cabinet colleague, Business

The GCCI magazine

GCCI President Deodat Indar

Minister Dominic Gaskin particularly attended the event in order to show support to the thrust of the magazine.

GCCI’s President Deodat Indar, while delivering opening remarks, lauded the work of the entity’s secretariat which resulted in a professional and diverse product being published on the

Chamber’s work programme and ideological thrust.

Indar explained that all of the revenue garnered from the publication via its sale, advertisements and cash gifts will go directly to the construction of a new GCCI secretariat and the rehabilitation of parts of the building, as he expressed gratitude to all those who played a direct and indirect role in assisting the GCCI in achieving this key objective.

The GCCI President said a new secretariat was needed because the existing one was “getting dilapidated”. He emphasised that the Chambers presentation was important when meeting key stakeholders and foreign contingents to discuss its work-programme and business.

Additionally, he called on the business community and those industry leaders present to tap into the lucratively performing sectors in the economy as he painted a picture that things were starting to improve in a number of areas which meant that there were new opportunities to be maximised and explored.

He pointed to the growth and expansion taking place in the real estate industry and the construction sector which he said was “good news” for businesses.

“Construction is good news… most of the money that I believe will come from the oil revenues… a large portion of that will go to the construction sector whether its (for the construction) of farm to market roads, bridges, Government buildings…”, the GCCI Head remarked.

Indar also underscored the important of the education and standards industry which had a serious role to play in improving the quality and efficiency of Guyana’s human resource complement. “…Once you have the right people, you can move mountains”, Indar said to those present at the launch before telling them that the hospitality and tourism sectors, the service sector and whole sale and retail sector also had promise as they

showed potential to boost Guyana’s development.

The GCCI President warned businessmen not to become too oil dependent as he explained that there was a price to pay for complacency and a lack of focus even though he did not downplay the ability of the resource to transform the country’s socioeconomic development.

“Oil and gas, when it comes… it will be something so big that it will be the elephant in the room,” he remarked. As such, he called on the Private Sector to put its back to the wheel to drive the economy’s performance through consolidated and strategic economic approaches aimed at resolving conflicts and challenges which stand in the way of improved foreign direct investment, trade and economic progress.

“Whatever challenges we

A section of the gathering at the launch of the GCCI business magazine

confront, we as the Private Sector must work with the Government and other stakeholders… we must lock our heads and pilot strategies… we should not be blinded by oil wealth,” he explained.

The magazine was launched under the theme “Guyana on the Rise” and features several writings and analyses of the GCCI as it continues to make its mark

on the way business is organised, executed and engaged in Guyana.

Three of the sponsors of the event;MACORP, Caribbean Airlines, and Century Tamara Energy Services noted that they are committed to ensuring that the business sector maximises its potential through their involvement with the GCCI. (Michael Younge)

10 news

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hess sells interest Performance gap between hinterland, in Utica shale to coastal students confirmed – CEO invest in Guyana NGSA results

…technology to be used as a solution

T

he performance of hinterland students did not match that of their coastal students which saw increased passes in the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) 2018.

At the results announcement ceremony on Thursday, the performance of the hinterland students was addressed

by Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, who highlighted a number of recognised situations that is responsible for the low performance in the interior locations. He explained that the root cause of the problem is the quality of teachers which are present in the schools.

“One of the things that is affecting the hinterland

schools has to do with the quality of teachers and we’ve recognised that, and so what we’ve started to do is satellite teachers training centres in the hinterland communities.”

According to Hutson, interventions were made to fix this problem by providing online training and the introduction of a Hinterland Improvement Project, which delivers training via satellites. A few months ago, a centre was commissioned in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) which provides training facilities for some 50 teachers.

According to Hutson, this region is considered as one of the poorest performing regions in Guyana. At this year’s examination,

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson

the highest score obtained was 477 marks which secured a spot at Kato Secondary.

“The other thing has to do with content and methodology so what we’re doing is exposing our teachers in the hinterland communities to a series of developmental sessions as it relates to that. We have procured a smart classroom… That has the propensity to reach the regions so what we’ve already done and continue to do is to develop a schedule where there will be sessions with children in the schools and also the teachers and even with education officers,” the Chief Education Officer stated.

With the teachers training under control, another problem factor is the journey and topography which needs to be covered for education officials to reach students of the hinterland communities. These com-

munities are situated in areas which are not as easily accessible when compared to the coastal setting, which provides more opportunities to children.

“It’s not an easy thing to work in the hinterland communities. People do hard work to get to those communities. The topography and build of the land is not as easy as some persons think. In some areas, you have to go past some very dangerous animals like the black caiman and electric eel. It’s a work in progress.”

According to the Chief Executive Officer, the most successful way to bridge these gaps and eliminating the challenging factors can be done by the implementation of technological solutions.

“Technology is one of the ways that we will use to bridge that gap between the coast and the hinterland.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Nicolette Henry also commented on the low performance of the hinterland region, relating that it is something of concern and the subject areas are also being modified as an emergency intervention.

“We have recruited persons to work particularly in the Hinterland region. We also mainstream the Mathematics intervention to employ some of the methodologies used in the emergency intervention across the other subject areas.” (Rupadai Seenaraine)

H

ess Corporation (NYSE:HES) has on Friday announced that, effective April 1, it entered into an agreement to sell its joint venture interests in the Utica shale play in eastern Ohio to Ascent Resources – Utica, LLC for net cash consideration of approximately $400 million.

“We continue to focus our portfolio by divesting lower-return, non-core assets as part of our strategy to deliver long-term value to shareholders,” CEO John Hess is quoted by BUSINESS WIRE as saying.

“Proceeds from this transaction will be used to invest in our higher-return growth opportunities in Guyana and the Bakken, and to fund the company’s previously announced share repurchase programme,” he revealed.

According to BUSINESS WIRE, the divestiture consists of approximately 39,000 net acres, including 26,000 net undeveloped acres. For full year 2018, net production is forecast to average 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, of which approximately 70 percent is expected to be residue gas. Hess holds a 50 percent working interest as part of a joint venture with CNX Resources (NYSE: CNX).

The agreement is subject to the customary closing conditions and adjustments, and closure is expected by end of the third quarter 2018.

Hess has also announced that it has decid-

ed to retain its interests in Denmark, where the company holds a 61.5 percent interest in the South Arne Field, and is the operator.

The offers received in a previously announced sale process did not meet the company’s value expectations.

In the normal course of business, the company will continue to look at strategic options for this asset. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator, and holds a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd, Hess Corporation’s subsidiary, holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres.

Since ExxonMobil’s 2015 oil find, Guyana has attracted international attention and has precipitated intense sensitisation exercises. In May 2015, Exxon confirmed that more than 295 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs were encountered at its Liza 1 exploration well.

In late June 2016, Exxon’s drilling results at Liza 2 revealed more than 58 metres of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations. The well was drilled to 5475 metres at 1692 metres water depth. Drilling results confirmed recoverable resources to be between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. continued on page 11

news

11

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SOCU charges

Case against Singh, Brassington adjourned T

he case filed by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) regarding the sale of the Sanata Textiles Complex was called up at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday before Magistrate Leron Daly.

The matter was scheduled for 09:00h before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan but she was unavailable, and as a result, Magistrate Daly was temporarily assigned the matter.

When the matter was called, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Winston Brassington, was present in court but the charge was not read since his co-accused;

Former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former NICIL CEO Winston Brassington leaving court

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

East Coast of Demerara to National Hardware Guyana Ltd for over $598 million.

In addition, the charge includes selling land to Scady Business Corporation at a cost of $150 million, and to Multi-cinemas Guyana Inc at a cost of $185 million.

Many political and social commentators, even those in the legal fraternity, have argued that the charges against the two former Government officials may be unconstitutional on the basis that they are not “public officers” in accordance with

leased on $200,000 station bail.

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

“It is all frivolous… This Government campaigned on a promise that they will jail all of us when they get into power because we’re mas-

campaign. This was in the mouth of every person who spoke on the APNU platform. Jail, jail these people,” Jagdeo told the media last month.

Former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh expressed confidence that the charges brought against him will be disposed of in the near future because he feels they are frivolous and have no bearing.

Singh said he discharged his functions as a Minister of Government and public servant diligently and in ac-

the Constitution.

Following these events, former Finance Minister Sasenarine Kowlessar, who served from 1999 to 2006, was taken in for questioning at SOCU’s Kingston, Georgetown head office, and was interrogated for close to five hours before being re-

sively corrupt… We were told that we had assets that we were not declaring to the integrity Commission.

We’re told that the People’s Progressive Party and its leaders had stolen so much money they couldn’t stash it in Guyana, they had to stash it abroad. These were the

cordance with the law at all times.

“I have no fear whatsoever about the discharge of my duties being subjected to the ultimate degree of scrutiny… I have absolutely no reservation about that and I have absolutely no fear,” he added.

ited that the property be valued at $1,042,403.500 (land $209,650 million; Improvements $832,753.5 million). NICIL also ob-

Asbestos in one of the buildings

former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh was absent.

Singh’s lawyer, Attorneylaw Anil Nandlall informed the court that his client’s absence must not be construed as a disrespect to the court.

He informed the magistrate that he advised his client not to appear since there is a stay granted by the High Court on charges of a similar nature. That order granted by the High Court, Nandlall noted, cannot be defeated by the filing of an identical charge relating to a separate transaction.

Magistrate Daly subsequently adjourned the matter for July 26 when the joint charge will be read to the two by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

On June 8, 2018, the charge was filed against Singh and Brassington.

Singh and Brassington are already before the courts on similar charges, but the charge for the sale of the Sanata Textiles Complex was filed without the knowledge of the two parties.

As a consequence, they were not in court to answer the charges when the matter came up before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IssacsMarcus.

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

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

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

Workers dressed in safety gear as they removed asbestos sheets from the derelict Sanata Complex at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt Georgetown

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

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

SOCU had previously brought charges against the two former Government officials in April. The two men were arraigned on charges of allegedly selling several plots of land on the

Hess sells interest...

The company has announced that it made its third significant discovery in its drilling explorations offshore Guyana. Its partner, Hess Corporation, has noted that the Liza 3 exploratory well’s net value could be US$6.2 billion, based on calculations from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Capital Markets.

Drilling on Payara began on November 12, 2016, with initial total depth reached on December 2, 2016. In January of 2017, the oil gi-

ant announced it had struck some 95 feet of oil reservoirs in its Payara-1 well, targeting the same type of reservoirs as the well’s Liza counterpart.

Oil was discovered in the Turbot-1 well in October of 2017. According to the oil company, following the discovery, the well reservoir was 75 feet deep. Drilling has been ongoing at the Turbot well since August 2017.

More oil was found at the Pacora-1 drill site, some 107 miles from the coast of

from page 10

Guyana.

On June 20, 2018 the company announced another oil discovery following drilling at the Longtail-1 exploration well in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

This is ExxonMobil’s eighth oil discovery offshore Guyana. The company said in a statement that the well encountered has approximately 256 feet (78 metres) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoir.

Guyana will officially begin oil production in 2020.

12 news

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sanctions on RUSAL

Labour Dept meets with Oldendorff top brass, workers – record-keeping, working conditions inspected

O

ldendorff Carriers (Guyana) Inc General Manager Ulf Henriksson on Friday handed Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle details of all employees currently working at the company’s operations in the Berbice River. The presentation was made at the Department of Labour.

RUSAL, the parent company of Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), has been sanctioned by the US Government.

BCGI’s operations are in Region 10. OLDENDORFF is contracted by BCGI to transport bauxite from the mine areas near Aroaima to load on ships at the mouth of the Berbice River. The US Government sanctions require that all companies doing business with those that have been sanctioned wind down operations by October 23, or they themselves will be sanctioned.

In a statement on Friday, it was noted that while there are international negotiations to get the US Government to withdraw the current sanctions, OLDENDORFF is compelled to make preparations for winding down, should such efforts fail. As a result, the company has begun to sensitise workers to the possibility that it would not be able to continue operating in Guyana.

The employment information was requested by the Department of Labour in order to determine the benefits to be accrued to the employees should the company be forced to wind down operations in Guyana.

the employee information, a team from the Department of Labour, Occupational Safety and Health visited OLDENDORFF’s headquarters in New Amsterdam, Berbice. The team, led

by Senior Labour Officer Dexter Semple, conducted an inspection of the company’s records and working conditions.

Semple also took the opportunity to speak directly with workers who assembled at the New Amsterdam Stelling. Workers had a free

Labour officials meeting with workers

The information is also expected to support the work of a cabinet-appointed task force set up to address the future of workers at RUSAL and related companies in light of USAimposed sanctions. BCGI is OLDENDORFF’s only client in Guyana.

The current situation stems from sanctions imposed on Russia on April 6 by the US Government.

Seven Russian oligarchs and 12 companies they own or control, among others, have been added to what is called the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN”). Such sanctions apply to entities that are directly or indirectly owned 50 percent or more by these or other SDNs. According to the statement, OLDENDORFF has, for 12 years, been operating successfully in Guyana, and had every intention of continuing operations, until being forced to face closure of the operations here because of the US Government sanctions.

It was noted that during the 12 years, the company employed and trained more than 250 persons from the Berbice area, most of whom still work for the company today. These employees have performed at the highest industry standards, and have contributed significantly to the performance efficiencies of the OLDENDORFF operation here.

Speaking on Thursday during the ceremony concerned with handing over the documents to the Chief Labour Officer, OCGI General Manager Ulf Henriksson said that ‘OLDENDORFF management in Guyana and their parent company in Germany are promising to ensure that, should the company have to exit Guyana, the workers would be given proper notice.

“Our employees can rest assured that we will adhere to the laws of Guyana, and they will receive what they are entitled to.

“On the heels of (Thursday) handing over of

exchange with the Labour Officer, and registered concerns for follow up.”

It is understood that OLDENDORFF suspended operations for two hours to allow the workers to attend the meeting. At the end of the meeting, OLDENDORFF managers presented each of the 115 employees gathered at the stelling with letters that provided information on the company’s response to the sanctions, and the efforts that are being taken in the workers’ interest.

GPHC commissions new Oncology Department

Minister Volda Lawrence and an official from the GPHC along with Minister Karen Cummings during the official opening ceremony

T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Friday commissioned a new building, which will function as an Oncology Department and the Institute of Health Science Education (IHSE).

Speaking at the ceremo-

ny, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence noted that the facility will ensure that cancer patients are provided with increased care, where they can look forward to chemotherapy treatments at no cost.

“I have noticed that the trend of the discourse

has focused on the strategic move to utilise this building to consolidate the work of the Health Science Education Department and to extend the work of the Oncology Department.”

Additionally, it will serve the educational function of the hospital, which provides post-graduate programmes through the IHSE. “These post-grad programmes entail comprehensive advanced training in specialised areas and our expectations are that we will produce the core of healthcare providers needed to ensure quality healthcare across all our regions and in all our communities is guaranteed. I want to make provisions for our people to receive health and optimal cancer care.” continued on page 14

news

13

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM chair unilateral appointment

Appeal against High Court ruling set for July 25

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he appeal against the decision of Chief Justice (acting) Roxane George to uphold the contentious appointment of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman James Patterson will be heard by the Court of Appeal next month.

This is according to former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, legal representative for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament Zulfikar Mustapha, in whose name the appeal was filed.

Nandlall related on Friday that he has received from the Court of Appeal a notice “informing me that the application which I filed

for an early hearing of the appeal against the decision of Chief Justice Roxane George in relation to the unilateral appointment of James Patterson as the Chairman of GECOM will be heard on the 25th day of July 2018 at 9:00hrs at the Court of Appeal”.

The Chief Justice had, on June 9, ruled that the Constitution of Guyana allows for the President to unilaterally appoint someone to fill the position of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Justice George’s ruling came after the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had, on October 23, 2017, filed an injunction to have the court rescind the appointment of Patterson.

GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson

The motion was filed in the name of Mustapha just days after President David Granger had announced that he had filled the position of Chairman of GECOM.

Families of piracy victims receive financial assistance

The families of the five victims who received financial assistance from Government

E

motions ran high when family members of five of the fishermen who were victims of the piracy attacks off the Surinamese coast back in April, were on Friday given promised financial assistance from Government.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Friday handed over cheques of $100,000 to the families of Glenroy Jones, Sunil Ramotar, Vickey Persaud and Deonarine Goberdhan, who are all missing since the attacks two months ago, as well as to Sherwin Lovell, who survived the ordeal.

During the brief handing over ceremony, the Minister explained that the money is a one-off sum, which Cabinet recently approved.

“I know it is not much money but its going to help because some of the relatives who came were asking for $80,000 to $90,000 and some were asking for more but we decided at an average and Cabinet members agreed for that sum,” Ramjattan stated.

A total of 16 families are expected to benefit from this financial assistance, and according to the Public Security Minister, checks are being done to determine which family members of

the other victims will receive the money, with preference given to the closest next of kin.

“Quite frankly, what has happened is a lot of relatives have come forward all of a sudden and so we want to make it quite clear that the closest next of kin will get the money… so we are in the process of finalising that,” Ramjattan stated.

In addition to financial assistance, the Minister noted that the Public Health and Social Protection Ministries are being engaged to provide counselling for the families of the victims.

As the family members went up to collect the cheques, tears trickle down their faces.

Speaking with reporters afterwards, the mother of Sunil Ramotar, Chandra Barron, expressed appreciation for the help, recalling how hard it has been since her 41-year-old son, a father of two, went missing.

The woman broke down as she indicated that she will be using the money to travel to Suriname to see whatever information, if any, she could get about her son, who has been a fisherman since he was 17 years old.

“Right now ah said be-

cause I miss meh son, it nah easy to go through this pain when you lose your child so big. The only I can hope is that you can hear their voice back, that’s the main thing, you know. Since this thing, I never hear back and I glad to find out what going on… So this money that I collect, I gone go check and see about my son,” the grieving woman related.

Sometime between April 27 and 28, 2018, four boats were attacked by a group of men who brutalised the occupants then threw them overboard in Surinamese waters. A few days later, another boat was attacked, and the captain was killed.

That crew is still missing.

The victims from both attacks are said to be Guyanese fishermen who are living in the neighbouring country. So far, there are five survivors; three bodies recovered and over a dozen still missing from the first attack alone.

Investigators believe that the attacks were acts of revenge following the execution of a Guyanese fisherman living in Suriname.

The man’s brother has since been held and charged, along with another, for the murder of two of the dead fishermen.

The Court of Appeal will decide on the validity of the High Court ruling on July 25

Apart from asking that the appointment of Patterson be rescinded, the PPP had argued that he is unqualified for the post, and had petitioned the court to order the President to choose a person from the 18 names submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

But the Chief Justice, in her ruling, has stated that there is nothing before the court to support a finding that the President had acted unlawfully or irrationally in resorting to the proviso to Art 161(2); and there is nothing to rebut the presumption that Justice Patterson is qualified to be appointed to the post of Chairman of GECOM. According to the Chief Justice, the Opposition did not produce evidence to support the contention that Patterson was unqualified for the position.

She added that even if she had agreed with the contention that the appointment was unlawful, it would not have been permissible for this court to usurp the function of the President by directing him to choose a nominee from the third, or any, list.”

The appeal

In the PPP’s appeal, filed

at the Court of Appeal on June 11, it was outlined, inter alia, that “The Learned Hearing Judge erred and misdirected Herself in law when Her Honour misconstrued and misinterpreted the role of the Leader of the Opposition in Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana insofar as Her Honour’s interpretation or misinterpretation has reduced the role of the Leader of the Opposition to being merely perfunctory.”

Moreover, the appeal stated: the “Learned Hearing Judge erred and misdirected Herself in law in construing Article 161 (2) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana by failing to give effect to the intentions of the framers of the said Article.”

Article 161 (2) states that, “Subject to the provisions of paragraph (4), the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds, or who has held, office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qual-

ified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Minority Leader after consultation with the political parties represented in the National Assembly other than the party to which the President belongs.”

President David Granger had, on multiple occasions, declared that the lists provided by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo were “unacceptable” because not all of the candidates had met the requirement of being a judge or being eligible to be a judge.

It was explained that the Constitution was amended to include the Carter Formula, which is designed to expand the range of persons suitable to be appointed GECOM Chairman (to not limit that pool of persons to judges or those qualified to be judges).

Patterson was appointed to the position of Chairman of GECOM last year, after President Granger had rejected three lists comprising 18 names submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for the post of GECOM Chairman.

14 NEWS Trafficking of minors cases increases – TIP Taskforce head admits saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

F

ollowing the recent release of the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons 2018 Report, acting Coordinator of the Ministerial Taskforce on TIP, Oliver Profitt, has revealed that there has been, last year, an increase in the number of trafficking cases involving minors.

While the US report did not specifically deal with child labour, it outlined that a total of 131 TIP offenders were identified in 2017 -- 65 were for sex trafficking, 35 for labour trafficking, and 31 for both forms.

At a press conference held on Friday to discuss the report, Profitt detailed that there were eight cases of minors under the age of 12 who were victims of trafficking last year. This is compared to one case recorded from 2014 to 2016.

Even more disturbing, the Taskforce coordinator added, is that there might be more than eight such cases. “I’m not sure how much our statistics would have reflected the actual situation in terms of minors,” he told reporters when questioned about cases involv-

Head of Ministerial Taskforce on TIP, Oliver Profitt

ing minors.

Nevertheless, the State Department’s 2018 TIP report, which was released on Thursday, has cited several headways Guyana has made over the past year, but also highlighted that the numbers of trafficking investigations and new prosecutions have decreased, while the number of successful convictions remain low.

The US report outlined that only four new trafficking investigations – two for sex trafficking and

two for labour trafficking – were launched last year.

Additionally, there were 17 prosecutions, 12 of which were initiated in previous reporting periods, and there were two convictions.

This is compared to 19 investigations, 19 prosecutions, and two convictions in 2016.

At Friday’s press conference, Profitt, lamented the challenges the TIP Taskforce faces, high among which is the access to hinterland communities, given the country’s geographical expanse.

“It’s not easy to move around this country… Just to get to a place to do some awareness sessions, or to get to a place for the Police to do their investigation, or for the Police to respond to a report, is not very easy to get to… It can be difficult to move around, and certain areas are harder to reach than others; so, getting there with an ATV or moving with an eight-man team, you won’t necessarily have the resources to have eight ATVs at all times,” he pointed out.

However, the Taskforce

Coordinator noted that while hinterland communities are vulnerable to high prevalence of TIP activities, Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) is leading in terms of the highest number of cases, followed by Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

“We look at [statistics] in terms of both where the crime is committed and where the victims originated from. So we would have seen on both of those lists that Region Four is on top, [but] we must take into consideration (that) the population of Region Four is much higher than the other regions. But in terms of where the victims originated from, we would have seen in the statistics coming out of the Police Force, we would have seen that Region One [Barima-Waini] would have been right there behind Region Four,” he noted.

In regard to foreign TIP victims, Profitt noted that they, too, represent a high percentage of the cases.

Police statistics also recorded 41 alleged TIP cases in 2014; fifty-on in 2015, 98 in

2016 and 50 in 2017.

Moreover, the Taskforce revealed last week that Guyana has recorded 68 cases of alleged TIP already for 2018, of which Latin American nationals are the majority of the victims, with Venezuela heading the list.

On the other hand, the State Department’s 2018 TIP Report highlighted that despite increased efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims, assistance to those vulnerable people remains insufficient, especially in areas outside the capital, and for child and male victims.

Profitt confirmed at the press briefing that the shelter outside of Georgetown caters only for adult females, and not children or males. The report recommended that funding for the provision of such services be made available.

Another recommendation was for the provision of “additional protection for victims to testify against traffickers in a way that minimises re-traumatisation”, and according to Profitt, the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is leading efforts of the Taskforce to come up with ways to address this.

Prison smuggling

Ramjattan blames wardens for “embarrassing” situation

…says steps are being taken to address contraband smuggling

F

ollowing a recent series of attempts to smuggle contraband and the discoveries of various illicit items at several prison facilities across the country, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has expressed his disgust at the acts, saying that steps are being taken to curb this practice.

Minister Ramjattan told reporters on Friday that these incidents, especially those involving prison officers, makes him angry and feel a sense of despair. To this end, he revealed that he has approached the Finance Ministry to acquire scanners to be installed at the entry and exist points of the various prison facilities.

“It’s like the abnormal seems to be the rule there, you know, and we are trying as much [as we can]. I now have to get technological about it. You’d have to get scanners at the door that can pick up these things because I don’t think you can collude with scanners but… these scanners are very expensive and I hope people are not going to bypass the scanners too, that’s another problem but we’re gonna have cameras to ensure that the people will be seen who try to bypass,” the Minister

ing their jobs or doing it in a rogue fashion… and hopefully in better days coming we can also have better salaries and conditions of work,” asserted the Minister.

Only last Saturday, an inmate at the Lusignan Prison was caught with a cutlass and a knife. This was followed by an attempt to throw several parcels of marijuana over the fence at the New Amsterdam Prison the same day.

Some of the illicit items seized during last week’s raid at the Lusignan Prison

said.

Furthermore, he went on to recognise that the lack of proper management at these facilities is probably contributing to the increasing instances of smuggling attempts and the discoveries of dozens of contraband within the system.

“When these things happen, it is obviously an administrative/management problem and you can say that some people have indicated what can better the situation. There’re some previous prison officers, who were of very high ranks that have indicated their suggestions to me. But it comes back, if the individual know – that prison warden know or the family members bringing in

the things in foods and all of that – that that thing can be a disastrous thing, it can create a major problem for our security, why do they do it?” Ramjattan questioned.

Moreover, the Public Security Minister further decried the actions of inmates, who recently posted photos of their merriment on social media while in jail.

“We have these guys posting on Faceboook, having Ciroc on Mother’s Day. It is very embarrassing and disappointing, extraordinarily, so we have to still struggle with it but we must never give up… And so what we have to do is further strategise and get better recruits and teach them the consequences of not do-

These incidents come on the heels of ranks of the Joint Services unearthing over 60 illicit items during a three-hour routine search at the East Coast Demerara penitentiary last week.

Following these incidents, Prison Director (ag) Gladwin Samuels, reiterated pleas to the public to cease such acts.

“I wish to encourage members of the public to desist from introducing contra-

band into the prison as it is a criminal offence that can lead to imprisonment and it also affects the security of the prison,” he appealed.

The smuggling of contraband items remains a perennial problem within the prisons system and while authorities have been working to curb the practice, several prison officers have been caught facilitating the illegal trade, which is said to be a “big business”.

GPHC commissions...

from page 12

Meanwhile, Director of Medical and Professional Services, Dr Sheik Amir related that this facility was a necessity since there was a lack of teaching space to facilitate the students.

Additionally, while the services were good, the state of the building was not satisfactory. Now that the building has been acquired, they will be able to provide better healthcare to the public.

“We had the Oncology Unit which was under the old interns flat. Not very satisfactory condition but nevertheless, the service was great. So, we needed a new location for the Oncology Unit,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chief

Executive Officer (CEO) of GHPC, Brigadier (ret’d) George Lewis highlighted the need for utilising the facilities in a careful manner, since it will improve the quality of services.

“Together, the new and improved facilities for Institute of Health Science Education and the Oncology Department will better enable us to achieve our mission of providing efficient healthcare services in an equitable manner and promoting teaching and research here at the Georgetown Public Hospital,” Lewis remarked.

The upper flat of the 30 feet by 60 feet building will function as the IHSE, while

the lower flat will be used as the Oncology Department.

The teaching facilities that are provided include equipment for online training, an online library, two offices and two classrooms which can host approximately 50 students.

Guyana ranks highest in the Caribbean region with regards to cancer with an incidence rate of 46.9 per cent and a mortality rate of 21 per 100,000 persons. On the other hand, cervical cancer kills an estimated 100 women every year. As such, increased interventions are being introduced to provide early screening and treatment to reduce these numbers.

news

15

saturDAY, june 30, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana/Canada: An alliance of shared values – Greenidge

Shallow grave murder

Son charged for conspiring T to kill father

T

wenty-two-year-old Asif Hamid, who reportedly aided and abetted his friend to kill his father, Businessman Saeed Hamid, also called “Sayo”, was on Friday arraigned before New Amsterdam Magistrate Alex Moore on an accessory to murder charge.

The charge details that on April 19, 2018, at the New Amsterdam Prison, he conspired with 31-year-old Antonio Balrup, a former Police officer, and Satrohan Madray to kill his father.

Charged with the murder of Saeed Hamid, Balrup and Madray were

Asif Hamid

on Wednesday arraigned before Fort Wellington Magistrate Rondell

The accused: Antonio Balrup and Satrohan Madray Weaver. Represented by Attorney-at-Law Mursaline Bacchus, they were remanded to prison, and the case has been scheduled to continue on July 17, 2018.

Asif Hamid is currently on remand for the 2015 murder of Corentyne rice farmer Henry Lallman, whose body was found in a shallow grave under a mango tree in Hamid’s yard.

Lallman had mysteriously disappeared, but during investigations, Police stumbled upon his partially decomposed

body after they were informed that he had gone to Hamid’s home and had never returned.

Saeed Hamid, Asif’s father, was supposed to testify against his son in connection with that murder.

It is believed that Hamid met Madray while in prison, and they plotted to prevent the now dead businessman from giving evidence against his son. On April 16, 2018, the senior Hamid left his Corriverton home and never returned.

he Guyana Government will continue to collaborate with Canada in a wide range of areas from developing the petroleum sector to promoting human rights, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said.

He made the remark during a Canada Day reception on Thursday evening at the Marriott Hotel, marking the country’s 151st anniversary, noting the joint effort to combat the adverse effects of climate change, adopt policies aimed at reducing poverty, advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, as it seeks to develop capacity and safeguard its citizens.

“Our alliance premised on shared values has resulted in the development of genuine, productive partnership evident in the programme of bilateral cooperation that has delivered concrete and quantifiable benefits to Guyana.”

The two countries’ partnership has seen Guyana benefiting from assistance in the areas of anti-crime capacity building, debt relief, live streaming of the National Assembly, upgrading of the research unit of Parliament, implementation of the Disability Act of Guyana; and support in the integrated sundried tomato project.

Canada has also played a critical role in Guyana’s forestry and mining sectors.

High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee shares a toast with Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge during the Canada Day celebrations

As Guyana embraces the imminent economic transformation, it remains mindful of the fact that the world is increasingly integrated, Minister Greenidge stressed. He applauded the Government and people of Canada for their strides over the years, particularly in its diversity, strong system of governance, sustainable prosperity and economic and social stability.

High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee highlighted the achievements Canada has made over the years.

In 2015, the country achieved gender parity in federal cabinet and includes Ministers who are openly gay and those born out of Canada.

In 2016, Canada was the largest trading partner with Caricom with US$700 million in merchandise trade.

The country also welcomes 300,000 immigrants yearly. These achievements exemplify the country’s diverse and inclusive nature, High Commissioner Chatterjee said.

“Canada is a peaceful pluralistic society with strong democratic values. Our country isn’t perfect… our inclusive society means that the rights of all citizens regardless of race, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation are respected and that everyone has a contribution to make,” the High Commissioner added.

Tourism stakeholder joins call for New Eastville Nursery Lethem-Linden road rehabilitation School commissioned

T

ourism stakeholder, Visit Rupununi, have joined the chorus of voices including truckers and minibus drivers decrying the lack of maintenance and resulting deterioration of the Linden-Lethem road.

Along with over 20,000 Rupununi residents and those of the Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Linden and other areas, the stakeholders are calling for immediate attention to be given to the rehabilitation of the roadway.

According to reports, tourism operators are also complaining of the significant damage to vehicles caused by the continuous deterioration of the road, coupled with the increase in fuel prices.

It is being reported that since the May/June rainy season ceased, the road is now transformed into a mire of mud and stuck vehicles, with residents of the Rupununi starting to gird for shortages of fuel and other basic commodities.

Municipal efforts have been dispatched to investigate the worst of the degradation, but little has to date been done to solve the problems.

According to Visit Rupununi, already the stories of people and goods stranded in the road for days at a time abound and the costs of

The deplorable condition of the Linden-Lethem road

repairs, lost assets, time and even life continue to mount.

This has also adversely affected the thriving shopping tourism sector in Lethem which reportedly sees arrivals of visitors from Brazil via the Takutu Bridge as high as 200,000 per month, which has been responsible for the commercial growth seen in recent years.

The tourism stakeholder added that with two months of rainy season still to go even with a moderate to good flooding, this vital pathway to Guyana’s interior is likely to be cut off for at least some portion of the remaining rainy season to the detriment of the region’s population.

On Friday, Visit Rupununi noted that the remnant of

road that is likely to emerge when the waters finally recede will be significantly damaged, crippling commerce, inhibiting the movement of people and resulting in significantly higher transport and operation costs into 2019.

Locations such as Iwokrama, Surama and Lethem which usually look forward to the trickle of domestic and Diaspora travellers during the July-August months to keep their doors open are already reporting that the current road situation has had a devastating impact on bookings.

According to President of Visit Rupununi, Melanie Tuck, to salvage the coming tourist season, road and bridge repairs needs to start

with immediate effect, keeping commodities moving and reducing down time come September.

“Collaborative solutions must be sought to facilitate affordable air travel direct to popular locations across the Rupununi. Policy review needs to be fast tracked to facilitation the installation of a regionally based air carrier, removal of VAT on internal flights and incentives for airlines to service key tourism locations, especially those in the North Rupununi need to be affected in time to meet the September demands,” Tuck expressed.

Tuck added that this current road condition is the worst that the region has seen in almost a decade, eroding the progress made over the last 20 plus years in bringing Guyana’s tourism industry to the international market and forcing existing operators into potential financial jeopardy with higher operational and transport costs to honour tourism commitments which were confirmed in many cases six to 12 months in advance.

As such, the President along with those being severely affected are making a final plea for emergency repairs which they stated were needed to safeguard the continued movement of people and supplies and avoid the accompanying loss of income.

E

The new Eastville Nursery School

astville Nursery School, located on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), was on Friday commissioned by Education Minister Nicolette Henry.

Construction of this $20 million school commenced in March 2016, and was completed in August 2017. The school has capacity to house some 120 children.

During the commissioning, Henry, in brief remarks, said the school would provide quality early childhood education, and would cater to children with special education needs.

She explained to her audience that as the children progress, they will benefit from a system that provides

quality education for all.

Minister Henry noted that as 21st century students, pupils deserve to learn in a 21st century environment. She said the various interventions being implemented by the Ministry of Education, its officers and teachers are to ensure that children access nothing less than what they deserve.

Regional Democratic Council Chairperson for Region Four, Genevieve Allen, said a feasibility study was done in 2015, and in the education plan for the region, construction of the school was included.

She said education is important for the development of any nation, region, or community.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, june 30, 2018

Regional

Antigua and Barbuda T&T’s largest conglomerate upgraded to Tier 2 on Human invests in Costa Rica windpark Trafficking Watch List A M PC Capital’s investment platform for renewable energies in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) region, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Fund, and Trinidad and Tobago’s largest conglomerate ANSA McAL Limited will invest in the operational 21 MW windpark, Tilawind, in Costa Rica.

The joint venture with ANSA McAL is in keeping with MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Fund’s investment strategy to support high quality assets with strategic regional partners.

Tilawind is the second acquisition for the MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Fund following its investment in the 51 MWp Paradise Park Solar PV greenfield project in Jamaica.

ANSA McAL and MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Fund said they are eager to explore additional greenfield and brownfield renewable energy investments within Costa Rica and the wider region

“With a wind turbine capacity factor of 45 per cent, Tilarán represents an excellent location for the wind farm, which has been operational since 2015 and has the potential to expand its capacity to 40 MW in the future,” a joint statement from the companies said.

Both ANSA McAL and MPC Caribbean Clean

Caribbean region encouraged to work together

I

f Caribbean nations are to solve the challenges the region is currently experiencing, all must come together as one.

One Government Minister believes that the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) is an impactful way in which these challenges must be faced head on.

Minister in the Ministry of Financial Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle, made this suggestion as she delivered the feature address at the official opening of the two-day workshop of the Caribbean Association of Audit Committee Members Inc, on Thursday, at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Needham’s Point, St Michael.

“There is a lot to be gained in having common

approaches to all the challenges that face us in these sectors. And while I won’t go into too much this morning about what those potential opportunities are in the context of CSME, I will leave that for Caricom heads to discuss in Jamaica next week.

“But, I want to flag that the CSME project is not over, it is not completed. The Government of Barbados maintains, and in fact, renews its commitment to making sure that it is vibrant particularly in the area of accountability and transparency, and making sure that we are adaptable to the changing economic environment,” Caddle.

The framework for the conference was designed to focus on strengthening internal controls across the region. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

Energy Fund said they are eager to explore additional greenfield and brownfield renewable energy investments within Costa Rica and the wider region.

Chief Executive Officer of the ANSA McAL Group, Andrew Sabga, said the goal is to cultivate projects that are profitable for shareholders, generate value for

customers and serve as an engine of sustainable development for the Caribbean region.

MPC Renewable Energies originated and structured the transaction and will provide asset management services to both investors. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

ntigua and Barbuda’s efforts in removing the scourge of human trafficking from the country has been recognised by the United States Department of State. A welcomed improvement from the last few years, the country has been upgraded to Tier 2 in the Trafficking in Persons Report 2018.

The 2018 instalment of the Report states that “the Government [of Antigua and Barbuda] demonstrated increasing efforts by conducting more investigations and improving victim identification, conducting its first trafficking raid, establishing a new trafficking unit to coordinate and expedite efforts across the Government, tripling its budget for combating trafficking, creating new agreements with govern-

ment agencies to improve coordination and victim protection, and developing a new trafficking database to better track cases”.

Steadroy Benjamin, Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, Justice, Public Safety and Labour said that he is not surprised at the country’s achievements as we have worked hard over the past year. He said “We’ve worked very hard on this matter and we are determined to do even better to get a higher ranking. Its shows that our Government is committed and we have put in more funds and have established a unit which has worked extremely well in the past to make sure that Antigua and Barbuda comes from the grey area to Tier 2”. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Taiwan supports beach park project in St Lucia

T

he Taiwan embassy hosted a function on Wednesday last to pledge continued support to the Soufriere Hummingbird Beach Park Project in St Lucia. Ambassador Douglas Shen presented a check for the project’s second phase funding to Herod Stanislaus, minister in the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, physical planning, natural resources and cooperatives.

Also in attendance were Nigel George, chairman of the Soufriere Foundation, and representatives from the government and media.

Shen stated that Soufriere is the most popular scenic hotspot in Saint Lucia, with thousands of tourists visiting the town every year. The embassy is aware of the need to rehabilitate Hummingbird Beach for the sustainable development of the local tourism industry and, therefore,

Ambassador Douglas Shen presents a check to Herod Stanislaus, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives

agreed to provide the necessary support. The first batch of funding was allocated in 2016.

Stanislaus thanked Taiwan for the generous assistance it has extended to Soufriere over the years. He believed that with the completion of the Hummingbird Beach Project and the

Soufriere Square Project, both supported by Taiwan, the town will attract even more visitors from abroad and provide work opportunities to the local people.

He expressed desire to further cooperate with Taiwan embassy with a view to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Stanislaus also extended an invitation to Shen to attend the Hummingbird Beach facility’s inauguration later in August 2018 when the project is scheduled to be completed. Shen readily accepted the offer and promised to visit Soufriere and tour the site.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Mexican parade at World Cup cancelled Caribbean Airlines after fears of proximity to Lenin's grave introducing free Wireless

M

exican soccer fans have called off a Day of the Dead-themed parade in Moscow’s Red Square after communist lawmakers objected to the event being held so close to Lenin’s tomb.

A carnival atmosphere has taken over parts of the capital as thousands of fans pack to watch the soccer World Cup. Mexican fans – whose team is one of the 16 to make it through to the knockout stages – had planned a party in the zone set aside for them in the city, followed by a street parade to Red Square several hundred metres away.

But one of the organisers said they were told by authorities after midday on Friday to hold the parade and event indoors, declining to explain why. Sergei Malinkovich, the deputy head of the Communists of Russia party, said people dressed as skeletons – one of the traditional symbols of the Mexican annual holiday at which families honour their dead loved ones – should not be allowed to march on what his party has called

in-flight entertainment

C

A Day of the Dead celebration at the National House of Mexico for fans at Moscow’s Gostiny Dvor shopping and exhibition centre during the 2018 World Cup

“hallowed” ground.

The body of the Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin lies embalmed in a marble tomb on the square and Soviet leaders and dignitaries are buried in the Kremlin walls.

Malinkovich’s party had appealed to the interior ministry to stop fans hold-

ing the parade, he said, arguing it could provoke violent clashes with Russian patriots.

The event – held four months before the actual celebrations in Mexico – was held in the fan area and was attended by several hundred revellers. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

aribbean Airlines will introduce free wireless in-flight entertainment from August 1, allowing passengers to stream blockbuster movies, television programmes, games, magazines and more Caribbean content to their personal devices.

The new Caribbean View service will be accessed via a browser using Bluebox Aviation Systems’, Bluebox Wow platform.

“Caribbean Airlines is focused on enhancing the customer experience, and we are excited to introduce “Caribbean View” as part of our in-flight entertainment (IFE) package.

The wireless service will be free to all Caribbean Airlines passengers and the Bluebox Wow platform gives us the quality we want to deliver, in a flexi-

ble solution that fits our service upgrade plans,” explained the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Garvin Medera.

Bluebox Wow will be deployed across Caribbean Airlines fleet of 12 Boeing B737-800 aircraft, on flights over two hours and above 10,000 feet.

Kevin Clark, Chief Executive Officer at Bluebox, said he was extremely pleased that Caribbean Airlines chose Bluebox Wow for engaging its passengers. “Bluebox Wow offers a powerful and flexible proposition that will ensure Caribbean Airlines can deliver a fresh and vibrant service that is extremely easy for passengers to access, two things we know are important to an engaging IFE service,” he said.

(Caribbean360)

saturDAY, june 30, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

executes 12 ISIL Newspaper shooting suspect Iraq members on death 'barricaded exit' row: PM's office I T

he suspect in the mass shooting at a Maryland newspaper office on Thursday barricaded an exit so that staff could not escape, says a prosecutor. Officials earlier told reporters the accused, Jarrod Ramos, was not co-operating with the investigation.

Police found evidence at the suspect's house the attack on the Capital Gazette in Annapolis was planned.

Ramos, 38, appeared in court via video link to be charged with five counts of first-degree murder.

A judge ordered him held without bail during Friday's hearing at Anne Arundel County criminal court. Wearing blue detention clothes, the suspect reportedly said nothing, but watched the proceedings attentively.

From left: The victims, from top left – Rob Hiaasen, Rebecca Smith, Gerald Fischman; John McNamara (bottom centre), Wendi Winters (bottom right). At right is the suspect Jarrod Ramos

Speaking at the White House on Friday, President Donald Trump expressed his condolences. "This attack shocked the conscience of our nation and filled our hearts with grief," he said. "Journalists, like all Americans, should be free from the fear of being violently attacked while doing their job."

Investigators say he had a "long-standing grievance" with the newspaper.

He sued the Gazette for defamation over a 2011 column that reported on his guilty plea to criminal harassment of a former high school classmate on Facebook. He lost the lawsuit in 2015.

In the harassment case,

he was reportedly spared jail time and ordered to get therapy. Police said on Friday the defendant had made threatening comments online in May 2013 against the Gazette. But the newspaper declined to pursue charges, not wishing to "exacerbate" the situation, said investigators. (Excerpt from BBC News)

raq has executed a dozen members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) on death row, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said on Friday, after he vowed a swift response to the armed group's killing of eight captives.

The executions were carried out on Thursday, and came shortly after Abadi ordered the "immediate" implementation of the death sentences of hundreds of convicted fighters.

"Based on the orders of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, executions were carried out on Thursday of 12 convicted terrorists who have received final verdicts," a Government spokesman said in a statement.

On Wednesday, security forces found the bodies

of eight men mutilated and rigged with explosives, two days after a deadline set by their ISIL kidnappers expired.

ISIL had kidnapped members of Iraq's security forces and showed six of them in a video posted online on Saturday, threatening to kill them within three days if the Government did not release female Sunni prisoners.

ISIL claimed they were Iraqi police officers or members of the Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary force. An interior ministry spokesman said autopsies showed the men were killed before the deadline expired and that the video was ISIL propaganda.

Abadi had earlier vowed "just retribution" against ISIL for carrying out the executions of the eight men.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

At least 100 feared 14-year-old among Palestinians killed by dead after boat sinks Israeli forces in Gaza border protests off Libya coast

A

bout 100 migrants and refugees are missing and feared dead after their boat capsized off the coast of Libya, according to the Libyan coastguard.

Libya, with its weak central government and proximity to Italian territory, is increasingly becoming the preferred option for many refugees despite the dangers involved in crossing the Mediterranean Sea. The Libyan coastguard picked up 16 survivors from the boat just East of the capital, Tripoli, an official said on Friday.

An explosion during the voyage which caused the engine to catch fire is believed to have been the determining factor behind the incident, survivors were

quoted as telling AFP news agency.

The exact number of migrants aboard the boat at the time of the incident is not known yet but while 15 women were on board the ship, all of the 16 rescued were young men.

Those missing include two babies and three children under the age of 12.

The passengers included several Moroccan families, none of whom survived, as well as Syrians and Sudanese, they said.

The International Organisation for Migration describes the Mediterranean Sea as the world's deadliest border.

Last year, 3116 people died trying to cross from North Africa to Europe, it said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

I

sraeli forces shot and killed two Palestinians, one of them a 14-yearold boy, and wounded 415 others with live fire and tear gas during protests along the Gaza border on Friday, Gaza health officials said.

Gaza medical officials said the boy, Yasser Abu AlNaja and Mohammad AlHamayda, 24, were hit by live bullets. They added that four other men wounded by live fire were in critical condition.

The Israeli military said in a statement that troops had used “large amounts of riot dispersal means”. In some cases, when the non-lethal means proved ineffective, live fire was used “in accordance with the standard operating procedures”.

It said thousands of Palestinians had “partici-

From left: The aunt of 14-year-old Palestinian boy Yasser Abu Al-Naja, who was killed by Israeli forces during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, reacts at a hospital morgue in the southern Gaza Strip June 29

pated in extremely violent riots”, hurling a grenade and rocks at troops and the border fence and burning tires.

It said the reported death of the boy would be investigated and that legal action could be taken, if appropriate. Gaza officials say Israeli troops have killed at least

India preparing for 'cut in oil imports from Iran'

I

ndia's Oil Ministry has asked refiners to prepare for a "drastic reduction or zero" of imports of Iranian oil starting in November, two industry sources said, the first sign that New Delhi is responding to a push by the United States to cut trade ties with Iran, Reuters news agency reports.

India has said it does not recognise unilateral restrictions imposed by the US, and instead follows UN sanctions. But the industry sources said India, the largest buyer of Iranian oil after China, will be forced to take action to protect its exposure to the US financial system. India's oil ministry held a meeting with refiners on Thursday, urging them to scout for alternatives to Iranian oil, the sources said.

India’s Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told

135 people since the weekly protests began on March 30.

Palestinians say the protests are a popular outpouring of rage against Israel by refugees demanding the right to return to homes their families fled or were driven from on Israel’s founding 70 years ago.

Nigeria: Fresh safety calls after tanker blast kills 9 in Lagos

C

Industry sources said India, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil after China, will be forced to take action to protect its exposure to the US financial system

reporters in Mumbai that the country would attend to its interests while deciding on oil imports. During the previous round of sanctions, India was one of the few countries that continued to buy Iranian oil, al-

though it had to reduce imports as shipping, insurance and banking channels were choked due to the European and US sanctions.

While a State Department official has said that Washington wants

Iranian oil buyers to halt imports from November, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lessen dependence on Iranian oil.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Israel says the demonstrations are organised by the Islamist group Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip and denies Israel’s right to exist. Israel says Hamas has intentionally provoked the violence, a charge Hamas denies. (Excerpt from Reuters)

alls for improved road and vehicle safety are increasing in Nigeria following the death of at least nine people when a petrol tanker with failed brakes crashed and exploded.

The explosion took place at about 17:30h (16:30 GMT) on Thursday on the LagosIbadan expressway, one of the main routes out of the megacity, and destroyed at least 54 vehicles, according to authorities.

"Unfortunately, nine bodies were confirmed dead and recovered from the scene (eight adults and a minor) and four persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were taken to the hospital," Adesina Tiamiyu, head of the Lagos State Emergency Management

Agency (LASEMA), said in a statement.

The stricken tanker in Thursday's crash was carrying 33,000 litres of petrol at the time. Bolarinwa Mufutau, a roadside mechanic, said he had just finished repairing a car when he saw the tanker rolling back on the road.

"I could also hear the driver shouting 'brake failure, brake failure'. I saw the motor boy (assistant) trying to put a wedge to stop the tanker from rolling back," he told AFP news agency.

A fire erupted within seconds, forcing motorists to abandon their cars and flee, he added. The latest incident has raised concerns about safety practices on the country's roads. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, june 30, 2018

ARCHIE

Join the action. Get involved in organised events (March 21- and social activities that will April 19) lead to interesting people and ideas. An emotional relationship should be handled carefully.

ARIES

Think twice before you TAURUS make a move or say some(April 20- thing you’ll regret. Discipline May 20) will be necessary to avoid getting into a situation that could cost you emotionally and financially.

dilbert

Live and learn. Take part in GEMINI events that will broaden your (May 21outlook and give you access to June 20) different cultures and beliefs.

Romance will enhance your life and alter the way you move forward.

Get involved in an unusual event or activity that will (June 21- expose you to a whole new July 22) way of thinking. Cultural differences will spark your imagination and give rise to new beginnings.

CANCER

Peanuts

Erratic decisions and inLEO consistency must not be al(July 23- lowed to consume you. Look Aug. 22) for practical ways to solve problems or move forward.

Chase your dream, but live within your means.

Interacting with others VIRGO will encourage you to expand (Aug. 23your ideas and bring about Sept. 22) positive changes that will enhance your life. Learn from the experts and do your own thing.

Calvin and Hobbes

You’ll gain greater perspecLIBRA (Sept. 23- tive if you get involved in a Oct. 23) group effort. Collaborating with others will spark your imagination and encourage you to follow through with your plans.

Romance is highlighted.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — INUNDATE (INUNDATE: IN-un-date: To cover with water; overwhelm, as with a flood.)

Avoid making an impulSAGITTARIUS sive move. If you negotiate (Nov. 23on your own terms, you’ll be Dec. 21) surprised at the results you get. Don’t let anyone bamboozle you into something you don’t want.

Average mark 30 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 43 or more words in INUNDATE? The list will be published Monday.

THURSDAY’S WORD — GUILELESS

gills glee glue guess guile guise gull gullies isle

issue lees less liege lieu lisle lues luge egis

else segue sell siege sill slue slug sullies

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

Easy does it. Think matSCORPIO ters through and consid(Oct. 24er the consequences of your Nov. 22) actions. It’s important to maintain a level head to avoid an unpredictable situation. Don’t argue.

solution for last published puzzle

You have control, so don’t CAPRICORN hesitate to bring about the (Dec. 22- changes you want to see hapJan. 19) pen at home and in your personal relationships. Say what’s on your mind and get results.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t feel pressured by what others do. Move forward at your own speed and be disciplined when tempted to overspend or indulge.

Personal improvements and romance are favoured.

Offer help to an older friend or relative. Your kindness, consideration and assistance will be acknowledged and rewarded. A gift, financial gain or unexpected favour will take you by surprise.

saturDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

19

Deschamps hopes France’s La Liga trio can muzzle Messi ous but after 20 minutes in the presence of Didier Deschamps it seemed to have been sucked dry

I

f a manager’s demeanour in front of the cameras is an indication of the state of his team then France risk staring into the void. The auditorium inside the Kazan Arena is cavern-

of air. Nobody present came away feeling remotely illuminated as to how his team may galvanise themselves to overcome Argentina on Saturday, although they

did, at least, depart reassured Deschamps knew the identity of their bete noire.

“Messi is Messi,” pro-

nounced Deschamps, an observation he repeated later

on for good measure. “We’d like to mark and neutralise him but we know very well he can make the difference with very little. We have to take that into account.”

France will look to keep Messi quiet with three defenders – Samuel Umtiti, Raphaël Varane and Lucas Hernandez – familiar with him from La Liga and the most salient point in Deschamps’ show of monotony came when he was invited to reflect on whether such knowledge may count in their favour.

“I hope to be able to answer after the match with a yes,” he said. “I’m not sure it’s an advantage but it’s not a disadvantage. If you’ve played against him already, you may be aware of some situations that repeat t h e m selves.”

O n e state of affairs seemingly stuck on a n

eternal loop is France’s inability to get the most from a wealth of talent that, now Germany have departed, is rivalled only by Spain for depth. France never threatened to go the same way as the Germans in the group stage and ended up qualifying with ease; it was largely stultifying fare though and more than once Deschamps felt compelled to defend their performances on account of their relative inexperience.

“I’m not looking for excuses,” he said. “On the contrary. But as you know, we have 14 players who’ve never competed at a World Cup. Five played for the first time against Australia, another five against Denmark, so whatever their individual abilities I think this should allow some indulgence.”

It still fails to explain adequately why France’s attacking players appear so inhibited. Antoine Griezmann has been among those to start uncertainly, although it presumably does not help that Deschamps cannot settle on whether to play him as a No 9 or No 10. “The beginning was a bit difficult,” Deschamps admitted of a player France desperately need to pick up some form.

“He played 65 minutes against Denmark and that

was good for him because he picked up some rhythm, some momentum. It’s true the French team needs Antoine Griezmann at the top level and he’s doing everything for this to be the case.”

It was, in the manner of his other contributions to the session, neither a ringing endorsement nor a kick up the backside. Hugo Lloris, taking the floor before Deschamps, had been a fittingly stiff warm-up act but he did point to the potential impact of another France forward, Kylian Mbappé, whose early-career exploits have drawn inevitable comparisons with Messi.

“Kylian has huge potential,” Lloris said of the Paris Saint-Germain player, who scored the winner against Peru and has been France’s liveliest player so far. “He’s fast, explosive, needs space, and I think he will have more space than in the first three matches. We will have to step up our level and Mbappé has the ability to make the difference at big moments.”

Lloris said several times that Saturday marks the start of a new World Cup, a knockout tournament of clean slates and new possibilities. It at least brings hope that, should they break with the habit of their spokesmen and stop going through the motions, France may just click after all. (The Guardian)

Wozniacki to face Sabalenka in final T

Aryna Sabalenka

op seed Caroline Wozniacki saved a match point to beat Angelique Kerber and reach the final at Eastbourne for the second year in a row.

The Dane, ranked second in the world, came back to win 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 against the German fourth seed.

Kerber hit 42 winners to Wozniacki's 39 but the two-time Grand Slam winner could not overcome Wozniacki's defence.

Wozniacki will face Aryna Sabalenka in the final, following her 6-3 1-6 6-3 win over Agnieszka Radwanska.

Wozniacki lost 6-4 6-4 to Czech Karolina Pliskova - who went out to Sabalenka this year - in the 2017 final.

The Dane, who won her maiden Grand

Slam at the Australian Open in January, grew frustrated in the opening set as she racked up the unforced errors.

At 5-2 down she had a heated on-court conversation with her dad and coach, Piotr, before Kerber served out the first set.

Wozniacki appeared more focused in the second set, racing to a 4-2 lead, before Kerber converted her second break point to force the match back on serve.

The German, a former world number one, had a match point on her service game but Wozniacki forced a tie-break and ultimately a third set.

Wozniacki broke after a regulation first four games and held her nerve as Kerber twice held to love to serve out the match.

Caroline Wozniacki

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

Uruguay, Portugal cross swords in reboot of el clรกsico

D

has scored two hat-tricks for Real iego Godin, the against Godin's Atletico, havman who leads the best deing also emerged victorious in fence in the FIFA two Madrid derby Champions League finals.

World Cup 2018 so far, will try to stop his old But the rugged and brave Godin, who needed reconstrucfoe Cristiano Ronaldo tive dental surgery after havwhen Uruguay and Portugal lock horns ing three teeth punched out in in a Round of 16 an aerial challenge with Valencia's goalkeepclash in Sochi on Saturday. It will er earlier this year, has succeeded in be a fascinatmuzzling Ronaldo on ing battle at the Fisht Stadium plenty other occasions in Sochi when at club level going back almost a decade. the 33-year-old "Godin is a Ronaldo, who is enjoys t a r . ing his best World Cup He de2018 by scoring four out of five of Portugal's goals, fends, will be against a side comc o m mands, ing through the group stage scores goals, in Russia without concedwins titles, ing a goal. Uruguay captain Godin of Atletico Madrid is and does an expert at keeping clean not miss sheets. The Atletico defence a game," is the most formidable in the s a i d Diego European club game as it managed to keep 34 clean sheets in all competitions last season and Uruguay have not conceded a goal in six games in 2018.

Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, though has already scored four times at this World Cup, including a hat-trick on his last visit here when Portugal drew 3-3 with Spain. That means he has 85 international goals, more than any other male European player in history.

Cristiano In the last Ronaldo two years, he

Maradona recently.

On Saturday, Gimenez - who scored Uruguay's late winner against Egypt - is set to rejoin Godin in central defence after missing the 3-0 victory over Russia due to injury.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, will look to get back among the goals having had a penalty saved in Portugal's 1-1 draw with Iran. That, and the VAR-awarded late spot-kick for the Iranians, condemned the defending European champions to this tie rather than a meeting with the hosts in Moscow.

Portugal surely would have preferred that, for while Uruguay continue to produce tough centre-backs, they are by no means completely reliant on them.

This is a side with excellent, Italian-based midfielders in Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Torreira and Matias Vecino. And up front they boast two of the greatest goal-scorers of their generation in Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

Suarez might lack the same sharpness of old, but he has still scored twice in Russia. One more and he will equal 1950 World Cupwinner Oscar Miguez's Uruguayan record of eight goals at the tournament.

"They are a typical South American side," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos.

"It's not just in this World Cup that they have not been conceding goals. It has been like that for the whole of 2018. Oscar Tabarez is the longest-serving international manager. That means he has a very strong relationship with his players."

These two countries with a combined population of 13.5 mil-

Edinson Cavani

lion have long been overachievers on the international scene - the last decade under Tabarez has seen two-time former winners Uruguay reach one World Cup semi-final and win one Copa America, while Portugal triumphed at Euro 2016.

And the Uruguayans hold their opponents in equally high regard, conscious that Ronaldo

is supported by younger talents like Bernardo Silva and Goncalo Guedes.

"We will mark him with the same respect we mark everyone, despite him being a superstar," said Sebastian Coates of Ronaldo.

"You don't prepare a match just looking at one player." (Sports NDTV)

Hamilton heads Mercedes 1-2

H

amilton headed team-mate Valtteri Bottas by 0.176 seconds in the second session, despite setting his time on the hardest type of tyre.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, 14 points behind Hamilton in the championship, was 0.236secs back in third place.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo was fourth, ahead of team-mate Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Just 0.686secs separated the top six cars on a day when there was minimal difference between the three available tyre compounds.

Second practice results

Austrian Grand Prix radio & online coverage details Hamilton failed to improve on the theoretically fastest ultra-soft tyre after using the soft tyre on his first run early in the session. And Ricciardo's fastest time was set on the super-soft, the middle of the three tyres.

Bottas, Vettel and Raikkonen did improve on the ultra-soft, but only

Lewis Hamilton said a new aerodynamic package meant the car was "a step forward from last week

after a number of attempts and by a fraction - 0.023secs in the German's case.

Mercedes have introduced a significant aerodynamic upgrade in Austria, with a new shaping to the

bodywork on the side-pods beside the driver and the airflow-shaping vanes in front of them.

Hamilton said: "It's been a good day so far - pretty straightforward with no real issues.

"There are not many corners here in Austria. It's a very fast track and it's very close between all the tyres.

The harder tyre seems to be the better for me.

"It's really great to see the updates; the guys at the factory have been working so hard to bring quality components. The car feels better in certain areas around the track, which is already a step forward from last week."

Vettel said his car had been "quite good", adding: "Usually we have a good step from Friday to Saturday.

"It is quite close, Mercedes had the upper hand today. They looked very quick in all conditions, but it was a tricky Friday and we should be well prepared for tomorrow and Sunday."

Haas driver Romain Grosjean was best of the rest in seventh from

team-mate Kevin Magnussen. Pierre Gasly's Toro Rosso was ninth, despite the Frenchman breaking his left front suspension over a kerb at Turn Nine.

McLaren's Stoffel Vandoorne was 10th while team-mate Fernando Alonso had a bitty day, damaging his floor at Turn Nine and then failing to set a representative time, ending up 19th fastest.

Leclerc's Ferrari deal done

Off track, it is looking increasingly likely that Sauber's Charles Leclerc will move to Ferrari next year in place of Kimi Raikkonen.

A source close to the team has told BBC Sport that the deal to promote the driver, from Monaco, after his debut season has been done, but not yet signed.

Leclerc, who has impressed greatly since scoring his first points with sixth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the end of April, is emerging as a potential major future star. He ended the day 12th, with team-mate Marcus Ericsson 14th.(BBC Sport)

CLASSIFIED ADS

saturDAY, JUNE 30, 2018 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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

Driving School Shalom Enterprise. Lot 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. Obtain an international driving permit covering 131 countries. Tel: 227-3835644-2052.

Join us on Facebook

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

him once to get guidance. All religions are welcome. Private and confidential. Tel: 695-9805 & 652-6427.

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

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

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

Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decorations.

670-2653, 638-8499

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

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

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

property for sale LOT 15 PUBLIC ROAD #2 VILLAGE WEST COAST BERBICE. 3 HOUSE LOTS. COCONUT AND MANGO TREES. RICE CULTIVATION. RED SAND. 49FT BY 10,314 FT LENGTH. PRICE $18M. CONTACT: 648-7109, 686-4818 Lot mini/farm 100x285 feet, privacy, security, convenience, Garden of Eden, EBD 592-601-3232 House for Sale. 3 bedrooms, bungalow-style.

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

NOT RECEIVING YOUR

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department

on Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

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

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

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

spirituality & ASTROLOGY Spiritual healing: remove blockages, voodoo, excurse, black magic, spell, business, upliftment, pregnancy, love & marriage problems, clearance, etc.

Contact: 694-9569 or 683-5228 Sri Guru Raghavendra Astrology.

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

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), on Wednesday last, received 100 copies of a specially prepared 38-page booklet on Berbice Cricket from its former Secretary, Mortimer George.

The booklet, published

by George as part of the BCB developmental programme, will be distributed to young cricketers who would attend the Berbice Cricket Academy, to be held from July 23 to July 28 at the Albion Sports Complex on the Corentyne.

Having served as Secretary of the BCB from 1976 to 1983, George says he is delighted to be of assistance to Berbice Cricket, as he is happy with the direction in which it is heading. A close personal friend of current BCB President Hilbert Foster, George decided to do the historic booklet after Foster informed him that the Board would be hosting a Cricket Academy following an absence of five years.

The former Secretary has, over the years, authored several books on Berbice Cricket, including a special edition for its 75th anniversary. He says it is important for young cricketers to be educated about the history of the game, its rules and traditions, legends of Berbice Cricket, along with historic facts.

Among the articles in the booklet are Five Pillars of Development, Historic Facts of Cricket, Berbice/Guyana

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word

Call:

223-7230 Ext 50

Flashback! Former BCB Secretary Mortimer George (right) hands over a book he published in 2014 to former BCB President Keith Foster

Test Players, Female Berbice International Players, and list of Berbice Senior Captains, among other things.

BCB President, Hilbert Foster, could not contain his excitement in congratulating George on his visionary project. The main objective of the BCB, he stated, is to make sure that every young cricketer in Berbice is not only fully prepared to be a good performer on the field, but also to be an ambassador for the county, Guyana and the West Indies.

The booklet, Foster has said, would be an addition to the five educational posters

the BCB printed, and would be used to educate youths on every aspect of the game.

The Cricket Academy, he said, would be sponsored by overseas based Guyanese Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, and a total of 70 players would attend. Coaches Winston Smith, Andre Percival, Balram Samaroo and several pre Level One coaches would conduct the Academy.

Foster has hailed George as an outstanding friend of the BCB, who has used his own funds to finance the publication of the books and booklets on Berbice Cricket.

The BCB, Foster said, would forever be indebt-

ed to leaders like George, Leslie Amsterdam, Lennox Phillips, Carl Moore, Malcolm Peters, Monohar Pooran, Ancel Hazel, and Keith Foster for laying a second foundation for the current generation to build on.

The BCB would celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2019, and George has plans to publish another book to mark the historic celebration. Special emphasis would be placed on the achievements of the BCB, outstanding administrators, and Berbicians who have represented Guyana and the West Indies.

GFF expresses Ex-Australia captain hits 61 in 1st condolences game since ball-tampering ban to Hinckson’s F family

T

Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, West Coast Berbice. 49ft x 10,314ft Length. $18M. Contact: 648-7109 or 6864818

TO LET

21 Former BCB Secretary publishes Berbice Cricket booklet for 2018 Academy T sports

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has, through its President Wayne Forde, expressed condolences to family members of the late Oliver Hinckson, a former football administrator.

In a letter to the family, President Wayne Forde has said the fraternity is saddened by the loss of the former football administrator and friend.

“Please allow me, on behalf of the Guyana Football Federation and on my own behalf in my capacity as President, to extend my deepest sympathy to his immediate family” Forde’s missive read. “He was an ardent supporter of the development of football in Guyana, and we mourn his loss. Again, we extend our deepest sympathy to his family during this time of mourning”, the missive ended.

Hinckson passed on just over a week ago.

ormer Australia captain Steve Smith hit 61 off 41 balls in his first competitive appearance since he was banned for ball-tampering in March.

Smith, excluded from national and state cricket for his “leadership” role in the incident in South Africa, is playing for the Toronto Nationals in the inaugural Global T20 Canada league.

“I didn’t feel as good as I would’ve liked but it’s nice to score runs when you’re not feeling good,” said Smith.

He said playing was “part of my rehab”.

Smith was eventually out stumped as Toronto beat Vancouver Knights by six wickets.

The 29-year old, who still tops the International Cricket Council Test batting rankings, has not played since he admitted to being part of the “leadership group” that conspired to “get an advantage” by illegally tampering with the ball during a Test match in South Africa.

Smith, whose 12-month ban does not extend to com-

Smith has scored 23 Test match centuries and tops the world Test batting rankings

petitions outside Australia, said the scandal was not on his mind during his first game back.

“Honestly when I am out in the middle everything else is a blur. Just concentrate on what I am doing and it’s almost like my haven I guess,” he said.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s

been a difficult time in my life, there’s no doubt about that.

“But I’ve accepted my punishment, I’ve accepted what I’ve gone through and I’m moving forward, and part of my rehab is playing cricket as well and that’s what I love doing,” he added. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

ExxonMobil School Football action continues this weekend U

nder-14 action in the ExxonMobil/Petra Organisation School’s Football League continues this weekend with another exciting round of matches at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

Things will heat up, as this weekend’s round of 16 matches will be played on a knockout basis, with teams looking to up the ante as crunch time looms. Tutorial and New Campbellville Secondary will kick off proceedings from 10:30h, while South Ruimveldt Secondary and its Tucville counterpart will clash in a match that caps off the opening double-header in round two.

The intensity will continue to build in the round of 16 as Marian Academy, Chase’s Academy, Queenstown Secondary, St George’s and others battle for supremacy, with action kicking off from 12:20h.

Full fixtures for this weekend

Females 10:30hrs - Tutorial vs New Campbellville 10:30hrs - South Ruimveldt vs Tucville 11:20hrs - East Ruimveldt vs Charlestown Secondary 11:20hrs - Vergenoegen Sec vs Uitvlugt Secondary Round of 16 - Males 12:20hrs - Marian Academy vs St George’s Secondary 12:20hrs - Vergenoegen Sec vs East Ruimveldt 13:20hrs - Chase Academy vs Uitvlugt Secondary 13:20hrs - Carmel Secondary vs Tucville 14:20hrs - North Ruimveldt vs Queenstown Secondary 14:20hrs - Ann’s Grove vs Buxton Youth Dev. 15:20hrs - South Ruimveldt vs St John’s College 15:20hrs - Dolphin Secondary vs Annandale Secondary

Soccer action heats up this weekend with the knockout games

LGC anticipates action packed end-of-year

I

f you have ever thought about golf: learning, watching or playing the game, there is no time like the present to put your thoughts into action. The weather has changed, so golfing fans and players will have several months of spectacular tournaments and events from now until the end of 2018.

At the beginning of 2018, a new Executive Committee, comprising Aleem Hussain, Paton George, Pandit Ravi Persaud, Aasrodeen Shaw, Bishop Guy Griffith, Mike Guyadin and Deno Bissessar, was elected to office. Those guys promised that this year would be different from all others, they having boldly committed to more golf days and events than ever before.

To fulfil their boast, the Executive Team turned to long-time corporate member Macorp, who immediately responded with the loan of a Big Cat Excavator. With assistance from Choke Gas Station owner, who provided access to fuel, the Club, headed by Head Grounds Superintendent Mike Guyadin, embarked on an ambitious plan to build a dam around the entire grounds, and create an intricate drainage and water retention system that would alleviate the flooding that had plagued the course over the years.

With just six months gone by, it would be safe to say that the mission has been accomplished. Full recognition of their sterling contributions in making this possible are due to: Trophy Stall, Vish Trading, Kissoon’s Furniture, Sanjay’s Jewellery, Torginol Paints, El Dorado Rums, Food Town Restaurant, Ganesh Parts, Beharry’s Automotive, Yokohama Tyres, Shafura Hussain Foundation, BACIF,

Grand Coastal Hotel, and Muneshwer’s Travel Service.

The Club has, to date, hosted 20 golf tournaments, and has ambitious plans to hold another 26 events before the end of this year. Corporate Guyana is seemingly in full support of this action, as almost every coming weekend will see major tournaments, to which all are invited to participate or spectate.

The action continues this weekend, as the points race for Club Champion 2018 heats up, with Mike Mangal, Patrick Prasad, Paton George, Ravi Persaud, Richard Haniff and others continuing to chase the leader, Club President Aleem Hussain.

The LGC has major tournaments scheduled for July, with Karibee Rice, Oddessy Transports, Crown Mining and ANSA McAL already committed to hosting their individual tournaments, and it is expected that hundreds of fans will be on hand to enjoy these grand tournaments.

The LCG can also be rented for weddings, corporate training/retreats, summer camps for kids, and many other activities. Members of the public are encouraged to come out and enjoy the ambience and tranquility of the ground, along with the great foods and drinks that are available every day of the week.

Guests at the Grand Coastal, Marriott and Pegasus hotels can avail themselves of special rates that include equipment rental and caddie fees. For more information on the Lusignan Golf Club, events and activities calendar, and how to become a member of the LGC, visit the LCG Facebook page, call 2205660, or simply stop by for a tour of the facilities.

Toronto Nationals pick up 1st win at Global T20 Canada

laced with ten sixes and five fours from 55 balls while Andre Russell also showed great aggression by contributing an attractive 54 not out.

He Vander Dussen chipped in with 25. Spinner Nikhil Dutta, who got the initial break-through, finished with 2-26 from his maximum four overs.

Meanwhile at the presentation ceremony just after the conclusion of the match, Devcich was named player-of-the-match. Victorious leader Sammy stated that the win was clinical.

“The way Smith and Charles went after the chase, was clinical.

I thought if we needed 100 off the last 8 it was good for us. We went way better than that,” the St. Lucianborn Sammy related.

Gayle also spoke at the post-match ceremony citing it was a good start to this tournament alluding to the fact that over 500 runs scored.

“It was a good game. This is what we asked for. In the first game, you always look to assess. Few nerves here and there. This pitch is going to be a tricky one for the bowlers. It’s good to see Evin among the runs.

The action continues on Friday at the same venue with one match being scheduled. Montreal Tigers looking to roar against Winnipeg Hawks from 16:00hrs.

(Ravi Madholall)

Anthon Devcich

T

oronto Nationals snagged an exciting six-wicket win over Vancouver Knights on Thursday as the 2018 and inaugural Global T20 Canada tournament commenced at Maple Leaf ground, King City, Toronto.

Set a formidable 231 for victory from the allotment of 20-overs, the Nationals surpassed the target in the final over thanks to a splendid effort from middle-order number-4 batsman Anton Devcich, who caressed six sixes and ten fours in his unbeaten 92.

He was admirably supported by suspended Australia skipper Steve Smith who fashioned an impressive half-century (61) and the two also shared a steady 89-run third-wicket stand.

Opener Johnson Charles set up a solid foundation by making 30 before fall victim to spinner Saad Bin Zafar while Nizakat Khan (06) was bowled comprehen-

sively by New Zealand’s fast-bowler Tim Southee.

After Smith was departed, the fluent Devcich continued to flourish with boundaries as he played several effortless shots over the ropes and partnered with skipper Darren Sammy to seal the deal on a lively pitch.

Sammy quickly smacked two fours and two sixes from ten deliveries to score 22 not out while Devcich, the former New Zealand cricketer, faced 44 balls during his occupation at the crease.

E a r l i e r , Vancouver Knights took first strike at the invitation of Toronto Nationals but lost their captain and star-batsman Chris Gayle for 17.

However, Trinidadian and Gayle’s opening companion Evin Lewis flayed the attack to all parts of the park by striking a belligerent

9 6

Evin Lewis

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

23

SARA to host celebrity Gabriel set for Trinbago cricket match

Knight Riders’ stint

T

he Trinbago Knight Riders have signed Shannon Gabriel for the 2018 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

He has replaced his fellow quick, South African Junior Dala, who is no longer available for the tournament, which bowls off from August 8 to September16.

Dala’s absence is due to his international obligations with the South Africa Team which will be playing Sri Lanka.

Gabriel, meanwhile, has played in the Windies Test team that opposed Sri Lanka this month. He took 20 wickets at 14.95 apiece, including match figures of 13/121 in the St Lucia Test.

This will be Gabriel’s second spell with the Knight Riders, having played for them during the 2014 Hero CPL. While Gabriel has been playing Test cricket in recent times, his Twenty20 record is very impressive. In his 35 matches in that format, he has claimed 29 wickets at an average of 23 runs apiece, and has an impressive economy rate of 7.07.

Speaking about the signing of Gabriel, Knight Riders Director Venky Mysore said: “Shannon is a world-class bowler, and he has shown that in international cricket. It is great to have him joining the TKR family. We are really looking forward to getting our title defense underway on 8 August.”

Shannon Gabriel

T

he State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) will be hosting a “Lash It Out” cricket match at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground on July 13. Action is slated to last from 18:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs.

The aim of this initiative is to create among young people awareness of their involvement in the fight against corruption.

Players in the game will comprise local celebrities a n d members of the cricket f ra t e r n i t y, among whom are British High Commi ssi oner James Quinn;

National Sports Director Christopher Jones; Attorneyat-Law Charles Ramson Jr; members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) team, Leon Johnson and Paul Wintz; Entertainer Kerwin Bollers; Entertainer Rawle Ferguson; Former Carib Soca Monarch, Jumo Primo; Caribbean Artiste of the Year, Saiku Andrews; Founder of Morgan’s Learning Center, Orin Morgan; HGP Nightly News Anchor Travis Chase, and Sports Journalist Avenash Ramzan.

T h e r e will be many other players participating in this match.

AP Invitational to illuminate Leonora Fernandes, Khalil among T stars in Women’s opening round 2018 Rainforest Waters Senior National Squash Championships…

T

aylor Fernandes and Ashley Khalil were among the top performers on Thursday night when the Women’s round of the 2018 Rainforest Waters Senior National Squash Championships commenced.

Action at the Georgetown Club courts saw first round matches in the Women’s Open, with former National Champions Mary Fung-A-Fat, Ashley Khalil and Taylor Fernandes all having straight sets’ wins.

FungA-Fat

dropped just four points in her match against Tian Edwards, winning 11-1, 111, 11-2; while Khalil was just as impressive against junior player Kirsten Gomes, winning 11-1, 113, 11-1.

Fernandes, on the other hand, had to work slightly harder to defeat junior player Madison Fernandes 11-7, 113, 11- 2.

In the veteran Over-35 category, both Garfield Wiltshire and Brian Yong had comfortable victories. Play continued last n i g h t w i t h

Taylor Fernandes

Results of the matches played on Thursday evening were as follows.

Women’s Open

Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Tian Edwards 11 - 1, 11 - 1, 11 - 2 Ashley Khalil beat Kirsten Gomes 11 - 1, 11 - 3, 11 - 1 Taylor Fernandes beat Madison Fernandes 11 - 7, 11 - 3, 11 - 2

Men’s Plate

Adam Alves defeated Lee Fung-A-Fat 11 - 2, 11 - 5, 11 - 2 Jason Van Dyk beat Regan Rodrigues 11 - 3, 11 - 1, 11 - 0

Men’s Veterans Over 35

Garfield Wiltshire beat Lloyd Fung-A-Fat 11 - 5, 11 - 3, 11 - 4 Brian Yong beat Tony Farnum 11 - 5, 11 - 3, 12 - 10

Ashley Khalil

matches in the Veteran Over-35 category, the Men’s plate, and the last women’s quarter-final match, played between Sarah Lewis and Abosaide Cadogan.

Play in the Men’s Open quarter finals will conclude the evening’s matches, when defending champion Alex Arjoon plays Damian Da Silva; Jason Ray-Khalil is pitted against top junior player Shomari Wiltshire; former national champion Nyron Joseph comes u p

against former national champion Regan Pollard; and former national champion Richard Chin plays former national player and current national men’s hockey coach, Robert Fernandes, in the final match.

All semi-finals will be played on Saturday evening starting from 5.30 pm, with the finals set to be held on Sunday, commencing at 11.00 am. All matches are scheduled for the Georgetown Club courts.

he day has finally arrived when athletics fans converge at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, WCD to witness the unfolding of what has become Guyana’s premier track and field meet.

Today international athletes will put their talents on display in the third edition of the Aliann Pompey Invitational (API), set for a 15:00hrs start.

On Friday, during the meet’s final presser before the day of reckoning, athletics superstar Kirani James, the 25-year-old Grenadian who will headline the event, told those in attendance that he is here “to put on a show”. No track and field Olympic gold medallist and World Champion has ever competed on these shores before this meet.

“I am very excited! It’s my first time in Guyana, so I’m excited to compete, and to see the crowd and l e a r n about the

Guyanese culture and everything like that. I hope everyone comes out to the meet and support the athletes; and as long as you guys come out, I can guarantee that we will put on a good show for the fans,” he declared.

James reiterated that he was “very happy to be here”, and thanked Pompey “and the sponsors and everyone that made it possible for me to be here.”

The Caribbean phenomenon has also pointed out

that he is looking forward to the challenge, and hopes that his presence inspires an upcoming athlete in Guyana. But he warned that he is here to compete.

James, who has a personal best of 43.74s, recorded as a 21-year-old, had always been regarded as one of the Caribbean’s best talents over the 400 metres, though he has competed over the 200 metres with considerable success, racing to a personal best of 20.41 seconds in 2011. James won gold in t h e 400 metres at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.

Guyana’s own 2018 Commonwealth Games tri-

ple-jump gold medallist, Troy Doris, is also excited to be competing for the first time on local soil. The USA-born Doris, whose personal best performance is a triple jump of 17.18 metres, will come up against Donald Scott, the USA outdoor track and field champion triple-jumper, who leaped to victory with a jump of 17.37 metres, which was also a personal best.

Suriname’s Miguel Van Assen, who holds his country’s national record in that event, is the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games champion, and holds the CARIFTA and South American Games title in the triple-jump, has also arrived in Guyana. Van Assen’s personal best is 16.94 metres.

The triple-jump event at this year’s Aliann Pompey Invitational could steal the show, since the Bahamas’ Leevan Sands has also arrived to compete in that event. Sands won bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games, as well as bronze at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. He’s a Pan Am Games silver medallist, and mult i ple times gold medallist at the CARIFTA Games.

T h e Aliann Pompy

Invitational is the only event of its kind in Guyana i n which athletes f r o m across the Caribbean, Central and North America compete.

Fly Jamaica, E-Networks, Quality Plus, Banks DIH, the Ministry of Communities, and SleepIn International Hotel and Casino are some of the sponsors onboard so far.

Action is set to start at 15:00hrs. Tickets cost $1000 (stands) and $5000 (VIP).

saturDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

AP Invitational to illuminate Leonora Pg 23

Gabriel set for Trinbago Knight Riders’ stint Pg 23

Uruguay and Portugal cross swords in reboot of el clásico Pg 20

Deschamps hopes France’s La Liga trio can muzzle Messi Pg 19

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