Guyanatimes 5 july 2017 [new]

Constitutional Reform Bill for National Assembly before recess Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3262

P15

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Bandit killed, 2 injured in foiled Republic Bank robbery Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Over 1000 cattle die in Black Bush Polder flood P13

BarbadosP7 bound cocaine mule nabbed

P8 Man admits to killing stepson Bandit P10 stabbed during ECD robbery Dead bandit: Elton Wray

Injured bandit Jamal Haynes was an employee at RBL

…employee among injured bandits …dead bandit ID'd as senior Policeman's son, studied in China 38th Heads of Government meeting

Free & fair elections the hallmark of Caricom – Bahamian PM Page 9

…as Regional Heads warn corrupt Govt Ministers

EU apologises for $348B sugar money mistake

…says Guyana received only $34.8B

Page 2

Corentyne murder P7

Alleged mastermind nabbed in NYC

Region 9 flood woes

Region low on drugs, medical P12 supplies – Chairman

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

EU apologises for $348B sugar money mistake …says Guyana received only $34.8B

T

he European Union on Tuesday corrected the misinformation that has caused much controversy between the Government and Opposition over the budget support to the local sugar industry.

Government’s chief spokesperson, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had called out the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) last week to explain what it is the Administration did with the $348 billion it had received from the EU. However, according to the EU Guyana only received $34.8 billion.

He was at the time drawing reference to the PPP/C stint in office during which time the EU had turned over to Guyana through several tranches, budget support to the local sugar industry as a result of the unilateral changes made in the preferential arrangement with Guyana and the EU for the purchase of sugar under the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) sugar-producing countries pact.

Misquoted

The misquoted figure

originally disseminated by the EU was picked up by the Minister of State who proceeded to chastise the PPP/C during a post-Cabinet briefing.

He said that the 348 was not channelled to the sugar industry.

However, the local EU delegation by way of a public missive on Tuesday sought to clear the air and has since apologised for the inconvenience caused.

According to the EU statement, the figure of €166,667,000 was given as the amount granted by the EU in budget support to the sugar industry in Guyana between 2006 and 2013.

“While this is the correct figure, the corresponding amount in Guyana dollars was inadvertently given as GYD$348.5 billion, when it should have been approximately GYD$34.85 billion (depending exchange rate used)…Therefore, the amount allocated in budget support to sugar by the EU from 2006 to 2013 was €166.67 million, or in Guyanese dollars GYD$34.85 billion.”

Responding to Jagdeo’s call for further inquiries into Government’s excesses, the State Minister at

the time suggested that an inquiry into the Budget support from the EU would uncover what went on.

According to Harmon, “if you inquire into this, you will find that the bulk of this money went elsewhere.”

Falsehood

In fact, Jagdeo rejected the statements as a “total falsehood”, stating that the contention being peddled that the EU paid to Guyana that huge sum of money as compensation for the 36 per cent cut in preferential market prices for sugar is far from the truth.

The former Head of State pointed out that the total sum paid to Guyana was approximately $30 billion. “Indeed, the final instalment of G$5.4 billion was paid to the coalition Government in October last year.

The sum of G$348.5 billion is over ten times the sum actually received

by Guyana,” he said in a statement.

Further, more than $30 billion was spent by the PPP/C Administration on the Skeldon Factory alone, Jagdeo said, while making a commitment to ad-

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Jernej Videtič

dress this issue more expansively upon his return to Guyana later this week.

The EU announced the closure of its funding programme, which saw Guyana benefiting from billions in budgetary support to aid in sugar sector reform.

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Jernej Videtič said while the last grant was issued in 2013, it was not released to Guyana until last year after the country failed to meet the necessary criteria required.

The EU Sugar Grant

was established to compensate for the 36 per cent cut in preferential market prices after the World Trade Organisation (WTO) had ruled that the preferential market access violated global free trade rules.

A total of 1.28 billion euros were allocated for disbursement to the sugar protocol countries benefiting from the programme to help them adapt to the new market conditions.

Guyana received its first instalment in 2006.

Former cop remanded for 2015 fraud

M

agistrate Leron Daly rejected defence counsel Bernard DaSilva’s application for bail while upholding that the court will not release Paul Watson pending trial on the grounds that the former Policeman has pending fraud matters before the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

The 40-year-old father of two and resident of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo was hauled before the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday morning. It is alleged that the accused between March 1, 2015 and June 12, 2017, with intent to defraud, obtained $790,000 from Gouind Sundar, under the pretence that he was in the position to obtain a firearm licence for the VC. DaSilva questioned the grounds for bail refusal, contending that the other matters were all but

mere allegations as he pronounced time had lapsed since the alleged commission of the offence while questioning why his client was only now being charged with the offence.

The court further heard, through the lawyer, that Watson has a decent job and posed no flight risk as he had no interest in avoiding trial. Bail was refused and the matter adjourned to July 14.

news

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, July 5 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and on Thursday, July 6 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, July 5 – 14:05h-15:35h and Thursday, July 6 – 14:55h-16:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Light rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while clear skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between Easterly to Southeasterly and East north-easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 01:36h and 14:06h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.28 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:38h and 19:55h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metre and 0:92 metre.

Bandit killed, 2 injured in foiled Republic Bank robbery …employee among injured bandits …dead bandit ID'd as senior Policeman's son, studied in China

C

haos erupted in downtown Georgetown early Tuesday morning when armed bandits invaded the Water Street branch of Republic Bank Limited in a failed attempt to cart off cash.

The three-man attack ended with one of the bandits being killed, while his two accomplices were injured during a shootout with the Police.

Dead is 24-year- Dead: Elton Wray old Elton Wray, also

The dead man's car being towed into the Brickdam Police Station

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WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

known as “Peas”, an agronomy graduate, who lived in Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and worked as a research assistant at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). He was also the son of a senior Police official.

His accomplices were Keron Saunders of Mocha Arcadia, EBD, and 24-yearold Jamal Haynes of Norton Street, Georgetown, an employee attached to Republic Bank.

According to reports reaching <<<Guyana Times>>>, the three men drove up to the Bank around 07:30h on Tuesday, just as employees were entering the building.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told this publication that the men were transported in a vehicle, which was reportedly hijacked on Monday night.

The gunmen entered the financial institution via the inner door of the ATM booth which they accessed from the exterior of the Bank.

As panic broke out among the employees, Haynes held hostage one of his bank colleagues and made his way into the nearby Vendor’s Arcade.

At this point, security guards at the Bank opened fire on the bandits, forcing the now dead man to escape the building, while the third member later surrendered himself to the Police.

This newspaper spoke

Injured bandit Jamal Haynes was an employee at RBL

with eyewitnesses who were at the time plying their trade in the nearby Vendor’s Arcade. They disclosed that Wray had escaped into a “cook shop” located in the Arcade to where he was trailed by the Police.

He managed to make his way into the kitchen of the establishment, where he attempted to seek refuge in disguise as a cook. However, employees at that

The shattered ATM door

Glass shattered during the shootout

entity raised an alarm which resulted in Wray being shot by Police.

The bandit was then rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital along with Haynes and Saunders, but was pronounced dead on arrival while his accomplices were admitted for treatment. turn to page 9

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WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017

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

Consumerism in Guyana

T

o “consume” means to eat. From that simple act of taking care of one of our most basic needs – to take in nutrients to literally keep body and soul together – the word was broadened to include our utilisation any resource. We talk about consuming the forests and fossil fuels, for instance. But with the expansion of the term, there was an interesting disjuncture from its original utilisation: “consuming” is no longer linked with needs. And herein lies a predicament for modern man: consumerism.

For most of our existence, man used those resources from his environment that took care of his basic needs: food, shelter and clothing. As he developed the facility and technology to increase the production of the necessary resources he obviously began to consume more. But this is not the problem that we want to identify; this is not consumerism. While eating too much food, building 100-storey skyscrapers or manufacturing polyesters might engender problems of their own, needs are still being satisfied. This is just overconsumption and while it has some overlap with consumerism, it is important to distinguish the two. The first is a problem but the second is a disease. And we are fast becoming afflicted by the latter in Guyana.

Consumerism is more of an attitude or a lifestyle rather than the simple act of consuming this or that. Today it has assumed the dimension of a religion or a creed. After all, it’s not called an ‘ism’ for nothing. In the ideological framework of consumerism, consumption becomes an end in itself and people are hungry to consume more and more regardless of their needs or their means. The essence of consumerism is that the level of consumption becomes the yardstick of an individual’s worth.

We can do worse that observe that consumerism is so deeply imbedded in our modern discourse that our quest for development is invariably measured in terms of consumption – measured always in monetary terms, of course. We are “underdeveloped” if we don’t have so many phones per household or consume so many units of electricity. The developed world is our standard.

Never mind that the level of their consumption is such that it will be impossible for the entire world to achieve that with the resources ultimately available to us on planet Earth. But more insidious is that even when the availability of the new resources that may make our lives a bit easier is secured, we demand more of the same.

We should not miss the irony that all we desire are now dubbed “goods”.

Since money is the medium for securing the “goods” its possession and the quantum of that possession is now the measure of worth of man. Money makes the world go around, we are assured. The problem is not with bigger cars, more clothes and costlier cellphones.

As pointed out earlier, it is human to consume and to improve our quality of life. But strip human beings of their other qualities and attributes and reduce them to this single dimension of being consumers of this or that – all based on how much money you have, and you have a problem. When what we consume is no longer tied up to what we need or what we can afford, it becomes a dangerous thing In Guyana, the People’s Progressive PartyGovernment’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) implicitly acknowledged and began to address the disease of consumerism. By factoring the depletion of our world’s resources and our responsibility to ensure that our utilisation is sustainable we are impelled to question our consumption patterns. Some might say that we are shortcircuiting our efforts to live as those in the ‘developed” countries. But do we really want to experience the angst, anomie, alienation – call it what you may – that accompanies their consumerism gone wild?

All religions caution against the evil of consumerism.

Greed is a sin and simplicity a virtue.

People march during a parade marking Independence Day in Deer Isle, Maine. Tuesday was the 241st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

Laughable parking meter fiasco

Dear Editor, The United Minibus Union (UMU) takes umbrage to a statement made by the Chairman of the Georgetown City Council grouping which is said to be conducting consultations on that laughable parking meter fiasco. The statement was made on the popular television programme “Georgetown on the move.”

The statement purported that the Minibus Association was not supportive of the consultative process, but if it had to do with raising bus fares, the Association would have been out in large numbers.

I wish to state categorically that the Chairman is

not qualified to make any statement as it relates to minibus service providers since: 1.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council is at no time, ever involved in matters of transportation fares increase.

2. I am quite sure that the Chairman is unable to name one minibus association.

It is common knowledge that the powers that be at City Hall, are aware that a minibus union exists, they know who is the President of the Union, whether they choose to recognise him or not, they have his telephone number in their records as well as the mailing ad-

dress of the United Minibus Union.

However, the Czars at City Hall for special reasons are bent on avoiding any formal engagement with the UMU President.

Minibus operators have to be on the road to make money, they are not City Council Staff whom they can summon to a meeting at short notice through the tabloids and hope somebody reads it and pass on the message.

The UMU represents minibus and taxi owners and operators over 15 routes in Guyana (Route 31-73) – each route has persons delegated to represent them, through the Union. It there-

fore would have made sense for an engagement with the President of the UMU, and the representatives of each route to be set up for meaningful consultations.

In addition, the UMU feels that it would have served all stakeholders best, if a commission could have been set up with persons of impeccable integrity, who are completely divorced from the political machinations at City Hall. It is never best to try the devil’s case in hell.

Yours respectfully, Eon Andrews President United Minibus Union

I am still wondering Dear Editor, Recent reports in the print and electronic media indicate that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) which has been doing an excellent job so far, applied to the court for a warrant to search the home of the former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall for among other things 15 Commonwealth Law Reports.

SOCU alleged that Nandlall is unlawfully keeping those books. Relative activities after then left

me wondering – wondering why SOCU applied in open court for the warrant.

Wondering why the application for the search warrant was not made in chambers.

Wondering why the Chief Magistrate took the unprecedented action to read the warrant in open court.

Wondering why Her Worship instructed SOCU's officials to return hours after to uplift the warrant. Wondering why SOCU did not approach a Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits to endorse the

warrant. Wondering if there is a shortage of Justices of the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits in Georgetown, as is the case at West Coast Berbice and other locations. Wondering if only a Chief Magistrate can endorse a warrant for SOCU to search a home for evidence in relation to a crime under investigation.

Wondering if in my policing days when I used to obtain and execute warrants signed by Justices of the Peace and Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits and not

the Magistrates my actions were unlawful. Wondering if the law has changed in relation to obtaining a search warrant since I retired from the Guyana Police Force.

Wondering when will someone in authority clear the air in respect of this legal morass. Wondering if somewhere along the line there was an ulterior motive. I am wondering. I am still wondering.

Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

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guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Diaspora in Grenada urged to invest in Guyana P

resident David Granger said that the diaspora has an important role to play in the Guyana’s development and urged them to use their skills and education which they have acquired overseas to help to transform the country.

He was at the time speaking to Guyanese, who reside in Grenada, where he is currently attending the 38th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Speaking at the event, which was held in Mount

Cinnamon, the Ministry of the Presidency quoted Granger as saying, “When you travel overseas; some of you improve your education, some of you improve your employment and you could invest back home… We can produce everything that the Caribbean needs but we need investment. We need people who are prepared to come back and invest.”

He explained that because of the vastness of the country, the education sector has been severely constrained and said that Information Communication Technology (ICT) can be a

means through which the quality and standard of education in Guyana is improved.

In this regard, he encouraged the diaspora to help ensure that Guyana’s children are part of the technological revolution.

Speaking of the strength of the Caricom, the immediate past Chairman, said that if member states recommit to a united, one-Caribbean front, the region can be a formidable force in the international community with significant influence and voting power.

President David Granger distributed special buttons as tokens to Guyanese living in Grenada

Sad situation when Social prescriptions for relational termination persons with degrees are robbing banks

Dear Editor, A 25-year-old with a degree in agronomy was shot to death earlier Tuesday as he attempted to rob Republic Bank’s Water Street branch.

What a tragedy that our young people, even those with tertiary qualifications, are resorting to this type of activity. Seventy per cent of Guyana’s population is made up of persons 35 years and younger and it is no secret that feelings of hopelessness and despair are increasingly engulfing our youth. We have one of the highest youth suicide rates in the world.

What an indictment of this country and its leaders, past and present.

In May 2015, President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo deliberately misled the young people of Guyana when they campaigned on the promise of jobs for youths. Their campaign poster actually read “Youths – it’s time to vote for jobs”. Only two months after being elected, President Granger made the following statement, “There is no magic wand. The government cannot provide jobs…”

Only true if you follow the failed neo-liberal, capitalist model of economic development. In a country as underdeveloped and broken as Guyana, the Government must reject this model, must meaningfully engage in the economy, leading the charge to provide development and jobs.

There is surely something terribly wrong when a country with the potential to be the breadbasket for South America and the Caribbean is not only full of hungry people, but is also now a place where young people with agronomy degrees are robbing banks.

Whatever one thinks about this young man’s action – it is surely one of desperation. And of course, de-

spite the fact that the Police and a private security firm were engaged in a fire fight, I doubt that every effort was made to disable and disarm this young man. Instead, as usual, the Police shot to kill, becoming not only a law enforcement agency but also judge and jury. Already, I have heard comments such as “he got what he deserved”.

Twenty-five-year-olds make serious errors of judgement.

All of us have children who do so all the time. Does this warrant the taking of their lives?

Crime amongst our youth will continue to rise, especially in an environment where they are deprived of opportunity and where they are constantly witnessing double standards, hypocrisy and the outright criminal activity of those at the highest echelons of this society.

What a tragic state of affairs we find ourselves embroiled in.

In the words of Martin Carter: “All are involved, all are consumed.” None of us can escape responsibility for this state of affairs. The sins of a society are the sum total of the sins of all of its people.

Frantz Fanon said it best in The Wretched of the Earth: “The collective struggle presupposes collective responsibility at the base and collegiate responsibility at the top. Yes; everybody will have to be compromised in the fight for the common good. No one has clean hands; there are no innocents and no onlookers. We all have dirty hands; we are all soiling them in the swamps of our country and in the terrifying emptiness of our brains. Every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor.”

Sincerely, Gerald A Perreira Leader Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP)

Dear Editor, It is with a profound sense of sadness that I seek to elucidate and contextualise the distressing pattern of intimate partner violence that is emerging as a permanent ill within the family domain in Guyana.

Editor, impressionist evidence on reported cases in the daily newspapers seems to suggest that many women who are in violent romantic relationships are being killed by their partners, as they seek to depart and permanently separate themselves from the relationships. The situation further degenerates as the perpetrator thereafter commits suicide or, in some instances, inflicts injuries and unleashes harm on other family or household members.

This murder-suicide dichotomy appears to be much more pronounced among couples who are in cohabitating relationships and are experiencing relative social and economic deprivation.

Nevertheless, while acts of violence and intimidation are

ongoing features of violent romantic relationships, the timing of the departure, Editor, must be viewed as an absolute life-and-death issue for the abused woman. The unplanned departure amplifies and intensifies the acts of violence that are directed towards the woman, and most likely leads to further abuse and sometimes death.

Editor, one might infer that it is relatively safer for the abused woman to remain in the relationship and continue to experience acts of violence. This is further from the truth; but rather, it is the ill-timed act of departure that generates a potential bloody situation. The unplanned departure of women from abusive relationships is a threat not only to their personal safety and security, but also to other members of the household.

The abused women must first and foremost consciously decide that they are leaving and meticulously formulate a safety plan that is imbued with safety contingencies. It

should include, but be not limited to plans to be self-sufficient, adequate protection and the most apposite time for leaving.

Moreover, the abused women must seek to enlist the support of members of the Police Service, trained counsellors, spiritual leaders, advocates and other physically able members of their family before the actual separation takes place.

It is also necessary, Editor, for abused women to cease threatening their partners with their intention to terminate the relationship and

leave when the abuser least anticipates. Additionally, they should cease and desist from sharing such information with individuals who may put their lives at further risk. I call upon Help and Shelter and all other likeminded NGOs to construct guidelines governing relational termination for abused women and also to embark on a national sensitisation campaign to educate the affected population on departure techniques.

Sincerely, Kelston O Cort Sociologist

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wednesdAY, july 5, 2017

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation Bridging the gap with your teen

Big data,

ethics and children

– learning to create connections for a positive relationship

By Gabrielle Berman

I

n a matter of years the recording of a child or young person’s activities within the public sphere has gone from being consequent to an act of god (or heroics) to a relatively ubiquitous phenomena, slowly conquering continents, and reflected in the statis-

“We are now at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday, and prepare our schools for what no one knows yet” – Margaret Mead tical estimate that 1 in 3 internet users are children (over two billion children). In this context, how can we fathom the day-today lived reality of those 1 in 3 any more than they could conceive of my own childhood where data and information was found via little multi-coloured cards in wooden library catalogues? Further, and more importantly, what is the future of those populating and being shaped by this statistic?

The answer to these questions is complex, and the solutions largely unknown. Like all ethical and philosophical conundrums there are frameworks that provide some guidance, but rarely specifics. The devil is in the details and the details need to be understood before we even begin to move forward.

The facts are as follows: (1) This generation of children have had their lives ‘datafied’ – their digital footprints have

By Mendi Baron

been captured over their entire lifespans, and will continue to be; (2) The information contained on the Internet and held within big data sets is pervasive and has the potential to substantially influence their opportunities as well as their ‘digital’ and ‘offline’ identities, with significant implications for their life course; (3) Provision, creation, ownership and utilisation of this data involves a complex chain of actors, with varying degrees of understanding of the implications, risks and potential mitigation strategies; (4) We have not yet imagined future data applications, finally; and (5) Children’s rights are enshrined in international and national legislation, and we have a duty of care to protect them and to re-

spect and uphold their rights as their capacities evolve.

So what does this all mean? First and critically: conversations about children and big data need to be had.

A recent working paper from UNICEF Innocenti adds its voice to the movement to get these issues on the table and to push this discussion further. Beyond

the written word, we need knowledge exchange between all the stakeholders in the data chain. We need metaphorical group study rooms where communities, data analysts, child advocates and tech giants can share knowledge and reflect on data impacts, legacies and children’s futures. We also require technological solutions as well as systematic efforts to embed critical thinking on big data and children into both generic educational programmes as well as within programmes specifically targeted at data analysts.

Most importantly, but frequently omitted, is that we need to listen. We need to understand children’s understanding of privacy, their perspectives on how their data should be treated, who should have access, and what controls they would like. It would be as absurd to ask a contemporary pre-teen’s perspectives on the Dewey system as it is for institutions and governments to omit children’s voices in a context where, frequently, our perspectives are the anachronisms.

In saying this, there are likely to be more solutions to protecting the security, well-being and data of children than those mentioned, and there will certainly be more in the future.

However, it is not yet tomorrow. Today we should be laying the foundations and undertaking the preparations for a future where the rights of children and the generations that follow them are respected, recognising no one knows yet what the future will look like….but we all need to start learning and teaching now… (Unicef.org)

I

can still hear them laughing, sitting by the creek in the middle of nowhere. Israel has lots of places like that, where wilderness meets the sky and where, without even meaning to, your experiences become something spiritual.

I was 17. From a mental perspective I was nearing 30, from a social perspective I was 9, bluffing my way through interactions.

There’s something very easy about leaving your past behind. For one thing, and for many this is everything. You are no longer living in the shadow of who you were, who you were expected to be, and who your family is. Shedding the dead weight like old skin and shaking out the shoulders is a mighty fine feeling.

As a therapist, and treatment provider, I recall those moments whenever I get the inevitable bouts of self-inspection (absorption?) from parents. “We didn’t raise him like this!”; “Where did she learn that from?”;”She’s so much better than that!”; “That’s not who he really is.”

It’s very hard to fathom the true freedom that comes with an identity, even if that identity is in flux, that is self-dictated.

I know, I know, the parents in the room are all pointing vigorously, nodding their heads in disagreement and saying “UhUh… but it’s NOT self-dictated … Their friends and environment are shaping it for them!” (and “oh by the way, see we are right after all, and how dare you insinuate that we pressured our kids into our own moulds…how DARE you!”).

To that I answer: it sure doesn’t feel like that to them.

In the end, all experience is relative, and in order to effectively establish a true relationship you must be able to close your eyes, hear the laughter, and dig your toes into the riverbank in some place far away from convention and watchful eyes.

Some things to consider:

Taking perspective

It is not easy to take perspective. They say, “Walk a mile in someone else shoes,” but in reality, if the shoe doesn’t fit, that can be a painful process. I would rather say, “Try and picture what it might feel like in those shoes, AS the other person.”

What are they feeling? Why are they feeling this? Would I respond any differently to myself if I were them?

Gaining insight into the mind of the other gives you a fighting chance at finding the “what” and the “why” and adjusting your approach to be more… approachable. By doing this you decrease fear and opposition and develop a relationship of mutual acceptance and understanding. This doesn’t require compromising on your core beliefs, rather learning to accommodate others. The alternative isn’t very promising.

Conversation starters

Learning to build a bridge between you and your teen/young adult is no easy subject matter, and there is no real right way to go about it. The main thing to focus on is going about it in the first place. You miss 100 per cent of the opportunities you don’t take to try and connect, so don’t be shy. Pick a variety of subjects interesting to your kid, and some interesting to you, heck, even some that you both have no idea about, and start conversations. From sports, to music, movies, culture, philosophy, gaming, politics (maybe) to nearly anything, put out your intentions to communicate and you will be surprised at the result. Sure there will be some eye-rolling and a good amount of groaning, but at the end of the day, if love is what is driving your actions, this is how it will be perceived.

Creating meaningful shared experiences

Memories are beautiful in that they give you something to hold onto long after the actual moment, and they provide fodder for the development of future moments. Taking the time and setting the stage for meaningful shared experiences can be the catalyst for many to come.

As with conversation starters, this process is not an easy one. You may find yourself on a steady diet of Advil after a heavy metal concert, or your teen/young adult might have one too many mosquito bites after a night of camping (or even just a walk in the park), but it will be worth it. It is important that whatever you do is balanced (such that two can participate), interactive (such that you are not both focused on a third point and engaged with each other), and positive/healthy (compromising on this would create a meaningful experience around negative behaviours).

Unless you are sure that this experience is a “slam dunk” and your kid is incredibly into it, be prepared with an exit strategy should this particular experience not be “the one”. By doing this, you can be sure that at least you won’t cause more damage than good, get in a fight, spend the night in your car, or have to drive back in silence from wherever it was that you planned to go to. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Corentyne murder

Alleged mastermind nabbed in NYC M

onths after Interpol had issued a red notice for the arrest of Marcus Brian Bisram, who is wanted for murder, he was on Tuesday nabbed in Queens, New York.

Bisram became the central point of an investigation back in November of 2016 after he was implicated in the murder of 26-year-old Faiyaz Narinedatt by several suspects who had already confessed and were subsequently charged.

The accused allegedly made sexual advances towards Narinedatt, but was blatantly rejected and as a result of the embarrassment of being rejected, Bisram re-

The carpenter was snatched and beaten into an unconscious state, then his body was dumped on the roadside and run over with a car to make it appear as if he was the victim of a hitand-run accident.

The body of Narinedatt was discovered about 03:45h on November 1, 2016, along the Corentyne Highway at Number 70 Village.

Police reopened investigations into the matter, following an informal investigation by the relatives of the dead man which uncovered

Detained: Marcus Brian Bisram

portedly ordered his bodyguard and others who were

at a party to get rid of the carpenter.

Barbados-bound cocaine mule nabbed

A

Eugene F Correia International Airport

rank attached to the Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) on Monday nabbed an outgoing passenger at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, who

had ingested several cocaine pallets.

According to reports, 35-year-old Eaion Kwesi Kaman Le Blank of Lot 101 Ogle Street, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, was sched-

uled to fly to Barbados on Monday.

However, he was observed acting in a suspicious manner and was subsequently detained for questioning during which he admitted to swallowing the pellets.

The suspect was then escorted to a city hospital where he was medically examined and remained hospitalised. As of 12:00 noon on Tuesday, he excreted several suspected cocaine-filled pellets. Investigations are ongoing.

new information regarding the circumstances surrounding his demise. It was then that the Police had arrested Narinedatt’s attackers, who confessed that Bisram had ordered them to commit the killing.

After the killing, Bisram had returned to the US. According to the New York Daily News, after reissuing a fugitive warrant for Bisram in March, members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force were able to

zone in on and apprehend the suspect around 13:00h on Tuesday.

“He was living here in plain view,” the New York Daily News reported a source as saying.

Bisram is expected to appear before Brooklyn Federal Court for an arraignment hearing on Wednesday.

In order for the accused to be tried in local courts, Guyana will now have to petition the US authorities for the extradition of Bisram.

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WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

3 remanded for multimillion-dollar robbery

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eyoud Amin, Winston McKenzie and Andre Vierra were on Tuesday afternoon hauled before the court of Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman and remanded to prison in relation to a multimillion-dollar armed robbery just over a month ago.

The trio was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on May 20, 2017 at Craig Village, East Bank Demerara (EBD), while armed with handguns, they robbed Dai Su Cheng of one minibus valued at $2.3 million, fish glue valued $25.7 million, cellular phones and a quantity of cash, a total value of $28,780,000.

Amin’s lawyer related that her client resided in Meadow Bank on the

Feyoud Sundar exits the prisoner’s chute

East Bank of Demerara and was willing to lodge all travel documents pending trial. The lawyer in an attempt to secure bail sought to establish that Amin,

29, was a well-rooted family man who was gainfully employed as the manager of a family business in Meadow Bank.

Meanwhile, the court heard that McKenzie had a fixed place of abode in Eccles, EBD, and is a boat operator by profession, while Vierra related that he was occasionally employed as a taxi driver and had a permanent residence in Meadow Bank. Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt objected to bail considering the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the fact that a dangerous weapon was used in executing the crime.

Bail was refused and the trio was remanded to prison. They were ordered to return to court on July 12.

Man admits to killing stepson

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awle Samuels, a 29-year-old man who was implicated in the murder of his four-year-old step-son, Jamal Nedd, at Buck Hill, Wismar Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) has admitted to killing the boy. The accused, who appeared before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan at the Demerara High Court on Tuesday morning, pled guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, after initially saying that he was not guilty of murder.

It was reported that the lad’s mother, Nesha Naranjan had left her son in the care of Samuels with whom she had formerly shared a relationship.

However, there was an incident which ensued between the accused and the

boy’s aunt, Felicia Tello on February 6, 2013.

On that fateful day, the woman ran out of the home shouting a series of accusations as Samuels charged after her. The boy had reportedly shouted to his aunt to run and Samuels turned his attention to the child, stabbing him five times.

The knife was left plunged

in the lad’s back. Nedd was pronounced dead on arrival at the Linden Hospital Complex. The sentencing of Samuels has been set for July 18, pending a probation report. He was represented

by Defence Counsel Maxwell McKay while the case was put forward by Prosecutors Shawnette Austin, Siand Dhurjon and Lisa Cave.

Self-confessed child killer, Rawle Samuels

2 charged for “threesome peeper” murder

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wo prime suspects accused of battering to death Kumar Persaud, also called “Radika”, after he was caught witnessing them engaged in a threesome (ménage à trois) on a beach in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) were on Tuesday afternoon brought before the court of Chief

Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Ethon Gibson, 21, and Deon Samuels, 19, both sailors from Parika, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) are alleged to have murdered Persaud on June 21. Reports are the now deceased was severely beaten by two men and a woman after he continued to look at them while they were engaged in the sexual act.

The men reportedly requested that the deceased refrain from watching them, but in a drunken state, Persaud continued to look. As such, he

was “cuffed” and kicked him about his body.

The beating was witnessed by another person who was also looking at the act from a different angle.

Moreover, it is alleged that the men have since confessed to murdering the victim. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to them by the Chief Magistrate, and would remain on remand at the Camp Street Prison until July 21, when they are expected to reappear in court.

Commemorating…

T

…futility

he movie “Born on the 4th July”, was a mega hit because it hit a raw nerve in America back in 1989. It tells the story of a young man, born on the 4th July – the same as the US Republic, of course – who volunteers like a good patriot fresh out of high school for the Marines to fight in the Vietnam War. His coming-of-age in that crucible of imperialistic overreach, opened his eyes to the horror of war and their disconnect from those who are in the trenches.

Caricom was also born on the 4th of July – and your Eyewitness knows that date wasn’t chosen through mere coincidence. Those WI leaders who decided to move beyond the opening gambit of CARIFTA – the Caribbean Free Trade Association, also intended to form “a more perfect union” – as the American “founding fathers”. Just a decade before, the WI Federation has fallen asunder under the inbuilt disabilities inserted by the British – and even Arthur Lewis couldn’t put it together again.

But the leaders didn’t give up - first with CARIFTA and then Caricom. We were to be a COMMUNITY! Meaning WE West Indians were going to work together to make the dream of achieving developed country status a reality – starting on July 4, 1973. In 1989, when the movie hit the screens, Guyana had hit rock bottom – the then PNC Government had to go to the IMF on bended knees to bail us out. On that option, Burnham presciently had said “Over my dead body!!”

But we had to swallow their bitter (poisonous?) medicine – we were vying with Haiti for the “lowest on the totem pole” award! So, you’d think we’d be one of the most vociferous supporter of Caricom – if for nothing else than “there’s strength in numbers” and all that, no? And we were! WE stretched ourselves above and beyond to make our contributions – even housing the Secretariat here. But what did we get? Free movement of citizens? How about that “Guyanese bench” at Barbados airport? Investment in our agricultural land? How about cutting their nose to spite their face by dropping “The Jagdeo Initiative”?? etc…etc…

So there comes a time, when – like that veteran in the movie – we have to look at this whole Caricom venture a bit more dispassionately and see what it’s doing to us. Now that we’ve struck oil, we can expect everyone and their uncle in Caricom to vie to become our “besties”. Nothing wrong with that – but we have to evaluate who allowed us to have some dignity in the bad old days.

And who kicked us into the dirt!

…”assishness”

We’ve frequently had occasion to mourn, like the character from Dickens, that surely the law isn’t an “ass” for taking some ridiculous stand or another.

Like jailing a fella for simply having raw materials for a decent spliff in his possession! But it looks like there are folks in our society who’re determined to ensure the identity of “assishness” and the law.

Take the fellows at SOCU. They’ve already made asses of themselves for filing a charge against ex-AG Anil Nandlall for 14 Law Reports costing the grand sum of US$2500 – when it was clear they had no case – and in any case, had already spent 10 times the US$2500!! But now comes the quintessence of SOCU’s “assishness”.

They filed request for a “search warrant” for the law reports to a Magistrate. But when Nandlall pointed out the High Court had already issued a prohibition against seizing the “Commonwealth Law Reports” they claimed they were actually looking for ‘Law Reports of the Commonwealth’!! Can you believe that?

Is this a comedy routine or what??

…elitism

Your Eyewitness has to concur with that letter writer who claims the NGSA simply reinforces class distinctions, since it assumes at least a middle class background.

But, he has to ask…”What’s the solution?”

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

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WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

38th Heads of Government meeting

Free & fair elections the hallmark of Caricom – Bahamian PM … as Regional Head warns corrupt Govt Ministers

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he strong tradition of free and fair democratic elections that are a hallmark of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) – a sentiment expressed by one of the newest leaders in the Region, Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Alexander Minnis – was made as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 38th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom currently underway in Grenada.

Prime Minister Minnis had moments earlier lauded the efforts of Guyana’s President David Granger for his stewardship of the work of the Community during his stint as Chairman – himself facing a backlash in his homeland over the delays in the appointment of the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Bahamian Prime Minister told those in attendance at the Grenada Trade Centre that his recent election to office in May last and presence at the Caricom head of Government meeting, “reaffirms the strong tradition of free and fair democratic elections that are a hallmark of Caricom.”

The newly elected Prime Minister in his presentation spoke to some of the other challenges facing the region including climate change, a push for renewable energy and tackling non communicable diseases but singled out corruption as one of

Heads of State at the opening ceremony of the 38th Heads of Government in Grenada

the more formidable challenges to Governments across the region.

Zero tolerance

According to the Bahamian Prime Minister, “corruption remains a formidable challenge to small and developing countries (in the region).”

To this end, Prime Minister Minnis informed the regional leaders that his recently elected Administration has adopted a firm zero tolerance stance on corruption.

“We are determined to brutally confront this challenge. In this regard my Government has implemented a policy of zero tolerance for corruption.”

According to Prime Minister Minnis, “all Ministers have been told that they would be immediately dismissed if they are found out to be soliciting or accepting payments.”

He told the bi-annual gathering

“we will implement strong anti-corruption laws and measures.”

Prime Minister Minnis did also use his time at the podium to publicly thank President Granger for his tireless chairmanship of Caricom during the past six months.

The recently elected Prime Minister did use his time during his inaugural address to lament “Caricom is a community of the people we serve not a club of officials and politicians.”

Bandit killed, 2 ...

Commander of A Division (Georgetown-East Bank), Marlon Chapman told the media that three high-powered pistols were recovered from the crime scene.

The dead man was a beneficiary of a Government of Guyana scholarship to China and graduated with a degree in agronomy. He was serving his second year of the fiveyear obligatory contract and was working for $186,000 a month.

About 18:00h on Tuesday, Police swooped down on a Juke Nissan with registration PWW 1452, which was parked at Plaza Bridge, South Ruimveldt. Reports are residents reported that the strange vehicle was parked in the vicinity all day. When a search was conducted, it was discovered that the vehicle was registered to the dead

bandit.

Unsuccessful attempt

Meanwhile, Republic Bank Limited (RBL), in a statement on Tuesday, said that “the bandits were unsuccessful in their robbery attempt”.

Moreover, Managing Director Richard Sammy relayed, “Our greatest concern at this point rests upon the safety and well-being of our staff and customers.”

Gratitude was extended

Challenges

Also addressing the gathering of leaders of the 38th meeting of Caricom Head of Government was Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque, who spoke to some of the challenges that still face the Region.

He outlined challenges in the health sector such as the treatment of non-communicable diseases which

from page 3

to the Guyana Police Force and the private security personnel of the Professional Guard Services for their prompt response in preventing the situation from escalating further, as the Bank pledged its full support in the investigation of the crime.

The Water Street location is now closed until further notice, as the Bank initiates a trauma assistance process for staff members. Further investigations are ongoing.

can cost member states as much as five per cent of their entire Gross Domestic Product.

He spoke too of crime and security being a regional problem that requires a regional solution.

LaRocque used the occasion to laud the progress made with regards regional legislative instruments and expressed optimism that the Regional Leaders will sign on to the Caricom Arrest Warrant Treaty at the ongoing conference.

The challenges associated with climate change were also noted by LaRocque and the region as well as other financial challenges posed to the region as a result of blacklisting or the loss of correspondent banks.

The Secretary General was optimistic in his outlook that “as daunting as challenges are, none can survive the collective ingenuity of the people of the Caricom.”

According to LaRocque, “we have proven that no challenge can daunt us.”

The ceremony got underway at the Grenada Trade Centre, under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell.

Haitian flub

The activity got underway with a roll call of regional leaders after which there were the formal presentations by the Secretary General among others.

One glaring hiccup at the opening ceremony however obtained when the newly elected Haitian President, Jovenel Moise, made his presenta-

tion in his native tongue French but there was no translation/translators which left the non-French speaking participants at a disadvantage since none could understand his inaugural address to the regional leaders.

Following Tuesday’s opening ceremony the Heads of Government will move to the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort for the business sessions on the confab to be wrapped tomorrow at which time a Communique documenting the formal decisions taken by the regional leaders.

This year’s 38th Conference of Heads is also expected to include the presentations for approval by the Heads of a Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy and Implementation Plan to address the development of skills for the 21st century Caribbean economy and society.

The Heads of Government are also expected to deliberate on outstanding matters related to the implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) following the comprehensive review of the CSME’s performance presented to them at the last Inter-Sessional Meeting in February.

There is also expected to be an update on the preparations for CARIFESTA XIII to be staged in Barbados from August 17-27 under the theme “Asserting our Culture, Celebrating Ourselve”.

The work on the commissions on reparations and marijuana is also expected to come under the spotlight.

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WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt unreasonable for paying hefty rent for Ministers – WPA

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ven as Government has removed itself from the rent fiasco involving payment of rent for two junior Ministers, coalition partner the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has condemned the move saying it is “unreasonable”.

Government has already distanced itself from the debacle involving rent payment for Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes and Minister Valarie Patterson, saying it is a matter for Parliament and Clerk of the National Assembly.

On Tuesday the WPA, a junior member in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, said it is unreasonable that that kind of money is being spent in this fashion.

WPA Executive member, Dr David Hinds said what is sad about the situation is that the very Ministers already have many benefits awarded to them. That, he said, is “unconscionable and immoral”. Hinds said there is no reason why the Ministers should not pay their own rent.

“If somebody from Linden

Dr David Hinds

or Berbice gets a job in Georgetown, they have to find money to pay for their own housing, or travel back to their home. Why should there be a separate standard for Ministers?” he questioned.

Guyana Times was told that Finance Minister Winston Jordan had requested of the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Issacs that the cap on rent be reduced to $300,000.

However, the WPA said that amount is still too much. Dr Hinds said it is difficult to talk about a particular figure, since persons in the Public Sector are continually feeling the economic squeeze. “What we know is that public servants in this country work for an average $100,000 (before tax); we un-

derstand that every time we come to talk about teachers and public servants salary we have to negotiate.

Against that background a category of workers cannot be treated in that way.

This is a matter of morality.

How could you as governors say to the rest of the population, we cannot give you 10 per cent, how can you in all conscience turn around and pay a rent for $500,000?” he questioned.

Last Friday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the matter involving the payment of house rent for serving Ministers of Government is not addressed at the level of Cabinet, but Parliament.

In fact, he said such funds come from that budget of the National Assembly.

The issue of Parliament

paying the rent for Minister Broomes came to light when she became the subject of a court action initiated by her former landlord, who had taken her to court for rent owed.

Regarding the availability of houses in Campbelville – Echillibar Villas, a Government community – Harmon said when the Government took office the properties there had been in a “rundown state”. Since then, he said Government has been spending large sums of money to rehabilitate and “as residences are rehabilitated, then persons are put into them”. He said there are a huge amount of persons in Government service who require Government housing, however, Government is unable to provide it.

Bandit stabbed during ECD robbery

P

olice are investigating a robbery under arms, which has left one bandit injured, on Monday evening at Vigilance, East Coast Demerara.

Reports are a 66-yearold businessman was relieved of about $70,000 by two males.

According to Police reports, investigations revealed that the victim, who operates a shop in front of his premises, was in the process of closing his business when he was pounced on by the bandits, one of whom was armed with a handgun and the other with a two-bladed cutlass.

During the incident, one of the bandits attempted to chop the businessman, but he dodged the chop which resulted in the blow being directed towards the bandit’s accomplice.

As a result, the bandit was stabbed to his lower abdomen.

Following the incident, the duo fled the scene in a silver-grey motor car. The Police were alerted and, based on investigations, found the injured bandit at a city hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

Investigations are ongoing.

Alleged computer thief remanded

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elmar Booker was on Tuesday arraigned for three counts of armed robbery before Magistrate Leron Daly, and remanded to prison after bail was denied.

It is alleged that between February 18 and 19, 2017, Booker broke and entered Lodge Secondary School in the Georgetown Magisterial District, and stole therein 10 Dell desk-

top computers and nine batteries valued $1.9 million; property of the Education Ministry.

It is further alleged that the accused on February 19, 2017, at Durban Backlands, Georgetown, while armed with a gun, robbed Brian Griffith and Kishawn Shaw of two cellphones, each valued at $5000.

Booker denied all charges when they

were read to him by the Magistrate.

Bail was strongly opposed by Prosecutor Sanj Singh, who in his submissions to the court, said Booker is a repeat offender with pending matters of a similar nature in other courts. The prosecution’s submissions were upheld and Booker was remanded.

The case will continue on July 14.

11 Advisory Council for WPA not bothered by criticisms Public Infrastructure about its “outspokenness” Ministry sworn in E news

WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…to recommend policies to improve maritime transportation

The newly-installed Advisory Council, with Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson (centre)

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he Public Infrastructure Ministry has revived the Transport and Harbour Department Advisory Council, and the group has been installed with a mandate from Government to modernise transport services offered to the public.

This is according to Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson, during the swearing-in ceremony at the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s boardroom.

Ferguson said that the resuscitated Council would work in tangent with the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD).

“I firmly believe that rather than everything coming to the Ministers, the Advisory Council must be able to function independently, [and] provide me with the necessary direction of the T&HD. The T&HD really needs the assistance and, as the Minister, I can-

not do it alone…so once you have the competent people on the Advisory Council, they will be in the position to give us the necessary guidance and direction, so as to make informed policies to charter this particular organisation forward,” Ferguson said.

She further challenged the new Council to address a number of areas, including the staffing and administration of T&HD and enhancing the operations and services offered. In addition, she charged the Council to formulate policies and regulations aimed at improving efficiency.

Ferguson also noted that the resuscitation played into the Government’s mandate of accountability. In addition, the Minister referenced that the law relating to the functions of the Department made provision for an advisory body.

“What I would like to see is us moving away from

the purchasing of tickets.

The current arrangement is that if you are travelling to Essequibo and you turn up at Parika, you now have to turn up at the ticket booth to purchase a ticket. So I would like to see us moving away from that and doing it online.

Technology is advancing. So I would like to see this council bring it to my attention.

The other thing I would like to see is a reduction of the travel time,” she added.

According to Ferguson, safety issues will also form a major part of the Council’s mandate. Enhancing safety procedures and reducing travel times on T&HD vessels were cited as other areas of opportunity.

The Council will be chaired by Basil Blackman, while the other members will be T&HD head Marclene Merchant, as Deputy Chair Ayesha Edwards, Leon Castello, Louise Williams, Sandra Jones, and Saheed Sulaman.

ven after publicly criticising the coalition Government for sidelining the political unit, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) said it is not mindful about the backlash it is receiving for voicing its deep displeasure.

The party is also sure that its expressions about the state of affairs within the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition will in no way “influence the atmosphere” when the five-member grouping meets for talks later this month.

WPA Executive member Tacuma Ogunseye said the WPA has a right and responsibility of sharing its deepest concerns.

“Stating our concerns publicly is important for public education, to lift the consciousness of the constituency. We believe that whether or not the other side of the discourse is offended by that, is not a big problem for us. Politically we are doing the correct thing,” Ogunseye told journalists at a press conference on Tuesday.

Ogunseye said the WPA is dealing with comrades who are mature and have been in the business for quite a while and “I don’t think that will be a major issue that would influenced the environment of the talks,” he told reporters

at the party’s press conference on Tuesday.

According to the party stalwart, if anything tangible is to come out of the talks the WPA has to be very frank, not only in the private discourse but the public domain. He said politics is important to the masses of a country and the people must be able to follow the polemics.

The party is scheduled to meet later this month with representatives of the Guyana Action Party (GAP), the Justice for All Party (JFAP), the National Front Alliance and the People’s National Congress (PNC), all members of the APNU to continue discussions on the way forward for the WPA and the coalition.

Last month when the WPA had raised concerns of being sidelined by the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government, President David Granger had expressed concern that the party had taken internal matters outside. The WPA said that from all indications, it, along with other units of the coalition, has been put on the back burner.

Meanwhile, WPA Executive member, Dr David Hinds also reiterated that his party was not concerned about its openness.

“We have no fear of those who criticise us and

say we are bringing party business outside; we don’t belong to some party called the APNU. The APNU is a partnership that includes individual parties”. He said when the coalition charter was signed; the WPA never stated that it will give up its rights.

“We compromised in the last two years in the interest of bringing about some kind of consensus on the way forward. We are now signalling to the country that we are no longer pursuing that course of action and we are going to be very outspoken,” he said.

He said it is a matter of political culture and identity, noting that the WPA has come out of a different culture and identity.

In that regard, he said his party does not believe that the business of government should be made private unless it is in keeping with national security.

“The business of Government is public, because the decisions taken

by Government affect people and people must know of those decisions before they are made and so the WPA believes in the open word, which is an important aspect of democratic involvement in the democratic process.”

He said the WPA wants to bring back a public discourse about Government.

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WEDNESDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 9 flood woes

Region low on drugs, medical supplies – Chairman

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he Regional Chairman of Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), Brian Allicock has said the Region has an ongoing battle with drug shortages and he was now worried that they may not have enough to tend to residents who would require treatment following severe flooding in the area.

However, he said Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was aware of the shortages and made a commitment to have them rectified.

“We might not have enough medication when

the time comes; we never have enough medication to administer to people when they come to the hospitals and health centres and so.

The Prime Minister took back these issues with him yesterday (Monday) – of the level of drugs we have in the system, so we can have more replenishment and so that we can address issues as they arrive,” Allicock said in a phone interview on Tuesday.

Over the weekend, several communities in the Region were under water owing to heavy rainfall in the areas as well

as in neighbouring Brazil.

The Takutu and Rupununi Rivers have overtopped their banks, cutting off access from Lethem to several of the remote villages.

More than 40 households in Tabatinga, Culvert City, St Ignatius and Lethem had to be evacuated on account of the high water level.

Allicock said he was anticipating several cases of waterborne diseases and other health issues hence his worry about the Region’s medical and drug supplies to treat affected residents. He added that they have dispatched teams

One of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) wells under water in Region Nine

Ranks from the Guyana Defence Force operating a boat to transport residents from St Ignatius to Lethem and back

of health workers to the affected areas to provide education on how to properly treat water and protect against diseases.

“We have a health team and part of the team has gone up North Rupununi to investigate. We have three teams that are doing data collection in the Lethem area. We have our Extension Officers, our Community Development Officer and District Development Officers are assisting us by sending information from the sub-districts,” he explained.

Potable water

Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has mobilised efforts to provide potable water to affected residents and the general public in light of

tegic points in the distribution network. Testing of private wells will also be facilitated upon request.

According to the Regional Chairman, 39 persons have sought refuge at the shelters set up at the Arapaima Primary School, the Amerindian Hostel and the Culvert City Nursery School. He noted that several of the evacuated families opted to move in with relatives in other unaffected villages and in Brazil as well.

Sub-districts

Given the vastness of Region Nine, data gathering and impact assessments are quite difficult, according to Allicock. He said that the Regional Democratic Council’s Regional

A flooded GWI compound

the flood situation in the South Rupununi and other parts of Region Nine. These response efforts have been put into operation via the setting-up of water distribution access points at the Tabatinga Pump Station and New Culvert City Pump Station.

The GWI said it was monitoring the quality of water distributed to residents. Water quality testing will be done at each pump station and at stra-

Emergency Operations Centre has dispatched teams to the affected communities to provide relief.

“In the sub-districts, we did not get any reports as to relocation of people or evacuation, but we are getting reports that the farms are affected. Mainly, most of the farms in the villages are under water and you know cassava don’t take too long to spoil,” he said.

Allicock said so far they have received no re-

quests for assistance from the sub-districts, but noted that they expected those requests to come pouring in over the coming weeks.

He said that the teams dispatched, along with the various Toshaos, reported that the residents in the remote villages were still surviving on accumulated resources.

This publication understands that the water level is rising in some areas, while villages on the outskirts of Lethem report slowly receding water. According to weather reports from Brazil, rains will continue today and that raises concerns for the Region, since the water from the Rio Branco and Rio Negro travels into the Takutu River and contributes to the overtopping.

The Civil Defence Commission continues to monitor the situation. Its Preparedness and Response Manager, Major Shawn Welcome has been deployed to the Region to guide and give technical support to the regional bodies. The CDC took sanitary flood relief items in for the flood victims today – bleach, mops, and disinfectants. Major Craig commended the Regional Democratic Council, regional officers for activating the Regional Operating Centre, and the response to disaster preparedness. Additionally, the CDC continues to monitor the situation on the ground and provide necessary interventions to the flood-affected communities.

Since the beginning of the May-June rainy season, citizens were warned to expect higher than normal rainfall and to take the necessary precautions.

However, since it began, several villages have experienced major flooding and some are still trying to rebuild after the floods. The hard-hit communities were mostly limited to Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) as the water washed away houses, but fortunately, there were no casualties.

(Lakhram Bhagirat)

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wednesDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

ICT could help to bridge communication gap in Caricom – Granger

President David Granger at the podium addressing the other Heads of State and audiance at the opening ceremony of the 38th Heads of Government in Grenada

A

s regional leaders meet for another Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government meeting in Grenada, President David Granger, the outgoing Chairman of the regional body, said the use of Information C o m m u n i c a t i o n Technology (ICT) will be on top of the agenda.

Granger told a delegation of Guyanese media operatives that ICT could serve to eliminate the communication barriers faced among the 15-member states of Caricom, while admitting that distance cannot be easily overcome given the complexities of the Region.

“The Caribbean is a peculiar jurisdiction. You are talking about 3000 square kilometres of sea space and from as far as The Bahamas to Paramaribo. The distance can’t be easily overcome Communication has always been a problem and ICT will be on the agenda for this Caricom meeting,” he added.

The Guyanese Head of State stressed that ICT could be used to drive the message of regional inte-

gration to a higher level.

“Yes, we always need to do more to educate our citizens but what I would like to say a lot is being done.

It’s through ICT we will try to bridge this gap. Caricom headquarters has done a lot.”

Granger said that governments and the regional media also need to play its part. “Regional integration is not sexy. When things go bad, there is a lot of news coverage but there is a lot of day to day work going on in the Region it’s not just reported on,” he claimed.

According to him, there are many things happening within the Region but these issues are hardly ever reported. “The way we deal with disease, education and functional cooperation but it’s happening all the time,” Granger said because these are not sexy topics.

Referring to his stint as Chairman of Caricom, the President said the Region was able to put more clearly in focus the need for the community to speak with a single voice. He referred to a meeting which was held in Washington in May this year, which required all

regional Foreign Affairs Ministers to agree on a common response to the crisis within the Organisation of American States (OAS).

“We were able to use various devices, particularly face to face conversations and teleconferencing as far as possible. It’s a work in progress and we understand the concerns of member states and we will continue working. It is one of the pillars of the community, so we have to continue to ensure there is no difference between various states and this is what diplomacy is all about,” Granger said.

In providing a short comment on the issues to be discussed at the regional meeting, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said that the agenda for this year’s meeting is lengthy. He said while there are all important issues, he is not confident that all of them would be discussed.

Nevertheless, Greenidge said that there will be discussions surrounding the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and reports on the progress achieved so far and where we go in the future.

The Minister said if the Region is looking to set benchmarks and check on the progress to be made in relation to the various measures of social economic progress, they would need to ensure that they are properly covered by the national regional statistic agencies and censuses.

Other matters on the packed agenda include crime and security, border issues, health, climate adaptation, renewable energy, and Brexit.

PNC distances self from SOCU

T

he People’s National Congress (PNC), the main party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is distancing itself from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

This is in the wake of several incidents where the Unit was perceived to be targeting the political Opposition.

In a release on Tuesday, the party referenced recent statements by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

During a recent press conference, the former President had stated that given SOCU’s actions, the Unit had been converted into a political, witch-hunting outfit.

“It is a police unit operating under the authority of the Commissioner of Police, but with a close relationship with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) established under the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act,

Chapter 10:11 of the Laws of Guyana,” the party went on to say.

According to the party, the PNC “does not control, or in any way direct, the work of the Special Organised Crime Unit and rejects any suggestion or insinuation that the Unit is a PNC Outfit." It also called for a retraction.

During a recent press conference, Jagdeo was critical of the politicisation of the Unit. The former President had noted that SOCU was not fulfilling its actual mandate, which is to bring drug dealers and money launderers to justice.

Jagdeo had also argued that Government’s action in this regard has been blatant, referring to examples where members of the Government called out members of the Opposition in Parliament, warning them to look out for SOCU. He, therefore, reminded that Ministers had no line responsibility for SOCU. For the year, SOCU has

brought several persons with ties to the parliamentary Opposition to court.

In April, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall was arraigned for fraudulently converted to his own use and benefit 14 Commonwealth Law Reports, valued at $2.3 million — which he allegedly unlawfully retained after demitting office in 2015.

The next month, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Members of Parliament Dharamkumar Seeraj and Nigel Dharamlall; former Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Deputy General Manager Ricky Ramraj; former GRDB General Manager Jagnarine Singh; former GRDB Board member Badrie Persaud and former Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance) of the Agriculture Ministry, Prema Roopnarine, were before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer several charges of fraudulent omission.

Over 1000 cattle die in Black Bush Polder flood

M

ore than a thousand heads of cattle have died within the last few days as a result of flood waters at Cookrite Savannah in the Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

When this publication visited the Savannah on Tuesday, carcases were seen in varying stages of decomposition.

Farmers have put the daily death toll at more than 20. The animals have little or no food to eat and the area stinks of rotting flesh.

More than 1000 acres of land are under water, up to chest high in some sections. About 40 farmers occupy Cookrite Savannah, which is situated between the four polders – Johanna, Mibicuri, Yakasary and Lesbeholden. There are about 7000 heads of cattle along with sheep, goat

Animals lie dead in the floodwaters

to get her animals to dry land risking the chance that they will be impounded. Cattle farmers are also doing the same. However many of them say they can

Farmers have had to evacuate from the area

and horses. The farmers reported that so far, more that 1000 heads of cattle have died and close to 20 horses.

Peter Crawford has 600 heads of cattle in the Savannah and already about 150 have died.

Another farmer, Nico Greene, who owns 200 heads, said 50 of his animals are missing. He is fearful that they are dead.

His brother, Compton Greene, who owns 400 heads of cattle, told Guyana Times on Tuesday that he lost 10 horses and 60 cows as a result of the floodwaters.

The farmer watched helplessly as the animals developed fevers and then became too weak to stand.

One farmer, Seenarine Deonarine, has lost about 100 of his 700 cows.

Sultan Munroe reported that he has lost close to 200 of his 500 cows.

Speaking also with this publication, female farmer Raberta LaRose reported that he lost 300 heads of cattle and about 100 sheep.

She said efforts were made

only bring out a small portion.

Lucy Monroe, another female farmer, has already lost about 15 of her 100 heads of cattle. She is of the view that an engineer needs to visit the savannah to find a solution to save the remaining animals.

According to the farmers, only one of the three

The flooded Cookrite Savannah

sluice doors is being operated at Adventure, while the pumps at Eversham and Number 43 Village are not being put into operation.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan had previously told this publication that the regional budget for fuel was cut by close to 50 per cent and as a result, the administration will be unable to carry out much of the work it did in the past.

Regional Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop on Tuesday said he was aware of the situation and had been seeking the assistance of the cattle farmers to provide transportation to get the regional engineer to visit the area.

Cookrite Savannah is only accessible by boat.

Meanwhile, with no answers to the problem after two weeks of flooding, the affected farmers went to the regional office of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Tuesday seeking assistance. The staff at that office, Gobin Harbhajan, told Guyana Times that he wrote the Prime Minister as well as Agriculture Minister Noel Holder on the issue.

(Andrew Carmichael)

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wednesDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 requires turning political will into concrete actions – FAO … more investments in sustainable rural development required

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chieving the international community’s goal of eradicating hunger and malnutrition by 2030 is indeed possible, but this requires a scaling up of action, including greater investments in agriculture and sustainable rural development, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director General José Graziano da Silva said.

Speaking at a side event on Zero Hunger at the FAO Conference, Graziano da Silva pointed to some stark facts and figures.

“Today more than 800 million people are still chronically undernourished ... and unfortunately the

number has started to grow again,” the FAO DirectorGeneral said.

Around 155 million children under five are stunted – close to a quarter of the total while 1.9 billion people are overweight, of which at least 500 million are obese and 2 billion suffer from micronutrient deficiency, he added.

While progress in combating the related scourges of poverty and hunger has been made in recent decades, these achievements are at risk of being reversed as conflict, population growth, climate change and changing dietary patterns, all pose new challeng-

es, Graziano da Silva said.

He noted that the world is facing “one of the largest humanitarian crises ever” with more than 20 million people at risk of famine in four countries: North Eastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

Enabling policy and institutional environment

Graziano da Silva noted that the 2030 Agenda calls for strong commitment to national decision-making and greater self-reliance by Member States, underscoring how “we are seeing this happen with regional initiatives and organizations playing a substantial role.”

Venezuela’s Attorney General refuses court summons

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conflict between Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Government and his increasingly defiant Attorney General Luisa Ortega came to a head on Tuesday as she refused to attend a Supreme Court hearing on whether to lift her immunity from being tried for unspecified irregularities.

Ortega argued the outcome of Tuesday’s hearing was a foregone conclusion decided by the Government that violates her legal right to defence and due process.

Ortega faced imminent suspension after her move cranked up the tension in a standoff with President Maduro, who is resisting fierce Opposition calls to quit.

Ortega, 59, is the most senior figure to defy Maduro as he fends off efforts to remove him from power in the volatile oil-exporting nation.

“I am not going condone a circus that will stain our history with shame and pain and whose decision is foretold,” Ortega told a news conference at the public prosecution department.

“I have committed no crime nor errors and I am not going to submit to this unconstitutional and illegitimate court,” she added.

“We already know that to-

He cited the Malabo Declaration adopted by African Union leaders to end hunger in Africa by 2025 and also referred to the strong commitment to food security made by countries in the Asia and Pacific region and in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Turning political will into action requires a stronger focus on national strategies, including to those relating to nutrition, health and education policies. The FAO Director General called for enhancing governance and coordination mechanisms to facilitate dialogue and create incentives for different sectors and stakeholders to work together and to sharpen the focus of Zero Hunger initiatives. “For that, decision-makers need solid and relevant evidence, including statistics and monitoring data,” he added.

“And last but not least, we have to significantly increase investments,” Graziano da Silva said.

“Hunger is often due to poverty and inequality. It is

W

the result of the exclusion of small-scale producers from large-scale food systems,” said IFAD President Gilbert Houngbo speaking at the event.

He warned that “at the current pace, quite frankly the international community is not on track to meet its commitment to Zero Hunger by 2030” but noted the goal can be achieved “if we act now to establish inclusive and sustainable food systems and to build the resilience of poor rural people and the ecosystems that they depend on.”

Achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 “has zero chances of succeeding in the environment we are living in today,” said WFP ExecutiveDirector David Beasley.

“Governments have to take actions to reduce conflicts, which are man-made deadends on the road to Zero Hunger.”

He noted that FAO, IFAD and WFP are “working together in a perhaps unprecedented way, both because you stakeholders want us to and because the situation calls for it.”(Excerpt from FAO)

Qatar shows mettle, offers compromise as Gulf States prepare meeting Attorney General Luisa Ortega says the Government is violating her legal right to defence and due process [Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters]

day I will be removed from my post.”

Ortega’s stand has raised the prospect of a split in the Government camp that could tip the balance in a power struggle. Three months of unrest have left 90 people dead, prosecutors say.

Protesters blame Maduro, a socialist, for a desperate economic crisis. He says the chaos is the result of a USbacked conspiracy.

Ortega launched a legal challenge against the Government on human rights grounds, and a case against Supreme Court Judges.

She accuses Maduro of violating the Constitution through his reform plans.

Pro-government lawmaker Pedro Carreno responded by filing charges against Ortega, alleging “serious er-

rors in the carrying out of her functions.”

He also alleged she was suffering from “insanity” and should be fired.

Last week, the Supreme Court ordered Ortega’s assets to be frozen and banned her from leaving the country.

The court held its hearing on Tuesday in her absence and said afterwards it would decide within five days whether to send her to trial and suspend her from office.

“She sold her soul to the devil,” Carreno said in the hearing. “She had her price and became a traitor just like Judas.”

The court earlier named a new deputy chief prosecutor to replace Ortega if she is fired: government ally Katherine Harrington. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

People sit on the corniche in Doha, Qatar, June 15, 2017

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atar announced plans for a steep rise in Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) production capacity on Tuesday that suggested it was ready for a protracted dispute with Gulf neighbours, but Doha said it was doing all it could to reach agreement.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain were due to meet on Wednesday to decide wheth-

Fierce fighting in Iraqi and Syrian hotspots

estern-backed forces edged into the final redoubts of the two capitals of Islamic State’s self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria on Tuesday, hampered by fierce resistance from the militants and the presence of human shields.

Iraqi commanders have predicted final victory in Mosul this week after a grinding eight-month assault on the once two-million-strong city pushed Islamic State into a rectangle no more than 300 by 500 meters beside the Tigris river.

Turning political will on ending hunger into action requires strong focus on national strategies

In Raqqa, Islamic State’s headquarters in northern Syria from where it plotted attacks around the world, US-backed militia were fighting inside the historic Old City after coalition air strikes breached its walls in two places.

Victory over the hardline militants in both cities would mark the effective end of the three-year-old caliphate, although a few towns and large rural areas of Iraq and Syria remain under their control.

But their centres are a maze of narrow alleyways packed with civilians and

planted with multiple explosive devices by the militants, who are also using drones and suicide bombings.

“The presence of civilians has affected the troops’ advance a lot,” said a commander in Mosul from the Rapid Response Division, an elite Interior Ministry unit, estimating there were 10,000 civilians, including some brought in as human shields.

Iraqi commanders called in air strikes on targets just 50 meters away from them and fighting got close enough at one point for the militants to throw a hand

grenade at the troops.

“The directions from the commander-in-chief of the armed forces are to advance slowly to preserve civilians’ lives and this is what we are doing,” the officer said on Iraqi state TV without being named.

The US-led international coalition supporting the Iraqi military and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting Islamic State in Raqqa said it had been forced to bomb the Old City’s ancient wall because the militants were controlling the existing breaches. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

er to continue sanctions they imposed on Qatar on accusations it was aiding terrorism and courting regional rival Iran. Doha denies the charges and has submitted to mediator Kuwait replies to 13 demands that the gathering will consider.

“What Qatar has given in goodwill and good initiative for a constructive solution, based on dialogue, we believe should be sufficient (to show) we have carried out our duties from our side,” Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told a news conference in Doha.

“There is a lot of progress that has been made on that front (countering terrorism financing)... but of course there is always room for improvement,” he said, describing the sanctions as illegal steps under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

The three Gulf States and Egypt have severed diplomatic and transport ties with Doha in a dispute that has raised concern across the Middle East and beyond. Western states fear a lengthy dispute, besides threatening political insta-

bility, could upset supply chains in a region vital for energy supplies.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told the same Doha news conference he felt Qatar had shown restraint in the row which began on June 5 when the Gulf states severed diplomatic and transport ties.

“We hope others will respond in a similar spirit.

Qatar says it is ready to meet any “reasonable” demands. But the Gulf state, with a population of just over two million to Saudi Arabia’s 31 million, may be reluctant to carry out conditions such as the closure of the al-Jazeera television station and removal of a Turkish military base – matters it considers impinge on Qatari sovereignty.

Qatar mounted what appeared to be a show of strength on Tuesday, when the state-owned Qatar Petroleum announced plans to raise liquefied natural gas capacity by 30 per cent. Its immediate effect will be to worsen a glut on the LNG market where Australia, the United States and Russia vie.(Excerpt from Reuters)

15 Private criminal charges will Ramsammy’s Ruminations NEWS

wednesDAY, july 5, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

be executed – Nandlall

… if SOCU attempts to breach High Court order

I

n spite of the particulars of a High Court order, the Guyana Police Force in a statement, has now said that the search warrant it acquired to search the premise of former Attorney General Anil Nandlall was to recover law books not covered by a High Court conservatory order.

But Nandlall is debunking this, asserting that those are the only law books in his possession that are subject the criminal action.

Moreover, he has promised that any attempts to enforce the search warrant will result in private criminal charges being filed.

“I am not sure whether this is an attempt at damage control, or it is an exhibition of manifest incompetence or is an expression of puerile vendetta or it is all combined,” Nandlall stated in response to the Police statement. “The relevant part of the order of the acting Chief Justice reads thus This court orders that an interim conservatory order be and is hereby granted preventing and restraining officers and or agents of (SOCU) and or the Guyana Police Force from seizing and or detain-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Head of SOCU, Sydney James

ing 15 Commonwealth Law Reports for the years 2012 to May 2015 in the possession of the applicant.”

Nandlall stressed that as the owner of the books, they were one and the same. The attorney warned that any attempt to execute the warrant would be tantamount to an “aggravated” violation of the high court order, in addition to contempt of court.

“Appropriate private criminal will be instituted against anyone who attempts to execute or executes or aid and abet the execution of any such illegal, unlawful and contemptuous

search warrant.”

Calling his charge contrived, the former Attorney General lambasted the Police and SOCU for “the wastage of public monies, scarce resources, time and energies in persecuting me, when the real criminals are wreaking havoc against the citizens of this country.”

In April, Nandlall was arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Fabayo Azore on a charge instituted by SOCU, which detailed that between May 15 and May 29, 2015, while being a bailee (custodian), he had fraudulently converted to his own use and

benefit 14 Commonwealth Law Reports, valued at $2.3 million – which he allegedly unlawfully retained after demitting office in 2015.

This is despite both Nandlall and former President Donald Ramotar affirming that the subscription for the law books was paid for as a condition of his service as Attorney General.

Nandlall’s ownership of the books was also recognised by the High Court when it granted an order prohibiting SOCU from carrying out searches and seizing the law books.

Nandlall had sought and was granted the conservatory order, which restrains SOCU from taking possession of the law books, the day after he was initially questioned by SOCU. The order was granted by Justice Dawn Gregory. On June 27, word that despite the court order a search warrant had been procured by SOCU from Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to carry out a search on Nandlall’s residence sent media operatives and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) officials racing to the PPP front bencher’s house. SOCU never showed up.

Constitutional Reform Bill for National Assembly before recess

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fter months of anticipation, the coalition Government will finally be moving to have the Constitutional Reform and Consultative Bill be laid in the National Assembly before the parliamentary recess in August.

A statement from Director of the Government Information Agency, Imran Khan, said that this decision was taken on Tuesday during the weekly Cabinet meeting. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo chaired Tuesday’s meeting among the Council of Ministers.

“The coalition Government views the laying of the Constitutional Reform and Consultative Bill in the National Assembly as a major advancement in the process towards constitutional reform,” the statement from Government said.

In August last year, Government had established a Constitutional Reform Steering Committee (CRSC), headed by Attorney Nigel Hughes, who had compiled and submitted a report to Prime Minister Nagamootoo in April last year. That report is yet to be made public. However, over the past months, the process of the drafting and review of the bill was ongoing.

CRSC Chairman Nigel Hughes handing over the report to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in May last year

Nagamootoo had told reporters at a press conference last year that he wanted to consult with the parliamentary Opposition on the content of the Bill, as he would like to have full support for its passage. He noted that the Bill is not controversial as he himself has reworked it based on the previous Constitution Reform Bill, as process which he was involved in since 1996.

Constitutional reform was a hot topic during the 2015 General and Regional

Elections campaign, with the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition promising to undertake the task. As part of the reform process, Government had touted major changes to the governance structure, including separate elections to elect a President and National Assembly members; the capping of presidential powers; and changes to the composition of service commissions, among others.

The Constitutional Reform Steering Committee that was established will be responsible for effecting the changes to the Constitution when Government finalises its decision on the reforms.

The Committee, which comprised of former Director of Transparency International and Attorney Gino Persaud, Professor Harold Lutchman, former Magistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond, and was chaired by attorney and former AFC Executive Member Nigel Hughes, was established by the Sub-committee on Parliamentary Affairs reportedly without consultation from the parliamentary Opposition.

In fact, former General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee had explained shortly after the Commission was established that his party was not invited to field any representative to the committee. He noted that the party views the persons appointed as “APNU/AFC hacks” and “residents of Office of the President”.

Moreover, he maintained that the PPP was proud of its accomplishments as far as constitutional reforms piloted back in the 2000s were concerned.

The Auditor General must investigate the ministerial housing benefit

L

ike everything else the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) does, the housing benefits for Ministers is now shrouded in another mountain of lies. Everything about their housing allowance now has the unmistakable stench of corruption.

Parliament has confirmed Dr Leslie Ramsammy that they pay rent twenty times above the statutory housing allowance for two junior Ministers, Simona Broomes and Valarie Patterson. But other Ministers are also living in rented properties. Who is paying those rentals? What is APNU/ AFC hiding?

Whenever the APNU/AFC is exposed for wrong doings, they have a nasty proclivity to throw people under the bus. Recently, Minister Lawrence threw the now fired CEO of the GPHC “under the bus and ran him over” for the shameful $605 million sole-sourced procurement of medicines for which GPHC paid prices averaging three times the actual cost. She pulled herself out of the mess and left CEO Johnson to suffocate in the stench of one of the many ugly APNU/AFC corrupt transactions. Now they have thrown Sherlock Isaacs and Parliament office under the bus for the abuse of the housing allowance for Ministers. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, claimed the payments of $500,000 each per month for rentals for two junior Ministers has nothing to do with APNU/AFC and the Cabinet. It is Isaacs and Parliament office that have gone rogue. I know that Isaacs will not exceed his authority.

The Ministerial Housing Benefit is legal and is standard in all democracies around the world. There is nothing wrong with the Government providing housing for Ministers. However, Ministerial Housing Benefits have statutory limits. Governments must be accountable for how they implement a Ministerial Housing benefit.

How governments treat the housing benefit is reflective of how prudent they are in spending taxpayers’ money.

While Ministers must be offered decent housing, ministerial housing cannot be an extravagant affair.

Some Ministers live in their own homes. Their electricity, water, telephone, Internet and security bills are paid for by the Government. These Ministers also receive a $25,000 housing allowance. Some Ministers live in Government-owned properties, such as the Echilbar Villas. I lived there for over 15 years as a Minister. In such cases, there is no $25,000 housing allowance. Some Ministers rent homes on their own and Government has a cap on what they can pay. I am aware that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government never paid rentals of $500,000 per month. But we now know after two years that Parliament pays rental of at least $500,000 per month for two Junior Ministers.

How many Ministers are living in their own homes and how much are they paid as a housing allowance?

How many Ministers are living in State-owned houses?

How many Ministers are living in rented properties and what are the rents for these properties? These rentals and the housing allowances are part of the national budget estimates and cannot be treated as State secrets.

Several APNU/AFC Ministers are living in rented properties, more than during the PPP terms of office.

That more Ministers today live in rented properties is not an issue for quarrel. But the public should know how many Ministers are living in rented properties the State is paying for and how much the State is paying. APNU/ AFC must come clean on this matter. This is even more critical in the milieu of suspicion that taxpayers are paying rentals that are extravagant. For example, I am informed that one Minister is paying more than $1 million per month. Worse, this same Minister owns his own home and is renting it to the Government for one of the senior advisors. How many Ministers who own their homes are living in State-provided properties?

The response cannot be that under the PPP some Ministers lived in rental properties too. That a Minister lives in a rental property is not being queried. What is being queried is that APNU/AFC is paying extravagant amounts. People want to know, they deserve to know and it is their right to know how taxpayers’ monies are being spent. Because it is taxpayers’ money, this cannot be treated as State secrets. If APNU/AFC is unwilling to tell us, then we want to know what is it they are hiding from us. This matter is now public and the Auditor General should investigate this matter urgently.

Send comments to doc_ram@hotmail.com

16

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, july 5, 2017

Regional

Brazilian family hold Court orders soca star Destra to pay for rupturing man’s hope for ‘miracle’ bladder during performance baby shot in womb

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Baby Arthur is breathing via a respirator

Brazilian baby who was shot in the womb by a stray bullet has been deemed a miracle for surviving and his family hope he will overcome injuries to walk one day.

Mother Claudineia dos Santos Melo was ninemonths pregnant when she was shot while passing a gunfight in a favela in Rio de Janeiro state.

Baby Arthur was born in an emergency caesare-

an, but is now paraplegic.

However, there is hope that he may make some recovery.

Gynaecologist José Carlos Oliveira, who is monitoring Arthur’s progress, called his survival “a miracle happening before our eyes”.

“Today, he is paraplegic, but anything can happen in the life of this child,” he said, adding that he had never seen a case like it. The mother’s brother, Leonardo dos Santos, echoed the sense

of hope when talking to BBC Brazil. Dos Santos, 28, was days away from her due date and shopping for nappies when she was struck while walking in Duque de Caxias, north-west of Rio de Janeiro city, on Friday. The bullet entered her hip and hit her unborn baby, causing injuries in a number of places including his spine.

Dos Santos is said to be in a stable condition, breathing without aid.

The baby’s father, Klebson da Silva, 27, has visited the pair in hospital and told local reporters that he was filled with hope after seeing “victorious” Arthur.

Dos Santos may give her testimony to police from hospital on Tuesday, according to O Globo newspaper.

Police have said they think she was hit by criminals, and not by officials fighting against them. The case is under investigation.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

D

estra Garcia’s energy on stage makes her one of the Caribbean’s most popular soca artistes, but it has landed her in trouble with the Belize Supreme Court.

The court has ordered the Trinidadian to pay just over US$8000 after it found that she injured Belizean Fernando Oliva while gyrating on him at a concert in September 2015.

The man filed a lawsuit claiming that Garcia jumped on him and ruptured his bladder as she performed at The Carnival Overload concert. According to his attorney, Steve Perrera, Oliva was called on stage to dance with Garcia but later had to be rushed to hospital.

The court granted a default judgment against Destra as she did not enter a defence. Lawyers said they are in talks with at-

Colombian FARC leader Brazil: President Timochenko travels to Temer’s close ally Cuba for stroke treatment

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o l o m b i a ’ s Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, known by his nom de guerre Timochenko, has travelled to Cuba for treatment and to recover after suffering a stroke during the weekend.

Timochenko, who in November signed a peace agreement with the Government, suffers from heart problems and had surgery in Cuba while negotiating the accord.

Cuba will cover the costs of medical treatment and security, the high peace commissioner’s office said.

Colombia’s government authorised his trip.

Last week the leader oversaw the disarmament of his 7000 or so FARC rebels at a ceremony with President Juan Manuel Santos.

“We’ll return to continue

giving the fight for peace and for the agreement to be fulfilled. Thank you all for your good vibes,” Timochenko said in a tweet.

Timochenko, 59, on Sunday suffered an ischemic stroke, a cerebrovascular accident caused by a blockage that deprives part of the brain from receiving blood and oxygen.

FARC, which was founded as a peasant rebellion in 1964, has fought more a dozen governments in a war that has killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions.

A doctor who also trained in irregular warfare in Cuba and politics in Russia, Timochenko took over as head of the Marxist FARC in 2011 after troops killed the drug-funded group’s former boss, Alfonso Cano.

Timochenko fought in Colombia’s inhospitable jungles for many years. (Reuters)

Lima arrested

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razilian Police have arrested a close ally of President Michel Temer as part of a corruption investigation into a government-controlled bank.

Geddel Vieira Lima, a former Cabinet Minister, had been in charge of Temer’s relations with Congress.

Prosecutors say Vieira Lima tried to block investigations into state bank Caixa Economica Federal.

There was no immediate comment from Vieira Lima.

Temer is fighting a corruption crisis that has shaken his Government.

Last week Brazil’s Prosecutor General also charged Temer and an aide with corruption.

Temer has denied the accusations against him and

says he has support in the Congress which will begin to discuss the charges this week. If two-thirds of the lower house vote in favour, Temer will be suspended from office for 180 days and tried in the Supreme Court.

The president’s latest political crisis began in May when a business tycoon secretly recorded a conversation with the president in an unofficial late-night meeting which he revealed in a plea bargain deal with prosecutors.

During the conversation, Temer appeared to endorse the tycoon obstructing the investigation and bribing politicians. Temer has said the footage is authentic, taken from a meeting in March, but he has strongly denied wrongdoing. (BBC News)

the Venezuela situation, where Opposition supporters have been taking to the streets demanding the resignation of President Nicolás Maduro, to feature at the deliberations here.

“Look I think there’s absolute consensus by Caricom that there should be non-interference, but it is what is said afterwards.

The fact is from a security perspective we are very concerned about the deterioration of things in Venezuela because it has impacted us from a security perspective.

“We have seen an increase

in the movement of arms, we have seen an increase in money laundering and just basic criminal activity,” Chastanet said, adding “I think we have to take an interest in what’s happening”.

On Monday, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque told a news conference that while the Venezuela issue is not on the agenda for the threeday summit being held on the outskirts of the capital, he expects some statement to follow the deliberations of the leaders. (Excerpt from Jamaica

Destra Garcia and Fernando Oliva during the incident that the Belizean said resulted in his bladder being ruptured

torneys in Trinidad and Tobago to enforce the judgment in that jurisdiction.

They have sought the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago to serve Destra

with the documents.

The soca artiste has the right to appeal the judgment in Belize. She has promised to issue a statement through her attorney.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

False alarm at Jamaica Conference Centre sends UN, Govt reps running

T

he piercing tone of a fire alarm sent scores of people, including UN staff and Government representatives from across the Caribbean, running from the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston this morning.

It occurred mere minutes after UN safety and security officer Gonzalo Ramos briefed a Waste Management Conference, now underway at the location, on matters of crime and public safety in the island.

The incident also affected students of Windward Road Primary School and their parents, who were awaiting the start of the school’s graduation ceremony.

The panic didn’t last long, however, as Conference Centre security personnel soon announced it was a false alarm and guests were promptly allowed to re-enter the building.

The alarm was reportedly triggered by one of the students. (Jamaica Observer)

Fishing boat with 13 people disappears Caricom must not turn a blind eye to Venezuela ‒ St Lucian PM off Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast S

t Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet on Tuesday said that while Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries must not seek to interfere in the internal affairs of Venezuela, the regional bloc at the same time must not turn a blind eye to the situation in that South American country where opposition voices have been stifled.

Speaking with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) ahead of the 38th Caricom Summit, Chastanet said he expects

St Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet

Observer)

A

fishing boat with 13 people on board has disappeared off Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast.

On Tuesday, the authorities reported that the vessel ‘Miss Johana Betsy’ set sail from the Corn Islands, a Nicaraguan territory, on June 29. According to Edward Jackson, of the country’s fisheries authority, the navy and four fishing boats are preparing to start searching for the miss-

ing vessel.

Earlier this year, 13 Costa Rican tourists died when a passenger vessel sank off the coast of the Corn Islands.

That vessel went out to sea despite a warning issued by naval authorities about bad weather and strong winds.

In another incident in July 2016, authorities rescued 61 people from a fishing boat that sank off the country’s Caribbean coast.

(Jamaica Observer)

wednesDAY, july 5, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

EU’s Juncker calls empty European Russia, China: N Korea missile test “unacceptable” Parliament “ridiculous”

E

R

ussia and China have called for a simultaneous freeze on North Korean nuclear and missile tests and military exercises by the United States and South Korea.

The positions were announced in a joint document issued after a meeting between leaders Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in the Russian capital of Moscow on Tuesday, in which they also condemned Pyongyang’s latest missile test as “unacceptable” and urged against “any statements or actions that could lead to an increase in tensions”.

“The two sides propose that the DPRK (North Korea) as a voluntary political decision declares a moratorium on testing nuclear explosive devices and ballistic rocket launches, and the US and South Korea refrain from carrying out large-scale joint exercises,” the two countries’ Foreign Ministries said in a joint statement.

“Parallel to this, the opposing sides should start negotiations and affirm general principles of their

uropean Commission President JeanClaude Juncker has launched a bitter attack on members of the European Parliament for failing to show up.

Standing up in almost empty chamber in Strasbourg, he denounced the body as “ridiculous, totally ridiculous”.

Estimating the number of MEPs present at about 30, he said it proved that the Parliament was “not serious”.

During his Moscow visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Russian-Chinese relations "are now the best ever" [Reuters]

relations including the nonuse of force, rejection of aggression and peaceful co-existence,” the statement added.

In comments carried by the State news agency TASS, Putin was also quoted as saying: “Our mutual priorities include a comprehensive resolution of the problems of the Korean Peninsula in order to ensure lasting peace and stability in northeastern Asia.”

Russia and China have the closest diplomatic relations with the insular na-

tion of North Korea.

The joint statement followed an announcement

by North Korea that it had test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile.

The incident prompted the United Nations Security Council to hold emergency talks on Tuesday.

The test also sparked a Twitter outburst from US President Donald Trump, who urged China, North Korea’s closest ally, to act to “end this nonsense once and for all”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Americans celebrate 4th of July 2017

M

illions of Americans c e l e b r a t e d Independence Day across the States, with parades, cook-outs – and the reopening of a beach at the centre of a political storm.

The Fourth of July holiday remembers the day in 1776 the 13 American colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming citizens’ right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

But not everyone was taking the day too seriously.

Molly Schuyler marked the auspicious occasion by eating 21 Z-Burger hamburgers in an impressive 10 minutes in Washington, thereby successfully defending her title.

Not to be outdone, in Brooklyn, Joey Chestnut claimed his 10th title, eating a not insignificant 72 frankfurters in the same time during Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

A couple of hours south, Island Beach State Park in New Jersey reopened to the

public. The beach had briefly become one of the country’s best-known just days earlier, when Governor Chris Christie and his family were pictured sunning themselves on its deserted sands – the politician having shut it to the public due to a row over the State budget.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump returned from his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, to celebrate the day at the White House. (Excerpt from BBC News)

South Africa crash: 18 killed as bus and truck collide

A

t least 18 people have been killed in a collision between a bus and a truck in northeast South Africa, according to paramedics.

Rescuers found the bus lying on its side, while the truck had come to a stop outside Machadodorp in Mpumalanga province, east of Johannesburg, the news agency ANA reported on Tuesday.

Sixteen people died at the site of the accident and two at hospital, emergency service ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said.

The death toll had initially been given as 11.

Rescuers extracted several injured people and bodies from inside and underneath the bus, Meiring told the dpa news agency.

He was unable to say how many people were on the bus and if any of those on board were unhurt.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. (Al Jazeera)

Parliament President Antonio Tajani reacted furiously, accusing him of a lack of respect.

“You can criticise the Parliament, but it’s not the Commission’s job to control the Parliament, it’s the Parliament that has to control the Commission,” he said.

But the clash continued.

Juncker, who is in charge of the EU’s executive body, angrily rebuked MEPs for failing to attend the session reviewing the six-

month presidency of Malta, the bloc’s smallest member state.

It was one of the most acrimonious public rows between top EU officials in recent years. A Parliament spokesman said later that the two men had met and Juncker had expressed regret for the words he had chosen.

It is rare for the head of one European institution to take such a public swipe at the legitimacy of another.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Modi in Israel to meet

“friend” Netanyahu

I

ndia’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Israel on a three-day historic visit – the first by an Indian Prime Minister. The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992.

India recognised Israel in 1950 nearly two years after the Jewish nation declared independence, but it took New Delhi 67 years to establish diplomatic ties with the Middle Eastern nation.

Earlier on the day of the meeting, Indian English language daily The Times of India published a joint editorial opinion article written by Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu highlighting the collaborations between the two countries.

“India and Israel are walking hand in hand into the future as partners,” the editorial said.

Ties between the two

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, hugs Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv [Ammar Awad/Reuters]

nations have become more “visible” since Modi became Prime Minister in 2014 and Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon said the “landmark” visit will focus on issues of economic development, innovation, agriculture, water and establishing a better connection between the people of the two countries, as well as defence.

Modi is set to hold talks with Netanyahu, whom he

calls his friend and is likely to address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.

Modi’s trip comes weeks after India approved a defence deal with Israel worth US$2 billion.

The Indian Prime Minister has been pushing for defence cooperation with Israel, which has agreed to collaborate and support his “make in India” initiative.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Canada to pay, apologise to ex-Guantanamo Bay detainee

T

he Canadian Government is reportedly going to apologise and give compensation to Omar Khadr, a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner.

Khadr, 30, pleaded guilty in 2010 to killing a US soldier in Afghanistan when he was 15, but Canada’s Supreme Court later ruled that officials had interrogated him under “oppressive circumstances” such as sleep deprivation.

An official familiar with the deal told the Associated Press news agency on Tuesday that Toronto-born Khadr will receive US$8 million.

The official was not authorised to discuss the deal publicly before the announcement and spoke on

Omar Khadr

condition of anonymity.

The Toronto Star also reported that the deal was reached in June between Canada’s Justice Ministry and Khadr’s lawyer.

Omar Khadr spent 10 years in Guantanamo Bay. His case received international attention after some

dubbed him a child soldier.

Khadr was 15 when he was captured by US troops following a gun battle at a suspected al-Qaeda compound in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of an American special forces medic, US Army Sergeant First Class Christopher Speer.

Khadr, who was suspected of throwing the grenade that killed Speer, was taken to Guantanamo and ultimately charged with war crimes by a military commission.

He pleaded guilty in 2010 to charges that included murder and was sentenced to eight years plus the time he had already spent in custody. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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wednesday, july 5, 2017

ARCHIE

Home improvements can be made, as long as you have (March 21- the required budget. Don’t go April 19) into debt trying to keep up with your social group. Selfimprovement is favoured.

ARIES

Do something to boost TAURUS your morale or update your (April 20- appearance. Discuss personMay 20) al matters with a loved one to find a way to improve your lifestyle and relationship.

dilbert

Express your feelings and GEMINI (May 21- find out where you stand.

June 20) Romance will improve your personal life and give you the confidence to make changes to your living arrangements.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Good fortune awaits if you are willing to do things a little differently. Don’t rule out partnering with someone who comes from a background quite unlike your own.

Take part in activities and events that are geared toward positive change, personal gains and physical improvements. Try to keep up with the latest trends.

Emotions will mess with VIRGO (Aug. 23- your ability to get things done.

Sept. 22) Stay focused and do your best to resolve unfinished business so that you can move forward and achieve your goals.

Take a serious look at LIBRA your choices in order to dis(Sept. 23Oct. 23) cover a way to build greater prosperity by collaborating with someone who can provide any skill or experience you are lacking.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Make a point to be frank SCORPIO about things that have hap(Oct. 24pened in the past that don’t Nov. 22) sit well with you. The only way to bring about positive change is to address your concerns.

If you cannot bring yourSAGITTARIUS self to be honest about your (Nov. 23- feelings, don’t say anything at Dec. 21) all. Empty promises will lead to a bad reputation and will upset your plans.

YESTERDAY’S

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Children, a friend or loved CAPRICORN one will raise emotional ques(Dec. 22- tions. Listen to what’s being Jan. 19) revealed, but don’t take what you hear as being the gospel truth. Do your own fact-finding.

Your desire to be a humanAQUARIUS itarian can lead to trouble if (Jan. 20you are gullible. Find out if Feb. 19) someone is playing you or has legitimate grievances before you offer him or her assistance or money.

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

Emotional matters will esPISCES calate if you or someone you (Feb. 20March 20) are dealing with uses manipulative tactics. Stick to the truth and be articulate about your objectives. When in doubt, ask.

wednesDAY, july 5, 2017

Uncertainty over Kirani James’ participation at World Champs mounts T

here is mounting uncertainty over whether 2015 World Championship bronze medalist Kirani James will compete at the World Championships in London this summer.

James has not competed since the Drake Relays in April when he finished sixth in the 400 metres.

After that performance,

Harvey Glance, coach of the 2014 Commonwealth Games champion, said he was shutting down James’ competitive season while he recovers from illness.

SportsMax.tv was informed by a source that the 24-year-old Grenadian was suffering from a respiratory illness.

James’ management subse-

quently revealed that the athlete had returned to training and was recovering nicely from his illness. However, on Monday when SportsMax.tv spoke with Seth Katz of AMG Property Sports Incorporated, the agency that represents the 2012 Olympic champion, he said he had nothing to add to his previous response, which

was that James was ‘recovering nicely’.

“His is recovering nicely and resuming his conditioning and that’s where we stand on it,” he said in response to queries from SportsMax. tv Monday.

He was unable to say whether James was in line to participate at the World Championships which

19

begins on August 4.

Sources also indicate that the Grenada Athletics Association (GAA) is not optimistic about the athlete representing them in London this summer.

However, SportsMx.tv was not successful in its attempts to get a comment from any member of the GAA executive. (SportsMax)

CIFA Vice President Blake pleads innocent to corruption charges F

irst vice president of the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) Bruce Blake has denied being involved in any wrong doing after being arrested on suspicion of money laundering and receiving secret commissions.

The official, who has since been released without

being charged, was called up before law enforcement authorities last week in relation to two CIFA transitions involving the authorization of $US600, 000 amounts.

According to documents, Blake signed for a loan figure, which was received in CIFA’s Butterfield Bank account before being trans-

ferred to its loan account at Fidelity Bank.

However, speaking through his lawyers, the official indicated that he was led to believe the figures represented loans to CIFA to pay down on an existing loan.

“Those two amounts were represented to Mr.

Blake to be loans to CIFA to pay down on the CIFA loan at Fidelity Bank in order for Fidelity Bank to remove the charge on the CIFA Centre of Excellence in compliance with FIFA regulations,” the statement issued by his attorney read.

“Mr. Blake has not, at any time, engaged in any se-

Ashley goes back for WBC crown in August

J

amaica's Alicia Ashley will get her shot at regaining the World Boxing Coucil title she lost to Kenya's Fatuma Zarika in August.

Promoter Luigi Olcese revealed the likely date to Jamaican Newspaper, The Gleaner on Sunday, saying the two would meet in El Paso, Texas.

“There have been some hiccups in arranging the return fight, but I think everything is now sorted out, and we are pretty close to finalising all the details,” said Olcese.

The fighters met on October 1 last year in Michigan, with the now-champion winning a 10-round split decision that included some controversy.

According to Olcese, a fight in Texas was not exactly what Ashley would have wanted but there were hiccups with getting that done.

“Alicia really wanted to fight in Jamaica, but I just could not get things sorted out there, but, hopefully, she regains the title, and in that case, Jamaica will, of course, be on the top of the list of possible venues,” said Olcese.

Ashley is taking a philosophical stand on the decision not to have the fith in Jamaica, saying: “The good thing is that after I regain my title, the venue for my first fight after that must be Jamaica.”

Ashley is just as anxious for the return as Olece, telling the newspaper she was pulling out all the stops.

“I am taking this fight very seriously as I want to regain my title. I have moved my training camp to Fort Lauderdale so as to avoid distractions. It is a costly decision for me, but I want to focus on nothing but this fight, and this is the best thing for me now. I have to be in top condition, and nothing is going to stand in my way,” she said. (SportsMax)

cret payment(s) or improper business or unprofessional practices or advantages for himself or any other person(s) or entity. Mr. Blake is innocent of these suspicious allegations against

him and the Law protects the Presumption of his innocence. Therefore, Mr. Blake has nothing to hide and no information to withhold from the Anti-Corruption Commission investigators.”

(SportsMax)

Beaten Pacquiao to “think hard” about retiring

M

anila (AFP) - Eighttime world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has said he will "think hard" about retiring after his stunning and controversial defeat to unheralded Australian challenger Jeff Horn. Arriving home in the Philippines a day after losing his World Boxing Organization welterweight title in a major upset in Brisbane on Sunday, the 38-year-old Pacquiao said he was thinking about hanging up his gloves for good.

"I am also considering the opinion of people, the opinion of my family and my body," Pacquiao told ABSCBN television on Monday night when asked about retirement.

"I plan to relax first and recover from the pains in my body and then after that, when I have already relaxed, that's when I will think hard about it."

Immediately after the fight, Pacquiao had said he wanted a rematch with Horn.

Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee, and his trainer, Freddie Roach, had said they would advise him to quit boxing after a phenomenal 22-year professional career in which he won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions.

Pacquiao briefly retired from boxing last year to pursue his long-held political ambitions and was elected senator. But he quickly made a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in November, saying he still

felt like a youngster.

The 29-year-old Horn's ultra-aggressive style proved too much for Pacquiao, with the three judges scoring the fight 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 to the Australian after 12 rounds.

On Monday, Pacquiao made disparaging comments about his opponent.

"He's not really good but he's really strong," Pacquiao said of Horn, as he questioned the decisions of American referee Mark Nelson. "There is no problem with the style of Jeff Horn if he plays dirty, because there is a referee," Pacquiao said.

"The problem here is that the referee, I don't know if he did it deliberately or he just did not have experience, he just allowed it and did not even give any warning for how many times. It's as if the referee wanted to help my opponent."

20

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wednesDAY, july 5, 2017

Sarfraz to lead Pakistan in all 3 formats

Sarfraz Ahmed

A

s had been widely expected, Sarfraz Ahmed will become Pakistan's 32nd Test captain.

At a reception held at the prime minister's residence in honour of Pakistan's Champions Trophy victory, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan announced he had offered the role to Sarfraz, who accepted it.

Sarfraz will now lead Pakistan in all three formats. He took over the T20I captaincy after the 2016 World T20, when Shahid Afridi stepped down

following Pakistan's early exit, and became ODI captain when Azhar Ali resigned in February this year.

Tuesday's announcement ends speculation over the identity of Misbah-ul-Haq's successor as Test captain. Misbah, who retired at the end of Pakistan's tour of West Indies in May, was Pakistan's longest serving and most successful Test captain, leading them to 26 wins in 56 matches. And even though Sarfraz is unarguably Pakistan cricket's most prized asset at the moment, Misbah's will be a tough act to follow.

This is also the first time in five years that Pakistan have had one man at the helm across formats; Misbah was the last man to lead all three sides, and he stepped down from the T20 leadership following the 2012 World Twenty20. Sarfraz's appointment had been expected ever since chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq expressed a desire to see one captain across all formats. And it became all but inevitable

after the 30-year-old wicketkeeper batsman led Pakistan all the way to a stunning, against-the-odds triumph at the ICC Champions Trophy in June.

Sarfraz is also one of a handful of Pakistan players whose place in the starting XI is assured in all three formats. Even before he took over as Pakistan's limited-overs captain, he had plenty of leadership experience, having led the Under-19 side to a memorable World Cup win in 2006.

He has also been Quetta Gladiators' captain in the Pakistan Super League since the tournament's inception, and has led them to successive runners-up finishes.

"It's an honour to captain Pakistan in all three formats," Sarfraz said at the reception. "Like we have done with ODI and T20 cricket recently, I would like us to improve our Test performances as well. I wish to thank Shahryar Khan for placing his trust in me, and we would like to ask everyone to put their trust in the Pakistan cricket team."

Sarfraz's first Test assignment will be a 'home' series in the UAE against Sri Lanka, which starts on October 19 and will comprise three Tests, five ODIs and two T20Is. (Cricinfo)

Sagan disqualified from Tour for Cavendish 'elbow' V ittel (France) (AFP) World champion Peter Sagan was sensationally kicked off the Tour de France for elbowing Mark Cavendish in a hectic sprint finish to Tuesday's fourth stage.

British sprint great Cavendish was taken to hospital by ambulance with shoulder and finger injuries after crashing to the ground when Sagan shoved him into the metal safety barriers 100 metres from the finish of the 207.5km stage from Mondorfles-Bains to Vittel.

"We've decided to disqualify Peter Sagan from the Tour de France 2017 as he endangered some of his colleagues seriously in the final metres of the sprint which happened in Vittel," said the president of the race commission, Philippe Marien.

"We will apply article 12.104 of the rules of the UCI... in which case commissaires (the race jury) can decide to enforce a judgement to disqualify a rider."

Cavendish had earlier demanded an explanation from Sagan for the elbow that could end the Briton's Tour -- he previously crashed out of the 2014 Tour with a broken collarbone.

"In terms of pain-wise, I've done my shoulder twice before and I'm in more pain now than I was for one of my shoulders -- that doesn't make me too optimistic, just on feeling, but I'm not a doctor," he said.

Cavendish, 31, was following the wheel of eventual stage winner Arnaud Demare of France when Sagan jutted

out an elbow, knocking the Briton into the barriers where he came crashing down to the ground.

The 30-time Tour stage winner was treated by medical staff before crossing the finish line with a bloodied and bandaged hand.

When he left for hospital, he was also wearing a sling.

"I'm ok, I'm in a little bit of pain, I'll go for some more tests now, we'll see,"

ment to the right, obviously I wouldn't be happy but that's racing. But I was a little bit confused with the elbow, that's something I'd like to speak to him about."

Dimension's doctor Adrian Rotunno could not immediately confirm whether Cavendish would be fit to start Wednesday's stage.

"The radiology (X-ray) doesn't reveal any dislocations or fractures but we need

Peter Sagan appeared to push Mark Cavendish into the barriers EPA

Cavendish told a scrum of reporters outside his Dimension Data team's bus.

Cavendish said he would start Wednesday's fifth stage if to do so wouldn't make his injuries "worse".

- 'Confused' Although Sagan had come to speak to him at his bus after the stage, Cavendish said he still wanted an explanation about the elbow.

"I was massively grateful that Peter came directly after the finish to see me -- I have a good relationship with Peter.

"Even with the move-

to see the further imaging just to exclude any more subtle injuries," he said.

"Apart from a few abrasions and some lacerations he's doing fine."

Sagan's bodyguard told journalists that the world champion had been destabilised in the sprint finish by another rider.

"Someone touched his back wheel. He was close to losing his balance so he put out his arm to stop himself from falling down," the bodyguard said.

- 'Nowhere to go' -

Checkmate

I

n order to be a better chess player one must understand certain principles especially in the Opening. These include:

1. Develop your pieces effectively:

Development literally means “to improve by expanding”. To develop your pieces in chess is to activate them, expanding your position by moving each piece off of its original square and into the game.

2. Complete your development

A "lead in development" means that you have more pieces taking part in the game than your opponent. If a player is "behind in development", that means he/she has more pieces sitting at home and less pieces developed (in the game).

Cavendish's was the second of two crashes in the final kilometre as riders jostled for position to contest the sprint finish.

Race leader Geraint Thomas was taken down in the first crash, along with around a dozen riders, but he emerged unhurt.

"The crash happened right in front of me, I had nowhere to go really," said Thomas.

It was the second time in three stages that Thomas had been caught up in a crash.

"It's ok, both times I managed to take off quite a bit of speed," he added.

"I'm used to crashing, so it's fine, I'm all ok."

In all the furore of another bunch pile-up, French champion Demare's achievement of becoming the first Frenchman to win a Tour stage in a sprint finish since 2006 was almost lost. "It's amazing, beating all the best sprinters like that at the Tour de France is something I'd hoped for, for a long time," said Demare.

His win allowed him to claim the sprinters' green jersey from German Marcel Kittel, winner of Sunday's second stage but who was held up by the first crash and unable to contest the sprint.

With Slovak Sagan disqualified, Norway's Alexander Kristoff came second and Greipel third.

Reigning champion Chris Froome retained second place, 12 seconds behind his Sky team-mate Thomas, with Australian Michael Matthews third on the same time as Froome.

3. Don't Move a Piece Twice in the Opening

All the minor pieces are in the game! Our fourth rule immediately following the basic concept of developing your pieces, is a tip that goes hand in hand with good development principles. Before moving a piece a second time in the Opening: not one, not two, not three, but all of your minor (Knights and Bishops) pieces should be developed and working together in battle.

4. The Exception to the Rule!

Though we must always be careful when finding exceptions tovery sound, very important principles – as with every rule, there will be opportunities to break it with good reason. You should consider moving a piece twice whenever a large amount of material can be won like winning the Queen and likely the game. The same idea might apply if another piece was undefended and “free for the capture”.In chess terms, these types of easily won pieces are known as“hanging” or “loose”…

5. Keep Your Queen Safe

The false impression that to bring your Queen out early for a chance at a “quick mate” is a bullet-proof plan.

Though it is necessary for every chess player to know the basic checkmates, it isn't necessary that every player practice bringing their Queen out early. Normally an early development of the Queen leads to disaster. Because the Queen is worth so much more than the minor pieces, getting “mixed up” with the little guys early is very risky for the “First Lady”.

Develop Toward and Control the Center

With the basic concepts of development understood, it is important to learn the when, where and why we should develop our pieces. The most important area of the board to control, whether by physical occupation of the pieces or by threats, is the center of the board.

Beginner's should memorize it: “Pieces do better in the center!”

“A Knight on the Rim is Grim”

Though all pieces are better when attacking from and toward the center, we can see a huge difference between a Knight on e5 and a Knight on a1. The e5-Knight controls eight squares, compared to two squares by its white counterpart.

Next week we will continue on some other concepts you should know.

sports

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– Best of the Best Martial Arts Championships

M

artial Artists from the Guyana Police Force and Harpy Eagle Club impressed on Sunday when they competed at the National Gymnasium in the Best of the Best Martial Arts Championships.

Harpy Eagles and Police made a joint entry into the event and walked away with 20 accolades; 13 gold, five silver, a bronze and an overall first place trophy. Martial Artists’ from the former captured seven gold, four silver and a bronze while representatives from the latter won six gold, one silver and the overall first place in the

grabbling division Among the outstanding performers for Police was Shenese Bobb, Guyana’s first Mixed Martial Art Champion. She won two gold medals in sparring and self defence.

Ijah Cave from Police matched Bobb’s efforts with top honours in sparring and grabbling while Trevlon Clarke won gold in sparring and silver in grabbling.

Kevin Delacruz was also at the summit in sparring.

Meanwhile, the top performers for Harpy Eagle were; Akil St. Hill, who was the best participant from the two entities with gold

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in sparring, gold in kata and silver in weapon usage.

Mark Zaman, secured the top place in weapon use and silver in kata while Venita

Marian Academy, Mackenzie High School record wins – NSBF Nationals

Timothy Thompson of Marian Academy dunks during his team’s win over School of the Nations.

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Some of the successful martial artists from Police and Harpy Eagles

he 12th Edition of the National Schools Basketball FestivalNational Championships tipped off on Monday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as Marian’s Academy and McKenzie High School bucketed victories.

When action commenced in the opening game, the Marian Academy U-14 girls team, fresh off last week’s Regional finals, defeated New Amsterdam Multilateral 19 to 9 points.

Jada Mohan led the way for Marian with 11 points, 3 assists, 7 rebounds and 6 steals while Kellian Sauers pitched in with 4 points and Renuka Ramcharran 2 points and 3 steals.

Tashika Arthur was the leading scorer for the ladies from Berbice, with a teamhigh 5 points to go along with 6 rebounds.

U-14 male defending champions Mackenzie High sent an early warning to opponents as they made light work of President’s College defeating them by 29 to 21

points.

Damarcus Adams top scored with 10 points and 5 rebounds while Cy Walker added 4 points, 7 rebounds and Joshua Bacchus 7 rebounds.

Gabriel Lin led PC’s feeble resistance with 9 points and 4 rebounds while Joshua Butts contributed 5 points.

The first major casualty of the 2017 Festival saw the Georgetown/East Coast U-16 Regional Champions St Rose’s High School going down to a motivated Bishop’s High by a single point; 37 to 36.

Royden Glasgow led for BHS with 9 points and 6 rebounds while Tarik Robinson and Stefan Hamilton added 8 and 7 points respectively.

Kwesi Roberts’ 12 points, 14 rebounds and Anthony Yansen’s 11 points and 14 rebounds were the top scorers for St Rose’s.

The dominant Mackenzie High brushed aside the New Amsterdam Multilateral by 41 to 24 points in their U-19 fixture.

Veshon Trim with 6 points, Yannick Tappin 5 points and Shemar Henry’s 5 points all contributed to Mackenzie’s victory.

Garfield Benjamin was the lone resistance for New Amsterdam with 9 points.

In the final game for the evening, Georgetown/ East Coast Regional U-14 Champions Marian Academy was too strong for the School of the Nations, with a 72 to 8 blow-out.

For the Marian Academy, Timothy Thompson had a game-high 35 points, 18 rebounds and 4 steals; he was well backed up by Jahleel Young who added 12 points, 14 rebounds, and Josiah Daniels with 9 points and 5 rebounds.

Kareem Boyle and Corey Graham scored 5 and 3 points respectively for School of the Nations.

In offering remarks before the symbolic jump ball Director of Sport Christopher congratulated Youth Basketball Guyana for its “stick-to-itiveness” and encouraged the participating teams to keep improving.

Jones noted that by improving they stand a chance to graduate to other levels such the Inter-Guiana’s Games which will be played in Suriname this year.

The NSBF National Championships is sponsored by the Edward B Beharry Group of Companies Ltd, National Sports Commission, John Fernandes Ltd and Sterling Product Ltd. Games will continue throughout this week at the same venue starting from 3:30 every day, with the finals in all divisions set for this Sunday July 9.

McDonald secured gold in sparring.

Rayson Gill took gold in kata and Jamal Benjamin gold in weapon use and sil-

ver in open form. Ephraim Mingo secured silver in kata and Shemar Stephens bronze in kata.

Griffith captures road race

Christopher Griffith crossing the finish line

W

earing Team Evolution colours for the first time, Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith powered on the last half mile of the Guyana Beverage CompanyTampico 63 Mile Road race to beat Team Coco’s Jamal John to the finish line on Monday.

The cyclists rode off from in front of the company’s Berbice office at Palmyra, East Coast, Berbice, to the No. 51 Police Station before returning to the starting line for the finish.

Griffith crossed the finish line in a time of 2hours 26 minutes and 37 seconds ahead of Jamal John.

His (Griffith) teammate Paul De Nobrega placed third, while Andrew Hicks finished in fourth, Raul Leal fifth, Andre “Padlock” Green 6th, Curtis Dey 7th, Steve Fernandes 8th, Romello Crawford 9th and Alanzo Ambrose 10th.

Early in the race the peloton which comprised of Griffith, John, De Nobrega and Hicks made an early headway and separated themselves from the bunch.

The breakaway group then turned the heat on as they approached the turning point. Griffith signaled his intention to break away, as he took control of the race from No.46 Village. Jamal John maintained his composure keeping abreast with Griffith in the closing stages of the race.

It was then a fierce battle to the finish line.

Each senior rider received a case of Turbo energy drink compliments of the sponsor.

The winners of each category all received cash incentives and a trophy.

22

Gayle returns

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, july 5, 2017

– Beaton retained

T

he Selection Panel of Cricket West Indies today named the Windies 13-man squad for Finolex Pipes T20 International against India which will take place on Sunday at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Making a return t o

Ronsford Beaton

the squad is Chris Gayle, who has been recalled after being absent from the line up for more than a year.

Gayle came in at the expense of Lendl Simmons, who scored 6, 17* and 15 in the series against Afghanistan, West Indies' last T20 assignment.

Gayle last turned out in West Indies colours in the 2016 World T20 final against England at Eden Gardens. He is West Indies' highest scorer in the shortest format with 1519 runs at 35.32, including two centuries and a strike rate of 145.49. He has never played a T20I at Sabina Park.

Cricket West Indies Chairman of Selectors Courtney Browne said Chris is welcome back to the T20 squad. He is the most prolific batsman in this format and will add value to the team at the top of the order. He will get the chance to play on his home ground and against a top-quality Indian

team.

According to Browne the squad has a good mix – experience within the batting and bowling – it is a well-balanced squad. “Again, this is an opportunity for the young players to showcase their talent and for the experience players to perform and help nurture the young players.”

Also in the squad is fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, who is yet to feature on the international arena. He was in the squad that faced Afghanistan but did not make the playing 11. With the track at Sabina Park known for its assistance likeness for the seamers then possibility of Beaton making his international debut is better than his chances when first selected.

Ever since winning the World T20 in 2016, West Indies have struggled to impress in the shortest format. Even against minnows Afghanistan they were challenged right down to the wire.

However, with the return of

G a y l e and the inclusion of most of their regular players a convincing performanceis predicted in Sunday’s clash.

T h e s q u a d reads; Carlos Brathwaite (Captain), Samuel Badree,

Chris Gayle Ronsford Beaton, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton and Kesrick Williams.

Lendl Simmons

Federer, Djokovic get free passes at injury-hit Wimbledon L

Roger Federer

ondon (AFP) - Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic barely had to break sweat to make winning starts at Wimbledon as their injury-hit opponents retired hurt amid a plague of withdrawals that blighted the first round on Tuesday.

Federer is chasing a record eighth Wimbledon title and he was already well on top at the start of his 19th All England Club campaign when Alexandr Dolgopolov was forced to quit with an ankle injury.

The world number three raced into a 6-3, 3-0 in 43 minutes on Centre Court before the Ukrainian limped off.

Federer, who hit his 10,000th career ace in the eighth game of the first set, will face Dusan Lajovic for a place in the last 32.

"I felt like there was a bit of a letdown from the crowd. They couldn't believe that it happened again, exactly the same situation," said Federer, who recorded his 85th match win at Wimbledon, passing the mark he shared with Jimmy Connors.

"The chairman said, 'You and Novak should go and play for another set and a half'. I feel for the crowd. They're there to watch good tennis."

Having unexpectedly won the Australian Open in January before taking the clay-court season off to rest, Federer, making a record-equalling 70th Grand Slam appearance, is the favourite to take the Wimbledon crown for the first time since 2012.

"Everybody's got a chance to win Wimbledon and for me it's no different. I already achieved my dream to be back here healthy. Now we'll see how far I can go," Federer said.

Djokovic, a three-time Wimbledon champion, was leading 6-3, 2-0 when Slovakian world number 47 Martin Klizan retired after just 40 minutes on Centre Court due to a calf problem.

The 30-year-old Serb will face Adam Pavlasek of the Czech Republic for a place in the last 32.

It was the kind of trouble-free first round Djokovic would have been hoping for after the most turbulent period of his career, the 12-time major winner losing in the Australian Open second round and the French Open quarter-finals.

"He had issues walking on to court. I tried to focus on my game plan, I was serving well and when it mattered I made a break," said Djokovic.

In total, there have been seven retirements from the men's draw over the first two days, sparking talk that players were taking part, even though they were injured, to collect the £35,000 cheque for first round losers.

Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic quit after just 15 minutes, trailing 5-0 to Jared Donaldson when he suffered a leg injury.

"Lots of players fight through Challengers to get to the main draw of a Slam. They have to pay coaches and their teams," Tipsarevic said.

With defending champion Serena Williams sidelined while she prepares to give birth to her first child, the race to win the women's title is the most wide open in a generation.

World number one Angelique Kerber, the 2016 Australian and US Open winner, is among the favourites after reaching last year's final, which she lost to Serena.

The German has failed to maintain that form this season and her poor run culminated in an embarrassing French Open first round loss to Ekaterina Makarova last month.

- Potential star But the top seed showed glimpses of her best form as she saw off American qualifier Irina Falconi 6-4, 6-4 in 87 minutes on Centre Court.

Milos Raonic, last year's Wimbledon runner-up, advanced to the second round with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) win

against Jan-Lennard Struff.

Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, a semi-finalist in 2013, defeated Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 as the 29th seed moved towards a potential third round classic against Djokovic.

Australia's Bernard Tomic said he had lost his "respect" for tennis following his lacklustre 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Mischa Zverev.

"I don't know why but I felt a little bit bored out there, to be completely honest," Tomic said.

French 22nd seed Richard Gasquet slumped to a 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 loss against Spain's David Ferrer.

Dominic Thiem, the Austrian eighth seed, blitzed Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, while 2010 Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych defeated Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

In the women's draw, Karolina Pliskova underlined why she is the bookmakers' favourite to win Wimbledon as the w o r l d n u m ber three crushed Evgeniya Rodina 6-1, 6-4.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, who has never been past the last 16 at Wimbledon, beat Timea Babos 6-4, 4-6, Novak 6-1.

Djokovic

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, july 5, 2017

Fernandes, Wiltshire Get to know your Guyana are new Caribbean Amazon Warriors Squash Champions Martin Guptill

23

By Akeem Greene

By Akeem Greene

G

uyana’s Taylor Fernandes and Shomari Wiltshire battled their way to respective titles when the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships continued on Tuesday at the Georgetown Club.

Fernandes playing her final year as junior withstood immense pressure from Barbadian Amanda Yearwood in the u-19 final while Shomari Wiltshire produced another clinical performance to defeat Trinidad’s Christopher Anthony in the u-15 final.

Fernandes won 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 5-11 & 11-8 but was pushed to the limit by a determined Yearwood in battle that took a toll on both players' fitness.

Though it was a home game for Fernandes, Yearwood got thunderous applause due to her remarkable athleticism and cheeky dabs, which coupled with long rallies, seemed to unnerve the Guyanese.

However, like a true warrior the tenacious Fernandes fought on to seal a maiden Caribbean title.

In addition, Alexandria Yearwood (T & T) gained a

Full name: Martin James Guptill Born: September 30, 1986, Auckland Current age: 30 years Playing role: Opening batsman Batting style: Right-hand bat Bowling style: Right-arm off-break

G

Taylor Fernandes fought her championship glory in tiring battle with Barbados’ Amanda Yearwood

tion final Aimee De Verteuil (T & T) beat Aliyah Persaud (GUY) 14 – 12, 11 – 5, 11 – 8.

Meanwhile, what was poised to be the blockbuster clash of the day, the boys’ u-19 final between local captain Benjamin Mekdeci and Shemane Griffith from Barbados lived upped to its expectations but it was Griffith who came out the happiest.

Mekdeci started with great enthusiasm, winning the first game 11-4. However, Griffith who is a Guyanese by birth and played with Mekdeci in his earlier days, slowed the pace of the game and later produced a sublime perfor-

Benjamin Mekdeci (left) tried desperately to end his junior career on a high, but was overwhelmed by Barbados’ Shemane Griffith

walkover from teammate Marie-Claire Barcant to finish third while Emma Turnbull (CAY) beat Rebecca Low (GUY) 10 – 12, 10 – 12, 11 – 9, 11 – 5, 11 – 6 to finish fifth.

Similarly, Wiltshire’s dominance at this level continued as he classed his way to a first u-15 title by winning 11 – 1, 9 – 11, 11 – 1, 11-2.

Wiltshire had previously won u-13 titles in 2016 and 2015.

Darien Benn (BAR) beat Charlie Ryker (BER) 11 – 7, 8 – 11, 11 – 8, 11 – 6 to finish third. Local Samuel InceCarvalhal finished fifth when he defeated Joshua Poon (T &T) 7 – 11, 11 – 3, 11 – 3, 11 – 3.

In the girls Under 15 final, Chelsea Samuel (BAR) beat Abosaide Cadogan (GUY) 11 – 2, 11 – 5, 11 – 2 while Madison Fernandes (GUY) beat Giovanna Miller-Alexander (OECS) 11 – 5, 11 – 7, 11 – 6 for third place. In the consola-

mance to win the other three games 8 – 11, 6 – 11 & 4 – 11.

Taj Lumley (JAM) secured a walkover from teammate Jonathan Walker to finish third while Reggie Brewster (BAR) avenged his earlier loss to Alex Cheeks (GUY) to finish fifth by winning 11 – 5, 2 – 11, 11 – 7, 11 – 3.

The Boys U-17 final saw Khamal Cumberbatch (BAR) defeated Kai Bentick (OECS) 11- 7, 11 – 4, 11 – 6 while Taylor Carrick (BER) defeated Daniel Islam (GUY) 11 – 7, 11 – 6, 11 – 7 to finish third. In the consolation final Anaya Smith (BER) beat Adam Ardito (JAM) 11 – 6, 4 – 11, 11 – 8, 11 – 4. More so, in the girl u-17 final, Caribbean Women’s Champion Megan Best (BAR) defeated Jade Pitcairn (CAY) 11 – 7, 11 – 4, 11 – 1 while in the third place play-off Jada SmithPadmore (BAR) beat Makeda Harding (GUY) 11 – 7, 11 – 7,

11 – 2. Twin sister Jodi SmithPadmore (BAR) won the consolation final when she defeated Sarah Lewis (GUY) 11 – 8, 11 – 9, 9 – 11, 11 – 9.

In the u-13 category, Jace Jervis (CAY) captured his first title by defeating Aiden Parris (BAR) 11 – 5, 11 – 5, 7 – 11, 11 – 8. In the play off for third place Alex Stewart (BAR) beat Michael Alphonso (GUY) 11 – 7, 12 – 14, 11 – 6, 11 – 2. In the consolation final Demetrius De Abreu (GUY) beat Ethan Jonas (GUY) 8 – 11, 11 – 7, 11 – 3, 11 – 6.

In a repeat of last year’s final, defending champion Sumairaa Suleman (BAR) retained her title with a straight sets win over Kirsten Gomes (GUY) 11 – 3, 11 – 4, 11 – 2 while Paige Fernandes (GUY) beat Hailey Moss (BER) 7– 11, 11 – 9, 16 – 14, 11 – 8 to finish third.

In the Boys Under 11 final, Seth Thong (T &T) defeated Mohyryan Baksh (GUY) 11 – 0, 11 – 2, 11 – 9 while Zishan Motara (BAR) beat Brody Mc Comb (CAY) 11 – 1, 12 – 10, 10 – 12, 11 – 5 for third place.

The winner of the consolation final was Louis Da Silva (GUY) who defeated Nathan Rahaman (GUY) 11 – 9, 13 – 11, 11 – 3. ,Rebekah Nichols (BAR) beat Beau Fernandes (GUY) 11 – 1, 11 – 6, 11 – 4 to finish unbeaten and be crowned champion in the Girls Under 11 round robin final set of matches while Christiana Fernandes (GUY) ended third by beating Isabella Ramjohn (GUY) 11 – 7, 8 – 11, 11 – 6, 11 – 9. Barbados established themselves as firm favourites to dethrone Guyana who are seeking their 13thconsecutive overall. Barbados has captured six of the ten individual titles that were up for grabs. Guyana captured two, and Trinidad & Tobago and Cayman Islands captured one each.

Play in the Boys and Girls team event starts today with matches 09:00. The Boys team event has a pool of six teams while the girls’ team event has a pool of four.

The Opening ceremony for that aspect of the championship will be held from 16:00 hrs. at the aforementioned venue.

uptill or ‘Marty G’ as he is fondly challenging totals.

‘Marty G’ had a quite outing in this called by fellow countryman and commentator Danny Morrison, has year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) playbeen the rock at the Warriors’ top-order ing for the Kings Punjab XI and is eager to since the inception of the tournament in making a defining impact for the Warriors.

2013 and only having His message an absence in 2015 for the fans was: when he played for He told Guyana Times Sport “Our crowds are St. Kitts and Nevis the best in the “I'm feeling really good. I Caribbean. Come Patriots. He has condown to Providence sistently been among have been on a strength and the runs in One Day Stadium and watch conditioning program for the us take on some International Cricket, of the best from notably making a doulast two weeks so it's still around the world. ble-century (163-ball 237) in the quarter-fiearly days in my preparation All of your support so much to nal of the 2015 World at the moment. I have started means Cup against the West our guys and we Indies. to think about the tournament appreciate everyone coming down His CPL stats are and how much I am looking and being behind consistent, averaging This is our 32.8 at a strike rate forward to getting to Guyana us. year!” of 121.5 in 35 matches. The intimidating The dashand starting our training batsman’s presence in ing New Zealand camp”. batsman has givthe 2016 edition was en bowlers nightcurtailed due to international duties but it is understood that the mares with his pristine boundary hitting player will be with the Warriors for the en- ability and fans should be on the look-out tire season this year. for some balls in the stands.

Hitting boundaries off of good-length deIt is not only with bat in hand he can liveries at will is not the only attribute the change the dynamics of the match since batsman possesses since he has the apti- he is extremely acrobatic on the boundary tude to rotate the strike and bat through an ropes with a safe pair of hands and also his innings, to help the Warriors post or chase cat-like reflexes in the covers.

..................

Assad Fudadin

Full name: Assad Badyr Fudadin Born August: 1, 1985, Guyana Current age: 31 years Playing role: Top-order batsman Batting style: Left-hand bat Bowling style: Right-arm medium-fast

B

ig hitting is not what he is known A-team exposure recently but the stints for since his match winning po- have not being rewarding. tential lies with gutsy desire to be Given the exposure this tournament present at the end of the innings with the gives, Fudadin is already in preparation team earning positive results. This will mode to be at his best. He is also an asset be his third year with stints in 2015 and in the field and 2017 could be the year of 2016 but his on-field presence has been Assad Fudadin. limited to six matches, all of which were He also made a call to all Warriors, played in 2015.

“Must say to the That year, he fans they have been “Personal preparation is played a signifiexcellent over the supporting cant role by scoring coming along very good; I am years a 43-ball 54 while us and we will conopening the batting putting in the hard work and tinue to excite and which helped the entertain you as a dedication in training daily.

Warriors thrash the team so come out Jamaica Tallawahs Allhamdulillah [Praise God]”, and support your in one of the Warriors”. he told Guyana Times Sport. round-robin matchA former West es.

Indies u-19 player Though making is pure stroke-maka Test debut in 2012, his international ca- er once in full flow and is a handy asset to reer has been a stalemate with only three have at the top-order to support Martin Guptill, Steven Taylor, Chadwick Walton Tests to date under his belt.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports and Shimron Hetmyer.

Club player has had some West Indies

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Fernandes, Wiltshire are new Caribbean Squash Champions

Get to know your Guyana Amazon Warriors

Pg 23

Martin Guptill

Shomari Wiltshire played a smart match to win his Under-15 title

Pg 23

Pg 22

Gayle returns

Assad Fudadin

– Beaton retained Entertaining opening batsman Chris Gayle is expected to don the maroon for the first time since playing in the World T20 final in 2016

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