Guyanatimes 3 may 2018

PriceSmart exploring possible investment P13 in Guyana

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Issue No. 3552

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Cheddi Jagan centenary stamp launched Page 3

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P13 Security guard freed of fisherman’s murder Hotelier murder

“Big Foot” jailed for 33 years P9

...President, PM, Ministers no-show; Opposition not invited Piracy attack

Bodies of 4 fishermen found offshore Suriname

…as search intensifies

World Press Freedom Day

Page 7

GPA calls for removal of sedition clause in Cyber Crimes Bill See stories on pages 9 and 11

…says “living in poverty is worse than living in hell”

Opposition MP says financial instability P10 looming

Mahaica man wanted for 2015 murder of taxi driver P12

Financial P12 irregularities at Region 4 NDCs engaging attention of LGC

The newly-accredited Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Narciso Reinaldo Amador Socorro on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, at his Church Street, Queenstown, Georgetown office

Page 14

Psychiatric evaluation P8 of GDF rank completed

...Sedition has no place in a democracy – GCCI

New Cuban Ambassador meets Opposition Leader

Struggling mother of 10 seeks help to care for children

Alexander Village killing

PNC still snubs WPA on revising APNU Charter

Singh, Brassington charges

Page 10

SOCU lawyers P13 given 1 week to respond to High Court challenge

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, May 3 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, May 4 – 05:00h-06:30h.

...President, PM, Ministers no-show; Opposition not invited

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 3 – 06:05h-07:35h and Friday, May 4 – 06:30h-08:00h.

By Samuel Sukhnandan

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloudy to partly cloudy skies can be expected throughout the day and into the evening, with temperatures ranging between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.34 metres and 6.70 metres.

High Tide: 06:11h and 18:37h reaching maximum heights of 2.67 metres and 2.51 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:11h reaching a minimum height of 0.55 metre.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

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FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 02 06 14 18

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LUCKY 3 5 1 2

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Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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Evening Draw

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Cheddi Jagan centenary stamp launched

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

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he commemorative stamps to mark the 100th birth anniversary of late President Dr Cheddi Jagan were launched on Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency, but senior Government officials were a no-show.

Some close relatives of Dr Jagan and staff of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) were the only ones present for the launch of the commemorative stamp. They included Dr Jagan’s sister, Dr Barbara Jagan and other relatives, including Dr Dionne JaganFries and Dr Kyle Jagan.

Also in attendance were other representatives from the CJRC; the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC); the Guyana Philatelic Society, and the Ministry of the Presidency.

However, not a single senior Government official, Minister of Government nor a representative from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Party he founded, were present for this auspicious event.

Hydar Ally of the CJRC said he was representing the Centre and not the party. He reflected on the life and work of the late President and expressed his gratitude. “It was his steadfast determination and resolve to free his people from the yolk of colonialism and poverty that really distinguished him from others of his time. He played the leading role in the struggle for Independence,” he said.

On the sidelines of the event, Ally was asked whether he deemed the absence of Government officials a slap in the face to the legacy and work of the late President, and he responded in the negative. “I don’t see it that way in any kind.

We have a good relationship with the Centre and the Party,” he explained.

Ally did say, however, that the CJRC was disappointed that the stamp was not launched at the appropriate time.

Lieutenant Colonel Francis Abraham, the Office of the President’s Director of Protocol, who chaired the event in the small Mazaruni Room at the Ministry of the Presidency, also reflected on Dr Jagan’s legacy.

With the clear absence of members of the PPP, the Government was questioned on this matter, but responded in a press statement on Wednesday evening that Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and other PPP executive members were invited not by the Government but the CJRC to be part of the

Relatives of the late President pose for a picture at the unveiling ceremony

event.

According to the Ministry, as part of the agreement with the Centre, Zulfikar Mustapha, Hydar Ally, Indra Chandarpal, Komal Chand and Neil Kumar were invited whereby they would have been provided with printed invitations by the Ministry of the Presidency. However, none of them turned up.

However, Jagdeo had said that neither the PPP nor the Opposition was invited to attend the event.

P u b l i c Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes had announced last month that the GPOC would be issuing commemorative stamps to celebrate the late President’s 100th birth anniversary, following an arrangement with the Research Centre. However, on the day of Jagan’s birth anniversary, March 21, the

Research Centre did not receive the stamps from the Post Office.

Following questions, the GPOC referred the media to the Ministry of the Presidency. President Granger later said that Cabinet had taken a decision that commemorative stamps, which are national symbols, must adhere to national criteria. It was, however, argued that the GPOC is a statutory body corporate managed by a Board of Directors and possesses its

own persona.

The four collectable stamps, two printed in black and white and two in colour, feature portraits of Dr Jagan at various stages throughout is his political career. Printed on them is the text “Dr Cheddi Jagan, Man of the People, former President of Guyana” and also included are his birth and 100th birth anniversary dates, March 22, 1918 and March 22, 2018. The limited edition stamps will be available at all post offices today.

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

The Portuguese in British Guiana

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oday is “Portuguese Arrival Day”. It may not be a public holiday, but President David Granger so designated this day last year and we would be remis if we did not reflect on the presence of the Portuguese in the history of our country. It is noteworthy that even though Brazil next door had been a Portuguese colony since the 16th Century, the Portuguese of Guyana did not actually originate from Portugal, but from the tiny island of Madeira off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean.

Slavery had been abolished in the British colonies in 1834 and the sugar planters were convinced the freed slaves would not remain on the plantations after the “apprenticeship” period of six years – later reduced to four.

The planters learnt of the extreme poverty and turmoil in Madeira and arranged for 40 individuals to sail on the ship Louisa Baille to find their fortune in British Guiana. A total of 429 were to arrive in that year and even though conditions were horrendous, those that returned after their period of service to Madeira, encouraged others to follow in 1841 when there was a terrible famine on the island. In that year, a total of 4297 arrived and most of those who survived decided to make British Guiana their home. By 1881, when the last Portuguese from Maderia arrived, a total of 30,685 had emigrated.

In the meantime, immigration from the West Indies (WI) was also encouraged since wages there was far lower than in British Guiana, and the local freed slaves were beginning to leave the plantations in droves after 1838. By then, 5000 workers came from the WI. In that year, immigration from India had also commenced but was discontinued until 1845. The Portuguese, however, unlike the Indians, after their period of indentureship, did not re-indenture but left the plantations to establish themselves in trading with Madeira for foodstuff, becoming tradesmen and craftsmen and establishing retail shops in which the goods were sold.

The British importers had confined themselves to dealing with the planters directly in a wholesale fashion but with the establishment of the Village Movement and the increase of the urban population by the freed Africans, the Portuguese pioneered the retail trade and soon dominated it. Resentment however broke out between them and their African customers and the first inter-ethnic riot in the colony – the Angel Gabriel Riot – occurred in 1856 in Georgetown. There was another serious one in 1888.

The Portuguese, however, persevered and soon in every village across the country, there was at least one Portuguese retail establishment – including rum shops.

In Georgetown, they soon expanded their businesses and challenged the British merchants. In many instances they became the agents for the British exporters. But the Portuguese did not just bring their business acumen and industriousness to Guyana – they brought their religion and their culture.

While the British were Protestants, the Portuguese were fervent Roman Catholics and with them having the wherewithal on account of their businesses, soon established churches across the country and eventually Cathedrals in Georgetown to conduct their worship.

Sociologically, even though the Portuguese were phenotypically Europeans, they were not accepted as such by the British ruling strata. As such, they worked diligently to create their own institutions such as schools and hospitals to address their own quest for status and respectability.

By the turn of the 19th Century – just two decades after their immigration had ceased – the Portuguese were occupying the rung on par with the Coloured elite, just below the whites at the apex of society. They had entered the professions of medicine and law and soon after the turn of the century became members of the Legislature, which had been recently expanded to address their demands for political representation.

The struggle for independence after WWII unfortunately led to most Portuguese leaving the country because of fear of communism. By 1960, the population of 8000 in 1946 had shrunken to 3000 and now stands just under 2000.

Flashback: Nrityageet 38. Produced and performed by Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance Troup, Nrityageet 39 will be hosted at the National Cultural Centre on May 4 and 6 from 19:00h. This year’s show will feature a story of resilience in dance

Erroneous Stabroek News article on land sale

Dear Editor, Stabroek News’ Sunday article on the sale of land to Scady contains a number of inaccuracies. One major inaccuracy related to attributing a footnote in my report (attached for ease of reference) dealing with the sale of the Scady land, when the footnote related to the sale of the land to GBTI for their banking headquarters. Pages 34 and 38 of my report (transaction #66) deal with the Scady transaction.

The reporter erroneously treated footnote #66 shown on page 43, as relating to the Scady property sale. My report clearly references this footnote to Transaction #63, “Sale of Tract A, Young Street ”. This land was sold to GBTI for their headquarters based on a public tender.

Interesting enough, the tendered value and sale price of $201 million is less than 50% of the private valuation from Mr Rodriques.

GBTI has spent billions of dollars to develop the approximately three acres of land acquired, contributing in no small way to the improvement of the landscape.

And while Scady has not yet developed the land acquired, although detailed designs have been completed, at least

US$150 million has been invested in the Berbice bauxite industry since 2004 as a result of RUSAL’s involvement. In fact, RUSAL helped to save the Berbice bauxite industry and almost 1000 direct and indirect jobs. At least at the time of the sale in 2008, I can also say that the sale price per acre of the land sold to RUSAL’s principal shareholder is the highest sale price/acre for underdeveloped land on the East Coast that I am familiar with. Part of the confusion on prices that the reporter make reference to related to the budgeted cost of an access bridge to access the land from the public road, a set-off against the G$150 million sale price in accordance with the Cabinet decision of Sept 2008 (10 years ago). The bridge cost will now be borne by the land owner in addition to all of the infrastructure to develop the land.

If one peruses the 860-page report titled “Privatisation in Tables – Phase II”, there are literally hundreds of transactions completed during the period 1993 to 2012. I joined the Privatisation Unit in 1994 and served for over 21 years.

Many of our transactions look at multiple development considerations.

From 1993, large areas

of vacant land have been developed.

Take Liliendaal/ Turkeyen for example. From the Caricom Headquarters, the Convention Centre, the 100 acres of backland sold to NHL that is now witnessing billions of dollars of investment for residential construction, the GPL substation project, the Amerindian Hostel, the Giftland Mall, the Aquatic Centre, and the US$30 million-plus Movietowne currently underway, to name a few. GuySuCo also sold many pieces of land for housing east and south of the Giftland Mall. Projects that did not proceed included the Lakeview Hotel, the Sand and Sun hotel, and the Specialty Hospital. But for the most part, significant development occurred.

Large tracts of undeveloped land have been improved, creating jobs and significant investment. And while price was one consideration, economic development was important. Investment created jobs, income and taxes. I recall that in the last 25 years, over 200,000 house lots were allocated by the Ministry of Housing, at relatively low prices. Government spent initial sums to develop roads and bridges; water and electricity followed later. In more

modern developments, bridges, roads, concrete drainage, water, electricity, parks, street lighting, are all borne by the developer, before the lots are sold. At GPL, I recall that over a 10-year period, the number of customers rose from 125,000 to 175,000, in no small part, from the significant investment being made

by GPL (with financing from the IDB/Government), to install electricity for unserved areas. Today, home ownership is at a record level in the history of Guyana, resulting in a significant middle class and considerable economic growth. And development did not stop at price. The Eccles and Coldigen industrial estates, where plots were leased at G$1/square foot/annum, were focused on investment and jobs (see pages 77 to 84 of the Privatisation in Tables report for a list of all the companies that benefited). The peppercorn rent had nothing to do with the valuation.

Today, as one flies over Eccles and Diamond, one can only marvel at the vast expanse of development that occurred in the last 25 years. Much work and effort, however, went into creating this expansion.

Sincerely, Winston Brassington

Deafening silence by British, American diplomats on Cyber Crimes Bill

Dear Editor, Please allow me to share my thoughts while I am still free to do so! There is no reason for me to outline objections to the monstrous Cyber Crimes Bill of 2106 as presented for passage by the current Administration of Guyana; I think any intelligent person knows that it is intended to suppress any crit-

icism of the Government and its actions as statements in any form that cause “disaffection” will not be allowed. This presumes an ‘affection’ existed which in itself must be legally problematic.

We, the people, must be thankful to the vigilant actions of those who exposed the regressive clause in the Bill and we must also be wary of

the disinformation campaign waged immediately after this expose. Ruel Johnson’s missive suggested that the offending clauses had no place in a “modern liberal democracy” when in fact it has no place in civilised society, was the tip of the stick to stir waters and cloud this very clear issue. This is a Government bill brought by the A Partnership

for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration and is not a “bipartisan” effort – it saddens me how easily many are misled, no doubt many also believe that Mr Johnson is no longer a member of the Chronicle Board, given his announcement of an April 1 resignation. continued on page 5

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

AFC is again clutching Teachers should not expect pay hike anytime soon at imaginary straws Dear Editor, We have seen in the media that on several occasions the Alliance For Change (AFC) is doing intense manoeuvring to get the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to concede to negotiations to review the Cummingsburg Accord but the APNU is amusingly uninterested.

It was reported that in February 2017 ‘the Alliance For Change has proudly announced the appointment of a special Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee (CARC)… to deal with representation at the Local Government level and the absence of a dispute resolution mechanism although that has been provided for in the Cummingsburg Accord’ among other ‘deficiencies’.

However, President Granger, who is also the leader of APNU, made it clear that there is no obligation to review the Cummingsburg Accord. He stated that, “The Cummingsburg Accord has unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, a requirement to review the Accord after three years and that three years will expire after midnight on February 13, 2018,” the President said. Is it that the AFC made a strategic blunder by exposing their ignorance of the provisions of the Cummingsburg Accord? I will not say that they do not know the contents of the CA, but what the leaders of the AFC have been doing is to clutch at imaginary straws in an effort to stem the exodus of its members and supporters. They had to show that they have some breath remaining regardless how feeble that may be.

On February 12, 2018, the AFC came to its senses and reported that there will be no discussion on the Cummingsburg Accord and the APNU before Wednesday, February 14, ‘as mandated by members last year’. Why were the members not told before that the Accord did not provide for a review before the third anniversary? It was just a game for public benefit!

This game was then extended to February 17 when the AFC’s Leader Raphael Trotman said, ‘there will be no meeting before the 14th…

We have an NEC meeting on the 17th [February 2018] and from there we decide on the way forward’. Now we

have seen that three years have elapsed and the review is still to be done.

However, on February 14, 2018 President Granger as Leader of the APNU stated that, ‘The AFC has several options, it can allow the accord to proceed as it is proceeding at present, it can allow it to expire on 2020 or it can make a request for a meeting…’ Will the AFC allow the Cummingsburg Accord to run until 2020? I do believe it will since they have gotten more than they deserve from the Accord and from all indications APNU’s nonchalance is a clear indication that the AFC should not press its luck further in the matter. The AFC no longer serves any useful and strategic purpose to the APNU and the latter is just waiting for an excuse to make them expendable.

We have also seen that even though the AFC leader Trotman has made it clear that the Cummingsburg Accord does not contain anything about Local Government Elections, the AFC continues to waver on this issue, that is, whether to go alone or with the coalition. The AFC doing a solo will only expose its weakness and the APNU knows that. We have thus seen that either way, the APNU is not keen. The APNU is cognisant that the AFC has nothing to offer at the LGE, it support base is almost decimated. Those in the AFC who are enjoying the ‘good life’ may be in oblivion but the stark reality would suggest the ‘good life’ has been an orchestrated mirage to fool the masses. That mirage has now disappeared and the ‘good life’ prior to May 2015 has been eroded with great alacrity. The 2.1 per cent economic growth in 2017 and the precipitous decline in 2018 are strong evidences to suggest that the AFC made a monumental and unforgivable blunder to coalesce with the APNU! The AFC is again clutching at imaginary straws when it gives a two-week ultimatum to discuss LGE. The CA does not provide for that and the APNU is not interested whether they go solo or as a coalition. The AFC has been for a long time been ‘singing and dancing’ to its own tune!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region Six

Dear Editor, Teachers are entrusted with sculpting the human resource capital of a nation and should not only be afforded the best tools available in preparing a country’s human capital, they should also be remunerated in direct proportion with their contribution to a country’s economic capital, growth, and wellbeing. May Day 2018 will forever be remembered as the day the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government put its contempt on display for the Guyanese teachers, when in one breath, Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams trumpeted his Government’s move to give teachers duty-free concessions for vehicles and minutes later the President told teachers “my heart is in the right place”. President Granger told teachers that salary increases will be decided by recommendations made to him and submitted to the Finance Minister. According to the President, the Ministry, after crunching the numbers,

will supposedly make an announcement. The Education Ministry’s wages bill for this year is already $5.1 billion and with the current economic climate, it is clear to see there is no money left in the ‘kitty’ to give teachers an increase in salary much less the much deserved 40 per cent being asked. We cannot forget this Government gave themselves 50 per cent pay raise weeks into taking office.

The President should have been upfront with the teachers – persons no doubt competent enough to read between the lines – that his Government has not only depleted the National Reserves and increased the debt, but have also decimated productive income sectors. “My heart is in the right place” is perhaps a confession from the President had he only continued with ‘but the Treasury is empty.’

Teachers should not look forward to any announcement to be made by the Finance Ministry any time soon. Mr Granger, ever wanting to look like the knight-in-shining-ar-

mor, would have been happy to announce to teachers on Labour Day, an increase –however meager – but the numbers don’t lie, and based on the statistics, Finance Minister Winston Jordan would be hard pressed to, at this point to sustainably provide any, as there is no revenue stream or productive sector poised to provide any enhanced returns.

Perhaps President Granger is waiting for oil and gas before being able to tell teachers anything about a pay increase.

An examination of the figures proves Jordan and President Granger are disingenuous and demonstrate there was no real commitment on the part of the APNU/AFC Administration to pay teachers an increase and have found themselves hiding under the pretext of collective bargaining.

Teachers are demanding a 50 per cent increase in wages and salaries having been left out of annual increases – a result of negotiations between the

Guyana Teachers Union and Government; negotiations started under the People’s Progressive Party, inherited and seemingly parked by Granger.

The APNU/AFC having depleted the country’s gold and cash reserves; increased public debt and decimating producing sectors will be hard pressed to find another $2 billion annually to pay the increases demanded. This does not even take into account putting a price to other promised concessions such as duty-free concessions. The Guyanese teachers should not wait with bated breath for a positive announcement from the Granger Administration.

The kitty is now empty, there will be no pay increases for teachers anytime soon. The numbers don’t lie.

Sincerely, Peter R Ramsaroop, MBA, PhD Economic Advisor to the political Opposition

Deafening silence by British...

from page 4

Make no mistake, this is the work of a paid propagandist masquerading as a concerned citizen; Mr Johnson should simply follow the example of others in Government employ and have an opinion piece in the Guyana Chronicle, that taxpayer’s burden that keeps on giving.

Editor, the truth of the matter is that it is not statements of others that cause my disaffection with the APNU/AFC Government. It is the maladministration of every aspect of our national life that causes my disaffec-

tion. It is the refusal to accept advice from a competent International Monetary Fund (IMF) paid adviser on oil that led to them being hoodwinked.

It is the unchecked spending spree that continues to drain the Treasury. It is unilateral appointments contrary to the spirit of agreements between the Administration and Opposition. It is suggesting that the Chief Justice is entitled to her opinion and the President to his, as if she were a private citizen. This dictatorship is not creeping; it is in full flow. Clause 18.1 is simply a revelation of the real intent

and purpose of His Excellency David Granger; no Minister would dare insert such a heinous provision without approval at the highest level. I have held my peace for a number of days, hoping that our newly self-appointed overlords at the British High Commission and United States Embassy would put in their “two cents”, but the silence is deafening! Editor, even if the Administration was demonstrating good governance and prudent financial management, I would be disaffected in the extreme by a Government that wanted to

muzzle my mouth, one that demands my affection regardless of its actions. Not for me the goosestep or Sieg Heils. I was born in an independent and non-tyrannical Guyana. I will not cooperate in any way with that which legitimises the current Administration, for there is much truth in these words from Mahatma Gandhi : “The moment there is suspicion about a person’s motives, everything he does becomes tainted.”

Sincerely, Robin Singh

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By Carl Pickhardt, PhD Continued from Wednesday The hard work of supervision Supervision is the drudge work of parenting; it is even given a bad name. As most adolescents will tell you, it is “nagging”. However, it sometimes takes this ongoing investment of attention and energy to pursue the more resistant adolescent. In this sense, delay is partly a gamble: perhaps parents will forget what they asked for or simply tire and give up. So the teenager needs to know from past experience that parents will stay on her case about matters of importance like when it comes to ensuring safety, meeting commitments, following rules, providing help, discharging responsibilities, and maintaining well-being.

Sometimes it takes a “fullcourt supervisory press” to help the young person accomplish what needs to be done.

For example, consider how parents might rely on supervision to overcome a performance problem that commonly arises in middle school: the early adolescent achievement drop.

This problem occurs when a dedicated child, who studied hard in elementary school and conscientiously strove to achieve well, becomes a more disaffected young adolescent who explains to parents how it should be enough to just

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“get by” because now social relationships matter more. So, grades start to fall.

The telling question at this point often is: “If your teenager completed and submitted all of his homework, would his grades be any better?” If the answer is “yes”, than an achievement drop is occurring. The usual explanation is because homework fails to be consistently done by a young person who feels he has better things to do. It is denied (”No homework tonight!”); it isn’t brought home (“I forgot!”); it isn’t completed (“I did most of it!”); or it isn’t turned in (“I lost it!”).

Letting a temporarily academically disaffected early adolescent underperform in this way is not responsible parenting because self-image in the present and educational options in the future can be at stake. So perhaps parents might say something like this.

“We understand that at this time in your life, other parts of your life can seem to matter more than studying – like staying connected to friends. But our job is to help you maintain the level of performance you are capable of achieving when all homework is faithfully and fully done. Therefore, we will give you our supervisory support to get it well taken care of. If you thought there wasn’t homework and there was, one of us will meet with you and the teacher and together help clear up any future confusion about your assign-

ments. If you can’t manage to bring it home, one of us will meet you after class at the end of the day and together help you pick up all the homework from your teachers. If you can’t manage to do it fully at home, one of us will sit together with you until it is adequately completed. To keep it from becoming lost at school, one of us will accompany you to school in the morning and together help turn in your assignments. If for any reason this supervision of your school world provides more togetherness than you want, you have only to show us that you can take care of homework independently, and we will back off this support.”

How to apply supervision Come their child’s adolescence, parents need to supervise steadfastly and matter-of-factly, and without exasperation or taking offence. Couple it with impatience or frustration or anger and now the parent just emotionally empowers the resistance they are trying to discourage. “I can get them upset when I put off what they want.” Best to treat supervision as a necessary act of follow-through that backs up rules and requests with calm, resolute pursuit until consent and compliance are finally given. “They just keep after me until I do what they ask.”

My favourite approach to supervision was given me by a mom whose unfailing cheerfulness came through when

discharging this hard responsibility. "Active waiting," she called it. "Active waiting?" I asked, because the concept was new to me. "Yes," she smiled. "I use it when I ask my son to do something and he says he will 'in a minute', only to promptly go into his room and shut the door, So after a minute, I follow after and silently, stand by the bed, smiling down as he lays there playing with his smartphone.

"Mom! Why are you here?

What are you doing?" "Just waiting," I answer, "for you to do what I asked." "I said I will in a minute!" he objects.

That's when I reply: "I know, and that's fine. I'll just stand in your company wherever you are until you do." "And that's how active waiting works?"

I asked. "Like a charm," she said. "And by now, when his frowning stops, he does as requested, and usually sees the humour in what his waiting has caused me to do."

Supervision is nagging, applying relentless parental insistence to wear passive adolescent resistance down.

Tiring to give, if there are two parents in the home, and they agree on what the teenager needs to do, supervision needs to be shared. Otherwise, inequity of effort can become a source of discord in the marriage.

There are times of persistent adolescent delay when supervision simply needs to be done. On these occasions, parental nagging is honourable work. (Excerpt from psychologyto-

day)

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n innovative book distribution programme that provides free children's books in low-income neighbourhoods, combined with supportive adults who encourage reading, can boost children's literacy and learning opportunities, finds a new study

by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

"Both physical and psychological proximity to books matter when it comes to children's early literacy skills," said Susan B Neuman, professor of childhood and literacy education at NYU Steinhardt and the study's lead author. "Children need access to books in their neighbourhoods, as well as adults who create an environment that inspires reading."

Reading aloud to children has been touted by experts as a key to developing skills early in life that translate to later academic success. In fact, a 2014 position statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics called for parents to read aloud to their infants starting from birth.

At the heart of these recommendations is the assumption that all children have the opportunity to learn from a selection of high quality, age-appropriate books. However, a recent NYU Steinhardt study of three major cities shows that access to books remains a significant barrier to reading with children; many poor neighbourhoods were found to be "book deserts", or communities with limited to no access to children's books.

Other prior research shows that creating both physical and psychological proximity to books helps get them into the hands of children. For example, creating reading corners in classrooms that are accessible and attractive encourages children to engage with books. From a psychological perspective, people help shape the setting for a child's literacy development through, for instance, reading to children or engaging them in rich dialogue around books.

The current study, funded by JetBlue and published in the journal Urban Education, examines a community-wide effort to promote greater access to books through a book distribution programme in neighbourhoods identified as "book deserts". Four low-income neighbourhoods received with vending machines that dispensed free children's books over the summer months, a time when children traditionally have less access to books.

The vending machines held children's books, provided by Random House Children's Books, in slots arranged by age ranges. Similar to a snack machine, an individual could review the selections, press a button, and a book would be dispensed free of charge. Book titles were selected to reflect a variety of genres, including fiction and nonfiction, as well as multicultural themes and authors. Selections changed every two weeks to encourage people to return to the machine.

One of the key findings was that the physical proximity of books did not convert non-readers into readers, and changes in the environment alone may not be enough to motivate those who do not enjoy reading.

"Our findings suggest that only having one side of the equation -- access to books or adult support -- is insufficient. Rather, both are necessary. Without access to books, one cannot read to children; without adult supports, children cannot be read to," said Neuman.

(Excerpt from ScienceDaily)

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Piracy attack

Bodies of 4 fishermen found offshore Suriname …as search intensifies

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Missing: Ramnarin Singh

Missing: Glenroy Jones

s the search continues for the missing Guyanese fishermen who were robbed, injured and tossed overboard in Suriname, pilots of a private aircraft have confirmed that they saw at least four bodies off the coast of the Wai Wai bank, Suriname.

Following the sighting, the pilots have since notified the Police of the coordinates and they have confirmed that search parties are already in the Wai Wai bank area and are waiting the change of the tide to move closer to the mountains.

Surinamese officials have related that the bodies were sighted some 30 miles from where the attack took place and believe the others might be around the same area.

On Saturday last, four boats were attacked by pirates in the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Wia Wia, Suriname.

However, Guyana Times was told that of the four bodies sighted, one is said to be that of Denish Persaud, also called “Vikie” of Guyana and “Raj” of Suriname.

Persaud, a 28-year-old father of two, left in January for sea. He last spoke with his wife at about midnight on Friday. During the conversation, he told his wife that he was going to cook curried catfish. This publication was told that the boat was found with freshly cooked catfish in a container.

According to his sister Yonette, she received information which also indicates that the owner of one of the four missing boats, found personal items belonging to Persaud including pieces of clothing, a damaged passport and his identification card.

Persaud, who resided at Fort Ordinance, East Canje, was expected back home later this month for

cousin but he say he boat nah good and he nah get none now… On Monday morning when we call back then he decide to send a boat... the boss man turn back the boat after some time and say he nah able search no more,” the distraught sister stated. She also said that her cousin also took a friend with him when he left in January.

There has been no word on the whereabouts of Ralph Anthony Crouchman, 20, of Number Two Village Canje.

However, another woman, Lisa Heralall of Annandale, East Coast Demerara claimed that her father, Bharrat Haralall was one of the men who are missing. She related that her father telephoned her on Wednesday last informing her that he was heading out to sea with Ramesh Sanicharran, also called “Ravo” and promised to let her know when he returns.

The disturbed woman noted that her father would normally call her when he is going out to sea and every time he returns.

Nevertheless, she noted that on Saturday, her husband received a telephone call informing him that Heralall was on one of the boats that was attacked.

She immediately contacted her father’s reputed wife in Suriname only to confirm her worst fears.

“She told me that 16 people were missing and that the Police are not releasing any information with

An aerial view of one of the bodies sighted

A total of 16 fishermen were reportedly robbed, beaten and thrown overboard. At least three managed to swim to shore and reported the incident to Dutch law enforcement officials. The names of the missing men have not been officially released.

his birthday.

Family members have expressed concern over the way the Surinamese employers dealt with the situation.

“A cousin call and tell we that he begged the boss man if they can get a boat to send out to look for he

respect to their search and rescue mission,” she noted.

The distraught woman described the piracy attack as gruesome but remains hopeful that her father might still be alive somewhere.

“I know to be optimistic at this time will be unfair…

Missing: Ganesh Beharry

Missing: Dinesh Persaud

Missing: Bharrat Heralall

it has been since Saturday, and all I want is that if he is dead, to see his body… in that way, it will bring closure to the family,” she said in a solemn voice.

“This is a tragedy and we empathise with the families who continue to be in anguish given the state of affairs. The horror that reportedly unfolded once again highlights the danger that our country’s fisherfolk face every day to earn their livelihoods and to provide for their families”, the statement added.

As such, the Party calls on the Government to make every effort and take

urgent steps to ensure that the fishermen are found. In addition, the Party urged the Government to ensure that the families are kept informed of the efforts being made.

“We hope for a swift resolution of the situation and that the families can be comforted during their time of distress,” the PPP added. (Bhisham Mohamed)

Dangers to fisherfolk

Meanwhile, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in a statement stated that it remains gravely concerned about the matter involving the fate of the 16 Guyanese fishermen.

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thursDAY, may 3, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jamaican found with fake passport at CJIA jailed

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Jamaican was on Wednesday jailed for eight months

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he admitted to presenting a fake passport last month at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Ricardo Brown, 36, admitted that on April 23,

2018, he uttered to Kevin Grant, an Immigration Officer, a forged Guyana passport purporting that same was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office knowing same to be false.

According to Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, Brown boarded

a COPA Airlines flight and handed over the passport in the name of Jermaine Samuels.

However, when the passport was scanned and compared in the boarder management system, it was revealed that it belonged to Ashana King and was reported stolen. Further ex-

amination showed that the said passport was tampered with. As such, Brown was arrested and charged with the offence. The Chief Magistrate also fined the Jamaican $100,000. After serving his time and paying his fine, he will be escorted to the nearest airport and deported.

Alexander Village killing

Psychiatric evaluation of GDF rank completed

…prosecution gets report

T

he psychiatric report on the mental capacity of Orwain Sandy, who in April reportedly murdered his reputed wife, Reona Payne, has been completed by Dr Bhiro Harry of the Mental Health Unit and was handed over to the Court.

When the matter was called on Wednesday before Magistrate Judy Latchman, the prosecution revealed that they were in receipt of the psychiatric report, which was handed over to the Court. However, the contents of the report were not disclosed.

Sandy’s lawyer, James Bond requested additional time to conduct an independent evaluation on his client. This was granted, and

Murder accused Orwain Sandy and his reputed wife, Reona Payne in happier times

the matter was adjourned to May 24, 2018. Sandy was further remanded.

During Sandy’s first appearance, he appeared distraught and was crying throughout the court proceedings.

At that time, his attorney had requested for a mental health examination to be carried out.

The charge against the defendant stated that on March 31, 2018, while in the vicinity of First

Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, he murdered Payne. Guyana Times had previously reported that the couple were in their car proceeding along First Street when a heated argument reportedly ensued.

During the argument, Payne exited the vehicle and Sandy reportedly pursued her and shot her once, causing her to fall to the ground.

He then reportedly stood over her and shot her 13 more times. The man then left the scene of the crime and turned himself in to the Police. Payne and Sandy reportedly dated some years ago, but later married different persons. However, a few years later, they left their spouses and resumed their relationship.

Bus driver slapped with armed robbery, firearm charges

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minibus driver was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Fabayo Azore when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with armed robbery and being in the possession of an illegal firearm.

Thirty-three-year-old Philbert McPherson of Lot 707 Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

The Police stated that on April 20, 2018 at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve

Leary, he had in his possession one .30 pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence.

In addition, the Police said that on April 25, 2018, McPherson robbed Jagdeo Ramnauth of his mobile phone, wallet and cash totalling $246,000.

The facts of the case were not presented to the Court by Police Prosecutor, Simone Payne who explained that the case file is still incomplete.

McPherson will make his next court appearance on May 30.

Confessed perfume thief fined

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man who confessed to stealing seven bottles of perfume was on Wednesday fined by Magistrate Fabayo Azore when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Ram Narine, 56, of Lot 25 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, told the Magistrate that on April 29, 2018 at Aubrey Barker road, he found the perfumes in a yard.

However, the Police Prosecutor told the court that the accused reportedly stole the items from a storage bin where the Virtual Complainant (VC), Ganesh Mangal stored them for safe keeping.

The Prosecutor added that after stealing the items, a neighbour alerted Mangal and Narine attempted to escape but was apprehended.

Magistrate Fabayo Azore warned him not to touch things that do not belong to him even if they are not secured. He was fined $15,000 or a default of two weeks imprisonment.

Narine was granted until May 18 to pay the fine.

Choices…

T

…and orders he AFC says they’ve delivered an “ultimatum” to PNC Leader David Granger – as head of APNU – to tell them what exactly will be their spoils in the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE). And that’s all this is about, isn’t it?? Spoils!! But it’s clear the AFC learnt absolutely NOTHING from their first go at extracting SPOILS from Granger and the PNC. That was in the negotiations for the Cummingsburg Accord that was announced with great fanfare on Valentine’s Day, 2015.

Love might’ve been in the air then, but as the AFC found out, that disappeared pretty quickly!! The ‘agreement” to have Moses Nagamootoo chair the Cabinet meetings was dropped like a hot potato when Granger said, “Oops!! Didn’t realise the Constitution doesn’t permit that!!” Well, the Constitution doesn’t permit him to unilaterally appoint the chair of GECOM, but that didn’t stop him from doing that, did it? But the AFC accepted Nagamootoo’s neutering without even a whimper.

They said, “Wait till the Accord is renegotiated in three years’ time!!” Well three years have come and gone!! Granger simply said, “No need to renegotiate.”

And the AFC bleated “Yes sir!!” like the neutered sheep they’d become!! So what’ll be different at this LGE??

Nothing, since they gave away whatever leverage they might’ve had when they announced they’d be going into the LGE in coalition with the PNC/APNU!!

They pretty much told Granger, “Do wha’ yuh want wid me!!” And believe you me, dear reader, Granger will be “doing” it to them good!! Apart from putting Nagamootoo out to pasture with a column in the Chronic, Granger had outwitted the AFC on the coup they thought they’d executed at Cummingsburg when they were to get “40 per cent of the Cabinet”. Granger simply doubled the size of the Cabinet with junior Ministers and gave most of these to the AFC!! Stock inflation!!

And as for the senior ones like Security and Education, he simply removed the substantive authority!! The AFC was left holding the bag!!

So what the AFC can expect when Granger gets around to meeting them? They’ll be ordered (and that’s what it’ll be!) to nominate candidates in the Indian areas they claimed they stole from the PPP to put the coalition over the hump in 2015. But that’s exactly what they were trying to avoid when they opted to be joined at the hip to the PNC at the LGE!!

They realised over the past three years, they’d become DEAD MEAT!! But Granger will be telling them to put up or shut up!!

The PNC faithful were never convinced the AFC brought much to the table. And they want the LGE to sus them out!! …on UK responsibility After coming down like a ton of bricks on poor little countries like us for “laundering money” through our financial and banking system, England at long last has been forced to deal with her own gargantuan role in all of this latest bee in the bonnet of the developed countries.

So, there’s the news that the English Caribbean territories will have to tighten up their “loose” regulations through which a whole lotta laundering’s going on.

The announcement makes it appear as if this is a “Caribbean” problem – which drags our sh*thole country into the nasty business. But these “territories” are completely controlled by England – they can’t even sneeze without England’s permission!! So whatever hanky panky’s going on with laundering money…it’s all made kosher by England!! Just like the bigger piece of the laundering pie emanating in the City of London!

And let us not even get the Channel Islands of England’s laundering. But that’s the way the (financial) cookie crumbles!

Blame the darky!! …on labour Well so much for Lincoln Lewis calling for the Opposition to call for a Ministry of Labour. Even before the PPP could lay an egg, much less a motion in Parliament, President Granger said, “No way, José!!”

Made it look as if he’s asked to increase the NUMBER of Ministries!!

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

News

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thursDAY, may 3, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cyber Crimes Bill outrage

Sedition has no place in a democracy – GCCI

l

though Government seems to be unmoved over criticisms of the Cyber Crimes Bill, specifically as it relates to the seditious clause, more organisations and individuals continue to speak out against the move to place an archaic piece of law which in their opinion could affect freedom of expression in Guyana.

Joining them is the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) which has expressed its concern over Section 18 of the Bill, which provides a structure for the charge of sedition. The GCCI believes sedition as an offence impinges on an individual’s right to criticise and has no place in a democracy.

“As an institution dedicated to advocacy, we stress that the right to freedom of expression is not only a right but a community responsibility. Therefore, we call on all legislators to remove Section

18(1) A of the Cyber Crimes Bill and urge that this Bill remain free of oppressive and archaic charge of sedition, “it said.

The Chamber is of the view that freedom of speech and expression of views through debate, discourse and discussion underpin a healthy democracy and foster a conducive environment for development. It is under these grounds they think Government should give serious consideration to removing that clause.

However, the organisation said Wednesday that its support the overall intent of the Cyber Crimes Bill which is currently before the National Assembly. They said the overall thrust of the Bill which seeks to give parameters, legal structure and regulations to a space where these are currently absent, is commendable.

“The Chamber wishes to re-emphasise its support for

GCCI President Deodat Indar

the rule of law in society and continues to remain supportive of the equal application of the rule of law, especially as it relates to matters of good governance,” it added, while again demanding that the matter be looked into.

Only Tuesday, General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis encouraged Guyanese to refuse

to be silenced. Making reference to the Bill, Lewis told the May Day rally, “Let none still your voice, for your voice plays a pivotal role in giving meaning and expressions to your existence.”

He said too that it is vital to being part of the social order because everyone is foremost social beings. “Let’s get up… stand up for our rights.

Don’t let us give up the fight.

Ours is the baton to carry and we must carry it like true warriors. None must stop us in this leg of our journey to create a just society!”

According to clause 18 of the Bill, persons commit an offence of sedition when they, “attempt to bring into hatred or excite disaffection towards the Government.”

These provisions have, in fact, excited worry among social media users, young people and Guyanese as a whole.

Since the introduction of the legislation, many members of the public have

Hotelier’s murder

“Big Foot” jailed for 33 years

By Shemuel Fanfair

F

ormer Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident Bryan Leitch called “Big Foot” will spend the next 33 years behind bars for killing the owner of a South Road, Georgetown hotel. He was sentenced on Wednesday to serve the term of imprisonment some two weeks after being found guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter by a 12-member jury at the High Court.

Leitch was indicted for killing South Central Hotel’s owner Joseph Jagdeo whose lifeless bound and gagged body was found in Room 10 at his establishment on November 14, 2013.

Police contended that the now convicted man committed the act hours prior after he stole the Jagdeo’s cellphone. The prosecution contended that on November 13, 2013 Leitch and a female

Bryan Leitch, called “Big Foot”

Dead hotelier Joseph Jagdeo

companion rented a room at the hotel. However, Jagdeo misplaced his cellular phone after the couple had left the reception area. He later confronted Leitch about the theft.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Sandhill Kissoon who encouraged Leitch to take advantage

of the prison programmes available so that he can add to society in his later years.

His attorney, Lawrence Harris had begged the court for mercy, highlighting that his client is only 24 years old and had a troubled life and even spent time at the New Opportunity Corps. This was highlighted in the probation

report presented to the court.

However, the court while deducting time spent on remand from the sentence, added five years for the way in which the victim died.

Leitch’s Caution Statement (CS) had stated that he was “sorry” for his actions. On December 1, 2013, retired Police Sergeant Phillip Bowman took the CS which quoted Leitch as saying that on the morning in question, Jagdeo came to his room and told him to leave the hotel which angered him.

“I was vexed and I tell he and I tie he hand and put a cloth around he mouth and tie it, I push he under the bed and put the room key on the bed. I then go to the office and took out he cellphone; I sorry for what happen, I didn’t go to kill he,” the excerpt from the CS had stated.

Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Mandell Moore appeared for the State.

sought to criticise the clauses and Government, while calling for it to be removed from the Bill; the original purpose being to protect Guyanese and their children from the dangers of cyberspace.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon claimed that people are taking that section of the Bill out of context. He maintained that the words in that specific clause speak to threats to national security.

Laid in the National Assembly since 2016, the Cyber Crimes Bill had catered for, inter alia: illegal access to a computer system; illegal interception; illegal data interference; illegal acquisition of data; illegal system interference; unauthorised receiving or granting of access to computer data; computer-related forgery; computer-related fraud; offences affecting critical infrastructure; identity-related offences; child pornography; child luring, and violation of privacy among a sleuth of other offences.

A special select committee had been working on the Bill for the past few years, and its report on the Bill was presented recently. That committee comprised Attorney General Basil Williams, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan,

Education Minister Nicolette Henry and parliamentarians Michael Carrington and Audwin Rutherford.

The People’s Progressive Party was represented by Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and parliamentarians Clement Rohee, Anil Nandlall and Gillian Persaud-Burton.

Recently, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo reminded that the initial purpose of the Bill was to protect Guyanese and their children from the dangers of cyberspace. Instead, he said, the Bill has been converted by the Government to one that, besides the original purpose, protects their Government’s own interests.

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thursDAY, may 3, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Opposition MP says financial instability looming M

ember of Parliament (MP) and former Government Minister Irfaan Ali has questioned the rationale behind the Bank of Guyana’s (BoG) defence of a recent news article which sought to highlight that the gold reserve in the bank has hit rock bottom, from an initial $25 billion in 2014 to $1.9 billion in 2018.

Moreover, the Opposition spokesperson on finance in the National Assembly, said while the BoG by their own response have highlighted an even greater issue when it comes to the probability of a looming financial instability.

According to a recent document, its total assets as of March 28, 2018, were $206.4 billion. This includes $1.9 billion in gold reserves, $82.1 billion in capital market securities and $5.6 billion in money market securities. This is a reduction from the gold reserves the bank recorded in June 2017. According to the bank’s Half Year Report last year, it had $4.8 billion worth of gold in its foreign holdings as assets.

Indeed, the gold reserves have steadily been declining with each passing year.

At the end of 2016, the bank had $7.4 billion in gold, while at the end of 2015 the gold reserves stood at $14.2 billion.

At the end of 2014 the bank of Guyana had $25 billion in gold as assets.

In the case of total assets, that has also seen a marked decrease. At the end of 2014, total assets were $207.9 billion. It reduced in 2015, being recorded at $188.7 billion in

Guyana’s case, observers are likely to worry whether the State received the best price the world market could offer.

Other considerations would see links being established between the steady selling off of gold and Guyana’s regressing economic standing. Government has confirmed that Guyana recorded a growth rate of just 2.1 per

Opposition MP Irfaan Ali

December of that year, before recovering by 2016-year end and being recorded at $220 billion. At June 2017, total assets were $221.8 billion, before the drop recorded in this year’s figures.

But the BoG responded to state that gold is not managed as an exclusive reserve asset for holding, but as part of a portfolio of assets. It said gold may be sold for a number of reasons; including maximising profits, rebalancing of the portfolio, meeting liquidity needs, or optimising opportunities in other asset classes.

Ali therefore said if the BoG’s claims are true, then the depletion of gold reserve in excess of 92 per cent is of serious concern. “Given the various scenarios why gold may be liquidated, then either or all of the following are plausible: one, key portfolios in BoG are on the brink of insolvency; and two, liabilities are skyrocketing, thus the need for additional liquidity,” he observed.

The Opposition MP said

to determine what may have triggered the huge selloff, the latest statistical abstract produced by BoG was consulted. The report, among other things, pointed out, pari passu with depletion of gold reserve, Government deposits have also decline. “Using 2014 as the base year (last complete fiscal year for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) administration), deposits held by BoG for central Government plummeted from $21.4 billion to a negative $44 billion by February 2018,” he added.

The practice of countries selling gold it held in reserves is not an uncommon one.

Many countries hold billions of dollars in gold as a “back up” in time of inflation or economic downturn. It is usually in these cases that the gold is then sold.

At present, gold prices are approximately US$1350 per ounce. It has fluctuated over the years, at one-point hovering around the US$1000 per ounce mark in 2016. In

cent for 2017.

The BoG has defended its decision to sell off portions of Guyana’s gold reserves, saying the move was reflective of “strategic trading”. It said it trades gold and replenishes the stock based on market opportunities. The bank noted that gold is not managed as an exclusive reserve asset for holding, but as part of a port-

folio of assets.

As such, the BoG assured that the benchmark for the holdings of international reserves are vigilantly adhered to and upheld. It further stated that the domestic market has an excess supply of foreign currency to meet domestic demand while maintaining a stable foreign currency exchange rate.

PNC still snubs WPA on revising APNU Charter

WPA Executive, Dr David Hinds

By Michael Younge

T

he Working People’s Alliance (WPA) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) are yet to meet to discuss revising the charter, which gave birth to the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to ensure that there is more cohesion and consultation.

On July 15 this year, the A Partnership for National

Unity coalition will be celebrating its seventh anniversary. The coalition comprises a group of six parties with the two main actors being the PNC and the WPA. However, while there is much for the PNC to celebrate as a party, the same cannot be said of the WPA which has been dealt several blows under the belt by its coalition partner.

Recently, the WPA and some of its key, as well as founding members, have been complaining about the kind of policy decisions that are being made by the PNCled APNU which teamed up with the AFC to successfully win the 2015 General and Regional elections.

The WPA executives claim the party is being sidelined and deliberately not consulted when core decisions are being made about a number of sensitive issues.

In fact, there have little or no political meetings between

President David Granger

the WPA and PNC since the coalition accessed Executive power three years ago.

WPA’s lone representative in Government is Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who was handpicked by President David Granger as his Education Minister, only to be reshuffled and demoted to head a Public Service Department.

Continued on page 11

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thursDAY, may 3, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

World Press Freedom Day

“Stand up to those in authority” – GPA …calls for removal of sedition clause in Cyber Crimes Bill

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cross the globe, World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3 annually and this year the day is being observed under the theme “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law”. In observance of this day, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) is calling on all media practitioners to take a stand against those in authority as they see to wield influence on content disbursement.

“The GPA is cognisant that in our society, lines of power, authority and decision-making in the media are blurred by shared interests, goals and objectives. In this regard, the Association is of the firm position that editors and other media managers need to stand up to those in authority and influence who seek to impose restrictions on freedom of expression because of their dislike of the opinions of others,” the GPA said in a statement.

The GPA pointed to the recent silencing action by the Government when the decision was taken to fire columnists Lincoln Lewis and David Hinds from the Guyana Chronicle. Additionally, the Association said it has observed the increasing frequency in the manipulation of stories to fit political agenda of the behind the scenes actors while pointing to the recent actions of Government attempting to interfere in the free press.

“Over the months we have had reports of Government officials calling media houses to demand sources from reporters, to demand that media outlets refrain from providing coverage to other public officials and threatening to call the Police to remove reporters from public meetings,” the GPA noted.

The GPA believes truly independent media is vitally necessary to guard against human rights abuses, electoral malpractices, lack of transparency and accountability and gender-based inequalities. The Association also urged the Government and Opposition to discuss and arrive at a consensus to delete from the proposed Cybercrime legislation provisions that will amount to institutionalisation of criminal defamation.

“Those provisions, we contend, must be removed because they are not in accordance with the global shift towards the removal of criminal defamation from the law books of several countries including a number of them in

the Caribbean. Guyana will be retrogressing instead of progressing by entrenching the criminalisation of freedom of expression if certain sections in the Cyber Crimes Bill are enacted into law,” the statement said.

The GPA noted that World Press Freedom Day 2018 also allows them the opportunity to call on media workers and Guyanese of all walks of life to zealously guard against fake news operations, especially on the Internet.

The GPA’s statement concluded that it will seriously consider whether, in the interest of the promotion of high quality journalism, they shall have to name fake news outlets in an effort to protect unsuspecting members of the public from being duped or adversely influenced by fabricated content.

Meanwhile, Guyana has been elevated five places up on the Reporters With Borders World Press Freedom Index.

Guyana is now at 55 compared to 60 in 2017. The GPA said it welcomes the improved ranking with some reservations, pointing out that there are still significant hurdles to be crossed before Guyanese can feel that an improved ranking really matters.

Additionally, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said a free press is essential for peace, justice and human rights for all adding that it is crucial

to building transparent and democratic societies and keeping those in power accountable.

“It is vital for sustainable development. Journalists and media workers shine a light on local and global challenges and tell the stories that need to be told. Their service to the public is invaluable. Laws that protect independent journalism, freedom of expression and the right to information need to be adopted, implemented and enforced. Crimes against journalists must be prosecuted. On World Press Freedom Day 2018, I call on governments to strengthen press freedom and to protect journalists. Promoting a free press is standing up for our right to truth,” the Secretary General said.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed world Press Freedom Day in December

1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference.

According to the UN, the theme of the 2018 celebration highlights the importance of an enabling legal environment for press freedom, and gives special attention to the role of an independent Judiciary in ensuring legal guarantees for press freedom and the prosecution of crimes against journalists.

At the same time, the theme addresses the role of the media in sustainable development, especially during elections – as a watchdog fostering transparency, account-

ability and the rule of law.

The theme also aims to explore legislative gaps with regard to freedom of expression and information online, and the risks of regulating online speech.

Within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the contribution of journalists and media workers is most associated with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 of peace, justice and strong institutions. In order to reach this goal, effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels must be developed, and press freedom is essential for this.

PNC still snubs WPA...

There are other transgressions taking place and the WPA executives who are not towing the PNC have found themselves out in the cold or isolated from key leadership posts.

When contacted, WPA Executive, Professor David Hinds said the two sides have not had any meetings to iron out their differences despite the public and formal calls made by the leadership of the

WPA over the past several weeks.

Also, asked if there was any clause in the deal between the PNC and WPA that prevents the WPA from assuming the chairmanship of the APNU, Dr Hinds explained that the APNU charter does not speak to that issue.

Pressed further as to whether the party was concerned that President David Granger could remain its

From page 10

President for life and the chairmanship of APNU could remain with the PNC, Dr Hinds said, “I don’t know if that arrangement would remain indefinitely.”

He said too “…but the WPA does not plan to raise it as a substantive issue.

We think that institutionalised consultation within the APNU and the coalition is a more burning issue than who chairs.”

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thursDAY, may 3, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Financial irregularities at Region 4 NDCs engaging attention of LGC A

s investigations continue into financial irregularities at several Neighbourhood

the attention of the relevant authorities during the Regional Accounting Communities (RAC) meet-

The Diamond/Grove NDC

Democratic Councils (NDC) in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the matter is now engaging the attention of the Local Government Commission (LGC).

This was announced

by Regional Chairman Genevieve Allen who noted that the Grove/Diamond and Enmore/Hope NDCs are being further investigated with the aim of resolving their financial crises.

“The case is being sent to the Ministry of Communities to the Local Government Commission to be investigated. That is the two that I know of. If there are any others, my officers haven’t parcelled any information to me as yet,” Allen told Guyana Times during a telephone interview.

She later clarified that the other NDCs have been cleared from all investigations, leaving just the two in the midst.

Fifty-six million dollars in revenue and taxes collected at the Grove/ Diamond NDC was reportedly stolen by a former employee between August 2015 and February 2017.

This was brought to

fund-raising activity that was hosted by the Enmore/ Hope NDC. After the fundraiser, it was reported that the event ran at a loss but reports suggested otherwise.

Enmore/Hope NDC Chairman Mark Mahase in clearing the air on the matter stated that the money generated from the event was handled by the overseer and the other organisers and that they are responsible to present the financial statements.

Meanwhile, alle-

Mahaica man wanted for 2015 murder of taxi driver

Murdered: Collin Clarke

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lmost three years after the battered body of Collin Clarke was found in a trench at Uitvlugt, West Coast Berbice, Police on Monday issued a wanted bulletin for a Mahaica, East Coast Demerara man.

Sheldon Colin Abram,

47, is wanted by Police for questioning in connection with the murder of the 55-year-old man of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara. The suspect’s last known address was given as Lot 6 Supply Village, Mahaica.

Clark went missing on November 27, 2015 while he was operating his taxi. His body was found in a trench on December 3 that same year.

His motor car, a Toyota Allion, was found three weeks after his decomposing body was discovered in the trench.

The car was found intact, except for two missing licence plates, under a house at Perth, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

Anyone with informa-

Wanted: Sheldon Colin Abram

tion that may lead to the arrest of Abrams is asked to contact the Police on phone numbers 226-2870, 2292655, 911 or at the nearest Police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

50 benefit from radiation safety regulation training

A

The Enmore/Hope NDC

ing.

In light of the revelation, an investigation was launched by the Guyana Police Force on the request on the Chairman of the NDC, Bharrat Narine.

Narine in his plead to the Regional Chairman, highlighted that there were many unanswered questions, stressing that the suspected embezzler, Latoya Moore could not have stolen the money alone.

On this note, he believes that others should have been questioned in connection with the disappearance of the money including the then, overseer.

In addition, there were concerns surrounding a

gations that were levelled against the Little Diamond/Herstelling NDC were quashed after the aggrieved workers were paid their salaries.

It was reported that Allen intervened and called for an investigation to be launched into the matter, which stemmed from the NDC Chairman, Madan Singh refusing to sign the vouchers for the workers to receive their payments.

These incidents had raised eyebrows among the members at both the NDC and RDC levels and were ultimately addressed by the Local Government Commission due to the technicalities of the cases.

total of 50 people benefited from a fiveday workshop on Basic Radiation Safety and the Regulation of Radiation Sources which was hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry.

The training was conducted by consultants from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tasos Zodiates of United Kingdom and Bob Irwin of Canada and saw professionals from both the Public and Private Sectors being educated in the use of radiation, radioactive sources and its management in attendance.

Those who benefited were drawn from the medical, industrial and agricultural sectors as well as regulatory bodies in the fields of environment, customs and mining.

Participants were also drawn from nine of the 10 administrative regions and

were trained in radiation sources and protection, legal framework and legislation, medical uses, public exposure, transport, industrial uses and consumer products as it relates to radiation safety and regulation.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the EPA, Patrick Williams, encouraged the participants to grasp as much as they can to guard against the dangers of radiation and to have the requisite systems in place to protect human health, biodiversity and the environment.

An overview of the national context was provided by Senior Environmental Officer of the EPA, Tashana Redmond and medical physicist attached to the Ministry, Petal Surujpaul.

Redmond indicated that the EPA currently regulates the industrial sources of radiation while the Health Ministry has responsibility

for the medical sources.

Currently, Guyana is implementing Project RLA 9082 on the ‘Establishing and Strengthening Sustainable National Regulatory Infrastructures for the Control of Radioactive Sources’ under the IAEA. The goal of this project is to build the competence and expertise needed by national regulatory bodies to establish and operate an adequate regulatory programme for the safety and security of radiation sources.

Upon completion of the workshop, the participants received certificates but further recommendations were made for additional training of regulatory staff in radiation protection and authorisation.

The need for a radiation protection act and associated regulations was also among some of the issued discussed at the workshop.

news

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thursDAY, may 3, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PriceSmart exploring possible investment in Guyana – Govt committed to creating strong investment climate – Harmon

From left: Brud Drachman, Executive Vice President, PriceSmart Incorporated; Andron Alphonson, the local contact; Leon Janks, Board Member, PriceSmart; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Robert Price, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors; and David Price, President of PriceSmart Incorporated during the meeting on Wednesday

M

inister of State Joseph Harmon on Wednesday received a courtesy call from Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of PriceSmart Incorporated, Robert Price, a publicly traded company in the United States, as well as other Board members, who are in Guyana to explore opportunities for investment.

In welcoming the team to Guyana, Minister Harmon, who met with the team, said Guyana remains open for business and Government will continue to ensure that the right conditions are put in place to promote Guyana as an investment destination.

“I consider this to be important because anytime we have foreign investors coming to Guyana, we consider that to be an import-

ant enough event for the Minister to disrupt his usual schedule to ensure that you understand that we welcome investment in Guyana and that we fully support your investment. It is important enough for me to take time off from Cabinet to meet with you. I want to welcome you and you will find that while we are not as advanced as the other countries where you operate, you will find a willingness on the part of our people to work with you and on the part of the Government to create favourable conditions for businesses to succeed,” he is quoted by the Ministry of Presidency as saying.

Price, in an invited comment, said the company is cognisant of the fact that Guyana is poised for a prosperous future and as such,

consideration is being given to the setup of a location here. “We are very, very interested in exploring the opportunity of locating PriceSmart in Guyana. We have to do our due diligence but we hope we can eventually have a PriceSmart in Guyana. We have PriceSmart in the Englishspeaking Caribbean and we think that given the future prosperity in Guyana, that it is time to consider locating here,” he said.

Price was accompanied by his son and President of the company, David Price, Executive Vice President Brud Drachman, Leon Janks, Board Member and their local contact, Andron Alphonso.

PriceSmart operates 40 membership warehouse clubs in 12 countries and one United States territory.

Singh, Brassington charges

SOCU lawyers given 1 week to respond to High Court challenge

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awyers for the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) have been given one week to file an affidavit in response, to show cause why the High Court should not grant an injunction to have an interim stay on lower court proceedings on charges against two former Government officials.

On April 12, 2018, SOCU instituted legal proceedings against former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) CEO Winston Brassington for what it says is “misconduct in public office: contrary to common law” as it pertains to the sale of three plots of State land. However, former Attorney General under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, Anil Nandlall is challenging these matters for what the defence contends are frivolous charges.

Nandlall filed two High Court actions seeking to 1) have an interim stay of proceedings in the Magistrates’ Courts and 2) to have the charges against Singh and Brassington quashed.

On Wednesday, Justice Franklyn Holder heard the challenge for an interim stay of proceedings in the Magistrates’ Courts. Having heard both sides, the Judge gave SOCU’s lawyers one week to show why he should not grant Nandlall’s application.

Singh’s and Brassington’s legal team included Senior Counsel Stanley Moore, Sase Gunraj, Ronald Burch-Smith and Mark Waldron.

Following the in-chambers hearing, Nandlall, along with his legal team, told reporters that the hearing for the application for the interim order has commenced before Justice Holder, adding that time was of

Attorney Anil Nandlall surrounded by reporters and his legal team at the High Court on Wednesday

the essence.

“We are challenging the legality and validity of the charges and that will take some time to determine; in the meantime, we want an interim order staying the hands of the Magistrate from going forward, so the hearing for that has commenced [but] the other side wants leave to file and answer,” he observed.

Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran is of the view that the charges may be unconstitutional on the basis that Singh and Brassington were not “public officers” in accordance with the Constitution. “In England, which does not have a written constitution, or apparently any applicable statutory definition, case law developed. In R v Whittaker (1914), the court defined a “public office holder” as “an officer who discharges any duty in the discharge of which the public are interested, more clearly if he is paid out of a fund provided by the public”. He added that more recently, in R v Dytham (1979), Chief Justice Lord Widgery referred to a public officer as one “who has an obligation to perform a duty”.

Various lawyers have also recently pointed out that using the definitions of “public officer”, “public office,” and “pub-

lic service” as defined in Article 232 of the Guyana Constitution would exclude both Singh and Brassington, from the charges of “Misconduct in Public Office: Contrary to the Common Law.” It was posited that this was “an open-and-shut case”, as neither Singh nor Brassington are “public officers” and as such, the law under which they are charged (based on both the Constitution and legal precedents all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)) cannot be applied to them. After the charges were filed, Nandlall on behalf of PPP/C Members of Parliament (MPs) took to the court to have Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and former Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton charged with the same offence. In addition, Government Ministers David Patterson, Winston Jordan and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine were all also charged. However, all of those charges were discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a move which Nandlall contends is unfair as he continues to oppose the decision. Both parties will return to the Supreme Court on May 16 for arguments on whether or not the Judge will grant the interim stay.

Security guard freed of fisherman’s murder er of eight cried out that the girl was less than two years old before her father was killed.

The fisherman’s sister, Sharon Pollard, similarly told Guyana Times that while they hold no grievances against Callender, the All Mighty will give them justice.

On Monday, Callender told the court in an unsworn statement that he

Marlon Callender embracing a female relative moments after being freed

I

t was high drama at the High Court in Georgetown on Wednesday afternoon as security guard Marlon Callender was freed of a charge of murdering fisherman Envil Pollard over three years ago at the Pritipaul Wharf. He was on trial for the last several days for allegedly murdering Crane, West Coast Demerara fisherman and father of eight, Envil Pollard.

However, the jury after two hours of deliberations returned a not guilty verdict and Callender walked out of a packed courtroom a free

man, rushing into the arms of his loved ones.

Pollard died on January 29, 2015, after being shot and killed following a confrontation with Callender.

The former accused claimed that Pollard approached him with a knife in his hand. Despite the defendant walking free, relatives of the deceased fisherman expressed great displeasure in the outcome, stating that they were denied justice, as Pollard’s common-law wife, Ashmoon Khan was most vocal in her despair, while holding on to the couple’s youngest child. The moth-

acted in self-defence, saying the fisherman was repeatedly warned to remove from the area. After being freed on Wednesday, he offered condolences to Pollard’s family.

Callender was represented by Attorney Lammy Singh while State Attorney Mandell Moore and Lisa Cave appeared for the State.

Callender had claimed that on January 29, 2015,

he received two radio messages from another security officer. Thereafter, he learnt that the deceased was under the wharf. The court was further told that Pollard refused to remove despite repeated warnings.

Callender continued, telling the jury earlier this week that he then fired a warning shot, but the fisherman still refused to remove, came unto the wharf

and behaved in a disorderly manner.

“He started to curse me and I became afraid for my life and I asked him the move off the wharf, he made a few steps and I fired a shot which resulted in him being shot,” Callender claimed.

High Court Judge, Justice Sandhill Kissoon presided over the matter.

14 News

thursDAY, may 3, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Struggling mother of 10 seeks help to care for children

COHSOD XXXIV opens …Human Resource Development primary issue be determines in part by the strength of our partnerships and the depth of the multi-sectorial collaborative approach,” he explained.

Ambassador LaRocque said the task before the Minister at the meeting is for them to agree on regional actions with regard to the strategic priorities as identified by the 32nd meeting of the COHSOD. “Implementation is key so that we can address the defi-

…says “living in poverty is worse than living in hell”

cially in our youth. With such a grounding, our people will be enabled to demonstrate the attributes of good citizenship, integrity, professionalism and innovativeness. They will strive for excellence and will demonstrate an appreciation of the diversity within our unique Caribbean culture and identity among several relevant qualities,” LaRocque said.

He said the Council presents an opportunity for coor-

Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

T

A

Sonia Chung with five of her 10 children

35-year-old mother of 10 children of Charity New Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, is seeking assistance to take care of her children.

A neighbour of Sonia Chung reached out to Guyana Times seeking to have the public assistance to help her with basic amenities for her children. At present, six of the 10 children are living with her Speaking with this publication, Chung said that her smallest child was five months old. She said that both herself and her husband were finding it difficult to gain employment as they were both uneducated.

Her husband, Moses, she said, was renting a farm in the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), but owing to the heavy maintenance cost, he could not afford to continue with that venture.

The house in which the family is living has no electricity nor water and is being rented for $14,000 per month. But the family owes six months’ rent – it is only the goodwill of the landlord that stands between them and eviction. Describing her situation and her poverty-stricken state, the woman said, “Living in poverty is worse than living in hell.”

Chung said her eldest son, who is 19, is differently abled and cannot help her in any significant way.

Meanwhile, her neighbour, Mary Anthony, a member of the Charity Full Gospel Church, who reached out to this newspaper to visit the family, said that she was very much concerned and sad to see the living conditions of her neighbour.

She said that her family has offered assistance, but is appealing for some aid to support the family.

he Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) 34th meeting opened on Wednesday at Theatre Guild, Georgetown, with focus being on the implementation of the Human Resources Development 2030 Strategy.

The two-day meeting is being held under the theme “Positioning human resource development as central to Caribbean resilience and development,” and according to Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque the meeting has been convened against the backdrop of the adoption of the Human Resources Development 2030 Strategy by Heads of Government at the last meeting. In order to attain the objectives of the session’s theme, LaRocque noted that it will be done through improving access, relevance, equity and quality within the education systems.

“These will be supported by key intitative such as the creation of Centres of Excellence in HRD innovation, reform and quality improvement. The successful implementation of the strategy will

Education Minister Nicolette Henry and UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith

ciencies at all levels in the education system: in early childhood development, at both the primary and secondary levels; in tertiary education and lifelong learning. This is to ensure that the people of the Region are adequately equipped with 21st century skills and competencies,” he said.

He noted that since independence, the Caribbean has inherited an education system which was not tailored to our peculiar needs but explained that since then, tremendous progress has been made resulting in literacy rates rising to above 90 per cent.

“The Strategy can be seen therefore as another step in the evolution of the development of our human capital. It seeks to develop the ideal Caribbean person in all of us, but espe-

dination as the details of the implementation programme continue to be addressed in the working sessions. He added that by mainstreaming the HRD, it becomes possible to realise goals related to not only areas of human and social development but also economic development.

Additionally, he expressed gratitude to their partners for the realisation of their goals.

Meanwhile, Chairwoman for the 34th session, Surinamese Education, Youth and Culture Minister, Lillian Ferrier said in the present circumstances there are several developments, which provide new and exciting opportunities for children and youths, and others, which threaten their aspirations as pointed out in the HRD Strategy.

COHSOD Chair and Surinamese Education, Youth and Culture Minister, Lillian Ferrier “The HRD Strategy recognises the significant gains which we have made in the education as a Region since gaining independence and the outstanding contributions made to our countries, nations and the Region made by persons who were shaped by that system. However, it also addresses the stark reality of the significant attrition of students resulting in part of inadequate protection to the specific and protection needs of students.

The strategy also points to the use of outdated for the generation of millennials for whom technology is second nature,” she noted.

Additionally, Education Minister Nicolette Henry delivered welcoming remarks and thanked Caricom for organising the meeting. She noted that all the countries’ hopes and dreams are tied up in the decisions to be made at the meeting. The Strategy is the work of a Caricom Human Resource Development Commission, mandated by Caricom Heads, and comprising leading experts in education and training, along with representatives of the Region’s Private Sector; labour; health; Information Technology and Communication and youth bodies.

thursDAY, MAY 3, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

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A

before officially launching the company which offers occupational health, safety, environment and quality solutions for businesses and individuals in March 2018.

“The decision to start Kronoco Safety stemmed from a need to contribute,” explained Jack, who had spent several years in the extractive sector, working for Guyana Goldfields Inc and Reunion Manganese Inc. “When the announcement came that Guyana’s oil had finally been quantified, my initial response was how can I help to make this something that everyone can benefit from. My business partner and I discussed it, but not until I was introduced to the V12 brand that we decided this was something we could start with. I myself have suffered damage from wearing ill- fitting and uncomfortable safety footwear, so it was important to me to introduce something that would really benefit others.

That was how Kronoco Safety was born and our slogan “Your Safety is Our Business”.

The young entrepreneur described the company as a change agent, as it aims to increase health and safety awareness in the workplace and home, and prepare locals for international contracting opportunities through training, certification and provision of supplies. “We are in occupational health and safety, but for us it’s more about getting people to make informed choices. I believe it is the first time we are realising the importance of workplace safety and

t six feet, Latoya Jack is a towering presence physically and viscerally. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder of new start-up Kronoco Safety Solutions, Jack credits her mother for laying the entrepreneurial path she has followed, calling her the single biggest influence in her life.

“I truly believe I am my mother’s daughter. My mom made a family (restaurant and catering) business out of $40,000 and a chest freezer. It sent me to University, made a comfortable home, and from that small business, she was able to help so many people. My mom has had struggles in her life that I am fortunate or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it, to know about. As such, in the moments when I want to give up or things just don’t look the way I want them to, I think about the second day my mom opened her business and the GPL did what they do best…cut the lights. The first day, everything sold out, but the second day, I believe one piece of macaroni and cheese was sold ...I believe it was that day she decided not to quit, like most people would have, she decided she was going to go even harder at it. She tendered her resignation from her job and committed to her business full time.”

The 29-year-old University of Guyana graduate who went on to post-graduate studies in Trinidad and Tobago made a similar leap of faith, returning home from Trinidad to start work on Kronoco Safety Solutions in August 2017,

Market statistics

sons coming all the way from Berbice to visit us and ask about training, supplies, and our auditing services. The response to our safety footwear has been overwhelming for us. I think it’s most refreshing for persons to have a place to go for advice. We are not here to make the sale. Our aim is to help you make the decision that will be most beneficial to you, the individual.”

Kronoco also offers safety equipment for the home, including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and emergency lights, as part

to contribute, but you must be ready and willing to take advantage of the opportunities, noting in an earlier interview that now was the time of opportunity for Guyana.

Her advice to would-be entrepreneurs is “JUST DO IT”. “No better words have been spoken than the slogan by Nike…It requires patience and tenacity like you would not believe, but do it.

If you have something to contribute, a business is only a way of the world saying what you are contributing is worthwhile having. If it’s

Calculated at 94% purity, May 2, 2018

Bank of Guyana Buying

of its efforts to improve Guyana’s safety culture. Jack stressed that their main goal is “to educate”.

The Pinterest-loving, abstract-painting Georgetown resident with wry sense of humour believes everyone has something

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Cambio Rates Cur

safety in general in Guyana. It’s a movement we support and one that we are here to help to promote, in as many ways as we possibly can.”

She says the response has been “phenomenal”. “We have had per-

Selling

USD

$1304.25

GBP

$283.52

$287.10

Gross

$256,383

CAN

$162.06

$163.94

Net

$235,872

USD

$207.98

$210.45

EURO

$249.37

$252.55

Indicators as on May 2, 2018 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$73.36

Price

USD

Change %

+0.31 Change %

Rough Rice

$285.85/ton

+0.02

London Sugar

$323.80/ton

-0.49

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1306.90

$1307.90

Low/High

$1303.50

$1314.10

Change

+2.30

+0.18%

Business Concept – Intellectual Property Knowledge, creative ideas, or expressions of the human mind that have commercial value and are protectable under copyright, patent, servicemark, trademark, or trade secret laws from imitation, infringement, and dilution. Intellectual property includes brand names, discoveries, formulas, inventions, knowledge, registered designs, software, and works of artistic, literary, or musical nature. It is one of the most readily tradable properties in the digital marketplace. (Business Dictionary)

15

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good, people are going to pay for it. If they don’t, it just means you have to reassess and try again.

When questioned about who was her dream mentor, she had this to say: “Some people look up to and try to model themselves after ONE individual; well, I don’t do that. I like to know people’s stories. This goes for everyone I meet. My question is always, “how did you get to this point in your life?” As such, it’s the same way I treat my own life. I think about where I want to go and try to make the best decisions possible to get there. In that way, I think I find mentors everywhere and in everyone. There’s always something that someone else does really well; if I think it’s a good trait to have, I model it and move on.”

Jack cited persistence and consistency as the most important traits needed by entrepreneurs.

“The way this presents itself is passion. Your dream has to wake you up in the morning ready and raring to go. If it doesn’t do that, then you probably need a bigger dream,” she declared. “… Life is a whole journey that doesn’t end until you’re dead, why then try to spend any time figuring out before that time whether or not you were successful.

My question is, did I do the best I could? If the answer is yes, regardless of the outcome, it was a success for me.”

Contact: 48 Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, Guyana; 227-2022; www.facebook. com/kronocosafetysolutions/

Investor’s Guide

Asia shares shackled by trade tensions, dollar stays firm

A

sian shares were subdued on Thursday ahead of anxiously-awaited Sino-US trade talks, while the US dollar consolidated recent bumper gains after the Federal Reserve reaffirmed the outlook for more rate hikes this year.

Reports the Trump Administration is considering executive action to restrict some Chinese companies’ ability to sell telecoms equipment in the United States could unsettle investors.

Talks between US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He are due to kick off later today, but a breakthrough deal is viewed as highly unlikely.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was all but flat, while South Korean stocks eased 0.31 per cent.

Japan’s Nikkei was closed for a holiday, while E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 barely budged.

Wall Street had wobbled on Wednesday as potential US restrictions on Chinese telecoms companies reinforced investor concerns about worsening trade relations.

The Dow ended down 0.72 per cent, while the S&P 500 also lost 0.72 per cent and the Nasdaq 0.42 per cent.

The Fed policy meeting ended with no change as expected while the central bank expressed confidence a recent rise in inflation to near target would be sustained, leaving it on track to raise borrowing costs in June.

The euro was the biggest loser dropping to a 15-week trough at US$1.1936. It was last pinned at US$1.1950 and threatening the low for the year so far at US$1.1915.

The dollar also scored a three-month peak on the yen at 110.05, before edging back to 109.82. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar index touched the highest since late December at 92.834 and was last at 92.742.

In the Treasury market, yields dipped slightly as a quarterly refunding programme of US$73 billion came in short of expectations, reducing the pressure on prices from the torrent of supply.

Oil prices slipped with the market cautious ahead of the May 12 deadline for the US to ratify the Iran nuclear deal.

Reuters reported President Donald Trump has all but decided to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, but exactly how he will do so remains unclear.

Brent crude futures fell 34 cents to US$73.00 a barrel, while US crude dropped 33 cents to US$67.60. (Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, may 3, 2018

Regional

Extradition ordered for Jamaican Muslim cleric accused in US of recruiting for ISIS

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Judge has signed an extradition warrant, ordering radical Jamaican Muslim cleric Sheikh Abdullah el-Faisal be handed over to authorities in the United States to face terrorism-related charges.

But el-Faisal has 15 days to challenge the extradition order made

by Parish Court Judge Broderick Smith. US prosecutors have accused the 53-year-old Muslim cleric, who was christened Trevor

Sheikh Abdullah El-Faisal has 15 days to challenge the extradition order

William Forrest, of seeking to recruit people to join Islamic State (ISIS), which is designated by American authorities as a terrorist organisation.

He was arrested last August on an extradition warrant from the US on charges of conspiracy as a crime of terrorism, two counts of soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism, and two counts of attempted soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism.

The Muslim cleric was taken into custody after a month-long operation carried out by an undercover New York Police Department (NYPD) officer who communicated with him by e-mail, text and video chat.

Prosecutors said that beginning in December 2016, el-Faisal began urging the officer to view ISIS propaganda materials online, and offering to help him travel to the Middle East to fight for the orga-

nization. NYPD members ultimately did travel to the Middle East, and once they arrived, el-Faisal put them in touch with a contact in Raqqa, Syria, according to prosecutors.

El-Faisal was convicted in the United Kingdom in 2003 of soliciting the murder of Jews, Americans, Hindus, and Christians. He was deported to Jamaica in 2007 after serving four years of a nine-year prison term. (Caribbean360)

Another 49 Central Americans Anti-Money Laundering Bill… from caravan cross US border OECS urges UK Parliament to

F

orty-nine Central Americans from a migrant caravan that angered President Donald Trump crossed into the United States to seek asylum on Wednesday morning, while dozens more woke to a rainy, cold third day camped outside a US port of entry.

The 49 migrants, including a first group of mostly women, children and transgender people who had been waiting at the US gate for about 15 hours, were let through by midday, accord-

ing to the group’s organizers, raising the total number of migrants who had crossed to 74.

Since Monday, border officials have allowed only a trickle at a time to cross the US border, saying that the busy San Ysidro crossing to San Diego is saturated and the rest must wait their turn. More than 100 members of the caravan, most from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, have been camped in a square near the entrance of the San Ysidro

pedestrian bridge that leads from Mexico to the United States, waiting for their turn to enter the facility.

At least 28 migrants who made it into the United States on Wednesday had been next on the list. Late Tuesday they had anxiously filed through the walkway to the US gate.

Two by two, some walked up to a US Customs and Border Protection officer standing in the gate to ask if they might pass through.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T Govt rolls out TT$50M laptop initiative in September

W

hen the Trinidad Education Ministry rolls out its TT$50 million secondary school laptop programme for the new school term in September, students will not be allowed to take the computers home.

The news was given on Tuesday by Education Minister Anthony Garcia at a press conference at the Education Ministry in Port of Spain.

This would be the PNM’s first purchase of 13,600 high-quality Lenovo laptops for students since coming into office in 2015. In March, the Central Tenders Board under the Ministry of

Finance awarded the laptop contract to Memory Bank Computers Ltd. Each school will be given 50 laptops. There are 144 Government, Governmentassisted and private secondary schools while there are nine Servol centres where students are placed.

Under the Kamla Persad-Bissessar led People’s Partnership (PP) Government approximately 95,000 laptops were purchased from 2010 to 2015 for students who used it in their homes and schools. From 2010 to 2013, the PP spent TT$253 million on 73,000 laptops.

In September,

Garcia said, all secondary school will be furnished with superior quality laptops as opposed to what were previously distributed.

Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan made it abundantly clear that “there has been a shift in policy from the provision of laptops to individual students to laptops for schools to be used by students.”

Gerard Phillip, lead ICT in education at the ministry, said principals and heads of departments would have to work out their own schedule, based on the request of teachers for the laptops.

reject discriminatory amendment

T

he United Kingdom Parliament on Tuesday approved new measures to confront money-laundering via the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill.

But the measures will affect the financial services of the Overseas Countries and Territories, including Caricom Associate Members – Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands – and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has called on the UK Parliament to reject the changes to the legislation.

Under the amendment, the UK Government would be required to take steps for British Overseas Territories to establish publicly accessible registers of the beneficial ownership of companies.

The OECS issued a statement in which it said it strongly opposed certain provisions of the Bill, and

The OECS has called on the UK Parliament to reject the changes to the legislation

spoke up on behalf of the BVI, one of the members of the sub-regional grouping.

The OECS noted that the requirement for the registers of the beneficial ownership of companies would not be applied to Britain’s crown dependencies, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, “thus appearing to specifically target the Caribbean at a time when several of our mem-

State of emergency in J’can parish set to be extended for another 3 months

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Brazil tower blaze: Victim was trying to help others

A

man who died when a burning tower block collapsed in Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo, was only seconds away from being rescued, firefighters say.

Ricardo Oliveira Galvão Pinheiro, 39, had gone back into the building to alert others when he was trapped by the flames. Firefighters threw him a rope and a harness from a neighbouring building.

But before he could tie it around himself, the building

collapsed and he was buried beneath the burning rubble.

The building in central São Paulo once housed the federal Police offices but was vacated by the Force years ago. About 250 people are believed to have been staying in the crumbling 26-storey tower when a fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday.

Wood used to divide the floors into living spaces fuelled the flames. The fire spread rapidly from the lower floors through the empty

lift shafts which acted like a chimney. São Paulo Governor Márcio França described it as “an accident waiting to happen”. According to residents, Pinheiro, whom they called Tattooed, had already escaped the blaze when he decided to help those on the higher floors get out. Jéssica Matos, 20, told Folha newspaper that she passed Ricardo on the second floor of the staircase. “I’m going upstairs to send the people down,” he reportedly shouted. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

ber states are still reeling from the devastation caused

by Hurricanes Irma and Maria”.

OECS Chairman, St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, lamented the ongoing frustration of member states in having to continually battle the unilateral shifting of goal posts on the financial services front. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

T

he Jamaica Senate was expected on Wednesday to give the green light for the state of emergency (SOE) in the parish of St James to be extended for another three months, after the opposition gave its support to a resolution for the extension in the House of Representatives last night.

In making the case for allowing the SOE to remain in place in the parish that is

home to Jamaica’s tourism capital, Montego Bay, until August 2, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the measure has been yielding results.

The SOE was introduced on January 18, and between January 1 and April 30, there were 62 fewer murders than during the corresponding period last year, Holness reported. Although saying his People’s National Party (PNP) would support the extension

this time around, Opposition Leader, Dr Peter Phillips criticised the security forces’ strategy of “gathering up young men from poor communities” and gradually processing them, saying it would worsen the relationship between the police and the communities. However, Holness insisted that detentions under the State of Emergency were not carried out arbitrarily. Meantime, St James business and tourism interests say they are in strong support of the extension of the SOE, arguing that “Montego Bay and neighbouring communities have never felt safer”.

Speaking after the House voted to extend the SOE, Mayor of Montego Bay Homer Davis said it was clear that the measure was working, and every effort should be made “to keep a good thing going”.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

thursDAY, may 3, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Deadly attack hits Libya's Black men arrested election headquarters in Starbucks

A

t least eleven people have been reported dead after armed men, including two suicide bombers, attacked Libya's electoral commission headquarters. The attack on Wednesday in the capital, Tripoli, took place as officials were registering voters before elections expected later this year, news agencies reported.

Khaled Omar, the election commission’s spokesman, told reporters that three election officials and four members of the security forces were among the dead.

Libya's Health Ministry official later said the death

The exchange of fire was followed by loud explosions inside the building, witnesses said

toll has gone up to 11 with two other people injured.

Al Jazeera's Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from Tripoli, quoted the city's

Director for Security as saying two suicide bombers detonated their explosives as security forces confronted them.

Witnesses claimed they saw armed men putting on their suicide vests and engaging security personnel in a firefight at the entrance of the election commission building. While ISIL's forces in Libya have been degraded in the last year, the attack was a reminded that it still has the capacity to spread violence, Gomati said.

Since the ouster and death of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has descended into chaos and is now split between three governments: two in Tripoli and one in Tobruk. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

India, US explore ways to boost cooperation in Indo-Pacific region

I

ndia and the US have explored ways to further deepen operational cooperation in the resource-rich Indo-Pacific region where China has been trying to spread its influence.

The issue was discussed extensively during the third round of the India-US Maritime Security Dialogue which took place in Goa from April 30 to May 1.

"The two sides discussed developments in the maritime domain in the IndoPacific Region and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen bilateral maritime security cooperation," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. The US has been pushing for a broader role by India in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the region.

In November last, India, the US, Australia and Japan had given shape to the long-pending Quadrilateral coalition to develop a new

strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the IndoPacific free of Chinese influence.

The MEA said, during the two-day dialogue, both sides reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during previous deliberations. It said the next round of the dialogue will be held in the US on mutually convenient dates. (Excerpt from

Times of India)

Iowa approves 'most restrictive abortion bill in US'

T

he US state of Iowa has approved an abortion law banning most abortions once a foetal heartbeat is detected. Republican lawmakers passed the bill in back-to-back votes, sending it to the governor's desk to sign into law.

If it comes into effect the bill will ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, and rights groups

say it will be the country's most restrictive. Critics argue it will make having an abortion illegal before most women even realise they are pregnant.

Iowa's Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has not said if she will sign the bill. Last year, Iowa Republicans successfully banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

y Cobb, the lawyer leading President Trump’s legal team in the special counsel’s Russia investigation, stepped down and Trump hired an attorney who represented Bill Clinton during his impeachment as a replacement, the White House said Wednesday.

“Emmet Flood will be joining the White House Staff to represent the President and the Administration against the Russia witch-hunt,” Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. “Ty Cobb, a friend of the President, who has done a terrific job, will be retiring at the end of the month.” ?“It has been an honour to serve the country in this

capacity at the White House.

I wish everybody well moving forward,” Cobb told the New York Times, which first reported the development.

Flood, a veteran Washington lawyer, is expected to take a more aggressive tact when dealing with Mueller’s investigators as opposed to Cobb who counselled a more measured approach, the Times report said.

And hours before his retirement was revealed, Cobb told ABC News that talks were ongoing about Trump sitting down with Mueller’s investigators. The White House said Cobb informed Trump’s Chief-of-Staff last week of his impending departure.

Although Flood didn’t

The so-called "heartbeat" bill would require any woman seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound to screen for a foetal heartbeat. If one is detected, she will be barred from obtaining a termination. Some exceptions have been introduced – in cases of rape and incest, where it has been reported to authorities, and to save the woman's life.

"We're in the majority for a reason and that includes advancing the pro-life cause," Republican Representative Shannon Lundgren told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. "We are alive when our hearts start beating and our life is over when it stops," Dawn Pettengil, another Republican Representative from Iowa, told CBS News.

Philadelphia’s Mayor said Nelson and Robinson approached the city about working together to ‘make something positive come of this’

T

he matter was settled for US$1 each and a US$200,000 programme for young people.

Two black men arrested for sitting at a Philadelphia Starbucks without ordering anything settled with the city Wednesday for a symbolic US$1 each and a promise from officials to set up a US$200,000 programme for young entrepreneurs.

The men’s lawyer and Mayor Jim Kenney outlined the agreement to the Associated Press. “I am pleased to have resolved the potential claims against the city in this productive manner,” Kenney said. “This was an incident that evoked a lot of pain in our city and put us under a national spotlight for unwanted reasons.”

The arrest of Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson on April 12 touched off a furore in the US over racial profiling. They were led away in handcuffs after the manager called police, saying the men refused

Ty Cobb

play a major role in the 1998-99 impeachment proceedings, he was the lead lawyer in the White House Counsel’s office in former President George W Bush’s second term.

Cobb’s departure comes

as reports revealed that Mueller told Trump’s lawyers in March that he would use a grand jury subpoena to force the president to answer questions in the Russian investigation. (Excerpt

from New York Post)

from The Guardian)

British Govt launches review into Windrush scandal

B Trump’s lawyer in Russia probe is retiring T (Excerpt from BBC News)

to buy anything or leave.

After spending hours in jail, they were released and no charges were filed.

The men said they were waiting at the coffee shop in the city’s wellto-do Rittenhouse Square neighbourhood for a business meeting with a third man about a potential real estate opportunity. The Mayor said Nelson and Robinson approached the city about working together to “make something positive come of this”. The entrepreneur programme will be for Philadelphia public high school students.

During the uproar, the Starbucks chief executive Kevin Johnson came to Philadelphia to apologise to the men. He also announced that more than 8000 Starbucks stores in the US would close on the afternoon of May 29 so nearly 175,000 employees can get training in unconscious bias. (Excerpt

ritain’s Government launched a review on Wednesday into the treatment of some Caribbean migrants who were invited to Britain after World War Two but have been left without documents and denied basic rights.

Prime Minister Theresa May, a former Interior Minister who once led efforts to tackle illegal immigration, appointed a new Home Secretary this week to try to draw a line under the scandal that has threatened her authority as she negotiates Brexit.

Sajid Javid, the son of immigrants from Pakistan, pledged that his new department would learn the lessons of what happened to the so-called “Windrush generation” from the review, which would be concluded before the summer.

“This review will seek to draw out how members of the Windrush genera-

tion came to be entangled in measures designed for illegal immigrants, why that was not spotted sooner and whether the right corrective measures are now in place,” Javid told Parliament.

He said he would keep Parliament informed monthly on the review’s progress and the “latest position on detentions, removals and deportations”.

The scandal has weighed on May, and the main Opposition Labour Party has pressed for a full inquiry, calling on the Government to release documents, emails and texts from 2010, when she herself was Home Secretary.

Labour lost a motion in Parliament late on Wednesday that would have compelled the Government to hand over this evidence for scrutiny by lawmakers of the assembly’s Home Affairs Committee. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

ThursDAY, May 3, 2018

ARCHIE

Do the best you can and avoid negative people. It’s im(March 21portant to gravitate toward April 19) people who share your vision and spark your imagination.

Romance will improve your life.

ARIES

Making an adjustment to TAURUS your expenses is a good place (April 20- to start if you want to make May 20) your cash flow a little smoother. Stop talking and start taking action.

dilbert

Don’t feel obligated to say GEMINI (May 21- yes to everyone who asks you June 20) for something. Draw the line if you don’t want someone to take advantage of you. Know your limitations and boundaries.

By assisting others, you will help yourself. Giving (June 21- back and sharing what you July 22) know with the people around you will help you gain support and give you greater self-confidence.

CANCER

Peanuts

Do something different or LEO get involved in a group that (July 23- offers insight into new ways Aug. 22) to use old skills. Expand your awareness by listening more and talking less.

Calvin and Hobbes

Taking part in an event VIRGO will bring you in touch with (Aug. 23someone whom you can benSept. 22) efit or learn from. Explore all possibilities and question anything that isn’t clear.

Use your intuitive intelLIBRA (Sept. 23- ligence when dealing with Oct. 23) domestic issues, partners or anyone who needs your help.

Understanding what’s going on will help you find a workable solution.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — LIONIZED (LIONIZED: LYE-uh-nized: Looked on or treated as a celebrity.)

Average mark 23 words Time limit 35 minutes

Home, family and hapSAGITTARIUS piness should be your pri(Nov. 23orities.

Don’t let the little Dec. 21) things get to you. Offer love and help to the people who mean the most to you.

Can you find 31 or more words in LIONIZED? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — MIRRORED mire mirror mode moire more idem redo ride rider rime rode order

emir error demo dime dire doer dome dorm dormer dormie drier

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

How you go about getSCORPIO ting things done will make a (Oct. 24difference.

Make use of your Nov. 22) physical abilities and get the grunt work out of the way to avoid complaints.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You may feel like talking and discussing your personal business, but be careful whom you open up to.

Sharing information can change the way someone views you, causing an unfair response.

Finish what you start.

A positive change regarding how you make or handle your money is apparent.

Home or personal improvements, along with romance and family fun are favoured.

Keep your story straight.

Emotions can bring out the best and the worst in you and in others. Stick to the truth and offer compassion and understanding.

thursDAY, may 3, 2018

Prithvi Shaw hits a six during the match against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League

D

elhi Daredevils had a lot of things different about them against Rajasthan Royals in their second meeting of the season - the captain had changed, the batting order was different and they’d posted a massive score batting first. It was a rain-curtailed game again, but this time they managed a different result too to rise above Mumbai Indians at the bottom of the table.

Defending 150 in 12 overs, Daredevils came under a brutal attack from the promoted Jos Buttler, whose 18-ball fifty helped Royals smash down more than half the required runs with six overs and ten wickets still in hand. But a middle-order slide engineered

by Amit Mishra and Trent Boult saw Daredevils pull things back.

Earlier, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant had combined to put up 166 of the 196 runs Daredevils made in 17.1 overs.

When he lost the toss, Iyer said conditions would be easy and “not dewy” when his team went out to bat. Just over 20 minutes later, the groundstaff were pulling the covers on to keep the outfield dry. The rain reduced the game to 18-oversa-side.

Colin Munro faced his first ball against Royals this season, but when his inside edge against Dhawal Kulkarni was

19

Delhi’s batting might lifts them from bottom

taken by Buttler, it became his second duck against them.

Royals, who had replaced Rahul Tripathi with Ben Stokes at first slip, barely found another edge after that.

First, they got acquainted with the middle of Shaw’s bat, which often met the ball above waist height but always with full control; the teenager, not the tallest of men, frequently

stayed put in his crease and followed rising short-of-alength deliveries with just his hands to comfortably clear the infield, in the ‘V’. In the middle of all that, he mistimed a full toss and offered a return catch in the third over that Kulkarni couldn’t hold on to. It took a change in pace - the legspin of Shreyas Gopal - to get Shaw as he tried to hit another one

SCOREBOARD Delhi Daredevils Innings (17.1 overs maximum) PP Shaw c & b Gopal 47 C Munro c †Buttler b Kulkarni 0 SS Iyer (c) c Tripathi b Unadkat 50 RR Pant † c Stokes b Unadkat 69 GJ Maxwell lbw b Archer 5 V Shankar c Tripathi b Unadkat 17 LE Plunkett not out 1 Extras (lb 1, w 6) 7 TOTAL (17.1 Overs, RR: 11.41) 196-6 Did not bat: A Mishra, S Nadeem, Avesh Khan, TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-1 (C Munro, 0.4 ov), 2-74 (PP Shaw, 7.2 ov), 3-166 (SS Iyer, 14.3 ov), 4-172 (RR Pant, 14.6 ov), 5-191 (V Shankar, 16.2 ov), 6-196 (GJ Maxwell, 17.1 ov) BOWLING: DS Kulkarni (3-037-1), JC Archer (3.1-0-311), K Gowtham (2-0-27-0), JD Unadkat (4-0-46-3), S Gopal (2-0-26-1), BA Stokes (3-0-28-0)

Rajasthan Royals Innings (target: 151 runs from 12 overs) DJM Short c Avesh Khan b Maxwell 44 JC Buttler † st †Pant b Mishra 67 SV Samson c Munro b Boult 3 BA Stokes c Shankar b Boult 1 RA Tripathi run out (†Pant/Boult) 9 K Gowtham not out 18 JC Archer not out 0 Extras (lb 1, w 3) 4 TOTAL (12 Overs, RR: 12.16) 146-5 Yet to bat: AM Rahane (c), JD Unadkat, DS Kulkarni, S Gopal Fall of wickets: 1-82 (JC Buttler, 6.4 ov), 2-92 (SV Samson, 8.1 ov), 3-100 (BA Stokes, 8.6 ov), 4-118 (DJM Short, 9.4 ov), 5-141 (RA Tripathi, 11.4 ov) BOWLING: S Nadeem (1-0-130), TA Boult (3-0-26-2), Avesh Khan (2-0-36-0), LE Plunkett (3-0-37-0), A Mishra (2-0-121), GJ Maxwell (1-0-21-1)

through the line. He had made 47 off 25.

Pant has taken a couple of balls in the mid-riff this season while attempting to play the hook shot. Essentially, his falling over into the off side when the ball is pitched short has put him in trouble often.

I t ’ s n o t something h e has tried t o remedy, though.

After copping one on the body from a Stokes bouncer, the left-hander continued to get inside the line of the ball when it was pitched short and even managed a six on one instance as he tried to avoid flicking the off stump with his back leg. He made 24 runs behind the square region.

The rest of his runs came where they usually do through the covers and at cow corner. Pant hit at least three boundaries through the off side that couldn’t have been more than five yards away from the closest fielder. They were just as helpless on those occasions as they were when he slugged three sixes on the leg side. In his 50th T20 match, this innings of 69 off 29 was the perfect tribute.

At the other end, Iyer made his fourth fifty in five games as

a sorry Royals attack’s most economical bowler went at 9.33.

In a team trying to jam several specialist openers into the top order, Buttler had been reduced to the No. 5 slot. But Royals decided they needed him at the top to set the tone for a very steep chase, that was revised to 151 from 12 overs, and he delivered like only he does - with flat drives over the bowler, loopy ramps over the keeper and indiscreet slaughtering of short deliveries.

Avesh Khan, with his

Shreyas Iyer raises his bat after completing his fifty against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League

predisposition for hitting the deck and skidding the ball on, was perhaps exactly what Buttler has been looking for in a season where he hadn’t yet made 30-plus. On the night, he made 34 in 10 balls of just Avesh.

When Iyer tossed the ball to Glenn Maxwell with 52 required off three overs, it was ideal for Royals - Short hit the first three balls for sixes and fell off the fourth.

In doing so, he had made the runs against the parttimer and also allowed for finisher K Gowtham to come in. Iyer then kept them in it a second time. With 10 to win off the two balls, he not only dropped Gowtham at deep midwicket, but also conceded four runs.

However, a mishap during the 15th over of Daredevils’ innings might have made the biggest difference. Jaydev Unadkat’s second ball was an offcutter that deflected off Pant’s glove into Buttler’s path. The wicketkeeper shied at and hit the non-striker’s stumps as the batsmen ran through. The ricochet had rolled harmlessly towards Stokes who was backing up in the mid-off region. But the allrounder had barely made it halfway to the ground with his lazy effort to the left as Daredevils picked up four overthrows.(ESPNcricinfo)

England take No1 ranking off India

Eoin Morgan’s side climb to the top spot for the first time since 2013 ahead of the World Cup on home soil in 2019

E

ngland have displaced India on top of the International Cricket Council’s ODI rankings after the governing body’s annual update shook up each side’s points tally.

Eoin Morgan’s team have climbed to No.1 for the first time since January 2013,

further underlining their status as favourites for the 2019 World Cup on home soil.

England’s rise comes after the 2014-15 season was dropped from the points calculations in the annual update, a period of time that saw England win just seven out of 25 ODIs.

They gained eight points as a result to sit on 125, while India lost one point and now sit in second position on 122 points.

South Africa have dropped to third place after losing four points, sitting on 113, one point ahead of fourth-ranked New Zealand.

Australia remain in fifth spot on the table on 104 points, a position they’ll have an opportunity to improve upon when they travel to the United Kingdom to play England in June.

They are just two points ahead of sixth-ranked Pakistan.

The ICC rankings system prioritises the most recent results, with 2017-18

performances awarded full weighting while the 201516 and 2016-17 seasons are weighted at 50 per cent.

The Test and T20I rankings have also been updated, with no change to the top-ranked sides in either format.

India remained No.1 in the Test charts, extending their lead over second-ranked South Africa from four to 13 points.

Australia are still ranked No.3, while Bangladesh moved above West Indies to No.8, pushing the Caribbean team to No.9 for the first time.

In the T20I rankings, Pakistan remain on top ahead of second-ranked Australia, while Afghanistan jumped ahead of Sri Lanka into eighth spot.

ODI team rankings 1. England - 125 points (+8 points) 2. India - 122 (-1) 3. South Africa - 113 (-4) 4. New Zealand - 112 (-2) 5. Australia - 104 (-8) 6. Pakistan - 102 (+6) 7. Bangladesh - 93 (+3) 8. Sri Lanka - 77 (-7) 9. Windies - 69 (-5) 10. Afghanistan - 63 (+5) 11. Zimbabwe - 55 (+4) 12. Ireland - 38 (-3)

Test team rankings 1. India - 125 (+4) 2. South Africa - 112 (-5) 3. Australia - 106 (+4) 4. New Zealand - 102 (-) 5. England - 98 (+1) 6. Sri Lanka - 94 (-1) 7. Pakistan - 86 (-2) 8. Bangladesh - 75 (+4) 9. West Indies - 67 (-5) 10. Zimbabwe - 2 (+1)

T20I team rankings 1. Pakistan - 130 (-) 2. Australia - 126 (-) 3. India - 123 (+2) 4. New Zealand - 116 (-) 5. England - 115 (+1) 6. South Africa - 114 (+3) 7. West Indies- 114 (+3) 8. Afghanistan - 87 (-1) 9. Sri Lanka - 85 (-4) 10. Bangladesh - 75 (-2) 11. Scotland - 66 (-1) 12. Zimbabwe - 58 (-3) 13. Netherlands - 53 (+4) 14. UAE - 51 (-1) 15. Hong Kong - 42 (-4) 16. Oman - 39 (+1) 17. Ireland - 33 (-3)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursDAY, may 3, 2018

Malaysian badminton Federer to return at Mercedes Cup in June players receive

career-ending bans

Zulfadli Zulkiffli was crowned world junior men’s singles champion in 2011

T

wo Malaysian badminton players have been handed career-ending bans for match-fixing.

Tan Chun Seang, 31, and former junior world champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli, 25, were banned for 15 and 20 years.

An independent panel found both players “engaged in corruption offences over a significant period and a significant number of tournaments” from 2013.

The bans also cover administrative, coaching, officiating and developmental roles within the sport.

It is the first case of its kind for both badminton and the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

The players’ actions were found to breach the BWF’s code of conduct relating to “betting, wagering and ir-

regular match results”.

Tan and Zulkiffli have also been fined $15,000 (£11,002) and $25,000 (£18,337) respectively by a BWF Ethics Hearing Panel.

The BWF ruled Zulkiffli - who reached a career-high ranking of 30 in January 2017 - had manipulated the results of four matches, committing 31 violations in total of the sport’s code of conducts between 2013 and 2016.

Tan - who in 2011 was banned from playing in Asian countries for two years due to his decision to quit the Malaysian national team - committed 26 violations over a shorter period of time.

The investigation was launched after a whistleblower alleged Zulkiffli had approached him at a

tournament in Brazil in 2016.

Zulkiffli, who was born in Los Angeles, was crowned world junior men’s singles champion in 2011, defeating the current world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the final.

Their suspensions have been backdated from 12 January, 2018 - the date they were both provisionally suspended by the BWF. The bans are the latest scandal to hit Malaysian badminton, after two Danish players alleged a Malaysian man had approached them to throw matches.

In 2015, former world number one Lee Chong Wei was banned from the sport for eight months for doping. (BBC Sport)

R

Switzerland’s Roger Federer poses with the trophy as he celebrates winning the 2017 final against Croatia’s Marin Cilic

oger Federer will return to action at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart in June after a lengthy break from the sport, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) said on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old world number two opted to follow the same plan as last year, when he missed the European claycourt season, including the French Open, before making a comeback in Stuttgart.

“Excited to announce that I will be coming back to Germany for

in Stuttgart last year but the Swiss went on to win his ninth title at Halle before marching to his eighth Wimbledon triumph.

Defending champion Lucas Pouille, Canadian Milos Raonic, Next Gen ATP finals winner Hyeon Chung and Australian N i c k Kyrgios will also compete at the

the Mercedes Cup in June,” Federer said. “Looking forward to seeing you at the grass courts in Stuttgart!”

Federer lost to German Tommy Haas

Mercedes Cup from June 11-17.

F e d e r e r , 20-times grand slam winner, is also expected to bid for a record 10th title at the Halle Open starting on June 18. (Reuters)

New Zealand weighing offer to play in Pakistan N

ew Zealand Cricket (NZC) is weighing up a request from the PCB to play in Pakistan later this year. Pakistan are currently scheduled to “host” New Zealand for a full tour of the UAE, comprising most likely of three Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is, in October-November.

“NZC has received a request from the PCB chairman for New Zealand to play in Pakistan,” a spokesman for the New Zealand board said. “At the moment NZC is doing due diligence on the request and consulting with security providers, the government, and the players. We will respond to the PCB when this process has been completed.”

New Zealand have not played Test cricket in Pakistan since their tour in 2002 ended in dramatic and tragic circumstances.

Scheduled to play a two-Test series, the tour was cut short after one Test. On the morning the second Test was due to start, a massive bomb blast outside the hotel the teams were staying at killed 15 people, including 11 French engineers. The New Zealand team

Martin Guptill was run-out after a mix-up with Kane Williamson

was not thought to be a target.

The tour was immediate cancelled, with the team flying back home that very day. New Zealand did, however, come to Pakistan the following year to play an ODI

series.

They were also scheduled to tour in December 2009, but the terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March that year put paid to that. The attacks led to Pakistan cricket

moving away from the country a situation that remains largely unchanged. Cricket has begun to trickle back to the country, amid presidential-style security in Lahore and Karachi.

Since Zimbabwe visited for

three ODIs and two T20Is in 2015, Pakistan has played host to four Pakistan Super League matches, three T20Is against an ICC World XI, one T20I against Sri Lanka and three T20Is against the West Indies last month.

Pakistan are also due to host Australia in the UAE this winter for a limited-overs series, but a CA spokesman confirmed no part of that series would be played in Pakistan. “The safety and security of Australian players is our number one priority,” he said. “From an Australia team perspective, we are not contemplating moving our current bilateral-tour arrangements from taking on Pakistan in the Middle East, when they host the next series.”

New Zealand and Australia are the two Full Member sides who have gone longest without touring Pakistan. Australia last arrived in Pakistan two decades ago in 1998, playing three Tests and five ODIs. New Zealand have not visited the country since their limited-overs series in 2003.

(ESPNcricinfo)

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Georginio Wijnaldum (right) celebrates scoring Liverpool’s second goal against Roma

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Liverpool weather Roma storm to roar into Champions League final

s it too presumptuous, when Liverpool are playing with this kind of attacking conviction, to believe they have the riches to prevent Real Madrid, the most successful team in the history of the European Cup final, from registering a 13th success in the competition they cherish the most? The final will be on 26 May in Kiev and Liverpool, on this evidence, will be going to Ukraine to score goals and examine the theory that Madrid can be susceptible at the back.

Evidently they will need to tighten up their own defence, eliminate the mistakes that briefly threatened a late twist here and hope their goalkeeper, Loris Karius, is not having one of his accident-prone performances. Attacking-wise, though, it is certainly within their reach to ensure another year, 2018, needs to be added to all those banners on the Kop – many of them visible here in Rome – acclaiming their previous wins in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 2005. Jürgen Klopp’s team have now accumulated 46 goals, qualifiers included, in this competition and Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have 31 of them. True, they will need to find a way to subdue Cristiano Ronaldo et al but if there is one certainty about this Liverpool side it is that they will attack with vigour and confidence.

That approach was too much, ultimately, for Roma and, though it was a night of high drama in the Italian capital, it was only in the last five minutes that Radja Nainggolan’s two goals meant Liverpool’s aggregate lead was down to

one. Roma gave everything and Liverpool had to withstand some spirited pressure.

By then, however, Klopp’s men had inflicted grievous damage because of the first-half goals from Mané and Georginio Wijnaldum on top of the 5-2 victory at Anfield last week.

To put it in perspective, this was the 22nd time Liverpool had led by three goals or more from the first leg of a Champions League tie. The lesson of history is they had never surrendered that kind of position of strength. Yet Roma had already overturned a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona in the quarterfinals and the Giallorossi had a raucous, impassioned crowd willing them to repeat the trick.

Anfield was special for the first leg. The Stadio Olimpico, a seething, whistling pit of bias, somehow managed to make even more of a racket. Of all the places Liverpool have been in this competition, all the stories they have accumulated over the years, have they ever experienced such a febrile din?

A lesser team might have wilted.

That, however, was the most impressive part of Liverpool’s performance: their fearlessness. Roma’s record of having not conceded a single home goal in this competition – some achievement when their opponents have included Barcelona, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid – was gone within eight minutes.

Liverpool began the game like a team in a hurry, not showing a flicker of apprehension, and had reasonable

claims for a penalty either side of Mané’s goal. Kostas Manolas was fortunate to get away with his shove on Mané and even luckier, at 1-0, not to be punished for clattering Wijnaldum just inside the penalty area.

Even when Milner’s misfortune offered Roma a brief strand of hope, Liverpool were never tempted to play with more restraint. Another side might have tried to take the sting out of the game. Liverpool, on the other hand, refused to sit back and it was typical of the team’s attacking ambitions that the corner for their second goal originated from a move started by their left-back, Andy Robertson, surging down the line.

Roma could not clear Milner’s corner and when Edin Dzeko inadvertently headed the ball the wrong way, under pressure from Virgil van Dijk, it was too good an opportunity for Wijnaldum to pass up, heading in from close range.

Roma, to give them their due, kept attacking, desperately trying to change the complexion of the evening, but they were in need of a football miracle and Liverpool had shown with the opening goal how devastating they could be on the break. Roma were vulnerable as soon as Radja Nainggolan played the ball straight to Roberto Firmino. Mané was running to the left, Salah was going the other way, and Roma had only three defenders back.

Mané took a touch to control Firmino’s pass and fired emphatically past Alisson, the home team’s goalkeeper.

Perhaps the second half would

have been a little hairier for Liverpool if Stephan El Shaarawy’s 35th-minute shot had crept in rather than thudding against Lorius Karius’s post. Again Milner was involved, with the shot taking a hefty deflection off the midfielder. This time, however, Milner’s luck was in – in stark contrast to the freakish set of events, a quarter of an hour in, when Dejan Lovren tried to hack away El Shaarawy’s knockdown inside Liverpool’s penalty area only to whack the ball against Milner’s head and see it zigzag into the net.

Roma began the second half knowing they needed four more goals, with none in reply, just to take the game to extratime. At least they had a go and Dzeko, wrongly flagged offside, should have been awarded a penalty five minutes after the restart when he went down under Karius’s challenge. Two minutes later Karius turned El Shaarawy’s shot into Dzeko’s path and when the former Manchester City striker swept in the rebound it set up another flurry of Roma pressure. Dzeko had a splendid game, barring the mistake for Wijnaldum’s goal, and Liverpool were also fortunate in that period to avoid a penalty from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s handball that blocked El Shaarawy’s shot.

Naingollan’s goal went in off the post, with Karius badly caught out, and when the same player scored a penalty on the back of the substitute Ragnar Klavan’s handball it turned out to be the last Roma touch of the night. (BBC Sport)

Froome expects to win anti-doping case

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our-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has told the BBC he believes he will win his anti-doping case.

Froome, who begins his challenge for the Giro d’Italia on Friday, was found to have double the allowed level of a legal asthma drug in his urine after a test at last year’s Vuelta a Espana.

Asked if he will be cleared, Froome said: “Yes. I certainly expect to be.”

Meanwhile, Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford has insisted his own position is secure.

Brailsford has not spoken publicly since a parliamentary select committee said Team Sky and former rider Sir Bradley Wiggins “crossed an ethical line” by using drugs allowed under anti-doping rules to enhance performance instead of just for medical need.

“Have I considered my position? Everybody who works in this game considers their position every day, don’t they?

I’m constantly thinking about whether I’m the right person to support these riders,” Brailsford said.

“Things come and go, and things change, and the situation

context changes, but I’m still here, and I’m here because I think I still can help these guys to be the best they can be.”

‘I’m constantly thinking whether I’m the right person to support the riders’ ‘I certainly haven’t had any sleepless nights’ There have been calls from some within the sport for Froome to withdraw himself from racing while his case drags on. However, he is free to compete under the rules of world cycling’s governing body the UCI. The urine test, taken on 7 September 2017, showed levels of Salbutamol, commonly taken for asthma, were at 2,000 nanograms per millilitre (ng/ ml). That compares to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s threshold of 1,000 ng/ml.

Froome said: “Everyone’s entitled to an opinion. I can understand lots of people are frustrated at the lack of information, but this is a process that was meant to be confidential.

“It has been a challenging last few months but I like to think I’ve dealt with it very well. I certainly haven’t had any sleepless nights.

British road racing cyclist Chris Froome (centre) is looking to become only the third rider to win three successive Grand Tours

“I’m confident that people will see it from my point of view when all the details are out there.”

Dutch rider Tom Dumoulin, the 2017 Giro winner, admitted the uncertainty over Froome’s case has cast a shadow across this year’s race.

“It’s not good for cycling.

Everybody would like this not to happen, including Chris Froome, to be starting with doubts or uncertainty,” he said.

“Maybe he is winning this Giro and a few weeks later they say he loses the title, and that’s not good for him. It’s not good for anyone.

“It’s his decision to be here.

My team is part of the MPCC (Movement For Credible Cycling) so if I was in same situation as him I wouldn’t be here. But it’s his decision and it’s not up to me to complain about it.”

Team Sky has not signed up to MPCC, a voluntary union

of seven of the 18 World Tour teams which is based around a 10-point plan for clean cycling.

The first of those points commits to the provisional suspension of any rider who has returned an adverse finding.

The Giro begins in Jerusalem on Friday and stays in Israel for two further stages before transferring to Italy for the remaining 18.

It finishes in Rome on Sunday, 27 May. (BBC Sport)

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thursDAY, may 3, 2018

Ramps Logistics gives timely boost to Persaud

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alented go-karter Mikhail Persaud received an added incentive to bring the fireworks when GT Motorsports stages the second Georgetown Grand Prix for 2018 on Sunday.

It comes in the form of a sponsorship package with Ramps Logistics, which, among other sponsors, has pledged to offset the young driver’s expenses for the remainder of the 2018 go-kart season.

The 15-year-old, who attends Marian Academy, was the 2017 junior champion and currently leads the seniors for 2018. He is still eligible to compete in the juniors.

The event will have a shift in time moving from under floodlights to a 14:00h start time. Drivers from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago would face off in the various categories, with the Shifter Pro Cup being the feature event.

Intense rivalry is also guaranteed in the highly competitive Sun Burst Kids Cup 60cc, which

A representative of Ramps Logistics makes a ceremonial presentation to go-karter Mikhail Persaud

will once again feature the likes of Jeremy and Justin Tenpow, Nathan Rahaman, Ben Phang and

Paige Mendonca.

Heated battles can be expected in the 125cc junior and senior

Carib Beer T20 c/ship bowls off Sunday

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divisions, as well as the Easy Cup Rookie, Heavy and Light.

Additionally, the drivers with

the top 10 fastest lap times in the rental karts as of Friday will take to the starting line on Sunday. The 10 drivers will automatically qualify to compete among the professionals, in GT Motorsports Praga karts.

General admission to the venue is free, while the VIP experience costs $6000 per person.

Some of the long list of sponsors for the event include Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club, Stag Beer, Sun Burst Juices, E-Networks, ExxonMobil, Rayne Inn, Optique Vision Care, Ready Mixx Concrete, Hand-In-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies, King’s Jewellery World, Karcher, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Secure Innovations and Concepts, Scotiabank, Super Bet, Nexus Machinery and Fabrication Workshop, Truck Masters, Clear Waters, Prem’s Electrical and Ticket Master Travel Agency.

Guyana triumph

at Pennsylvania Relay Festival

Team and sponsor representatives and organisers pose for a photo at Tuesday's launch

ighteen East Coast Demerara teams will over the coming weekends be involved in battle in the Carib Beer T20 championship, set to bowl off this Sunday.

At the official launch on Tuesday at the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club, Carib Beer Brand Manager Sean Abel and representatives of the organising body – the East Coast Cricket Committee (ECCC) – were on hand to share details of the tournament with representatives of the various participating clubs.

The competition will be played on a knockout format, with one team drawing the bye from the second round onwards.

In the opening round, Better Hope A will play Mahaica Cavaliers; Strathavon will face Mahaica Sports Club; Golden Achievers will collide with Bee Hive; Anthony XI will tackle Enterprise A; Better Hope B and Enterprise B will square off; Enmore will play Ogle; Lusignan B will confront Helena Sports Club; LBI and Paradise will trade skills and Fairfield will do battle with Lusignan A. Games will be played every Sunday, with some venues hosting two matches per day, starting at 09:30h and 13:30h.

In order to enter, each team had to purchase two cases of Carib Beer. The champion team will receive $200,000; runners-up $75,000 and third-place finishers $50,000. All the cash prizes would be accompanied by trophies, while several individual awards are also at stake.

In signalling his company’s support to the tournament, Abel said ANSA Mcal Trading was always pleased to be part of community-based sports, in this instance cricket.

“There is so much young talent on the East Coast, and one way to showcase that talent is when you guys come out and compete.

We’re happy to be onboard with the brand Carib Beer, and we will continue to support the development of cricket in every community; even if we start one by one, we will get the job done,” Abel said.

ECCC member Jitlall Jowharilall indicated that each team is allowed one guest player; however, it is not compulsory. He added that the preliminary phase of the competition will be played in white clothing, while the semi-finals and final would be played in coloured uniforms.

The final is tentatively set for a Sunday in June.

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Some of the girls of the Campbellville Secondary School

ix females of the New Campbellville Secondary School, Georgetown who represented Guyana at the Pennsylvania Relay Festival emerged victorious after they were placed to compete in the four by 400 relay event.

The team which consisted of Princess Browne, Binka Joseph, Thenica Thompson and Malika Abrams won from a field of athletes, which included teams from the United States of America, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago among others.

The girls competed in the Secondary/ High school category and according to overseas based Guyanese of the Transparency

Envision Non-governmental Organization (NGO), Mark Webster, the athletes performed and represented Guyana and the sport well.

Participation was also given from a team which comprised of the Technical Institutes across Guyana whcih placed third in the same relay event. There was also participation from the Fort Wellington Secondary.

The Pennsylvania relay festival is an annual event that attracts teams from countries across the globe. Many athletes use this platform to catapult their athletics career.

23 Lucrative tapeball tournament for Cultural Centre tarmac guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, may 3, 2018

Linden “Guinness Greatest of the Streets” Football…

Silver Bullets to challenge Dave & Celina's for title

Saturday’s winner will walk away with bragging rights and $400,000

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ave & Celina’s will put their championship title on the line against Silver Bullets in the Linden Zone of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets football competition after recording victories in the semi-finals held on Tuesday at the McKenzie market tarmac.

The champs scraped to the final round in a rematch of the 2017 final, winning 2-0 on penalty kicks against Swag Entertainment. Mortimer Giddings gave Dave & Celina’s the lead with goals three minutes apart (9th & 12th).

On the cusp of being

booted without mounting any substantial challenge, Royston Fraser and Shane Luckie levelled proceedings with goals in the 23rd and 35th respectively.

In the other semi-final, an assault by Jermaine Samuels l e d Silver Bullets to a whopp i n g 4-0 triumph over High Rollers.

Samuels scored in the 7th, 27th and

then added a Guinness Goal (GG) in the 38th (GG counts as two goals when scored in the final 3 minutes of a match).

During the quarter-final rounds, the champs soared to a 3-0 victory over Quiet Storm via strikes f r o m Alanzo Thorman in the 18th (GG) and Rudy Halley (8th).

Robin Adams in the 10th made the differ-

ence for Bullets against NK Ballers while the pair of Qualon Andries (14th) and Kendolph Lewis (16th) led High Rollers to a 2-0 sweep of Assassa Ballers.

More so, Fraser and Luckie were again the point men for Swagg when they converted in the 15th and 17th against Amelia’s Ward Russians.

The wining purse at Saturday’s final which will be held at the aforementioned venue will be $400,000 and an automatic place in the National playoffs while the runners up pocket $150,000; third and fourth collect $100,000 and $75,000.

"They stepped up" - LeBron hails 'phenomenal' Cavs teammates

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eBron James gave all the credit to his teammates and claimed he had endured "one of my worst games of the season" after the Cleveland Cavaliers edged out the Toronto Raptors in overtime on Tuesday.

The Cavs - who have eliminated the Raptors from the playoffs in each of the last two campaigns - battled to a 113-112 triumph despite never leading in regulation time, having been forced to contend with a short turnaround following their game-seven win over the Indiana Pacers.

James had inspired his team to victory over the Pacers, but was below his best against Toronto despite registering a 26-point haul.

However, the likes of JR Smith, Jeff Green and Tristan Thompson all impressed to ensure the Cavs secured a 1-0 lead.

"I definitely wasn't as efficient as I like to be. I missed a lot of open looks, a lot of open threes," said James when assessing his own performance. "I probably had

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Director of Sport, Christopher Jones presents the trophies to organiser Dwight Dodson

nder the auspices of Transcend Entertainment, there will be an Independence cricket festival at the National Cultural Centre tarmac on Saturday and Sunday.

According to the organisers, over $500,000 in cash and prizes will be up for the taking in the tournament, which will be played on a seven-a-side basis in a five-over bash.

The entrance fee is $10,000 and will see the return of the Village Ram to defend their title led by Omesh “Rampage” Danram; the star-studded V-Net Vipers, who have numerous nation-

al players from the county of Essequibo who are set to be in the mix.

Apart from the on-field action, there will be a barbecue.

The organisers are thankful for the support of Banks DIH under its flagship Banks Beer brand, Imperial Trading, Xavier’s Investments, Precision Auto Works, Regal Stationery, the National Sports Commission, Star Party Rentals, Movement Auto Rental and Seeta’s Bar. Teams interested in participating are being asked to contact Dwight Dodson on 639-3785 or Kefa Naughton on 664-5035. Match time is 09:00h.

Braithwaite signs for Kent campaign

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LeBron James gave all the credit to his teammates and claimed he had endured "one of my worst games of the season"

one of my worst games of the season.

"Because of the injury I had in game seven, I didn't have an opportunity to get on the court this morning [Tuesday] and yesterday as well, but at the end of the day the only thing that matters is trying to get a win, and my team-mates were unbelievable. They stepped up when I wasn't at my best. They were

phenomenal.

"It was an all-around team win for us - everybody contributed and we definitely needed it."

James felt the Cavaliers performed as well as they could have given their brief preparation time - Tuesday's game coming just 48 hours after their final contest against the Pacers.

"We were very good with

the limited time we had," he added. "Our coaching staff prepared us the best they could with the short amount of time and we just tried to go out there and execute the game plan." (LeBron James gave all the credit to his team-mates and claimed he had endured "one of my worst games of the season" (Sportsmax)

est Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite will join Kent for their first four matches of the T20 Blast.

The 29-year-old hit four successive sixes off Ben Stokes to help his side to victory against England in the World T20 final in India in 2016.

He will make his Kent debut against Surrey at The Oval on Friday, 6 July.

Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and New Zealand bowler Adam Milne have also been signed by the Spitfires for the competition.

Milne will be available throughout while Stoinis is set to succeed Brathwaite and join up with the county from the end of July.

"I'm delighted to be joining Kent for my first taste of county cricket," Brathwaite said.

"I have a good relationship with (Kent captain) Sam Billings, having played in the same team at the IPL and BBL." Carlos Brathwaite played for Sydney Sixers in Australia's Big Bash last winter

thursDAY, may 3, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Linden “Guinness Greatest of the Streets” Football…

Silver Bullets to challenge Dave & Celina's for title

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Some high-octane action is anticipated in the final on Saturday at the Mackenzie Market tarmac

Ramps Logistics gives timely boost to Persaud Mikhail Persaud leads Rayden Persaud in Junior Class action at the Micro Max Races in Jamaica

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