Guyanatimes

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Issue No. 2909

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, July 8, 2016

Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Caricom supports juridical settlement

GuySuCo restructuring…

LBI operations to shut down

by July monthend – CEO P14

Page 3

Old Age Pension restriction not extended to NIS – PRO Page 2

$80 vat included

Removal of manufacturing tax waiver

GMSA calling for suspension of import taxes

Page 15

– says decision has a direct impact on end users

Warriors win opener against Tallawahs

Patient dies at Diamond hospital over alleged vaccine P11 mix-up

...facility to be restructured, investigated for negligence – Health Minister

Hadfield P15 fire claims lives of 2 young lads

P5 UG engineering student missing

Jubilation!! Guyana Amazon Warriors fans were delighted as their team continued their winning streak in the first of four home games at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, beating the Jamaica Tallawahs in a low-scoring match on Thursday

Gunman killed, several arrested after Alpha Hotel shootout Page 5

Caricom to lobby US Govt over banks withdrawal Page 11

Food and Drug Department loses “fake milk” court P7 case – vows to appeal ruling

2 news

friDAY, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Old Age Pension restriction not extended to NIS – PRO

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mid public outcry over a decision by the Government to discontinue the issuance of Old Age Pension for Guyanese living overseas, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has clarified that the decision was not related to the pension offered by the Scheme.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) Dianne Baxter on Thursday told Guyana Times that pensioners should not be alarmed, since the restriction would not in any way affect their NIS pension as she made clear the distinction between the two annuities.

“The pension paid by NIS is related to a person’s contribution toward the National Insurance Scheme,” she said, explaining that to qualify for this pension a person should have 750 contributions – which can be calculated as approximately 15 years of contributing to the scheme.

Old Age Pension, on the other hand, is a monthly payment ($18,200 at pres-

ent) available to eligible Guyanese aged 65 or older.

Baxter remarked that if the person resides overseas it would not affect them qualifying for the NIS pension, since they would have made their contributions while being employed here.

She stated that persons have been calling, confused about the two pensions and inquiring if their NIS annuity would also be severed.

There has been outrage at the decision by the Government to stop the Old Age Pension of overseasbased Guyanese.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence dismissed the current system, stating that it opened the door to ‘double dipping’, whereby a person not living in Guyana can access a pension from both the Guyanese Government and the country in which they live.

Under the ‘new’ system, persons desirous of accessing Old Age Pension will have to be resident in Guyana for a minimum of two years. The

[her] claim for pension.

Persons receiving Old Age Pension may become disqualified if that person is a resident in a charitable institution that provides board and lodging, is in prison or has migrated.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira on Wednesday reprimanded the Government for implementing the restriction. Teixeira stated that the rationale provided by the Government for this decision was far from sound, noting that it was utterly unfair that Guyanese living abroad were being denied their entitlement.

NIS Public Relations Officer (PRO) Dianne Baxter

law stipulates that the Old Age Pension benefit can be suspended or forfeited if any person is absent from Guyana for more than two years or subjected to imprisonment or detention in legal custody.

According to the Old Age Pension Act (Chapter 36:03), applicants must meet cer-

tain statutory conditions to qualify for Old Age Pension, which includes being 65 or over; satisfying the appropriate authority that she/he has been a citizen of Guyana for at least 10 years immediately preceding his [her] claim for a pension; and residing in Guyana during the 20 years immediately preceding his

“If a Guyanese earns their pension in another country, it cannot be considered as double dipping if they apply and are approved for non-contributing pension in Guyana, which is provided for under the poor relief law. This is the same Government that is encouraging people from the Diaspora and yet now is creating further disincentives.

Isn’t the Minister aware that many Guyanese return here to live in Guyana after many years of cold weather and hardships to live here on the pensions that are duly earned in another country,” she said.

Rupununi brothers remanded on drug charge

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wo brothers of the Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman, charged separately for possession of narcotics.

The duo – Nelson Gordon, 19 and Orinduik Gordon, 23, pleaded not guilty to the charges which stated that on July 6, 2016, Orinduik Gordon had in his possession 146 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking and another six grams of the

illicit drug in his possession.

His younger brother, Nelson, also had in his possession six grams of cannabis.

Nelson first pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics, but after Magistrate Latchman cautioned him that he could spend three to five years in prison once guilty of the offence, he changed his plea to not guilty.

The unrepresented brothers were remanded to prison until July 11, 2016.

news

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friDAY, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 8 – 05:00h-06:30h and Saturday, July 9 – 08:30h-10:00h.

Caricom supports juridical settlement

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 8 – 06:30h-08:00h and Saturday, July 9 – 07:10h-08:40h.

C

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers with chances of sunshine can be expected in the morning and afternoon, while clear skies are expected in the evening with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Wind: Easterly to East South-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.02 metres per hour.

High Tide: 06:56h and 19:22h reaching maximum heights of 2.60 metres and 2.48 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:29h and 12:55h reaching minimum heights of 0.69 metre and 0.64 metre respectively.

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Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory

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

aribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government have again taken a tough position as it stands in support of a juridical settlement for a peaceful resolution of Venezuela’s claim on Guyana’s territory.

President David Granger, during the closing press conference of the 37th Regular Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of Caricom at the Pegasus Hotel, on Wednesday night said “This conference was an iteration of Caribbean solidarity… Caricom gave its support to Guyana’s demand that the matter be settled peacefully through a juridical process… The community stands united behind Guyana… We hope that by the time the United Nations [UN] Secretary General demits office at the end of this year, we would have had information confirming that we are going to court to settle this long standing dispute that has affected us for the last 50 years.”

Caricom in supporting a juridical settlement via the office of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, acknowledged in its communiqué, which was issued at the close of the Heads of Government meeting, that a resolution would not only serve the interests of Guyana but also Caricom, as this is a regional issue.

It states in the communiqué that Caricom “signalled their full confidence in the Secretary General to exercise urgently his authority under the 1966 Geneva Agreement for a choice of options that would bring the controversy to a definitive and judicious conclusion that would be beneficial not only to Guyana but the Caribbean Community as a whole.”

President Granger credited Caricom’s united stance for forcing Venezuela to rescind Decree 1.787 issued on May 26, 2015, which extended its maritime zone

President David Granger, Caricom Chairman Roosevelt Skerrit and Caricom SG Irwin LaRocque at the close of the Community's Heads of Government meeting

into the maritime space of many Caricom states.

However, that Decree was soon replaced by Decree 1.859 on July 7, 2015.

Both Decrees, Guyana Times understands, not only threatens the territorial integrity of large areas of Guyana’s sea and land space but also sea space in the Exclusive Economic zones of Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and other countries in the eastern Caribbean.

Recognising that their economic zone is included in the area described in Decree 1.859, Suriname’s President has engaged the Guyanese Head of State to determine how the two countries can work together with Caricom to bring a peaceful resolution to the issue.

“Of course we have to look at the border situation with Venezuela and that we stay in line as good neighbours because a lot of countries of the Caribbean are affected by this Decree. We had sent an official note already but we had the time to discuss this with the [CARICOM] Heads so what we wanted to do is to ask His Excellency Granger if we can put our heads together and address this matter for a few of our sister Caribbean States and especially for Suriname

and Guyana,” President Bouterse told the media following the meeting.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who was also present at the meeting between the Guyana and Suriname Head of States, noted that it was Guyana at the 2015 Heads of Government meeting that brought it to the attention of Caricom leaders that Venezuela’s claim was not just a Guyana problem. He noted that it was at that time that Suriname indicated that it had already written to Venezuela on the matter of their sea space, which was included in Decree 1.859.

The Minister said the two countries are now exploring how they can work together to ensure a peaceful resolution to the matter.

“A route to dealing with the border challenges has been identified… that can

take us further and further away from a confrontation or conflictual resolution of the problem. That is what we want and in a sense that is what Suriname raised; the issue of trying to find a way forward that will avoid conflict and I am happy that they took that approach…

The route starts with first recognising that you have common bilateral goals and interests. The two countries… [a] set of people with fairly common history and with resources that they can work with to exploit and if they don’t do that, they will find themselves both poor and both losing the synergy of having combined intellect, combined human resources and so forth,” The Foreign Minister said.

While Venezuela’s Decree 1.859 is in conflict with the established United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and could have been resolved using the set guidelines and rules therein, Venezuela has not signed or acceded to that Convention, though it maintains observer status.

Article 15 of the Convention states that “Where the coasts of two States are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither of the two States is entitled, failing agreement between them to the contrary, to extend its territorial sea beyond the median line every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial seas of each of the two States is measured.”

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fridAY, july 8, 2016

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Editorial

“Arrest Warrant Treaty”

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aving regards to the difficulties faced in the Region with extradition and recognising that the current extradition framework among Member States is not only costly but rather complex, the regional leaders at the closing of the 37th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting agreed upon an “Arrest Warrant Treaty”. This agreement will now ensure that persons in the Region who commit crimes in one member country and flee to another, are arrested and handed over to authorities in the regional jurisdiction where the crime was committed.

The objective of this Treaty is to establish within the Caribbean Community a system of arrest and surrender of requested persons for the purposes of conducting a criminal prosecution for an applicable offence, or executing a custodial sentence where the requested persons have fled from justice after being sentenced for an applicable offence. However, this treaty is not new to the Region as it was ratified in Trinidad and Tobago into the legal framework of Caricom since May 23, 2009.

Like many treaties in international law, in this legal framework there is room for interpretation and limitation.

As such, the scope of the accord is pellucid that it does not apply to a political offence, except where it involves death or violence against the person or an offence under military law which is not also an offence under criminal law.

More specifically, Member States may, by protocol to the treaty, extend the application of this treaty to military offences which are not also offences under criminal law.

Importantly, however, is that nothing in the treaty can be interpreted as modifying any obligation to respect fundamental rights and fundamental legal principles, or preventing a State from applying its constitutional provisions relating to due process, freedom of association, freedom of the press or freedom of expression. Examining the treaty, there is no doubt that each Member State’s judicial and nationhood sovereignty is maintained as it is embedded in the accord that there are grounds for the refusal of the execution of an arrest warrant granted by a sister state.

As part of the framework, a Caricom Member State can refuse to execute an arrest warrant whereby the requested person has served or is serving a sentence for the offence to which the Caricom arrest warrant relates.

That State can also refuse where the requested person, by reason of lack of capacity, cannot be criminally responsible for the offence under the law of that State or for an offence that is covered by amnesty in that State, where that State had jurisdiction to prosecute the offence.

Such a treaty, as the Chairman of the Caribbean Community Roosevelt Skerrit explained, would enhance the Region’s law enforcement ability. It is agreeable that this legal framework will enhance cooperation and collaboration between and among law enforcement authorities in the Region. Like many other difficulties faced by the Region, finances will surface as a major factor in maintaining obligations under the “Arrest Warrant Treaty”. Entrenched in the framework is the fact that all expenses incurred by the executing State in the execution of a Caricom arrest warrant will be borne by that Member State.

All other expenses, according to the Treaty, including in particular the cost of transporting the requested person from the executing Member State to the issuing State party, will be borne by the issuing State.

It is not debatable that such a Treaty will boost the Region’s security; however, Caricom has gained the reputation of setting impressive goals which bear little fruit. It is hoped that the “Arrest Warrant Treaty” bears real fruits of practicality and as was noted previously is not just part of a renewal communiqué. Actionable goals that emphasise the importance of all nations in Caricom are what this Region is lacking.

The after burn as the Soyuz MS spacecraft carrying the crew of Kate Rubins of the US, Anatoly Ivanishin of Russia and Takuya Onishi of Japan blasts off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the launch pad at the Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan (Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov)

Offers were made to Clive and WPA long before the 1992 elections and all were rejected

Dear Editor, In other sections of the media, Tacuma Ogunseye attacked Dr Jagan’s character with unsubstantiated claims. I believe Tacuma is mixing up Jagan’s offers (Prime Ministerial, Finance, Planning Minister all of which were declined) or deliberately obfuscating issues to denigrate characters.

Tacuma wrote that he was privy to “the report” (pertaining to Tacuma’s claimed withdrawal of a Ministerial offer to Dr Clive Thomas) from the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) delegation that met Dr Roger Luncheon. It is not known when this meeting took place or the report given. Tacuma is now stating unambiguously that there was in fact “no written report” and presumably no memo from Luncheon. It is therefore, nearly impossible, to verify if and when a Ministerial offer (which one) was withdrawn.

The timeline of the “withdrawal of the offer” is critical. Thomas and the WPA declined three offers (Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Planning Minister). Jagan could not wait forever for Dr Thomas to make up his mind on any one of them; he had to move on at some point in time. Thus, a withdrawn offer could be justified.

It is not clear if WPA declined Jagan’s offers because the WPA had rejected Jagan as the PCD Presidential nominee claiming Africans would not vote for him; WPA also rejected Jagan’s compromise for Roger Luncheon or Bishop Randolph George to be the Presidential candidate.

Tacuma claims that President Jagan withdrew

the offer of a Ministry to Clive “after the ruling PPP obtained a majority of seats in parliament with the help of the WPA”. There was no connection between the Thomas Ministerial offer and support to win two NCLDO seats – nothing to do with political arithmetic – this is an erroneous allegation not supported by evidence.

This is the official record of 1992 elections: PPP 28 national seats, PNC 23, WPA 1, and UF 1. The PPP and PNC each won 4 regional seats with Regions 8 and 9 inconclusive. TUF immediately offered its support to PPP in Region 9 and kept its promise allowing PPP to win that seat giving it 33 seats, a majority in parliament. WPA subsequently entered into an agreement with PPP in Region 8 giving the PPP that parliamentary seat over the PNC. About a month later, when the NCLDO met, TUF (six Regional seats) and URP (1) openly pledged their support to the PPP (99 seats) guaranteeing a victory for PPP (supported by 105 members) over the PNC’s 91 seats securing two additional parliamentary seats giving it a total of 36. On the NCLDO, WPA withholding its eight regional seats would not have prevented PPP from winning the two seats as PPP had majority support.

However, WPA in the NCLDO did not oppose PPP for the two seats. So contrary to what Tacuma believes or implies, PPP did not need WPA’s support to win a parliamentary majority. There was no quid pro quo for it.

It is deceptive to claim that “after Jagan got his po-

litical arithmetic (meaning a parliamentary majority), he withdrew the Ministerial offer to Thomas”. Manzoor Nadir and TUF were not offered a cabinet berth for their support. So contrary to what Tacuma alleges, the Ministerial offer to Clive was not for Jagan to obtain a parliamentary majority. Offers were made to Clive and WPA long before the 1992 elections and right after and all were rejected.

Tacuma described the Thomas offer “a charade”, but Tacuma himself said, “there was no linkage between the Ministerial offer and support for NCLDO seats”. There was no connection between the two matters? Is there a hidden motif from Tacuma? The Planning Ministry remained on the table for months. Dr Thomas “re-declined” the offer around February 1993 when I visited him at UG. Surely, Tacuma did (does) not expect the Thomas offer to remain for eternity. Jagan must have felt compelled to move on.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is now a colleague of Tacuma in Government, was Information Minister at the time. Nagamootoo and Moses Bhagan as well as Wazir Mohammed could also help to clarify the timeline of any withdrawal of a position and which one.

Tacuma interpreted my magnanimous act (to promote multi-party governance in seeking to get WPA to join the PPP administration) as a defence of the PPP. His shortsightedness causes him to fail to see my involvement as promoting multiracial governance and pow-

er sharing, which he had once advocated but has now shunned.

Tacuma incorrectly restated what I penned regarding my relationship with Jagan. I never penned that PPP elements conveyed politically sensitive information to me. What I stated was Dr Jagan (not the PPP or its elements) asked me to speak with Thomas to accept various offers (PM, Finance, Planning).

On Tacuma’s machination and parsing of language regarding his allegation of “my defence of the PPP”, what I penned was having won free and fair elections, I defended PPP’s right to rule when there was an onslaught of racially tinged violence against it.

Tacuma, if he believes in democracy, should have done the same. And “my defence” was in the context of violent elements that sought to overturn the will of the electorate right after democratic elections. The PNC never won a free and fair election; but had it won a democratic election, I would also have defended its right to govern.

Tacuma says “it is exploiting the ethnic card” and “defending the PPP” when writing “there were individuals who threatened … violence against the PPP”. How can those conclusions be logically formed? Was there not violence against the PPP administration?

My advice to Tacuma is to stop denigrating the reputation of others or discrediting Jagan with false information by loosely engaging in polemics and defending the indefensible.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

friDAY, july 8, 2016

guyana-times.com

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News

UG engineering student missing Gunman killed, several arrested after Alpha Hotel shootout A

family is pleading for the return of their 19-year-old son who has been missing since Wednesday morning.

Harris Anthony Persaud, of 21 Granny Field, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was last seen by his family about 07:30h Wednesday , and has not been seen or heard from since. The young man left home with the intent of attending classes at the University of Guyana (UG), where he is a secondyear civil engineering student. He left home dressed in black jeans, a blue shirt and a black tie.

The teenager’s mother related that he left home and went to classes at UG. She noted that according to information gathered from questioning his classmates, Persaud told his friends

Missing: Harris Anthony Persaud

that he would be heading to work at H Nauth and Sons Construction Company, where he is a part-time employee. However, his employer revealed that the young man approached him and told him that he would have to attend evening classes and, as such, he

would not be able to work.

Persaud’s mother related that as far as the family was aware, he has no conflicts with anyone. She also stated that it was not like him to stay away from home for long periods, especially without informing someone.

“He’s my only son, my eldest child and my baby,” the worried mother related.

She revealed that her husband has been out searching for the young man since 04:00h Thursday. They are pleading with members of the public to assist them in finding the young man, or to share any information on the young man’s whereabouts with them.

Anyone with information concerning Persaud’s whereabouts is asked to contact 678-6590, 257-0129, or the nearest Police Station.

Duo arraigned for 2012 murder of Mahaica truck driver

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he man who allegedly paid $500,000 to kill a Mahaica truck driver, along with the hitman, was on Thursday arraigned with the 2012 murder when they appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

Nankumar Ganesh, 30, of Hill Street, Albouystown, Georgetown and Amarnauth Gopaul, 47, of Section C, Chelsea Park, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Alicia George and were remanded to prison.

The duo was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on April 17, 2012, they murdered Jadish Dass at Chelsea, Mahaica. The businessman was represented while his partner in crime was unrepresented.

It was reported that on April 17, 2012, the gunman and others parked a truck on Mahaica New Road with its hazard lights flashing, pretended that the vehicle had broken down.

The perpetrators were aware that Dass, also a trucker, would pass that

Murdered: Jadish Dass

route around the same time as he made his way to the Soesdyke/Linden Highway for sand. Upon seeing the truck, Dass reportedly stopped to render assistance since he knew the men. As he exited his truck, he was shot twice to the head.

The men then allegedly made good their escape and the man’s body was discovered on the parapet of the Mahaica New Road a few hours later. After the dis-

covery, the dead man’s relatives were holding out that he was killed as a result of the relationship he shared with a woman in the village.

However, diligent work by the Police led to the confession of the crime by the two men. During investigations, it was revealed that Gopaul paid over $200,000 to two men and another $300,000 after the job was completed. The third suspect is presently on remand for murdering his wife sometime back.

The murder was reportedly planned after Gopaul found out that Dass was having a relationship with his sister-in-law.

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The scene on Thursday afternoon

ne man suspected to be a known criminal was on Thursday afternoon fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire between Police ranks and bandits at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

The dead man was identified as 51-year-old Nigel Joseph of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. He was reportedly shot to the abdomen and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

In addition, at least three others were arrested. They are currently being interrogated

by Police.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, when contacted, told media operatives that the Police received information about a large-scale drug transaction and went to the location to investigate. While there, they realised that the information was true and immediately came under fire.

C (East Coast Demerara) Division Commander Marlon Chapman confirmed that the shootout occurred about 16:30h at the Alpha Hotel, Ogle. He said the Police were

conducting an operation in the area when they came under fire from the men who were occupying a room at the hotel.

Chapman revealed that the Police returned fire, hitting the man who later succumbed. As the Police moved in, he related, the others at-

tempted to escape, but were cornered and arrested.

The Police have since recovered an unlicensed firearm at the scene.

Chapman also confirmed that none of the Police ranks were injured during the shootout which lasted some 15 minutes.

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friday, july 8, 2016

Page

Foundation

Dealing with disappointing grades – most children bring home a bad report card at least once.

Here’s how you can help your child get back on track.

BY PATTI GHEZZI

Y

our child’s report card did not meet your expectations. You know she is capable of more. It’s tempting to blow a gasket, withhold privileges, and demand more of your child.

But a softer, more strategic approach may yield better results. First, you need to understand why your child’s report card isn’t studded with A’s. Then you can work out a plan with your child to get back on track. To do this, you need to talk to your child and your child’s teacher. And you might need to take a look at yourself, making sure you are setting realistic expectations.

Talk with the teacher Parents should investigate any grade lower than a B, says Mona Melwani, author of Just the Right Words: 201 Report Card Comments.

If the report card does not detail the reasons for the lower grade, ask the teacher. Does your child not understand the concepts? Or is he not turning in his homework? Did he barely miss the cut-off for a higher grade? Or did the grade represent a higher mark than what he earned? (Some teachers are generous.)

One of the hardest things to hear is that your child seems to be trying her best but is still just getting average grades. Parents should keep in mind that a stretch of average academic performance does not mean their child will always perform at that level or that she will be limited in life.

“A C in one quarter does not mean that they are always going to get C’s,” says Melwani, who has a broad

guyana-times.com

background in international education. “Kids are going through the growing-up process...They have their ups and downs.”

A good teacher will help parents understand the reasons their child earned certain grades so parents can respond appropriately, Melwani says.

Talk with your child When you talk with your child about his report card, see if he has a realistic view

of the situation. For example, your child may think he occasionally fails to turn in a homework assignment. But his teacher’s grade book might reveal a consistent pattern of neglecting his work.

Your child may think she understands math because she has always been strong in that subject. But as math becomes increasingly abstract, some children struggle. Your teacher can help you and your child face reality and get remediation if necessary.

Often, lower-than-expected grades reflect a more

challenging curriculum.

Science can get difficult for some children when memorisation and lab work are involved. Language arts becomes tougher when teachers start expecting students to infer from their text and delve deeper into topics in their writing. When the curriculum gets harder, your child will need to work harder just to maintain her grades. This can be a hard fact to face. The good news is that as some sub-

jects get harder for your child, other subjects may get easier as his academic strengths emerge.

It’s also possible that your child has an especially hard teacher. If your child’s teacher is tough but fair, try to see it as a blessing even if it means a lower grade. Children often learn more from tough teachers and tend to look back on them fondly.

Look inward Before stressing out over an inconsistent report card, consider whether the grades reflect your child’s strengths.

If your child gets A’s and B’s in most subjects and a C in one subject, it might not be a big deal, as long as your child is making progress.

Many teachers express concern that their stressedout students believe they must get an A in every subject to please their parents. For a small number of gifted students, a perfect report card is attainable. But for most students, the idea of being a lifelong straight-A student is unrealistic.

Children who are obsessed with perfect grades may develop anxiety, neglect their friends and family, and develop unhealthy habits like staying up all night and depending on caffeine. They may be tempted to cheat in order to maintain their perfect record. Or they may melt down at the sight of a B-plus. Avoid this scenario by setting realistic expectations for your child, praising him when he does well, and offering to help when he doesn’t.

If you and your child are stressing out about grades, remember that they’re just letters and numbers. The most important thing is that your child is learning. If she’s progressing, that’s good. If she’s falling behind, assure her you’ll help her get back on track.

It’s possible that when you dig deep into the reasons behind your child’s mediocre or poor report card, you may find out she simply didn’t apply herself and do the work.

If that’s the case, withdrawing privileges and letting her know you’re disappointed might be all that’s necessary to turn things around. (schoolfamily.com)

What is your child’s learning style?

– understanding how your child learns can reduce frustration and improve achievement

BY EMILY GRAHAM

I

f your child constantly squirms and fidgets when he’s doing Maths homework or insists on listening to music while studying vocabulary words, take heart. Although it may seem like he’s trying to drive you crazy, he’s probably just using the strategies that help him learn.

“I like to study at a desk in silence, and my daughter can’t think that way. She likes to bounce around on a ball with music in the background,” says author Maureen McKay, whose website, Optimistic Outcomes, provides tips for parents based on a child’s learning style. “Sometimes children are just doing what works for them.”

Educators have long been aware that learning is not onesize-fits-all. In a typical classroom, some children process information best by hearing the teacher explain it, some learn by seeing what’s on the chalkboard, and others learn through hands-on exercises. Colleges have increasingly begun teaching new students about learning styles so they can develop effective study habits. And many primary and secondary schools conduct surveys to give teachers insight into the learning styles of their students. Three basic learning styles are auditory, kinesthetic, and visual.

Auditory learners prefer listening to explanations over reading them and may like to study by reciting information aloud. This type of learner may want to have background music while studying, or they may be distracted by noises and need a quiet space to study.

Kinesthetic learners learn by doing and touching. They may have trouble sitting still while studying, and they are better able to understand information by writing it down or doing hands-on activities.

Visual learners process new information by reading, looking at graphics, or watching a demonstration. Children with this learning style can grasp information presented in a chart or graph, but they may grow impatient listening to an explanation.

Most people use a combination of styles but have a clear preference for one. Understanding your child’s learning style can reduce homework frustrations and make it easier for families to communicate, says McKay. She observed different learning styles while working as a teacher’s aide, and she started researching strategies for working with different learning styles when her daughter began having trouble in elementary school.

Because her daughter had difficulty listening in class, McKay looked for exercises to strengthen listening skills.

Her daughter especially enjoyed one approach, listening to an audio book and reading the book at the same time. She’s now doing well in middle school, and McKay attributes her success in part to the fact that her teachers and parents came to understand her unique style of learning.

Once you know your child’s primary learning style, it’s a good idea to let his teacher know what kind of approaches help him learn best. “I find that educators are much more willing to work with you if you’re giving them ideas that work for your child,” McKay says. “The great thing is that the things that benefit your child are really going to benefit all the children, so you’re not asking for the moon.” (schoolfamily. com)

TO BE CONTINUED

news

7

friday, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Fight against the drug trade

Region 5 flooding

Govt anticipates greater international Livestock, crops still under threat cooperation – Nagamootoo

T

he Government of Guyana is looking forward to continued assistance from the United States of America and other developed countries in the fight against the illicit drug trade locally.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo during the US Independence Day reception on Wednesday evening declared that Guyana was willing to further collaborate with the US in areas that would improve the country’s efforts in combating narcotrafficking.

“Drug trafficking is not just an American problem. It is also a danger to the integrity of the rule of law in small states. It is in Guyana’s interest to collaborate with friendly Governments like the US to rid ourselves of the stigma of being a transit point for illicit drugs,” he said as he read a prepared

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

speech on behalf of President David Granger.

In this regard, the Prime Minister stated that Guyana would welcome further assistance in boosting the capacity of local law enforcement

agencies to clamp down on the illegal drug trade.

Earlier this year, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) opened its office in Guyana with promises to destroy and dismantle local drug networks.

US Ambassador Perry Holloway had announced that its law enforcement agents have been keeping an eye on a local drug ring; however, he declined to mention specific cases for security purposes.

He had previously underscored that while there was no magic bullet to rid any society of narcotics trafficking, in the period of months and years, all of sudden there would be greater information available, adding that information was how these types of crimes are dissolved.

During a recent interview with Guyana Times, outgoing US Chargé d’Affaires

Brian Hunt had noted that the DEA has been actively working with the local agencies to continue to track largely, the cocaine trade – which he claimed was the biggest problem.

“We talked about counter-narcotics. In Guyana’s case, really it’s counter-cocaine – that is the bulk of what is moving through this country,” Hunt stated.

He added that “we are making very good head-way in identifying and seizing the product as it moves through Guyana. And as we identify and seize the product, we get a clearer and clearer picture of who is involved in the cocaine trade”.

Hunt said steps were likely to be taken very soon to see the extradition of suspects from Guyana to the United States to stand trial in those cases where there was a US nexus.

Food and Drug Department loses “fake milk” court case

− vows to appeal ruling

F

ollowing its seizure of a number of supposedly fake evaporated milk products in October of last year, the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) lost its court case as the matter was dismissed by presiding Magistrate Annette Singh.

In Court 11 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, Magistrate Singh ruled that there was not enough evidence to validate the determination that the milk was indeed substandard and non-compliant with the stipulations of the GAFDD. This ruling did not sit well with GAFDD’s Director Marlan Cole as he signalled his organisation’s intention to appeal the case. Cole in

court expressed the view that the threat which the product posed on persons’ health was not considered.

He however conceded that his officers need to be more equipped with the necessary training in bringing matters of such nature to court.

Cole opined that the GAFDD will be hindered in executing its mandate to ensure that food products which can be “injurious to public health,” misleading and/or deceptive would not be available on the market.

The director also pointed out that the label on the evaporated milk cannot show a pictorial representation of a cow and it must carry a disclaimer which says: “Not suitable for children under two years.”

In October 2015, the GAFDD has issued a warning to the public, against the sale and purchase of what it described as misleading brands of evaporated milk and evaporated filled milk that were being sold at local markets.

Coupled with the warning, the department had also seized 909 cans of the said fake milk products which had included: Promex Milko Evaporated Filled Milk, Tinny Evaporated Filled Milk, Rosa Evaporated Filled Milk, GIV Evaporated Milk, Grace Filled Evaporated Milk, Big J Evaporated Milk and Red and White Evaporated Milk.

Evaporated milk is a milk, or milk product which

is constituted from animal source from which 60% of water has been evaporated, and contains not less than 25% of milk solids and 7.5% milk fat, and may carry a pictorial representation of a cow, while Evaporated Filled Milk is a prepared blend of skim milk, vegetable oil, stabilisers and vitamins.

At that time it was observed that in some cases, the content of milk fat which was declared on the label was only three per cent and the cans bore no disclaimer but included a pictorial representation of a cow, which the department said should be removed. It is not yet clear when the department will appeal Magistrate Singh’s ruling.

Flooding in the Mahaicony backlands on Thursday evening

A

s the months go by, periodic flooding in several communities in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) continue to affect farmers and residents there.

Guyana Times has been reporting that residents, many of whom are farmers, are suffering crop loses and health challenges.

On Thursday, farmer Raj Ramgobin of First Savannah on the Mahaicony River told this publication that one of his calves recently perished.

On a visit to some of the riverine areas by this publication last month, farmers called for a vet to make regular visits to assess and monitor their livestock.

Farmer Ramgobin further explained that his animal suffered from pneumonia which came as a result of extended periods of stagnant water which remained on the land.

Guyana Times has been also informed that although much of the river water was reduced, the water level in “the backlands” is still somewhat high.

Mosquitoes are still affecting adults and children but a doctor will visit the Mora Health Centre to assess cases, a resident stated.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal noted on Thursday that the Mahaica-MahaiconyAbary/Agricultural Development Authority

(MMA/ADA) and National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) have installed another pump in the Trafalgar/Union area.

He noted that this has brought some relief there.

Ramphal however cautioned that “a lot of work” still needs to be done to alleviate the flooding. “The drains, the trenches need to be de-silted,” he stated.

The chairman further noted that farmers, especially in Mahaicony, who have lost cash crops are still calling for assistance to sustain their livelihood: “[In] the Mahaicony area the water has dropped a little [and] the residents are a bit more relived, however, those cash crop, rice and cattle farmers are still waiting on some form of relief from the Government.”

Ramphal posited that farmers have been facing challenges since the El Niño period and are now affected by the flooding. On this basis, he explained that farmers are hopeful they will be given assistance. “They are hoping that the Government will help them to get back on their feet again,” he stressed.

It was only last week that Guyana Times reported that adults as well as children were battling influenza, rashes and other health issues due to the stagnant water which have remained on the land in several areas.

8 news

friDAY, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS

Eyew tness Linden teenagers remanded for murder Milking and

Linden teenagers Ronaldo Chapman and Shane Fordyce were remanded for murder

T

he two teenagers who appeared at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday were slapped with a joint murder charge.

Ronaldo Chapman, 17, of Lot 73 Half-Mile, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 and Shane Fordyce also, 17, of Linden were charged for the murder of Albert Ashley also known as “Finny”.

The defendants were not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on July 1, 2016, at One Mile, Linden,

they murdered Ashley.

The men were remanded to prison by Magistrate Crystal Lambert, after the prosecution successfully requested that the matter be transferred to Linden.

Ashley’s body was found in front of his house and at that time, foul play was ruled out. However, a post mortem later revealed that Ashley died as a result of blunt trauma to head which indicated that he was struck.

Reports are that the elderly man lived alone and had operated a small grocery shop at his house. He was also a newspaper vendor in the area. The dead

man’s body was discovered at about 17:00h on July 1.

The young men will make their next court appearance on September 6 at the Christainburg Magistrate’s Court for statements. However, the defendants are also expected to be charged with larceny, threatening behaviour and armed robbery.

Meanwhile, Fordyce alleged that upon his arrest, police officers assaulted him but was told that his parents need to take a lawyer to represent his case.

(By Shemuel Fanfair and Bisham Mohamed)

The van taking prisoners away from the Wales Magistrate’s Court

Ice bag thief jailed for 18 months A

man who broke into a city business and stole a quantity of items, including plastic bags used to package ice was on Wednesday jailed for 18 months by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Michael Singh of Lot 18 Enmore, East Coast Demerara, pleaded guilty to the break and enter charge which stated that between 4 and 5 June, 2016 at Robb and King Streets,

Lacytown, Georgetown, he broke and entered the Country Pride Ice Store and stole 1 trolley, 1 trolley wheel and ice bags, a total value of $46,000.

Singh was also slapped with a second charge which stated that between 28 and 29 June, 2016 at the same location, he stole 1 cooler and one fan a total value of $30,000, property of Butch Parmanand.

The virtual complainant (VC) Parmanand said this is the fourth occasion that

his store has been broken into by the defendant.

The defendant told the court that he did steal the cooler but not the fan.

The prosecution stated that on July 4, 2016, the VC secured his store with the items inside, but upon return, the northern door of the store was opened and the articles listed were missing.

The CCTV footage showed the defendant removing the items. The matter was reported, an inves-

tigation was carried out and the defendant was arrested.

The defendant admitted to the crime and was subsequently charged.

For the second charge, the prosecution facts stated that on June 28, 2016 at 18:00h, the VC secured his store and returned to find a hole in the western wall of the building and discovered that the items were missing.

Singh was found guilty by Chief Magistrate McLennan.

bilking...

I

...the (pension) system

t’s a shad, shad story as to what kinda scheming’s going on with the Old Age pension scheme. A few years ago, now deceased AFC MP Sheila Holder claimed out of the 42,000 or so persons on the pension list, about 17,000 were “phantoms”. Not that they were emaciated and wraith-like (that would’ve qualified almost all the pensioners residing in Guyana) but they really didn’t exist. Folks in and out of the system had created the names and were milking and bilking the scheme.

Ms Holder based her assertion on circumstantial evidence - notably the number of pensioners on the Ministry’s list had (without explanation) risen precipitously since 2002. She figured at least $1 billion was going into some black hole (or black pocket).

The subject Minister got involved and assured us the pensioners list was sanitised and there were no such “phantoms”.

Fast forward to 2015 and the new broom in the Finance Ministry ordered a “forensic audit” of the whole pension scheme - which was delivered last month. The auditors found a department and its systems in complete disarray. When asked for a record of persons eligible for pensions, they produced lists with “64,001 and 51,915 pensioners respectively”. A revised list “containing 46,976 pensioners was finally submitted six months later.” Sanitised list??

But not bothering to get all het up about the piss poor records - a tempest in a teacup has erupted over the Minister’s directive that overseas residents be refused in their attempts to bilk the system. The law’s very clear that folks living overseas shouldn’t collect the pensions.

It originally stated that one had to be back here for at least 20 years to qualify - but the previous administration reduced that to two.

Now there’s absolutely nothing unfair about this rule.

One of the reasons for the upsurge in names on the list was probably these “foreigners” taking advantage of our lax records when the payments started to be increased from the pittance it originally was. This kind of behaviour - apart from being illegal - is absolutely despicable and greedy. 18,200 Guyana dollars is just US$90. That’s absolutely nothing to the poorest immigrant in North America - but means the world to most local pensioners.

How can the PPP’s Gail Teixeira defend the status quo after the revelations of the audit? Especially when the Minister saying savings accruing from winnowing out the foreigners will be distributed to the local pensioners.

From this Eyewitness’ personal knowledge, at least a third of the persons collecting pensions are overseasbased hustlers. They even obtain local passports.

The Ministry should institute home spot-checks to ascertain who’s actually living here. And who’re hustlers.

...the school system

In the developed countries such as the US and UK... the statistics over the last century have shown - on the whole - the rich keeps getting richer. And this in the face of insistent claims its merit that gets folks ahead. One of the reasons for this anomaly is since “merit” is most often measured by educational achievement, since the latter is inordinately determined by wealth, the system is inevitably gamed. Biology becomes destiny: born to poor parents more likely than not, you’ll remain uneducated and poor. And vice versa.

And it’s no different in Guyana (or anywhere else).

Scratch the background of the top 1% in the NGSA and you’ll find out - in the main - they all come from middle and upper class background - such as it is in Guyana.

So what we have are the better off folks, who can send their kids to the private primary schools - milking and bilking the system by getting their kids into the premier, well-funded secondary schools.

Paid for by the taxes of the masses.

...on city parking meters

We still don’t know the details of the parking meter contract. Why? We might just steal the “industrial secrets” therein.

Never mind it’s the city that has to agree to any new contracts!!

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

news

friday, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Removal of manufacturing tax waiver

GMSA calling for suspension of import taxes

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Members of the GMSA meeting with representatives of the GRA and the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Thursday

he pointed out, the presence of the representatives of the two entities was to provide guidance and advice on the actions which can be taken to address the concerns of the GMSA. “The GMSA is prepared to lead the process for a speedy resolution to the suspension of the import taxes as this situation can have dire consequences for Guyana’s manufacturing, business and economic sectors,’ Caesar stated, adding that, “while this is our short-term approach, the GMSA is prepared to engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade Department, to achieve the long-term goal of reclassifying items ineligible for import tax exemptions under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.”

Moreover, the GMSA president outlined that this move is in fulfilment of the mandate of the GMSA, which advocates for the protection of all its members. In this regard he is prepared to work closely with all relevant stake-

holders including the GRA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find a solution to concerns regarding the implementation of the import taxes as well as the revision of the list of raw materials which are ineligible for tax exemptions under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and which has been in existence for over 40 years.

“The GMSA members are concerned about the significant consequences which will be faced by manufacturers and their customers should these import taxes be imposed,” the association president stressed.

He went on: “It is imperative that manufacturers, and more importantly the purchasers of products, be cognisant of the fact that this requirement would result in higher prices for products and services. This decision has a direct impact on the end users as products and services which they normally utilise would become more expensive.”

Horse dismembered after colliding with vehicle on dark Mocha road

J

ust as he was warning his family of the dangers of animals on the Another impact the sec- roadways, a vehicle driven tor will face, is that while by a 29-year-old man collided local manufacturers would head on with a stallion along be required to pay more the pitch-dark access road for raw materials as a con- into the Mocha Scheme on sequence, increase in the the East Bank of Demerara. costs for their products, Franky Morphine was foreign competitors can travelling in his motorcar continue to charge current PNN 4631, enjoying the comrates for their products. pany of his two female cousThis, he noted, is a sig- ins and their children, ages nificant issue for the local five and seven years old, manufacturing sector as when things took a turn for foreign competitors would the worse. be able to offer products at As he was nearing his cheaper prices, creating an destination, a horse strutted uneven playing field. out from the bushes and into The GMSA president the path of the moving vehifurther stated that the as- cle. sociation is highly appreBelieving the long stretch ciative of the support of of road to be completely desothe GRA and the Ministry late at 21:00h, Morphine was of Foreign Affairs. caught completely off guard “The fact that both en- and unable to swerve out of tities have representatives the way in time after he noat this very important ticed the stray animal rungathering speaks volumes ning onto the roadway. about the beneficial relaThe horse crashed tionship with the GMSA,” through the windshield of stated Caesar. the car, decapitating the aniThe head of GMSA said mal instantly. the representatives of GRA When Guyana Times and Ministry of Foreign reached on the scene, a small Affairs provided a wealth crowd had gathered to renof support to the associa- der assistance as Police tion on this matter and ranks scribbled down details committed to continue of what transpired in their working closely with both notepads. entities for a speedy resoJudging from the tyre lution. marks which were burned out on the road, bystanders

– says decision has a direct impact on end users ith Government looking to increase its revenue by removing several tax waivers, the manufacturing sector has kicked up a storm on the enforcement of previously unimplemented import taxes on a range of hardware and other inputs. In fact, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has even agreed to take the lead in suspending the previously unimplemented import taxes.

This was indicated by president of GMSA Eon Caesar on Thursday during a meeting with members and stakeholders including representatives of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the GMSA Headquarters to address the call for the suspension of previously unimplemented import taxes.

Earlier this week, GRA announced that it will be removing the tax waiver on inputs previously enjoyed by the local manufacturing sector. This move is consistent with President David Granger’s announcement in May when he expressed concerns that businesses are becoming too reliant on concessions and not doing enough to develop their enterprises and resources.

However, the GMSA head indicated during the meeting that the association is engaging the services of the GRA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to commence the process of applying for a suspension of the import taxes. In fact

9

concluded that the driver was speeding.

One resident told this newspaper that drivers typically use the road recklessly, driving as a fast rate.

However, Morphine denied speeding and blamed the absence of functioning streetlights for the unfortunate accident.

“I was cruising coming in. I does normally hold my lane but remember this is a lonely road so I end up taking the middle. So I was telling my cousin that you gotto be careful on this road because you does normally get stray horse and cows and them thing and as soon as I tell she duh, bap! He make a dash and come out from the corner and make a dash in front the car,” he related.

Guyana Times understands that neither the driver of the vehicle nor the passengers were seriously hurt.

However, the gruesome demise of the horse may have lasting impressions on the minds of the passengers.

Just in April, Mocha residents heightened calls for streetlights to be installed along the dark roadway after a motorcyclist met his demise when he too collided with a horse along the same access road.

Streetlights were subsequently installed however they are yet to be functional.

10

guyana-times.com

friDAY, july 8, 2016

News

Roraima Group hosts job fair T

he Roraima Duke Lodge in Kingston, Georgetown, was a hive of activity on Thursday morning, as scores of persons turned up at a Roraima Group of Companiesorganised job fair highlighting a number of opportunities in the aviation, culinary, management, business and hospitality sectors.

The event covered a range of areas in the world of work, including the construction of a job application and resume, dress code for a job interview and some insights on what to expect during a job interview.

Booths were set up by the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), VXL International, Small Business Bureau, LDS Self Reliance Center, Interweave Solutions and National Hardware, among others.

At the various “booths”

Scores of persons, particularly youths attended the job fair at the Roraima Duke Lodge (Dexter Ceres photo)

persons received thorough descriptions of the jobs op-

portunities in these entities.

Roraima Airways provid-

ed a flight simulation programme for persons to grasp an outlook on landing an aircraft.

Speaking at the event was Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott who commended Roraima

Airways for the initiative.

He noted that Guyana’s future lies in the hands of youths and as such, the job fair served as a starting point for the many who attended.

“I am very excited. As you know, the future of Guyana is with you, young persons, and that’s why I’m extremely excited that you can take your time off and come here today and find out exactly what is a job fair.

This is not just getting you a job, it is pointing you in the correct direction as to which type of job you should have,” the minister commented.

Managing Director of Roraima Group of Companies, Captain Gerry Gouveia expressed appreciation for the response to the event and announced that the event will now be held annually.

“We have a lot of people that are coming, looking for jobs and a lot of times, they don’t know which field they want to go in. So what we did here today, was to lay our Roraima which operates at 13 divisions and what we wanted to do was have our real live staff on the ground so people could come and

talk to them and they would hear what it is that they do and give young Guyanese a better opportunity to have an idea of where they may want to go. This will be an annual thing. I am actually quite encouraged because we put a lot of effort in stopping our company today to do this and I’m very pleased that a lot of young people turn up,” Gouveia said.

He also highlighted that there are plans for the expansion of the event come next year to allow other businesses to participate.

Many young persons who visited the fair described the event as very “beneficial” and “eye-opening.”

A young lady identified as “Luann” who has been unemployed for a year and a half, told this publication she was quite impressed and was better equipped now to choose a career path.

“I think it’s really positive and interesting. You know, if you just finished CXC and you just come out and even if it’s not to get a job but just come out and hear what employment is like and maybe how to do a resume and stuff like that.”

(Ramona Luthi)

Guyana to host CARPHA’s Annual Conference 2017 − caucus to examine Guyana’s health sector

A

s Guyana is preparing to host the 61st annual Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) research conference in July 2017, the Public Health Ministry is anticipating an evolution of the overall health sector through the sessions.

The conference will consist of researchers from across the Caribbean releasing their studies on trending health issues affecting the region. These studies are usually used to guide the preparation of health policies of different countries.

With the meeting being based on specific aspects of Guyana’s social and health sectors, there are expectations that a feasible approach can be derived on how the authorities here will go about addressing budding issues that threaten the country’s human resources.

According to Public Health Minister Dr George Norton the country will be at a more advantageous position in combating illnesses since the high-level meeting will focus primarily on building strategic measures for this purpose.

This meeting’s focal points are said to be on climate change, the environment and human health.

These issues happen to be trending concerns that the country presently battles.

During an interview, the minister disclosed that the ministry has begun to put

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

measures in place to ensure that the meeting would be effective.

This will pave the way for a number of researches anticipated to be carried out to comprehensively detect circumstances in the health sector that can be addressed.

Explaining this, Dr Norton related to this publication that during the course of the meeting, emphasis will be placed on researching specific medical cases that have plagued Guyana, including

the Zika virus.

Thus far, there are 12 confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Guyana.

Another on the list is the recently discovered Bronco Pneumonia outbreak at the Suddie Hospital in Essequibo.

Climate change and the environment will also be an integral aspect of the meeting, as Guyana is seeking to introduce a number of green initiatives Last year, the 60th conference was hosted in Grenada where Guyana came under fire for its high suicide rates and prevalence of violence and injuries in the Caribbean. The researchers had also ranked Guyana as one of the top distressed countries of the Caribbean.

During that conference, researchers revealed data gathered from almost all of the 24 Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) countries pertaining to violence and injury and offered recommendations to tackle these issues.

Clarification

G

uyana Times wishes to clarify that Hareshnarine Sugrim is not the Power of Attorney, but rather the owner of the plot of land being occupied by vendors at the corners of Lombard and Hadfield Streets.

This publication in an article on July 4, 2016 under the title “Parliament view mall vendors in quandary”, inadvertently published that Sugrim was the Power of Attorney for a Paul Daby.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to Hareshnarine Sugrim.

nEWS

11

friDAY, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Caricom to lobby US Govt over banks withdrawal C oming out of the 37th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting held earlier this week in Guyana, regional Leaders have decided to lobby the United States Government to intervene and stop the country’s banks, which have been ending corresponding relations with indigenous banks in the Caribbean over money laundering concerns.

During the final leg of the Caricom caucus, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness updated the meeting on discussions over the two days. He noted that the issue of correspondent banking has affected all the countries in the Region.

In this regard, the Jamaican PM declared that the Conference has come to an agreement to lobby the US Government on the matter: “We have advanced on this matter in terms of agreeing that we should seek to lobby directly to the US Government.”

Additionally, the Jamaica Leader outlined that member States also resolved to increase their voices in various international forums, as well as to enlist the support of friendly countries on their behalf.

According to Holness, the issue has the potential of seeing the Caribbean being locked out from the international financial system if it is not addressed immediately. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister stated that steps are afoot to ensure that member States are compliant with the relevant AntiMoney Laundering (AML) laws in order to avoid derisking.

“We feel that we are taking the necessary steps to comply – all countries are

Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

moving apace with compliance and internally, we have encouraged each other to, as quickly as possible, meet the compliance requirements,” he remarked.

However, the Jamaica PM noted that at the same time, it should be recognised that there are those countries that are in compliance and should therefore be rewarded for facing the threat of a correspondent bank pulling out its services.

Moreover, when asked, Holness opted not to provide a figure as to how many corresponding banks have cut ties with the Region but stressed that several banks have pulled out from various countries across the Caribbean.

The Jamaica Leader went on to highlight the issue is not only about the ending of correspondent banking relations but also the threat of it and the uncertainty it adds to financial transactions in the Region.

“Certainly, in Jamaica we know of at least one case where we have lost a correspondent bank and the burden it imposes, the uncertainty. But we are do-

ing everything to move apace with compliance and Jamaica would be amongst those countries that have complied at this stage,” he remarked.

Caricom’s final decision to lobby the US Government comes on the heels of St Lucian Prime Minister Allen Chastanet cautioning that such a move would be fruitless; instead, they should seek help of US companies and individuals with ties to the region.

According to the St Lucian Prime Minister, the region must stop thinking that it has to solve this problem alone. He pointed out that there are a number of multinational companies in the US such as airlines, cruise industries, suppliers and individuals who own their homes – who have a vested interests in the region and who know exactly how to lobby their government.

“The idea of us going to Washington DC by ourselves is a tried and tested failure. We must be able to bring more people to the argument and we must do it urgently,” Chastanet stated in his presentation at the opening of the Heads of Government Conference on Monday.

Foreign Banks, particularly those in the US, have been withdrawing from their relationships with indigenous Caribbean banks because of fears of money laundering and questionable sources of funds, which would cause them to receive heavy fines from regulators.

However, the Caribbean banking institutions rely on such relationships in order to allow residents to con-

duct international financial transactions. Since last year the Region has been facing the impact of de-risking and the issue has been occupying the attention of Regional policy-makers, following signals by international banks that they are unwilling to continue carrying the business of regional banks.

This situation is called de-risking and poses dire consequences for the region including crushing impacts on the wider economy.

De-risking in the Caribbean came into the limelight last year when the Belize Bank was cut off by the Bank of America and one of the two banks in Montserrat experienced the same fate. In addition, the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga, just recently confirmed that the Bank of America has also ended its correspondent banking relations with Guyana about a month ago.

However, Dr Ganga assured that there is no need to panic since Guyana is already in talks with other overseas banks that are interested in offering correspondent banking services to local financial institutions.

Some of the areas that affected because of de-risking are: transfers of remittances, cheque payments, international trade, and the facilitation of credit card settlements for local clients.

The Caribbean Development Bank quoted a November World Bank survey as saying that about 75 per cent of international banks have experienced a reduction in correspondent banking services, with the Caribbean being the worst affected.

Patient dies at Diamond hospital over alleged vaccine mix-up ...facility to be restructured, investigated for negligence – Health Minister

T

The Diamond Diagnostic Centre

he Diamond Diagnostic Centre’s Administration is currently under investigation and will be restructured in light of a series of damning incidents that have occurred there.

The hospital is once again in the limelight after unconfirmed reports surfaced that a man succumbed after receiving the incorrect vaccination.

Speaking to Guyana Times Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton confirmed that he received reports that someone had passed away at the health facility, however he is not in a position to say whether or not the cause of death was the administration of the incorrect vaccine.

“Well I received a report that someone died but I’m in no position to say whether it was as a result of a wrong injection…so I will be very cautious in repeating that statement but I did receive a report,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Dr Norton revealed that an investigation has been launched into the administration of the Hospital, as recently there have been a number of nega-

tive reports emanating from the hospital.

He also revealed that the administration will be restructured, as recently the frequency of negligent actions have increased: “First of all we needed to change the Administration because we would have recognised that it all points to the direction of the administration.”

On Tuesday, a mother of four was pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre after carrying a dead baby inside her womb for five days. The woman, Carol Suniram, of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, had suffered a miscarriage on Friday and was prescribed pills by a doctor to pass out the five-month-old foetus. On Tuesday, Suniram went to the hospital to do an operation to have the foetus removed, but died while in surgery.

Last week, this publication had also reported that a stray dog had brusquely dragged the body of an already dead premature baby out into the compound and dismembered it, making a meal of the dead infant. turn to page 14

12 NEWS

friDAY, july 8, 2016 | guyana

Scenes from the Warri

8, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS 13

rriors-Tallawahs game

14 NEWS

friday, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

GuySuCo restructuring

LBI operations to shut down

by July month-end – CEO

GuySuCo CEO Errol Hanoman

T

he remaining operations at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) sugar estate, on the East Coast of Demerara, will grind to a halt

by July month-end, possibly putting hundreds of employees on the breadline.

Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Errol Hanoman told Guyana Times during an interview that the LBI Estate will be fully closed and the relevant operations merged with that at the Enmore Estate, also on the East Coast of Demerara.

The CEO reassured once again that vacancy slots at the Enmore Estate will be filled with persons who will be rendered unemployed when the LBI operations are shut down.

Hanoman posited that this move is part of GuySuCo’s plan to increase profits and become autonomous of the Government’s financial assistance, which normally amounts to billions of dollars per annum.

The two estates began its

rationalising in 2011 with the intention of boosting competence and decreasing production expenses. However, this was left unfinished with mill dock, field labs and field workshops duplicated at the estates, and as such, the expenditures have increased significantly, thus the decision to integrate the two estates.

When the announcement to recommence this process was made earlier this year, the two trade unions repre-

tached to the LBI Estate are at risk of losing their jobs since the functions they currently carry out are expected to be merged with that of Enmore Estate.

GuySuCo had explained that the LBI section has 846 employees from which 125 are duplicating functions that are currently being undertaken at Enmore. These include personnel in the Mill Dock, Field Workshop, Field Laboratory, Field Office, and Stores.

vacancies at Enmore.

However, both Unions contended that full-time and regular employment will likely be unavailable.

Earlier this year, GuySuCo announced the closure of the Wales Estate by yearend and that some of the workers would be deployed to the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate while others would be redundant. GuySuCo and the Agriculture Ministry are yet to announce what measures will be put in place for the fu-

LBI to be fully closed by July month-end

senting workers – the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) – strongly objected to the decision.

GAWU President Komal Chand had stated that when GuySuCo closed the LBI Sugar Factory, it had assured that the other operations of the Estate would remain functioning.

According to reports, some 125 of the 846 workers at-

The breakdown shows that 58 persons work in Mill Dock, 38 in Field Workshop and the remaining 29 are split in the Field Laboratory, Field Office, and Stores.

Approximately 721 are working at both the LBI and Enmore sections, primarily in harvesting and crop husbandry areas, therefore it is presumed that these jobs are secured.

GuySuCo explained that the number of employees who will be fired will be determined after filling existing

ture of affected sugar workers. Notably, the closures of both estates follow assurances by Government that no estate will be shut down anytime soon.

In fact, following the announcement on the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate, Government promised that no other estate would be shut down. The closures also come on the heels of a multimilliondollar Commission of Inquiry report which advised against the closure of any sugar estate or operation at this time.

Patient dies at Diamond... from page 11

Minister Norton had revealed that either the doctor or nurses who delivered the baby are suspected to be responsible for the poorly disposed foetus.

Norton posited that the issue of negligence at the hospital has existed for quite some time, however it is only recently that these issues have been receiving more coverage by the media: “This has been a problem that has been existing for the longest while, and while I agree that there has been more press coverage for whatever reason, those problems existed there all the time.”

In regard to who would be taking over administrative duties at the hospital, the Minister was reluctant to provide a name but stated that the position is temporarily filled: “Somebody is functioning there. With regards to the actual employment, I don’t know if that is completed. I must say that time is of essence, and very shortly we will confirm or regularise employment in that area of administration,” he had stated.

DEMOCRACY and POWER SHARING

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fter placing it on centre-stage during the campaign, “power sharing” seemed to have been dropped like a hot potato by the coalition APNU/AFC government, even though it had made it the sine qua non of its vision of democracy for Guyana. “Democracy”, of course, has become the standard for evaluating the credentials of governments Ravi Dev across the world in modern times.

While we may all be a bit fuzzy on what exactly we mean by “democracy”, we should accept it’s merely a means to a particular end. To wit, the facilitation of a harmonious society in which each member can fulfil his or her human potential to the fullest. Even when we claim that we have a “democratic” government, it behoves us to always question as to whether its particulars are fully in sync with the idiosyncrasies and foibles of the given time, place and circumstances, to deliver us to our goal.

And this brings us to our “democracy” in Guyana. No one would deny Guyana today is “democratic” by many of the common indicators: freedom of the press, speech, movement, political participation, civic association, etc. But is our society more harmonious? Not many Guyanese would answer “yes”. Why have we been literally locked in combat for the past fifty years? We can blame evil politicians, nefarious foreign elements or other extrinsic factors, but we cannot avoid examining the nature of our society and the political institutions that are supposed to deliver the “good society”. Form does affect function.

After all, political institutions and structures provide the framework and incentives through which the moral links essential for encouraging the accommodation and cooperation between societal groups. We have to scrutinise our “democratic” political institutions for their effectiveness in facilitating societal harmony, given our particularities.

The first idiosyncrasy that jumps out at us when we compare our society to some more stable “democratic” ones is the depth of our societal cleavages. For many well-documented historical, psychological and structural reasons, we are the quintessential ethnically plural society.

We are not unique; in fact most states across the world are multicultural, even though the cleavages and conflicts may not always be as intense as ours.

Looking at the ethnic problematic across the globe, we have only a few options available to us to escape open conflict much less just undemocratic government: obliteration of ethnic differences, partition or some form of power sharing. With the spread of the now universally accepted norms of equality and self-determination, ethnic groups across the world have balked at the first option, concluded that we are too intermixed for partition and so are only left with the last option - “power sharing”.

One commentator (Sisk) defines this as “a system of governance in which all major segments of society are provided a permanent share of power; this system is often contrasted with government vs opposition systems in which ruling coalitions rotate among various social groups over time.”

In addressing the problematic of institutionalising democracy in plural societies, the two broad approaches are sometimes subsumed under the rubric of “power sharing”. One popular conception views it as sharing the executive offices of a government proportionately among the political representatives of the several groups mobilised in society. This view, of course, conceptualises “power” as a unitary construct residing in the executive branch of government and implicitly contraposes “sharing” power with a centralisation of power under majoritarian rules.

This popular conception, of course, is reflective of our historical experiences, which saw the powers of the state always controlled by a tight little oligarchy – first centred on a colonial Governor and then our Executive Presidency.

Power, however, is a much more nuanced concept and even if confined to being a possession, rather than inhering in relationships, the power of a state is much more diffused than an executive possession.

Power sharing, in the second view, would have to include the wider picture, and would have to encompass a much wider range of institutions – both within and without the state such as the bureaucracy and the armed forces.

friday, july 8, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

3 Police Officers dead, 8 wounded in Dallas – CNN

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everal Police Officers were shot in Texas on Thursday during a protest against police shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana, KDFW TV in Dallas reported.

According to CNN, three of them have died while eight are wounded.

Broadcaster KABC reported that shots were fired

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during demonstrations at Belo Garden Park in Dallas. Footage showed a heavy police presence with officers taking cover behind vehicles on the street.

Photos posted on Twitter by the Dallas Police Department showed what appeared to be several hundred people assembled on the steps of a

downtown museum, many holding signs as they listened to speakers address the crowd.

In other photos and footage posted on Twitter, a crowd could be seen marching through downtown streets. Police said the crowd, at one point, chanted “Black Lives Matter.”

The protests in Dallas came as demonstrations were being held in several U.S. cities over the most recent fatal police shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana.

The police department did not respond to requests for comment and did not update their Twitter account since media reports of gunfire. (Reuters)

Hadfield fire claims lives of 2 young lads

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late-night fire broke out at the Drop In Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown on Thursday. Details of the incident are sketchy, but Guyana Times under-

stands that a pair of boys aged two and four years old were trapped in the building and died as a result. Their bodies were later found. Eyewitnesses said that the Fire Service

took about half an hour to arrive on the scene.

More details in Saturday's edition of the Guyana Times. Photo courtesy of Fresh News.

Chinese energy consumption growth at 17-year low

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hina’s energy consumption last year grew at its slowest pace since 1998 and its carbon dioxide emissions also posted a first negative growth in 17 years, according to an industry report released on Thursday.

Chinese energy consumption only grew 1.5 per cent in 2015 year on year, the lowest growth in 17 years, while remaining the world’s largest growth mar-

ket for the 15th consecutive year, showed BP Statistical Review of World Energy, the global energy giant’s annual report.

The world’s largest energy consumer, producer and net importer saw its carbon dioxide emissions falling by 0.1 per cent in 2015 year on year, with coal consumption dropping to 64 per cent of primary energy consumption. China surpassed Germany and the United

States to become the world’s largest solar energy producer.

Meanwhile, China’s coal output fell 2 per cent year on year, while natural gas and oil output rose by 4.8 percent and 1.5 per cent year on year.

Renewable energy has been growing fast in China.

Solar energy grew fastest, followed by nuclear energy and wind power, the report showed.(Excerpt from Xinhua)

16 news

friday, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Drainage works to commence in Parfaite Harmonie

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fter months of complaints of flooding due to poor drainage by residents of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) has responded by announcing that the Region Three Administration (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) in collaboration with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be undertaking a drainage improvement project in Lust-en-Rust and parts of the Housing Scheme as of Thursday.

The project includes the excavation and unclogging of the Canal Number One Polder main drainage canal and the internal drains in Lust-

en-Rust and sections of Parfaite Harmonie so water can easily flow from the area.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Valerie SharpePatterson, along with chief executive officer of CHPA Myrna Pitt, CHPA’s engineers, Shaud Majeed and Omar Narine, and NDIA’s engineer Lall Pierahdave, visited the areas on Wednesday.

Sharpe-Patterson revealed that the Region Three Administration will commence the project with the cleaning of the Canal Number One drainage canal.

She explained that the team of engineers and housing officials visited the housing scheme last week in light of numerous

Drains usually overflow and flood yards after short periods of rain in the housing scheme due to clogged drainage channels

reports of flooding in the area. The minister said that contrary to what residents believed: that the

flooding was as a result of water being pumped in the direction of the communities, from a nearby rice field, the engineers have determined that the problem was due to internal drains being clogged and the main drainage canal being full of weeds.

Sharpe-Patterson noted: “It is urgent and it is necessary and important… none of us individually has the resources that are required to get the job done, so that is why we are taking this collaborative approach.”

Trade on the decline in the Rupununi – Rohee

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary (GS) Clement Rohee has stated that trade among Amerindians in the Rupununi and Brazilians on the border is deteriorating, because of Guyana’s waning economy.

Rohee, who recently concluded a three-day trip into the villages of Region Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) stated that he had spoken to many villagers and they expressed alarm at the situation they are faced with.

Recently, communities within the regions suffered the effects of El Niño, which resulted in severe drought, death of cattle and livestock.

“The villagers, at the meeting, complained about what they described as the five plagues, ie drought, caterpillars, floods, and wild animals; all of which contribute to the destruction of their crops, livestock and the livelihoods of their families and village economies,” Rohee said, adding that they expressed total disgust and frustration with the APNU+AFC’s inability to provide Amerindian communities with basic necessities for their existence.

The GS stated that Central Lethem is now a virtual ghost town, since many businesses have folded and hundreds have been thrown onto the breadline.

“The roads are in a de-

PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee

plorable state and no end of the sufferings of the Lethem residents is in sight.

Residents are up in arms demanding relief to the deplorable situation mismanaged by the Municipality and Central Government,” he noted.

According to Rohee the Amerindian people are desperately in need of help to develop their respective communities, their village economies and Regions in a sustainable manner.

“All the talk about a 4000 acres of land opening up for agriculture, an auto assembly plant and a new airport emanating from official quarters will come to naught if the wishes of the Amerindian people are not fulfilled and consultations on what they want and not solely what government wants are held with each community.”

“Junkie” charged with murder

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man who is commonly identified as a “Junkie” appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman where he was arraigned with the murder of a vendor.

Eustace Griffith was not required to plea to the indictable charge which alleged that on July 4 at Cornhill Street, Georgetown, he murdered Steven Dexter Arthur.

He was remanded to prison and the case will be called again on July 15.

On July 4, it was reported that a handyman was stabbed to death by another man during an alter-

cation on Cornhill Street, Georgetown, in front of the former Guyana National Cooperative Bank.

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news

friDAY, july 8, 2016 | guyana-times.com

EU, Guyana engage Caribbean will not come in political dialogue to an end because of 37th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting

Brexit – Chairman

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ollowing two days of intense discussions among regional leaders on various matters of mutual interest, including the most recent international event – Brexit, Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, has declared that the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (EU) will not be the end of the Caribbean.

He was at the time responding to questions from the media at the end of the regional high-level conference late Wednesday evening.

According to Prime Minister Skerrit, while the fall out between the UK and the EU came as a surprise to the world, he believes that in time, the situation will stablise.

“Let us not make it look like the Caribbean Community will come to an end or we will cease to exist or there will be no trade taking place as a result of Brexit,” he stressed.

Moreover, the Chairman noted that during the meetings, Brexit was discussed extensively.

In fact, he noted that the Caricom Secretariat’s advisor on foreign policy has prepared an extensive report on all of the issues relative to the United Kingdom’s decision to exit the EU. Skerrit outlined that this is an evolving process and there is nothing that the Caribbean can do to deal with the issue. He added that there will have to be a negotiating process between the EU and the UK. “So one will have to wait to see what will be the ultimate or end result of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union,” he remarked.

Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and President David Granger

The Dominican Prime Minister added that the negotiation is an ongoing process and only after these are completed, then the region can be able to assess what implications Brexit will have it.

He noted, like the St Lucian and St Vincent Prime Ministers said, Caricom needs to position itself to be at less of a disadvantage as a result of the action of the British people.

Nevertheless, the Chairman pointed out that the Caricom will continue to have excellent relations with the UK on its own and will now be working to build new relations with the EU minus the UK. “We have had extensive and traditional relations with the United Kingdom.

From our perspective, the United Kingdom was a trusted and known advocate for the Caribbean Community within the Councils for the European Union. They not being there, then we will have to identify one of our tradition European Union friends – whether it’s Germany or France or Netherlands – to continue to advocate matters of concern to us,” the Chairman remarked.

Questioned as to whether Caricom is preparing

to capitalize from Brexit, Prime Minister Skerrit reiterated that they will have to wait until the final negotiations are made and determined to know what will be there for the Caribbean to benefit from.

“We have no control over the negotiations… there have been bantering in the public domain between European officials and British officials but one will have to wait,” he remarked.

Nevertheless, the Chairman maintained that the situation will stablise and then Caricom will be in the position to determine what are the new arrangements so that it can build relations with the UK and plan out a special relationship with the EU. On the other hand, even President David Granger pointed out to reporters that it is too soon for the Caricom to say how Brexit will impact the Region since there is still confusion within the UK as to the implications of them leaving the economic body.

“Although the situation unfolds daily, we in the Caribbean Community are confident that the UK and the EU will remain strong and valued partners of the community,” he added.

TT:Mom, baby found in death embrace

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he decomposing bodies of Anika Gabriel and her baby were found on a bed at their South Oropouche, Trinidad home by the baby’s father on Wednesday morning. Three and a half month old Sydney was embraced in her mother’s arm as they lay on the bed in what police suspect was a murder/suicide.

“Why she do this,” cried Wayne Phillander, 42, the baby’s father, who made the horrible discovery after a foul stench and the buzzing sound of flies coming from inside the family’s small wooden

house caused him to peep through a window.

When the Police arrived at the Ralph Narine Trace house they had to break open the front door because it was locked.

Police said there appeared to be no signs of forced entry. The house, a ten by ten structure, has no electricity or running water.

Gabriel, 30, who has six other children from previous relationships, left Phillander’s home in Rousillac shortly after the baby was born on March 22 and moved into the house at South Oropouche.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Little Baby Sydney

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he European Union and the Government of Guyana recently engaged in a multifaceted political dialogue on matters of mutual interest.

The Fourth Round of European Union-Guyana Political Dialogue in the framework of Article Eight of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP)-EU Cotonou Agreement took place at the local Foreign Affairs Ministry on June 27, a statement from the EU mission in Guyana stated.

The previous rounds of Political Dialogue between Guyana and the EU took place in 2009, 2010 and 2014.

The objectives of the dialogue are to exchange information, foster mutual understanding and facilitate the establishment of agreed priorities and shared agendas, in particular by recognising the existing links between the different aspects of the relations between

the parties and the various areas of cooperation as laid down in the Cotonou Agreement.

The Guyanese delegation was headed by the Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and included Director General (ag) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Jardine-Waddell, , as well as other senior officials of that Ministry.

The EU team was headed by the Ambassador of the European Union, Jernej Videti? and included British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn, German Ambassador Lutz Görgens, French Ambassador Michel Prom and Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Maurice Pourchez.

Discussions included many bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest such as political developments and economic affairs, EU-

Guyana and regional development cooperation, human rights and governance, security, climate change, and regional integration.

In the statement, the EU noted that it was the main provider of grant funding to Guyana which has been significant since cooperation began in 1976.

“The EU has contributed to the development of several sectors in Guyana, including the Private Sector with regard to agro-processing, the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), ChildLink, Poverty Reduction Budget Support Programme, Help & Shelter, and the Muritaro Village Council,” it stated.

According to the EU, the dialogue concluded with the two sides expressing their satisfaction on its usefulness in the context of EUGuyana relations.

The next round of political dialogue will be held in 2017.

Missing planes

Govt should pursue Oxford Aviation pilot

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irector of Roraima Airways Captain Gerry Gouveia is pressing the Government of Guyana to pursue to the “ends of the earth”, the Oxford Aviation Pilot, who took off on an unauthorised flight from the Eugene F Correia International Airport, less than two weeks ago.

In late June, 2015, pilot and owner of Oxford Aviation, Munidat Persaud and another pilot left the airport without permission for Grenada with two planes which are subjects of litigation. The pilots flew through Trinidad’s airspace undetected and without permission.

Gouveia, speaking to journalists on Thursday, said the pilots’ actions were disrespectful to the laws of Guyana.

“I want to tell you that as a Guyanese aviator, and operator at Ogle and a Guyanese citizens, I am appalled at the tenacity and disrespect this pilot paid to Guyana by using their pass to hack into the airport system and then breaking every law in Guyana and every international aviation law, by flying through international space without air traffic control”, he said.

Gouveia said the morning Persaud took off and was flying to Trinidad there were flights from Caribbean Airlines as well as Dynamic going in at the time. That, he said, could have caused a mid-air collision, since no one was aware that he was flying.

“I think the government of Guyana should pursue him

Gerry Gouveia

to the ends of the earth and bring him to justice. What he did was atrocious, was disrespectful to our law.”

The aircraft, which are worth US$110,000 each, are owned by Oxford Aviation and were subjected to a court injunction by Phoenix Airways. The planes were however detained in Anguilla after flying through Trinidad airspace and landing in Grenada to refuel.

Gouveia had come out soon after the incident in defence of the management of the Airport and the Airport Security, saying that the security “did nothing wrong.”

“The Airport and the Airport Security are no way in violation of anything to do with what happened at Ogle (EFCIA) with these airplanes. It is the pilot who violated the Guyana Aviation Laws and the International Aviation Laws. He violated the privileges of his licence and the Government of Guyana should pursue him to the end of the earth to ensure this type of disrespect to our law and order is not allowed to prevail,” Gouveia

had said.

In fact, he noted that the pilots took off without filing a flight plan and without notifying the airport security and immigration: “I want to stress that every licensed airport operator has access to their aircraft whether in hangers or on the tarmac… these aircraft were parked on the light aircraft parking facility that is available at the Airport.”

He stressed that all the airport security staff were on duty and would have allowed the men onto the airstrip because they had air flight passes.

The pilots, the official reiterated, did not notify the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The air traffic control tower was only aware of what was happening as the aircraft were taxing down the runway to take off.

There were also reports that the pilots, before departing with the planes, left forged customs documents.

The two planes departed the airport in the early hours of the morning, without clearance from Customs, Immigration and Air Traffic Control.

The aircraft bearing registration numbers 8R-GTP and 8R-GMP are subjects of High Court litigation in Guyana and were not supposed to leave the country.

Acting director general of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Chitranie Heeralall had confirmed that the aircraft left Guyana without authorisation between 04:00h and 04:30h.

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guyana-times.com

friday, july 8, 2016

...postponed to August 27

Kirk Franklin T to perform Live at GNS S even-time Grammy Award winner, Kirk Dewayne Franklin will be performing live at the Guyana National Stadium on July 30 under the auspices of HYACINTH Skeete Ministries and Mavis Angela Mercy Missions Outreach.

The 46-year-old is an American gospel musician, choir director, and author. He is known for leading urban contemporary gospel choirs such as The Family, God’s Property and One Nation Crew (1NC), and has won multiple awards.

Despite his strict religious upbringing, Franklin rebelled in his teenage years, and in an attempt to keep him out of trouble, his grandmother arranged an audition for him at a professional youth conservatory associated with a local university.

He was accepted and, while his life seemed to be on track for a while, the announcement of a girlfriend’s pregnancy and his eventual expulsion from school for behavioural problems proved otherwise.

Franklin studied music with Jewell Kelly and the Singing Chaparrals at Oscar Dean Wyatt High School. He was under her tutelage for music direction as she allowed him to be the pianist for the choir. After the shooting death of a friend, Franklin returned to the church, where he began to direct the choir once again.

However, the renowned gospel singer is expected to be joined by Kenise Etwaru from the United States and the Gonsalves Brothers. Tickets for the concert are now available at the M&M Snackette, Demerara Harbour Bridge, East Coast Demerara; Giftland Mall, Pattensen, Greater Georgetown; and Muslim Top Up, in Linden.

General tickets cost $2000 and $3000, while VIP tickets cost $10,000 and $15,000 and the VVIP tickets cost $15,000 and $20,000. Showtime is 18:00h but gates open from 15:00h.

he highly anticipated Westside Auto Expo 5 which was billed for the Leonora Stadium on July 2 has been postponed until August 27 due to unforeseen circumstances. However, organisers announced that tickets purchased for the event are still valid.

As promised, the event will be one of Guyana’s biggest car and bike show and vehicle sound off to be held on the Westside.

Vehicle lovers are urged not to be heartbroken, since the delay will give the organisers more time to get the vehicles ready for the big day. These vehicles will compete for Graphic, Airbrush, Best Rims, Lights, as well as the Biggest Vehicle Sound Off. The Avengers, Red Jet, Dark Siderz,

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Wreaker, Star Cars, TRex, Xclusive and Massive are among the showstoppers that would have already confirmed their participate in the event.

However, for the first time, the competition will see vehicles being judged in over 35 categories including best graphics; best lights; best interior; best theme; best antique; best air brush; best motor bike; best technician; cleanest engine; cleanest vehicle; best looking sound; lowest vehicle; best rims; biggest vehicle group; bus with the most girls; cleanest hire car and the cleanest working bus.

Admission to the event remains at $1000 in advance and $1500 at the gate, while vehicle passes will be available for $1000.

ll roads will lead to the GFC Ground, Bourda on July 23 where the Art of War DJ Competition will be held with several disc jockeys competing for over $500,000 in cash.

Not only will the winner walk away with the title, but he will also have bragging rights for the next year. The event is promoted by Empire Media Inc and will feature Guyana’s “baddest” DJs. Those confirmed for the battlefield are Selector Face, DJ Magnum of Big Life Sound System, DJ Killer of African Vibz, DJ Antz Man and DJ Platinum.

Before the competition gets started, there will be some early juggling by Pier 1, DJ Dellon, who is also the coordinator for the event; ZJ Ice and DJ Energy from Boom FM. Early bird tickets for the event cost $1000 and will be available until July 15 after which those interested in going to the clash will pay $1500.

Tickets are available at Nigel’s Depot, Robb Street; Rubis Service Station, Mandela Avenue; Corner Kick Restaurant, Lime Street: Hot and Spicy Creole Corner, Third and Albert Streets; and Westsiderz Entertainment, Vreed-en-Hoop Junction.

For additional information, persons can contact DJ Dellon on telephone number 662-7270.

friDAY, july 8, 2016

guyana-times.com

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Former beauty queen records debut single F

ormer three-time beauty ambassador, activist and entrepreneur Ruqayyah Boyer is set to release her first single “Sunshine” on July 9.

“Sunshine”, which is the first single to be released off her debut EP is a more or less a pop love song with influences from dance pop, electro and some jazz.

The love song was written by Ruqayyah and produced by Simeon Browne of Wondamang Productions. It features in part Guyanese social commentary, dancehall and Soca artiste Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson and also former Ms United Kingdom 2013, Kirsty Heslewood.

The song speaks of romance and a young girl’s feelings for her significant other. The chorus – And I just want my ray of sunshine – repeats itself graciously before Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson belts out a metaphorically infused response

to what any lucky man with a good girl by his side would relay.

Ruqayyah states the role played by her colleague, former Ms United Kingdom Kirsty Heslewood will be featured in the visual release of the single which is currently scheduled to be completed and available for general viewing by mid-August.

Playing lead in the video will be Models Yohalanda Kerr and Kurt Nunes. The song is released in time for the holiday season and while Boyer states she has no set expectations of the musical number, she does feel a sense of accomplishment as she has always had a fear of completing a musical recording, strangely enough since the art form has always meant a lot to her growing up.

She expressed hopes of the song connecting with individuals who are in love, on a quest for love or about to find love and that if given the chance, they allow themselves to jam along.

Party with Digicel on Sunday @ the Party Stand T

he Hero’s Caribbean Premiere League is finally here in Guyana and Digicel is ready for the biggest party in sport. During the four-day high quality action at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, Digicel Guyana will add spice to the atmosphere by allowing cricket fans the chance to win fabulous prizes on a daily basis.

Come Sunday, Digicel has made it possible for close to 2000 cricket fans to watch the game as they party hard. Sunday, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on the Trinbago Knight Riders in what is expected to be one of the most anticipated games on

home soil.

Patrons in the party stand sponsored

by Digicel will be treated to free food and drinks during the match and will also be entertained by reigning Carib Soca Monarch, Jumo Primo who will perform several of his new hits, including “Bring the Beat”.

There will also be lots of giveaways and most of all; patrons can win fabulous prizes during the games at the National Stadium.

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he National Cultural Centre will once again come alive on July 22 as the theatrical spectacular, “Nothing to Laugh About” is held from July 22-25. This will be the 9th edition of the play which has lived up to its name over the years.

Last year, the production rocked the NCC with four sold out shows forcing the franchise to facilitate two held-over shows.

As always, this year the show will straddle all the divides; be it politics, race or religion. Some of the skits are satirical in nature and do not spare caricaturing anyone, there is no vindictiveness but just humour.

As the cast prepares for the big day, a team of scriptwriters, including Lyndon Jones, Maria Benschop, Sonia Yarde, Leza Singh, Michael Ignatius and Clemencio Godette, as well as Mark Kazim, Rochelle Christie, Clinton Duncan, Odessa Primus and Kwasi Edmondson are working around the clock to get the final product out for the

public.

This year’s cast include Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, Michael Ignatius, Kirwyn Mars, Chris Gopaul, Clemencio Goddette, Leza “Radika” Singh, Mark “Chiney man” Kazim, Leslyn Bobb-semple, Gerard Gilkes, Simone Persaud, Alana Craigen, Leon Cummings, Johann David, Mark Luke Edwards and Brian Goodman. The Stage Manager is

Sonia Yarde.

Patrons are advised to be on time as the show will begin at 20:00h sharp. Tickets will cost $1000, $1500 and $2000 and are available at the box office. Dress code will be in effect.

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friDAY, july 8, 2016

National darts team off to Americas/ Caribbean Championship

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he national darts team departed Guyana at 06:00 hrs this morning en route to Barbados to compete in the Americas/Caribbean Cup which commences on Saturday July 9 and runs until July 18.

A total of thirteen players, eight males and five females along with a coach and manager are allowed on each team. However, due to the financial situation of the Guyana Darts Association (GDA) they are taking the minimum team requirement of eight male and four female.

The following is a full list of the team; Jamwant Bhupan: (President/ Manager/ Player), Sudesh Fitzgerald. : (Coach/Captain), Luis Merlano(Assiostant coach/player), Marvin Yaw(coach/ player), Lallchand Rambharose, Nicholas Seetaram, Adrian Damon, Terence Joseph, Mary Correia, Jaswantie Hiralall, Victorine Chandro and Melissa Smartt.

The players will compete in the following category: singles, doubles, mixed doubles and triples.

Crawford wins URP 45-miler in Berbice

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

J The national darts team

Prior to their departure, the national team utilized the Malteenoes Sports Club Pavilion three times per week for training. This was done to ensure the players are prepared to compete. This tournament is held once every two years in the Caribbean and also in Florida.

Countries participating are, host Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica Bahamas, Turk and Caicos, Florida, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Belize and Canada.

Last time Guyana participated in an international competition in 2014, they managed a few accolades in the Bryden’s Cup also held

in the Land of the Flying Fish. National Champion Sudesh Fitzgerald, who is the captain of the current team, was Guyana’s top player. He combined with a foreign player to win the mixed doubles category.

Fitzgerald also won the Caribbean and South American Masters in 2008 which qualified him to represent Guyana at the PDC World Darts Championship, held in London in 2009. In 2008 he reached the sem-final in the World Darts Federation Americas Cup singles. Miss Hiralall won the ladies single in 2008 in the Bryden’s Darts Festival, which is held yearly in Barbados.

uban Crawford in a time of one hour, fiftyone minutes (1:51), has won the United Republican Party (URP) 45-mile Caricom road race held on Monday in Berbice.

Crawford continued to show that he is the number one rider in Berbice. He received good support from his teammates to ensure that Trojan Cycle Club claims the top four positions at the end of the event.

The second place went to Brian Harris ahead of Sammy Mottoo, Andrew Green and Syborne Fernandez finishing in that order.

All five riders along with Franko and Romello Crawford stayed together from the starting point at Friendship Village, Corentyne but when they reached New Amsterdam, Crawford pulled away leaving the quartet behind as the riders rode against the strong Corentyne wing heading back the Friendship for the finish.

URP Leader Vishnu Bandhu presenting the winning prize to Juban Crawford

Mootoo and Harris soon left the other two and started closing the gap on Crawford but the paste was too much for Mootoo.

He allowed Harris to travel sole to catch the leader and when he did Crawford made no fuss about it. The race was decided in the last two hundred meters in a sprint to the finish line.

Mootoo rode in as a loner.

Crawford claimed four of

the eight sprint point prizes up for grabs; two went to Khan and one each to Mootoo and Romello Crawford.

In the juvenile category, national champion Zamal Khan was the first to cross the finish line with Tameshwar Danhai second ahead of Damien Bowman and Kenwin Collins in that order.

For the females, Shenika Teixeira rode in ahead of Whitney Poyer.

Euro 2016

Germany 0-2 France: Griezmann double sends Les Bleus through to Euro 2016 final

T

he Atletico Madrid star scored either side of the interval as the hosts downed the world champions to set up a clash with Portugal at the Stade de France on Sunday Antoine Griezmann’s double sent hosts France through to the final of Euro 2016 with a 2-0 win over world champions Germany in Marseille.

Griezmann gave Les Bleus the lead from the spot after Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area right on the stroke of half time.

Joachim Low’s men dominated proceedings until the spot-kick decision, but they posed less of a threat after the break – failing to register a shot on target until injury time as France defended stoutly.

And Griezmann sealed the victory in the closing stages after mistakes

from Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer presented him with a simple finish.

Germany had beaten France en route to their World Cup success two years ago, but they will not secure a famous double as their 20-year wait for a continental crown goes on, with Portugal now awaiting Les Bleus in Sunday’s final at Stade de France.

After winning their first major semi-final appearance since the 2006 World Cup, Didier Deschamps’ side will be favourites as they look to seal glory having won their two previous Euro finals.

France – playing with an unchanged team for the first time in Euros history – came close early on when Griezmann weaved through the Germany defence and forced Neuer into an important low save.

Germany responded swiftly, with Hugo Lloris at full stretch to keep out

Antoine Greizmann celebrates after scoring his second goal

a threatening deflected effort from Emre Can, who was one of three changes for the world champions as they re-shuffled their pack due to the absences of Mario Gomez, Mats Hummels and Sami Khedira.

Die Mannschaft were the more threatening side as the first half progressed as Toni Kroos went down right on the edge of the box under pressure from Paul Pogba and Samuel Umtiti, but referee Nicola Rizzoli was un-

moved as the Real Madrid midfielder claimed for a penalty.

Germany were taking charge of possession, but the match took a dramatic twist seconds before the half-time whistle when Rizzoli did point to the spot at the other end.

In the match that saw him crowned the mostcapped European player at major international tournaments, Schweinsteiger denied Evra the chance to head at goal with his arm from close-range after Griezmann’s corner.

Griezmann stepped up and he showed no nerves to send Neuer the wrong way despite having missed a penalty in the Champions League final for Atletico Madrid less than six weeks ago.

And Germany suffered another huge blow when key centre-back, Jerome Boateng, limped off af-

ter an hour at the Stade Velodrome.

Germany continued to have most of the ball in the second half, but they had failed to trouble Lloris before Griezmann secured a famous home victory with 18 minutes remaining.

Pogba capitalised on a defensive error from Kimmich and when Neuer could only push his cross into the path of Griezmann, the forward stabbed home his sixth goal of the tournament.

Kimmich - trying to atone for his earlier error curled an excellent effort off the far post from the edge of the area, but Germany ultimately failed to trouble Lloris until it was too late.

The Tottenham keeper made a brilliant stoppagetime save from Kimmich’s header to preserve his clean sheet as France booked their date against Portugal in the final on home soil.

YELLOW PAGES friDAY, july 8, 2016 | www.guyana-times.com

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matches of this year’s tournament, Barbados meet Trinidad & Tobago at La Sagesse and Jamaica tackle Leeward Islands at the Tanteen Recreation Ground in the Spice Isle’s capital of St. George’s.

MATCH SCHEDULE

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Round 1 – Wednesday, July 27 Windward Islands vs Guyana – Progress Park Barbados vs Trinidad & Tobago – La Sagesse Jamaica vs Leeward Islands – Tanteen Recreation Ground Round 2 – Friday, July 29 Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago – Progress Park Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands – La Sagesse Guyana vs Barbados – Tanteen Recreation Ground Round 3 – Saturday, July 30 Windward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago – Tanteen Recreation Ground Jamaica vs Barbados – Progress Park Leeward Islands vs Guyana – La Sagesse Round 4 – Monday, August 1 Guyana vs Jamaica – Tanteen Recreation Ground Windward Islands vs Barbados – La Sagesse Trinidad & Tobago vs Leeward Islands – Progress Park Round 5 – Wednesday, August 3 Guyana vs Trinidad & Tobago – Tanteen Recreation Ground Windward Islands vs Jamaica – La Sagesse Barbados vs Leeward Islands – Progress Park Wednesday, July 27 in Grenada.

The Guyanese captured the title last year on home soil by topping the points table, following victories over Leeward Islands, Jamaica and Windwards, and in spite of no-results against Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados.

In the other first round

Rawl Lewis, the Grenada-born former Windward Islands captain and West Indies leg-spinner, now WICB project officer for junior cricket, said the RU15 was important to encourage development for young players from across the Caribbean while promoting competition at the regional level.

“This competition gives our junior players an opportunity early in their development to showcase their ability on the regional stage and test themselves against the best players in their age group,” said Lewis.

“Having regional matches for players in this age group is also extremely valuable and productive for us because it will give a clear understanding about the depth of talent that exists in the region, so we know where we need to place the emphasis in the development cycle, as the players work to move up through the age groups in their respective territories.”

The Tournament – in its 21st year – will be contested under a round-robin format, featuring five rounds of matches with the team accumulating the most points being declared champions.

The Regional Under-15 Tournament commenced in 1996 with then hosts T&T taking the inaugural title.

They hold the record for the most RU15 titles with seven, also winning the title in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2013.

Reigning champions Guyana have claimed the top prize three times comprising back-to-back titles twice – in 1998 and 1999, and again 2014 and last year.

Jamaica have won the title on four occasions (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) and Barbados have won three times (1997, 2004, 2012).

Windwards emerged champions eight years ago, leaving Leewards yet to win the title. (WICB)

P&P Insurance Cycling Programme set for Saturday

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Flashback! Paul DeNobrega (L) receives the winner trophy in 2015

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he 16th edition of the P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited 11race cycle programme will be staged on Saturday July 9 around the inner circuit of the National Park from 09:00hrs.

The 35-lap feature race is expected to see new challengers emerge in the wake of the absence of team Coco’s top riders (Raynauth Jeffrey, Hamza Eastman,

Stephano Husbands and Jamal John) who will be returning to training and competing in Colombia.

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and Shaquel Agard.

The event is being organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed and there will also be races for juveniles, veterans, BMX boys and girls, mountain bikers and upright cyclists.

Representatives of the P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited are expected to witness the races and assist with the presentation of prizes.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

friDAY, july 8, 2016

Orealla and NATI reach regional semi-final – big clash today at Burnham Park

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

T

wo-time regionalist finalist Orealla Secondary and former regional champions, New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) are through to the semi-finals of zone six of the 6th annual Digicel National Knockout schools football tournament.

NATI qualified with

Ervin in a one-sided affair goals from Regan Reece in the 15th and 24th minutes and then one from Keon Williams in the 26th minute, Troy Morrison walked off the field to leave Vryman’s Ervin with ten players.

Three minutes later it became 4-0 when Kelshon Luke scored in the 29th minute. Six minutes later Williams registered another goal and in the 38th The well-prepared New Amsterdam Technical Institute unit

Team Orealla Secondary School

a 17-0 win over indiscipline Vryman’s Ervin Secondary while Orealla got passed the ambitious Tagore Memorial 16-0 in their third round matches.

Playing at the Burnham Park in New Amsterdam on Tuesday, NATI came up against Vryman’s

minute, Dexter Allen put his name on the scoring card. Aaron Hunte was at the same time sent off for using indecent language to the referee to make matters worse for Vryman’s Ervin.

On the resumption after the interval, Kevon

Williams did not take the field for Vryman’s Ervin and they had no replacement on the bench. NATI took advantage of the prevailing situation on the muddy outfield and Williams scored gain in the first minute after the resumption.

The rampage continued and saw Williams scoring goals in the 49th, 50th, 53rd, 69th, 74th and 82nd minutes. Also scoring were; Kelon Cadogan in the 72nd and 79th minutes, Joel Carmichael in the 78th and Jque Simmons in the 82 minute.

NATI squandered several chances from inside the six-yard box as player attempted different methods of scoring.

In a more realistic football encounter at the Skeldon Community Centre on Wednesday, Orealla took advantage of an inexperienced Tagore Memorial and Miggel Devair scored a hat-trick to take his tally to nine goals in the competition so far.

Edwin Russell with goals in the 16th, 24th and 35th minutes along with Shawn Peneux with goals in the 14th 27th and 9th minutes also registered hat tricks.

The other scores were Andrew France with a double, Fernando Edwards, Donald France and Brinsley Rajnarine.

A defense error accounted for the other goal.

Orealla will be out for revenge when they meet with NATI at the Burnham Park. The two schools last met in the regional final when the tournament was first held. Back then NATI prevailed 6-0 at the All Saints Ground. NATI went on to place third overall in the national competition.

Ramdhani outstanding at GOA Olympic Day event

R

ecently the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) held its presentation for the 2016 Olympic Day event and it was national Junior Sportsman of the year Narayan Ramdhani who was outstanding.

Ramdhani won both categories he competed in and was also awarded for his outstanding achievement in 2016. He combined with Jonatha Mangra to win the men’s doubles while joining his sibling Priyanna Ramdhani to win the mix doubles segment.

The list of award recipients are; LADIES DOUBLES: first place: Priyanna Ramdhani and Ambika Ramraj second, place: Ayanna Watson and Emelia Ramdhani and third places: Kara Abrams & Wonita Yang and Gabriella Pertab and Priyanka Shivnauth.

MEN DOUBLES; First Place: SUNBURST Narayan Ramdhani and Jonathan Mangra, second place: Gokarn Ramdhani and Nicholas Ali and third places: Ronald Chang Yuen and Avinash Odit and Darrell Carpenay and Marlon Chung.

MIX DOUBLES: first place: SUNBURST Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani, second place: Jonathan Mangra and Ambika Ramraj and third places: Cecil Abrams and Kara Abrams and Darrell Carpenay and Ayanna Watson The presentation started with a short prayer by Kara Abrams, followed by remarks from the President of the GBA, Gokarn Ramdhani.

The GOA

President Kalam JuminYassin then made a few remarks followed by a musical presentation by Ronald Chang Yuen and National Sports Commission; Sports Director Christopher Jones did the closing remarks.

The GBA would like to thank the GOA, NSC, SUNBURST, BANKS DIH, Parent and Players for making this presentation a success.

The presentation for the Tournament for the first, second and third placed winners were done Charles Corbin of the GOA, GOA Juman-Yassin and NSC Jones while the presentation of certificates to the Olympic Day runners was done by Gervy Harry of NSC. SPECIAL PRIZES: Past National ChampionWilliam Holder, Most Improved Player- Gabriella Pertab, Upcoming PlayerFardeen Alli, Outstanding Achivements 2016SUNBURST Narayan Ramdhani (Junior Sportsman of the Year, National Champion & World Ranked, Suriname International Tripple Champion, Peru International Bronze Medalist, GUMDAC Champion, Trophy Stall Champion and GOA Champion).

Receiving certificate for the GOA Olympic day run were; Gokarn Ramdhani,, Emelia Ramdhani, Narayan Ramdhani, Priyanna Ramdhani, Fardeen Alli, Jonnedd Taylor, Ariel Haynes, Gail Haynes, Medharishi Ramdhani, Susan Ramdhani, Ayanna Watson, Kara Abrams and Cecil Abrams.

WICB Regional Women’s Super 50 2016

Opening Day matches abandoned

T

wo of the three matches in the opening round of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Women’s Regional Super 50 Tournament were abandoned due to wet conditions without a ball being bowled while Trinidad and Tobago beat Barbados in the only game possible.

Defending Champions Barbados lost to Trinidad and Tobago at Enmore by 4 wickets in the game that started

late and was reduced to 30 over per side.

Barbados batted first and got to 76/7 from their overs to which Trinidad and Tobago replied with 77/6 with 5 overs to spare.

The two matches that were abandoned are Guyana versus the Windward Islands at Enterprise ground on the East Coast of Demerara and Leeward Islands against Jamaica at Everest in Georgetown.

Trinidad & Tobago took four points while Guyana, Jamaica, Windwards and Leewards all got two points for the abandoned matches.

Three more matches are scheduled for tomorrow, Everest will have the Windwards and Leewards, Enterprise will see the match between Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago while Enmore will host Jamaica versus Barbados encounter.

guyana-times.com

fridAY, july 8, 2016

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

23

Warriors whip Tallawahs by 7 wickets for 3rd straight win he Guyana Amazon Warriors began their home matches in the 2016. Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a thumping seven wicket win over the Jamaica Tallawahs with 12 balls to spare. In the process, the Warriors won their third consecutive match to go to the top of the points table.

Set 101 to win match nine of the CPL at Providence, Warriors eased home with little fuss due to some high tempo knocks by Chris Lynn, Jason Mohammed and Anthony Bramble. The chase of the small target was set up nicely by the superb effort by the home team’s bowling unit led by Man-

undoing.

The spinners came on from both ends and scor-

ange stand.

At 53/3 in the 14th over Anthony Bramble came out

wicket stand that ensured there was no fairy tale ending for the Tallawahs, by

Earlier, Warriors won the toss and Sohail Tanvir was the man with the golden arm

there for Permaul since he bowled Chadwick Walton with the next delivery and the Tallawahs were in deeper trouble at 24 for 3 inside the power play.

Shakib Al-Hasan (25) and Rovman Powell stage a recovery of some sorts when they added 51 for the fourth wicket with smart batting but Hasan gifted his wicket when he played a lofted shot straight to deep mid-wicket; Andre McCarthy (00) was stumped next ball and the slide continued for the Tallawahs.

The Warriors never seemed to allow to oppositions batsmen to expressed themselves, as they hit only two boundaries from the first 10 overs on a pitch which looked quicker than those of

of-the match Veerasammy Permaul with 3-20.

The Warriors chase got going when Captain Martin

ing became extremely difficult for the Warriors. The power play yielded just 13 runs. Lynn who smashed a whirlwind 43-ball 77 in

all guns firing and changed the whole complexion of the match but had two lives when he was dropped in some acrobatic attempts

by Shakib Al Hasan on the boundary.

The Lynn-Bramble combination added 48 off 28 balls in a blistering fourth

sealing the win with two overs to spear.

Lynn struck three sixes and one four in his uneaten knock of 39 while Bramble’s 18-ball 27 was inclusive of two sixes and one four; Wasim with 2-6 was Tallwahs most successful bowler.

when got his second delivery of the match to nip-back striking the in-form and ever so dangerous Chris Gayle on the pads. The Tallawahs

the past.

The rock of the innings, Powell eventually succumb to the pressure after mak-

By Akeem Greene

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SCOREBOARD Jamaica Tallawahs innings (20 overs maximum)

Guptill played a sumptuous cut shot off the bowling of left-arm spinner Gary Mathurin that sped to the ropes and the homeside looked set to gun down the total with little trouble.

However, the chase was jolted when the left-arm spin of Imad Wasim accounted for the wickets of Guptill and inform Dwayne Smith. Guptill attempted to force the ball over the in-field and was taken a mid-off while lack of footwork by Smith saw his

the previous match against the Trinbago Knight Riders along with Jason Mohammed (22) stemmed the flow of wickets with a gusty partnership of 42 that keep the Warriors in check with the target.

Mohammed fell with 48 needed for 40 balls but Lynn who was quiet most of the innings began clearing the ropes, one of which was a distain pull shot off the bowling of speedster Dale Steyn that went sailing into the or-

b C Walton Permaul 12 C Gayle* lbw b Sohail Tanvir 0 K Sangakkara† c Mohammed b Permaul 9 R Powell c Mohammed b Emrit 38 S Al Hasan c Mohammed b Permaul 25 N Bonner b Zampa 0 D Steyn run out (Smith/†Bramble) 2 G Mathurin not out 1 K Williams lbw b Emrit 4 Extras: (lb 1, w 6) 7 Total: (all out; 18 overs) 100 Fall of wickets:1-1 (Gayle, 0.2 ov), 2-24 (Sangakkara, 4.3 ov), 3-24 (Walton, 4.4 ov), 4-75 (Shakib Al Hasan, 12.3 ov), 5-80 (Bonner, 13.5 ov), 6-80 (McCarthy, 13.6 ov), 7-91 (Imad Wasim, 16.2 ov), 8-94 (Steyn, 16.6 ov), 9-94 (Powell, 17.1 ov), 10-100 (Williams, 17.6 ov) Bowling: Tanvir 3-0-11-

2 (3w), Jacobs 4-0-25-0, Permaul 4-0-20-3 (1w), Emrit 3-0-17-2 (2w), Zampa 4-0-26-2 Guyana Amazon Warriors innings (target: 101 runs from 20 overs) D Smith b Imad Wasim 4 M Guptill* c McCarthy bImad Wasim5 C Lynn not out 39 J Mohammed l b w b Shakib Al Hasan 22 A Bramble† not out 27 Extras: (b 1, w 2, nb 1) 4 Total: (3 wickets; 18 overs) 101 Did not bat: CD Barnwell, Sohail Tanvir, SA Jacobs, RR Emrit, V Permaul, A Zampa Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Guptill, 3.3 ov), 2-11 (Smith, 3.6 ov), 3-53 (Mohammed, 13.2 ov) Bowling: Steyn 2-0-15-0, Wasim 4-0-62, Mathurin 4-0-16-0, Al Hasan 4-0-21-1 (1w), Bonner 2-0-19-0 (1nb, 1w), Williams 1-0 -15-0, Powell 1-0-8-0

captain was sent on his way by umpire John Ward without scoring and his team 1/1 much to the delight of the vocal Amazon Warriors fans.

It became even more a perfect start for the Warriors when the experienced Kumar Sangakkara lifted the left-arm spin of Permaul out to deep mid-wicket after which Jason Mohammed obliged by taking the catch of the match; a full stretch dive to leave the visitors at 24/2. The joy did not end

ing 38 (1x4;1x6) and the rest of the batting failed offer any resistance, as the rest of the batting capitulated, slipping from 75-4 in the 13th over to 100 all out in 18 overs.

Rayad Emrit, Tanvir and Adam Zampa all picked up two wickets a piece.

The Amazon Warriors now sit on six points from three wins and will now meet the St. Kitts and Nevis in a return fixture tomorrow from 12:00 Hrs. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

fridAY, july 8, 2016

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

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

Warriors whip Tallawahs by 7 wickets for 3rd straight win

Pg 23

The Guyana Amazon Warriors got their home campaign off to an impressive start with a comprehensive win over Jamaica Tallawahs (CPL 2016 Photo)

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