Guyanatimes 4 august 2017

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

Issue No. 3291

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, August 4, 2017

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3 caught trying to smuggle ganja, cigarettes to prisoners Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Prison officer under close arrest as ganja, phones found in Timehri Prison P2

Bandits P11 storm second E-Networks store ... robbery attacks targeted – Police suggest

... major raids at Lusignan, Timerhi, New Amsterdam prisons

Battered woman charged for killing abusive lover P14

.. .over 40 improvised weapons, 20 cellphones, 3 tattoo machines, 28 packs of cigarettes, 33 lighters, drugs seized

GTA expands adventure tourism in Guyana

Page 16

… launches inaugural Bartica 4x4 Safari

Downscale of sugar GPL blames takes effect in Albion botched tree trimming, burnt jumper – as management imposes Page 7

“gang merger”

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Govt railroads Opposition to approve SARA start-up monies P9

– for recent spate of blackouts

Guyanese gunned down in Antiguan P11 home

2 news

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Downscale of sugar takes effect in Albion – as management imposes “gang merger”

Prison Officer under close arrest as ganja, phones found in Timehri Prison

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everal estates are already being impacted as Government moves to downsize the local sugar industry. Among those are Albion Estate on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice, whose management has moved to impose certain new measures -- including merging gangs -- that would lead to a reduction in shop stewards.

In an effort to get this issue addressed, scores of Albion Estate cane cutters picketed the estate’s administrative office on Thursday, protesting against the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo’s) action to reassemble working gangs 14A, 14B and 15A into one gang.

President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, told Guyana Times that GuySuCo’s unilateral action would reduce the number of shop stewards from nine to three, and those would be presiding over a workforce of approximately 700 cane cutters. According to him, this serves as a major demotivation.

Chand said the shop stewards were, on July 25, 2017, informed of the decision by an official of GuySuCo, who

Scores of Albion Estate cane cutters have staged a picketing exercise outside of that estate’s Administrative Office, expressing strong disagreement over a GuySuCo decision to merge three cane cutting gangs

allegedly refused to engage the stewards on the rationale for the decision, but -- reportedly in an unpleasant tone -told them, “It was a management decision”.

GAWU is of the view that three shop stewards cannot effectively service the issues and problems which arise in the course of the workers’ day; hence, over the past years, the ratio of shop stewards to workers has been about three to 230/ 250 workers – a ratio which has been tested and proven workable to date.

Chand says this move by the ‘New GuySuCo’ is yet another rollback of the workers’ gains, and is cause for greater demotivation within the

harassed workforce across the sugar belt.

“GAWU calls on GuySuCo to engage immediately the Union and the shop stewards in earnest, with a view to addressing the “gang merger,” a GAWU statement has said.

Chand told Guyana Times that the forceful merger of the previously mentioned gangs at this time -commencement of the sugar industry’s second crop harvest -- is a most negative approach by those in charge of the industry, and may not have factored in consideration of the best interests of the sugar industry.

In announcing plans to downsize the sugar industry, Government has said it plans

to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar estates, and sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory; but it intends to keep the estates at Blairmont, on the West Bank of Berbice; Albion-Rose Hall, in East Berbice; and Uitvlugt-Wales in West Demerara.

Government also plans to cut sugar production to approximately 147,000 tonnes per annum, to satisfy local market demand (25,000 tonnes per annum); Caricom and other regional markets’ demand (50,00060,000 tonnes per annum); the United States’ market demand (12,500 tonnes per annum) and the world market demand (50,000 tonnes per annum).

The quantity of marijuana and several mobile phones found at the correctional facility rison authorities at the Timehri Prison, located on the East Bank of Demerara, have launched an investigation into the discovery of a quantity of marijuana and several mobile phones at the correctional facility on Wednesday.

This was confirmed by Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels who reported that an officer is at the centre of the investigation.

The officer was arrested after a prisoner claimed that he had paid “big money” to a staff to allow the items to pass through the security checkpoint.

According to the Prison Director, the discovery has caused the owner much pain and he is talking about killing the prison officers who are involved and as such, the Police were called in to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, another search which was conducted at the penitentiary on Thursday unearthed several prohibited items.

These include eight lighters, seven smoking utensils, 16 improvised weapons, eight packs of cigarettes, two dining forks, two pairs of scissors, five cellphone chargers, one bottle of pepper sauce, three cellular phones, one tattoo machine, a quantity of tobacco and 305 grams of cannabis.

In light of the arrest and discovery of the items, members of the Joint Services were deployed to the penitentiary to provide additional security.

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news

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

3 caught trying to smuggle ganja, cigarettes to prisoners

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

...Major raids at Lusignan, Timehri, New Amsterdam prisons ...over 40 improvised weapons, 20 cellphones, 3 tattoo machines, 28 packs of cigarettes, 33 lighters, drugs seized

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Friday, August 4 – a night time retraction of 02:30h and a daytime retraction of 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, August 5 – a night time retraction of 03:30h and a daytime retraction of 14:30h-16:00h.

Friday, August 4 – 14:25h-15:55h and Saturday, August 5 – 15:10h-16:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery to heavy rain showers with light cloud cover can be expected throughout the day, while thunderstorms with showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

By Shemuel Fanfair

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hree workers attached to a waste disposal service were on Thursday arrested for attempting to smuggle contraband inside the Lusignan Prison, despite repeated efforts of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) to rid its facilities of prohibited items.

phones, two spoons and an earphone, among other items.

And Police, in a release on Thursday, informed that a search conducted in the cell of a convicted prisoner on Wednesday afternoon unearthed some 180 grams of cannabis.

An almost three-hour search was also carried

Winds: Ranging from Easterly and South-easterly between 2.68 metre to 4.02 metres.

The three suspects were detained on Thursday morning

High Tide: 01:53h and 14:27h reaching maximum heights of 2.29 metres and 2.26 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:58h and 20:17h reaching minimum heights of 0.90 metres and 0.95 metres respectively.

Contraband items discovered at Lusigan on Thursday morning

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Guyana Times understands that the disposal company was contracted to conduct operations inside the East Coast Demerara facility.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, in making public this development, noted that the perpetrators were nabbed during the morning hours. A search on the vehicle conducted by prison officials before it entered the “Old Compound” at the Lusignan Prison unearthed prohibited items, which included in excess of 860 grams of cannabis and two cartons of cigarettes.

Concealed in a haversack, the items were tightly wrapped in black plastic bags, clear plastic and masking tape.

The driver of the truck has been identified as a 25-year-old male from Middle Walk, Buxton, ECD, while the truck attendants have been described as a 26-year-old male from Russell Street Charlestown, Georgetown and a 32-year-old female from the “C” Field Reserve in Sophia.

Detained, the suspected smugglers will be processed for court shortly.

Mr Samuels also disclosed that Police were investigating the presence of 11 mobile phones, 21 improvised weapons, three tattoo machines, 28 packs of cigarettes, and quantities of drugs discovered at the prisons in Timehri and New Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, a Thursday 15:00h search at the previously sanitised new holding area at Lusignan has unearthed more than 28 improvised weapons, nine lighters, nine mobile

out by ranks of the Joint Services on Thursday, and several contraband items were discovered. Among the prohibited items were 8 lighters, 7 smoking utensils, 16 improvised weapons, 8 packs of cigarettes, three mobile phones, five phone chargers, a tattoo machine, 2 dining forks, 2 pairs of scissors, a bottle of pepper sauce, a quantity of tobacco, and 305 grams of cannabis.

Director had announced that prisoners transferred from the walled area to a tarmacked space at Lusignan were once again sanitised. Further sanitisation exercises were conducted when inmates were re-transferred to the renovated brick prison at Camp Street, Georgetown.

In 2016, Samuels, then Deputy Director of Prisons, had categorised contraband as a “multi-million-dollar business” from within the prison system. He had in fact reasoned that because of his stance against the illegal trade, inmates harboured disdain towards him.

“The record is there to show that I would have re-

merous extractions later, the contraband issue remains prevalent. Some of the items normally discovered at such raids include phones, improvised weapons, prisoner-made alcoholic beverages, marijuana, and other illicit drugs.

The Commission of Inquiry into the riots and prison fire had heard that pepper sauces were mixed with other fluids to be used as weapons.

At a press briefing at the Ministry of Public Security late last month, Samuels did not denounce or rule out the suggestion that prison officers could be collaborating with inmates to smuggle the items inside the facilities. He had explained

New Amsterdam Prison

Information surfacing late on Thursday has indicated that a three and a half hour search was conducted by Joint Services ranks at the New Amsterdam Prison, and eight mobile phones, three phone batteries, one mobile phone display, five phone chargers, three earphones, sixteen cigarette lighters, two tattoo machines, five improvised weapons, twenty packs of cigarettes and three grams of cannabis were unearthed.

The smuggling of contraband items has been plaguing the nation’s prisons for a number of years, and to such an extent that inmates using their mobile phones would post comments and stream online videos on social media whilst being incarcerated.

Following the July 9 Camp Street riot and prison fire, the inmates had reportedly been sanitised before being transferred to the Lusignan Prison. However, videos of prisoners using weapons to slaughter an animal and carve its meat on a pasture at the ECD facility had surfaced online.

In late July, the Prisons

Contraband items at the new holding area in Lusignan. Prisoners were sanitised before being transferred there

moved pounds of marijuana during raids, and thousands of packs of cigarettes were found…if you do the mathematics based on the resale value in prison, those prisoners would have lost a significant amount of cash, and all those are reasons why they would not like a person like me around,” the then Deputy Director of Prisons expressed last year.

But as time passed, with several raids and nu-

that many inmates, even some classified as “real men,” had been found with the prohibited items inserted inside of their rectums in a method called “pouching”.

In fact, one of the seized contraband items found in Thursday’s search at Lusignan was oval-shaped, which led to the assertion that it could have been eventually hidden on a body by this method.

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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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Ingredients of effective policies

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World Bank policy report published earlier this year made a strong case for developing countries and international development agencies to rethink their approach to governance, as a key to overcoming the many challenges being faced in today’s society, more particularly those relating to economic growth, and security.

“The 2017 World Development Report: Governance and the Law” explores how unequal distribution of power in a society interferes with policies’ effectiveness. According to the report’s summary, power asymmetries help explain, for example, why model anti-corruption laws and agencies often fail to curb corruption, why decentralisation does not always improve municipal services; or why well-crafted fiscal policies may not reduce volatility and generate long-term savings.

The report suggests that countries and donors need to think more broadly to improve governance so that policies succeed. It defines better governance as the process through which State and non-state groups interact to design and implement policies, working within a set of formal and informal rules that are shaped by power.

As stated by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, as demand for effective service delivery, good infrastructure, and fair institutions continues to rise, it is vital that Governments use scarce resources as efficiently and transparently as possible. This, according to Kim, means harnessing Private Sector expertise, working closely with civil society, and redoubling efforts in the fight against corruption.

According to the report, unequal distribution of power can exclude groups and people from the rewards and gains of policy engagement. Yet meaningful change is possible with the engagement and interaction of citizens, through coalitions to change the incentives of those who make decisions; elites, through agreements among decision makers to restrict their own power; and the international community, through indirect influence to change the relative power of domestic reformers.

Good policies are often difficult to introduce and implement because certain groups in society who gain from the status quo may be powerful enough to resist the reforms that are needed to break the political equilibrium. As such successful reforms are not just about “best practice”. They require adapting and adjusting institutions in ways that build more effectively on local dynamics and address specific problems that continue to stand in the way of development that serves all citizens.

The report identifies three winning ingredients of effective policies: commitment, coordination, and cooperation. It also recommends the following three core functions to produce better governance outcomes: 1) Bolster commitment to policies in the face of changing circumstances. This would help, for example, in cases where decision makers spend windfall revenues instead of saving them for the future, or when leaders renege on peace-building agreements in the absence of binding enforcement.

2) Enhance coordination to change expectations and elicit social desirable actions by all. Challenges occur in many contexts, from finance to industrial clusters and urban planning. Financial stability, for example, relies on beliefs about credibility. Just consider how despite the rationale for leaving their money in the bank during times of distress, the public may rush to withdraw their deposits if they believe that others will too – ultimately causing the banks to lose liquidity and crash.

3) Encourage cooperation: Effective policies help promote cooperation by limiting opportunistic behaviour such as tax evasion – often through credible mechanisms of rewards or penalties. Individuals may have incentives to behave opportunistically. Not paying taxes does not prevent them from enjoying public services that others are funding.

Similarly, when groups fail to benefit from policies or feel short-changed (for example, by low-quality public services), it can further weaken compliance.

The findings and recommendations in this most recent report can lead the way for more focused discussions and debates among our policy-makers and international development partners about how Guyana can work to ensure better governance at all levels, which in turn would have lasting positive impacts on the quality of services provided for citizens.

Tourists and locals make the most of the hot weather at one of the capital’s beaches in Morocco (Photograph: Abdelhak Senna/EPA)

Prejudiced, unbalanced treatment of elected Councils in PPP/C controlled Local Govt Areas

Dear Editor, The continued and increasing damages to the local government system, is being self-imposed under the current coalition Government. The causal admittance in recent press statements published in most popular media, has come from none other than President David Granger who has criticised what he views as un-cooperative People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Councillors in some regions. At the same time, he said the coalition has to do much better at the next Local Government Elections (LGE).

This admittance of the poor performances by Mr Granger while hopefully aspiring, certainly cannot will or wish ‘wind goodies’ onto citizens that would sway opinions to fool again within the current framework. The fact of the matter is that aside from the increased hardships imposed by the coalition since in office, there has been too many prejudiced and unbalanced treatment of the elected Councils of Local Government Areas (LGA) controlled by the PPP/C. Further, the Minister with administrative responsibilities in this area has certainly lost credibility. He has too often demonstrated unpreparedness and lack of scruples in his continuing U-turn on democratic principles. Noteworthy, his deliberate undermining of certain councils and the deliberate delays in addressing the Local Government Commission among others, are not likely to be taken by citizens, as passive as the coalition anticipates.

Notwithstanding, the suppression of our peoples in any LGA is grossly unacceptable. One would anticipate that after two years at the helm with numerous advisors, the use of basic knowledge of our LGAs settings would be a key consideration in planning for that area.

It was recently quite shocking when it was recognised that Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities and the head of the Local Government System did not know that there are several NDC’s which are not paying rates and taxes.

The revelations were evidenced by members of the Parliamentary Natural Resources Standing Committee; to which Bulkan currently function as the Chairman. As an Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) from which President Granger also hail, must have been further shocked and humiliated when the Leader of the PNC expressed his greatest disappointment that the PPP/C humiliated the APNU/AFC coalition at the last LGE. These public banters from President Granger who is Leader of the PNCR, are seemingly twisted reprimands because he also functions as the Chairman of Cabinet which has a greater decision-making role. He had expressed serious dissatisfaction when addressing his party leaders at the PNCR General Council meeting last weekend, as he begged his leaders and urged them to do better.

It is however time the President recognises that

cover-ups and blaming the PPP/C for his Minister’s inadequacies cannot suffice. This is because from citizens’ perspective, the non-delivery of necessary service and welfare is inexcusable and will always inform rejection. More so, the recognition that the PPP/C comparatively had offered more meaningful delivery without creating such caustic environment must be principle to his considerations.

While David Granger was shedding tears and complaining bitterly over his coalition Government’s sad performance at the last Local Government Elections; Leader of the strong and vibrant Opposition – the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo was delivering a master speech to thousands of people at a public meeting at Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara.

The massive crowd at the public meeting was fully behind the PPP General Secretary who really motivated and inspired them to continue giving their un-flinching support to the PPP. Ronald Bulkhan no doubt, should do the most honourable thing and tender his resignation. This is absolutely since he does not even know that several NDC’s are not paying rates and taxes! How will his Ministry meaningfully plan for these areas? With all of his expensive hosted sessions, how can he not know this? It demonstrates that these so called meetings are indeed farcical, of no consequence and just not mea-

suring up.

To educate Minister Bulkan, we plea the indulgence of our many readers who could individually lecture him, that residents living in certain Local Authority Areas (LAAs) are not paying any rates and taxes or so bound under the existing laws. These include: Kwakwani, Mocha, Cane Grove and Mabaruma.

Further, it must be noted that Mabaruma is one of the last three areas that was declared a Town.

However, this coalition Government is most clueless as to the criteria and functioning requirements of LAAs. All towns must meet certain standards and several general By-laws specify that all towns must have a bank, fire station, abattoir, and dump-site along with many other facilities.

The APNU/AFC under the quack leadership and advice from Bulkhan and his cronies lost the Local Government leadership in Mabaruma and they are failing miserably to satisfy the people’s basic needs.

The growing sufferings of our people is the main cause for people turning to violence and crime. With an all-inclusive administration we could build together a better Guyana.

It is imperative that the regional administration be more pro-active and include in their programme, what is necessary to address betterment in these areas.

The Local Government Commission is a necessity and Minister Bulkan must appoint same now.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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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

Return overseas voting Dear Editor, I presented a paper at the recent University of Guyana (UG) Diaspora Conference where I sought to both critique our current approach to Diaspora engagement and suggest some ways in which we can begin to think differently about the subject. I think there is need for a new approach to the Diaspora that conceptualises our overseas brothers and sisters as an integral part of the Guyanese nation.

We must change the narrative of “us” and “them” on both sides. There is a critical mass of Guyanese who live partly abroad and partly at home and others who make several short trips per year.

If we begin to employ the narrative of “us” more, then we are likely to have a new thinking and new policies that reflect that mindset.

It is foolish to have more than half of your people living abroad and ignore their skills and other resources just because they do not live at home permanently. Small countries like ours, with its limited access to the skills and resources needed to compete in an uneven world as far as development is concerned, must draw on all its energies whether they physically reside in Guyana or abroad. With the coming of the oil economy, we would be challenged to find skills and resources to serve our needs and interests. Although it would be ideal if persons return permanently, one does not have to live in Guyana permanently to contribute in a meaningful way.

Of course, those who live abroad need to resist the temptation to behave as if they are “better” than those who live here. They should not demand nor should they be afforded more privileges than those citizens who live here. But having said that, they would be more inclined to return or to invest resources if there are incentives at the level of policy.

In that regard, I wish to make two suggestions for consideration. First, I propose that each Government Ministry should have a “Diaspora section.” I know the Foreign Affairs Ministry

already has such a section, but it should be expanded to other Ministries.

There is a popular view that there should be a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. But I think that is too narrow.

My second suggestion is much more controversial given its association with a bad period in our history. I do believe that the time has come for a reconsideration of overseas voting. Over 90 countries allow overseas voting in one form or the other. Given the increased migration globally, this makes sense. I think the problem for us in Guyana was not the concept of overseas voting, but that it was used as part of the rigging machinery of that time. So, in an era of fair elections, the meaning changes. I would propose that if we go that direction, as I think we should, it would bring overseas Guyanese more emotionally attached to Guyana.

Voting is perhaps the most significant aspect of citizenship. Guyanese who live abroad can now come home to register and vote.

So, if we go the route of oversees voting we would be merely allowing them to vote where they are located.

Perhaps we can begin with some form of weighted voting whereby, for example, two or three overseas votes are equivalent to one local vote. In that way, you control the perception and reality that those who do not live here all the time should not have equal rights and privileges.

I know that the immediate response to this subject would be partisan – whether it would benefit one party or the other. That, of course, is not my motivation. I am guided by a desire to bring our sisters and brothers residing outside of Guyana into the national mix in a substantive way. This matter, however, would have to be subject to wide-ranging discussion both in and out of Guyana and may even have to be subject to a referendum.

Respectfully, David Hinds

Sabotage of GTT is bad for Guyana

Dear Editor, I wish to firstly state that GTT has, for many decades, been a noted partner in the area of communication in this country.

Following its takeover from what was called the Guyana Telecommunications Company, mighty works have been done to bring our communication sector into the 21st century.

This company has been an excellent corporate citizen, and we have reached, in telecommunication, standards which include dedicated IP services – integral for business and personal communication; dedicat-

ed Internet service (DIA), which gives more speed and greater efficiency despite periodic difficulties; business DSL; international private leased circuit (IPLC); GTT business; PBX services, and much more.

It is a real shame that as soon as GTT informed the nation and went on a campaign to promote its upgrades on faster and cheaper Internet services, not long after did sabotage occur on its fibre optic cables, which has, by Public Telecommunication Minister Kathy Hughes, been termed ‘a breach of national security’.

This was obviously done

by (an ‘entity’ or individuals) with expertise in the field.

These cases are not isolated to Guyana, or even the Caribbean territory, since much of this has happened in Europe and North America.

This even happened several times in Atlantic Gardens, where I live, and it was not just an attempt to steal copper wires, but it was sabotage.

The continuous damage to GTT’s cables speaks volumes. I wish to compliment GTT once again for the job it has done as a corporate citizen; the opportunities it has provided for employment of thousands; its contributions

to sports, educational facilities, health and infrastructural development. It is my hope that the Police would seriously investigate this matter, and the company allegedly involved would be exposed. The sabotage of GTT is actually a sabotage of our country. It goes against the fabric of what we stand for, and the decency and honour by which we abide.

My heart goes out to GTT. Yours sincerely, Roshan Khan CEO/Chairman/ Founder RK’s Guyana Security Services

Impressed with KSM’s state-of-the-art concrete block factory Dear Editor, There are some positive things happening in Guyana that we don’t seem to hear about, or are reminded of. How many of us know that the only fully automated concrete block factory in the Caribbean is located in Guyana?

I had the honour of visiting KSM Investments at the invitation of its owner, Mr Mahadeo Panchu, last Saturday, and I saw firsthand the operations of this state-of-the-art concrete block factory, which also produces “pavers” – special blocks that are used for paving roads, sidewalks, medians, etc.

This almost US$10 million investment has generated 20 direct jobs, and more employment can be created if more of the blocks and pavers are used for local construction of buildings, roads, pavements, parking lots and

medians.

The new parking lot at State House, official residence of the President of Guyana, was recently paved with pavers manufactured at KSM Investments.

My visit revealed an operation that is carried out with precision to ensure a product of consistent quality, which is just not plenty sand and some cement. These products consist of a mixture of a type of gravel, cement and sand based on a specified international quality control ratio of each of these inputs and each batch is weighed to ensure that there is consistency in the quality. This is monitored from a sophisticated control room which can immediately detect any discrepancy in the ratio of inputs.

I am quite impressed with this operation, especially since I see an increasing number of high-rise buildings in Guyana. I am told

that many of these new highrise buildings were constructed with these high-quality blocks, but many contractors and sub-contractors on Government projects, such as schools, are still not using these high quality blocks, which help to ensure the stability and safety of these structures.

I know that the shoveland-spade production of concrete blocks/slabs generates significant employment, and this must be taken into consideration. But we should not be compromising safety, especially on Government buildings such as schools and high-traffic offices.

The use of pavers on select roads (certainly not highways) could also prove

advantageous, since these pavers are everlasting; and where there is sinkage/erosion, the pavers can be removed, the base refilled, and the same pavers put back.

I am impressed by the operation of this entity, the existence of which I was not aware prior to my visit. Mr Panchu and I are friends on Facebook, and met for the first time last Saturday. His investment deserves every support. This factory should be operational at full capacity, not only to generate more employment, but to ensure that our buildings meet internationally established safety standards.

Yours truly, Wesley Kirton

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Foundation

BACK TO SCHOOL B

– How to get a good routine going

efore you know it the school bells will be ringing and it will be time for children to head back to school.

If you’re wondering about how to get a good routine going, consider the following ideas to help you create your own. Once you have a routine in place, the chance your family will be able to start the new school year on a bright and less harried note will be increased. Don’t wait too long to set up your back to school routine. The longer you wait to get the children into the habit of going to bed at a set bedtime, the harder time your children will have getting up for school in the morning. Of course, if you can help your children get into the routine of going to bed earlier, choosing their clothes for the next day and being sure everything is in their book bag the day will start much better.

Attending a new school

Think about how you felt when you started at a new school. You were probably a little bit scared or nervous. Chances are your child will be, too. What can you do to help them feel less scared? One thing you can do before school starts is to visit their new school. Stop by the front office and explain that your child is going to be attending the school and ask if they can get a tour. If they can’t take the time to

go with you around the school, they will probably allow you to walk through on your own. See if you can meet with your child’s teacher while you’re there. If they’re not available, you can at least find out where your child’s homeroom class will be. You may already have their schedule for the year; if this is true try to find all the other classrooms. In fact, you may want to walk with them through their schedule by going with them to each classroom as they would during school. Don’t forget to find the other important rooms of a school building. Locate the bathrooms, especially the ones along their daily path, so they’ll know where they can go when they have a minute between classes. You’ll also want to find the lunchroom and the library.

If they’re involved in sports find the locker rooms or the band room if they play an instrument.

Will your child ride the bus, walk to school or will you take them every day? Find the quickest way for them to get to school if they’ll be walking to school. Take the time to drive them along that route so they know where they’re going. If you’re going to be driving your child to school, take them with you as you drive by the school. Help them get familiar with the route you’ll take each day. By taking the time to go with your child to their new school you are helping them be

prepared. They won’t get lost as quickly because they’ll already have a general idea of the layout of the school. They’ll also know where their classes are, what the best way to get to school is, and will feel more comfortable going through their first day of school.

Decide when you have to get up

It will be much easier to decide what time your children need to go to bed if you know what time they have to get up in the morning. Most experts agree children need between nine and 10 hours of sleep each night to be at their best, eight hours would be an absolute minimum.

If you know your child must be up at 06:00h in order to be ready for school by 07:30h, you would want your children to begin getting ready for bed around 19:30h.

This would mean dinner would have to be earlier as well, but if you want your children to get the correct amount of sleep to be ready for school, you may want to make some adjustments to your entire day. When you know what time your children need to be up in the morning, and when they need to get to sleep, determining a schedule for the remainder of their day should be easier. Here are some things you’ll want to consider when planning the day.

A good day starts with a good night’s sleep

It’s not unusual for parents to allow their children to stay up later during the summer than during the school year. If you’ve been lax at making your children go to bed at a regular time you may want to make some changes. Of course, you can expect your children to complain and try to stay up later, but you know the earlier they get to bed the better prepared they’ll be for school.

You may want to explain to your children the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. Tell them that it is during sleep the body heals itself. Getting enough sleep will help them have the energy they need to stay awake during school. It will also help them focus on the tasks before them. Besides these benefits of a good night’s sleep, they will be less cranky which will enable them to be better company.

To ensure your children are ready to go back to school, you’ll want them to get readjusted to going to bed early enough to be able to get up on time. How do you accomplish this? A couple of weeks before the first day of school, have your children begin going to bed earlier each night until they are used to their earlier bed time. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

for your child’s academic success

BY PAM MYERS, BSED

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cademic success is important in a child’s life as it will help to shape their future.

There are many things you can do to help your child succeed and they all start at home. Keeping track of your child’s school activities, setting up a consistent routine, ensuring that they have enough rest, and making sure that they are getting exercise are simple tips

eight hours of sleep each night.

3. Take an interest in your child’s academics. It may have been a long time since you were in school, but you should still be able to check your child’s homework and assist them when necessary. Reading with children is a good way to spark interest in learning; it’s also a good way to spend quality time with your child low-key style.

4. Keep your child or-

To be continued

that will help them to excel in school.

Bottom line, parents who are involved in their children’s education help to foster the learning experience.

1. Start a homework routine. Set a certain schedule for your child to do homework every day. If there is no homework assigned for the day, encourage your child to study and review the week’s assignments. Constantly reviewing information helps to instil the knowledge in your child’s brain, thereby helping them to gain better insight into the lessons.

2. Sleep is important because it allows your brain to recharge itself.

If your child does not get enough sleep, it will affect their performance in school and out of school. Sleep is necessary for the body to function properly so make sure your child gets at least

ganised when it comes to school activities. Have your child carry a planner for teachers to record assignments in. Also, keep a wall calendar in your house with your child’s schedule and assignments. This will help to avoid any missing assignments and will also clue you in to how frequently your child studies.

Helping your child to succeed in school is one of your biggest jobs as a parent. Without establishing a routine in the household for both homework and bedtime, it can be very easy for a child to lose interest in school work.

Not getting enough sleep and not being organised can affect how well your child does in school. By utilising these tips, you are helping to establish your child’s academic success. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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friDAY, August 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPL blames botched tree Individual tax refunds trimming, burnt jumper Cheques to be sent

by registered mail

– for recent spate of blackouts

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n the wake of an implacable outcry among citizens over the recent spate of blackouts, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has finally offered the explanation that “a botched tree trimming exercise and a burnt jumper” are among the reasons for the electricity woes that plagued numerous residents in various parts of the country.

GPL’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Renford Homer also explained that shutdown of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) on Sunday resulted from a generation shortfall occasioned by reduced generation reserve.

Homer adumbrated that when the demand was about 84 megawatts, there were 87 megawatts available for gen-

eration, which left only three megawatts of reserve capacity, instead of the normal 20 megawatts. Moreover, the machines at Skeldon and Garden of Eden were being overhauled, whilst the one at Kingston was undergoing routine maintenance.

“The machine at Kingston developed a high exhaust temperature, and that activated the generation protection, which brought the machine offline. So we could call it a generator trip, because there was not much reserve and we could not unload the feed as quickly as we would’ve wanted to, to keep the system stable,” Homer was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information.

On Monday, at approximately 15:15h, GPL received a report of a burnt

jumper on one of its feeders, and the transmission distribution crew quickly responded. However, while attempting to close that feeder, the system sensed an unusual surge of high current, and the protection network was activated, taking the generating system offline. This resulted in sufficient generation to meet the demand at that time, Homer explained.

At approximately 8:45h on Wednesday, some customers on the DBIS experienced a disturbance when a number of feeders were lost due to a tree trimming exercise being conducted by Atlantic Hotel Incorporated on Battery Road Kingston.

Homer pointed out that the trimmed branches fell across GPL’s primary network, causing a severe movement on two of the con-

ductors which became intertwined. The generation at Kingston plant went offline.

“However, it was not a total shutdown, we were able to offload a number of feeders and maintain some stability to the system. The two circuits that stayed out for a little bit would’ve been the F8 and the F9 feeders; parts of the F8 mainly,” he explained.

The Acting CEO apologised for the inconvenience, and is urging citizens to be careful when carrying out exercises close to GPL’s network, since significant disruption and inconvenience can be caused, which in some instances translate to additional costs for the power company.

He also assured that the coastal power supply is returning to normalcy.

Police destroy 3-acre ganja farm at Suribana – 20-yr-old arrested

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anks of the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday torched an approximately threeacre cultivation of cannabis together with a camp located at Suribana, Essequibo River.

A 20-year-old male of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara who

was caught tending to the prohibited plants is in custody, pending charge.

The Police, in a statement, said the cultivation comprised approximately 4,000 plants measuring from one foot to four feet, and several nurseries with more than 5,000 seedlings on the plot of land.

The ganja farm which Police destroyed on Wednesday

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he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has issued a general advisory that refunds for individual taxpayers are currently being processed, and those refunds would apply to the years of assessment 2010 to 2017.

The GRA statement said this is in keeping with the law and the Authority’s promise made earlier this year -- to reduce refund backlogs, thereby allowing employees and other individual taxpayers who have tax refunds pending for a number of years to receive their refunds within 2017.

Based on past experience with issuing refunds via reg-

istered post, taxpayers - business persons and employees/ individuals alike -- are advised to inform the Revenue Authority of any change to their business and/or individual (home) addresses.

Failure to do so may result in the likelihood of mail going to incorrect addresses and/or being returned to the GRA. The GRA also has assured taxpayers that updating their contact information will come at no cost.

GRA has said that anyone desirous of further information on tax refund cheques can contact its Finance Division on 2276060, 227-8222 extensions: 4504 or 4508.

8 news

friDAY, august 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Gold miner remanded for narcotics

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hawn Samuels was on Thursday arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Faith McGusty on charges of possessing fifty-five (55) grams of cannabis and five grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, on July 31, 2017 at Mowasie Landing in the Essequibo River in the Potaro-Siparuni district of Region Eight.

Represented by Attorney-at-Law Paul Fung-A-Fat, the 46-yearold father of nine pleaded not guilty as charged, and the attorney sought to have his client placed on bail on ground of existing special circumstances, in that there is overcrowding in the Prison.

Moreover, the lawyer contended that the drugs were not discovered on the person of his client, thus possession or ownership cannot be attributed to him.

Fung-A-Fatt said the drugs were discovered in a workshop which houses the businessman’s mining equipment, reportedly con-

cealed in a motorbike.

He also argued that the workshop, unused for five months, had been broken into, thereby allowing access to any person who could’ve been the real owner of the illegal substances.

However, Prosecutor Steven Telford, disputing the lawyer’s contentions, related that the drugs were found in the presence of the defendant, and were not concealed in a motorcycle, as argued by the defence.

The prosecutor said the defendant had also allegedly confessed to ownership of the narcotics in a caution statement provided to Police officers.

Magistrate McGusty, addressing the lawyer, said, “There is space now (in the prisons); they are welcoming all.”

She added that there exists accommodation respectively at the Lusignan, Camp Street and Timehri penitentiaries, and she remanded the defendant to prison until his case comes up for recall on August 7, 2017.

Woman charged for defrauding city bank … added another “zero” to cheque in battle for child support before courts

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mother of one is accused of forging a cheque for child support under the pretense that it was issued by the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts late last year. She presented same to Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, and received a quantity of cash in return.

Arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Faith McGusty on Thursday morning, Joanna Beckles pleaded not guilty to three counts of forgery, the first of which detailed that on December 21, 2017, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, she uttered to city bank teller Shenika Smith a cheque dated

December 19, 2017 and valued at $60,000, knowing same to be false.

In addition, on the day in question, she obtained a sum of $60,000 cash from the teller on or upon a forged instrument purporting to show that same was issued by the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Moreover, the accused, between December 19 and December 21, 2017, with intent to defraud, forged one cheque in favour of herself, purporting to show that the said cheque was written for $60,000 instead of $6,000.

The mother of one was granted $50,000 bail and instructed to return to court on August 7.

Bartica hire car driver found guilty of drunk driving – licence suspended for one year

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ire car driver Kazee Henry of Three Miles, Bartica, Region Seven was on Wednesday found guilty

by Bartica Magistrate Christel Lambert of two counts of driving under the influence (DUI).

The magistrate accordingly ruled that the 34-year-old Henry’s licence be suspended for a year, and she imposed on him a fine of $7,500 for the said offence.

Kazee Henry will be unable to ply his trade for at least 12 months

Achieving standards…

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…at Med School

ell, thank goodness! UG Medical School (UGMS) just regained its accreditation. Of course, the VC, fresh from his (albeit poorly attended) coronation, made the announcement so that (unwary) folks could assume he had something to do with the fortuitous circumstance. Nothing could be further from the truth! There are, however, conditions attached to the accreditation – which will be valid between 2017 and 2021.

Maintaining and raising standards at our Med School has to be made a top priority. To begin with, the Cuban facility that delivered some 500 trained doctors is now over. In any case there were (and ARE) some questions about the quality of that programme – and maybe if there are in fact any gaps in the training of those doctors they should be brought up to scratch through special courses at UGMS. Can the VC look into this?

According to news reports, starting with the first class that graduated in 1995, there have been 500 doctors injected into our medical system by UGMS. By whatever measure these Cuban and UG doctors have boosted our per capita doctor ratio by at least a factor of five. According to the CIA fact book, our rate was only 2.1 doctor/10,000 back in 2010. But this doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels.

Right now, we’re living in the age of specialisation.

Medicine trains its doctors to deal with the various organs of the body and nowadays there’s a specialist for practically every organ you can think about.

UGMS needs to train specialists! But where do we get the qualified specialists – along with the necessary specialised equipment – to take our doctors from being General Practitioners (GP’s) to becoming specialists?

Maybe the VC can answer that question!

And this is why the Government’s scuttling of the Specialty Hospital, which was to be funded by a soft loan from the Indian Government, was such a backward decision. Here was our opportunity not just to rake in foreign currency via “medical tourism” but we would’ve been able to expose our very youthful medical corps to specialist training right here in Guyana. As it is, we have to send our doctors abroad – and risk them never coming back!

The point your Eyewitness wants to make, therefore is that re-accreditation of UGMS is a great first step – but only a first step. Healthcare is a fundamental right of our citizens.

But that right’s only satisfied when the State does what’s necessary to deliver that care. Spend on UGMS!

…in cricket

Another big relief for your Eyewitness is the CPL season kicks off today over in Lauderhill in Florida!!

And not a minute too soon – since like the cricket fanatic you know he is, dear reader – he’s been holding his breath for the last month!! But more importantly, his beloved Guyana Amazon Warriors take on the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots tomorrow at 11 am at the same venue. Since he wasn’t able to wangle a flight to the land of Ponce de Leon and his Fountain of Youth, you know your Eyewitness will be glued to his TV set tomorrow. Where the Warriors will deliver some of his youth back to him!!

Now, this isn’t just empty jingoism! In an era where our once-vaunted world-beating teams just can’t seem to get their act together, the professional Warriors have been just that – PROFESSIONAL!! Just as in medicine, Cricket’s moved light-years beyond what the amateur sport used to be.

And your Eyewitness was told by his Chinese friend, this is “The Year of the Warriors”!!!

…in sugar

Here it is August’s upon us – and the “May-June rain” is still going as strong as ever. So, what happens if the “Big Crop” is smaller than even the ridiculous “Lil Crop”?

Still no subsidy?

News

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friDAY, august 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt railroads Opposition to approve SARA start-up monies

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overnment on Thursday, using its parliamentary majority, brushed aside concerns over its legality and approved in excess of $100 million as part of the startup fund for the controversial State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA).

his remit since the Director was not being represented in Parliament.

Concerns were raised too by former Minister within the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill, who questioned on what authority Government was making a supplementary provision available for

Opposition MP, Irfaan Ali

The matter came to the fore as the House resolved itself into a Committee of Supply to consider the Administration’s second supplementary request from the national coffers to the tune of some $2 billion.

Monies allocated for the Legal Affairs Ministry was the first up for consideration, at which point concerns were raised over a $90 million transfer of monies for SARA. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams indicated to the House that SARA falls under his remit following assent to the Legislative Instrument by the President on May 4, last.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira attempted in vain to have Government postpone the consideration of the monies for SARA since, according to the law, there was no provision for a Minister to make a request but rather the Director of the outfit would present the budget directly to Parliament.

The Attorney General insisted that he was within

a unit for which there was no original budgetary provision.

Coming to the aid of the Attorney General was Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who insisted that a Supplementary Paper was meant to amend the original budget in any fashion.

“I fail to understand the question, this is a supplementary paper amending the original budget so that it doesn’t have to have a previous budget line item or whatever.”

Bishop Edghill insisted that the Finance Minister show to the House under which section of the laws he was authorised to make such a provision.

According to Jordan however, “I have answered that question already… if he feels we violated laws or the Constitution he have remedies… as for now, this is the last comment on the matter.”

Former Minister with responsibility for Commerce, Irfaan Ali also raised concerns over the manner with which the monies for SARA were being pursued.

FMAA

According to Ali, the Financial Paper presented by Jordan failed miserably to meet the minimum requirements of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) which dictates what substantively must accompany such documents when being presented to the House for approval.

The former Minister drew reference to contentions raised by now Vice President Carl Greenidge who was in Opposition at the time and had vehemently questioned the format with which the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration was presenting its budget.

The discourse, however, attracted the intervention of Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who drew reference to a 2013 ruling

ing to him, the query did not deal with format but rather substance as dictated by the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. The former Speaker insisted that the format in which the Financial Paper was presented to the House followed precedent and that Government would in fact continue along the same vein.

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, also attempted to no avail to sway the Speaker’s judgment on the matter.

He too contended that the ruling referenced was not applicable to the situation at hand, since the PPP’s objection did not deal with format but rather substance.

Subsidy

According to Nandlall, if

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

by the then Speaker of the House (himself).

Trotman had ruled following the objections by then Opposition Member of Parliament Greenidge and had found that the Speaker did not have the power to dictate to Government in what format a budget should be presented.

According to that ruling, it was for the House to accept or reject the financial requests being made by Government.

Ali contested the notion and the applicability of the ruling since, accord-

it is the laws had been violated in the past, “then that is so but at some point in time we have to comply with the law.”

Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland eventually informed the House that he had heard no arguments to sway his decision and that the House will be guided by the 2013 ruling made by Trotman.

The $90 million allocation was represented as a Subsidy and Contribution to Local Organisations from the Legal Affairs Ministry to be turned over to SARA but an-

other $26 million was also sought from the Legal Affairs Ministry budget for capital expenditure.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, the unit fell under his ministerial responsibility and as such the Ministry would be making the purchase of the two pick-

not yet elapsed, and as such, the SARU Director continues to hold the post under the new SARA outfit.

Opposition members during the course of the hours-long grilling session complained bitterly to the Speaker over the Attorney General’s refusal to provide

Government MP Raphael Trotman

ups and furniture and other accessories and they will be turned over to SARA. Questioned on the allocations that had been made to the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) – the outfit that preceded SARA – Attorney General Williams was unable to provide any answers since according to him, the Unit only fell under his remit from May. Some $19.7 million had been allocated to SARU for the purchase of vehicles but at the end of today’s process, parliamentarians were none the wiser as to what obtained with those monies.

As it relates to the staffing of the Unit, Williams told the House that the Former Director, Professor Clive Thomas along with the deputy continue to hold the post.

Grace period

Opposition Chief Whip Teixeira had pointed out to the House that it is the Parliamentary Committee of Appointments which is mandated to appoint a Director.

Williams contends however that there is a fourmonth grace period that has

information, instead opting to lay over at a later date.

Among the information promised included the names and remunerations of those in the employ of SARA as well as breakdowns of monies already spent on the SARU outfit which was housed in the Ministry of the Presidency.

He did indicate to the House that the SARA will be looking to rent its own accommodation with the approval of the funds.

By the end of the session, related to the Legal Affairs Ministry and SARA in excess of $115 million had been approved by the coalition Government – despite the protestations of the Opposition – to operationalise SARA. A total of $89.9 million was voted as current expenditure to cater for salaries, rental, utilities and other such recurring expenditure; while $13 million was approved for the purchase of two pick up vehicles for the unit and another $13.4 million for the purchase of furnishing and other equipment.

10 news

fridAY, august 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Stalled Local Govt Commission

Delay a political ploy – Nandlall ... says APNU/AFC frustrating the process

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espite the fact that the parliamentary Opposition has named its nominees to the Local Government Commission (LGC) since last year, the Government has so far failed to make a single nomination. And the deadlock is causing worry among observers.

In a recent interview, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall recalled that the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), when campaigning and trying to garner votes ahead of the General and Regional Election, had advocated for the Commission to be established.

That was over two years ago and now, the establishment of the Commission is at a stalemate. He noted that the Commission was a fundamental part of the bills that APNU and AFC, as then Opposition members of the House, had pushed through using their combined oneseat majority.

“Clearly, at the time the APNU/AFC never thought that they would be in Government,” Nandlall posited. “When they eventually got into Government, they were trashed at the Local Government Elections.

As a result, the PPP con-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

trols a majority of the Local Government organs throughout the country.”

Power as the end game

Comparing the inordinate delay with the LGC to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) imbroglio, Nandlall suggested Government was simply stalling and buying itself time by not nominating the Commissioners. And he gave reasons why.

“The constituting of the Commission would result in the loss of power of Minister (of Communities, Ronald) Bulkan over these Local Government Organs,” Nandlall said. “This power would move to the Commission, which is supposed to be comprised of nominees of both the Leader

of the Opposition and the Government.”

“The Government obviously wants to continue to undermine the autonomy of these elected organs by controlling them through ministerial dictate, thereby defeating the will and franchise of the electorate at the Local Government Elections and preventing the elected representatives from discharging their lawful and democratic mandate,” Nandlall said.

Nandlall noted that the Leader of the Opposition had submitted his list of nominees for the Commission several months ago, while the Government has refused to do likewise on the grounds of an obscure technicality.

He stated that Minister Bulkan has raised the technical argument that the Opposition Leader did not consult with the other political parties in the National Assembly, in accordance with the law.

“The other parties in the House are APNU and AFC, both of which are in the Government (as partners),” Nandlall pointed out. “The law, clearly, was intended for the Leader of the Opposition to consult with any other Opposition parties.”

“Nevertheless, the Leader of the Opposition is in the process of consulting with the APNU and AFC on this

issue. As expected, the (coalition) is doing everything possible to frustrate this process.”

Be that as it may, Nandlall assured that the Opposition Leader will continue to make every effort to conclude the consultation.

Broken promises

Responding to challenges from the media last year, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has on several occasions promised to have the Commission established within 2016, going so far as to set deadlines.

One such deadline had been March 2016. When asked, during the latter part of the month, for an explanation, the Minister had moved the deadline to the end of June.

Bulkan was quoted in sections of the media explaining that not only had Cabinet not considered candidates, but that there was no accommodation for the body.

In the 2016 Budget Estimates, some $30 million was allocated by Government to the non-functioning Commission. When asked, Bulkan had stated that this was to allow the Commission to operate independently to central government.

That was last year and in spite of these promises and protests from citizens against the delay,

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

there is no functioning Local Government Commission.

There have been calls for Government to release the qualifications of all Regional Executive Officers, to ensure that their positions were secured through merit and not political allegiance.

This came in the wake of reports that in some Local Authority Areas, officials are being appointed without any vacancy being advertised. In addition, there have been reports that young, qualified applicants are being overlooked in favour of other, more elderly appointees with questionable qualifications.

Article 78 (a) of the Constitution of Guyana sets out that “Parliament shall establish a Local Government Commission, the composition and rules of which empower

the Commission to deal with as it deems fit, all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs.”

The Commission would, among other things, have control over who get appointed as officials in the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and other local authorities. In addition, it would have to approve budgets for the NDCs. By law, the Commission is to be made up of eight members. These members will include four nominated from the Government, one from the unions and three nominees from the Opposition Leader. Former acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba, and former Local Government Ministers Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore were nominated as the PPP’s representatives on the Local Government Commission.

In addition, the Committee on Appointments had recommended that Andrew Garnett, of the Guyana Local Government Officers Union, be appointed as the union representative. This means that the Government is the only stakeholder yet to fulfil its responsibilities to nominate representatives to the Commission.

news

S RAIGHT Oil and gas production

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he Liza discovery has completely changed the oil exploration outlook on Guyana. This well is located some 120 miles North of New Amsterdam and is expected to be the first successful commercial oil production site in Guyana. Oil and gas production is where reserves are converted to cash. This means bringing the oil and gas up to the surface in its raw form for temporary storage, offloading and transport to the refineries.

On June 22, 2017, ExxonMobil announced it had awarded the contract to SBM Offshore (a US$4 billion Dutch company) to build, install, lease and operate a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel at the “Liza 1” well site. The FPSO vessel is a type of floating tank system designed to take all the oil and gas produced from a nearby deep sea platform and store it until the crude carrier comes to transfer it to the refinery. In Guyana’s case, this FPSO vessel is a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) with a capacity to receive 100,000 barrels of crude per day and store 1.6 million barrels of oil. (see system below)

The unconventional methods

The big drilling companies will tell you that their main customers especially the “super-majors” (“big oil” who are the six largest oil companies) are the main drivers of the unconventional methods to secure new sources of oil and gas. Three of the main unconventional methods that have brought great wealth to the industry are: 1. The snake drilling technique (horizontal drilling) 2. Fracking 3. Deep sea drilling (Guyana’s case)

Horizontal drilling

This technique allows for vertical drilling before turning the drill horizontally to pursuing the targeted oil, like a snake. This approach efficiently recovers more oil and gas than the traditional vertical method and has a smaller environmental footprint. This technique is enabled by steerable tools, which provide better access to areas with oil and gas reservoirs, thereby increasing the productivity and profitability of the well. Today some horizontal drills can exceed a distance of seven miles away from the original drill location.

Fracking

Hydraulic fracking is the process of injecting water, gas, and sand into wells under very high pressures. The resulting fractures in the surrounding rock formations allow for microscopic hydrocarbons to escape and accumulate. The used fluid that was injected into the well at high pressures contains highly toxic fluids. These toxic fluids are either recycled at another well and the excess is buried under the earth.

The long-term environmental effect from fracking remains unknown according to National Geographic.

Deep-water drilling

Some of the largest oil and gas discoveries of the last decade have been found in the deep waters off the coasts of Africa and South America, including Guyana. Deep-water subsea engineering has now made the production of oil and gas in water depth exceeding 10,000 feet much more feasible.

This is an extremely complex process that allows for a conductor pipe along with a casing pipe to be inserted into the seabed. Cement is then pumped into the hole between the hole and the casing pipe to fix the pipe in place and prevent it from collapsing. Once the oil is identified and tapped, a blowout preventer is run down to the sea floor, which is connected to the casing pipe to regulate the flow of the crude.

The blowout preventer stands on average about five stories tall (just short of the Bank of Guyana building). This blowout preventer can hold well pressure as high as 15,000 PSI (remember the PSI on your car tire is 35) and can shut the well off to prevent any oil spills.

However, the blowout preventer system is not foolproof as the Deep Water Horizon oil well proved in the Gulf of Mexico when it failed and created one of modern day’s largest environmental disasters. (see diagram right) However, irrespective of the risks, deep-water drilling is expected to play a key role as the global population hits nine billion and energy needs double.

I will stop here for this week and continue next week with the business characteristics upstream oil gas activities.

Please share yourofthoughts atand sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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friDAY, august 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyanese gunned down in Antiguan home

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Guyanese national residing in Antigua was on Wednesday evening killed execution style after masked gunmen invaded his property. The dead man has been identified as 43-year-old William Stewart of Darkwood, Orange Valley, Antigua.

According to the Antigua Observer, masked gunmen stormed the home of William Stewart and shot him dead.

The newspaper quotes Antigua Police Inspector Frankie Thomas as confirming that around 19:50h on the day in question, the 43-year-old man was at his home when several masked gunmen invaded his property.

The invaders reportedly bound Stewart and shot him several times in the torso. According to the Police, when officers and paramed-

ics were called to the scene, Stewart was already dead.

While the gunmen appeared to have executed Stewart, a woman and a child who were also in the house at the time were unharmed. The latest shooting death is one more in a string of recent shootings by masked gunmen.

Attempts to contact the dead man’s relatives in Guyana proved futile.

Dead: William Stewart

Bandits storm second E-Networks store

... robbery attacks targeted – Police suggests

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ersonnel in two Police administrative divisions are investigating separate robberies of E-Networks stores that occurred mere hours apart, and are said to be probing the possibly that the attacks on the two stores have been targeted operations.

On Thursday, the E-Networks store at Cornelia Ida (CI), West Coast Demerara was attacked and robbed; whereas, on Wednesday -- just the day before – its counterpart at the Mon Repos Mall on the East Coast of Demerara was attacked and robbed.

Guyana Times understands that, despite occurring several miles apart, the two robberies were executed in similar fashion.

According to a police release, at about 11:45h on Thursday, two males with handguns entered the E-Networks store at CI and robbed two cashiers and

3 jailed over stabbing death of Highway labourer

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h a n d e r p a u l Persaud, 45, of Lot 45 Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Harrilall Ramdhan, 52, and Jageshwar Ghanie, 29, of Lusignan, ECD were not required to plead to the indictable charge when they faced the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday. The trio was jointly charged for the murder of Dhanpaul Dookie between July 24 and July 27, 2017 at Uitspa Village, Soesdyke/Linden Highway during the course of a robbery.

Guyana Times previously reported that Police received a major break in the murder investigation of the deceased 51-year-old vendor, called “Pauline,” when three men confessed to the heinous crime.

According to reports, the men had admitted to robbing and stabbing the labourer to death on the day in question.

This newspaper understands that two of the suspects were employed by the deceased and they reportedly contacted a third party – a villager – a few days before the execution of the plot.

The farmer was stabbed twice to his abdomen, once

to his lower back, hip, forehead, and above his right eye. After committing the act, the suspects allegedly made their way into the man’s home, carting off money and jewellery among other items.

However, the decomposing body was only discovered three days after the incident when someone went to check on him. The Police were immediately contacted, an investigation launched and post-mortem results revealed Dookie succumbed from multiple stab wounds.

Guyana Times also understands that the three suspects are no strangers to breaching the law, as one of the men was discharged of a murder case, while his counterpart was previously arraigned for attempted murder which is pending before the High Court and the third was charged with several criminal offences.

The three suspects are expected to be arraigned on a murder charge when they make their court appearance in the new week.

The men will remain incarcerated until August 7, when the matter is expected to continue before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

seven customers of their valuables before fleeing in a waiting motorcar. The victims were ordered to lie on the floor and were bound with plastic handcuffs.

Up to press time, no suspect was arrested for the crimes, but a manhunt to nab the bandits is ongoing.

Thursday’s robbery at CI is the second attack on the

company in as many days; as, on Wednesday, at about 15:00h, two bandits had entered the E-Networks Store housed in the lower flat of the Mon Repos Mall and had forced 3 customers and 2 staff members to lie on the ground before stealing their cash, mobile phones and other values, including i-pads and the store’s sales for the day.

Police had disclosed that one of the bandits in this robbery was armed with a gun, but no one was injured as the bandits fled in a waiting motorcar, similar to what had occurred in the West Coast Demerara attack.

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friday, August 4, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

I

n about a week’s time, several young, energetic and well groomed men and women will take to the stage to compete for the title of Miss and Mister African Roots Pageant 2017.

This is the third year for the pageant and it will be held in two categories – Young Adults and Teens. This year the promoters are making sure that the delegates are all ready to entertain their fans to the max when the pageant is held next weekend.

On Friday, the teenagers will take to the stage, followed by the young adults on Saturday. In the teen category, six young

NAME: Ian Campbell Age: 27 Talent: drawing Country representing: Madagascar

Name: Eon Andre Peters Age: 23 Talent: Dancing Country Representing: Namibia

ladies and five young men will compete in several segments, including introduction, country presentation, creative wear, talent, intelligence and evening wear. In the Young Adults category, seven guys will compete for top honours, while six girls will do the same.

The pageant is set to be held in the auditorium of Queen’s College.

The pageant, however, is a part of a week of activities aimed at reviving the African culture and will include a debate competition, an african food fest, fashion show and art exhibition, a dance competition and others.

Name: Dexter Gardener Age: 24 Talent: Dance n poem- talent.

Country representing: South Africa

Name: Keisha Brazh Age: 20 Talent: Dramatic dance Country representing: Ghana

Name: Stephan Johnson Age: 22 Talent - Dramatic Piece, Song and Dance combination Country Representing: Botswana

Name: Rishanna Lambert Age: 24 Talent: Spoken words, dance Country representing: Uganda

Name: Nickita Mc Farlane Age: 24 Talent: singing, dancing Country representing: Ethiopia

Name: Chrisann Stephens Age: Talent: dramatic piece and dance Country representing: Malawi

Name: Joshua Liverpool Age: 16 Talent: spoken words, dance Country representing: Angola

Name: Desmond Fernandes Age: 19 Talent: Dance Country representing: Kenya

Name: Abigail Avles Age: 18 Talent: Spoken words, dance Country representing: Mozambique

Name: Shania Ronquie Chapman Age: 18 Talent: Singing, dancing Country representing: Botswana

sizzle on Saturday T

he six delegates vying for the title of Miss Den Amstel Emancipation are all set and ready to take to the stage come tomorrow evening.

Those vying for the crown are delegate number one – Shakira Hercules; delegate number two, Shannay Jordan; delegate number three – Naheeryah Newland; delegate number four – Tashana Greene; delegate number five – Vilincia Downes and delegate number six – Yulanda Talbot; The pageant is being hosted by the Den Amstel Dynamic Network on August 5 at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground, West Coast Demerara. The delegates will compete in the introduction, personality interview, personal style display, talent, evening gown and the final question segments of the pageant.

The pageant however, aims at fostering community and cultural development while education delegates about the village’s history. Tickets for the pageant cost $500.

guyanatimesgy.com

Allisson Hinds

friday, August 4, 2017

13

Bacchanal Wednesday

Nadia Batson

new feature for Jamzone 2017

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Tamika Marshall

Kwasi Ace Edmondson

his year, Jamzone turns 17 and the celebrations are expected to be epic with two major events to be held by the Hit and Jam Entertainment family.

For the first time, there will be a Bacchanal Wednesday, a concept and brain child of Soca Sensation, Dextra out of Trinidad and Tobago.

This event is normally hosted during carnival celebrations in Trinidad and the artistes thought it would be a good experience to introduce it to the Guyanese soca junkies.

It will be one night, 20 soca artistes and one venue that will be transformed into a carnival city. In the line-up are Reigning Chutney Monarch, Ravi B; former International Chutney Monarch KI; The queen of Bacchanal, Dextra; Nadia Batson; Kerry John; Orlando Octane; Barbados Soca Queen, Allison Hinds; Denise Blefon; Freezie; Falty; Swappy and others.

In the local line-up is Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo; Te m i k a Marshall; Michelle “Big Red” King; Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson; Shelly G and other top

Guyanese artistes. Tickets for the event can be won during various promotions by GTT and Stag.

Bacchanal Wednesday is set for August 23 at a venue to be announced.

However, the celebrations continue on Sunday, August 27, at the Hits and Jams Water World, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The event will take the form of a May fair and will include the popular Maypole plaiting by members of the Gold Rush Dance Troupe out of the East Coast of Demerara.

In addition, there will be over $500,000 to be won in games and other activities that will be at the beach jam. Another feature this year will be a Jamzone Jingle competition where the not so recognised artistes can submit a jingle and these will be played on BOOM FM during a special segment.

During this segment, the public will have an opportunity to vote for their favourite jingle and the top three winners will have a chance to perform at the Jamzone Beach Party.

These are two events that you cannot miss. Mark the dates, August 23 and August 27.

Denise Blefon

‘C

Jumo Primo

onversation and Clothing’ with Sonia Noel started a year ago in Guyana, before moving on to Brooklyn NY, Boston, and Texas, in the United States.

Later Noel launched the theme in Queens, NY; Atlanta, Georgia; and Mississippi. The Southern hospitality welcomed the design concept with great enthusiasm.

“I knew the ladies in my hometown would enjoy wearing this Sonia Noel Exclusive line because of how they reacted to the ones I wore from her collection,” Hilda Bournes related.

However, this year it started in the US then continued in Guyana. Last weekend, Makin’ Style Boutique at the Courtyard Mall was the venue for motivational conversations and exclusive clothing with great discounts. A wide cross-section of women from various nationalities and backgrounds visited. A few men also attended and contributed great content to the conversation. Throughout the series, the

T

Swappi

KI

Orlando Octave

Ravi B

Shelly G

he Miss Renaissance Pageant will be held on August 19 at the National Cultural Centre with 12 professional women competing for the coveted title. The delegates were introduced to the media in June at a sashing ceremony.

The pageant serves as a catalyst to re-educate the public about their inner beauty, creativity, cultural awareness and an accomplishment of the matured Guyanese women 30 years and older. For the next few weeks, the Guyana Times entertainment will feature each delegate.

This week, we are pleased to introduce to you 41-year-old Bevon Austin, Graduate Deputy Head Teacher (Acting Head Teacher) of St John’s College who hails from Non Pareil on the East Coast of Demerara.

She was born on the June 15, 1975 to Mr Wesley Austin and Mrs Lucille Austin in the country of Essequibo. She is a proud mother of four children- Shane, Shem, Shontea and Shaniyah.

Growing up in Charity on the Essequibo Coast was quite rewarding.

She attended the Anna Regina Multilateral School and was successful at her Secondary Examination in 1992.

Destra

atmosphere was trusting and comfortable enough that people opened up and felt safe to have frank conversations with people they were meeting for the first time.

In some cases, people got emotional and cried because they heard or said something that hit home.

It is taken for granted sometimes not knowing how much people are hurting.

“I love my career as a designer, but using the platform of fashion to inspire lives is very meaningful.

When I make a difference in the life of someone else, it also energises my own life and will to do even more,” the Guyanese fashion icon explained. The next ‘Conversation and Clothing’ will be held today at the Courtyard Mall, Robb Street, Georgetown? and the public can experience clothing not only to hide their nakedness or beautify the exterior, but to enhance the inner you. You can also enjoy a glass of 6 degree North Merlot, compliments of banks DIH. Admission to the event is absolutely free.

She subsequently joined the teaching profession in October 1992 where she taught at Jacklow Primary School for nine months after which she was enrolled at the Cyril Potter College of Education in September of 1993.

There, she pursued the Secondary programme for two years.

After which she returned to her hometown and assumed the duty of Assistant Mistress at Charity Secondary School.

She worked until 1999 and got registered at the University of Guyana to pursue the Certificate in Education and subsequently the Bachelor’s Degree in Education programmes.

After four years, she graduated with a credit.

Her journey as a teacher took her to various schools including East Ruimveldt Secondary, Brickdam Secondary, North Georgetown Secondary and Beterverwagting Secondary. However, she joined the pageant due to the fact it offers her the opportunity to improve her elfesteem and to be a role model to other ladies.

Michelle “Big Red” King

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guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, august 4, 2017

News

LIAT complies with EFCIA Battered woman Passenger Facilitation Fee charged for killing …passengers to face the burden in ticket prices

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ust days after the implementation of the Passenger Facilitation Fee for travellers flying out of the Eugene F Correia International Airport (EFCIA), the Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) has announced their compliance to this new condition.

This announcement was made in a joint release issued by EFCIA and LIAT on Thursday following consultation between the Airport and the regional domestic carrier.

On Monday, July 24, 2017, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted a meeting with a team from LIAT led by Chief Executive Officer, Julie Reifer-Jones and representatives from the Ogle Airport Inc to discuss concerns relating to the airport Passenger Facilitation Fee. At the meeting, it was declared that LIAT’s passengers are required to pay for the

A LIAT aircraft at the Eugene F Correia International Airport

use of facilities at the EFCIA which is to be charged to the airline.

The fee which is to take effect on September 1, 2017, amounts to $3600 for all adult international passengers, while children ages seven and under are expected to pay a total of $2400.

On that note, LIAT pledged commitment to working with the Airport’s management in ensuring that this

fee is being paid on schedule and in accordance with an agreed payment plan.

This was after both parties agreed that an airport Passenger Facilitation Fee is normal and that is it legitimate to charge passengers for their use of the airport’s facilities. It was noted that this income will be directed toward the maintenance of the country’s secondary port of entry.

As a result, the fee will be

included in the LIAT’s ticket prices and will appear on any booking option for international flights departing Guyana from the Eugene F Correia International Airport.

The Passenger Facilitation Fee to take effect at the Eugene F Correia International Airport on September 1, 2017 mirrors that of the Airport Taxes which has been in place for a number of years at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

In light of LIAT’s prompt acknowledgment and acceptance of the newly instituted passenger charges, the Eugene F Correia International Airport recognises LIAT as an important and valued customer of the Airport and boasts a lengthy collaboration with the airline in the deliverance of travel services here to and from Guyana.

abusive lover

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fter years of suffering at the hands of her abusive husband, Lisa Hayley finally employed a weapon against her spouse during a squabble, and he eventually died from the ordeal.

Arraigned before a city magistrate on a murder charge on Thursday, the young mother’s plea was not required for the indictable charge, which detailed that on July 29, 2017, she unlawfully murdered Devon Ali in Queen Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Hayley wept throughout the hearing, and her defence counsel told the court that his client had been embarrassed to disclose to anyone the situation she was enduring, but had recently gathered the courage to leave her partner, when tragedy followed.

According to media reports, the now deceased

Devon Ali had not handled well his spouse’s decision to exit the relationship, and had reportedly turned up at the home of his former brother-in-law, where the accused was staying, armed with two sharp knives.

A confrontation had ensued, during which Lisa Hayley had managed to get hold of one of the weapons and had allegedly stabbed Devon Ali to the chest.

A remorseful Lisa Halley had reportedly told investigating officers that the deceased was the father of her children, and there was no mens rea (guilty mind or intention) on her part to end her former lover’s life.

Lisa Halley was placed on $250,000 bail, and the matter was transferred before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to be heard on Monday, August 7, 2017.

news

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friDAY, august 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

‘Be committed to quality healthcare’

‒ Minister Harmon charges 5 new graduate doctors

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fter four years of specialised study of the human anatomy and medicine, a closely knit class of medical students this year took a significant leap towards realizing their careers when they successfully graduated from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and Technology’s School of Medicine.

The small group will now be joining an army of life saviours attached to various hospitals and medical institutions throughout the country.

While members of the faculty, parents and loved ones all proudly assembled at the ceremony on Monday, a number of Government officials and Ministers also joined in the celebration. During their remarks, each of the Ministers echoed a similar call – there is need for continued commitment to the delivery of quality healthcare in Guyana.

Addressing the gathering prior to the presentation of certificates, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, extended felicitations to the graduates as they embark on their journey into the world of work.

The Minister of State has said that, as Government continues to create opportunities for equal access to health, education and social services across the country, medical practitioners must be willing to serve to the best of their respective abilities.

“I must appeal to you for a commitment to health-care

delivery in the context of our national policy. A key element of Government’s policy on healthcare is equal delivery of all services across Guyana -- to all villages and communities in the most remote parts of Guyana, on the coastland and in the hinter-

And Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings, in her remarks, mirrored her colleague in noting that the medical profession is a noble one and, as such, the best possible standards must be adhered to in the process of administer-

tor, to give of your best and ensure at all times that you uphold this noble profession and maintain high standards for yourself and colleagues,” Cummings expressed.

Dr Cummings told the graduates that their entry into the medical field could

The first batch of graduates of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Science and Technology School of Medicine

land. We need doctors who do not flinch or baulk when assigned to these remote areas in our rural countryside or hinterland. This is the spirit and approach that we must adopt to enable us to provide a good life for all of our people,” Harmon conveyed.

He encouraged the graduates to commit themselves to selfless and dedicated service, as enshrined in the Hippocratic Oath which every doctor is expected to take; and he noted that they must strive to make positive contributions in their every undertaking.

ing healthcare services.

“In your service to humanity, and as you graduate and enter the world of work, it is important that you put into practice all that you have learnt over the years. Now you stand on the threshold of greatness -- that will give you a title that will place a great sense of responsibility on your shoulders.

“From here on, you will be the ones charting your own course in life; and how you are perceived in life will be as a result of your actions and, in some cases, your inactions.

I urge you, as a medical doc-

not come at a more opportune time: as Government continues to embark on numerous programmes aimed at further strengthening the public health system, so as to deliver the best quality healthcare possible to the citizens. As such, she urged them to keep expanding their horizons through education and training, so that they can become specialised in their fields of work.

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony was Education Minister Nicolette Henry, who underlined that the role of a doctor -- just like

that of an educator -- cannot be overestimated. She also spoke about the significance of the University’s work.

“This is a significant step in enhancing two critical sectors: health and education. Government cannot do it alone, and indeed Government should not; a balance has to be made between Government services and Private Sector services, particularly (in the areas of) health and education. I would like to sound my congratulations and gratitude for your commitment to this noble profession. I urge you to help as much as you can, and do no harm,” the Education Minister stated.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr Sherlock Peter Rawana, in his remarks, encouraged the students to return to their communities and villages and serve, as he noted that true success can be found in one’s ability to inspire and motivate others.

Chancellor Rawana expressed, “You have studied hard, and tonight you can see that you have achieved that dream. Being a doctor doesn’t meant that you will stop studying; you must become specialists. And when you have studied and achieved what you wanted to achieve, I want you to go back to your communities and be a role model for the youths of your communities. Wherever you go, or whatever you become,

I hope that one day you can come back to your country and serve.”

Class Valedictorian Abid Ally, who hails from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), in his Valedictorian address, pointed out that he would endeavour to use his profession to not only touch lives, but also leave a legacy of care and humanity.

Explaining that his decision to become a doctor dates back to his high school years, Ally said, “Today we are gaining a new profession, a profession as doctors, which made us become complete with precision, accuracy, efficiency; with goodness of intellect and, above all, virtue. From now on, it will be a central part of who we are; and, over time, the most important part of our lives.”

That said, the Ally extended appreciation to his family, both at home and at the University, thanking his well-wishers for the part they played in his achieving this milestone achievement.

The Rajiv Gandhi University is an intentionally accredited tertiary educational institution in Guyana. It offers programmes in the fields of Medicine, Humanities, Science and Technology. The event, hosted at the Pegasus Hotel, represented the first Convocation ceremony for the University’s School of Medicine, from which five students graduated.

16 NEWS

friDAY, august 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GTA expands adventure tourism in Guyana … launches inaugural Bartica 4x4 Safari

of the Safaris is unique and different in their own way,”

BY ASHRAF DABIE

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he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has embarked on a mission aimed at creating more adventure attractions available in Guyana by cashing in on the rich natural beauty and cultural diversity existing outside of the capital city, Georgetown. This announcement was made as the GTA on Thursday launched the first ever Bartica 4x4 Safari set to take the roads later this month.

Nature lovers are once again invited to journey in their four-wheel drive vehicles (4x4) through the trails, as the GTA has now turned its attention to the model green town of Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

This is following the successful execution of four similar adventure excursions which was staged earlier this year as GTA collaborated with several trip organisations such as Rainforest Tours and the ‘Super 7 Team’.

The safari is set to kick start on August 18 which will take the explorers out of the city and through the mining town of Linden as they make their way to the Bartica. The three-day journey will feature hiking through nature trails, swimming at lakes and waterfalls along the way and even a cook-out once in Bartica, presenting a true Guyanese experience while exposing the

Organisers of the Bartica 4x4 Safari present at the launch. Also in photo is Director of the GTA Indranauth Haralsingh (centre)

participants to a more natural way of life. The expedition will come to an end on August 20, leaving the Safarians with a life time of memories.

In addition, the highlights of the trip will include visits to sites such as the Christianburg Waterwheel in Linden, BK Quarry, Barakara, Marshall Falls and Bartica Beach along the way.

At the same time, the participants will be housed at the famous Palm Springs Hotel, adding a luxurious touch to the experience.

Providing the details of what is to be expected during this expedition was Kamrul Baksh, the Senior Product Development Officer attached to GTA. Baksh outlined the attractions offered by each Safari, zooming in on the uniqueness of the journey set for later this month.

He noted that, “Safaris are an ideal adventure type product that caters for persons who love the outdoors, exploring and discovering beautiful Guyana.” He said too that the

Bartica 4x4 Safari offers to the public the opportunity to engage in a life changing experience. “The challenges in overcoming the rugged terrain, the chance to see both historic and natural scenic sports, to enjoy the comforts of a contemporary and luxurious hotel, are just a few of the highlights of this Safari.”

Moreover, the Senior Officer further indicated that GTA is currently on a mission aimed at boosting tourism in Guyana by promoting the rich natural beauty existing outside of Georgetown. As such, he emphasised that excursions such as the newly established Bartica 4x4 Safari create the perfect Guyanese experience.

“This Safari is a welcome addition to Guyana’s Tourism Adventure Product Portfolio.

The Guyana Tourism Authority fully encourages and supports this initiative. People who are starved for adventurous activities in Guyana now have different options to choose from. Each

Baksh highlighted.

Also speaking at the launch was Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Indranauth Haralsingh, who expressed delight in the establishment of yet another Safari route.

Haralsingh pointed out that GTA is committed to cre-

ating news packages which offer affordable adventure travel, outdoor recreation and short getaways for both citizens and tourists, including those from within the diaspora.

“At the GTA we want to create more visibility and help with the branding of the various locations and attractions in Guyana,” relayed Haralsingh.

On that note, the Director pointed out, “This inaugural Bartica Safari serves that purpose and will help to bring more visitors to Bartica to support the livelihood and income and employment and everything else of Bartica.”

He also extended an invitation, particularly to Guyanese, to join in the adventure and cultural exchange set for Bartica, in a matter of days.

The Barticia 4x4 Safari

marks the fourth route to be explored by GTA and its partners and will make the way for a number of similar adventure tourism initiatives to follow in the coming months.

As such, persons in possession of 4x4 vehicles are encouraged to sign up to be a part of this unforgettable voyage with a participation fee of just $5000 per vehicle.

However, individuals wishing to cash in on the experience can do so by renting a fourwheel drive vehicle which can be done at an all-inclusive cost of $50,000.

Thus far, 12 vehicles have registered to hit the road on August 18 while GTA and their partners continue to encourage others, primarily Guyanese to come onboard with what promises to be an ideal natural exploration and cultural exchange.

UG Med School re-accredited

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lmost three years after losing its certification from the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine, the medical school of the University of Guyana (UG) has been reaccredited, albeit with a few conditions.

The University reported on Wednesday that it was recently accorded Accreditation for four years from 20172021 by the Jamaica-based Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). The decision to grant reaccreditation was made during the July 2017 meeting of CAAMHP. According to the University of Guyana, the reaccreditation of the Medical School, located in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Turkeyen campus, followed a site visit to UG in November 2016 by a team of evaluators from CAAM-HP who conducted a comprehensive re-evaluation of the teaching/learning facilities available at the School.

The team also met with the various administrative sections of the University and medical students.

UG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith congratulated the faculty, students and staff of the School of Medicine. He said it was a “signally important decision” and expressed appreciation to

personnel and students of the School.

“This investment of time and resources by the University in the reaccreditation of the School of Medicine is a tribute to the entire University and it strengthens our brand overall as we pursue Project Renaissance,” he said.

He further stated that a substantial amount of time and money will be required to complete the needed enhancements of the flagship programme.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Director of the School, Dr Ronald Aaron, who emphasised that the accreditation was a result of “community effort, now the real work begins.”

President of the University of Guyana Medical Students’ Association, Shafali Milton, expressed pride in the role played by the students in the eventual outcome.

“The road to regain our status as a regionally accredited medical school was filled with countless challenges.

However, we in the student body were undaunted and did everything in our power to assist. We are elated at the result of hard work from both the administration and the student body…”

Milton said the UGSM has regained its position as a prestigious institution in the Caribbean, one which the cur-

rent students as well as its alumni can be proud to be associated with.

“We look forward to new endeavours as the journey continues,” she said.

The Medical School was established in 1985 in the Faculty of Health Sciences as a Medical Practitioners programme which included four years of medical training and two years of internship.

This was upgraded in 1990 to a five-year programme followed by a one-year internship.

To date, the School has graduated more than 500 doctors who are working in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, Australia, the Caricom region and locally in leading positions in the healthcare sector.

Notable graduates include the current Junior Public Health Minister, the Chief Medical Officer, Heads of Paediatrics, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The School of Medicine lost its accreditation in April 2015 after a visit from the accreditation body revealed that a number of recommendations to improve the institution were not adhered to. The School was offered accreditation for the periods 2008 to 2009, 2009 to 2012 and 2014 to 2015.

friDAY, August 4, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

South African hostage in Mali released China says India building up troops by al Qaeda amid ransom allegation amid border stand off

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South African man is home after being freed by al Qaeda’s North Africa branch after six years in Mali, his Government announced on Thursday. One report alleges a ransom was paid, but South Africa has denied that it makes such payments.

Stephen McGown, who was released on July 25, was the longest-held of a number of foreigners seized

by Islamic extremists in Mali, where several armed groups roam the West African country’s north.

The extremists have made a fortune over the last decade abducting foreigners in the vast Sahel region and demanding enormous ransoms for their release.

Father of freed South African hostage Stephen McGown, Malcolm McGown (R) reacts as he holds hands with South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, during a press conference on August 3, 2017 in Pretoria

McGown was kidnapped in 2011 at a hostel in Timbuktu, where he had been travelling as a tourist.

He also has British citizenship.

“It was a big surprise

when Stephen walked through the door,” his father, Malcolm, told reporters. “He felt as sound and as strong as before.”

South Africa’s minister for international relations,

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, said the government does not pay ransom in hostage situations.

“We can confirm that he has been released without any conditions whatsoever,” Brian Dube, spokesman for the Ministry of State Security, told The Associated Press.

He said Mali’s Government, non-governmental groups and other individuals were involved in negotiations but didn’t give details.

The New York Times, meanwhile, cited an anonymous retired European intelligence official alleging a payment of 3.5 million euros had on the contrary been negotiated to obtain McGown’s freedom. (Excerpt from

France24)

Fighters, Indian troops among latest killed in Kashmir

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wo Indian soldiers and two fighters were killed in clashes in Indian-administered Kashmir, where tensions are high following the killing of a prominent leader of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group.

Early on Tuesday, Indian troops ambushed the two fighters in Kulgam, south of the main city of Srinagar. “It was a deliberate and swift

operation,” an Army officer told the AFP news agency.

In a separate incident, two Indian troops were killed and another was injured in a gunfight with rebels in Shopian district, the officer said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The violence comes just days after Indian forces killed top commander Abu Dujana, who headed LeT in Kashmir. His death led to

protests and violent clashes, in which at least two civilians - including a teenage student - were killed.

The government imposed a curfew on parts of Srinagar in anticipation of further protests against Indian rule.

Indian authorities have also suspended mobile internet in Kashmir.

“The use of social media is very frequent among Kashmiri youth. This re-

action is not surprising for us. The troops want to stop young people coming together for demonstrations by suspending the mobile network,” Imroz added.

Kashmir is divided between two nuclear-armed rivals, India and Pakistan where each administers part of it, but both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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hina’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday said India has been building up troops and repairing roads along its side of the border amid an increasingly tense stand-off in a remote frontier region beside the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.

The stand-off on a plateau next to the mountainous Indian state of Sikkim, which borders China, has ratcheted up tension between the neighbours, who share a 3500-km (2175 mile) frontier, large parts of which are disputed.

“It has already been more than a month since the incident, and India is still not only illegally remaining on Chinese territory, it is also repairing roads in the rear, stocking up supplies, massing a large number of armed personnel,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Early in June, accord-

ing to the Chinese interpretation of events, Indian guards crossed into China’s Donglang region and obstructed work on a road on the plateau.

The two sides’ troops then confronted each other close to a valley controlled by China that separates India from its close ally, Bhutan, and gives China access to the so-called Chicken’s Neck, a thin strip of land connecting India and its remote north-eastern regions.

India has said it warned China that construction of the road near their common border would have serious security implications.

Despite China’s numerous diplomatic representations, its foreign ministry said, India has not only not withdrawn its troops but has also been making “unreasonable demands” and is not sincere about a resolution. (Excerpt from

Yahoo! News)

N Korea travel ban will go into effect in September, US says

Air France expands North Korea no-fly zone after missile miss

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ir France-KLM has expanded its no-fly zone over North Korea after one of its jets flew past the location where an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) splashed down 10 minutes later, an airline spokesman said on Thursday.

Air France’s flight 293, a Boeing 777 carrying 323 people from Tokyo to Paris, missed North Korea’s latest ICBM as it fell to earth on July 28 by about 100 km (60 miles), the spokesman said, citing flight data provided by Japan.

Air France-KLM flies direct to Tokyo and Osaka and the expansion of the no-fly zone could make the flights 10 minutes to 30 minutes longer, depending on the direction, the spokesman said.

North Korea said on

Saturday its latest ICBM test proved its ability to strike America’s mainland, drawing a sharp warning from U.S. President Donald Trump and a rebuke from China.

France 24 first reported the expansion of the non-fly zone. (Reuters)

Afghan mosque attack: Father of teen roboticist among victims in Herat

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he father of an Afghan schoolgirl who took part in a recent robotics competition in the US was among those killed in an attack on a mosque in the city of Herat, her family has said.

Mohammad Asif Qaderyan, father of Fatemah Qaderyan, 14, died from injuries sustained in Tuesday’s attack. Fatemah was captain of the all-girl team that made headlines by taking part in the international event last month.

The six team members were initially denied visas to travel to the US. However, they were eventually allowed in after the reported intervention of President Donald Trump.

“We are all devastated,” Fatemah’s older brother, Mohammad Reza, told AFP news agency. “Fatemah hasn’t eaten or spoken since the incident and is in a state of shock. Today, after she fainted several times, doctors started IV fluid therapy.”

The six girls are all from Herat in western Afghanistan, close to the Iranian border.

Fatemah Qaderyan was pictured with her father at Herat airport last month after being allowed to fly to the US

Fatemah made an emotional appeal after the team’s visa applications to attend the robotics competition in Washington were rejected.

“We want to take the message of peace to America and convey that Afghanistan is not only the country of war, and there are girls who chase

their dreams in robots and education,” she told AFP at the time.

Officials would not give their reasons for initially refusing the visas.

A US travel ban is in place for six Muslim-majority countries but does not include Afghanistan. (Excerpt from BBC News)

This picture taken on July 4 and released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un celebrating the successful test-fire of the intercontinental ballistic missile at an undisclosed location

U

S passport holders will not be able to travel to North Korea beginning September 1, according to a statement issued by the US State Department on Wednesday.

Officials say that anyone currently in North Korea that hold a US passport should leave before the restrictions take place next month – which will remain in effect for one year unless extended or sooner revoked

by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Certain groups of people, including journalists and humanitarian workers, may apply for exceptions to the ban, according to the public notice.

The US announced the travel ban last month due to safety concerns for US citizens in the country. In June, University of Virginia student Otto Warmbier was

released to the U.S. on humanitarian grounds because he was in a coma.

He had been sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in North Korea for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster in March 2016.

The 22-year-old died on June 19, days after he returned to the US. The cause for the coma has remained in doubt, North Korean officials saying he fell into the coma due to botulism and a sleeping pill. But doctors treating him in Ohio said he suffered “severe injuries to all areas” of his brain.

At least 16 US citizens have been detained in North Korea in the past 10 years, the State Department says.

North Korean authorities have detained those who travelled independently and those who were part of organised tours. (Excerpt from MSN)

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friDAY, august 4, 2017

ARCHIE

Keep your life simple.

Don’t make a fuss or prom(March 21- ise more than you can delivApril 19) er. Avoid people who are bad influences or who are indulgent emotionally, financially or physically.

ARIES

Channel your energy into TAURUS self-improvement and home (April 20- upgrades. Use your intelliMay 20) gence and physical skills to improve your life. Travel, communication and romance are highlighted.

dilbert

Proper diet, exercise and GEMINI (May 21- discipline will help you conJune 20) quer whatever you set out to do. Don’t be sidetracked by indulgent people. Strive for personal perfection.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Cut corners if it will help you lower your overhead.

Look for alternative ways to get things done for less. Good fortune will stem from smart, frugal plans.

You may desire change, but do a cost analysis before you make a move. Sticking to a budget will be vital if you want to avoid criticism or stress.

Fix up your surroundVIRGO (Aug. 23- ings and take care of personSept. 22) al matters that influence your income, assets or emotional outlook. A romantic gesture will improve your love life.

An emotional incident will LIBRA leave you feeling uncertain or (Sept. 23confused.

If you discuss your Oct. 23) feelings openly, you will recognize what needs to be done to maintain the status quo.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Putting your money or SCORPIO time into something that will (Oct. 24heighten your chance to get Nov. 22) ahead looks promising. Don’t sell yourself short. Negotiate shrewdly on your own behalf.

Ask questions and read the SAGITTARIUS fine print. Someone will manip(Nov. 23- ulate you into something that Dec. 21) will leave you in a vulnerable position if you are too accommodating. Don’t trust anyone to negotiate for you.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Put your heart on the line CAPRICORN and discuss your intentions (Dec. 22- with someone you love. A Jan. 19) unique offer will give you reason to consider a move. Avoid unpredictable people and situations.

Discuss your plans or form AQUARIUS a partnership with someone (Jan. 20- you feel has as much to conFeb. 19) tribute as you do. Anger will not resolve issues, but positive input will.

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

What you do to help others PISCES will be repaid twofold. Your (Feb. 20understanding March 20) kindness, and innovative problem-solving ability will be rewarded.

Physical improvements will turn out well.

friDAY, august 4, 2017

19

DeGrasse injured, will miss Bolt felt World Championships 'disrespected'

A

ndre DeGrasse won’t be racing Usain Bolt this weekend as the Canadian sprinter has suffered a hamstring injury and will miss the IAAF World Championships that begin in London on Friday.

Despite having the 23rd fastest time in the world this year in the 100m(10.01) and the eighth fastest time in the 200m (20.01), DeGrasse was favoured to be among the medals in the sprints in London. The injury has dashed all his hopes.

"The entire year this 100m race in London was my focus,” said a devastated DeGrasse.

“I am really in the best shape of my life and was looking forward to competing against the best in the world. To not have this opportunity is unimaginable to me but it is the reality I am faced with. I am sad to miss this chance but I am young and will be back and better than ever in the near future."

DeGrasse, 22, was down to compete in both the 100-and-200m races. But according to DeGrasse’s agent, Paul Doyle, the athlete hurt his hamstring while in train-

ing on Monday.

According to Doyle, on Monday evening, at Mile End Stadium in London, Andre had his final starting blocks session in preparation for Friday’s 100m heats. On his final run of the day, the athlete pulled up with what he described as “a grab” in his right hamstring.

He was immediately diagnosed and treated by his medical team and returned to the hotel where treatment continued. The next day, DeGrasse received an ultrasound scan at the Stratford Stadium and it was determined that the Canadian star had suffered a Grade-One hamstring strain of the long head of the biceps femoris.

The next day, the athlete flew to Munich to meet with Dr Hans Muller Wolfhart for further advice and potential treatment. However, Dr Muller Wolfhart diagnosed a Grade-Two hamstring strain and ruled out the possibility of Andre competing in London.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Andre is pulling out of these championships and ending his season. To say he is devastated is an understatement,” Doyle said.

(SportsMax)

by member of new generation

J

Andre DeGrasse

amaican track star Usain Bolt has admitted to feeling ‘disrespected’ by one of the upcoming new generation of sprinters as the race to fill the boots of world’s fastest man is set to begin in earnest.

A number of talented athletes, the likes of which include Bolt’s compatriot Yohan Blake, South African Wayde van Niekerk and Canadian Andre De Grasse have already begun to jostle to fill the shoes of the big sprinter, who is set to retire from the sport following this summer’s World Championships.

Bolt who has typically provided encouragement to all who would seek to wear the crown of sprint king now seems inclined to stay out of the discussion following an unspecified incident.

"I'm not going down that road," Bolt said when asked who could potentially take his title as world's fastest man.

"The last guy I said was going to be great disrespected me."

While Bolt would not be specific on the issue, the sprinter has had recent problems with De Grasse. The Canadian, who will now miss the World Championships due to injury, had officially targeted beating Bolt in his final race before retirement and members of his management team recently claimed the sprinter had him removed from a competitive 100m field. De Grasse later denied the reports.(SportsMax)

Wenger: Neymar deal takes football beyond rationality A

Neymar Jr

rsene Wenger has called football’s sense of what is reasonable into question as PSG try to sign Neymar from Barcelona for €222 million.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Neymar’s proposed €222 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain proves that football is no longer a rational industry.

Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that the Brazil star wants to leave the club and he reportedly completed a PSG medical in Porto hours later.

LaLiga rejected an attempt by lawyers representing Neymar to pay the funds to activate his release clause early on Thursday, but the world-record move is still anticipated to go ahead, despite concerns that it would be in breach of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

Wenger feels the deal is a natural consequence of wealthy investors taking over football clubs, with PSG owned by QSI, an arm of the multi-billion Qatar Investment Authority.

The 67-year-old is therefore not surprised to see a proposed transfer of more than €200m only a year after Manchester United broke the world record by spending €105m to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus.

“For me, it’s a consequence of the ownerships,” he told a news conference when asked about Neymar. “That has changed completely the whole landscape of football in the last 15 years.

“Once a country owns a club, everything is possible, so it becomes very difficult to respect Financial Fair Play. That’s why I always plead for football to live within its own resources.

“We’re not in a period any more where you think ‘if I invest that, I’ll get that back’. We’re be-

yond that now. The numbers today involves a lot of passion, pride, public interest, and you cannot rationalise that any more.

“It looks like the inflation is accelerating. We crossed the 100 million line for the first time last year and only one year later we cross the 200 million line.

When you think Trevor Francis was the first guy at £1million [in English Arsene Wenger football in 1979], and that voke. If Barcelona want to buy a looked unreasonable, you realise how far we have gone and player, we’ll say ‘my friends, you how big football has become. It’s have 220 million in your pocket’, beyond calculation, beyond ratio- so what costs 50 million will cost 100 million for them,” he said. nality.”

He also added that such enorWenger thinks Barca will be forced into paying inflated fees mous fees are beyond Arsenal’s for their own transfer targets be- capabilities.

“We still live with rationalicause clubs will know they have the vast income from the Neymar ty,” he said. “I think 99 per cent deal at their disposal, provided of clubs do that. But of course, we cannot compete at that level.” that the move goes ahead.

(SportsMax) “It’s the consequences we pro-

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Roach working on moving the ball as he aims at Test return K

emar Roach took further steps towards playing his first Test since January 2016, carrying over his promising domestic form into West Indies' first warm-up match, against Essex, ahead of the three-Test series against England. Following his 3 for 17 on the second day of the thee-day warm-up fixture, Roach shed light on the efforts he has been taking towards the Test return.

"I'm looking to make the ball go both ways. I always had it in me, but I need to perfect it even more and I've been working hard on that,"

he said after a rain-hit day in Chelmsford. "Today, it was perfect. The line and length was spot on. That's where I wanted to be. I want to keep working and building on that."

Roach is the most experienced member of the 15man squad, having played 37 Tests since his debut in 2009. He was dropped owing to poor form at the start of 2016, but has since made strides in the Professional Cricket League, West Indies' first-class tournament, where he took 23 wickets at 16.17 for Barbados.

"It's pretty tough to go

there after almost two years off, to catch up with things.

Test cricket is the biggest form of cricket, and I've been working hard and I want things to be right back here.

So I'm going to go there, help the young guys in the team and put some good performances."

Roach is no stranger to English conditions. He played in West Indies' previous tour of England, in 2012, and took eight wickets - the most for his team - despite playing only two of the three Tests. That apart, he has also represented Worcestershire in the

County Championship.

"I've been here previously for Test tours. I know certain grounds and how the pitches play and the atmosphere. It's about adapting quickly. It's not home, it's not Barbados. It is colder here. It's about doing the business right."

Roach also spoke positively of the format for the first of the three Tests; the match will be played under lights at Edgbaston England's first day-night Test. "I've played a couple of games with the pink ball back home during the domestic season," he said. "I

think it's good for cricket. It does a bit more for a bowler's likes, so that's good for me.

"It's always a different feel, a different switch up.

The atmosphere is going to

be different; everything is going to be different. We're going to pull some more crowd. It's about time we switch things up a little bit." (Cricinfo)

Former heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko retires

F

ormer heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko announced his immediate retirement from boxing on Thursday.

The decision ends an era when the Klitschko name alone could guarantee one of the biggest fights of the year.

At their peak, Klitschko and his brother Vitali held all of the major heavyweight titles between them.

Klitschko, who retired with a 64-5 record, lost his titles to Tyson Fury in 2015 and failed to regain the WBA and IBF belts in April, when Anthony Joshua beat him by an 11th-round technical knockout.

Klitschko had been lined up for a rematch against

Joshua, who will now likely face mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev. ''As an amateur and a professional boxer, I have achieved everything I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second career after sports,'' Klitschko said in a statement released by his management.

He said that he had deliberately taken a few weeks to reach a decision ''to make sure I had enough distance from the (first Joshua) fight at Wembley Stadium.''

An amateur boxing star in his youth, Klitschko turned pro in 1996 after he won the Olympic gold in Atlanta.

His early professional career passed in a blur, with 16

victories in 13 months. He won his first world title in 2000, beating Chris Byrd on points for the WBO belt six months after Byrd had taken the title from Klitschko's brother Vitali.

Defeats to Corrie Sanders in 2003 and Lamon Brewster in 2004 raised doubts whether Klitschko had the resilience to box at the top level. He answered the doubters with an 11year unbeaten run from that defeat to Brewster, beating contenders such as Ruslan Chagaev and David Haye along the way with a methodical, tactical style.

He never fought his brother Vitali, saying that would break a promise to their mother.

The brothers' hard-hitting style inside the ring and relaxed, multilingual approach outside it made them famous beyond boxing.

Wladimir Klitschko even made a cameo appearance in a 2007 romantic comedy movie in the brothers' adopted home of Germany.

Showing the international approach that helped make him such a marketable athlete, Klitschko released his farewell video Thursday in three languages - English, German and Russian.

He helped out when his older brother went into politics, addressing crowds alongside Wladimir Klitschko's fiancee, the U.S. actress Hayden Panettiere,

Sharapova withdraws from Rogers Cup with arm injury M

aria Sharapova withdrew from the Rogers C u p with a sore left arm o n Thursday, putting the fivetime grand slam

Maria Sharapova

champion's U.S. Open participation in doubt.

"I am so sorry to be missing Rogers Cup this year," Sharapova said in a statement from Tennis Canada. "I am so appreciative to the tournament for the wild card and my fans in Toronto for their support.

"I am disappointed that injury is keeping me from the tennis court once again, and I will work as hard as I can to return to the game I love as soon as possible.”

The injury is the same one that had forced Sharapova to pull out of her second round match in Stanford on Wednesday.

Competing in her fourth tournament back after a 15-month doping ban, Sharapova said she started to feel pain in her forearm late during her first-round win over American Jennifer Brady.

The pain persisted and the former-world number one withdrew from her second round match handing Ukrainian seventh seed Lesia Tsurenko a walkover.

The injury casts a bigger cloud on Sharapova competing in the year's final grand slam, with the former-world number one hoping for a wildcard into the U.S. Open, an event she won in 2006.

Sharapova was denied a wildcard for the French Open and missed Wimbledon, where she was going to try to gain main draw entry through the qualifying tournament, due to injury.

Banned after testing positive for heart drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, Sharapova has had mixed results since re-joining the WTA Tour.

It marked the second time in three months that Sharapova's comeback has been interrupted by injury having also retired from her second round match at the Italian Open in mid-May after injuring her left thigh.

The Rogers Cup gets under way on Monday with an elite field that includes all of the Top 10 players in the world rankings, including defending champion Simona Halep and Venus Williams. TORONTO (Reuters)

Wladimir Klitschko

during anti-government protests in Ukraine in 2013. Vitali Klitschko has since become mayor of the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

Wladimir Klitschko's departure opens up the heavyweight scene, with Joshua now likely to face Bulgarian

Pulev in the coming months.

Pulev's only loss in 26 fights was against Klitschko in 2014. ''It may not be the fan favorite fight, but it's one we need to get through to get to better things,'' Joshua said Thursday. BERLIN (AP)

Jamaica's Riker Hylton exonerated J

amaican quarter miler, Riker Hylton has been cleared of anti-doping charges leveled by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) earlier this year.

The Independent AntiDoping Disciplinary Panel, a short while ago, announced the decision that the runner was not guilty of evading or refusing to give a sample to the JADCO for tests last year.

Were Hylton to have been found guilty, the 400-metre relay broinze medallist from the Daegu World

Championships in 2011, would have faced a maximum ban of four years.

Hylton, who while free to run, will not be at the World Championships in London, has a personal best of 45.30 and had a best individual result of finishing eighth in a semi-final at the Daegu World Championships.

The 28-year-old mined bronze in Daegu along with the team of Allodin Fothergill, Jermaine Gonzales and Leford Green.

Keep posted to this space for more on this developing story. (SportsMax)

sports

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Ricky Deonarain

G

uyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) will begin their quest for the elusive Toronto Cup softball trophy from today when action bowls off in the 2017 Toronto Cup 2 tournament at Ashtonbee venue, Scarborough, Toronto.

Having participated at the inaugural white ball 20-over tournament in 2015, one of the GFSCA teams featured in the final against Canadian side Our Own Cricket Club but this time skipper Ricky Deonarain is confident the boys can be the champion unit.

Deonarine stated during the team’s final practice session on Wednesday in Toronto that the side is high in confidence and with seven other teams competing for top-honours in the Masters’ division, the experienced right-hander feels there will be stiff competition.

Eyaaz Mohamed However, he is confident that once they apply themselves in every department of the game, success can be achieved.

“We have to play very good cricket from the beginning. We are very familiar with the other teams from both in Canada and USA, but we have got to be on top of our game, Deonarain stated.

The fixture for the three-day tournament was expected to released last evening at the opening ceremony which was held at Tropical Nights Restaurant and Lounge. The teams for both Masters and Open Categories were informed of the tournament’s rules and playing conditions.

The preliminary round matches are slated for today while; the semi-final actions will be contested tomorrow with the finals on Sunday at the University of Toronto Soccer

ground, Scarborough Campus.

Deonarine acknowledged that even though the weather conditions in North America do play a big part on minds of players he is ready to face any challenges on the field.

In the Masters’ division, a new champion to be crowned on this occasion after Our Own will not be participating owing to some internal problems according to their skipper and versatile all-rounder Bobby Parasnauth.

Meanwhile, Parasnauth will be leading an Open side called Sunshine and the Canadian-based Guyanese is very much upbeat of lifting the trophy Sunday afternoon.

Former Guyana youth player Eyaaz Mohamed, who will be skippering a Canadian Open team, Rems-Tech, is also confident his boys will be able to churn out good performances and ultimately cart off

Kares Engineering joins Boyce and Jefford Classic

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Organiser Edison Jefford (center) collects the sponsorship package from Kares Engineering Inc Brand Ambassador Paul Meusa (second left) as Colin Boyce (right) looks on

By Michelangelo Jacobus

K

21

ares Engineering Inc. is now the title sponsor of the Boyce and Jefford Classic athletics championships. This was revealed at a press briefing held by the organisers of the annual event which is now in its eighth year of existence.

The event was rebranded the “Kares Engineering Inc/Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic” organizer Edison Jefford said.

Meanwhile Chairman of the Boyce and Jefford Classic, Colin Boyce expressed “sincere gratitude for having Kares Engineering Inc. partnering with us at this very crucial time for partnering with us to host the eight edition of the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Championship.”

Boyce pointed out that it is important that Kares is now on board as the former sponsors Digicel have found it “difficult” to continue the partnership with the Boyce and Jefford outfit.

He commended the CEO of Kares Engineering, Radesh Rameshwar for “rising to the challenge” and ensuring that the athletes compete without worry.

Boyce a former athlete, expressed hope

that by 2018/2019 the event would be run on a synthetic track facility in Linden as the Boyce and Jefford Classic was birthed in Linden and will remain there.

Representing the Kares Engineering group was the company’s Communications Consultant, Mondale Smith who said that while Kares is a construction company it is also concerned about building Guyana through its youth who are the future of the country as “Kares cares”.

Over 140 athletes will be competing at the Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic VIII, with 108 of those athletes being local competitors. The remainder will be a mixture of overseas-based Guyanese and international athletes with some coming from as far as Uganda.

Track Clubs will put their best athletes on show as they bid for a first prize of 1 Million dollars while the runner-ups will walk away with $500,000, third place $300,000 and fourth place $200,000.

Athletes will have the chance to win cash prizes in the international events while there is also a purse up for grabs in the Champion Male and Female athlete categories.

The event will run off on August 12th and continues on August 13th at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden.

the main prize.

Former Guyana opening batsman Andrew Gonsalves will captain one of two teams from New York.

Gonsalves will have former Guyana skipper Damodar Daesrath in his lineup.

New York Enforcers are the reigning champions in the Open category but they also would not defend their title due to unforeseen circumstances. GFSCA team reads: Rickey Deonarain (captain), Ramo Malone (vice-captain), Uniss Yusuf, Lloyd Ruplall, Ravi Lutchman, Jagdish Persaud, Tulshi Lutchman, Neraj Narad, Pooran Singh, Huks Lutchman, Ago Gopaul, Kenrick Persaud, Jailall Deodass, Pithamber Maharaj and Ramesh Sunich. go Gopaul, Kenrick Persaud, Jailall Deodass, Pithamber Maharaj and Ramesh Sunich. (Ravi Madholall in Toronto)

South Africa’s jailed athlete Pistorius taken to hospital

O

scar Pistorius, the South African Paralympic gold medallist serving a six-year jail term for murdering his girlfriend, was taken to hospital on Thursday, a prison service spokesman said.

The prison service provided no details of Pistorius's illness, but a spokesman, Logan Maistry, said he would be kept in hospital overnight for observation. He said he could not comment on a report by the Citizen website that Pistorius suffered chest pains and prison staff suspected a heart attack.

"I am not aware of (that report) or what he suffered from," Maistry said. "What I am aware of is that he was this morning taken to an outside hospital for a medical examination ... " Last August, Pistorius denied trying to kill himself after he was treated in hospital for wrist injuries.

The athlete was sentenced to six years in prison in July last year after being found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine's Day 2013.

He reached the pinnacle of his fame in 2012 when he became the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, making the 400 meters semi-finals in London before taking two golds in the Paralympics.

Pistorius' family spokeswoman was not immediately available to comment. (Reuters)

W

Roston Chase makes halfcentury in tour match draw

est Indies drew their rain-affected tour match against Essex as they began preparations for their Test series against England.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach took 5-43 as Essex declared midway through the final day on 185-9.

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite (3) fell cheaply and a firstball duck for Kyle Hope left the Windies on 15-2.

However, Roston Chase (50 not out) and Shai Hope (46) steadied the innings before both sides shook hands.

The tourists begin their three-Test series against England at Edgbaston on 17 August. (BBC)

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Pujara, Rahane tons power India to 344 for 3

I

n addition to all the runs, a contest came India's way in Colombo, and they were ready for it thanks to the aptitude of Ajinkya Rahane and the appetite of Cheteshwar Pujara.

Centuries from two of India's top five and 344 first-innings runs by stumps on the first day is exactly the position a team 1-0 up in a three-match series would want.

Especially on a pitch that doted on the spinners.

The conditions - nowhere near drastic, but certainly challenging - fostered high-quality cricket. The scoring rate was a healthy 3.8 per over, but the outside and inside edges of the Indian batsmen bore more red marks than they had done in Galle. Only one of them proved fatal, though - the captain Virat Kohli was caught splendidly by Angelo Mathews at slip for 13 off Rangana Herath.

The rest were smuggled wide of the fielders skillfully and carefully. And with time, they disappeared completely.

At the forefront of this operation was a man nominated for the Arjuna award, on the day he was playing his 50th Test, securing his 4000th run and his 13th century. Pujara found the spotlight rather amenable and he put on display all the qualities that have made him a magnet for runs.

He was unflappable, putting behind him a mix-up that led to KL Rahul's run-out for 57. He was game-aware, for that wicket had led to another, pushing India from 109 for 1 to 133 for 3. But mindful of not letting the opposition get on a roll, he accelerated from 14 off 58 at lunch to 89 off 140 at tea and finished unbeaten on 128 at stumps.

Rahane at the other end found his timing straightaway and took time out of his schedule to put on a batting clinic, shifting deep in his crease to whip anything even slightly short through midwicket, and wading down the pitch upon the first sign of flight to hit down the ground. It was the kind of counterattack Mitchell Johnson and Australia had faced in Melbourne in 2014. And it appears there is plenty more to come. That moment early in day, when Dilruwan Perera won a review to trap Shikhar Dhawan lbw for 35, almost seemed like a dream.

Things could have been so different. Sri Lanka armed themselves with three spinners, but barring Perera, who threatened both edges of the bat with his drift and turn, they couldn't manufacture enough pressure to worry the Indians. But they did try.

Pujara, with a reputation for

annoying spinners in the same way as a pop quiz on Friday evening, nearly edged to slip when on 1 and only just avoided shortleg's hands in the last over before lunch. He spent 30 balls without scoring after being beaten by Herath in the 21st over. But none of that perturbed him. He waited for the mistakes, he suckered some of them into coming his way with his constant forays down the pitch and went to tea with 70 runs off his latest 71 balls.

While there was a six during this spree, his best shot was a cover drive, for not only did it exemplify his swiftness down the pitch, but also the ability to counter a misbehaving ball. It was the 42nd over and Pujara was halfway down when he realised Perera had managed to drift it away from his reach. But by adjusting his momentum and stretching his front leg a little further across, he got close enough to the ball to thump it with a straight bat.

Rahane offered a different challenge with his sense for the ball and silken timing. And they were both so good that he didn't need to worry unduly about getting right to the pitch of the ball or waiting patiently for the rank long hop, and put away

RK Raul

even the good balls. He whipped the bowlers through midwicket (18 runs), launched them through or over cover (26) and drummed them down the ground (34) with ridiculous ease. Protecting so many parts of the ground proved futile for the Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal.

Rahul might well have enjoyed his team-mates' success, but for the longest time it seemed like he would be the first to reach a hundred. He had spent his first few days on the tour locked in hospital, staring at fluorescent lights. He had been told he would have the chance to finally play some cricket, out in the sun, with fresh air and no doctors. So natu-

rally he wanted to stay outside for as long as possible and so well was he accomplishing that aim that he scored his sixth successive fifty in Test cricket, equalling the Indian record set by GR Viswanath and Rahul Dravid, playing some superb shots. There was a short-arm pull against debutant Malinda Pushpakumara over deep midwicket when the length invited that shot about as much as a cactus tempts a person to sit on it.

But a mix-up - Rahul hit to short cover and wanted the single, Pujara did too, then he changed his mind - and Rahul was forced back indoors, under the glare of the fluorescent lights again. (Cricinfo)

Hockey Board to use indoor plastic tile floor for Pan Am Cup

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he Guyana Hockey Board has imported an indoor plastic tile floor similarly to what is used in North America for almost all indoor sports. The plastic tile floor has been laid at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and is built in such a way that it can be moved at any time if needed.

The floor is also suitable for basketball and many other sports and solves the issue of an uneven wooden surface for hockey at CASH. With the upcoming Indoor Pan Am Cup nearing, this floor is a timely and welcome necessity in improving the sport of hockey in Guyana.

President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Phillip Fernandes told the media that since Guyana was awarded a Pan American Level Hockey Tournament (Indoor Pan American Hockey Cup) earlier this year, the Pan American Hockey Federation required that the surface of the facility that the tournaments will be played at stays true to the hockey ball.

Fernandes noted that it was found that the wooden floor of the CASH was irregular and not conducive to hockey, thus the idea of the plastic tile surface was birthed and the GHB sought

President of the Guyana Hockey Board, Phillip Fernandes and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones (right)

approval from the National Sports Commission to lay the plastic tiles on the floor.

This , proposition he noted was well received. He also highlighted that for the first time, the Guyana Hockey team will be able to train on the same surface that they will be competing on and it is no longer a disadvantage to them.

Meanwhile Director of Sport Christopher Jones said that this is just another collaborative effort with a sports association as the

NSC seeks to develop and further sports in Guyana.

On October 14th 2017, Guyana will embark on hosting its first even Pan American level hockey championships. The tournament is called the Indoor Pan American Cups and will feature two simultaneous competitions for men and women and will serve as the Pan American Continental Qualifier for FIH Indoor Hockey World Cups scheduled for February 2018 in Berlin, Germany.

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friDAY, august 4, 2017

CPL bowls off tonight in St Lucia

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year’s wait is over and the Caribbean Premier League, the Biggest Party in Sport will bowl off this evening at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia.

Commencing at 21:00h, former champions Trinbago Knight Riders and the star studded St Lucia Stars will meet in what is expected to be thrilling affair.

Seasoned campaigners such as Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels and David Miller are expected to turn out for the Stars while the Knight Riders’ squad includes the likes of Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo and Shadab Khan.

Following today’s opener, Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on St Kitts Patriots on Saturday at 11:00h. Barbados Tridents will then tackle Jamaica Tallawahs from 15:00h.

Both matches will be played in Lauderhill, Florida.

The Biggest Part in Sport comes to Guyana on August 17 with a monumental clash Guyana Amazon Warriors and Jamaica Tallawahs.

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WILLOW TV to broadcast Hero CPL in the United States of America

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he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be broadcast in the United States by Willow TV, the primary cricket broadcaster in the US. This will be the first time that Willow have brought coverage of the Biggest Party in Sport to the US, and cricket fans across the region will be brought coverage of the 34 matches of the tournament, including the four that will take place in Lauderhill, Florida on August 5 & 6.

In addition to the matches live on the Willow television channel on the Internet at www.willow.tv, they will also be partner with the CPL to air four matches live on their Facebook page that will be free to access by fans in the US. These matches will take place on Friday nights throughout the tournament. The matches will be as follows: • Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Friday August 11, 21:00h • St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Trident – Pride of Barbados, Friday August 18, 21:00h • Jamaica Tallawahs v St Lucia Stars – Friday August 25, 20:00h • Jamaica Tallawahs v Guyana Amazon Warriors, Friday September 1, 20:00h The tournament gets underway on August 4 when the St Lucia Stars take on the Trinbago Knight Riders at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium before the USA leg of Hero CPL 2017 gets underway the next day.

Pete Russell, the Chief Operating Officer of Hero CPL said: “North America is a hugely important part of what the Hero CPL have planned and having a broadcasting partner that is so committed to bring top quality cricket coverage to viewers across the region is hugely important to us. It is great to have Willow on board with us for 2017.”

Vijay Srinivasan, CEO of Willow said: “Willow is proud to add the Hero CPL to our line up of top tier cricket from around the world. With the matches being played in the US and in the Caribbean, the timings are perfect for US television audiences, giving fans a tremendous opportunity to watch live coverage of some of the biggest names in cricket.”

Simmons, Foo

SPSN acquires 2017 CPL find form in Tallawahs' win over USA rights for sub-continent L

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he Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be broadcast in six Asian countries, inclusive of Indian, after Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) which owns India’s premier sports channels bagged exclusive broadcasting rights for the competition in the region. The network also purchased the digital rights for the tournament and will live stream the matches in Afghanistan over and above these six countries on its digital platform, SonyLIV. The tournament, which will begins on 4th August and culminates on 9th September will feature six Caribbean teams, Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinbago Knight Riders, Tridents – Pride of Barbados, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Stars and St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, with several top T20 players on display.

Pete Russell, Chief Operations Officer, expressed the companies delight at continuing to be involved with the Asian broadcasters.

“We are delighted to continue our broadcast partnership with Sony Pictures Sports Network. Across the Indian subcontinent, there are huge supporters of CPL who have a keen interest in this league,” Russell said.

The opening match of the league will see St. Lucia Stars take on the Trinbago Knight Riders to be held at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium (named after the St. Lucia Stars captain) on August 4.

endl Simmons made a promising showing ahead of his inaugural season with Jamaica Tallawahs, top-scoring with 42 off 23 balls before retiring out in an eventual 60-run win over USA in their final CPL warm-up on Thursday at the Central Broward Regional Park on Thursday.

Simmons, who joined Tallawahs this year from St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, put on a clinic of clean straight driving, finishing with five fours and two sixes before walking off in the sixth over at the fall of fellow opener Kennar Lewis' wicket to let his team-mates have a hit. Jonathan Foo and Andre McCarthy took over in the middle order to buoy the rest of the innings, taking Tallawahs to a final total of 152 for 9. Foo struck four fours and a six in his 38 while McCarthy had a four and two sixes in his 33 before also retiring at the end of the 15th over.

Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige and medium-pace allrounder Japen Patel both recovered after taking some early punishment from Simmons to finish with solid figures of 2 for 29 and 3 for 19 respectively. Kenjige struck twice in the 17th, getting Foo to sky a slog to midwicket before pulling off a sensational diving return catch three balls later to remove Krishmar Santokie for 2.

Japen then followed with a wicket maiden in the 18th, getting Odean Smith edging behind for 1, before striking twice more in the 20th as Jamaica were tied down in the final five overs despite a fiery start in which they were 121 for 3 after 15 overs.

a run-a-ball 14 before he fell in the 11th attempting to scoop left-arm spinner Garey Mathurin over short fine leg but failed to clear Santokie on the circle. Davion Davidson joint top-scored but struggled to make his 14 off 28 balls before he finally holed out to longon off Santokie in the 17th.

Kesrick Williams turned in a solid performance in tandem with Santokie, taking 2 for 20 in 3.3 overs. Williams finished the match three balls into the 19th, having Elmore Hutchinson caught on the long-on boundary by Rovman Powell for his third catch as USA were bowled out for 92, their batting unit depleted primarily due to several players currently training with their respective CPL teams including captain Steven Taylor, who will be playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors this season.

Tallawahs will open their season against Barbados Tridents in the second match of the opening weekend doubleheader in Lauderhill. (Cricinfo)

Jonathan Foo drives over cover for one of his four fours

Despite the great work done at the death by USA's bowlers, their batsmen struggled to gain any momentum throughout the chase. One day after making 68 against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, opener Abdullah Syed was out for 6 edging behind in the third over to Santokie, who finished with 4 for 15.

The best USA managed from their order came from Roy Silva, who made

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2017

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

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Pg 23

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