Guyana Times - Tuesday, July 31, 2018

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

Issue No. 3641

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Motion to grant dutyfree concessions for FIU officials defeated

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

GPSU blasts Govt over P12 unfulfilled promises

Page 3

Ex-soldier found guilty of killing P10 friend

– Ramjattan, Gaskin break ranks, abstain from vote …empty Govt seats shift power balance

2 die after car plunges into trench Page 7

"Green State" workshop

Fire ravages GFC living quarters at Soesdyke

P11

$1200 per year property taxes “can’t work” – Mayor

Christianburg Secondary School to P9 offer CAPE

Page 2 Firemen battling the flames which engulfed the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) living quarters at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara on Monday

Govt announces settlement plan for Venezuelan refugees Page 11

National Assembly descends into uproar

As MP Harry Gill sent to Privileges Committee over letter to editor Page 9

…Opposition argues that freedom of expression at stake

34 complete First Lady’s Care for P12 the Elderly programme

2 News

TUESdAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Fire ravages GFC living quarters at Soesdyke

Firemen battling the fire which gutted the entire building

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iving quarters belonging to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara were on Monday completely destroyed by a fire which also inflicted damages to nearby structures.

According to residents, this fire started at about 11:00h in the lower front of the two-storey building which lies adjacent to two similar structures. This newspaper was told that residents saw black smoke billowing into the sky, and this was followed by a loud explosion.

Orwin Fernandes, who at the time was nearby when the fire started, explained that when he arrived at the scene, alert neighbours had already summoned the Guyana Fire Service.

“I know this place for a very long time. I come out

‘cause I live not too far from here and I see the thick smoke blowing the other way, so that draw my attention; but when I come, it’s just the front did start,” he recalled.

“I see the big blaze and the commotion; ‘cause everybody run out to see what going on after they hear the big blast,” said another.

Fernandes noted that the firefighters arrived promptly. However, while water was in abundance from a neighbouring trench, there was not sufficient leverage for the water to reach the building, which led to the blaze becoming uncontrollable.

“At least like five minutes after I come the firefighters arrive, and the fire truck; so I said that was good, but what amaze me is that the water couldn’t meet from here to the building,” Fernandes said.

“It take them some time, and when I look, the part of the hose was already attached to the trench, so I said water is no problem; but it just wouldn’t meet the building! It just about ten feet the water reach from the gun, and it falling,” he added.

The fire fighters were able to save the adjacent building from going up in flames. It ended up being scorched, and sustaining minor damages to the windows, walls and adjoining stairway. The tarpaulin of a house on the left side of the property was also damaged.

At the scene, this publication was able to speak with

The aftermath of the fire

the Deputy Commissioner of Forests from the Forest Monitoring Division (FMD), Gavin Asgard, who indicated that the building had

been occupied by four employees. He noted that no information could be provided at that time, since the GFC management was awaiting

the findings of the Guyana Fire Service after a complete investigation would have been done before any information could be divulged.

However, no one was reportedly injured following the incident.

“I was just called, and (I) came to this; and we’re waiting on a report from the Fire Service. As soon as I get that, I can give some information and more details,” Asgard related.

In the investigation ongoing at the time, officers from the Fire Service were examining the rubble to assist them to determine what had transpired. (Rupadai Seenaraine)

Thieves hit GPSU head office T

he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has reported that on several occasions this month, thieves have raided their headquarters located at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Road, Georgetown.

At a press conference on Monday, GPSU president, Patrick Yarde, said the robberies began on July 16, when a significant amount of cash was stolen from the accounts department.

He noted that, the previous Friday, an undisclosed sum of cash had been withdrawn from a city bank to be used to reimburse workers

GPSU Headquarters at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive and Regent Road, Georgetown

for travel purposes among other things, since the GPSU had been expected to host an executive meeting with members from all parts of the country.

Following discovery of the missing cash, the Police were called in.

The Union’s troubles did not end there, however, as thieves again entered the Union’s office and carted off a flat screen Sony television.

“The security (rank) that left at seven (19:00hrs) indicated that he (had) left the television downstairs and he (had) handed it over to the

other security, but when he came back, the security was missing and the television downstairs was missing,” Yarde informed.

Police were again summoned on Monday morning, as yet another robbery had occurred. This time, the thieves carted off another Sony television and documents.

Yarde said the thieves had again attempted to open the Union’s safe, as well as gain access to other offices.

Damaged door edges shown to the media substantiated the GPSU story.

Yarde said he believes

the criminals have inside information. “To get to my office, you have got to go through three doors; and it is amazing how precise the things people are going for.

How could somebody go to a cabinet… As a matter of fact, we are even looking to see what inside information may prevail…”

The union’s president noted that after the first incident, there had been no upgrade to the GPSU security systems, although surveillance cameras were purchased. The cameras, he said, will soon be installed.

news

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TUESdAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 31 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, August 1– 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 31 – 06:25h-07:55h and Wednesday, August 1– 06:55h-08:25h.

Motion to grant duty-free concessions for FIU officials defeated – Ramjattan, Gaskin break ranks, abstain from vote …empty Govt seats shift power balance

By Jarryl Bryan

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers and cloudy skies are expected to prevail during the day. Cloudy skies are expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:30h and 18:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.62 metres and 2.54 metres.

Low Tide: 12:27h reaching a minimum height of 0.62 metre.

SATURDAY, July 28, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS M

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26

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5 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 08 10 14 16 25 LUCKY 3 7 0 1

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Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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Evening Draw

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

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he coalition Government has held a one-seat majority since 2015, but in a series of unprecedented events in the National Assembly on Monday, its own motion was defeated when a division of votes was called.

This was as a result of the absence and even abstention of several Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Government side, which ultimately doomed the motion to grant duty-free concessions to two Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) officials.

The Opposition argued that the motion, in Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton’s name, should be withdrawn and the benefits be granted across the board.

It was argued that even though the qualifications of the two officials were similar to several Attorneys or accountants in the State’s employ, others did not enjoy duty free concessions for 2000-cylinder capacity (cc) vehicles.

“The fact is the appointments committee wants to bring a benefit to two employees within that unit. To do this, they have to amend the law and make it part of their benefits in the law,” Opposition parliamentarian Irfaan Ali said.

Ali also noted that the granting of these concessions should reside with Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Godfrey Statia.

“We can’t adjust based on the committee. We have to adjust based on principles and on position. So, we have to say here we are going to create a new category of posts that would benefit from such concessions. For example, you will have other persons appointed by the committee that will now say, we are of the same qualification. We were appointed by the same committee, on the same level.

Why is it we are not considered for the granting of such concessions.”

“So, I want to propose he bring an amendment to the Act to deal with this issue, or we take a holistic position dealing with all positions in this category, that we will now give equal treatment. And that we cannot direct the Minister of Finance or Commissioner General,” Ali argued, noting that this would breach existing laws and principles.

Criteria

Meanwhile, Opposition parliamentarian Adrian Anamaya argued that certain criteria have to be used before a public official should be granted a duty-free concession. He noted that such persons should not only have a need for the vehicle, but

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

also should have put in years of service.

“It is only conferred on you depending on your posting, if where you’re posted requires a vehicle of a certain kind and then you’re qualified. For example, if you’re a prosecutor in a particular district and you’re required to travel a lot, then you understand that rationale.

Similarly, if you’re a Police Officer at the level of ASP, you are automatically qualified. But you would not have reached here unless you put in your dues.”

Former Minister within the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill, also raised concerns over the motion. As a member of the Committee of Appointments that Dr Norton had chaired, he made his disagreement with the motion clear.

“I sat as a member of the Committee when the terms of reference and qualifications were set for all these positions. The qualifications for the Attorney at the FIU

were the same as a State Counsel at the AG Chambers and the Director of Public Prosecutions chambers. Do the State Counsels enjoy duty-free vehicles of 2000 cc?

The answer is no!” Edghill said.

“The criteria for the accountant are the same as the accountant for any ministry or agency. This is not a super person. And do any public servants with ACCA or bachelor degree in accounting enjoy a duty-free concession of 2000 cc? The answer is no!”

Edghill added.

A division was subsequently called, but even though the Chambers rang bells calling all members to take up their seats, it was evident that several seats, including Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s, would remain empty for the vote. By the time the dust had settled, 26 voted for the motion to be carried and 28 voted against. There are 65 seats in Guyana’s Parliament.

When their names were called, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin both announced they were abstaining. A few members, in-

Opposition MP Juan Edghill

cluding Jordan, reappeared following the vote.

If passed, the motion in question would have granted the newly-appointed accountant and Attorney-AtLaw for the FIU duty-free concessions. The FIU is an agency that acts under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws.

The powers of the agency – which is intended to liaison with other agencies in the AML fight - when dealing with judicial arms of the State have already been criticised by the Opposition.

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

Traffic congestion

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raffic congestion continues to be a major challenge in large and growing metropolitan areas all over the world. And in spite of several efforts being made by Governments and other development partners to remedy the situation, it is more than likely that traffic congestion will become significantly worse in the years to come. Both the economy and school systems require that people work and go to school during the same time resulting in road transport systems being overloaded.

Here in Guyana, traffic congestion in the city and its environs is almost unbearable, especially during morning and evening ‘rush-hour’ traffic. These days, it is normal to spend more than an half hour in the traffic when going or coming from work or school, especially in areas along the East Bank and East Coast corridors where there is a huge build-up of traffic almost daily.

Not only is the traffic situation adding to people’s personal frustrations, it is certainly having a negative impact on the level of output of our citizens, both students and workers. For example, production hours are lost by way of employees coming to work late or the fact that they are so tired and stressed the next day after spending long hours either waiting for transportation or stuck in traffic.

The establishment of new housing schemes across the country and the increasing numbers of vehicles being imported have contributed significantly to traffic congestion in and around the capital city. Thousands of persons have now been relocated from the city to suburban and rural areas where they were allocated house lots to build their homes. Most of these persons have to travel back to the city where they work or their children attend school.

Also, many persons are now opting to purchase their own vehicles. They use these vehicles to commute to work and conduct their daily errands. In fact, within the last seven years or so, there has been a five-fold increase in the number of vehicles traversing our roads. However, the road network expansion programme, even though improving, still cannot accommodate this massive increase in the number of vehicles using our roads.

Traffic congestion cannot be eliminated completely; it is the way modern societies operate. However, there are certain steps which could be taken to immediately minimise the impact traffic congestion has on citizens and their ability to get to their destination with minimal delays. For example, the authorities could work to ensure that there is more Police presence in certain areas to properly direct traffic in order to ensure a smooth flow. In some areas leading in and out of the city, there is hardly any Police presence and some motorists use the opportunity to break the rules. There could also be more diversions where there is heavy traffic build-up.

As a long-term solution, an effective way to address the challenge is to continue expanding the road network in the country, especially in areas that are heavily populated. At present, there are too many vehicles, too few roads, and too little space, especially in the capital city. There is no doubt that once completed, the East Bank/East Coast road expansion project will bring much relief to the travelling public. It is expected that the new roadway will serve as a corridor for communities on the East Bank of Demerara, including Perseverance, Mocha, Providence, Eccles, and Peter’s Hall as well as Aubrey Barker Road. Instead of going through the hectic Georgetown traffic, the new road link will allow drivers the option to divert from the East Coast and onto the bypass road to access the East Bank of Demerara.

The authorities must continue to look at ways in which the road network in Guyana could be further expanded, improved, rehabilitated and maintained. In addition to easing traffic congestion, this could result in a reduction of the large number of road fatalities in the country.

Miss World Guyana 2018, Ambika Ramraj strikes a pose during a recent trip to the majestic Kaieteur Falls (Saajid Husani photo)

Another early budget and its dire consequences Dear Editor, If one should take an indepth look at the history and development of Guyana, one must take into consideration the economic conduct of its Finance Minister. It is the heart of the solution and success of any country if the work of its Finance Minister is economically sound and futuristic in orientation. It is the only way any Third World country - Guyana in particular - can grow or develop. Conversely, if that Finance Minister is slothful and indolent, the entire nation would suffer; such is the situation here at home in our South American Republic.

Guyana has so far had 31 years of PNC Government management here, and a period of “total control” of our economic affairs. Those years have seen a decimation of everything progressive, and an accentuation of things regressive, thanks to the workings of its Finance

Ministry. A name that readily comes to mind when you enter into a discussion of this nature is Carl Greenidge. He held that office for ten (10) long years.

Greenidge presented several budgets during his tenure, with no auditor’s report. We are talking about at least ten times of national budgetary performances with no public accountability whatsoever.

The current Finance Minister is the worst we have seen in a long time.

Since taking office in 2015, the country has seen economic slide wherein this country is on a downward trend with no point of return.

It is a backwardness that is beyond comprehension.

Finance Minister Jordan has announced plans to present an early budget.

This is no new phenomenon when it comes to this Finance Minister; he is known to have present-

ed early budgets as well as several supplementary budgets, all leading up to the backward trajectory of this country. For this reason, successful former Finance Minister and President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has raised the red flag of caution to this nation. He rightfully asserts that presenting an early budget is fraught with danger, because it creates two major problems. The first problem is that monies that are received or monies that will be spent between that time and the time of the new financial year cannot be accounted for. In this instance, the intervening period can be as much as seven (7) months.

The first point to note is that whatever budget Jordan would be presenting would not be authentic or based on real figures, because there cannot be any comparison between what was earned or spent and what exists at the

current time.

Then there is the added aggravation of the Opposition not being given enough time, or none at all, to discuss the income and expenditure processes. I make mention of the last Parliament, when the elected members of the Opposition were shamefully barred from questioning any spending of the Government. Looking at the present scenario, I see this Parliament being a repeat performance of the last.

I must hasten to a close, but let me say this: what we will see in Jordan’s early budget is another empty, high sounding, superfluous fluff of oil and its alleged contribution to this economy; and of course the “good life”, which is supposedly out there in his elusive dream world.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

Food safety and the need for strict enforcement Dear Editor, I read in the news about food safety and the stringent requirements the USFDA is imposing on the businesses. The regulatory body, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAFDD), seems to be faced with tremendous adversities to act expeditiously on issues.

The repackaging of bulk products should be done under its supervision, and stringent rules should be followed. We see repackaged flour, sugar, salt, milk etc being done in unlabelled

plastic bags. These are products that cannot be washed before use, and the consumer, not considering food safety, looks at the small price difference in choosing the unlabelled products. Little do consumers realise, to use the British phrase, they are “being penny wise and pound foolish”.

My visits to the markets where this repackaging practice seems more prevalent have led me to discover that those markets abound with these products, though some supermarkets also practise this unhealthy hab-

it, although properly packaged and labelled products are available.

Recently, I picked up a 5kg bag of flour being sold in the city. The label at the back stated “Repackaged and Distributed by (name and address supplied). It also stated the foreign manufacturer’s name and address. I looked at the 2 kg bag, which stated the country of origin as The Netherlands. Both packages have one-year duration between production and expiry.

The main questions that

came to my mind were: Is the production date the date of repacking of the flour? If so, how would I know the actual date of production in Holland?

This brings me back to the importance of food safety, and the need for strict enforcement. Consumers could be falling sick from hidden causes, such as salmonella poisoning, without knowing it came from the repackaged food they eat.

Yours truly, Akeem Noordwyk

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APA clearly playing politics Dear Editor, A section of the media reported on alarming news on Thursday, July 26th, 2018. A former member of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Executive, Mr Lennon Shuman, revealed that the APNU/AFC Government was lobbying to ensure that the new Chairman of the NTC is someone whom Government can control.

First, Mr Lennox Shuman said the old NTC Executive did work to counter this lobbying, but I respectfully disagree with him when he says that the

counter-efforts were successful. I say this because of the photograph that has surfaced, and shows the new Chairman of the NTC; a top member of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA), Jean La Rose; and President David Granger socialising together. Imagine, the former NTC Executive could not get a meeting with President David Granger; a sit-down can be arranged to involve ONLY the new NTC Chairman – not the NEW NTC Executive – and the President.

Second, the APA is clearly playing politics here with

the NTC – with what is the ELECTED BODY that represents the rights and interests of Amerindians in Guyana. The reason I say playing politics is because the new NTC Chairman is also associated with the APA. Amerindians in Guyana can only hope that there is no sabotage of what should be a strong agenda of the new NTC Executive.

Third, no one has forgotten that it was Jean La Rose who was the deputy head of the APNU/AFC List which was presented at the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Yes,

the same Jean La Rose who is in the leadership of the APA. The same APA that has been silent on all of the transgressions visited upon Amerindians in Guyana by this APNU/AFC Government.

When the controversial Land CoI issue came up and concerns were raised about the possible threat to Amerindian land rights, President David Granger did not meet with the NTC – the elected body that represents the rights and interests of Amerindians in Guyana. President David Granger instead met with

the APA – a charade to show that he has engaged a body that is supposedly dealing with Amerindian issues. Both President David Granger and the APA insulted the intelligence of the Guyanese people because: one, nothing has been done since that meeting to substantially address the Amerindians’ concerns about land rights; and two, the APA said nothing about the controversial Land CoI. Finally, the international organisations funding the APA as a non-governmental organisation, including the European

Union and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), should recognise that they are funding a political group, not a sincere non-governmental organisation that works to advance the interests of Amerindians in Guyana.

What other evidence do you need to see that the APA is a political group when Guyanese know that a key leader, Jean La Rose, is also the deputy head of the APNU/AFC elections list?

Sincerely, Anson Paul

Clifford Krauss is not the problem Dear Editor, Almost every person of Guyanese nationality welled up with fury at the ‘’alarming’’ description of Guyana by the American Clifford Krauss. Who is he to denounce a country he wasn’t born in?

Well, like all outsiders, Mr Krauss sees Guyana as an underdeveloped, uncivilised and corrupt nation. He didn’t consider that Guyana’s geographic location renders it ‘’a watery wilderness.’’ He didn’t consider Guyana’s unfortunate political past. Why should he consider Guyana’s setbacks?

These are matters of no importance to him. He sees Guyana exactly how most or all international people do.

Do you think he cares that Guyana is a cook up rice and chicken curry nation? No, he doesn’t. His fo-

cus is on our political structure, our economic status, our Government policies and programmes, and our progressive ideas and plans for the future.

Upon the release and circulation of Krauss’s article, almost every Guyanese became so distracted and offended by his representation of Guyana that they missed the underlying questions.

Is Guyana equipped to manage oil opulence?

Will the leaders mismanage the ‘’incoming wealth?’’

Will corruption exacerbate?

Will there be the creation of Swiss Bank accounts?

Will criminal activities escalate?

Will the money be squandered and stolen?

Will the wealth be unequally distributed?

Will the wealth be hoard-

ed by only the powerful and influential?

Will the political environment be facilitative of foreign investment?

There are so many more questions arising when there is oil wealth on the horizon.

Although these questions were not directly asked

by Mr Clifford Krauss, his analysis of Guyana’s political, social and economic environments gave the implication that these are some of the questions to be asked.

He wrote ‘’But there are obstacles. If history is any guide, countries that discover oil often waste their opportunity, as the resource blends seamlessly with corruption. Countries with weak political institutions like Guyana are especially vulnerable.’’ What untruth can be found in those statements?

He then quoted Guyanese-born Finance professor Floyd Haynes, who is a consultant to the Business Ministry. Haynes said,’’ You have an alignment of money and power in the hands of the state, so the party in power controls the resources, and the money is usually squandered, misapplied or downright stolen.’’

So really, what Krauss did was present a very objective and analytical article.

So why the pettiness? Why the written attacks? What is the purpose of them? Does Guyana appear more couth to international spectators?

This solves nothing.

As a country of resilience, commentary like that of Krauss’s should elevate our nation to greater heights, to dream and do bigger things.

Guyana’s been set back for too long; and yes, we’ve made

tremendous progress as a nation, but we are still way behind. We who live here see it as nothing, because we are accustomed to it; but to those on the outside, it is something -- something to not sit comfortably with.

At this turning point in our country’s economic landscape, we have the opportunity to install the policies to facilitate growth in every sector; to suppress corruption, open our economy to rewarding investment deals, and to create the route to development for every citizen. The world is rapidly advancing, and Guyana needs to be included in the race. Guyana’s future can be gleaming with smart cities and automation. We need the environment to realise this.

Mr Krauss’s dissection of Guyana appears negative,

but the truth has been overlooked. Guyana has not experienced the wealth that is now imminent; and as history reveals, poor countries, having grasped and tasted the rewards of oil discovery, often become victims of the enricher.

Another point to note is that with the rise of renewable energy and climate policy agreements, the oil industry can become a falling one.

So, excitement is accompanied by contemplation.

It is now left for Guyana to prove herself; to rise in her glory. She is poised to accelerate growth, but she has to be erudite in her executions.

So, instead of expressing bitterness to Mr Krauss, thank him and prove him wrong, Guyana.

Sincerely, Althea Hoodith

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TUESDAY, JUly 31, 2018

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By Barbara Greenberg, PhD

Dear Dr G, I am a 17-year-old girl.

I am really mad at my parents. Apparently, my mother who makes most of the money for our family to live on, lost her job a year ago.

My parents never told me or my brother. My mother even got up and pretended to go to work every day for the past year. I was suspicious that something was very wrong in my house when I started to overhear my parents argue about money. My brother and I talked about this and decided to talk about what was going on with my parents. During that emotional conversation, my mother admitted that she lost her job a year ago and that she didn’t want to tell me and my brother because she didn’t want us to worry. I think that this was such a stupid thing for my parents to do.

They should have been honest with us. We knew that there was something wrong.

We just didn’t know what it was. I am so mad at my parents for being so secretive.

I wouldn’t have asked my parents to buy me things if I knew that they were having financial problems.

An Angry Daughter Dear Daughter, I understand why you are angry. It is very difficult to live in a household full of lies because you can feel the tension and you have

Foundation nothing to attribute it to.

As a result, you may come up with all kinds of reasons that this tension exists that may even be worse than the truth. I am almost always of the opinion that we do better handling the truth than secrets. Secrets create tension and confusion. While the truth may be quite painful, it is almost always easier to deal with than lies and se-

crets. Human beings really dislike ambiguity and a lack of clarity. We want to know what is happening in our environments and what we might be able to do to help with the identified problem.

I hope that you told your parents what you are telling me. If you haven’t, then please find time to tell them that in the future you would like to be told the truth about any stressors going on in the family. You are certainly old enough to be told

the truth. Children of most ages usually have a sense when something is not going well. I hope that you and your brother can rebuild trust with your parents and that your anger at your parents dissipates.

Perhaps you can use what happened in your family as a learning o p -

portunity.

There are many reasons why lying to children (or to other family members) is not a good idea. Let me explain.

1. Children almost always sense that there are stressors going on and the lack of knowledge about what is going on leads invariably to unnecessary tension and creative speculation. They may believe that the problem is actually worse than it is.

2. When parents withhold the truth in an effort to protect their kids, they are actually decreasing

the trust level in the home.

After all, when the truth inevitably surfaces the children will feel lied to and trust will be broken.

3. When parents lie to their kids, they are modelling that lying, is in fact, acceptable. This is never a good message to send.

4. When kids or anyone else for that matter is lied to, they feel irrelevant and unimportant. And, no one wants to feel this way, correct?

5. When parents are honest with their kids, this fosters better communication. And, we know that good communication leads to better relationships, better emotional and physical health and less susceptibility to peer pressure.

6. When parents lie to their kids, I have to wonder if they are doing this to protect themselves or their kids. In other words, think about what would be most helpful for your family as a system rather than easier for you as a parent. Sometimes, the more difficult thing to do is the right thing to do.

7. If family issues are not shared, then when they are revealed they may be experienced as shocking and alarming. This is why I suggest sharing issues with kids as they occur so that they don’t turn into bigger issues than they might actually be.

8. Kids in families want to have a role and be help-

ful. For example, if a family member is ill then the children can help out in a developmentally appropriate manner. If the stressor is dealt with as a secret, then kids cannot be given a helpful role. Everyone feels better and more important if they are needed.

9. By keeping secrets, parents inadvertently make their kids feel disconnected.

It is very important for families to function as a team.

AND 10. Dealing with stress-

ors may actually facilitate the d e velopment of resiliency. So, in an effort to raise kids with grit, parents may do well to model how to deal with clearly identified stressors.

So, here’s to the telling the truth. I hope that you have learned from your parents’ missteps even if they were intended to protect you and your brother.

Dr G (psychologytoday.com)

Summertime activities for kids

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tepping outside is a simple way to set foot into nature's laboratory.

Backyard and neighbourhood walks can lead to interesting conversations, new vocabulary words, observations, predictions, and investigations. Try these fun outdoor exploration activities to nurture the budding scientist or mathematician in your home!

Backyard and neighbourhood walks can lead to interesting conversations that contain new vocabulary words. You'll also be helping your child develop important scientific skills such as observing, predicting, and investigating.

Notice and describe trees and other outdoor plants and their parts. Vocabulary might include trunks, branches, stems, leaves, and flowers. See how many different types of leaves you can gather.

Describe and sort leaves by shape, size, and colour.

Observe any birds, insects, and worms. Keep track of the different animals and insects you find. If possible, take pictures or draw a sketch of any unusual or unfamiliar ones. Ponds and slow-moving rivers are great spots for bug hunting. Other spots include a wood pile, a garden, or near the bright lights of a parking lot.

Choose two or three different times of the day, for example early morning, noon, and dusk. Take a short walk and listen closely to the different sounds. Try to keep track of the different sounds you hear.

Depending on the time of year, you may hear cicadas, crickets, or songbirds. Discuss why we might hear different animals and insects depending on the time of day or season.

On a rainy day, set up a rain gauge using a clear plastic tumbler or wide-mouth bottle. Have your child predict, or make a good guess, about how much rain will be collected. Mark that level and collect rain.

Check the gauge after the rain ends. Is there more or less rainwater in it than your child predicted? How much more or less? (readingrockets.org)

7 2 die after car plunges into trench N news

TUESdAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

ineteen-year-old Varshni Khemraj, also called ‘Varsha’ and ‘Shelly,’ of Canefield Settlement, East Canje Berbice, and 27-year-old Satyanand Harripersaud, also called ‘Avin,’ of Lot 97 Sawah Village, Cane Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, lost their lives when the car in which they were travelling reportedly collided with another vehicle and ended up in a canal at Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara.

This incident occurred on Sunday at about 22:15h, when the car Harripersaud was driving, PSS 9153, allegedly swerved into the path of motor car PTT 5270 and a collision resulted. Upon impact, Harripersaud reportedly lost control of his vehicle, and it ended up submerged in a nearby canal.

After several minutes under water, the two persons were eventually extracted from the vehicle and were rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the other car, who hails from Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, was unhurt, but is presently assisting Police with their investigations. A breathalyser test to which he was subjected found no trace on alcohol in his system.

When Guyana Times visited Harripersaud’s Mahaica residence on Monday, his mother, Gomattie Singh, said her son

Dead teenager: Varshni Khemraj, also called “Shelly" and "Varsha”

had left home at about 20:00h to go to the KK Service Station to lime with his friend; and at about 22:00h, she received the tragic news of the accident.

She said she and other relatives immediately rushed to the Mahaicony Hospital, where they saw both her son and the young lady lying in the tray of a Police vehicle. She said she had initially thought the Police were waiting on the stretchers to take them into the hospital, but after some time had elapsed, she was informed that they were both dead.

“I say, ‘Nah man! Them ain’t dead! Look them lying in the trunk of the van!’” she noted.

She said it took some convincing for her to believe that her son was gone; because, at the hospital, she did not see

The area where the accident occurred on Sunday evening

Dead: Satyanand Harripersaud, also called "Avin"

any injuries on his body, but she then learnt that they might have drowned.

While she did not have the details about what had taken

Another relative told Guyana Times that as the young man was returning home, he swerved from hitting a car that was exiting a street, but this move turned out to be deadly.

“After he swerved from hitting the car, the car that was coming from the opposite side clipped his rear wheel and caused him to lose control and end up in the trench”, the relative related.

When Guyana Times visited the scene of the accident, tyre marks were evident on the roadway. A Bee Hive resident explained that she was at home when she heard the crashing sound, and as she peeped outside, she saw the car in the canal.

She said her son and a few other men from the village ran

The mangled car after it was pulled from the trench

From L-R: Shanta Latchman, aunt of the late Varshni Khemraj; Gomattie Singh, mother of the late Satyanand Harripersaud, with his father Dilip Harripersaud

place, she noted that her son had returned from the United States only on Saturday last, to attend the marriage ceremony of one of his relatives, slated for this weekend.

“On Sunday night he tell me that he going and reach up he friends… He doesn’t always go to KK when he in Guyana, but after he come back from US on Saturday, he say he want to see he friends,” she recounted.

The dead man’s distraught father said he is waiting on the Police to say what had actually transpired. He said his son had been a welder and a good son.

to the scene, but the windows of the motorcar were up, and the men were thus forced to break it to get to the injured persons.

By the time the duo were pulled from the canal, they were already in a motionless state.

Harripersaud had probably been drinking, since beer bottles were observed at the scene.

Meanwhile, Shanta Latchman, an aunt of the late Varshni Khemraj, explained that her sister’s daughter was originally from Canje, Berbice, but was spending time with her. She recalled that, on Sunday night, her daughter and the now dead teen had left home to “take a walk’’ at the popular liming spot, KK Service Station; and after some time had elapsed, she received dreaded news of the accident by

means of a telephone call.

“My daughter say that Shelly and Avin left to go look for food and she stayed back at KK…” she stated.

Latchman noted that after she received the telephone call, she went to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where she saw the motionless bodies of the two young people.

She noted that it was hard for her to inform her sister of the young woman’s demise, since her sister is ailing.

The bodies of the two young people were taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home to await a post mortem. (Bhisham Mohamed)

8 news

TUESdAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

4 nabbed with large quantity of ganja

Why give up…

W F

Inderjet Beepat

Jason Dhanpat

Jermain Hikel

Teairre Ackeem Cush

our men were arrested on Saturday last following the discovery of a large quantity of cannabis in a wooden

vessel and a car at Hope/ Nootenzul, Lowland, East Coast Demerara.

Based on reports received, the Custom Anti-

Narcotics Unit (CANU) conducted an operation on the East Coast of Demerara during which a wooden vessel and a taxi were searched and several bulky bags were unearthed.

The drug enforcement officers further checked the bags, and it was then discovered that they contained seeds, leaves and stems suspected to be cannabis. The illegal substance was weighed and amounted to 116.29kg (255 pounds).

The four men -- Jason Dhanpat, Inderjet Beepat, Jermain Hikel and Teairre Ackeem Cush – have been arraigned in the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of nar-

cotics for the purpose of trafficking.

They were remanded to prison, and will make another court appearance at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on September 8.

Earlier in the month, agents of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) intercepted 82 parcels of cocaine weighing 91.132 kilogrammes, and 98 parcels of cannabis weighing 56.008 kilogrammes.

The illegal drugs were intercepted in a vessel at Mon Repos Channel, East Coast Demerara. Following the discovery, a couple was arrested and subsequently charged.

The drug that was found

4 Colombians charged for overstaying in Guyana

F

our Colombians were on Monday arraigned before magistrates in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged for overstaying their time in Guyana.

Yeison Sanchez, 27; Renaldo Rodrigues, 45;

and Jesus Ameya, 52, all appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, while Wilinton Reyes, 36, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Sanchez admitted to overstaying his time in

Guyana, having been granted permission to stay until November 18, 2017; while Rodrigues and Ameya also told Magistrate McLennan that they overstayed from September 25, 2017 to January 2, 2018

and September 20, 2017 to January 2, 2018 respectively.

Reyes admitted to Magistrate Latchman that he overstayed his time, having been granted permission to stay until October 23, 2017.

The courts heard that the four men were apprehended by Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) ranks on January 2 when a raid was carried out at the Grant Woodland Condo.

They were all later charged for aiding Gavin Alves in trafficking narcotics, but the charge was recently dismissed. This present charge was subsequently brought against them.

Their attorney, Benard DaSilva, told the court that the men were all in Guyana legally, having been granted a one month stay. He claimed that even though they had overstayed their time, they all have their documents, and are seeking money to return home.

The Chief Magistrate fined Sanchez, Rodrigues and Ameya $20,000 each.

Failure to pay same will result in eight weeks’ imprisonment.

Magistrate Latchman fined Reyes $50,000, or a default of eight weeks’ imprisonment; and he was ordered to be deported after paying said fine or serving his time in jail.

…on Reparations ith Emancipation Day just a day away, a letter writer – from the name, Michael A Dingwall, probably a person of African Decent – says that the demand for reparations is a “dead corpse” that must be dumped! He offered several arguments for his claim… which your Eyewitness will address, since he absolutely doesn’t agree with the fella.

He claims even descendants of African slaves in the Caribbean don’t think much of reparations and as such don’t support the claims against the European colonials.

But this is no argument, is it? And why is this so? Well for the simple reason that our entire corpus of “education” – fifty years after “independence” – is still built on principles established by the Europeans. And those principles insist that slavery was imposed on Africans to “civilise” them!

Africans didn’t even have a soul in the European way of thinking…so to even be associated with Europeans was a favour.

The writer claims locals, who don’t even think of reparations, just want to immigrate by whatever means necessary to those same countries we’re demanding reparations from. Doesn’t he see the irony of his assertion?

We’re still elated we’re ‘elevated” by association with our former oppressors! Our task is to change our “education” so we and our descendants can understand what was done to us to keep us “underdeveloped” in all senses of the word.

And let’s not forget that the obverse of our underdeveloped state was the development and enrichment those of same European nations. And that’s what reparations are all about: to make the playing field even today a bit more level. Without understanding the history of underdevelopment, the writer obviously doesn’t appreciate he’s encouraging the belief fostered by Europeans that their advanced development is somehow the result of their innate “better” qualities!!

Another argument raised was that slavery was ‘acceptable’ at the time, and even practiced by the same Africans who became enslaved!! Again, this betrays his miseducation! European slavery was something new in the history of mankind – the slave was now CHATTEL – the property of the slaveowner who could do whatever he wanted with the slave. The slave was like what the word sounded – CATTLE!!

The problem in Guyana, however, is the local Reparations team are all over the place. Rather than focusing on making claims against Britain, they’re devoting all their energies on getting reparations from the GUYANESE state!! Now demanding 18% of Guyana’s land space!!

What they’re doing is letting Britain off the hook for their responsibilities – because by going against Guyana and Britain, they’ll be accused of double dipping by the latter!!

You can’t cash the same check twice!! …on our medical system?

The medical system’s getting a lot of bad press – much of it very unfair. Firstly, all the nonsense about the supply of pharmaceuticals to our nationalised system has nothing to do with medicine, per se. That has to do with the avarice and greed of this government who’s doing all the dirty deeds they’d accused the PPP Government of, when THEY were in office. The present pharma shortages, of course, makes the job of the medical professionals all the more difficult.

Then, there’s all the news about neonatal deaths. But let’s be honest, dear readers, how many of us spare a thought to babies who died before 28 days – the definition of “neo-natal deaths”? Truth of the matter is - because of the primitive state of the health system we inherited – we’ve been practicing triage – making a decision about who would be sacrificed because of lack of facilities forever.

Right now, if we want to save more of those babies within 28 days of birth, we have to make investment in all sorts of expensive equipment So, what do we cut back? …on parking?

The Gang of 4 at City Hall and Smart City Solutions have really screwed up the use of parking meters as a means to control the overwhelming influx of traffic into Georgetown – and raise funds.

The Courts gotta void that contract!

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

News

9

TUESdAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

National Assembly descends into uproar

As MP Harry Gill sent to Privileges Committee over letter to editor …Opposition argues freedom of expression at stake

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onday’s sitting of the National Assembly got underway with Opposition parliamentarian Harry Gill being reprimanded for a letter to the editor he wrote which was published in Monday’s edition of sections of the media. The letter alleged bias in the Speaker of the National Assembly’s decisions.

According to Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, the letter was brought to his attention by an unnamed person. He pointed out that the Speaker can only be challenged through a motion.

Dr Scotland did stop short of sanctioning Gill. But not satisfied with the reprimand, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo rose and pushed for Gill to be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

The PM, who was strangely able to make a lengthy statement against Gill and cite specific cases to bolster his argument for sanctions, invoked Standing Order 91, which speaks to referring Members of Parliament to the Committee when the

Committee.

Set-up

Opposition MP Harry Gill

PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

“powers and privileges” of the Assembly are at stake.

The House descended into an uproar as Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira came to Gill’s defence.

Teixeira was fierce in denunciating Nagamootoo’s motion.

According to Teixeira, the motion was improperly put over and moreover, threatened the right to freedom of expression.

“The privileges motion was not properly put in the first place. We brought a privileges motion in this House.

What is happening to the

privileges motion against (Social Cohesion Minister) Dr (George) Norton? Freedom of expression is protected outside this House. You are damaging the right of freedom (of expression) in this country,” Teixeira said, to thunderous thuds on the desks from the Opposition side.

However, the Speaker ordered that part of her statements be expunged from the records since he did not give her leave to speak. Dr Scotland then took the step of referring Gill to the Privileges

Speaking to Guyana Times afterwards, Gill was of the firm opinion that the Prime Minister’s preparedness pointed to a set-up.

“It’s obvious that it was a set-up. The Prime Minister had all the documents; he didn’t just Google and pull them up. He came prepared for it. I invite you to look at the video. I put a link in the letter. I invite you to look at the letter and judge for yourself. I must remind you that Dr George Norton was supposed to have gone before the Committee of Privileges almost a year now and nothing has happened.

“But they want to bring me before the Committee of Privileges. What I did, I think, was free speech. I did not condemn the actions of the Speaker of the House. I did it as a private citizen too. I’m entitled to protection of free speech, in our Constitution.

This Speaker needs to see how he is perceived, not only by me but other persons.”

PM Moses Nagamootoo

In the letter titled, “There are inconsistencies in the Speaker’s rulings on sub judice and other matters”, Gill had cited cases in which Opposition parliamentarians were continuously interrupted by the Speaker when they criticised the Government side. He referenced the case of frontbencher Irfaan Ali. “During the recent debate on financial bills, Irfaan Ali, another brilliant mind on the Opposition side, was extremely critical of the borrow-and-spend policy of the

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

[A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change] APNU/AFC Government that is likely to see the economy accelerate into bankruptcy if allowed to go unchecked.

“The moment my colleague attempted to expose the dismal statistics to prove the economy was not performing, he was interrupted by the Speaker, who cautioned him continuously to “return to the Bill’,” Gill had also written.

(Jarryl Bryan)

Christianburg Secondary School to offer CAPE

C

hristianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) has now joined Mackenzie High as the two institutions in that Region offering Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) for students who have completed their secondary education programme.

With the aim to close the gap in education delivery across Guyana, the Education Ministry noted that the introduction of the institution as a provider of these exams would aid the CAPE programme being offered in that region.

According to the Ministry, the intervention comes at a time when

engineering drawing, electrical and electronic technology, computer science and Pure Mathematics.

This ultimately would lead to an Associate Degree in technical studies from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

Additionally, such pursuits will allow for exemption from courses at the University of Guyana should the students go on The Christianburg Wismar Secondary School

Guyana is expected to experience a ‘purple patch’ with the emerging oil and gas sector, noting that the thrust of Guyana is along the path of the Science, Technology, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) studies. As such, it is im-

portant that the schools' curricula respond to the needs of society.

The subject areas that will be taught from the beginning of the new academic year in September at the CWSS include geometrical and mechanical

to that tertiary institution.

Region 10 has a secondary school population of 4138. While all seven secondary schools are offering the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, only the senior secondary school, the Mackenzie High School, was offering CAPE. The CWSS has one of the strongest technical vocational education pro-

grammes in Region 10 which is evident in the CSEC results in the technical subjects. The school is equipped with four large workshops and two Information Technology (IT) laboratories to offer a multilateral programme.

Over the past five years, the school has recorded a consistent improvement in student matriculation.

10 news

TUESdAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Singh, Brassington charges

CJ consolidates misconduct challenge into one case

F

ollowing the indefinite suspension of Magistrates Courts’ proceedings involving former Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Head, Winston Brassington, the High Court challenge continued on Monday, and acting Chief Justice, Roxane George, SC, has consolidated the four ‘misconduct in public office’ charges into one substantive challenge.

After the in-chamber hearing, Brassington’s attorney, Sase Gunraj, explained that the decision of the judge to consolidate the case means that the judge will hear all the matters together, as the charges are all similar in nature.

The applicants have received an affidavit in answer from the Attorney General’s Chambers, and Gunraj said his side will reply, if necessary. The cases return to

court on August 29 for report, when the acting Chief Justice could set a date for decision after she hears what the attorney described as ‘enlarged arguments’.

The fourth charge which Justice George included relate to the sale of the Sanata Textiles Complex to Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. Dr Singh, of Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, and Brassington, of Florida, USA, are accused of selling various properties at prices the State contends were grossly undervalued.

Following the charges being laid, Singh and Brassington appeared in the Magistrates’ Courts. Their lawyers subsequently challenged the charges in the High Court.

They were granted an interim stay by Justice Franklyn Holder.

In April, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) brought charges against the two former

Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington

Government officials for allegedly selling several plots of land on the East Coast of Demerara to National Hardware Guyana Ltd for over $598 million.

Other charges include selling land to Scady Business Corporation at a cost of $150 million, and to Multi-cinemas Guyana Inc at a cost of $185 million.

The two men were re-

leased on $6 million bail each, but their attorneys were granted stays of execution as the High Court hears legal challenges against SOCU’s charges.

In regard to the Sanata case, the charge alleges that Singh and Brassington, while performing the duties of Finance Minister and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of

NICIL respectively, between October 26 and December 20, 2010, acted recklessly when they agreed to the sale of the Sanata Textiles Complex to QAII. According to the charge, the 18.976-acre 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 – more than three times the Government’s valuation.

According to documents seen by this newspaper, upon Cabinet’s approval, QAII had embarked on its reclamation programme, clean-up and investment exercise. 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 posited that the property be valued at $1,042,403,500 (land $209.650 million; improvements $832.753 million).

NICIL also obtained, on June 27, 2007, a valuation of the land and its improvements from the Government’s Chief Valuation Officer, which came in at $245.175 million (land, $130 million; improvements $115.175 million). QAII was responsible, at its own expense, for the asbestos clean-up and removal of scrap, which alone incurred a cost of above $400 million.

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

Former Finance Minister Singh has expressed optimism that the charges brought against him would be disposed of in the near future, because of his belief that they were frivolous and have no bearing.

Ex-soldier found guilty of killing friend

F

ormer Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer Alistair Woolford, who was discharged from the Army after shooting his friend nearly four years ago, was on Monday found guilty of manslaughter.

A 12-member jury after three hours of deliberation found him guilty of discharging a loaded firearm at Devon Howell with intent to murder him on November 21, 2014 at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

The verdict was returned 10-2 in favour of conviction as Woolford’s friends and family members turned out in their numbers to offer him support. He had little reaction when the decision was read in court. Howell’s relatives were also present. It was only last week that the accused said that Howell’s death was accidental and noted that he was only joking around when he squeezed the trigger.

Woolford told the court last week that he trusted that his squaddie, Jonathon Williams, would not have given him a firearm with live rounds inside. He had also expressed that he sincerely believed that the firearm, which was a 9mm silver GDF service pistol, was empty.

Howell was hospitalised after the incident, but succumbed to his injuries on December 8, 2014.

Woolford’s friend, Jonathan Williams, had testified that he left his ser-

Alistair Woolford

vice pistol on top Woolford’s fridge before he used the washroom. According to reports back then, Woolford and Howell were taking turns feeling the gun Russian roulette style when Howell was shot in the neck.

Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh has given the cause of death as “respiratory failure” as a result of fractures to the spine. He observed a circular wound to the neck. He said that he saw wounds to the front and back of the neck.

Howell reportedly received injuries to his upper spinal cord, and died without regaining consciousness.

Woolford will be sentenced

by Justice Sandil Kissoon when his court resumes in August. The defendant was represented by Attorneys Compton Richardson and Hewley Griffith while State Counsels Mandell Moore and Abigail Gibbs prosecuted the case.

news

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TUESDAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Green State” workshop

$1200 per year property taxes “can’t work” – Mayor

G

eorgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green has decried the low fees that residents and business owners pay for property taxes in the capital city as the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) grapples with the environmental impacts from issues surrounding solid waste management.

Chase Green reiterated the Georgetown M&CC’s position on the current rates at the Regency Hotel on Monday as she addressed a gathering at the Georgetown consultation on the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

“We have no (property) valuations in many years, so persons are paying $1200 per year for their rates and taxes for their disposal of garbage, cleaning of drains, streetlights and sustainable roads, but $1200 a year cannot work,” the Mayor noted on Monday.

Observing the need for a green and clean city, she called on environmental stakeholders to forge closer collaboration on combating the issues of solid waste and flooding, which she ob-

Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green

served posed the greatest challenge to Georgetown.

Chase Green added that the two issues were compounded by squatting where many canals cannot be cleared and persons determined to live in the city were encroaching on Government reserves.

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has attempted to remove squatters in various sections of the city, but has faced much resistance and protests.

Green economy

Head of the Ministry of the

Presidency’s Department of the Environment, Ndibi Schweirs reminded the consultation of the aim of the GSDS which seeks to provide the foundation for an inclusive green economy.

At the same time, she noted too that the GSDS’s goals include the diversification of Guyana’s economy, safeguarding the environment and the improvement of human well-being and equity.

“We should position ourselves to be part of development paradigms,” she noted.

Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative to Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka told the gathering that Georgetown must be prepared to handle the possible risks from more extreme weather patterns, such as intense warming. Before the consultation ended, Communities Ministry representative, Dr Simpson Da Silva pinpointed that the Ministry was fully committed to Government’s green agenda, and he stressed that it would work with the villages and communities to advance the strategy.

Minister Harmon meets with PSC

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Monday met with the executive members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Among the areas discussed were increased collaboration between Government and the PSC, the Green State Development Strategy, and the setting up of the Department of Energy.

The two sides committed to more frequent engagement in the coming months, in an effort to forge a better relationship.

Dr Da Silva underscored that he has been working with various Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) leaders to

ensure that a part of the constituencies’ 2019 budgets have provisions for a green state development concept. He indicated that

the plan was to “green up the spirits and bodies” of villagers and leaders to get them fully on board with the strategy.

Govt announces settlement plan for Venezuelan refugees

G

overnment on Monday announced that plans are in progress for the development of a homestead settlement area for the 260 confirmed Venezuelan refugees, who are occupying areas in Region One (Barima-Waini).

This was related by Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix at the conclusion of the third multi-agency coordinating committee meeting held at the Ministry of Citizenship, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

In addition to the resettlement area being self-reliant, “it is intended that we [will] develop something like a homestead where families are accumulated and eventually, we can move them into cash crop farming. We can encourage that so that in the first instance, they can feed themselves and if they have surpluses, they can sell. We are looking at crops for their sustenance and their immediate needs. Once you get that ... going, then the next thing is to guide them into areas in which they can sustain themselves. The immediate outcome is that we want to see them properly settled and they must be able to sustain themselves…,” the Minister is quoted by the Ministry of the Presidency as saying.

According to him, the agencies on the committee will continue to play their roles in lending whatever assistance is necessary to those in Region One while assessing the migration of Venezuelans into Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

“In the meantime, the Ministry of Health is continuing its vaccination [efforts]… [The Department of] Immigration is continu-

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix

ing the registration and support work… The Police [are] also following through with the support work to this committee. So, all agencies, locally, are locked into this committee to provide ser-

Rights’ Council (UNHRC) to determine areas of collaboration and support.

Rather than criminalise the Venezuelans, Minister Felix said that the Committee and, by extension, the Government, have chosen to respond to the situation in a humane manner, with concern for the safety, health, and accommodation of the migrants.

Guyana had, in 2016, convened a meeting of NonGovernmental Organisations and the Private Sector to consider the deteriorating conditions in Venezuela. The Venezuelan Government was, however, not open to receiving any material assistance being offered at the time.

Guyana is already providing medical assistance

Some of the Venezuelan refugees in Region One

vices and support for the Venezuelans in Guyana. We are also exploring the situation in Region Seven [in order] to find out where [the Venezuelans] are and what numbers we have to [cater for],” he said.

The Committee has also been working alongside the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF); International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Human

to many Venezuelans. It has been reported that Venezuelan nationals are crossing into Guyana, especially at Region One, to seek medical treatment for malaria.

There have been persistent reports that owing to a troubled economy and unrest that has gripped that nation, shortages of basic services and food exist in Venezuela, including health services.

12 news

TUESDAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPSU blasts Govt over unfulfilled promises

34 complete First Lady’s Care for the Elderly programme

…accuses APNU/AFC of providing mere “lip service”

P

resident of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Patrick Yarde, on Monday expressed frustration over Government’s unfulfilled promises made to public servants.

In blasting Government for this significant disappointment, the GPSU president said that increased wages and salaries were among other failed promises made by the administration.

“When one hears of an early 2019 budget -- and this is what was significantly provoking: you giving publicity to a 2019 budget and things you promised in the 2015 budget you haven’t even addressed -- this is so baffling. I want to know if I am going crazy, ‘cause I am trying to understand it: we haven’t even commenced salary negotiations for 2018,” the GPSU president said.

“Is it that we’re idiots? Or isn’t there someone on the other side who could recognise that this thing is out of sequence and should be corrected?” Yarde questioned.

Yarde informed the media that numerous commitments made by the Government are yet to be addressed. He noted that, over a year ago, Government sent a terms of reference “for a committee to look at this thing (wages and salaries’ increases for public servants), and we made sure that we sent back the terms of

GPSU President Patrick Yarde

reference and we said we accept it without a change; and over a year ago, a terms of reference for a committee (and) the committee can’t meet!”

He even accused Government of providing only “lip service” to its commitments, as its promises remain unfilled and have left public servants unattended.

Yarde noted that he understands the coalition Government had inherited some ‘baggage’ from the previous administration, but he nevertheless believes that the time has come to end the sufferings of public servants.

“Leaving aside the assorted baggage inherited from its predecessor, the PPP/C regime, it is the considered opinion of the GPSU that the incumbent political administration has been considerably inattentive to addressing the plight of public servants; so

that, apart from failing to alleviate the material suffering of its own workers, the Government has -- it would appear -- been unmindful of the nexus between a suitably equipped and motivated public service and the efficiency and effectiveness of its own administration,” Yarde declared.

Yarde also pointed out that since the Government ascended to office, it “has been, in large measure, a one-sided encounter in which the administration appears to have been deaf to the appeals of the Union”.

The GPSU president opined that the present situation has enormous effects on the workers, and, as such, should be given ‘positive attention’.

Yarde said President David Granger usually speaks of the good life, and so he is calling on him and his cabinet members to address these burning issues.

He added, “We dare the Government to challenge anything that we have stated here”.

The public servants’ representative declared that public servants have been quiet for far too long, and he said their situation has reached a point of considerable frustration, birthed from disbelief that there is no end to their sufferings.

First Lady Sandra Granger shares a photo moment with the graduands and facilitators of the programme

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irst Lady Sandra Granger on Monday commended 34 women for successfully completing the Care for the Elderly workshop.

The six weeks’ workshop, organised by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry, had three phases: a theory-based aspect, a practical aspect, and a week of First Aid training.

The programme was aimed at developing a corps of caregivers who understand their roles, responsibilities and relationships with their clients, and how to cater to the different needs of their elderly charges.

Delivering the opening remarks at the graduation ceremony, held at the Baridi Benab at State House, the First Lady expressed gratitude to the organisations and individuals who played a pivotal role in ensuring the workshop was executed efficaciously.

She expressed her ultimate goal for these workshops: “It is my dream that we will have day care centres for our seniors and our children in a Regional Democratic Council framework, where

people can go to a community development office and our seniors and children can be left there and have all of these activities while the community life takes place among them,” she said.

Information Technology Manager of Hand-In-Hand Trust, Hazel Hannibal, who delivered the feature address, urged the graduands to be ardent about their delivery of service, and strive to build bonds with their future clients, as it would add value to both their lives and those of their clients.

“I want you to enjoy yourself, enjoy what you will be doing, so that joy will be passed on to your charges…Wherever you may go, around our country or around the world, serve with diligence; serve with excellence; and serve with passion,” she opined.

The workshop’s head facilitator, Hazel Halley-Burnett, who manned the practical and theoretical aspects of the training along with her colleague Ismay Griffith, said that during the course of the programme, participants learnt the essentials of providing care for the elderly.

She said focus was also placed on areas such as

identifying the symptoms of a stroke; dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, stress management, diabetes care and management; feeding of seniors, responsibilities of the caregiver, and skills in communicating with the elderly.

Dorothy Fraser, General Secretary of the Guyana Red Cross Society, which facilitated the First Aid aspect of the programme, in giving an overview of that facet of the training, said participants received a crash course in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

The role of a first-aider, disease transmission and prevention, breathing emergencies, as well as dealing with conscious and unconscious persons were areas also examined.

The certificates received by the graduands are all certified by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), which is accredited locally and regionally. Additionally, the batch also qualified for certification from the Guyana Red Cross Society, which identifies each participant as verified First Aid responders.

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23 persons benefit from Govt withdraws motion successful life-saving after omission of groups surgery at GPHC Rights of the Child Commission

…claims it could not make contact with certain entities

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overnment was forced to withdraw a motion that would pave the way for establishment of the Rights of the Child commission, after a number of critical organisations to the process were completely left out of the process.

The motion was brought in the name of Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton, who chairs the Committee of Appointments. Two nominations came from service organisations, including the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic and Help and Shelter.

Three nominations were supposed to come from religious groups. However, there were only two groups named in the motion - the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana and the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

Two nominations were to come from youth groups, including the Alliance for Change youth arm and the Dharmic Naujawan (youth).

The women’s groups, including the AFC’s women arm and the Guyana Women Miners Association, were to furnish two other nominations.

Three other nominations would come from

statutory and professional bodies. Other groups, like the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), the Indian Action Committee (IAC), the Public Health Ministry and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) were expected to work out and determine among themselves a single nominee to send.

O p p o s i t i o n Parliamentarian Juan Edghill brought the assembly’s attention to the noticeable omission of any Christian faith groups.

These groups, Edghill pointed out, have a track record of being included on the commission.

“It is unnecessary controversy. Let me give an example: There are a number of organisations that we have to consult with. If we compare this with what was the agreed position in 2014, even if the Minister believes that because someone didn’t respond to an advertisement in a newspaper they should be left out, I want to point to him how important stakeholders have been left out.”

“Let’s look at religion.

The Christian community is left out! This APNU/AFC pro Christian Government has left out from their motion the Christian commu-

nity. And you want us to go ahead tonight? It gets worse when we come to youth.

Would you believe they left out the PYO (Progressive Youth Organisation)? (This is) one of the oldest youth organisations in this country,” Edghill said.

But Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes, in defence of the Government, pointed out that their omissions were not for want of trying. She said Government had reached out to those organisations, and had even placed advertisements in the newspapers to get them included in the process.

She ultimately recommended that the motion be withdrawn.

Edghill revealed in his presentation that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had indicated to Government Chief Whip Amna Ally that he would accommodate Government withdrawing the motion to reach a proper consensus.

In extending the olive branch, Edghill also indicated that the Opposition would give its full support when that is done, and the bill is returned. On that note, Dr Norton announced that Government would be withdrawing the bill.

KFC donates to The Caribbean Voice

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he local Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise made a monetary donation to The Caribbean Voice (TCV) on Monday which would go towards the launching of a nationwide Lay Counsellor Programme in July 2019.

The lay counsellor is trained in basic mental health so that he or she can act as gatekeeper within a community to proactively and preemptively deal with mental health issues such as suicide and abuse.

TCV needs to raise $6.4 million to facilitate a highly-experienced and credentialed trainer, whose service is offered free of cost for one year via the NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) Seva International based in India.

On behalf of the fast food franchise, Marketing Manager Livasti Bhooplall explained that KFC was very proud to be contributing to the lay counsellor initiative and she encouraged corporate Guyana to donate to the cause.

Bhooplall mentioned that many social issues that were prevalent in Guyana, such as suicide and abuse stemmed from mental health issues. The training

KFC Training Manager Charissa Rampersaud making the presentation to TCV National Coordinating Director Nazim Hussain

programme will be facilitated in all 10 Administrative Regions in Guyana. The KFC Marketing Manager noted that Guyana was in critical need of these types of training programmes, since the daily news was filled with domestic violence, and

she wished the team every success with this initiative.

TCV National Coordinating Coordinator Nazim Hussain noted that the donation would play a significant part in executing the Lay Counsellor Programme.

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he International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF) has performed another 23 surgeries on infants and adults during its latest visit to Guyana.

The ICHF, locally referred to as the Baby Heart Foundation (BHF), has to date performed 100 procedures during 11 trips over the past three years.

During the month of July, a team of cardiac specialists, both from the ICHF and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), performed life-saving heart surgeries on both babies and adults over a period of two weeks.

This is ICHF’s first trip to Guyana for 2018 and speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), ICHF Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Rodrigo Soto detailed the work done in Guyana during this first trip.

Dr Soto, who is also a paediatric cardiac surgeon, said, “We were able to perform 12 surgeries; of those 12 surgeries, eight or you can say over 50 per cent were complex cases that we were able to deal with. Also, we did another 11 procedures with the cath lab [Catheterisation Laboratory], so in total it was 23 patients in these two weeks having been served by GPHC and Baby Heart.”

The mission of ICHF is to bring the skills, technology, and knowledge to cure and care for children with congenital heart disease to

Dr Rodrigo Soto

developing nations. That aspect is in the pipeline as ICHF and the GPHC continue to engage the Public Health Ministry on expanding the service and equipping Guyanese to perform the service independently.

According to Dr Soto, approximately 1 in every 100 children will be born with a heart defect that is life-threatening and would require immediate surgical interventions.

When asked about the complex cases seen by doctors, he added, “We have a large number of patients with what we call single ventricle, normally the heart has two ventricles, the right and the left, working together and some patients are born with only one of them and we would have to do some palliative procedures in order for this patient to be able to survive, become adults and actually be useful to society.”

In most cases, children

with single-ventricle heart defects require intensive medical intervention soon after birth. Symptoms vary depending on the severity and type of defect. They include blue or purple tint to the lips, skin and nails (cyanosis); difficulty breathing; difficulty feeding and lethargy (sleepy or unresponsive).

Dr Soto indicated that on this trip there were six such cases; however, there was now a difference after surgery. They remain under medical supervision until clearance is given by doctors for them to be discharged.

The ICHF is expected to return to Guyana October 6-20, 2018. Parents with babies with congenital heart diseases and suspected heart complications are encouraged to visit the GPHC’s Echocardiogram laboratory for screening and to be placed on a waiting list for ICHF’s next visit.

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TuesDAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

warrant issued Giving Hope Foundation hosts Arrest for “Old Head” 2nd annual bereavement camp A n arrest warrant has been issued for Wendell Pereira, also known as “Old Head,” of Lot 34 Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, who failed to attend court to answer two charges of breaking and entrry and larceny.

The 51-year-old accused escaped from Police custody after he was charged and was being prepared to attend the Linden Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that between July 15 and 16, 2018, at the Wisroc/Amelia’s Ward Bus and Car park, Pereira broke and entered the business place of Richard Hopkinson and stole half a case of shandy, valued at $10,800.

The other charge stated that the accused, between

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iving Hope Foundation on Monday partnered with the Public Health Ministry, Office of the First Lady, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to launch its second annual “Bereavement Camp.”

The camp, which will provide counselling and other forms of coping mechanisms for children who have lost a parent or family member to cancer or suicide, is aimed at supporting cancer awareness and quality of life improvement for cancer patients and their families.

First Lady Sandra Granger urged the young participants to utilise their time spent at the camp, as she highlighted the benefits they would gain from the activity.

“What I love about Giving Hope Foundation is the energy and enthusiasm with which they approach their projects. As they said they are looking at care, they are looking at counselling, they are looking for support. So when we look at the survivor’s camp [Bereavement Camp], which began last year, they are bringing young people who may not be able to cope with the loss of a parent or a sibling or some friend or relative, to share experiences, to understand and accept that what they are going through and what they are feeling is natural.”

Further, she posited that the camp will be teaching those persons targeted”not

Participants of the camp with First Lady Sandra Granger and Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

only to just get by, but to get on. It is helping you to take that first step towards moving on in life and accepting your grief as natural,” the First Lady said.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said she is pleased to be part of the camp’s hosting, and offered kind words of encouragement to the camp’s participants even as she expressed her gratitude to the Foundation for incorporating the Ministry of Public Health in the venture.

“I am sure that during your camp sessions you will learn more about cancer, and will have the opportunity to ask questions. So, as you become ambassadors, you will be able to share with others.

I wish to thank all of the or-

ganizers, those present and not present, and the Giving Hope Foundation, for inviting me to be a participant in this ceremony. Once again, I pledge the Ministry of Public Health’s commitment and support to initiatives of this nature,” the Minister noted.

PAHO/WHO’s Country Representative Dr William Adu-Krow used the occasion to pledge his organization’s support to the cause.

President of the Giving Hope Foundation, Dr Latoya Gooding, explained that the Bereavement Camp this year facilitates 50 children and will be hosted at Camp Madewini on the Linden Highway. Dr Gooding also gave an overview of the activities intended to be covered during the one-week

camp.

“We will be having psychological sessions. We have Dr. Ren Gonsalvez from the Eureka Medical Laboratory, and we have Mr. Will Campbell and Ms. Renita Savory from the Ministry of Public Health, who will be travelling each day to conduct psychological sessions with these children. After the psychological sessions, we have included some craft for the children, among other activities,” she shared.

The Giving Hope Foundation is a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to improving the quality of life and addressing mental health issues in both adults and children diagnosed with cancer and other chronic illnesses in Guyana.

West Ruimveldt man charged for wounding duo

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ifty-eight-yearold Mark Khan of West Ruimveldt Georgetown, who allegedly attacked and wounded Deane Shawn and Faruk Mohammed on July 3, 2018 at West Ruimveldt, appeared on Monday before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer charges of wounding.

It is alleged that the defendant, known to the two virtual complainants, showed up at a place where they were staying and demanded that they open a door. When Mohammed opened the door, Khan dealt him several cuffs; and as Shawn went to Mohammed’s assistance, she also was dealt several cuffs to her face.

The two were treated for injuries received, and Khan was later arrested and charged.

Khan denied the charges read to him, and was placed on bail in the sum of $160,000.

His next court date is August 13.

July 17 and 18, 2018, at Co-op Crescent, Mackenzie Linden, broke and entered the business place of Monica Reece and stole a quantity of items, including one flat screen television valued at $168,000, 1 VCR cost $15,000, an amplifier valued at $65,000, a gas bottle valued $8,000, 18 bottles of Black Stone, valued at $32,000; 18 bottles of Banko valued at $6,000, and 10 Pringles costing $3,600; all to a total value of $297,600, property of the said Monica Reece.

When the matter was called, Pereira was absent, and the prosecution indicated that the accused had been in custody but escaped.

The case will continue on August 7.

Vehicle scales for hinterland roads imminent

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

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n an effort to curb the issue of drivers not adhering to weight limits on hinterland roads, the Public Infrastructure Ministry will soon be installing vehicle scales along roadways in interior locations.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he foresaw the installation of these scales soon.

“I do foresee us addressing this issue in the near future. My ministry has some modern scales, which I will like to put in place. But the challenge with that is that it’s the interior, so I have to situate them near police stations. It will not be ideal to have technicians or persons stopping truck drivers who may not wish to stop, so it has to be by a police station,” he said.

The Minister further explained that this move would eventually see new Police Outposts established along hinterland roads.

“Where the current Police Stations are located, they are not geared for stopping traffic on the road, they are placed for policing work in your communities.”

Minister Patterson disclosed that the relevant authorities have already been

engaged, and appealed to drivers to be extremely careful on hinterland roads.

Drivers are urged to adhere to rules and avoid travelling while overladen. Residents are also being called on to be vigilant and report overweight vehicles.

A sum of $1.5 billion was allocated in the 2018 Budget for road rehabilitation as well as the completion of all rollover projects.

Earlier this year, the Ministry had announced that it was taking a firm stance against mining and mining-related operators who cause significant deterioration to roads in the hinterland regions.

This was announced after concerns were raised over the misuse of hinterland roads, which is in contravention of the Road Users’ Agreement.

According to the Public Infrastructure Ministry, significant sums were expended in the hinterland regions last year for the rehabilitation of roadways.

In fact, some $54.5 million was spent in 2016 to repair the Puruni-Itaballi corridor.

This corridor is still under maintenance. Furthermore, in 2017, $100 million was allocated to improve the Puruni-Pappishou corridor.

While the agreement notes that the Government of Guyana will use its best efforts to keep the road maintained in good condition at all times, road users must play their part by adhering to stipulations such as the prohibition of vehicles weighing more than 60 tons crossing Itaballi-Puruni bridges. Additionally, the agreement notes that users shall be liable to Government for any damage to Government’s property caused by the negligent use of the roadways by their employees and/or their agents.

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TUESDAY, JUly 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Complaints by security guards

Multimillion-dollar Wismar Early Childhood Centre creating employment for residents

Labour Ministry called to E probe ill-treatment

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omplaints by employees of the Kalibur Security Services in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have led to Labour officials being called in to address and investigate the Service’s divisional management.

Employees, contracted through the office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), have aired numerous concerns over alleged on-the-job ill-treatment by the Linden management, including the indiscriminate firing of employees. The issues received more attention at the weekend when an employee was allegedly fired for “being pregnant” on the job.

She later told this publication she was instructed that she was “off the job” after confirming her pregnancy. The 20-year-old mother of one has since been reinstated following the meeting with Labour officials at the RDC in Linden late last week.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian noted at a

meeting of the Council that he summoned Labour officials after receiving several complaints.

Additionally, this publication spoke to several employees who voiced their concerns. One of those employees alleges that the Linden management does not grant employees sick leave, and they are not even allowed to call in sick.

There are also allegations that the management is not making payments to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) on behalf of employees. Additionally, there are complaints of employees having to undergo drill training without pay.

The employees said they have reported the issues to the local Labour officer in Linden and the office of the RDC. M e a n w h i l e , Municipal Councillor Lennox Gasper has called for the employees to be treated fairly, as he noted that he has also received numerous complaints.

The Councillor, constit-

uency representative of the area where the female security guard was raped, said the alleged treatment of workers is “unacceptable”, and called for massive intervention.

“Several reports would have reached me with regards to the indiscriminate firing of persons for frivolous things...ever since the issue of the rape, everyone has to wear pants, regardless of religious standings, and failure to do so, they’re fired. It’s as if they’re using this whole firing thing as a yardstick to whip the people...I think it’s very unfair”, the Councillor said.

He added that such treatment of employees will not be tolerated by the local administration, and called on the security service to provide radio sets to employees and to look after their interests, including the right to be part of a Workers Union.

“It’s disrespectful! It’s inhuman! And this practice must stop,” the Councillor iterated.

Jamaican artistes to perform at charitable concerts in Linden, Bartica

(Front) Jamaican artistes Dwayne Stephenson alongside Mackeehan Solomon and Denvo “DJ Denvo” Thombs with Guyanese performers slated to perform at voluntary concerts in Linden and Bartica

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amaican group “August Town” singer Dwayne Stephenson, alongside Mackeehan Solomon and Denvo “DJ Denvo” Thombs, is scheduled to perform at a voluntary concert at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden tonight.

The three artistes will be performing at three charitable concerts organised by the Guyana Committee of Services. The aim of the concerts is to raise funds for Guyanese athletes and persons involved in the cultural field.

The reggae artistes will also be heading to Bartica on August 4.

According to them, performing voluntarily at these concerts gives them an opportunity to give back to the country in thanks for its support over the years.

Lead singer of the group, Stephenson noted that he was pleased to be a part of the worthy cause, adding that he would be doing more concerts of this nature in the near future.

Stephenson noted that coming from a country where there was development in sport, he understood that in order for that sector to be fully developed, funds were needed.

“I think you just need to reach out, because there are a lot of artistes aside from us that are willing to help and certainly able to support the cause and really boost the cause of supporting young athletes.

“Things are changing and maybe we coming here and doing this concert can sensitise people to the fact that things are changing

and they really need to start investing in their athletes, more so the young athletes.”

Vice Chairman of the Committee, Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones highlighted that the artistes were very impressed with the work the Committee was doing for sportspersons and were intrigued as to how they could help out.

“It is always a great vibe, when you can spread some information [and] spread some love,” he said, adding that often times artistes look to countries as just another market, but noted that it was good to leave a legacy behind.

Guyanese performers Roger “Young Bill Rogers” Hinds, “Granny Ivelaw”, and “Chiney Man” among other artistes are said to be in the line-up to perform.

ight residents of One Mile, Wismar and neighbouring communities of Linden are to be employed at the recently commissioned Early Childhood Development Centre.

The centre is one of six early childhood pilot projects co-funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government and implemented by Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). It will provide care and educational services to 45 children under the age of five.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in brief remarks at the commissioning, said the facility will be of immense value to the community, making it possible for parents, especially mothers to seek employment and increase their household incomes.

He also strongly advised the regional administration and other stakeholders to take good care of facilities given their importance to the communities they will serve.

Minister Jordan added: “It’s little children who will be housed here so we don’t expect the roof to be falling in or the light fixtures to be disappearing … if the regional administration does not take full control of the facilities in terms of the security and monitoring the centre, it will deteriorate if the people we put to administer it don’t take pride and joy in this facility and endure that it remains in the pristine condition in which we are handing it over.”

Regional Executive Officer, Orin Gordon said systems are already in place for the construction of a security post, a management structure and the proper maintenance and management of the facility.

Some little ones in a section of the centre

The construction of the One Mile ECDC commenced on September 4, 2017, and was completed on March 16, 2018. The centre was built at a cost of $39,483,782 by Faldhari Singh and Son Contracting Services, and the Design and Supervision consultant for the project was E&A Consultants.

The 3,200 square foot facility will accommodate infants to school-agers, eight caregivers/teachers and an administrator. This includes four care areas/classrooms, a sleeping area, sickbay, a staff room, an administrative area, storage spaces, a kitchenette, a laundry room, sanitary facilities, and an outdoor play area for the children.

In tandem with the construction of the building, eight young adults were trained as early childhood educators and successfully graduated from the programme. They will serve as teachers and caregivers at the centre. One of the graduates will attend the University of Guyana and receive their Level 1 certification in Early Childhood Development and will be ex-

pected to return to the One Mile Grove ECDC to serve as administrator.

The project is a collaborative effort between The Office of the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment (YEU) in the Ministry of the Presidency; The Board of Industrial Training (BIT); and The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Unit of the Ministry of Social Protection.

Basic Needs Trust Fund is the flagship development programme under the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. For twenty-five years, the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) Guyana office has been working to address poverty reduction by providing access to basic infrastructure and services in rural and urban communities, across the Caribbean. BNTF has completed close to 600 projects since 1992 and has 47 projects planned for its ninth cycle. This new cycle will focus primarily on projects related to livelihoods enhancement and human capacity development.

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Regional

Jamaica Senate gives green light for extension of state of emergency

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he State of Public Emergency now in effect in the north-western parish of St James will continue for another three months.

Members of the Senate unanimously approved the extension under the Emergency Powers (Continuance) (No 3) Resolution, 2018, until November 1. Last week, the Lower House voted in favour of the extension.

Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ministry, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, who moved the resolution, said the State of Public Emergency was not intended to continue forever, but the extension was needed “to build on the foundation that has been created

Minister of State in the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Ministry, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, who moved the resolution, said the extension is needed to build on the foundation that has been created

so that crime becomes more manageable and normal policing can be utilised”. The State of Public Emergency was declared in St James on January 18 by Prime

Minister Andrew Holness and has been extended twice since then.

“We need to construct a safe and stable environment for our citizens, but we won’t

get there overnight. We need more time, so that the law enforcement and security personnel can effectively dismantle these criminal elements,” he said.

Noting that the State of Public Emergency has contributed to a reduction in crime, he informed that during the period January 1 to July 21, there were 55 murders in St James, which reflects a 67.3 per cent decrease when compared to the corresponding period in 2017.

“What this means is that there have been 113 less murders in St James.

Moreover, the average daily murders have fallen from 4.65 to 3.44 per cent,” he said, pointing to a 56.6 per cent reduction in shootings for the same period. (Excerpt from

Caribbean360)

EU supports housing reconstruction in Barbuda following Hurricane Irma

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ntigua and Barbuda and the European Union (EU) have signed an agreement for €5 million (US$5.9 million) to support the reconstruction of houses in Barbuda after Hurricane Irma last year.

The support was allocated from the emergency reserves of the European Development Fund, and comes on top of the country’s cooperation programmes with the EU. The programme will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and aims to rebuild to higher resilience standards 150 houses in Barbuda, following strict and adapted building codes, in close collaboration with the national authorities and concerned institutions like the National Office for Disaster Services (NODS).

“This partnership between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the UNDP and the European Union is the guarantee that 150 Barbudan families will return to a safe, high-quality and hurricane-resilient home,” EU Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda Daniela Tramacere said during the signing ceremony in Antigua.

According to a statement from the EU, the common aim of Antigua and Barbuda and the EU through their long-lasting partnership and cooperation is to reduce vulnerability of the country to climate change and natural disasters in particular. It also seeks to improve the country’s fiscal and macroeconomic resilience through direct support to the Public Finance Management System. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma last September

US revokes visas of Nicaragua officials over violence against protesters

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he United States on Monday said it was revoking visas of Nicaraguan officials connected to a crackdown on protesters, while President Daniel Ortega said in Managua that he wanted to strengthen dialogue with Opposition groups.

Ortega has faced growing international condemnation for heavy-handed deployment of Police and armed pro-Government civilians to squash the unrest, which led to nearly 300 deaths and many more people injured since protests began three months ago.

“The United States strongly condemns the ongoing violence in Nicaragua and human rights abuses committed by the Ortega regime in response to protests,” the White House said in a statement.

The White House said it was revoking or restricting US visas of Nicaraguan officials connected to the violence against protesters, the latest of several moves to ratchet up pressure from Washington

on Ortega’s Government.

It has also secured the return of vehicles donated to the Nicaraguan national police that have been used to suppress the protesters and cut off additional sales and donations of equipment that might be used against protesters, it said.

The demonstrations were triggered by a plan by the government to trim pension benefits. The Government’s response sparked a wider protest against Ortega that he has labelled a conspiracy to topple his elected government.

On Sunday, Ortega said he was keen to restart dialogue, following a lull in clashes after security forces flushed protesters from strongholds in a lethal offensive earlier this month.

“We are going to see how to create the conditions to strengthen the dialogue commission and (have) this help us have good results,” he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil: Many alarmed over boost to pesticide use in agriculture

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Brazilian government commission has recommended easing restrictions on the use of pesticides to aid the country’s agricultural industry.

Congress will debate the issue shortly.

But families in rural ar-

eas say the pesticides already in use are contaminating air, food and water, causing death and disease.

Already, four of the 10 most commonly used pesticides in Brazil are banned in Europe. (Al Jazeera)

Former St Vincent PM calls for referendum on CCJ

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ormer Prime Minister, Sir James Mitchell says if the Ralph Gonsalves-led Government wants to replace the London-based Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), it should use a referendum to decide if the opinion of Vincentians has changed since 2009.

In that year, Vincentians rejected in a referendum proposed changes to the Constitution, including replacing the Privy Council with the CCJ as the nation’s highest court.

Sir James has long been an advocate of retaining the Privy Council.

He became an even stronger advocate of the court after it ruled in his favour in a case in which he claimed bias on the part of Commissioner of the Ottley Hall Commission of Inquiry, then retired High Court Judge Ephraim Georges, who has since died.

In a 19-page judgement, the Privy Council said that Georges’ Interim Report on the Ottley Hall Marina Project “contains far too many firm statements of the misbehaviour” of Sir James.

The Privy Council, which

Former Prime Minister Sir, James Mitchell

is the final court of appeal in the case, ordered that Georges take no further part in the inquiry.

The inquiry, which died a natural death, was a multimillion-dollar effort of the Ralph Gonsalves Government to find out if there was any wrongdoing at the project, which was constructed when Sir James was Prime Minister.

Vincentian jurist, Justice Adrian Saunders this month became President of the 13-year-old, Trinidad-based CCJ, reigniting debate about switching from the Privy Council to the regional court. (Excerpt from CMC)

PAHO calls for action to reduce deaths from hepatitis in the Region

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he Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has called for curative treatment for hepatitis to reduce thousands of preventable deaths in the Americas.

PAHO called on countries in the Region to urgently step-up efforts to ensure the timely diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis, as World Hepatitis Day was marked on Saturday.

In the Region of the Americas, 3.9 million people live with chronic hepatitis B and 7.2 million with chronic hepatitis C, leading to over 125,000 deaths each year. Liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and the seventh leading cause of can-

cer-related deaths among women in the Americas, posing a major public health problem.

PAHO said that despite clear links between chronic hepatitis B and C and potentially fatal diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, not enough is being done in the Region to ensure prevention, detection and treatment. “ W h i l e some countries in the Region have made great strides towards addressing the risks to public health posed by hepatitis, many others continue to lag behind,” said Marcos Espinal, Director, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, at PAHO/ World Health Organisation (WHO). (Caribbean360)

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Around the World

Zimbabwe election: High turnout Assam: Some 4 million left out of in 1st post-Mugabe poll final India citizenship draft list

V

oter turnout was 75 per cent in Zimbabwe's first general election since long-serving ruler Robert Mugabe was ousted, officials say.

Polls have closed and counting is now under way.

It is expected to be a tight contest between the incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa and his main rival, Nelson Chamisa.

Foreign observers have hailed the election as an opportunity for Zimbabwe to break with its repressive past.

The official result is due within five days. A runoff election will be held on September 8 should none of the 23 candidates win more than 50 per cent of the votes.

Parliamentary and local elections were also taking place on Monday. Polls officially shut at 17:00 GMT, but some remained open

T

Some people joined queues at 02:00 local time waiting for the polls to open at 07:00 local time

to allow people already in queues to vote.

Opinion polls gave Mnangagwa, who heads the ruling Zanu-PF party, a narrow lead over Chamisa, the candidate of the Opposition MDC Alliance. Both leaders are running for the presidency for the first time.

On Sunday, Mugabe, who first came to power after independence in 1980, said he would not vote for

his successor.

Mugabe, regarded as one of the last "Big Men" of African politics, was forced out of office last November

by Mnangagwa with the help of the military.

Crowds whistled and broke into chants of "Chamisa" when the 40-year-old MDC leader cast his ballot on the outskirts of Harare, amidst a media scrum. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump says ready to meet Iran's Rouhani

U

S President Donald Trump has offered to meet Iran's leaders with "no preconditions" and "any time they want".

"I'd meet with anybody.

I believe in meetings," the US President told reporters at the White House.

Trump's conciliatory approach comes after he and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani traded hostile warnings earlier this month.

In May, the US left a deal which curbed Iran's nuclear activities in return

for the lifting of international sanctions.

Washington is preparing to re-impose sanctions on Tehran within days – despite objections from the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany, which also signed the 2015 agreement.

The US is deeply suspicious of Iranian activity in the Middle East and is an ally of Israel and Saudi Arabia, two of Iran's foes.

"If they want to meet, we'll meet," Trump said.

Such a meeting would be the first between US and

Iranian leaders since before the 1979 Iranian revolution. In 2013, Rouhani spoke on the phone with President Obama after declining an offer to meet him on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Trump's abrupt change in tone also echoes the run-up to his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, another diplomatic first, which took place after the two leaders had previously traded insults and threats. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he names of about four million people in India's Assam state are not included in the final draft list of citizens published by authorities on Monday.

The draft list, called the National Register of Citizens (NRC), was announced on Monday by the Registrar General of India (RGI), which said that out of the 32.9 million popula-

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura participated in previous rounds of the Astana peace talks [File: Mukhtar Kholdorbekov/

D Reuters]

elegations from the Syrian Government and the political Opposition have arrived in the Russian city of Sochi for talks on the war in Syria, which are spearheaded by Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

The meetings, which began on Monday and will end today, are held within the framework of the Astana diplomatic track, which is

sponsored by the three nations and is separate to United Nations-led efforts in Geneva.

Among those attending the 10th round of the Astana-format talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi are Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations' special envoy for Syria, and officials from Jordan.

The former head of the

Syrian interim Government, Ahmed Tumah is representing the High Negotiations Committee, the main Opposition bloc.

Syria's Ambassador to the UN, Bashar Jaafari is present on behalf of the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad.

The talks will address various humanitarian issues, as well as the latest situation in the so-called "de-escalation zones" that once included four provinces.

Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold in the country, is part of the Russian-brokered "de-escalation" agreements aiming to shore up ceasefires in parts of western Syria.

The province bordering Turkey is home to nearly three million people, including Opposition fighters and their families. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

In the first list announced on December 31, 2017, 19 million people were designated as legal citizens.

The NRC has been updated after nearly seven decades as part of a campaign to identify undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh, but critics say those who are not included on the list may be rendered stateless. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Tajikistan 'attack' leaves 4 foreign cyclists dead

The victims had been on a cycle tour of the Central Asian country (file image)

F

our foreign cyclists killed after a car hit them in Tajikistan on Sunday may have been victims of a deliberate attack, local officials say.

Two Americans, a Swiss and a Dutch citizen died on

Sunday in the Danghara district, about 70 kilometres (43 miles) south-east of the capital Dushanbe.

Three other tourists were also injured by the car, which then drove off.

Two people suspected of

involvement in the incident were later killed by authorities in a special operation.

The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed it carried out the attack on "citizens of the crusader coalition".

According to the Interior Ministry, another four people were arrested in the same operation and a damaged car believed to have been involved was recovered.

Another three suspects were "rendered harmless" after being traced to a village, officials said. It is unclear exactly what this means, however, Praguebased privately-owned Tajik news website Akhbor suggested they had been killed.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Myanmar appoints panel to probe Rohingya abuses

M Syria talks led by Russia, Iran and Turkey revived in Sochi

tion of the border state, 28.9 million names were included in the final draft of the NRC. "No genuine Indian citizens need to worry as there will be ample opportunities given to them to enlist their names in the final list," Shailesh, the Registrar General of India, told reporters in Guwahati city.

The definitive list will be announced in December.

yanmar has established a Commission of Inquiry to probe allegations of human rights abuses in conflict-torn Rakhine state, authorities said on Monday, as the country faces growing calls for accountability over accusations of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims.

The four-person commis-

sion will comprise two local and two international members – Filipino diplomat Rosario Manalo and Kenzo Oshima, Japan’s former Ambassador to the United Nations – the Myanmar President’s Office said in a statement. Manalo, 82, a former Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, will chair the Commission.

The two local members

are lawyer Mya Thein and Aung Tun Thet, an economist and former UN official.

Aung Tun Thet was last year appointed by de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi to a key role in Myanmar’s response to the Rakhine crisis, and in April told a Bangladesh newspaper that Myanmar had “no intention of ethnic cleansing”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chinese ex-online tsar Lu Wei charged with bribery

C

hina's former chief of internet regulation, Lu Wei, has been charged with taking bribes.

He is accused of taking advantage of his position to reap monetary and property gain, the official Xinhua News Agency reports.

Lu was once one of China's most senior officials, overseeing the department of online media regulation.

His role as China's "internet tsar" meant he was once listed as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People.

Lu has been prosecuted

Lu Wei was once believed to be one of President Xi Jinping's inner circle but was detained in November

for "taking advantage of his own positions and using oth-

er officials to seek profits for others as well as accepting a huge amount of money and property", Xinhua said.

Lu Wei was once touted as a key ally of President Xi Jinping, with media noting that he rose quickly through the ranks at the beginning of the President's 2012 tenure.

The former Xinhua News Agency Vice President was once Director of China's publicity department – the main regulator of Government propaganda, and Vice Mayor of the Beijing municipality.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

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tuesDAY, july 31, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES

Your input will make a dif-

(March 21- ference, and your actions will April 19) show others that you mean

business. Much can be accomplished if you are diligent about turning your vision into something substantial.

Before you bring about TAURUS change, make sure you can (April 20- afford to do so. Don’t allow May 20) anyone to talk you into something you don’t need. Focus on self-improvements and personal goals.

dilbert

An abrupt change will lead GEMINI (May 21- to a heated discussion if you June 20) aren’t diplomatic. If you want something, use your charm and intelligence to get it.

Do things your way. Show off your unique outlook and (June 21- ideas. You’ll intrigue someJuly 22) one you’d love to collaborate with or get to know better.

Love is on the rise.

CANCER

Peanuts

Don’t follow the crowd.

LEO You’ll be given false infor(July 23- mation. Do your own thing Aug. 22) and be moderate in the way you live and the amount you spend.

Don’t hesitate if you want VIRGO to make a move. A lifestyle (Aug. 23change will affect the way you Sept. 22) move forward personally and professionally.

Calvin and Hobbes

Show what you are capaLIBRA (Sept. 23- ble of doing. Others will noOct. 23) tice the results you get. Pour your energy into improvements that will enhance your situation at home.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Easy does it. If you are too SCORPIO aggressive in your pursuits, (Oct. 24you will not have enough Nov. 22) time to finish what you start.

Focus on what’s most important to you.

Speaking openly will atSAGITTARIUS tract someone eager to take (Nov. 23advantage of you. Share only Dec. 21) information that cannot be used against you. Emotional blackmail should be dealt with intelligently.

solution for last published puzzle

Focus on contractual CAPRICORN agreements and negotiations.

(Dec. 22- You can sway others to see Jan. 19) things your way if you use unusual tactics. Incentives will help bring about positive change.

Approach partnerships AQUARIUS with diplomacy. Have a few (Jan. 20- ideas that can be incorporated Feb. 19) into your plans to satisfy anyone needing a nudge. Travel and educational pursuits will cost more than anticipated.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

If you look for an opportunity, you will find one that will change your life.

Heading in a positive direction will give you a new lease on life. Love and romance are highlighted.

tuesDAY, JUly 31, 2018

19

De Nobrega beaten as John claims 1st Grenville Felix Memorial win J

amaul John of Team Coco in a time of two hours 15 minutes and 11.49 seconds (2:15:11.49) won the fifth annual Grenville Felix Memorial Cycle race in Berbice on Sunday.

The win meant that John has now put his name on the lien trophy.

The second spot went to the one-arm rider Walter Grant Stewart with defending champion and two-time winner Paul De Nobrega occupying the third spot after a close battle with Michael Anthony at the finish line.

Fifth place went to Andrew Hicks ahead of Andre “Padlock” Green and Curtis Dey finishing in that order. The other three places went to Alanzo Ambrose, Romello Crawford and Christopher Griffith respectively.

John and Balram Narine took two of the 10 sprint point prizes, with one point each going to De Nobrega, Ambrose, Dey, Jamal Yearwood, Marcus Keiles and Jaikarran Sukai.

Despite a few hiccups, the race was a successful one.

Jamaul John will now have his name inscribed on the lien trophy, which was handed over to him by Junior Felix

After waiting for one and a half hours for the Police to

arrive after the scheduled 13:00h start, organisers de-

cided to send the cyclists on their way without the pres-

ence of the Police, but as soon as the riders were in motion, the Police arrived and quickly took up their positions in front and behind the peloton. However, as the riders were coming out of East Canje and turning onto the Number Two Public Road, Crawford fell. He, however, managed to rejoin the peloton shortly after despite his torn clothing, bleeding lacerations and obvious pain.

Owing to the lack of Police presence at the start, organisers took a decision to cut short the race and instead of going to the Number 51 Police Station, they decided to have the riders turn back at Number 36 Village to make it a 50-mile race instead of a 60-mile race.

The group stayed together for most of the distance until the last eight miles when the first four were able to get a short distance ahead of the others.

For the juniors, Ajai Gopilall was first ahead of Ralph Seenarine and Donavon Fraser while in the juvenile category, Steve Bhimsen was the first to cross the finish line followed

Jamaul John crossing the finish line

by Mario Washington and Jeremiah Joseph.

The race attracted 29 starters.

The BMX category saw Daniel Blair winning and Shasin Karan beating Troy David into third place.

BMX rider Arfan Blair was given a special prize for his effort.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, co-sponsor Rawl Felix thanked all of the participants. (Andrew Carmichael)

Fury begins talks with Deontay Wilder over December fight in US

N

egotiations for Tyson Fury to challenge the WBC champion Deontay Wilder in December have begun, according to the British heavyweight, with the fight possibly taking place in the US. Fury, 29, fights for the second time since beginning his comeback when he meets the little-known Italian Francesco Pianeta at Belfast’s Windsor Park on 18 August.

He has made little secret of his desire to fight either of the division’s world champions, Wilder and Anthony Joshua, and insists he and his promoter Frank Warren are ready to take advantage of the breakdown in negotiations for a Joshua-Wilder unification fight.

Fury will have fought only four unremarkable rounds, against Albanian Sefer Seferi, in little under three years by the time of his bout with Pianeta. Joshua fights Russia’s Alexander Povetkin on 22 September, but there still remains hope terms will be agreed for him

Tyson Fury (left) and WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder

to fight Wilder in April.

The 32-year-old Wilder’s desire for a high-profile opponent and his increased value in the context of a fight with Fury could make an agreement likelier, and

Fury said on social media: “I can confirm that me and Deontay Wilder are in negotiations, very close to being done. Negotiations are very strong for December; we’re almost done for this

deal.

“I won’t be overlooking Francesco Pianeta. He’s going to give me the right fight and the right work to prepare me for Deontay Wilder.

I’ll flatten him first and then

Wilder, let’s dance.

“You’ve been dealing with Eddie Hearn and Joshua, but I’m a man of my word. If I say I’ll fight you, I’ll fight you. Prepare well, train hard, let’s get the deal done. I’ll knock Pianeta into next week, I’ll knock you spark out too.”

In a separate post, he then revealed the potential Wilder fight would take place in the US, as the champion would prefer, adding: “Next stop Belfast, then after that it’s Las Vegas or New York.”

Warren told the BBC: “We are close to making this happen. Is it too soon?

The next fight will give us the answer. The way Tyson is looking in the gym, he’s lost another couple of stone.

He’s very focused.”

The promoter said the fight could take place in November or December. He said Fury was prepared for a

fight outs i d e the UK. “Tyson doesn’t care where it happens. He’ll fly to the States if needed.

“If I didn’t think he was ready I wouldn’t put him forward. If he comes through the Pianeta fight in August, I expect him to fight Wilder before the end of the year. He wants it. He feels good about everything.

He’s in a good place at the moment both physically and mentally.” (The Guardian)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, JUly 31, 2018

GT Beer “Keep Your Five Alive” Competition…

Quarter-finals on tonight!

T

he line-up for tonight’s round of matches in the quarter-finals of the GT Beer “Keep Your Five Alive” Competition could very well light up the National Gymnasium.

Following the conclusion of Round of 16 action, attention is now paid to the business end where the survivors of this phase go into the money rounds so there is a lot to play for.

In the opening game, East Bank-based Rhythm Stars go up against Leopold Street and this clash is predicted to be the perfect start for the night.

Sceyon Hope, Steffon Ramsay Orville and Dorville Stewart are the key players expected to carry the weight of the Rhythm Stars quest to progress, while Okanie Fraser, Omallo Williams, Goalkeeper Travis Bess and Carl Tudor will bear the bulk of responsibility for Leopold Street’s ambition to advance.

In the next game, Sparta Boss take on West Demerara’s Showstoppers and clearly the former are the overwhelming favourite to move on with the likes of the nippy Eusi Phillips, Sheldon Shepherd, Denis Edwards, Gregory Richardson, Jermin Junior,

The night’s fixtures are as follow: Rhythm Stars v Leopold Street Sparta Boos v Showstoppers Future Stars v Tiger Bay Back Circle v Albouystown

all part of one of the most lethal attacking forces in the format.

Stephon Jupiter and Marvin Josiah are the marquee players for Showstoppers and they will need to play at an unbelievable level to put the team in a position to progress.

However, they are capable of producing that required level, so count them out at your own peril.

The Future Stars versus Tiger Bay encounter is undoubtedly the most eagerly-anticipated matchup of the evening and choosing a winner in that game is a dif-

ficult task.

Future Stars have a deadly strike force led by Jamal Cozier that also includes Akeemo Anthony, Akosi Jarvis, Jamal Codrington and Josiah Charles, and they are among the most feared in the shorter version.

However, Tiger Bay’s combination, which is led by the skilful Deon Alfred, Godfrey Powers, James Meredith and Orin Moore are equally efficient in scoring goals and this is why this clash has the potential to be a blockbuster.

In the final quarter-fi-

nal, Back Circle square off against Albouystown, and fans are certain to get their money’s worth to bring the curtains down for the night.

Selwyn Williams, Stephan McLean, Jermaine Samuels and Jamal Adams will be the spearhead of the East Ruimveldt-based unit, while the speedy and instrumental leader Devon Dooker will shepherd Albouystown’s assault on the opposition along with the efforts of Marlon Nedd, Melvorn Ross, Sean Turney and Lenox Cort.

A few exhibition games will precede quarter-final action.

Atlanta Hawks request waivers on

Carmelo Anthony

T

he Atlanta Hawks traded for Carmelo Anthony less than a week ago. Now it seems, Anthony is closing in on the next step of his career.

The Hawks have requested waivers on Anthony, which will allow the former All-Star to enter free agency. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Hawks and Anthony finalized their buyout agreement earlier today. Per various reports, the veteran forward is expected to sign with the Houston Rockets once he officially enters the freeagent player pool.

Anthony will get his full $27.9 million salary for the 2018-19 season, accepting a $2.4 million buyout with the Hawks that will essentially return to him once he signs $2.4 million veteran's minimum deal with his new team, league sources said.

The Oklahoma City Thunder dealt the former All-Star Anthony to the Hawks on July 25 in exchange for guard Dennis Schroder in a three-team deal also involving the Philadelphia 76ers. As part of the deal, the Hawks receive Anthony, Justin Anderson from the 76ers and a protected 2022 first-round pick from the Thunder. The Thunder also receive Timothe LuwawuCabarrot from Philadelphia,

while the Sixers receive Hawks big man Mike Muscala.

Talk of the trade broke a few weeks ago, as Oklahoma City was working to move Anthony to save on its luxury tax bill for next season. The Hawks reportedly will buyout Anthony's contract, which will make him an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers.

Marc Stein of The New York Times reported on Monday that Anthony plans to sign with the Houston Rockets once he is officially a free agent.

The 34-year-old Anthony had been the headliner his entire career -- he’s 19th in NBA history with 25,417 points -- but he was more of a catch-andshoot scorer last season instead of the isolation specialist he had always been. He averaged 16.2 points per game, but struggled at times in his new role. His playing time dwindled in the playoffs and he wasn’t happy. In Game 6 of the first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz that ended Oklahoma City’s season, he played fewer minutes than backup Jerami Grant.

After the season, he said he preferred to play with the ball in his hands more and said coming off the bench is “out of the question.” (NBA.com)

Former Olympic Thousands of empty seats expected champion dies in jet- for England’s first Test against India skiing accident

O

Vibeke Skofterud was a two-time world champion in the 4x5km relay

lympic cross-country skiing gold medallist Vibeke Skofterud has died in a jet-skiing accident at the age of 38.

The Norwegian won 4x5km relay gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 and was also a two-time world champion in the discipline.

Skofterud was reported missing on Saturday, and her body was found by rescuers near the island of St Helena, southern Norway on Sunday.

The Norwegian Ski Federation said her death was an “inconceivable tragedy”.

“Our life-loving Vibeke is gone. Our thoughts go to Vibeke’s family and her closest,” said national team director Vidar Lofshus.

As well as her titles, Skofterud won silver and bronze at World Championship level, and finished on the podium 15 times at World Cup events.

She retired from the sport in 2015. (BBC Sport)

Ibrahimovic scores his 1st MLS hat-trick

Z

latan Ibrahimovic scored his first MLS hat-trick as LA Galaxy came from behind to defeat Orlando City 4-3 on Sunday.

The former Sweden striker got his goals inside 24 second-half minutes.

Ibrahimovic, 36, has 15 goals in 17 appearances for the Galaxy.

He had earlier provided the assist for Giovani dos Santos to score Galaxy’s first after Cristian Higuita had given Orlando the lead. The visitors’ other goals came from a Michael Ciani own goal and Dom Dwyer.

LA Galaxy are now unbeaten in their past nine matches and are third in the Western Conference. (BBC Sport)

S

wathes of empty seats could prove a troubling backdrop during the opening exchanges of England’s first Test against India, with Edgbaston reporting low ticket sales for what is meant to be the highlight of the cricketing summer.

Warwickshire fear there could be up to 10,000 tickets unsold on both days one and two of England’s 1,000th men’s Test. Officials at the club have put what could be a disappointing turnout down to a Wednesday start that means the ground will not likely be filled up until Friday and Saturday.

While ticket sales for the Ashes series next summer will doubtless be strong, figures for this week at the 25,000-capacity Edgbaston demonstrate the challenge of marketing midweek Test cricket outside London; a Saturday start for the third Test in Nottingham could also throw up a similar concern later in that match.

India, meanwhile, have shrugged off suggestions that they are going into the series undercooked. Ajinkya Rahane, their vicecaptain, claims the true challenge over five Tests will be their mindset given the two sides should be evenly matched.

The tourists cut short their one-off warm-up in Chelmsford by one day – much to the chagrin of Essex, who had to refund 2,000 tickets – in order to

travel to Birmingham and begin preparations, only for rain on Sunday to delay their practice by 24 hours.

Despite the opener Shikhar Dhawan registering a pair in that tour match, and the No 3 Cheteshwar Pujara averaging a meagre 14 across 12 innings in the County Championship during a spell with Yorkshire this summer, Rahane was bullish about their build-up.

“We are not worried at all as both are quality batsmen,” he said. “It just takes one good innings to get into your rhythm. We’ve had decent practice and during the [Chelmsford] match we netted morning and afternoon, too.

More than skills, it’s about our mindset; it’s how quickly you adjust and handle the situation. In terms of skill the teams are on par.”

India are also without the injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah for the start of the series – two of the seamers behind Virat Kolhi’s side claiming 60 wickets across three Tests in South Africa this year – but Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma are expected to demonstrate the depth of Kohli’s pace attack.

Rahane said: “We have an attack that can disrupt opponents. They need to back themselves and believe that our bowling unit is the best in the world.” (The Guardian)

India’s Virat Kohli and Umesh Yadav warm up before practice at Edgbaston, where there could be swathes of empty seats on Wednesday

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21

Regional athletics bosses back new IAAF transfer rules R

egional track and field bosses seem to be fully behind the new IAAF rules that have clamped down on the ease with which athletes are able to transfer their allegiance to another country.

Under the new rules, those who wish to transfer allegiance will have to wait three years and they have to be over the age of 20. These are just some of the changes agreed to during the recent meeting of the IAAF Council in Buenos Aries in Argentina.

In February 2017, the Council froze the rule to give itself time to develop a solution to the growing problem of athlete trafficking. In the recent years, a number of Caribbean athletes have transferred allegiance to other countries. They include Winston Barnes and Jacques Harvey, Andrew Fisher and Kemarley Brown. Barnes and Harvey now represent Turkey while Fisher and Brown represent Bahrain.

Sprinter Miguel Francis formerly of Antigua and Barbuda also assumed British citizenship while sprinter hurdler Orlando Ortega switched allegiance to Spain and triple jumper Pablo Pichardo is now representing Portugal.

Going forward the ease with which these transfers took place will come to an end.

Under the new dispensation, there will

be a minimum three-year waiting period before an athlete may transfer to represent another Member; a review panel will be established to make determinations on the credibility of applications and there will be a requirement for the provision of evidence that countries are offering full citizenship and associated rights.

An athlete can only transfer once and no transfers can take place before the age of 20.

The new rules will be sent to Member Federations and posted on t h e IAAF website.

So far, the new rules are being em-

braced by federations heads across the region.

President of the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association believes the new rules will help prevent the exploitation of athletes.

“There are countries, while they have programmes, seeking to attract athletes from other countries by large sums of money. But as soon as they stop running (representing), their new countries have nothing to do with them. The federation supports this stance, as it protects federations and athletes,” Blake told The Jamaica Gleaner.

“In Africa especially Ethiopians and Kenyans, who switch to countries like Bahrain, they are not made citizens; they are given a passport that enables them to compete, but if they lose the ability to run, the passport is removed. So this (ruling) protects them from countries just interested in getting medals by any means.”

President of Trinidad and Tobago’s National Association of Athletic Associations (NAAA) Ephraim Serette told SportsMax.TV that he is especially pleased about the rule that prevents athletes below the age of 20 from transferring allegiance.

“I am in agreement with the new rules,” he said. “Some countries are targeting junior athletes, now they cannot do it unless they are over 20 years old. I am very much in agreement with that.”(Sportsmax)

Kids Chess Tournament kicks off today

W

hile the local senior chess players prepare for their international engagements at the 43rd World Chess Olympiad slated for September 2018, the younger players will soon get a chance to move their pieces about when the Wendell Meusa Foundation hosts yet another Kids Chess Tournament.

This competition is scheduled for July 31 (today) to August 3 and is open to all junior players, whether they are locally based or not.

The organisers of the tournaments have indicated that one of their aims is to be able to register local junior players with the World Chess Federation (FIDE) through the Guyana Chess Federation where they can gain regional and international recognition after obtaining their FIDE ID a n d ratings.

T h e

competition is set to bring together the best of the best junior players from schools and organisations across the country and abroad, who will be competing together for the first time since they met in the National Junior Chess Championship last February.

Reigning National Junior Chess Champion Joshua Gopaul has already booked his spot in the intense competition, while runner-up and third-place player Ghansham Allijohn and Jaden Taylor have also confirmed their participation in the competition.

However, the competitor to beat will be Ethan Lee. After finishing fourth at the national competition, Lee went on to snatch the St Stanislaus chess championship and the Marian Academy Senior title. The young man came out victorious in the last Kids Tournament hosted by the Wendell Meusa Foundation.

Other participants

from Marian Academy include Ronan Lee, Jonathan Stepheny, Odit Rodrigues and Andrew Ali. Fairly new to the chess scene is Rajiv Lee of Queen’s College; the young man currently possesses a slight advantage over most of the players. Lee is being personally trained by Anthony Drayton, who recently secured his FIDE Master (FM) title at the Sub Zonals which went down in Jamaica in June.

Young females such as St Stanislaus student Jessica Calender have registered as well and newbies like Angel Rahim of St Joseph High are expected to turn out.

Other players such as 12-year-old Alia (Harrison College) and eight-year-old Asher Gafoor (St Angela’s Primary) from Barbados have confirmed participation along with 10-yearold Rashad Gilgeous,

who resides in the USA and his brother Kyle Gilgeous.

Also participating are nineyear-old Jibril Ali, Triston Singh and eight-yearold Arysh Raghunauth of Mae’s Schools, Primary Department.

Registration for the tournament is set at US$5 (G$1000) and is open to junior chess players under the age of 20. Time control is 1hr + 30 minutes per player in a seven-round Swiss Format.

The first pawn will be pushed at 09:30h at the American University of Peace Studies, Lot 135 Sheriff & Fourth St Campbellville, Georgetown, Guyana. Interested persons/ parents can contact Wendell Meusa at 664- 0124.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, JUly 31, 2018

Toshao forges relationship with businessman – aggressively pursuing sports and youth development A

fter building her successful campaign on the promise that if elected she would aggressively pursue sports and youth development in St Cuthbert’s Mission (Pakuri), Beverley Clenkian has begun working towards delivering on what she has dubbed her commitment.

As such, the Toshao has begun her work with a meeting involving SKI Construction Managing Director Alex Mahaica, where she made a request to have him partner with her and her community in enhancing sports development.

“I recognised that during the recently-held REO Inter-Secondary School Male Hardball Cricket Competition, he was passionate and sincere about helping the youths and after not being able to participate in the cricket competition, I thought it best to approach him with a request to help the youths in our community,” she said.

The Toshao further revealed that Mahaica presented a compete volleyball set to her and the community as an indication of his commitment and he would soon follow up with a table tennis table among other sporting gear to aid the community in its aggressive sports drive.

The Toshao noted that owing to the remoteness of her community, it was very difficult and costly for her youths to participate in a

Toshao Beverley Clenkian with SKI Construction Managing Director Alex Mahaica after the presentation

number of competitions. “We have talent and skills and we are confident that our youths can do very well; unfortunately, owing to the high cost of travelling, we are forced to decline many invitations.”

As such, Toshao Clenkian said that while the aim is to get the youths of the community involved in all sports, her primary focus at the moment was on cricket, volleyball, football, table tennis and athletics.

She said that they remained confident that if given an opportunity, the youths would excel. “We are not being taken seriously, because not many persons know about our ability, but I can say that if we get

a chance to showcase, many persons would be impressed.

We have been receiving a few exchanges as other communities would visit us to play in friendly competitions with the view of doing fundraisers and you can say that in many cases, we are underestimated.”

Toshao Clenkian reminded that she made a commitment when she was campaigning and she intended to fulfil that commitment, noting that the lack of positive activities and events were the main contributor to a number of social ills affecting the youths.

“I believe that if our young people have activities to get involved in then they

may recognise that the social ills are not worth it, but, unfortunately, they have all the time on their hands to do it and that is why I am seeking avenues to help them in trying to recognise that social ills shouldn’t have no place in society,” the Toshao said.

In handing over the sport gear, Mahaica reminded the Toshao that maintaining the donated items at the highest level was critically important. “One of the sad things which we see regularly in Guyana is that you spend your hard-earned monies in securing gears and equipment for substantial amount of monies, but, unfortunately, those using it tend to forget that they are responsible for ensuring that it is taken care of properly so that many persons can benefit from them. “ He also disclosed that he was willing to assist in other areas, stating, “As a businessman I am giving my commitment that whenever and whatever that I can do to help in enhancing the community that I would certainly do.”

Toshao Clenkian admitted that she was overjoyed at the noble gesture of Mahaica. She thanked him and stressed that her community would certainly benefit significantly from the gear, promising to ensure that they were used properly and, more importantly, responsibly.

Men’s hockey team miss out on bronze medal … rugby and badminton get underway

T

he national men’s hockey team narrowly missed out on their chance at copping a Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games medal as they suffered a crushing loss to long-time rivals Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday evening.

The twin-island republic team were out for blood from the first sound of the whistle, setting up quick attacking play to secure their first goal, coming off of Tariq Marcano’s stick, in the second minute of the game.

Kwandwane Brown later netted his first of two goals in the eighth minute.

For the next two quarters, Guyana’s defence managed to fight off the ferocious Trinidadian team, restricting them to empty shots and near misses.

However, Trinidad were determined to walk away with the third-place spot and as such, flipped the script in the fourth quarter.

Brown, Mickell Pierre and Shaquille Daniel teamed up to contribute one goal apiece between the 52nd and 56th minutes to seal the deal on a 5-0 victory over Guyana.

Over on the badminton courts, top-ranked players Narayan Ramdhani, Jonathan Mangra and

Aroydy Branford

Priyana Ramdhani will begin their CAC campaign today. Mangra and Ramdhani will later team up to contest the male doubles and the brother-and-sister pair will take on the competition in the mixed doubles.

“The Green Machine” will take to the field on Wednesday, August 1 for a packed day of play. The national rugby team were placed in Group A and will take on Costa Rica, Mexico and Colombia with a resting period of one hour between each game. The “Green Machine” are poised to be a solid medal contender in the 2018 CAC Games having won gold in the past.

Bangladesh still have room for improvement – Mortaza B

angladesh cannot lose sight of their need to improve consistently after the ODI series win over West Indies, their captain Mashrafe Mortaza has warned. The 18-run win in Basseterre on Saturday came after Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Mashrafe combined to put up a big score, before Rubel Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took key wickets to stall the home side's progress, leaving Rovman Powell, despite his big-hitting, too much to do in the last 10 overs.

"If you consider the last three or four months, we really needed to win this series," Mashrafe said. "It is a good sign ahead of the Asia Cup. But we have a lot to improve. A series win isn't everything. We have missed out on a lot of areas. Rubel did exactly what the team needed, which is a sign of our improvement but we need them consistently. We need to improve in our batting too.

"I think we were still short by 2025 runs. We should have taken an early wicket because they have a topheavy line-up. Getting rid of [Evin] Lewis early meant that Gayle had a bigger challenge. He was going well but Rubel's breakthrough eased it for the rest of the bowlers. Getting regular wickets worked in our favour."

Mashrafe said the players had needed a couple of days to get the three-run loss in the second ODI out of their systems, and the desire

Bangladesh celebrate their 2-1 series win against West Indies

within the team to bounce back was what helped them in the third game.

"There's always an aftershock [following such a close defeat].

We regrouped in the two days in between," Mashrafe said. "We had optional training, so only those who needed to train went out.

"We said to each other that we

needed to use this last opportunity to win the series. I think this win will be a turning point for our mental strength."

Tamim Iqbal, who was adjudged player of the match for his second hundred in the ODI series and player of the series for being the highest scorer with 287 runs, said coming back after

a disastrous Test series made the ODI series win more pleasing. Bangladesh broke many unenviable records with their batting performances in the two Tests.

"It is a very pleasing win," he said.

"I think we won an ODI series [for the first time] after 2016 although we won matches during this period. It

was very important that we did well in the ODI series after the way the Test matches went.

"We came back strongly in the first ODI and although we should have won the second game too, nobody gave up hope. I think it was the most pleasing aspect. The best feeling is when you score runs and your team wins. I think my hard work paid off. I was patient in all three matches."

After Tamim fell for 103, Bangladesh needed to press on in the last 11.5 overs. Mashrafe promoted himself to No 6, adding 53 runs for the fifth wicket with Mahmudullah.

Bangladesh reaching a 300-plus total was only possible through his 25-ball 36, and Mahmudullah's unbeaten 49ball 67.

Mashrafe said coach Steve Rhodes wanted to start the big hitting from the 35th over, which is why Mashrafe moved himself up- the order.

"Coach wanted to change the trigger after 35 overs. So I told him that I should go," Mashrafe said. "It would be harder for a batsman to start hitting as there's a value to his wicket. I thought I should take the risk. Coached backed me.

"I always feel at ease seeing [Mahmudullah] Riyad at the wicket.

We have had small partnerships in the past. He has always done well in the crisis moments. I think Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiqur and Riyad were outstanding in this series." (ESPNcricinfo)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, JUly 31, 2018

Whatley strikes gold twice at CAC Games

G

The top three Men’s Physique medallists in the under 174cm class. At far right is Emmerson Campbell

uyana’s four-member team that competed at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships

copped two gold medals and a bronze as the competition wrapped up on Sunday night in Mexico.

Selvon Bruce Whatley claimed gold in the Masters

and middleweight categories while Emmerson Campbell accounted for the bronze in the Men’s Physique.

The other members of the team, Caerus Cipriani

Den Amstel surge into 2nd place

D

em Amstel United now occupy the second place position in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League III after brushing aside New Amsterdam United on Sunday.

The Leonora venue witnessed Delon Lanferman producing a hat-trick as Den Amstel secured another three points with their 4-0 drubbing of the opposition.

Lanferman drew first blood in the 27th minute, the only goal to be scored in the first 45 minutes of the encounter.

However, NA United began to wither as time went by and Den Amstel took advantage of the situation.

Lanferman doubled his tally in the 51st minute, then tripled it in the 58th minute to further solidify the lead.

Andre Hector accounted for the final Den Amstel goal, which was scored two minutes later.

In the other match of the double header, Buxton United and Linden’s Milerock FC battled to a 1-1 draw.

Deshane Garnette put Buxton ahead in the 19th minute, but Keon Sear’s 33rd minute goal got things back on level ground.

However, neither team were able to consistently gain the upper hand after that which led them to share points at the regulation time whistle.

Delon Lanferman

23

Barbados Tridents sign Mohammad Irfan

Mohammad Irfan

(Men’s Physique) and Alisha Fortune (Body Fitness) were not able to secure podium finishes at the 45th edition of the championships.

Cipriani fell just short of the podium, finishing fourth in his class (under 182cm) of six while Fortune was unable to make it to the final six after pre-judging.

After the weekend’s outing, Whatley’s medal count doubled, as he added to the gold and silver he won in the 2016 CAC Games in the Dominican Republic.

The annual fixture was cancelled last year following the hurricanes that ravaged parts of the Caribbean and the earthquakes in Mexico.

Meanwhile, it was the second CAC medal for Campbell, a three-time and reigning national physique champion. At his last outing, he finished with the silver medal in his class.

Campbell thanked Fitness Express, the National Sports Commission/Ministry of Social Cohesion, Bounty Farm Ltd, the local bodybuilding federation, and others for making his participation a success.

The 46th edition of the event is scheduled for Puerto Rico in 2019.

P

akistani fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been called up by the Barbados Tridents for the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which runs from August 8 to September 16.

The 36-year-old will replace fellow left-armer Junaid Khan, who has become unavailable.

Irfan has played just four Tests but has excelled in the white-ball format, where he has taken 83 wickets in 60 One-Day Internationals and 15 wickets in 20 T20 Internationals. Overall in T20s Irfan has claimed 94 wickets in 82 appearances.

“It is a disappointment not to have Junaid available but the experience of another left-arm quick like Mohammed Irfan will be an asset to our campaign,” said Tridents head coach Robin Singh. “He is no stranger to international cricket and

this know-how, coupled with his unique ability with the ball, means he will be a key part of the Tridents attack and a handful for opposing batsmen.”

Tridents open their season against Guyana Amazon Warriors on August 12 in Providence before taking on St Lucia Stars on August 17 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.

The Jason Holder-led side will then clash with Jamaica Tallawahs at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, United States before hosting five matches at the historic Kensington Oval in Barbados between August 25 and September 2.

Tridents close out their campaign with fixtures against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on September 4 at Warner Park in St Kitts, and against Trinbago Knight Riders on September 7 at Queen’s Park Oval. (Sportsmax)

TUESDAY, JUly 31, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Bangladesh still have room for improvement – Mortaza

Pg 22

Barbados Tridents sign Mohammad Irfan Pg 23

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Whatley strikes gold twice at CAC Games Selvon Whatley celebrates with the Golden Arrowhead after winning gold at the CAC Games Body Building Championships

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