Guyanatimes 31 may 2018

American Airlines to start Georgetown-Miami flights P11 in November Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3580

Thursday, May 31, 2018

PRICE

Skyrocketing fuel prices

Page 12

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt must stop “turning a blind eye” – trade union

3 years later

President pushes for improved community healthcare services

Prison officers remanded for narco trafficking P8

Allicock yet to issue any land title …project only 26% completed

P7

…matter not yet discussed by Cabinet – Business Minister Page 3

Piracy massacre

Corentyne businessman charged with murder of fisherman P14

...as inaugural Health Expo opens

Indigenous AFC Councillor peoples feel found guilty disrespected of felonious

by Govt – NTC Page

Page 11

…decries President’s “lip service” over follow-up meeting

wounding

Engineer charged for substandard work

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Page 13

Gunmen invade another Cuyuni mining camp

...escape with raw gold, gun See more details in Friday's edition

Father, son charged for killing Mon Repos man P10

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news

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 31 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, June 1 – 05:00h-06:30h.

President pushes for improved community healthcare services ...as inaugural Health Expo opens

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 31 – 05:15h-06:45h and Friday, June 1 – 17:00h-18:30h.

ministrative regions would seek to build on and enhance core public services such as health care at the community level.

“At the neighbourhood level, no citizens of Guyana, in the fullness of time, should have to travel more than five kilometres in any direction to receive primary health care.

Every neighbourhood must have a neighbourhood health centre, so that even the poorest citizens should be able to access health care within his or

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 05:48h and 18:15h reaching maximum heights of 2.62 metres and 2.47 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:49h reaching a minimum height of 0.60 metre.

LOTTERY NUMBERS 10 16 17

20 27 28

22 Bonus Ball

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DAILY MILLIONS 05 10 15 17 26 LUCKY 3 5 9 7

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Afternoon Draw

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DRAW DE LINE

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resident David Granger is calling for a healthcare system that seeks to provide improved services at not only the tertiary level but at the community level as well through the establishment of

tem should also be moulded in this model. He noted that the overall objective of his Administration was to provide healthcare services – at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels – which are accessible,

President Granger visiting one of the exhibits on display at the inaugural Health Expo 2018

wednesDAY, MAY 30, 2018

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President David Granger; Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon along with other Government Ministers and officials from the Public Health Ministry observe as a student cuts the ceremonial ribbon to declare the exhibition opened

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health centres in every community.

The Head of State made this remark on Wednesday as he declared the inaugural Health Expo opened at the Sophia Exhibition Centre. The exhibition is being hosted by the Public Health Ministry under the theme: “Reaching for a better life with good health”, and runs until June 2.

The President maintained that the Health Ministry’s mandate included ensuing citizens’ mental, physical and social health by promoting health services when and wherever they are accessible, acceptable ,and affordable. To this end, he charged that health centres be established in every community throughout the country so that Guyanese benefit optimally from this basic public service.

“We must create a system of neighbourhood health centres, which are the main and primary providers of public health services within communities, and these neighbourhoods and the neighbourhood health centres are to be accessible to all citizens everywhere in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. They must guarantee citizens access to public health care, especially the provision of primary health care (services),” he stated.

According to President Granger, Government operates at three strata – the national level, the regional or administration level and at the municipal or neighbourhood level – and the healthcare sys-

reliable, affordable and inclusive to the Guyanese citizenry.

On this note, President Granger posited that Government’s plans to have a capital town in each of the ad-

her neighbourhood,” the Head of State asserted.

While the President spoke of improved public services to foster health care, he noted that the first step to health care is prevention, which he said starts at home.

“Preventative care is central to universal public health coverage, to primary health care and the delivery of public health services. turn to page 11

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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

Dealing with trauma in our society

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ver time, numerous cases of domestic violence have been reported in the Guyanese media. Many were brutally killed in some instances. Unfortunately, it continues despite awareness efforts and the much touted training of law enforcements officers who are expected to be the first step of recourse with regard to the lodging of complaints.

There is more than a subtle irony in the continuance of this societal scourge in spite of the relentless efforts and the plethora of available mechanisms to inform and educate. The problem is much larger than what appears in the news, including the social media outlets, as many cases go unreported. This therefore gives much credence to the appearance of an underestimated reality.

Many reasons have been made known for what can deter an abused victim from seeking the intervention of the law. Among them, in no specific order of impact, are, aspects of culture, shame, dependency and its redounding lack of empowerment for some and the lack of confidence in law enforcement itself precipitated from the reported trivialising of the issue in some instances.

One may posit that education is a primary concern. On the other hand, one can argue that education has been more profound in recent times. Pertinent would be to ask the question if the other factors subvert the heeding of educational messaging. While the answer may be assumed, it would make for interesting and informative research.

As that is contemplated, the magnitude of the impact on children cannot be underestimated. Many have cruelly been made witnesses to the horrific assaults on their mothers and to a lesser extent, their fathers. Those ghastly images, especially for some who watched as life was snuffed out, are not only lasting, but profoundly traumatising.

When young minds are so broadsided, the impact, if not managed, lingers for life. Not that they are erasable, but with meaningful and sustained interventions, the trauma can potentially be mitigated thereby aiding in better shaping of lives.

The entire spectrum of what therefore constitutes counselling then becomes vital. This naturally raises the question of the availability of adequate intervening mechanisms.

While it is always heartening to hear that surviving victims and witnesses to such horrific incidents would be counselled, it would be very informative for the benefit of all to know the extent of what is available and offered. Realistically, expectations cannot be for what obtains in developed nations, however, there must be something tangible in keeping with available resources with upgrades foremost in planning.

This is not any way suggesting that there isn’t an effective mechanism. However, counselling can be an extensive process for some depending upon the circumstances. Given the plethora of incidents that unfortunately continue and which would make added demands on the system, the question of adequacy of trained staff, needed facilities and support systems, becomes more pertinent.

Not too long ago, the country had the unenviable tag of the highest rate of suicide per capita. Prior to that categorising, some aspects had made news internationally prompting a local organisation to call for suicide to be made a national priority given its impact on society and the trauma it imposes on surviving relatives.

It was stated that the declaration would not only bring additional focus, but would have positioned the issue to be afforded the necessary resources for its mitigation.

It wasn’t going to be a panacea to stop suicide, but effectively structured, it increases the potential across the country, with the assistance of stakeholders, to maximised effectiveness of information gathering for targeted intervention. It would also increase confidence in the support system, to help break social inhibitors where necessary and to better edify.

It is no different for domestic violence. While there is a disadvantage in being unable to accurately quote figures, based on extensive research if available on the amount of people lost, injured and disfigured and those scarred for life as a result of domestic violence, it must be extremely high in proportion to our population. Clearly, the highest number would be those who are left traumatised.

This therefore must be seen as a serious cause for concern and a compelling reason for consideration to be declared a national priority. This is an apolitical issue and is not confined to any one group thereby making it less difficult to garner national support. In such small societies, the impact permeates throughout and away from just the families.

Children reading and learning about incidents through television and social media, are in many ways impacted too, especially if one of their own is affected. In the context herein, the pervasiveness and impact of trauma cannot and must not be underestimated. That of road accidents must also be taken into account for too much is at stake for people and the nation.

One of the many booths promoting public and personal health care at the Sophia Exhibition Centre where the Public Health Ministry is hosting its inaugural Health Expo 2018

Another political stunt

Dear Editor, The People’s National Congress (PNC)-led coalition pulled off another political stunt rather than a celebratory event – this 52nd Independence anniversary of our country. I say this in review of the pathetic show foisted on the people at D’Urban Park. They rented schoolchildren (typical PNC style propaganda machinery) from all across the country to populate the stands to hear the most depressing of speeches in a long time. Well, if you should take the President's speech in its truest sense, the children were not the ones catered for in that address; his talk was mainly for the adults and those at home. So, Granger's address was simply "talk" that was over their

heads.

Right from the very start of the ceremony, that is, the salute and inspection of the guard, showed that empty void of pomp and pageantry, that usually greets you at these events. Even when he was invited to inspect the guard of honour, Granger was literally running ahead of the ceremonial officer. The common formalities that important dignitaries show on such important events were woefully lacking.

He looked lost, confused and bewildered. The President's show of nervousness may have been symptomatic of his address that came after in which he gave himself away in all that he said.

His was a prepared speech full of political innuendos and he contradicted him-

self throughout the address.

Whether by accident or design, he completely forgot his campaign promises, chief of which was the ushering in of the "good life" soon after taking office. That promise we now know was a farce, seeing the good life is not an achievable good for the present generation, but something in the far distant future. Yes, we heard him, loud and clear a "future good life" and not a present one.

Of course, this is the newest "pie in the sky" campaign type rhetoric coming from a President three-fifths into his rule.

So, the supposed additional bacchanal of this Independence anniversary being a "Carnival" event that too was a damper as the people saw this as another ploy

to divert attention from the present sad situation that has enveloped this nation.

That Burnhamite strategy resurrected by Granger, is a sure way of keeping the nation in a stupor. Dance away your worries, dance your stresses and your distresses away. But even that was lowkey because there is nothing to party about because most of us lack the means withwhich to party. Where is the means to do so? With over 25,000 persons out of a job and others not sure of the one that they now hold, the situation is terribly dreadful.

To sum it up in these simple words, it was an "abysmal performance by the Granger regime.”

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Setting a good example for your children Dear Editor, The recent act of bullying and utter disrespect of the nine-year-old boy at Mae’s Schools for proudly wearing his Indigenous outfit has left, not only me, but many, absolutely furious. And I cannot begin to imagine the frustration other Indigenous people felt, since the prejudice against them does not seem to be stopping any time soon.

There are two issues I want to bring up.

Firstly, the bullying.

He was bullied by his peers at the tender age of nine.

Bullying has existed for a very long time; ask anyone and they’ll tell you “that’s just how children are”, or give the very often useless advice “go and tell an adult; they will handle it” There has been many research into the effects of bullying; one child may be able

to withstand it, another may not. Every child is different, and putting bullying aside as no big deal creates two bigger problems: 1) It creates more bullies: A bullied child will be too scared to approach their bully/bullies, and because they are too ashamed to admit that they are scared, they keep it bottled up inside them until they eventually find other vulnerable to lash out on and bully; they find a means to let out their frustration. They are children after all; their means may not always be healthy and instead cause more harm. It’s an endless cycle of bullies creating bullies.

And adults who are paying attention to this: be careful how you treat others you disagree with or have an issue with. Your children are watching, and they are learning from you.

2) It causes emotional scarring. The child may fall into a state of depression (which is NOT the same as feeling sad. There are many stories and researches done on children and teenaged suicides due to depression).

They may feel ashamed of themselves, or in this boy’s case, their culture, and not want anything to do with it anymore.

So please Guyanese, don’t brush bullying aside.

And most importantly, set a good example for your children.

Secondly, let’s talk about why this boy was sent home.

It was because he had no shirt on, and that was deemed inappropriate. I took a look at some magazines and brochures for tourists to visit Guyana, and splashed across the cover of almost all of them are pictures of boys wearing the outfit this same

boy had on. And forgive me if I’m wrong, but it was Culture Day. That means the children were supposed to dress in cultural clothing, not their uniform, and that is exactly what that boy did. His ancestors did not dress like East Indians or Africans, or any of the other four races we have in Guyana.

And why was the outfit inappropriate? Because he had no shirt on? He is nine years old. If adults with more mature minds could not stand to see the chest of a nine-year-old boy, is it the boy’s fault or the adults?

If you are going to work with children who are years away from puberty, but cannot stand the sight of a shirtless nine-year-old boy, you may be in the wrong profession.

Yours sincerely, Arianne Bickle

guyanatimesgy.com

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

Firm commitment Is this a case of victimisation? to sugar workers Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has seen Dr David Hinds’ response to our letter which appeared in sections of the media under the title “Why can’t GAWU acknowledge that this Govt took the brave decision to confront the sugar problem?”; and “Guyana has far to go for ethnic, political reconciliation”; and in Guyana Times entitled “Guyana’s greatest enemies are its zero-sum politics, political culture”. Dr Hinds starts off by accusing our Union of ignoring his critical views regarding the implementation of the Administration’s plans for the sugar industry. On this score, we urge Dr Hinds to carefully re-read our letter as we did note his decrying of the Government’s failure to communicate its approach to sugar. The political scientist then goes on to say that Government established a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which, in his words, was required to “investigate the problem” in the sugar industry.

Here, we urge Dr Hinds to look at the Commission’s report, if he hasn’t read it as yet. There he would see, without ambiguity, that the Commission which comprised gentlemen chosen by the Government – with the exception of the GAWU representative – saying that the coalition should not close estates. There he would see the Commissioners advising the Government that there was a possibility of overcoming the difficulties by pursuing sugar diversification. There he would see that the Commission telling the Government not to pursue non-sugar diversification on sugar lands. There he would learn that there is light at the end of the tunnel once the correct approach is adopted. Those and several other important recommendations were ignored by the Government. It seems, from all appearances, that the Administration was not pleased by the results of the Commission’s investigation.

Maybe it didn’t have the narrative it sought. Then the Government, even before the Commission’s report had time to gather dust, did the unthinkable and announced in January 2016 that it would close Wales Estate. That closure put at direct risk the employment of 1700 sugar workers and hundreds of cane farmers, and, indirectly, upset the lives of thousands of Guyanese residents along the West Bank of Demerara.

At that time, the Government said it would pursue non-sugar diversification at Wales despite the realities of past failure and the recommendations of the Sugar CoI. To date, those initiatives have failed to come off the launching pad, save and except for a seed paddy experiment which had most disastrous results. One, quite logically, thought the Administration would have had its fingers burnt with the Wales fiasco.

But again they defied the odds when on December 31, 2016, the Government announced it would close the East Demerara and Rose Hall Estates and divest Skeldon Estate. This policy, we may add, has not on to this time, benefited from any study to determine the ramifications. At the end of it all, the workers of Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates have been put on the breadline. Even the statutory redundancy payments were bungled by the Administration which despite having months of advanced warning simply didn’t cater to make the payments.

Regarding the recently announced $30 billion financing package, we wish to advise Dr Hinds that those monies are intended to be utilised on the operational Guyana Sugar Corporation [GuySuCo] estates and not the “…upgrading of the closed estates…” as the good doctor posits.

Dr Hinds then says “… the Government’s action on the sugar industry is the closest it has come to a clear policy on anything”. If this is indeed the case, then may the Good Lord help the Guyanese people. The press is filled with reports of the confusion and clear indecision the Administration has had regarding sugar. Just in recent weeks, we saw the Agriculture Minister disowning the industry then suddenly resuming responsibility. The story of the confusion surrounding the appointment with the Board of Directors could probably provide substantial material for a book.

And also we have seen the discord playing out in the media between the SPU and the GuySuCo. We are then told that our views are driven by factors outside of compassion for the sugar workers. This is completely baseless and certainly not factual.

We have demonstrated time and again our sincere concern about the well-being and welfare of sugar workers. Certainly, we have used every avenue to advance their cause and plight. We have put to the Government workable solutions to safeguard the sugar industry which the Administration has not responded to thus far.

Incidentally, some of these, we understand, will be pursued using the $30 billion financing secured. Clearly, from all appearances, we were on the right track.

We have also not failed to attend any engagement the Government, the GuySuCo, or even the SPU have sought to invite us to. We have gone as far as meeting with President David Granger. We hope to continue in taking principled approaches and positions in our members’ interests and well-being and advocate proposals helpful, as we see it, to the industry.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Dear Editor, During the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) term in power, I've penned numerous letters pleading for help to combat school dropouts, and the increase in drug usage and crime that is plaguing the village of Zeelugt.

Quite early after the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change acceded to power, I penned letters asking them to consider starting some sort of pilot project but apparently no one took notice. I should mention that the village is pre-dominantly inhabited by East Indian Guyanese.

On Tuesday, March 29, 2018, my sister who operates a pre-school/play school informed me that a “Ms Grey” visited the play school with a group of people claiming they were from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and instructed her to shut the

school down. According to “Ms Grey”, even though there is a toilet outside of the building, my sister was told she has to build one in the school because it is unsanitary for the children and the occupants of the house to use same toilet, even though the house has its own toilet on the upper flat.

The drains around the environs have been clogged for quite a while now – compliments of the same NDC – and because of the blockage, water cannot recede fast enough from the drain in the yard.

This was an issue for the NDC representatives. When the source of the problem was pointed out, they informed my sister that on Saturday, the drain around the area will be cleaned. In the yard, there is a 'Christmas' tree and it is one of the tallest trees of that type in the village and many places I've visited. They instructed her to cut the tree

even though it poses no threat or has any sign of deterioration. A gutter is not attached to the building and that is another problem that has to be addressed before the school could be reopened, along with my sister having to get a good handlers certificate.

Now, with a fairly new Government that barely acceded to power based on promises to youths that they have not begun to address, I would have been pleased to know that instead of immediately closing the school down, they could have pointed out the faults, provide guidance and give her a time frome within which to rectify the faults.

Instead, under this Administration, we are witnessing people’s jobs being taken away, unemployment increasing and frustration building.

So, my questions is this: is

this a case of victimisation because they are in cohort with someone who operates a similar business or are they just out to create hardship for young people who are trying to make an honest living?

Go around the corner and you will see a mechanic’s waste oil in the drains and papers which are damaging the environs. But the NDC is not going there. There are many children liming and not going to school but the welfare officers are not going to investigating that. I have visited the Child Protection Agency’s office at Pouderoyen and made communication with the head office but they never investigated complaints made. But someone who is trying to do something decent for herself and assist the community, they find fault.

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

Where are we heading as a nation?

Dear Editor, We recently celebrated 52 years of independence after a great struggle from British colonialism to independence

fought for by our founding fathers Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham.

I saw the flag raising ceremony on television, but I no-

Parika needs to be made into a town Dear Editor, It was so nice to hear the Minister of State at the Parika flag raising ceremony. He said lots of good things will be done for Parika: the road from Parika to Goshen will be done, the Parika T&HD Stelling will be repaired and lots of other good things to follow, but he did not say when will it start. We hope it’s not after 2020 elections.

Parika needs to become a town, because everything passes through here. Places like Bartica, its riverine areas East and West of the Essequibo River, Leguan, Wakenaam, Hogg Island, Fort Island, Morashee, Bonasika, Essequibo Coast, Pomeroon and more.

(1) Parika needs a small cottage hospital with doctors and nurses – cases like these, maternity, snake bites, malaria, trees fell on persons, mining accidents, shooting, chopping, that’s just to name a few. Sick cases have to wait so long for an ambulance to take them to the West Demerara Regional Hospital or the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A small hospital could be very useful until help arrives. A regular doctor and nurses to assist in emergencies, also the people of Parika and environs would benefit. A Government ambulance and a hearse should be stationed at Parika cottage hospital and a small fire station is also needed.

(2) If you are travelling with your truck or car going to the islands, Essequibo, Bartica etc, it’s a big hassle with the traffic to get to the stelling or to the scale. The road space is too narrow.

(3) Parika is in need of a television station to serve the above mentioned areas because to place an advertisement for death or birthdays etc is very expensive and time consuming to travel from those remote areas to make these things possible and the signals will be stronger in these remote areas. People farming in the backdam, to residents all around, they will enjoy television.

Sincerely, Winston B Miller Parika Outfall, East Bank Essequibo

ticed the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was absent; the same happened when the PPP was in office and the A Partnership for National Unity/People’s National Congress was also absent at the flag raising ceremony.

This country’s Motto reads: 'One People, One Nation, One Destiny' but that is the opposite of what I am seeing from our political leaders.

I have many concerns about this nation, but I will address a few here and others in subsequent letters. My first concern was this Carnival introduced into our recent independence celebration last Saturday. I saw a real display of vulgarity and immorality in our streets in Georgetown by people of all races scanti-

ly clad gyrating and wining down to the most lewd and disgusting music.

These people see independence as a free for all immoral game. Independence is free, but it cost Jagan and Burnham something who fought and suffered for it. If Burnham and Jagan were alive today this carnival would have never been here.

I am calling on President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo to stamp out this wicked carnival culture at Mashramani and independence – it is doing this nation more harm than good.

Where are we heading as a nation?

Regards, Rev Gideon Cecil

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About sibling rivalry

hile many children are lucky enough to become the best of friends with their siblings, it’s common for brothers and sisters to fight. (It’s also common for them to swing back and forth between adoring and detesting one other!)

Often, sibling rivalry starts even before the second child is born, and continues as the children grow and compete for everything from toys to attention. As children reach different stages of development, their evolving needs can significantly affect how they relate to one another.

It can be frustrating and upsetting to watch – and hear – your children fight with one another. A household that’s full of conflict is stressful for everyone. Yet often it’s hard to know how to stop the fighting, and or even whether you should get involved at all. But you can take steps to promote peace in your household and help your children get along.

Why children fight

Many different things can cause siblings to fight.

Most brothers and sisters experience some de-

Foundation

gree of jealousy or competition, and this can flare into squabbles and bickering. But other factors also might influence how often children fight and how severe the fighting gets.

These include: Evolving needs. It’s natural for children’s changing needs, anxieties, and identities to affect how they relate to one another. For example, toddlers are naturally protective of their toys and belongings, and are learning to assert their will, which they’ll do at every turn. So if a baby brother or sister picks up the toddler’s toy, the older child may react aggressively. Schoolage children often have a strong concept of fairness and equality, so they might not understand why siblings of other ages are treated differently or feel like one child gets preferential treatment. Teenagers, on the other hand, are developing a sense of individuality and independence, and might resent helping with household responsibilities, taking care of younger siblings, or even having to spend time together. All of these differences can influence the way children fight with one another.

Individual temperaments. Your children’s individual temperaments — including mood, disposition, and adaptability – and their unique personalities play a large role in how well they get along. For example, if one child is laid back and another is easily rattled, they may often get into it.

Similarly, a child who is especially clingy and drawn to parents for comfort and love might be resented by siblings who see this and want the same amount of attention.

Special needs/sick children. Sometimes, a child’s special needs due to illness or learning/emotional issues may require more parental time. Other children may pick up on this disparity and act out to get attention or out of fear of what’s happening to the other child.

Role models. The way that parents resolve problems and disagreements sets a strong example for children. So if you and your spouse work through conflicts in a way that’s respectful, productive, and not aggressive, you increase the chances that your children will adopt those tactics when they run into

problems with one another. If your children see you routinely shout, slam doors, and loudly argue when you have problems, they’re likely to pick up those bad habits themselves.

Getting professional help

In a small percentage of families, the conflict between brothers and sisters is so severe that it disrupts daily functioning, or particularly affects kids emotionally or psychologically. In those cases, it’s wise to get help from a mental health professional. Seek help for sibling conflict if it: is so severe that it’s leading to marital problems creates a real danger of physical harm to any family member is damaging to the self-esteem or psychological well-being of any family member may be related to other significant concerns, such as depression If you have questions about your kids’ fighting, talk with your doctor, who can help you determine whether your family might benefit from professional help and refer you to local behavioural health resources. (kidshealth.org)

While it may be common for brothers and sisters to fight, it's certainly not pleasant for anyone in the house.

And a family can only tolerate a certain amount of conflict. So what should you do when the fighting starts?

Whenever possible, don't get involved. Step in only if there's a danger of physical harm. If you always intervene, you risk creating other problems. The children may start expecting your help and wait for you to come to the rescue rather than learning to work out the problems on their own. There's also the risk that you — inadvertently — make it appear to one child that another is always being "protected", which could foster even more resentment. By the same token, rescued children may feel that they can get away with more because they're always being "saved" by a parent.

If you're concerned by the language used or name-calling, it's appropriate to "coach" children through what they're feeling by using appropriate words. This is different from intervening or stepping in and separating the children.

Even then, encourage them to resolve the crisis themselves. If you do step in, try to resolve problems with your children, not for them.

When getting involved, here are some steps to consider: Separate kids until they're calm. Sometimes it's best just to give them space for a little while and not immediately rehash the conflict.

Otherwise, the fight can escalate again. If you want to make this a learning experience, wait until the emotions have died down.

Don't put too much focus on figuring out which child is to blame. It takes two to fight – anyone who is involved is partly responsible.

Next, try to set up a "winwin" situation so that each child gains something. When they both want the same toy, perhaps there's a game they could play together instead.

Remember, as children cope with disputes, they also learn important skills that will serve them for life – like how to value another person's perspective, how to compromise and negotiate, and how to control aggressive impulses.

Helping children get along

Simple things you can do every day to prevent fighting include: Set ground rules for acceptable behaviour. Tell the children to keep their hands to themselves and that there's no cursing, no name-calling, no yelling, no door slamming.

Solicit their input on the rules – as well as the consequences when they break them. This teaches children that they're responsible for their own actions, regardless of the situation or how provoked they

felt, and discourages any attempts to negotiate regarding who was "right" or "wrong".

Don't let children make you think that everything always has to be "fair" and "equal" — sometimes one child needs more than the other.

Be proactive in giving your children one-on-one attention directed to their interests and needs. For example, if one likes to go outdoors, take a walk or go to the park.

If another child likes to sit and read, make time for that too.

Make sure children have their own space and time to do their own thing — to play with toys by themselves, to play with friends without a sibling tagging along, or to enjoy activities without having to share 50-50.

Show and tell your children that, for you, love is not something that comes with limits.

Let them know that they are safe, important, and loved, and that their needs will be met.

Have fun together as a family. Whether you're watching a movie, throwing a ball, or playing a board game, you're establishing a peaceful way for your children to spend time together and relate to each other. This can help ease tensions between them and also keeps you involved. Since parental attention is something many children fight over, fun family activities can help reduce conflict.

If your children frequently squabble over the same things (such as video games or dibs on the TV remote), post a schedule showing which child "owns" that item at what times during the week. (But if they keep fighting about it, take the "prize" away altogether.)

If fights between your school-age children are frequent, hold weekly family meetings in which you repeat the rules about fighting and review past successes in reducing conflicts.

Consider establishing a programme where the children earn points toward a fun family-oriented activity when they work together to stop battling.

Recognise when kids just need time apart from each other and the family dynamics. Try arranging separate play dates or activities for each child occasionally. And when one child is on a play date, you can spend one-onone time with another.

Keep in mind that sometimes children fight to get a parent's attention. In that case, consider taking a timeout of your own. When you leave, the incentive for fighting is gone. Also, when your own fuse is getting short, consider handing the reins over to the other parent, whose patience may be greater at that moment.

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thursdAY, may 31, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

AFC Councillor found guilty of felonious wounding …could face up to 4 years in jail …sentencing postponed to June 13

Guilty: Abel Seetaram

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mbattled Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor Abel Seetaram was on Wednesday found guilty of felonious wounding by Magistrate Rhondel Weaver at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court.

The case stemmed from a drunken brawl on January 21, 2018 when Seetaram, 36, of Lot 121 B Woodley Park Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), injured his cousin Netram Rabindranauth.

The prosecution had contended that Seetaram feloniously wounded Rabindranauth, 54, a vendor of Lot 64 A Woodley Park Village.

When the charge was initially filed, Seetaram was re-

leased on $100,000 bail.

The AFC Councillor was arrested after he was said to have used a piece of wood to injure Rabindranauth during an altercation after a drinking spree.

Back in January, the victim of the attack had told Guyana Times that he had intervened in an argument and scramble between Seetaram’s son and his son in order to make peace and part them.

Rabindranauth recalled that it was at this point that Seetaram arrived on the scene and dealt him several blows with the piece of wood.

Both men took their sons to the Police Station and made reports after which the young men were held for questioning and subsequently released.

Rabindranauth also reported that he had to be taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital after he sustained a broken jaw, fractured nose, and suffered internal bleeding which also saw him being transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

At the scene of the confrontation, Seetaram, who was reportedly intoxicated, was heard shouting and telling persons who had gathered that no one could do him anything, since he knows

Wednesday, Seetaram refused to comment on the decision by Magistrate Weaver, adding that he has no comment to offer to this media house.

“Just come and see what happens on June 13…just come,” he said.

Seetaram is no stranger to controversy. He was the Special Assistant to Prime

Minister Moses Nagamootoo, but was fired from that post after crashing a Government SUV. Seetaram was found guilty of three charges in relation to that accident on May 8, 2016. He was charged with driving in a dangerous manner. He was also charged with being an unlicensed driver and with breach of in-

surance.

Seetaram was driving the SUV on the Bath Public Road at a fast pace when he lost control and crashed into a fence, knocking out some of the uprights and damaging several structures at the Bath Market. He also crashed into another fence nearby, causing considerable damage. (Michael Younge)

3 years later

Allicock yet to issue any land title …project only 26% completed Victim: Netram Rabindranauth

“Khemraj” and is a “big boy in the Government”.

Rabindranauth’s son had spoken out on social media against the attack on his father, who he said made his living selling chips.

Following the guilty verdict on Wednesday, the Court is now expected to hand down Seetaram’s sentence on June 13.

Defence counsel Horatio Edmonson in a plea of mitigation asked the Court to exercise mercy and leniency, since the offence carried a maximum sentence of four years’ imprisonment.

A decision was then made to have a probation/welfare report submitted before sentencing took place.

When contacted on

G

overnment has been heavily criticised over its handling of the Amerindian Land Titling Project (ALT) with members of the Opposition arguing that very little progress has been made so far.

Their arguments were confirmed by statements made by Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock during a Parliamentary Committee meeting on Natural Resources on Wednesday.

Allicock also revealed that not only was 26 per cent of the project completed, but in three years, the Ministry has not managed to issue a single title to any Amerindian community.

“I have not been able to title any village, because we want to do things that are truly reflected in the Free

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock during the Parliamentary Committee meeting on Natural Resources on Wednesday

Prior and Informed (FPIC) process,” the Vice President told the media.

The Minister told the Committee that the ALT work programme, which started in 2013, will require another decade before it could be completed, although the project life comes to an end in October 2018.

According to him, only

about 25 per cent of the total US$10 million earmarked for the project has been utilised thus far – some $500 million or US$2.5 million.

He explained that funding was not the constraint, but claimed that the project was faced with manpower issues, as there is need for an anthropologist, and equipment also to support it. turn to page 14

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Prison officers remanded for narco trafficking Cross reportedly told ranks that the drug was given to him by Parmasoo.

As such, both men were arrested and later charged with trafficking in narcotics.

However, in a state-

by Police and the marijuana was found in a black bag in the possession of a prison officer. The two prison officers were escorted to Brickdam Police Station.

According to Samuel’s

E

The marijuana that was found

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he two prison officers who were arrested on the Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown with a quantity of marijuana were on Wednesday taken before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs to answer to the offence.

The officers – 22-yearold Cleveland Cross of Graham Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, and 24-year-old Abdul Parmasoo of Corentyne, Berbice – both denied that on May 27, 2018 at the Avenue of the Republic they had in their

Another (green) brick…

possession 434 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the prosecution’s case, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels received information about the officers being involved in drug trafficking and made contact with ranks at the Brickdam Police Station.

The ranks swooped down on the duo, and Cross was found with a haversack on his back. The haversack was searched, and the marijuana was found.

Cleveland Cross and Abdul Parmasoo

ment issued by the Prison Director, it was revealed that both of the men collected a parcel from a civilian while on duty at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

As such, Police ranks set up a roadbook and stopped the minibus in which the duo were travelling.

A search was carried out

statement, one of the prison officers reportedly admitted to collecting the item from a civilian to deliver to a prisoner. He claimed that he was paid $20,000 to deliver the parcel.

Both men were remanded to prison and were expected to return on June 8, 2018.

…in PNC dictatorship veryday, comes another PNC-government action that’s another brick in the edifice of its dictatorship over Guyana. Granger promised he’d fulfil the legacy of Burnham, but from the way he’s going, he’s going to surpass his hero in record time. After all, Burnham at least worked along with its junior partner-in-crime for 4 years… while Granger simply flattened the AFC from day 1!!

Your Eyewitness has earlier analysed Granger’s total disregard for the Rule of Law; the Separation of powers; freedom of the press; the sanctity of individual rights; increased military forces and strategic embedding of exGDF officers like political commissars in every government department that show how far the edifice has gone up. But now Granger has literally decided to fly the PNC colour over that edifice on the tallest flagpole in the land– showing he feels he has destroyed the democratic ramparts and can do very well whatever he pleases.

Folks didn’t take your Eyewitness seriously (they don’t realise that all skin-teeth na joke!) when he asked that Guyanese draw a line when Granger painted the Presidential Buildings and State House in PNC green.

They asked, what’s in a colour?? Plenty when it’s the PNC colour on symbol of the country’s state buildings. As the government of the day, the PNC’s only the custodian of those buildings.

But no one protested vehemently enough and now Granger’s changed the green in our NATIONAL FLAG into the PNC green. Can you believe this? Well you’d better!!

Dear Readers, this is the time for all good men (and all good women and all the intermediate permutations and combinations of genders) to rally around our original Golden Arrowhead. The green in our flag represents our agriculture and forests – not the bitter bile of the PNC! What’s a flag, dear reader?? Simply, it symbolise the NATION’S character. Do we really want our characters to be defined as “PNC”?? This is the party that rigged elections for over two decades; destroyed the economy; made us the second poorest nation in the hemisphere; killed its political opponents – including Walter Rodney. Is this us?

But as we started out, this “flying the PNC colour” summarises army man Granger’s training that impels him to “plant the flag” on territory that’s now conquered.

Remember that iconic picture of US soldiers pushing up that flagpole with the American flag at Iwo Jima – signalling to the Japan that the US had reconquered the Pacific?

Well, Granger and his coterie of Army buddies have just run up the PNC’s flag to signal to the world, Guyana’s once again their stomping grounds.

And believe this Eyewitness: there will be a whole lotta stomping going on soon! …against the Judiciary Your Eyewitness had also raised up his arms to the skylike Jeremiah of old - to warn against AG Basil Williams’ and Granger’s tag-team assault against the Judiciary represented by the Chief Justice. In vain. We’ll come out to bare our Bamsies on Independence Carnival, without even a thought we could’ve paused in front of the President Complex on the way to the Square to show our displeasure.

How? Well…MOON HIM!!

My dear readers, the theologian and ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr, could have been talking about Guyana when he said: “Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible; but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary”. As the PNC attacks the Chief Justice over her insistence that the government implement the law that it’s passed, let us appreciate the injustice being done to Guyana, in wanting the government and its officials to be beyond Judicial Review.

Too many have died and suffered while fighting the first PNC to bring back democracy on Oct 5th 1992.

Let’s tear down these (green) PNC bricks of oppression. …stuffing a mouth So the AFC’s Sherod Duncan been made the GM of the State media? Is he still going to be vocal against the Babylon ensconced in City Hall? Naah!! The mouth’s always muzzled by the green brick pushed inside!!

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

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thursDAY, may 31, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SWF

Ramson wants Govt, Opposition MPs to appoint representatives

T

hree years after the first major oil find

by ExxonMobil, the Government is yet to set up the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) now termed the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), but the importance of such a fund has been underscored by former Member of Parliament (MP), Charles Ramson.

In delivering a presentation to a small audience at Duke Lodge on Wednesday, an event organised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Ramson said there is need for both sides of the political divide to be point persons on the fund.

He has recommended that three persons from each side of the House be chosen to represent their party or side on the SWF, to ensure that it is properly managed.

He said, “Each team of three should be supported by one technical person and they should be responsible to take all the briefings,

overseas visits, among others. They should make the SWF their focus and should also hold the responsibility to brief their party on the status and progress. They should also have the responsibility to engage with public consultations and report the feedback.”

Ramson therefore called for a bipartisan political system to develop Guyana’s SWF. However, Ramson noted, that the Norwegian model isolates or insulates any kind of political interface save and except for the types of assets they invest in and the rage or percentage of the share allocation for the respective assets.

According to him, it’s strictly done as a business to maximise returns.

Ramson said setting up an SWF is important than spending for what is yet to come. In advancing the arguments that Guyanese must have some knowledge and input into how the rev-

Anns Grove man remanded for murder

A

35-year-old man was on Wednesday arraigned for murder when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Zamina Seepaul-Ally.

Rawle Munroe, of Lot 40 Two Friends, Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on May 26, Independence Day, he murdered 23-yearold Edward Bevaney at Beterverwagting, ECD. The accused was remanded to prison and was expected to return to court on June 26.

It was previously reported that Munroe and Bevaney of Ogle Street, Triumph, ECD, worked together in the interior several years ago, but became enemies over a soured business deal.

The two reportedly

Murdered: Edward Bevaney

crossed each other’s path on May 26 when Munroe visited a shop in Beterverwagting about 08:00h.

An altercation ensued which led to both men being stabbed. However, Bevaney succumbed to his injuries.

Munroe was later arrested and charged.

Former MP Charles Ramson

enues from oil are spent, he said it would not serve the country well if Government relinquished the funds to overseas experts or people who don’t have Guyana’s best interest at heart, as it could go to squander.

During his presentation, Ramson focused on several examples of SWF and reinforced his message that Guyana needs one. He focused much of his presentation on the similarities between Ghana and Guyana’s offshore oil operation and Norway’s SWF. He said Guyana should set up its SWF early to mitigate the volatility of oil revenues and

better manage their fiscal budget positions.

He also used the Kingdom of Norway’s SWF as an example and how they managed to get to a point where they have huge sums of liquid cash saved from the industry. On the contrary, he pointed to the example in Papua New Guinea, where although there was an existing SWF, political interference and massive drawdowns led to the collapse of that fund.

In the short-term, Ramson recommended a parking fund and stabilisation fund combination.

He said stabilisation vola-

tility fund aims to smooth Government expenditure despite having revenue instability based on moving long-term average. The parking fund, according to him, is the depositing of funds overseas while building up the necessary State institutions and systems to spend appropriately.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has said that the NRF will be tabled and hopefully passed and supported this year. “I am satisfied, and in Cabinet we had a full update on one outstanding issue and it will be here and in place long before any oil is drilled as well as the local content policy. Before the end of the year, both will be up and running,” Patterson told a news conference two weeks ago.

In January, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman promised the legislation by the first quarter in 2018, but it is yet to be delivered.

The Bill was drafted by the Commonwealth

Secretariat and scrutinised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank as well as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The Natural Resources Fund aims to save funds for future generations; one way includes converting non-renewable assets into a more diversified portfolio of assets and to mitigate the effects of “Dutch Disease”.

A SWF is defined as pools of money derived from a country’s reserves, which are set aside for investment purposes that will benefit the country’s economy and citizens.

The funding for a SWF comes from Central Bank reserves that accumulate because of budget and trade surpluses, and even from revenue generated from the exports of natural resources.

Guyana’s international partners and others have urged that the fund be transparent, independent and non-partisan to better protect the Guyanese people.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

10 news remanded on armed Father, son charged for “Barney” robbery charges killing Mon Repos man A thursDAY, may 31, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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he father and son who were arrested after they reportedly stabbed 23-yearold Brian Dwarka of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) to death were on Wednesday arraigned for the indictable offence of murder.

The men – Suraj Singh, 50, and his son, Andrew Singh, 24, both of Lot 257 Third Street, Mon Repos – appeared before Magistrate Zamina Seepaul-Ally.

They were remanded to prison and were expected to re-appear in court on June 28, 2018.

Guyana Times had previously reported that on May 27, 2018, Dwarka was stabbed to death while he was attending a barbecue, a short distance away from his home.

According to reports, Dwarka was in the company of his friends and cousins when an argument between him and Suraj Singh ensued.

The middle-aged man, along with his son, allegedly approached Dwarka and his group, armed with knives.

However, while his friends were able to escape, the 23-year-old Mon Repos resident attempted to jump over a fence, but was stabbed once to his chest.

Dwarka fell into the yard and onto the

Deceased: Brian Dwarka

ground; he was later picked up by his mother and other relatives and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The two suspects were apprehended – the father at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he reportedly lied to Police, stating that he was attacked and robbed and was sent for a medical, while the younger Singh was found hiding in a toilet in his home.

carpenter found himself before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yet again after he reportedly attacked and robbed three persons.

Twenty-seven-year-old Akeem Rajkumar, called “Barney”, of Lot 66 Leopold Street, Georgetown, denied the charge put to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Wednesday.

It is alleged that on April 3, 2018 at Leopold Street, Georgetown, while being armed and in the company of others, he robbed Rodwell Maynard of some $189,000, property of Damion Elliott.

On the same day at the same location, he allegedly discharged gunshots at Elliott.

He denied both allegations and further denied that on April 27 at Croal Street, he attacked and robbed Avril Croft of $85,000 and Janelle Walter of gold jewellery, a phone and cash worth a total of $440,000.

Akeem Rajkumar

The facts of these cases were not disclosed; however, Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to defence counsel George Thomas’s request for Rajkumar to be granted bail based on the

gravity and seriousness of the offences.

Magistrate Azore upheld the Prosecutor’s submissions and remanded Rajkumar to prison. The case will continue on June 20, 2018.

Rajkumar was previously before the courts charged with being in possession of 50 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking along with robbing Dexter France of a haversack containing raw gold, a pair of Timberland sneakers and a large sum of cash valued a total of $194,000 on June 27, 2017.

The man, whose one leg was heavily bandaged during that appearance, was reportedly shot by a Police Officer who he attempted to disarm while being arrested.

Businessman on trial for attempting to kill neighbour, uncle

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usinessman Derek Jaisingh appeared before Justice Sandhill Kissoon on Wednesday in relation to allegations that he fired multiple gunshots at 54-year-old Welton Edwards and his nephew, Sherwin Hamilton, 44, at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara on November 2, 2014.

A 12-member jury was on Wednesday empanelled to hear the High Court case after Jaisingh denied two counts of attempted murder when the indictments were presented at his arraignment.

The account of Edwards and Hamilton was that they sought to enquire from Jaisingh why he assaulted Sherwin’s brother, Raymond Hamilton, allegedly using on chair on the night of November 2, 2014. Sherwin Hamilton claimed that when they approached Jaisingh, he drew a firearm and later assaulted him with his weapon before firing shots at him and his uncle.

Hamilton was shot nine times while Edwards was shot twice, and the duo was hospitalised for several days. According to reports in 2014, Jaisingh claimed that he defended himself after believing that the men were attempting to rob him.

Under cross-examination by the businessman’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes on Wednesday, Raymond Hamilton denied that he was “cooking up” a story when he said Jaisingh beat him with a chair, which led him to contact his relatives who were eventually shot. He earlier told the court that they had no problems with Jaisingh prior to the incident and that they had known the accused from seeing him in the village of Land of Canaan.

Raymond, who is a minibus conductor recalled that on the night of the incident, he and Jaisingh had a fight sometime after 22:00h

Derek Jaisingh

when he was on his way to purchase beer at a Chinese restaurant. He said after he was assaulted with the chair, he screamed for help as Jaisingh was on top of him. He added that sometime after, the accused and his brother “had a talking” and he escaped because he was scared.

Hamilton said he heard gunshots roughly 30 minutes later and after he came out to see what was happening, he saw Welton Edwards lying on the public road in a pool of blood. His brother, Sherwin, called “Nasty Man” told the jury that he was sleeping in his shop at Land of Canaan when he heard screaming outside.

He said he climbed up and looked out of his window and then realised that the screams were that of his brother’s.

“I went over the road and I saw this man sitting on my brother hitting him with a gun. I went out and pull off my brother by holding [Jaisingh] on his shoulder.

After that, he get up and snatch my jersey and dealt a lash to me with his gun to my head,” he said.

It was after this that Sherwin Hamilton went and called his uncle, Welton to the scene. In court, he identified Jaisingh as the attacker. Prosecutors Orinthia Schmidt and Lisa Cave are presenting the State’s case.

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thursDAY, may 31, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Indigenous peoples feel disrespected by Govt – NTC …decries President’s “lip service” over follow-up meeting

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he Indigenous peoples of Guyana believe the coalition Government has no intention or the capacity to address issues affecting them, which is highly blatant in their unsuccessful efforts to have a follow-up meeting with President David Granger, whom they say is “unwilling” to meet with

Indigenous leadership.

This is according to Vice Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Lenox Shuman, who in a letter to the media on Wednesday said they can no longer be silent on the “increasing level of disrespect” being meted out to the Indigenous peoples by the

Government.

“We have been trying since our meeting last year to get a follow-up meeting with President David Granger.

Imagine, the collective leadership of all the Indigenous peoples of Guyana cannot get to see the President of Guyana. Instead, we are sent from ministry to ministry

American Airlines to start GeorgetownMiami flights in November

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nited States-based American Airlines (AA) is now aiming to start its Georgetown-Miami route by mid-November – one month earlier than planned.

Earlier in the year, the Fort Worth Texas-based carrier had announced it was to start offering seats on the route from December 20, 2018, with tickets going on sale from April 2. That was before any permission had actually been sought by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

However, on Tuesday, Director General of the GCAA, retired Lieutenant Colonel Egbert Field told the media that AA has since submitted the relevant documents to the Authority and plans are moving apace for flights to commence by mid-November.

“We are happy to have them (American Airlines) onboard but the professional standard the Authority stands on is that it must be informed and advised before declarations are made or before tickets are sold. Notwithstanding that I had a discussion with the chief of the international agency or department and he did apologise and now we are moving ahead,” Field is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

American Airline’s arrival comes at a very opportune moment as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has just recorded in the first quarter of 2018 its highest passenger movement ever. “I know that CJIA is going to be happy that there is an entity helping with the uplift out

of Timehri. As reported we’ve already seen an increase in passenger transport over the last couple months when compared to last year.”

According to Field, the carrier has indicated it is here for the long-term and will first ply the Georgetown-Miami route before possibly extending to other destinations. The airline will use an Airbus 319 with capacity for 120 passengers to fly to Guyana from Miami four times per week departing from Miami at 18:00h and arriving in Georgetown at 22:40h. The return flight will depart at 01:15 h and arrive at 04:55h.

American Airlines offers an average of nearly 6700 flights per day to approximately 350 destinations in more than 50 countries.

President pushes for improved...

From page 3

No public health system and no national health strategy would be complete or successful without emphasising the importance of preventative care,” he opined.

According to the President, prevention is central to Guyana’s national health strategy and among other things, one of the principal means of improving citizens’ physical, mental and social wellbeing.

The inaugural expo is an inter-ministerial and multi-sectoral event, and will also focus on developing synergies between the Ministry and healthcare providers as well as the public. It seeks to sensitise the public on health-conscious practices that will prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), while enlightening the public on the plethora of services that are available within the public healthcare system.

Addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said that Guyanese often turned to the healthcare system as a last resort only after the “home remedies” and pharmacy recommendations do not work, and this, she posited, was often detrimental to the patients.

“Guyana can ill-afford an unhealthy nation… We must change the way in which we embrace and manage our health… [and] through this expo, we wish to bring you and your health into sharp focus.

We want to move from the almost laissez-faire attitude to the point where it becomes our priority,” she posited.

According to the Public Health Minister, such renewed attitude will play a pivotal role in curbing the high rate of NCDs in the country, which in turn will put Guyana on track to achieving Sustainable

Development Goal (SDG) number three, that is, “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”

On this note, Minister Lawrence proudly noted that President Granger was the only Head of State in the Caribbean heading a Presidential Commission on NDCs. She also announced that in recognition of its commitment against tobacco use, Guyana has been conferred with the ‘World No Tobacco Day Award’ by the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) for countries in the region of Americas. (Vahnu Manikchand)Every neighbourhood must have a neighbourhood health centre so that even the poorest citizens should be able to access health care within him or her neighbourhood,” the Head of State asserted.

While the Head of State spoke of improved public services to foster healthcare, he noted that the first step to healthcare is prevention, which he said starts at home.

“Preventative care is central to universal public health coverage, to primary healthcare and the delivery of public health services. No Public Health System and no National Health Strategy would be complete or successful without emphasizing the importance of preventative care,” he opined.

According to the President, prevention is central to Guyana’s national health strategy and among other things, one of the principle means of improving citizens’ physical, mental and social wellbeing.

The inaugural expo is an inter-ministerial and multi-sectorial event and will also focus on developing synergies between the ministry and healthcare providers as well as the public. It seeks to sensitive the

public on health-conscious practices that will prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs), while enlighten the public on the plethora of services that are available within the public healthcare system.

Addressing the gathering at the opening ceremony, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said that Guyanese often turn to the healthcare system as a last resort only after the “home remedies” and pharmacy recommendations do not work, and this she posited is often detrimental to the patients.

“Guyana can ill-afford an unhealthy nation… We must change the way in which we embrace and manage our health… [and] through this expo, we wish to bring you and your health into sharp focus.

We want to move from the almost laissez-faire attitude to the point where it becomes our priority,” she posited.

According to the Public Health Minister, such renewed attitude will play a pivotal role in curbing the high rate of NCDs in the country, which in turn will put Guyana on track to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number three, that is, “Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.”

On this note, Minister Lawrence proudly noted that President Granger is the only Head of State in the Caribbean who is heading a Presidential Commission on NDC. She also announced that in recognition of its commitment against tobacco use, Guyana has been conferred with the ‘World No Tobacco Day Award’ by the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) for countries in the region of Americas. (Vahnu Manikchand)

NTC Vice Chairman Lenox Shuman

to see other members of the Cabinet,” he posited.

According to Shuman, the NTC and other Indigenous organisations met with President Granger last year to examine the very contentious Lands Commission of Inquiry (LCoI), which came out of the bilateral agreement between the Kingdom of Norway and the Government of Guyana to address Amerindian Land Titling. At the meeting, the NTC also called on President Granger to sanction Minister with responsibility of labour, Keith Scott, for marginalising the already marginalised Indigenous peoples of Guyana in the highest house in the land, to which the Head of State committed to review the Hansard and will so be guided.

“We are still awaiting action on this issue,” he noted.

The NTC Chairman went on to note that following consultations amongst the Indigenous communities for the past eight months on the LCoI, the NTC met and submitted recommendations in relation to the LCoI and requested a meeting with the President by mid-March 2018 to which he had committed.

“The President has not met with us yet and his office keeps telling us to meet other members of the Cabinet.”

Moreover, he mentioned that the plot of land allocated at Sophia to house the NTC’s Secretariat Complex has still not been granted to the NTC some two years later, while at the same time construction has started at a plot parallel to the one originally considered by the NTC. Mining With regards to mining, Shuman went on to say the NTC was supposed to enter a MoU with the Natural Resources Ministry which appears to be “only a publicity stunt” by the Ministry.

He noted that the subject Minister, Raphael Trotman, has not responded to the issue of the MoU. “It is our concern that with the lack of address to these issues and the incoming IT bill, that the Indigenous peoples could be charged with sedition when these issues are brought out in defence of “our rights.” It is also our view that the GoG is awaiting the change in the NTC. This is to avoid dealing with

the issues, because even with a change in the NTC, the issues will still remain, and the Indigenous peoples will continue to suffer,” Shuman asserted.

The NTC Vice Chair continued that Indigenous leaders expressed fear of further speaking out against “things that are principled wrong” having witnessed what became of the parliamentary Opposition members. They also express fear as they intend on getting into private businesses after they leave office and do not want to be hassled.

“The Indigenous peoples of Guyana are unhappy, and the brewing discontent manifested itself in calls by some communities for mass mobilisation in Georgetown. At that meeting, we committed to the Indigenous leaders that it would be premature to just start mobilisation without first meeting with His Excellency and asked that we are permitted to meet with him (His Excellency) first and then be guided by those commitments.”

He noted that the President and the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo are both in receipt of the letter by the NTC committing to mass mobilisation “if our rights are not respected. We are yet to see a commitment by His Excellency to meet the Indigenous leadership – the NTC. I must admit my pessimism of this happening on anything meaningful if not for lip service,” Shuman asserted in the letter to the media.

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thursDAY, may 31, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Skyrocketing fuel prices

Govt must stop “turning a blind eye” – trade union …matter not yet discussed by Cabinet – Business Minister

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n light of spikes in gas prices mobbing from $215 per litre last week to prices ranging from $230 to $250 per litre this week, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is urging Government to act swiftly on the matter. On Wednesday, the trade union said this sudden hike in fuel prices will burdened consumers. In a strongly worded statement to the media, the union said Government must stop “turning a blind eye to what is taking place” and proactively act in the interest of people.

The union noted that the reduction of the taxes on fuel will bring some reprieve to the “overburdened” class of working people. Having highlighted newly implemented taxes, increase in extant taxes and higher food

costs, FITUG contends that no person would be spared as the increased costs of fuel will be passed on to the consumer in one way or another.

“We saw as recent as May 28, 2018, the Stateowned Guyana Oil Company Limited (Guyoil) retailing gasoline for $230 per litre.

Interestingly, the May 20, 2018, Guyana Times had reported that Guyoil, at the time it compiled its report, was retailing gas for $220 per litre. Thus, in the space of days, the price jumped by $10 per liter, that is a significant hike given the shortness of the period. Moreover, we are aware that, similarly, increases have been recorded in the prices of kerosene and cooking gas,” an excerpt from the statement added.

The union noted that it

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

is aware that the increased fuel prices have their origins in the rising price of oil globally but stressed that in any event, policies could be embraced to cushion the local impact, as was done in the past.

It observed that when

there was a reduction of the excise tax, it helped to soften, and in some cases, nullify, the increased prices due to increases at the global level. The Federation expressed “strong dismay” that Government has made “no attempt” to embrace similar policies.

Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission on Wednesday called for measures to be put in place to ensure the effects are not filtered to businesses and consumers.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin was quoted as saying that the matter has not been discussed

by Cabinet.

Only on Tuesday, Opposition Member of Parliament, Irfaan Ali urged the Government to give some serious consideration to reducing the high prices of fuel on the market.

Ali recalled when his party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was in Government, they had constantly adjusted the tax regime to cushion the effect of fluctuation in fuel prices

A Guyoil service station

on the international market.

He said this was aimed at ensuring that all Guyanese were protected from increases in their expenditure.

“However, it seems that the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) regime is deaf to the cries of the population and are bent of driving Guyana’s economy into the ground.”

The former Minister argued that it is well established that any increases in the price for fuel, gasoline or diesel, would translate in increases in costs of production for manufacturers, increase in expenditure

for transportation operators and drivers. Ultimately, this will impact the local economic situation.

He pointed out too that these increases are passed on to the consumers who are already burdened with increases in more than 200 licence fees and taxes that the coalition Government introduced.

Ali therefore called on the APNU/AFC Government to take immediate steps to reduce the cost of gasoline, diesel and kerosene so that Guyanese would not have to bear the brunt of the price increases.

Man unties pitbull on Police …released on $75,000 bail

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Guyhoc Gardens, Georgetown man, who unleashed his Pitbull dogs on Police ranks who swooped down at his property to arrest him in relation to an offence, was on Wednesday before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Sherwin La Rose denied that on May 28, 2018,

at Guyhoc Gardens, he assaulted Jamal Watson, a Police Officer, who was at the time executing his duties.

Magistrate Fabayo Azore stated that the second charge alleged that La Rose wilfully attempted to obstruct the course of justice by losing his pitbull dog in his bid to escape from the

Police.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne who disclosed that the case file is still incomplete did not read the facts of the matter.

She however had no bail objections and this was granted in the sum of $75,000. La Rose is scheduled to return to court on June 27.

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thursDAY, may 31, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Engineer charged for substandard work …released on $500,000 bail

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a n n e i l Madramootoo, an engineer, was on Wednesday slapped with a fraud charge for substandard work done on the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) building located on Robb Street, Georgetown.

Thirty-five-year-old Madramootoo of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, who has been out of the jurisdiction in Trinidad since the charge was brought against him, was arrested when he returned to Guyana earlier on Wednesday. He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Leron Daly and denied the charge.

The charge alleged that between October 28, 2010 and April 25, 2012, Madramootoo conspired

with Phillip Madramootoo and Nizam Ramkissoon to continuously approve payments, which were made to the contractor of the engineering firm for works that were incompetently and incorrectly done with inferior materials to rehabilitate the GMC building at Robb and Alexander Streets, Bourda, Georgetown, while knowing that such works should not have been approved.

Attorney for the engineer, Glenn Hanoman made a bail application for his client, noting that he was not hiding from the Police but was however studying in Trinidad and Tobago.

He requested that Madramootoo be granted bail, explaining that the charge against him is civil in nature. However, Police Prosecutor Richard

Engineer Hanneil Madramootoo

Harris noted that efforts were made for Madramootoo and his co-accused, Phillip Madramootoo and his friend Nizam Ramkissoon to be deported to Guyana to face the charge against him but

Man acquitted on rape charge …Judge encourages defendant to avoid trouble

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braham Brown was on Wednesday freed on a charge of raping a 13-yearold girl which allegedly occurred almost two years ago.

Represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson, the accused faced trial over a few days at the Sexual Offences Court in Georgetown. However, after the 12-member jury considered the evidence, they returned a unanimous not guilty verdict, which meant that they disbelieved that Brown sexually penetrated the child on August 28, 2016, in the county of Demerara.

After he was freed, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow encouraged him to use the case as a reminder to stay out of trouble and to avoid heavy use of alcohol. She said he should not use such substances to the point where he cannot remember what occurred. The Judge remarked that Brown should engage in “clean fun” and use this case as an opportunity to put his life together. The case was prosecuted by Tiffini Lyken and Abigail Gibbs.

Abraham Brown leaving court after he was freed

same proved futile.

Hanoman revealed his client’s willingness to have his travel documents lodged and as such Magistrate Daly granted bail in the sum of $1 million. That sum was later reduced to $500,000.

The case will continue on

June 29. Arrest warrants were issued for the other two co-accused – Phillip Madramootoo and Nizam Ramkissoon.

Previously, the charges were brought against the then GMC managers Nizam Hassan, and Felecia De Souza-

Madramootoo but were subsequently dismissed. The Special Organised Crime Unit had launched an investigation into the construction of the building and after it was discovered that there were several engineering faults in the structure.

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thursDAY, may 31, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Piracy massacre

Corentyne businessman charged with murder of fisherman

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Corentyne, Berbice businessman was on Wednesday refused bail when he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court accused of killing a fisherman during the recent piracy attack.

Nakool Manohar, called “Fyah”, 39, the alleged mastermind was not required to plea to the indictable charge. Appearing before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, Manohar remained emotionless in the docks as the charge was read to him.

It is alleged that between April 26 and May 3, 2018, while in Guyana’s territorial waters, he murdered Tilacknauth Mohabir, called “Caiman”.

The businessman was remanded. The case will continue on June 13.

He was also further remanded to the two previous charges of robbery on the high seas committed in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Two murder charges Heavy drama unfolded inside the packed courtroom and the prosecutor presented two murder charges to the court for Mohabir. However, the defendant’s legal representative, Attorney Joel Edmond, successfully argued that one of the charges was bad in law and so had to be withdrawn.

The second count of murder carried the same facts and was for that of Mahesh Sarjoo, called “Cooba” Edmond argued that in a haste to pin charges, the Police placed improper

Nakool Manohar called “Fyah”

documentation before the court. He argued that the law does not permit for the two charges to be lumped together. “They have to be individual charges… I am therefore asking this court to dismiss the charge against my client. I am submitting that based on the facts or lack of facts, the court should discharge this matter.”

However, Police Prosecution, Inspector Orin Joseph requested that the name be amended on the charges and had the name of Sarjoo be struck out.

The Magistrate allowed the amendment and Manohar was then read the charge of murder of Mohabir.

The accused is expected to be back in court shortly to have another murder charge read to him.

During the hearing, Attorney Edmond questioned the legality of the trial taking place in Guyana, when the alleged offence was committed in

Suriname territority.

However, Inspector Joseph cited the Piracy Act of 2008 under Chapter 14 which states: “Where an offence under this Act is committed outside Guyana, the person committing such offence may be dealt with in respect of the commission of the offence as if the offence had been committed at any place within Guyana or its territorial waters.

Mohabir and Sarjoo’s bodies were the only two that were positively identified by relatives in Suriname after the attack by pirates on four fishing boats at a place called Wia Wia Bank in the Atlantic Ocean.

Reports coming out of Suriname indicated that 20 fishermen were the victims of that attack and 11 are still missing and feared dead.

Meanwhile, one of the two other bodies found is still to be identified and that is awaiting DNA results. The other was that of Gowkaran Outar whose body was found on the Number 63 Beach. He was identified by a tattoo on his upper body.

Relatives clash Outside the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, relatives and supporters of the accused flocked the courtyard which was filled with relatives of some of the missing fishermen and those of Mohabir and Sarjoo.

A heated exchange ensued between the mother of the accused and relatives of some of the missing men.

(Andrew Carmichael)

Education, birth certificate woes affect Indigenous communities – UNICEF study

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n an attempt to bridge the gap between the hinterland communities and the coastland, several studies documented on the hinterland communities and people were on Wednesday released to the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry for further revisions.

The report contains a year of recordings and research projects that were spearheaded by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, with persons from various hinterland communities in Guyana.

The programme was developed with the main focus on women and children, which is expected to aid in women empowerment in these communities.

Representative from UNICEF Sylvie Fouet noted that while this was the first study of its kind in Guyana, there have been several projects that were conducted in the past to assist with the acquisition of sustainable development goals. This was so, since there were many failed projects in the past which resulted in the people being dependent on the Government for support.

Two findings from the research indicate that some 20 per cent of the 78,000 Indigenous individuals do not possess a birth certificate while many children fail to continue with the secondary education programme after

UNICEF representatives presenting the final report to Minister Sydney Allicock and Minister Garrido-Lowe

graduating from the primary system.

“The challenge is quite common in different areas.

It’s more if you have sufficient teachers and settings to absorb but the absorption and the entry are not much different in the hinterland and coastland,” she stated.

Fouet stated that one of the key reasons why children fail to attend school is because they have to leave their communities to access these classes; a transition which many are afraid to do.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry Valerie Garrido-Lowe noted that this study was important, so as to better the understanding of the authorities who are attempting assist these communities.

“Indigenous peoples were indeed a vulnerable group so we decided that we should focus on a study of Indigenous women and children so that we can get facts to help us, as to how to deal with

Indigenous communities.”

She commented on the action plan that the Ministry is hoping to execute by supplying remote communities with basic necessities and educational facilities that are lacking, which was determined as a result of the study.

Additionally, the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock highlighted that those persons residing in the hinterland communities are accustomed to their own practices and language. Hence, it would require the need to implement these modern ideas into the areas without any effects being demonstrated onto the people.

In the coming future, major issues that will be dealt with include the availability of birth certificates, adequate health facilities, systems to report sexual abuse and mechanisms that will ensure that children complete their secondary education programme.

Allicock yet to issue...

“Several communities are targeted for demarcation and work is continuing,” Allicock asserted despite members of the Opposition calling for the Minister to provide greater explanation on the matter.

Allicock also lamented the time constraints of the project given its sensitive nature.

He said had the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) been in place, it would have afforded more technical resources.

In his report, Allicock also noted that the Ministry was working to complete the demarcation of an additional four communities by the end of the stated project life, which concludes in October.

The Minister also indicated that it was likely that an extension would have to be sought to allow for all unresolved Amerindian land titling. He said, “We are in discussion and we are hoping that we could have another extension. We would have to come up with some justifying facts to seek an extension.”

Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai argued strongly that from the information provided on the project, it seemed that the Government was dragging its feet on the issue and as such, the land titling process was now at a standstill.

She said, “The Ministry which is a partner to all the other units that have been working in support of process-

ing, granting land and demarcating lands to Indigenous people need to be more efficient…with the pace at which they are going, they may need at least two years’ extension and millions more.”

Allicock conceded that there were a number of issues affecting progression in some communities. He was asked to submit those reasons to the Committee in writing

by Committee Chair Odinga Lumumba.

Committee members were also keen to find out about progress being made specifically in Rockstone. Residents there have repeatedly raised concerns over land titling matters.

Allicock explained that the issues in the community were unique where elections recently took place, paving the way for a new Council to take office. He said “things have already been put in place” to address the land titling issue not only in Rockstone but in all Amerindian communities.

In an attempt to school the Government members on the importance of land titling and demarcation to Indigenous peoples, Sukhai said that she was convinced that the Minister and his advisers were not too clear about the issue and as such, she advised them to do some research and acquaint themselves with them. She also criticised the Ministry for not continuing the progress made under the previous Administration.

from page 7

The Government in 2013 signed a US$10.7 million agreement for the implementation of the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation project, which concluded in 2016.

However, an extension in 2017 was requested resulting in $165 million being earmarked for the advancing of the remaining identified areas.

So far, 13 communities have applied for absolute grants for the first time. Of that number, seven have received approval and six have been demarcated. Out of 23 communities, 14 have been issued with Certificates of Title.

But not one single community has so far received a title under the new Government.

The ALT project seeks to achieve three major goals: completion of land titling issues and demarcation process for all Amerindian villages that submitted requests; increased use of existing and alternative mechanisms to resolve land titling disputes and a communication strategy, including a handbook describing the process of titling, demarcation, and social economic impact of secured land tenure.

The project is being financed from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). (Samuel Sukhnandan)

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thursDAY, may 31, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

New expo seeks to promote local businesses on international market

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ompanies that wish to partner with local Guyanese businesses will now have a greater chance of doing so at the Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition (GUYTIE), an event that was organised by the Private Sector Commission under the theme “Made Locally, Trading Globally”.

The expo was launched on Wednesday in the company of the Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Caribbean Export

Minister Gaskin noted that there was the need for the prominent Guyana Expo (GuyExpo) to undergo a makeover to facilitate companies that would like to capitalise on the services that are being produced here in Guyana.

“I don’t think that GuyExpo was achieving the type of outcomes that we as a Government are looking for. It was successful in its own way but we wanted a model that was more focused on matching exhibitors with potential international buyers and pro-

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin giving remarks at the launching of the new expo at the Marriott Hotel. Also in photo are PSC Chairman Edward Boyer and Go-Invest CEO Owen Verwey

GuyExpo event, the PSC has engaged prospective buyers from a different an-

A section of the gathering at the launching

Development Agency (CEDA) and other partnering companies.

During his remarks,

moting exports.”

Consequently, to enhance the services that were offered at the

gle by introducing a business to business setting.

The event is expected to see a number of potential

investors and partners who will be educated on the export ready businesses and services that are produced in Guyana.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Edward Boyer was at the launch and said the exhibition will be timely for local businesses in search of export markets.

“It is important that we recognise we are no longer isolating ourselves from the rest of the Caribbean or the world at large. To achieve maximum benefits we must be able to meet international standards, create effective distribution channel and market effectively. GUYTIE will

no doubt be an instrumental part of achieving these goals.”

Meanwhile, Senior Advisor of Caribbean Export Development Agency, Damie Sinanan related that this initiative was a timely one which coincides with the advancements in other leading industries and as such, successful collaborations among businesses worldwide will lead to increased benefits.

“Caribbean Export will now focus heavily on market penetration, supplied trade development and intelligence frameworks, increased access to finance, promotion of green energy

and energy efficiency and other key factors in lowering production costs and increasing private sector efficiency among the region,” Sinanan stated.

“An extremely critical part in the success of this programme is the improvement in the business enabling environment as we seek to development, more public-private dialogue and public-private collaboration, which we see GUYTIE being a significant step forward,” he added.

Many outstanding local businesses that were established throughout the years will be engaging in the exhibition to promote their trades. Some of them include Banks DIH (D’Aguiars Industries and Holdings), GTT, Massy Industries and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

The exhibition is slated for September 19-22 at the Marriott Hotel and will feature Guyanese producers who are seeking to widen their export capacity. The organisers are encouraging local businesses to secure their spot where training will be provided to improve their interpersonal skills.

Govt investigating Mae’s cultural Mohamed Enterprise donates to 12 NGOs day incident – Minister

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he incident involving a nine-year-old student at Mae’s Schools being prevented from attending class in full traditional Amerindian wear during a Culture Day activity has received the attention of Government, which is now investigating.

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock has expressed surprise at the incident, telling media operatives at the sidelines of a meeting at Parliament on Wednesday that it goes against what the Government is trying to do, and that is to bring social cohesion and national unity among all the many ethnics groups, through various efforts.

“It is something I would not have expected since we are embarking upon social cohesion and unifying of the country. We are a multiethnic, multiracial community and we should be more understanding and respectful for the citizens of the country… however we have the relevant authorities addressing this as I speak,” he added.

Nevertheless, he said Government is very concerned about the incident and as such has moved towards trying to get to the bottom of the issue by investigating what took place. Allicock said while his Ministry will be integrally involved in the entire investigation, the team will be led by someone from the Education Ministry

Recipients of the donations made by Nazar Mohamed after receiving their cheques

which has direct responsibility over all schools.

Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie GarridoLowe has also commented on the issue, stating that the school owes the child and his parents an apology.

“I think they should have thought it through and viewed it [attire] as his culture and explained its significance to the other students who may not have understood. They should have taken the opportunity to teach the children about the Indigenous culture,” she said.

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) on Tuesday joined with the Amerindian Peoples’ Association (APA) and Red Thread in criticising the actions taken by the administration of the private institution.

The concerned organisations and a number of persons took part in a picket exercise outside the school, after the mother of the primary school child vented her frustrations on social media after the private institution deemed the boy’s Indigenous outfit “inappropriate”.

NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks during the picketing exercise said Indigenous people respect other races and expressed total disgust at the entire episode. In the same vein, he questioned if Government was truly serious about advancing social cohesion.

The school’s administration in a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon offered an alternative account of the events of May 25, 2018 – Culture Day

– saying that all students were briefed on the activity, noting that no clothing that exposed them was allowed.

“All children were told that plain T-shirts and tights/shorts should be worn under clothes that would otherwise expose them,” the school highlighted.

While the school has been refusing to take responsibility for their action, a letter to parents on Culture Day, contradicts the school's position, which stated, “Pupils will be allowed to dress in their cultural wear, depicting an ethnic group of their choice on Friday, May 2015, 2018.”

The letter signed by Director of Primary, Soneia Glasgow has been circulating on social media.

M

o h a m e d ’ s Enterprise on Wednesday made a timely donation to twelve organisations which assists less fortunate and persons living with disabilities.

The donation has become an annual tradition for the gold company over the years and the company sees it as a way of demonstrating the true spirit of giving back to the communities.

Representative of the company, Nezam Zaman told the small gathering that “we witnessed the trials that our brother in humanity faces, loss of health, security and shelter, presence of hunger and fear of what tomorrow hold, so

Mr Mohamed have found a perfect alley to give”.

Zaman added that this has impacted the lives of the less fortunate and they are happy to contribute to the cause and hope that their modest contribution will assist in everyway.

The recipients were, Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre, Sorsha Williams Foundation, Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanage, Joshua House, Guyana Society for the blind, Bait-ur-Rahma, St Ann’s Orphanage, St John Bosco Orphanage, Ruimveldt Children Aid Center, Guyana Islamic Relief Organization, Dharam Shala and Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals.

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, may 31, 2018

Regional

New Cuba leader praises Maduro in ‘solidarity’ visit to Venezuela

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uba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel flew into in Caracas on Wednesday for his first foreign visit as head of state, a show of solidarity for Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro whose controversial re-election this month drew fire in the West.

“Venezuela now needs our solidarity,” Diaz-Canel told Venezuela’s Constituent Assembly, a pro-government legislative superbody set up last year. “The aggression against Venezuela harms all of America.”

The United States, the European Union and major Latin American nations have condemned Maduro’s May 20 re-election, saying it did not meet democratic standards. Two of his rivals were barred from

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel smile during his welcoming ceremony at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela May 30, 2018

standing and the election board is run by loyalists.

The US Government imposed new sanctions on the crisis-stricken oil-producing country.

But China and Russia have warned against meddling in the socialist-run nation, and fellow leftist governments in the region from Cuba to Bolivia have offered

warm support. Maduro was the first foreign leader to meet with Diaz-Canel last month after he succeeded Raul Castro to become President of the communist-run island.

Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest oil reserves, exchanges crude for Cuban medical and other technical services, though deliveries have dropped over the past few years during an economic implosion in the OPEC member of 30 million people.

Diaz-Canel flew to Venezuela with his wife Liz Cuesta as first lady, in a break with custom during the nearly 60 years’ rule by the Castro brothers Fidel and Raul who generally travelled without their wives. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica, US to sign MoU to combat child trafficking

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he Government of Jamaica and the United States of America will tomorrow sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Child Protection Compact

Partnership.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade informed that Jamaica is the fourth country to have been selected for this CPC Partnership, which will last for a period of

five years (2018-2022).

The ministry said the partnership signifies the commitment of the Government of Jamaica and the United States to achieve shared objectives aimed at

reducing child trafficking.

The CPC Partnership facilitates the award of up to US$5 million in US foreign assistance and was previously signed with Ghana, Philippines and Peru. (Jamaica

Observer)

Caricom countries urged to collaborate more to fight crime

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amaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Rudyard Spencer, has called on members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to collaborate more in the fight against corruption at ports in the region.

Addressing the Caricom Chiefs of Immigration and Comptrollers of Customs Conference, Spencer said it is through continuous collaboration that “we will defeat crime at our regional borders”.

The State Minister said that in this age of terrorism, cybercrime and organised criminal networks, Caricom continues to face rising levels of crime.

“Gang warfare in the never-ending battle for control of scarce resources continues to tear apart the social fabric of our communities and countries and destroy the lives of so many of our young people,” Spencer added.

He encouraged the chiefs

of immigration and comptrollers of customs from the different Caricom nations present, to continue to promote the rejection of corruption in the forms of illegal drug trade, trafficking of firearms, identity theft and data breaches, among their nationals they have employed, and citizens.

The Minister noted that hosting the Caricom Chiefs of Immigration and Comptrollers of Customs Conference at this time in Jamaica, is “timely”.

The conference which ends today, is aimed at bringing regional border security officials together in a forum that examines trends and to exchange best practices to enhance the regional crime and security agenda of the Caribbean in a wholesome manner.

More than 60 participants from various CARICOM territories are participating.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Trinidad teacher fired for wearing hijab to work at Hindu school

US$1.5M project to build greater climate resilience through technology in Caribbean

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he Caribbean Development Bank has approved a project that aims to increase the use of technology to build greater climate resilience throughout the region.

Funded through a grant of US$1.5 million and to be executed by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) over a three-year period, the project approved on Monday will support flight-mapping services to collect Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for almost 10,000 square kilometres of vulnerable Caribbean coastal areas.

The grant provides resources for the preparation of an Intellectual Property Policy (IPP) and the creation of a product develop-

Daniel Best, Director, Projects Department at the Caribbean Development Bank which is funding the project

ment and marketing strategy for the Centre, as well as the training of 38 end-users from the Bank’s Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) in the applications of LiDAR data.

“Generating quality sci-

entific data and information products, data sharing, and ease of data access and transfer, are important aspects of building climate resilience across the region because they support an improved understanding of cli-

mate risks and impacts,” said Daniel Best, Director, Projects Department, CDB. LiDAR is a remote sensing technology used to obtain highly accurate elevation measurements of the earth’s surface. LiDAR technology is capable of simultaneously gathering both topographic and bathymetric data, which are used to provide detailed information of land and ocean floors, and offer economies of scale.

The project fills an important gap in efforts to design new climate-resilient investments, retrofit existing infrastructure, support coastal zone management, identify natural hazards and formulate disaster risk management strategies throughout the region. (Excerpt

from Caribbean360)

Taiwan, Haiti sign new bilateral agreement

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aiwan and Haiti have signed an agreement aimed at further strengthening their bilateral relationship. President Tsai Ing-wen and the Haitian President Jovenel Moise signed the accord that both countries said would prove beneficial to their population.

The agreement calls for the establishment of a high-level task force that will draft, within 60 days,

new terms of collaboration on economic and infrastructure development in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country as well as potential ways to attract more Taiwanese investors.

Haiti is among a handful of Caricom countries that still maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan that China considers to be a renegade province and during the sign-

ing ceremony, President Moise, who is on an official visit to the country, thanked Tsai and the people of Taiwan for their long-term support of his country’s development.

He said this latest agreement would further boost economic growth and provide employment opportunities.

Tsai responded by reaffirming Taiwan’s willingness to help on such mutually beneficial projects,

and said she looks forward to communication and understanding being the foundation of all future collaboration.

Moise pledged his support for Taiwan and reiterated his support for the country’s participation at the World Health Assembly (WHA), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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Nafisah Nakhi

he story of a hijab-wearing teacher in Trinidad, Nafisah Nakhi, a 23-year-old engineering student, who was refused entrance into a Hindu school for wearing the hijab to work, is the biggest news-making event in the country since last February’s carnival. The issue has united most Trinidadians across all racial and religious boundaries who see it as an affront to the country’s secular constitution and the spirit of the nation.

Nakhi went on YouTube to share her story on May 22. She was hired by the Education Ministry and appointed to the Lakshmi Girls College to do her training.

When she got to the school, she was refused entrance to the compound because of her hijab.

Nakhi was informed by school board that she had a choice of removing the hijab before reaching the school’s compound if she wanted to continue her appointed training.

The issue was then escalated when the former Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, sided with Nakhi

and the Education Ministry’s statement that the school’s action was a violation of her religious freedom.

As a result, Sat Maharaj, chief of the Trinidad and Tobago Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, and a controversial figure linked to the radical ideologies of the RSS, condemned PersadBissessar’s public statement on the hijab issue and lectured her on behaviour, norms and values. He also threatened her with the Hindu-vote at the next national elections.

Meanwhile, the government of the twin-island republic, pays teachers at Hindu, Muslim and Christian schools, which must abide with the constitution of Trinidad and Tobago and the curriculum of the Education Ministry.

The issue will now go to the High Court according to Attorney General, Faris Al Rawi. Meanwhile, Nakhid, has been offered a job at the Rural Development and Local Government Ministry.

She will work as a mechanical engineering-trainee at the Ministry’s Engineering Unit on Monday. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

thursDAY, may 31, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Journalist reveals he faked his death Trump signs Right to Try Act for terminally to thwart Moscow plot

Smiling, and looking a little sheepish, Babchenko appeared before a surreal press conference held

by Ukraine’s SBU security service. He apologised to his wife for the “nightmare” he had caused her but said there had been no alternative to playing at being dead

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rkady Babchenko, the Russian journalist whose murder was dramatically announced

by Ukraine on Tuesday, emerged very much alive on Wednesday and said he had faked his own death in order to thwart a plot by Moscow to kill him.

Ukrainian officials announced on Tuesday that Babchenko, a veteran war correspondent, had been shot three times in the back as he left his apartment in the capital Kiev to buy bread. His wife discovered him lying in a puddle of blood and Babchenko died in an ambulance on the way to

hospital, they said.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Volodymyr Groysman, promptly blamed the Kremlin for Babchenko’s “death” and suggested he had been targeted because of his professional work.

To complete the picture, the authorities released a sketch of the likely assassin. It revealed a bearded middle-aged man wearing a baseball cap.

On Wednesday Babchenko revealed that this was all an elaborate special operation – a hoax, in fact.

The news that Babchenko was alive and

the sight of the reporter prompted gasps from journalists at the press conference. Speaking in Russian, for which he apologised, Babchenko said Ukraine’s SBU had learned of a “serious” plan to kill him two months ago and warned him about it one month ago. The plot originated in Moscow and from “Government security services”, he said.

Details of the precise threat to Babchenko’s life were murky. Vasyl Hrytsak, the head of the SBU, said Russia’s spy agencies had contacted a middleman, identified only as “G”, and paid him $40,000 to arrange

the murder. The middleman in turn approached a former Ukrainian volunteer soldier to carry out the hit, together with additional “terrorist acts”, he said.

The middleman was now in custody, Hrytsak said, showing video of a middle-aged, white-haired man being bundled by officers into a van. Hrytsak added that phone intercepts had revealed his contacts in Moscow. Dozens of contract killings had been averted, he suggested, claiming that the list of potential victims in Ukraine stretched to 30 names.

The Ukrainian suspect was supposed to buy a large quantity of weapons and explosive, including 300 AK47 rifles and “hundreds of kilos of explosives”, Hrytsak alleged.

The general prosecutor, Yuriy Lutsenko, appeared alongside Babchenko, who was dressed at Wednesday’s press conference in a black hoodie. Lutsenko said it was necessary to fake the journalist’s death so the organisers of the plot to kill him would believe they had succeeded.

Babchenko left Moscow in February 2017 and settled with his wife and family in Ukraine. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

US televangelist appeals to followers for US$54M private jet

A

n American televangelist is appealing for donations to fund the purchase of a US$54 million business jet, saying that if Jesus was still preaching he "wouldn't be riding a donkey".

Jesse Duplantis, 68, whose Christian ministry is based in Louisiana, made the appeal for a Dassault Falcon 7X jet in a video for his followers.

Jesse Duplantis

Ministries has already gone through three private planes, "burning them up for the Lord Jesus Christ", he said.

"Now some people believe that preachers shouldn't have jets," he said in the video. "I really believe that preachers oughta have and go on every available voice, every available outlet to get this gospel preached to the world."

Duplantis said he need-

ed the jet "so we can go anywhere in the world one stop" and he recounted a conversation he said he had with God about needing the plane.

"He said, 'Jesse, you wanna come up where I'm at?'" Duplantis said. "And I said, 'What do you mean?'

"He said, 'I want you to believe in me for a Falcon 7X,'" Duplantis said.

"I can't live long enough to travel by car, or by ship,

or by train, but I can do it by an airplane," he said.

"I really believe that if Jesus was physically on the Earth today he wouldn't be riding a donkey," he said.

"He'd be in an airplane preaching the gospel all over the world."

The eight-passenger Falcon 7X can fly from Paris to Tokyo or Shanghai to Seattle on a single tank of fuel. (The Telegraph)

India: Police Officer threatened for saving Muslim man from mob

A

n Indian Police Officer hailed as a hero for protecting a Muslim man from being lynched by a mob has begun receiving death threats, Police say.

Gagandeep Singh, an officer in the northern state of Uttarakhand, shot to fame after a video of him saving a Muslim man from a Hindu mob went viral on social media last week.

The man was visiting a temple with his Hindu girlfriend. The mob surrounded the man and tried to attack, accusing him of "love jihad".

The term has been popularised by radical Hindu fringe groups who accuse Muslim men of participating in a conspiracy to turn Hindu women from their religion by seducing them.

When the video was first shared online, many called Singh a "role model" for all Indians, and his story was carried in many mainstream Indian publications.

"I was just doing my duty. Even if I was not in uniform, I would have done the same thing and every Indian should do the same," he was quoted as saying by

Gagandeep Singh shot to fame after a video of him saving a Muslim man from a Hindu mob went viral

local media.

However it did not take long for people to criticise Mr Singh's actions, accusing him of defending "indecent

behaviour". Police officials working with him have said that he has received threats to his life, and has been sent on leave. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ill patients

Nine-year-old Jordan McLinn, who has muscular dystrophy, shook President Donald Trump's hand

P

resident Donald Trump has signed a bill giving terminally ill patients the right to try experimental treatments not approved by the Government. Patients were able to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for access to non-approved drugs before, and most were granted permission.

The new bill does not mandate that drug makers give access to unapproved drugs to patients asking for them. Advocacy groups including the American Cancer Society had opposed the bill.

After signing the bill, Trump handed his pen to nine-year-old Jordan McLinn, who has been diagnosed with a form of terminal muscular dystrophy.

Jordan, who the bill is named for, has been accept-

ed into a clinical programme in Chicago where he has been receiving weekly infusions. He and his mother, Laura, had travelled from Indianapolis for the White House event. The new Right to Try Act allows patients with life-threatening diseases to bypass the FDA's application process for "compassionate use" of experimental drugs.

Patients seeking access to "investigational drugs" now need only the approval of their physician and the drug manufacturer. The new bill protects doctors and companies from the legal risks of allowing unapproved treatments unless they intentionally harm a patient.

The policy that patients must have exhausted all other approved treatments and clinical trial options remains. (Excerpt from BBC News)

North Korea official in US for talks on summit, differences remain

A

senior North Korean official made a rare visit to the United States on Wednesday for talks about a possible summit between the leaders of the two countries but the sides appeared far apart on the central issue of Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons.

Kim Yong Chol, a close aide of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Vice Chairman of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Committee, arrived at New York’s John F Kennedy airport on a flight from Beijing.

He was later seen entering a hotel in midtown Manhattan.

Kim Yong Chol is due to meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss whether to go ahead with an unprecedented meeting between US President Donald Trump

and North Korean leader Kim. The summit, originally planned for June 12 in Singapore, has been cast in doubt as the two countries – which have technically been at war since the 1950s – test each other’s diplomatic mettle.

Trump last week called off the summit after North Korea expressed anger at comments by senior US officials. But Trump later said he was reconsidering his position and US, North Korean and South Korean officials have gone ahead with summit preparations anyway.

The White House said on Wednesday that negotiations at the demilitarized zone along the border between North and South Korea for the summit were going well and that it expects the historic meeting to take place on June 12. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, May 31, 2018

ARCHIE

Rely on what you know, not on what someone sug(March 21- gests. Dig deep and get to the April 19) bottom of any situation that appears to be unfair. A proactive approach will bring the best results.

ARIES

Stick to tried-and-true methTAURUS ods and avoid getting caught up (April 20- in someone else’s dream. Know May 20) what’s best for you, and steer clear of someone looking for an argument.

dilbert

A thirst for knowledge will GEMINI (May 21- lead to conversations with peoJune 20) ple who spark your imagination and motivate you to take on new projects. Keeping busy, taking a day trip, or attending a conference is encouraged.

Listen and be receptive to what’s said. What you learn (June 21- will help you make adjustJuly 22) ments that will improve your relationships and reputation.

Personal improvements are favoured.

CANCER

Peanuts

Slow down, observe what LEO others are doing and make (July 23- your choices based on firstAug. 22) hand information. Know what you are up against before you make a move.

Calvin and Hobbes

Your actions will take VIRGO precedence over your words.

(Aug. 23Don’t talk about what you Sept. 22) should do or make promises that aren’t reasonable. Do what you can without being asked.

Find out what others LIBRA (Sept. 23- want from you, and do your Oct. 23) best to deliver. Holding back will send the wrong signal to someone who depends on you. It’s best not to disappoint someone in command.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — REPAYS (REPAYS: ree-PAYS: Gives back in return or in compensation.)

Average mark 20 words

Your knowledge and inSAGITTARIUS telligence are your best (Nov. 23weapons.

Don’t engage in Dec. 21) situations that are based on false information or an unreliable offer. Take care of matters yourself.

Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 28 or more words in REPAYS? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — STAMMER

same sate seam sear seat seta smart smear star

stare steam stem stream tame tamer tare team tear

term tram tsar arms aster mare mart maser mast

master mate meat mesa east rase rate ream rest

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

Communication will SCORPIO clear up uncertainty you’ve (Oct. 24been feeling.

Look for alterNov. 22) native solutions that will encourage you to use your skills and be more creative.

solution

Make positive changCAPRICORN es that bring you closer to (Dec. 22- loved ones. Pick up the pace Jan. 19) and do the work rather than hire someone at a premium.

Get everyone you live with involved in your plans.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t let someone’s bravado get to you. You are best off rejecting any offer to be indulgent or frivolous with a simple “No, thanks.” Offer suggestions or hands-on help, not cash.

Make personal changes that will leave you feeling good about the way you look.

You’ll attract attention, and you should consider an offer that someone presents.

Romance is in the stars.

thursDAY, may 31, 2018

19

Usain Bolt trains with Norwegian top-flight side Stromsgodset

E

ight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is training with Norwegian top-flight football team Stromsgodset.

The Jamaican sprinter, 31, is scheduled to play a training match against Norway Under-19s in his week at the club.

Bolt, the 100m and 200m world record holder, has already trained with Borussia Dortmund and South African club Sundowns this year.

“Maybe a club will see something and decide to give me a chance,” said Bolt, who is preparing for a charity game.

He will captain a team of celebrities and footballers at the Soccer Aid match for Unicef on 10 June at Old Trafford.

“He is a good football player, otherwise he would not have been training with us,” said

Stromsgodset director of football Jostein Flo. Flo said Bolt had been given shirt number 9.58 - his world record time for the 100m.

The Manchester United fan has spoken previously about wanting to get into professional football, having retired from athletics last year.

His arrival at Stromsgodset was a surprise for the players.

Flo, a former Sheffield United striker, said: “We told them a player was coming to try out and that he was damn fast - the door opened, and Bolt came in. It was a shock for them, they couldn’t believe it.

“He is one of the greatest athletes throughout all ages, and of course we can learn a lot from him.

“His presence will undoubtedly be a great inspiration for players, coaches, and the whole club.” (BBCSport)

Halep beats Alison Riske to reach 2nd round W

Angry Luis Figo parts ways with Premier Futsal, calls it “complete failure”

A

Former Portugal captain Luis Figo has parted company with Premier Futsal, slamming the organisers for “continuous breach of obligations”

n irate Luis Figo has parted ways with Premier Futsal, calling the five-a-side tournament a “complete failure” while slamming the organisers for “continuous breach of obligations” towards the legendary Portuguese footballer and other players involved in the project.

As president of Premier Futsal, Figo has been involved with the multi-city tournament since its first edition in 2016.

“I would like to announce that I am no longer the Honourary President of Premier Futsal, having ceased my relationship with Premier Futsal Management (P) Limited,” legendary former Portugal skipper said in a statement.

“After two years of intense collaboration, I have decided to leave the project having in mind the complete failure of

their representatives and and officers to fulfill the agreement and, most important, for their continuous breach of their obligations towards me and other players involved in the project,” he added.

The former Real Madrid ‘galactico’, who was part of the famed Galácticos, said Premier Futsal has lost its way.

“Premier Futsal has completely lost its path to move forward and to fulfil its obligations towards those who worked and delivered on the project,” Figo said.

“Nevertheless, I wish to reaffirm my continuing support for the long term development of the game of the futsal.”

On its part, Premier Futsal sought to put up a defence, saying they were faced with many obstacles.

“We had a few financial issues due to the hostile environment that was created

for us to operate under and monetization became difficult because of the various hurdles,” Premier Futsal MD Dinesh Raj said in a statement.

“Figo is aware of all of the above and the reasons behind it, and he’s been kept informed completely. He’s been engaged for over two years as president and we’ve honoured all obligations including his quarterly salaries during this period except the final payment delay.”

It added, “We respect his decision and thank him for the support over the 2+ years where he stood by 3 young entrepreneurs with a dream to do big things and contribute to the Indian sports ecosystem.”

Former Portugal captain Luis Figo has parted company with Premier Futsal, slamming the organisers for “continuous breach of obligations. (Hindustan Times)

orld number one Simona Halep began her bid for a first Grand Slam title with a gutsy fightback in her rain-delayed French Open first-round match.

Halep, last year’s runner-up, lost the first set before recovering to win 2-6 6-1 6-1 against American Alison Riske.

Ukraine’s fourth seed Elina Svitolina reached the third round with a 6-3 6-4 win over Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova.

T w o - t i m e Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, seeded eighth, also beat Spain’s L a r a Arruabarrena 6-0 6-4.

Two-time French Open finalist Halep has spent much of the past seven months as the world’s leading female player, despite never transferring her consistency on tour into lifting one of tennis’ most prestigious prizes.

Halep lost to unseeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko in the Roland Garros final last year, one of six defeats in a showpiece over the past year.

But reaching a second final in Paris looked a long way off as she made a woeful start in a match which originally supposed to be played on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Romanian hit 16 unforced errors in a opening set, but then

won nine of the next 10 games to take control.

R i s k e , who is Johanna Konta’s doub l e s partn e r , stemmed the tide by claiming the fourth game of the final set, but only managed to win another 12 points in a final set which Halep won in 28 minutes.

Halep put her sluggish start down to pre-match nerves, which she said were not caused by the extra pressure of finally landing her first major prize.

“I didn’t feel the pressure, because I know that every match is tough at this tournament, so I don’t expect anything,” she said.

“I think the nerves are really good. It means that you care about what you are doing and your desire is really big.”

Halep will face Riske’s compatriot Taylor Townsend in the second round. (BBCSport) Simona Halep

20

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Djokovic

Graeme Smith chats with Hashim Amla during a net session

BEATS

Shelve T20Is, focus on marketing Tests

G

raeme Smith, the former South Africa captain, will do away with T20 internationals if he had the power to, while focusing on improving marketability of Tests to preserve the longest format.

"Maybe the ICC needs to look at six months of T20 cricket domestically and six months of international cricket," Smith said at an event in Mumbai, according to Hindustan Times. "I don't think T20 cricket should be played at the international level. My opinion is to retain domestic T20 competitions and have internation-

al cricket - Test and ODIs - and have a World Cup every couple of years."

Smith, who played 117 Tests in a 12-year international career, felt one way of increasing visibility of marquee tours and "historic Test series" like the Ashes.

"There needs to be investment," he said. "Maybe spend more money marketing Test cricket. So much money is spent in marketing the T20 format. Maybe there can be money marketing the stories and histories in Test cricket.

"What's great for the game is someone like

[India captain] Virat Kohli who wants to do well in Test cricket and be successful and set standard for everyone else. As long as people like him consider Test cricket valuable, it's important for the rest of the world."

Smith called for balance in the international schedule, the only way to ease pressure on players. He cited AB de Villiers' example in saying a cramped calendar might have had a part to play in his sudden retirement from international cricket last week.

"There are not many

players who have played for 14-15 years that can travel nine, 10, 11 months a year, deal with the pressures, plus the family pressures, it's very, very difficult," he said, according to Reuters. "The guy has played international cricket for around 15 years.

"More than anything, he has the right to decide when he's had enough. He will have his own reasons for that, you got to respect that." (ESPNcricinfo)

Jaume Munar to reach 3rd round

N

ovak Djokovic secured his place in the third round of the French Open with a hard-fought 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 6-4 win over Spanish qualifier Jaume Munar.

The former world number one, 31, was given a stern workout by 21-year-old Munar despite victory in straight sets.

Djokovic, seeded 20th at Roland Garros, squandered a 5-2 lead in the first set but came through a tie-break.

Munar did not give the Serb any respite in the next two sets although Djokovic's superiority eventually told.

Djokovic has struggled to rediscover his best form following a return to the court after elbow surgery in January.

This year he has twice lost to players ranked outside the world's top 100 in ATP tournaments and has not won a Grand Slam since the 2016 French Open.

Munar, ranked 155th in the world, fought back in the first set but the more experienced Djokovic kept his composure to emphatically close out the tie-break 7-1.

Djokovic, a 12-time Grand Slam champion, said his confidence had been knocked since his return and was a little scrappy in the second set.

However, he showed flashes of his best in an entertaining final set to see off a spirited effort from Munar in two hours and 18 minutes.

Djokovic will face 13th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the third round after the Spaniard's 6-4 7-5 6-3 win over Santiago Giraldo of Colombia. (BBCSport)

Ex-officials in gymnastics sex abuse scandal subpoenaed by US Senate

U

S marshals on Wednesday served a subpoena on former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon to compel her to appear before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on June 5 on efforts to protect athletes from abuse, a committee spokesman said.

Simon, who resigned from Michigan State in January, and Steve Perry from USA Gymnastics were criticized for not doing enough to halt abuse by former doctor Larry Nassar, who was convicted last year of molesting gymnasts and was sentenced to an effective life term in prison.

It is extremely unusual for a congressional committee to resort to issuing subpoenas – and even more unusual to be forced to take the step of asking the U.S. Marshals Service to serve a subpoena to compel an appearance.

Witnesses can assert the right not to answer questions if they fear the answers could be used against them in a potential criminal prosecution.

A lawyer for Perry, who resigned in March 2017, ac-

Novak Djokovic

athletes who were sexually abused by Nassar and told a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee hearing that “those days are over.” (Reuters)

Michigan State University (MSU) President Lou Anna Simon

cepted a subpoena on his behalf, said spokesman Frederick Hill of the Senate Commerce panel that has been investigating abuse of athletes. Simon was served with a subpoena in Traverse City, Michigan, Hill said.

A lawyer for Simon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A third former official, Rhonda Faehn, who was the women’s program director of USA Gymnastics and was dismissed earlier this

month, has also been called and agreed to testify, Hill said.

It was not immediately clear who is representing Perry or Faehn.

Earlier this month, hundreds of women sexually abused by Nassar tentatively agreed to a $500 million settlement with Michigan State University.

Kerry Perry, chief executive of USA Gymnastics since December, last week apologized to hundreds of female

L

Messi treble fires Argentina to win

ionel Messi said Argentina will "go to Russia with hope" after he scored a hat-trick in their 4-0 World Cup warm-up win over Haiti.

The Barcelona star, 30, also setup Manchester City's Sergio Aguero for the fourth goal against a team ranked 108th in the world.

Aguero began the game on the bench, with Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria starting alongside Messi in attack.

"We're not going as favourites but will give it our all," said Messi.

Messi's first-half opener came from the penalty spot after 17 minutes, then he scored twice after the break before creating the

goal for Aguero, who has recovered from a knee injury, at Boca Junior's stadium in Buenos Aires.

"More than the result we were able to say goodbye to our fans," Messi added. "We had a complicated time in the qualifiers, but we are training well."

Argentina now fly to Barcelona to prepare for World Cup group matches against Iceland on 16 June, Croatia on 21 June and Nigeria on 26 June. (BBCSport) Lionel Messi

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21

FIFA opens new Regional Development Office

for the Caribbean

A

s part of its commitment to drive global football development and further strengthen and enhance ties with confederations and member associations, FIFA has announced the official opening of a new Regional Development Office on Tuesday in the Caribbean to help support football development activities across the region.

Located in Christ Church, Barbados, the new FIFA Regional Development Office for the Caribbean will play a central role in the implementation and coordination of a range of football development projects to be delivered through the FIFA Forward Programme as well as ensuring a permanent FIFA presence in the Caribbean to support member association’s across the region.

Officially opened on Tuesday during a special ceremony attended by Rt. Hon. John King, Minister of the Creative Economy, Culture and Sports, FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, CONCACAF President, Victor Montagliani, and Randolph Harris, President of Barbados Football Association, the regional office will be staffed by a dedicated team of full-time development officers to help support, assist and monitor FIFA development activities

Members of the new FIFA Regional Development Office

in the region.

Caribbean football legends, Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy, also attended the ceremony and took part in a special football match involving players and representatives from across the Caribbean.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General, said: “In line with FIFA 2.0 and FIFA’s overall vision to promote and grow the game, the opening of a new regional office for FIFA in the

Caribbean is an important and exciting milestone that not only further connects FIFA with member associations but will also provide hands-on local support and assistance to benefit grassroots football.

“Through our flagship development programme, FIFA Forward, FIFA is continuing to provide tailored support to confederations and member associations and making a real impact in driving football development around the world.

The opening of a new office

in the Caribbean is another important milestone for FIFA and will ensure that FIFA’s development work continues to make a real and lasting impact in developing football and inspiring a new generation of players throughout the region.”

Victor Montagliani, CONCACAF President, added, “For the first time, there’s an alignment with UNCAF for Central America. Thanks to this regional office, we can now align our strategic plans and focus on similar areas, like

youth football which falls in line with CONCACAF”.

Véron Mosengo-Omba, FIFA Development Director for the Caribbean and Africa Region, also spoke at the ceremony and highlighted the prime role of this Regional office which is “to advise the MAs in the region and best support them with their COAs (Contracts of Agreed Objectives) and to build their football development projects on the ground”.

Randolph Harris, President of the Barbados Football and First VicePresident of the Caribbean Football Union, concluded by saying, “This Regional office matters for what we do as a Union. If we operate as a united frame we will be more efficient. This office is the beginning of a regional central point when it comes to football. We are proud to have it here in Barbados.”

The Caribbean office is the ninth regional development office to be opened by FIFA since the creation of the Forward programme in 2016 with regional FIFA offices having already been established in India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Senegal, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. A tenth regional office will be also launched in Addis Ababa in the summer.

3-time world champion delays retirement for World Series Finals T

hree-time world champion Nick Matthew says he is back "for one week only" after delaying his retirement to play in the World Series Finals in Dubai.

Matthew, 37, failed to qualify for the season-ending tournament but has been called up after Egypt's Marwan ElShorbagy withdrew through injury.

In September, Matthew announced he would retire at the end of the season.

"I didn't go to bed expecting to be woken up with this news this morning," Matthew wrote on Twitter.

Matthew's second-round defeat to qualifier Raphael Kandra at the British Open earlier this month saw him finish ninth in this season's World Series standings, with only the top eight qualifying for the Finals.

World number three ElShorbagy's withdrawal, however, has given him one more shot at glory having finished as runner-up at the event in 2012.

"I need to express my thoughts to [ElShorbagy] as he truly deserved his shot after an amazing season," Matthew added.

"Now I'm there I will give it my absolute best shot as always."

The World Series Finals get under way on 5 June, with England's Laura Massaro and SarahJane Perry competing in the women's event. (BBCSport)

Nick Matthew is a twotime Commonwealth Games singles champion

22

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TO THE RESCUE! …resort chain to sponsor the Windies for hurricane relief game at Lord’s

C

Chris Gayle

ricket West Indies (CWI) on Wednesday made a grand announcement that Sandals Resorts will be acting as the Windies team sponsor for tomorrow’s charity match against the ICC World XI. The highly anticipated match will be played at Lord’s on Thursday, 31st May. The announcement was made today

by Johnny Grave, Chief Executive Officer of CWI, as the WINDIES arrived in London to prepare for the match and came just one day after Digicel publicized their split from CWI. As part of the agreement for the sponsorship, the WINDIES team will have the Sandals logo on their playing and training clothing, stadium branding at Lord’s and Sky Sports broadcast sponsorship of the match.

“We are delighted Sandals have agreed to partner with us on this

Caribbean, Sandals is delighted to be involved in such a prestigious event.

The brand has been the pi-

All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite Sandals UK and Europe Managing Director Karl Thompson

fundraising initiative event. Sandals is a strong Caribbean brand and global leader in the luxury travel industry,” Grave said.

“This match has great significance for the people of the region and we are very grateful for Sandals’ support.”

Managing Director, Sandals, UK and Europe, Karl Thompson, says, “As ambassadors for the

CWI Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave

oneer of luxury hospitality initiatives for over 30 years in the region so to be able to give something back always means a great deal to everybody involved with Sandals”.

The reigning ICC World Twenty20 champions and

two-time champions in this format will be led on Thursday by all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite and the squad includes Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree, Andre Russell and Denesh Ramdin.

All proceeds will be going towards rebuilding and renovating five major venues as well as other community cricket facilities that were damaged

by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The venues that will benefit include Ronald Webster Park in Anguilla, Sir Viv Richards Stadium, Antigua, Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica, Cancryn Cricket Grounds, in the US Virgin Islands and Carib Lumber Ball Park in St Maarten.

The first ball is set to bowl off from at 6pm (1pm Eastern Caribbean Time/12 noon Jamaica Time).

All Seasons Racing Service James wants to bring CBC success to Guyana boosts “Champion of

I

n 1994, Guyana’s senior national men’s basketball team finished second at the Caribbean Basketball Championship (CBC), since then there has not been much joy at the tournament for the locals.

However, seasoned campaigner Gordon James is hopeful this year he can play a crucial role in helping the team go the distance when the Championships are held in Suriname from June 24-30.

“My form heading into this tournament would be to exceed expectations. Right now when it comes to basketball, Guyana is hardly rated, if at all. That must change; it's time,” the power forward told Guyana Times Sport in a recent interview.

He added, “I played in many different countries, nothing compares to representing my country. So, I am optimistic of success.”

The 38-year-old, who is currently based in Brooklyn, New York, was among the top performers during the 2015 Championships held in Tortola and will have to ‘come of age’ and bring an even greater performance given that Guyana are placed in Group A of the 10team tournament alongside rivals and hosts Suriname, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“I would bring toughness, leadership, experience, and overall hard work to the team. My feeling of representing Guyana is second to none. I played in Portugal, Japan, Venezuela, Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina and I always felt a great deal of pride representing the name "James" on the back of my jersey. Representing Guyana was bigger than me, it's about the name on the front of my jersey – [Guyana].”

The locally-based members of the shortlisted team which include his brother, Delroy James, who played an instrumental role to help

Champions” Dominoes

his Greek side AEK Athens win their first FIBA Basketball Champions League, has commenced training, and according to James, the speed at which they jell will impact their performances.

“With any team cohesion plays a huge part and can be vital for the overall success of that team. However, I think that once everyone is focused and have the same common goal –which is winning, that can be even more important.”

James, who was born in Canje, Berbice and named his daughter after the village, contended that Guyana were an underestimated team.

“My impression is that Guyana is underestimated. Reason being either because as a nation we unconsciously feel we don’t have much to be proud for/ of...although I disagree, since I feel sports can change things because the spirit of a team representing its country can display the pride in the people of that nation.”

Additional preparation work for the team will see them travelling to Barbados to face the hosts from June 8 to 10 at the Sir Garfield Sports Complex in Bridgetown.

A stellar showing at the CBC tournament holds great significance, since it will be the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 Caribbean Pre-Qualifier and will qualify two teams for the FIBA AmeriCup 2021 Qualifiers beginning in September.

International player Gordon James is on a mission to bring great joy for Guyana at the Caribbean Basketball Championship slated for June 24-30 in Suriname

All Seasons Racing Service representative Shunile Haniff hands over the cheque for an undisclosed sum to organiser Mark Wiltshire on Tuesday

T

he “Champion of Champions” competition, organised by Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Domino Association (GDA) Mark “Jumbie” Wiltshire and scheduled to commence on Sunday, June 3, at the R&R Sports Bar situated at 76 Meadow Brook Gardens, has attracted another sponsor.

On Tuesday, All Seasons Racing Service, located on Robb Street, joined the growing list of supporters of the tournament when representative Shunile Haniff handed over an undisclosed sum to Wiltshire at the entity’s office.

After thanking the company for its support, Wiltshire said the tournament would see teams that finished first and second in competitions this year bat-

tle invited teams from the three counties of Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo.

The experienced domino executive said over $300,000 in prize monies and trophies will be up for grabs with the winning team set to receive $175,000 and a trophy, while the second, third and fourth-place finishers will take home $75,000, $35,000 and $20,000 respectively, along with trophies.

The entrance fee is $12,000 per team which must be paid on or before the start of play.

The top female player and the Most Valuable Player will receive $5000 respectively.

Wiltshire added that all prizes were guaranteed and interested teams could contact him on 665-5855.

Among the teams anticipated to be participat-

ing are: Gold is Money, All Seasons, Mix Up, Spartans, Rage, Providence, Gangster, C7, C6, Thunder, Phantom, R&R, Turning Point, Masters, Gold Star, Angels and OPKO. The invited teams are: Orange Walk, NIS, East Taxi Service, Sun Flower Hotel out of Essequibo, Rockets, Players, Uprising, Mark Fitness Gym, Yhip’s Bakery, Lippy Lotto from Bartica, Golden Masters, Beacons, Medi Care, Geology & Mines Commission, Caricom, Lil Boys and Lion.

Some of the sponsors include: Dynasty Sports Club, All Seasons Racing Service, Tony’s Jewellery, CBB&L Import & Export, South Land Trading and Boston Casting Jewellery.

Food and drinks will be on sale throughout the day.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, may 31, 2018

23

6 countries to benefit from Digicel Youth Cricket Series

D

igicel and the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) joined the St Michael School at Desmond Haynes Oval in Barbados to launch their regional tour for the Digicel Youth Cricket Series. As the winner of the digital voting campaign in Barbados, the school had a one-day session with Barbadian native and Barbados Tridents bowler, Jason Holder and Digicel Youth Cricket Series Head Coach, Vasbert Drakes.

“Digicel has worked with athletes for almost as long as we’ve been in existence. We believe in sports as a positive outlet for youth and we work to provide opportunities for them to become the sporting stars of the future. The Digicel Youth Cricket Series is one such programme that offers children access to the best players and coaches that CPL has to offer”, said Tari Lovell, Group Sponsorship Manager for Digicel.

As a past student of St. Michael School, Holder was proud to pass on some of his knowledge to the current students. “I am pleased with the turnout of students to-

approachable and exciting for many and draws in fans from all over the world to watch the games each year, either in the stadium, on television or through digital media.

Digicel has also played a fundamental role in bringing CPL to a wider audience through their mobile, social and television platforms across the region.

Fans of the game can download PlayGo for free and tune into the dedicated CPL channel to watch live coverage of the 2018 tournament and past CPL games.

Digicel Group

CPL Ambassador and Barbados Tridents bowler Jason Holder shows some young cricketers from St Michael School his bowling technique at the first staging of the 2018 Digicel Youth Cricket Series

day and being able to be a part of a program such as this that will hopefully produce some bright sparks. I also want to thank Digicel for hosting this program and for showing their support and sponsorship.”

The Digicel Youth Cricket Series will continue in the five remaining CPL countries – Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis,

Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana – and will feature a local CPL player and coach working with the winning schools. The development of future West Indian cricketers through the youth series helps to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the sport in the region.

Coach Drakes said of the session with the students, “I am happy to be here and to

be a part of this programme to share knowledge and create a fun and learning environment and being able to give back to the community.”

Digicel and the CPL have had a long-standing partnership and over the years have worked together to create ‘the biggest party in sport’; the carnival atmosphere of the CPL has made the game

Exxon/Petra U-14 to kick off this weekend

The Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 31 markets throughout the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets, including Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programs.

The CPL, first started in

2013, is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.

Combining broadcast and digital viewership over 197 million fans watched the 2017 season to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket.

Trinbago Knight Riders are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, St Lucia Stars and Jamaica Tallawahs.

Upcoming Digicel Youth Cricket Series Coaching Clinics

Country Jamaica St Lucia St Kitts & Nevis Trinidad & Tobago Guyana

Clinic Dates June 2 June 9 June 17 June 23 July 21

This season the tournament will run from 8 August to 16 September 2018.

Sri Lanka dominate CWI President’s XI on day 1

Dinesh Chandimal

Y

Some of the participants at a team briefing last week

oung footballers across the coastland will show up and show out on Saturday as they commence the ExxonMobil Under-14 Schools’ football league.

The first of its kind, the competition was launched just a few weeks ago and would cater for both males and females.

According to Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca, the league will bridge the gap for school football between the pee-wee league and the secondary school league.

Although the 24 male teams will get down to business on Saturday, the eight female teams will have to wait a little before they are in competition mode.

T h w i l l have

e

females

the privilege of learning new skills before their games begin. As such, the male league will run for seven weeks while the females will go for five weeks.

It is the hope of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) that the tournament will identify and improve talent ahead of the Under-14 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) male and the Under-15 CONCACAF female championships slated for later this year.

The action is expected to kick off at 10:00h on June 2, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

T

he Sri Lankans batted the entire first day at the Brian Lara cricket Ground and piled on 318 – 6 against the Cricket West Indies (CWI) President’s XI in their first warm-up match of their tour to the Caribbean.

On Wednesday, the venue in Tarouba, Trinidad, saw the visiting side win the toss and elected to bat as they faced 89.1 overs before stumps.

Dinesh Chandimal was the first to reach triple figures with a patient innings of 108 which was constructed from 216 balls.

He was supported by opener Kusal Perera who hit an aggressive 65 which

included ten boundaries and Angelo Matthews who struck 41.

The visitors were more keen to get their eye in an adjust to conditions since their batsmen took the time to carefully pick their shots.

Roshen Silva chipped in with 28 as Niroshan Dickwella is overnight in the middle on 26 while Dilruwan Perera is yet to come off of the mark.

Jomel Warrican and Rakheem Cornwall both picked up two wickets for the home side as Miguel Cummings and Raymon Reifer shared one each.

The match continues today.

thursDAY, may 31, 2018

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

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6 countries to benefit from Digicel Youth Cricket Series Pg 23

Youth cricketers from St Michael School in Barbados practise their drills at the first staging of the 2018 Digicel Youth Cricket Series. The series continues across the Region over the next two months

TO THE RESCUE!

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