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Establishment of Rights Commissions achievable P10 before year end – President Granger Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2882

guyana-times.com

Saturday, June 11, 2016

PRICE

Forensic audit

WHAT'S INSIDE:

NDIA purchased $M in machinery for GuySuCo – $1.8 in unjustifiable repairs

Madewini man stabbed to death in bed

Page 7

– 12 inch knife, pink mobile phone found at murder scene

1 injured P10 in Liliendaal accident KN grenade attack

Police P8 issues wanted bulletin for mastermind

Page 3

CANU unearths 170 lbs marijuana in WBD house Page 8

Vreeden-Hoop P7 vendors relocated to facilitate road project

Page 13

Winners of the Golden Jubilee parade competition All awardees gather with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Ministers Jaipaul Sharma and Nicolette Henry at the National Cultural Centre on Friday evening

Eteringbang shooting

Venezuelan Govt denies military shot at GGMC workers

Page 10

CH&PA staff accuse Minister of being out of control Page 17

$80 vat included

China dog meat row: Millions P15 back petition against Yulin festival Mashabo P2 parents highlight hardship to send children to school

2 news

saturDAY, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Mashabo parents highlight hardship Caricom heads must address trade war to send children to school

By Indrawattie Natram

P

arents residing in the Amerindian community of Mashabo, located aback of Huis’t Dieren Village, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) are currently finding it difficult to send their children to school as a result of the depressed economy.

At a public meeting conducted by Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt, residents expressed frustrations, explaining that business is very slow within their community.

According to village councillor Michael Charles, lumber and farming is currently unprofitable and so residents are suffering, particularly in sending their children to school. Charles said residents are calling on government to reintroduce the $10,000 cash grant or any form of incentive to assist them.

Another parent, Henry Hendreicks who has a son attending the Aurora

Residents at the community meeting

Secondary School said that on a monthly basis he spends almost $30,000 to get his child to school on the Essequibo Coast. Hendreicks too said lumbering is very slow and money is not circulating within the community.

He said due to the rice industry being down it is having a severe negative effect of Amerindians.

Other parents echoed similar sentiments, explaining that it is very expensive

on them and most of them are unemployed. Mothers said they are finding it difficult to provide a meal, resources or even footwear for their children to attend school.

Toshao of the village Sylvn Rapheal also said that on a daily basis residents are complaining. Many persons depend on farming and lumbering to sustain livelihood and presently there is lack of markets. He went on that he is urgently seeking avenues

to assist his people by trying to create a project that the entire community can benefit from.

Region Two Chairman Ramdatt after listening to residents’ concerns told them that he made representation from the RDC and his party level for the re-introduction of the cash grant but his efforts were unsuccessful.

Ramdatt said he is aware of the constraints families are facing due to the negative effects of the rice industry.

He said Region Two is predominately a rice growing area and if the rice industry is down it means most residents’ livelihood are hampered. Ramdatt told residents he has been traveling throughout to all nine Amerindian communities and the requests are the same for assistance to send their children to school.

Ramdatt emphasised to parents the importance of education and that they should try their utmost to send their children to school.

between Trinidad, Jamaica – Granger

P

resident David Granger on Thursday said the solution to the ongoing trade war between Trinidad and Jamaica could help to strengthen the Caribbean Community (Caricom), and hopes the Heads of Government meeting to be held here in July would seek to address this.

The two Caricom members have for the last couple of months been at loggerheads over a move by immigration officials in Port of Spain to refuse entry of 12 Jamaicans back in March.

The incident had sparked outrage in Jamaica, and officials had recommended that food being imported to the country from Trinidad should be boycotted.

President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), William

Mahfood, had said Jamaica should co nsid e r using its influence within Caricom until Trinidad and Tobago honours its obligations under the Caribbean Community Single Market and Economy (CSME) which allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the regional integration grouping.

Speaking on his weekly programme “The Public Interest”, Granger said the feud could be good example for Caricom.

“I do not necessarily believe that the debate taking place between Trinidad and Jamaica is dysfunctional...I think it will help to strengthen the organisation Caricom”, he told journalists during the interview.

Guyana will in July host the Caricom Heads of Government meeting which will be chaired by Dominica and address the issue between the two countries. He said he hopes it is resolved.

At the recent Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Summit held in Havana, Cuba earlier this month, the Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaican prime ministers met and held discussion on the issue.

The T&T government has since said the Jamaicans were denied entry because it felt they would be a “charge” on the public purse.

Jamaica is said to be the fourth largest market for goods from Trinidad and

President David Granger

Tobago and buys approximately US$500 million of goods from the oil-rich twinisland republic.

President Granger said he didn’t think there will be any damage to the Caribbean Community because of what has been happening. “ I d o n ’ t t h i n k there will be a damage to the

Caribbean Community because of what is taking place between Trinidad and Jamaica…

I don’t think there is a danger of exit (by Jamaica) from Caricom... I don’t want to look back into history with the collapse of the West Indies Federation.

Each state has its own national interest to pursue... it is my view that in the final analysis the Caribbean Community will survive and will be strengthened from the debate that is taking place”, the President said.

Meanwhile, President Granger said Caricom countries continue to battle with trade issues.

“Every member state must look after its own interest. It must ensure that the products entering its country are in accordance with national standard.

We must insist on high standards. As far as Guyana is concerned, we hope to go more than before into agro processing so that we can provide more products for the Caribbean”, He said.

He said: “The market is wide open as a whole, I think the region could do more to stimulate inter-island, or interstate trade before going into the international community,” Granger posited

news

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saturDAY, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 11 – 09:30h-11:00h and Sunday, June 12 – 10:30h-12:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 11 – 08:25h-09:55h and Sunday, June 12 – 09:20h-10:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloud cover with heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while light cloud cover can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres per second and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 08:58h and 21:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.32 metres and 2.24 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:30h and 15:02h reaching minimum heights of 0.95 metre and 0.90 metre respectively.

wednesday, June 8, 2016

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Thursday, June 10, 2016

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Forensic audit

NDIA purchased $M in machinery for GuySuCo – $1.8B spent on unjustifiable repairs

T

he National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been spending millions of dollars over the years to buy machinery for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) without any clearance from the Board of Directors or cabinet, according to the forensic audit conducted last year.

The audit report was published on Friday by the Ministry of Finance and was done by Nigel Hinds and Clement DeNobrega, covering the period November 1, 2011 to May 31, 2015.

In the report, Hinds pointed out that NDIA purchased 10 Hyundai R220 LC excavators valued $295 million and tractors with harrows costing some $198 million for GuySuCo in 2013, amounting to $493 million.

According to the auditor, the excavators were on the Asset listing provided by finance staff but they were not described as NDIA property and were registered in the name of GuySuCo. He further noted that the registrations for the tractors and harrows were not available as those were still with the supplier and were not even on the listing provided. Those tractors were supplied directly to GuySuCo for drainage and tillage.

In addition, he disclosed that one excavator was purchased and registered in the name of Ministry of Public Works at a cost of $27 million but was shown on NDIA Asset Listing.

“There has to be a clear Policy Guideline to inform Finance Staff as to what items of machinery and equipment should be included on its asset listing and reasons why items purchased with NDIA Funds are excluded; instead of having NDIA appearing as a banker for GuySuCo,” Hinds outlined.

According to Hinds, when NDIA was de-linked from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in 2004, it received capital assets upon its establishment as a separate entity. The analysis of the registration documents of machinery revealed that ownership of the machinery NDIA acquired from the ministry was never vested in the authority.

This practice, the auditor said, continued well into 2014 when some 25 excavators procured for NDIA were registered in the name of MoA. He noted that while there were some units that were correctly registered to NDIA, some other machines

are described as owned by “MOA & NDIA”.

It was further observed that the 10 excavators that were bought for GuySuCo, are registered as owned by the MoA and are listed as “MOA NDIA Property”.

These excavators are listed as located at GuySuCo and the transaction would be dealt with under capital expenditure since it appears as though NDIA acted as a bank to the Sugar Corporation.

The auditor noted that management could not provide any explanation for this irregular practice.

Moreover, it was disclosed that a letter was writ-

ten by then Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), R.Singh, to NDIA CEO, Lionel Wordsworth, in June 2013 for the authority to provide short-term financing for 10 Holland Tractors to the tune of $161.9 million. The auditor explained that while this money was repaid on January 3, 2014, NDIA had used funds from its own budget to fund that request and this would have impacted on its plans for the 2013 fiscal year.

In addition to these purchases, Hinds said NDIA also constructed pumping stations valued $146 million based on figures seen in its Capital Expenditure Plan.

“It is still not clear why tractors with harrows used primarily for tillage by GuySuCo would have been purchased by NDIA. More importantly there was no evidence from the Board Minutes reviewed that this matter was discussed at the Board level. Even the letter written

by Mr. R.Singh, DCEO of GuySuCo was not presented to the Board,” the auditor posited. turn to page 11

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guyana-times.com

saturdAY, june 11, 2016

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Urgent passage of Tobacco Control Legislation

F

rom statements being made by public officials recently, it seems as if Guyana is one step closer to having the long-awaited Tobacco Control Legislation debated and passed in Parliament. We quoted the Public Health Minister a few days ago as saying the final draft of the Bill is expected to be taken to Cabinet for final approval before it is taken to the Parliament where it is to be debated and passed.

There were many criticisms levelled against both the present and past administrations, for not moving fast enough to have the crucial tobacco control legislation enacted even though many countries in the region have gone ahead with theirs. It could be recalled that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Regional Advisor on Tobacco Control, Dr Adrianna Blanco had said there is no reason to justify why tobacco control legislation has not yet been tabled in Guyana’s Parliament.

Blanco, like many of us, is of the view that passing the tobacco legislation should be a top priority for this country, considering the number of persons dying from various causes as a result of tobacco use. We therefore take this opportunity to urge the relevant officials not to further delay the passage of the legislation due to its high level of importance.

Many countries across the world have recognised the need to have tobacco legislation in place and have taken the necessary steps aimed at protecting their citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

It is well accepted that tobacco is a deadly product that kills millions of people every year, and most of its victims are from low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) uses the term “global tobacco epidemic” to describe the deadly effects and the high number of persons dying from tobacco use.

According to WHO, tobacco-related illness is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced.

Approximately one person dies from a tobacco-caused disease every 6 seconds, equivalent to almost six million people a year. This is forecast to rise to more than eight million people a year by 2030, with more than 80% of these preventable deaths occurring among people living in low- and middleincome countries.

Tobacco use is one of the largest preventable causes of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Hence, tobacco control represents a powerful tool in improving health in communities and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The statistics mentioned before are indeed very worrying and should cause all stakeholders, including both government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to recommit themselves to taking the necessary action needed to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens.

The tobacco control legislation fulfils the requirements laid out in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The legislation is intended to protect present and future generations from the “devastating harms” of tobacco use, exposure to tobacco smoke and specifically to prevent tobacco use among youths.

The legislation also seeks to ensure the public is protected from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, while preventing the illicit trade in tobacco products.

There is no doubt that we could be successful in the fight to ensure that the numbers of persons dying as a result of the harmful effects of tobacco use or being exposed to secondhand smoking is significantly reduced. However, much of the successes in this fight will be based on having the necessary legislation in place and also by ensuring that such legislation is effectively and rigidly enforced.

Of importance too is the need to design and implement thorough public education and awareness campaigns aimed at changing public attitudes regarding tobacco use and the accompanying deadly effects on persons. To begin with, the authorities should commence a public awareness drive aimed at sensitising the general public on various aspects of the legislation and what it provides for.

We have seen the huge negative impact tobacco is having on people all over the world; the level of destruction and deaths warrant urgent action. It could be very costly to families and communities in general. Guyana cannot afford to lag behind in terms of the legislative requirements needed to tackle this issue holistically.

Congratulations to our Employee of the Month (May) - Ms Devina Samaroo.

Ms Samaroo is a senior journalist with the Guyana Times/TVG/Radio Guyana.

She balances the hectic work of the newsroom along with her studies at Nations University and volunteering. In photo: Ms Samaroo receives her award from Editor of Guyana Times, Ms Tusika Martin

Taxpayers will receive refunds once they satisfy GRA requirements

Dear Editor, The Guyana Revenue Authority wishes to respond to a letter published in the Friday, June 10, 2016 Edition of the Guyana Times Newspaper titled “Open Letter to GRA Commissioner General” in which the writer is seeking answers on the delayed receipt of Mortgage Interest Relief (MIR) Refunds due to him.

The GRA takes this opportunity to thank Mr Michael Singh for writing on the matter as a concerned taxpayer and wishes to apologize for any inconvenience experienced by him due to the delay as well as any tone of response he may have interpreted via telephone by any staffer of the MIR office who may not have been knowledgeable about the status of his refund. GRA has various Departments, each, dealing with separate tax matters and some Departments depend on the processing features of another.

Therefore, making calls to the Agency does not nec-

essarily mean that the employee who answers the telephone would be in the position at the exact moment to provide a status as there are thousands of taxpayers who would call the Agency daily.

In some cases as well, for specific and confidential tax matters, taxpayers are urged to visit the Agency themselves.

Otherwise, GRA’s Communication & Tax Advisory Services Section is the Division that usually responds to taxpayers and may follow up on a specific case to provide answers and information to the public on a case by case basis, depending on the nature of the matter at hand.

The GRA must note, however, that it is puzzled as to whether (based on the way his letter was crafted) Mr Singh is speaking on his and his family’s behalf only or whether he is representing a group of persons as he constantly made reference to ‘we”, indicating a seemingly collective group yet signed the letter using his name

only.

Nevertheless, the Agency wishes to firstly advise that it does not invent rules for the taxpaying public in any adhoc manner as may have been insinuated in his first paragraph ( …..’until such time that the GRA thinks we should renew again’….) since GRA can only administer the Laws crafted in Parliament.

As can be recalled, in 2015, new amendments were made which affected the Law governing the process for Mortgage Interest Relief.

This resulted in the taxpayer being required to file an Income Tax Return and including his claim for any Refund on same.

If he/she had already begun to receive MIR Refundsclaimed in the previous year or in the early part of 2015 (which was the case of Mr. Singh), then the remainder of the Relief for the rest of that year would have had to be made based on the new Amendment. Consequently, Mr Singh would have had to claim the balance of the

Relief on the Income Tax Return Form submitted for the year of Assessment 2016.

GRA wishes to assure Mr Singh and any other concerned taxpayer claiming MIR Refunds, that Refunds for a large section of the populace have already been processed and received by those Taxpayers. However, with the large influx of Taxpayers in the last months and the thousands of Income Tax Returns received and MIR claims made, many of these are still being processed in our system.

We urge that the remainder of persons whose returns have not yet been processed, continue to exercise patience and make checks with the Tax Advisory Services Section. GRA wishes to assure that all taxpayers (including Mr Singh) will receive their refunds once they have satisfied the requirements.

Ingrid Griffith CommissionerGeneral (ag)

In support of CHPA staff, Minister Dear Editor, I read with both shock and amusement a letter carried in the Friday, June 10 edition of the Kaieteur Newspaper which was purportedly written by staff of the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

Firstly, I must point out that while I served as Minister of Housing and Water every level of management and staff had input in the decision-making processes within the sector which in turn impacted our policies.

The fact that the current Minister Valrie PattersonSharpe is making core decisions in consultation and discourse with Denise Tudor and Mryna Pitt means that the entire organisational structure is being represented. After all Pitt is the Chief Executive Officer while Tudor is the Director of Land Allocation.

My advice therefore is that this cannot be a letter from CHPA staff. It sounds more like a letter from a disgruntled person who himself/herself is

seeking power and influence as well as control in the entity and Ministry.

Housing is too important to the structure of our economy for the Minister not to get involved meaningfully in the decision-making process of the sector. She must continue to demonstrate competency and be visionary as well as dynamic for the sector to progress.

I therefore support the minister in any effort that will see the sector developing positively.

I also wish to commend the competent and professional technical and non-technical staff within the ministry for the role they play which cannot be viewed as miniscule from any standpoint.

No one is fooled by the content in that letter. I urge the alleged writer/writers to remove their masks and stand by their allegations publicly.

Irfaan Ali Former Housing Minister, PPP MP

guyana-times.com

SATURDAY, june 11, 2016

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

UK needs to do more to combat corruption Dear Editor, The UK Prime Minister David Cameron described corruption as “a greater threat to society than Islamic terrorism”. There is corruption in his country. It is one thing to speak on the effects of corruption. But it is quite another matter when it comes to take action against corruption. The UK Government has consistently refused to take action to tackle corruption in Third World countries. In fact, the UK government, as is also the US Government, has consistently protected its corrupt allies as has been the case in Guyana.

Cameron claims Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Iraq are among the most corrupt states in the world.

All three also happens to be Islamic states that are plagued with corruption and terror among other Islamic and non-Islamic nations; India is also facing serious corruption but Cameron did not mention it by name for fear of the consequences in trade.

Modi’s two-year-old government is not corrupt.

Corruption is eating away at the fabric of nations and must be addressed. Guyana is facing serious corruption.

Towards this point, the UK PM must be applauded for focusing on corruption.

But there is an element of hypocrisy in the PM’s sincerity in addressing corruption; Cameron slams some unfriendly countries but excused others. It has not slammed corruption in Guyana where the UK installed a racist regime in 1964.

Also, Cameron failed to point out Britain’s role in promoting and/or condoning corruption in so many countries including our very own Guyana. The leaders of the countries Cameron mentioned as being among the most corrupt admit their countries have corruption.

But they are urging Cameron to help them prosecute those linked to corruption and for Cameron to return stolen money that is deposited in British banks for safekeeping. Cameron has not addressed that request or the issue of Britain’s role in facilitating theft of national funds which money has been deposited in UK banks. Britain has not been cooperative in going after the corrupt or confiscating corrupt money.

It is no secret that Britain and the US installed the corrupt regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan against the wishes of the international community. They did the same in

Guyana.

The US and UK are, therefore, responsible for corruption in Iraq and Afghanistan. They kept financing corrupt leaders knowing fully well that billions of American dollars were being siphoned off and deposited in overseas accounts of the corrupt regimes.

The corrupt leaders of Nigeria have deposited much of their stolen loot in UK banks. When requested to seize the stolen loot, Britain is silent because returning stolen money to their rightful owners could lead to collapse of British banks. The same is also true of corruption involving Guyanese leaders who were protected by Britain.

Corruption is not only when leaders or officials or businesses steal money or pay bribes for contracts.

There is also electoral corruption as took place in Guyana in addition to financial corruption.

Britain and the US were involved in electoral fraud in many countries to keep out or prevent unfriendly democratic leaders from office. Even if the socialist leaders were very honest and never stole, the US and Britain preferred a corrupt friendly regime than a noncorrupt socialist regime.

The US toppled the socialist Jagan. So Britain turns a blind eye to electoral fraud as happened in Guyana. To keep out Jagan.

It also turned a blind eye on financial corruption as long as socialist leaders are or were prevented from assuming office in Guyana.

It is public information that the US and Britain encouraged electoral abuse in Guyana and even racial violence to remove a democratically elected Jagan government. It is also on record that the US and Britain facilitated and condoned electoral fraud in Guyana between 1964 and 1992. Both major world powers also turned a blind eye to corruption to keep out the socialist PPP from office.

If the British government were so keen in fight-

ing corruption, it would not have funded or supported fraudulent elections in Guyana, and it would have exposed fraud in Guyana or in other countries. The US and Britain also were silent and took no action against Burnham who looted the treasury and was described as the richest Black man in the world at one time.

Cameron cannot be held responsible for the corruption that took place in so many countries. But at a minimum, he should have expressed regrets for what happened under his predecessors and promise that under his administration corruption will be exposed.

To reduce or prevent corruption in other countries during the reign of his predecessors, funds could have been filtered directly to NGOs and community groups or honest local governments for projects.

The UK could have supported democratic organisations in Guyana instead of the corrupt PNC. It is not too late for the UK government to give funds directly to local bodies and NGOs rather than to corrupt leaders at the centre. This is one way to reduce and ultimately eliminate corruption. Britain can also extradite corrupt officials (and charge them) who stole British grants or funds given to the regimes.

The UK government needs to do a lot more than merely speak about corruption. It must identify the corrupt and bring charges against those who hide their money in the UK and/ or confiscate their stolen loot and return same to the home countries. And it is not too late to go after those in Guyana who looted the treasury since 1965 or who enriched themselves acquiring state lands during the PNC dictatorship.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Mutually beneficial approach to Venezuela controversy can be found Dear Editor, The Governor of one of Venezuela’s most populous states as well as a panel of Venezuelan economists and journalists are of the view that a government of national unity is the best option for arresting the rapid decline of the economy and the social degradation currently confronting the country.

With inflation at 20 per cent per month these Venezuelan experts are worried that the present crisis will get worse with hyperinflation which would see inflation at over 30 per cent per month.

The trump card of a national unity government, for the stabilisation of the economy and an eventual turnaround is OIL... including reserves in Guyana’s territory and maritime space, which one panellist told me, “could be jointly exploited for the mutual benefit of both countries.”

Of course, he and the others maintain the validity of their country’s claim, but this one panellist, economist Francisco Rodriguez, co-author of the book “Venezuela before Chavez” told me: “Whenever oil is involved the parties will be insistent on their respective positions, but I think we could find a peaceful and mutually beneficial approach, like Venezuela sharing in the exploitation of those reserves.”

Governor Henri Falcon of the State of Lara and a panel of experts including Rodriguez, Orlando Ochoa of the Andres Bello Catholic University, Caracas and Francisco Toro, Executive editor of Caracas Chronicles were the main speakers, Thursday evening, at a forum hosted by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas in New York City.

According to Governor Falcon the situation in Venezuela is getting worse daily...rapidly collapsing domestic production, chronic shortages of food and medi-

cines, rising unemployment, malnutrition especially among infants, looting and more.

The panel agreed that Venezuela needs an injection of about US$50 billion over the next 48 months which could come from a combination of sources including the local private sector and international institutions such as the IMF, which certain sections of the political landscape in Venezuela would have objections to its (the IMF’s) involvement in the economy. The panel also agreed that three current levels of engagement with China would have to be revisited, particularly the Oil Fund.

These experts are of the view that Venezuela’s situation is different from many countries... “We have significant oil reserves which we must leverage” to turn around the current situation, they concluded.

Now, there is no doubt that Venezuela is counting Guyana’s oil among its reserves and that these reserves will be key to that country’s negotiations and efforts to stabilise and turn around the economy.

The panel agreed that Venezuela has good relations with all the important oil companies globally, except two, and that the relationship with these two can be reignited with the right approach which would be expected of a government of national unity.

So what does this mean for

Guyana’s efforts to pursue our oil exploitation and for the preferred process of a judicial settlement of the Venezuelan claim?

My initial thinking is that the current Maduro regime and subsequent Venezuelan governments will not subscribe to a judicial settlement of its claim which if pursued is most likely to uphold the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and rule in Guyana’s favour. Guyana has a lot of work to do as it looks for a lasting solution to this controversy.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

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saturday, june 11, 2016

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Foundation

to deal with exam Tip sheet – Exam stress How results anxiety: Tips for

S

tudents are often faced with a series of exams or tests at the end of term or semester, which are usually scheduled closely together. This can lead to great stress for students – and those who live with them! The words stress and pressure are often used interchangeably but in fact they are quite different. Pressure can be positive and useful to complete deadlines or to help somebody avoid danger. However, when pressure is prolonged, it can become negative, and depending on how the individual perceives it and reacts to it, it can lead to the development of stress.This Hot Topic offers information and ideas on how to help your child or young person manage exam stress.

(either of the student or the parents) * Unpreparedness * Life transitions * Family issues and/or relationship difficulties * Financial problems * Performance anxiety

What are the known impacts of exam stress?

What is exam stress?

For some people, the increased pressure around exam time may lead to them experiencing stress symptoms much more readily than others. Stress can be defined as ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demands placed on them’.It varies from person to person and in many ways a stress response is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or that upset your balance in some way. However, we do know that prolonged stress can lead to illness, both mental and physical.

What causes exam stress?

Exam stress is a natural reaction to pressure caused by a number of factors including: * Inability to accept failure or uncertainty * Pessimism or negative self-talk * Unrealistic expectations

When a person is stressed over something, their body reacts accordingly. If adequate approaches for managing extreme exam stress aren’t developed it can have negative results including lower grades than anticipated or required. Over the long term, various physical health problems such as digestive problems, eczema, as well as mental health issues such as anxiety or depression could

develop: What can you expect to see if your child has exam stress?

Some people feel pressure and develop stress symptoms more than others. Stress responses can differ between males and females as well, with research showing females present internal symptoms and responses such as nausea, butterflies and feelings of inadequacy which can lead to sadness and depression. Males tend to externalise their anxiety and can become increasingly irritable or angry.

When someone is faced with increased pressure (in this case at exam time) their body can go into a ‘fight or flight’ response which releases increased amounts of adrenalin into the body. This can lead to various symptoms including: * Feeling cranky and irritable (increased yelling or crying, swearing, hitting) * Indecisiveness and/or confusion * Problems with going to sleep or getting up in the morning * Strongly beating heart, sweating * Mild chest pains, back pains, nausea, trembling, shortness of breath * Minor stomach upsets * Possible skin breakouts * Teeth grinding, nail biting and fidgeting * Constipation or diarrhoea * Going blank in the exam.

If exam stress or stress in general is not resolved responsibly, it can lead to more serious problems like: * Increased smoking, drinking or drug use * Losing touch with friends

* Feeling inadequate, negative self-talk, blaming.

What influences a person’s stress tolerance level?

Support network – A young person experiencing exam stress will have a better response to stress if supported by parents or other caring adults.

Sense of control – Having a sense of control about what to expect on the day, what to learn and ways to systematically revise will assist a young person to manage their exam stress.

parents and students

W

aiting for exam results can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when children are expecting results to match expectations set by your parents. It’s normal to feel stressed before exam results but too much of it is not good for your peace

he does not take any drastic step, does not stress out unhealthily, and also keeps the door open for collaboration or for working on things in the future. Look at your child beyond marks.

of mind. Here’s what parents and children can do to deal with this anxiety better:

Replace self-criticism with self-correction Judging yourself harshly now won’t help you perform better in the future. Take the position of an observer.

Learn from your mistakes and move on.

For students

Positive attitude and outlook – Assist them to see the bright side, to laugh at themselves and to appreciate the positives in life. People who are resilient to stressors have an optimistic attitude.

Preparation – The more a young person prepares for a stressful situation, such as an exam, the easier it is to cope.

A student’s stress level is often influenced by the amount of preparation and planning they have put into studying towards a particular exam and how confident they feel about the material they are to be tested on.

What can parents and carers do about exam stress?

One of the best things parents or carers can do if their child is experiencing exam stress is to try to be as supportive and tolerant as possible.

We’ve put together a list of strategies that may help young people to manage exam stress. We’ve also included some tips on how to help your child deal with stress on and after the exam day. (www.parentline. com.au)

TO BE CONTINUED

For parents Unrealistic expectations are disturbing Recheck the expectations set for your child’s performance. All students cannot be toppers or first rankers, and that’s completely okay, because academics is just one aspect of life.

Avoid discussing results quantitatively The child might feel that he would be loved and valued only if he achieves the set target. Instead, parents can use phrases like “I believe you have tried your best and I will be there no matter what” to put the child at ease.

Use the right measures for performance comparison What negatively impacts a child’s mental health is your act of comparison of their results with any other student. The best way to see if your child is doing well is to compare his/her current performance with the past performance.

Support unconditionally It is very important for parents and teachers to remain calm and take the results in the right stride – whether the score is good or bad. Make sure your child understands that he can approach you no matter how he performs. This ensures that

Reach out to talk to someone Your parents want to see you happy and want what’s best for you. So don’t worry about letting them down since they will love you no matter what happens in one exam. Talk to someone who makes you feel better, you can even approach a counsellor for a third party perspective about the situation.

Remember, exams are not the end of the world.

Dealing with bad results Bad or unexpected results create a perfect opportunity to take a serious look at your study techniques. Change your study pattern and concentrate more on what you are weak at. Don’t compare yourself with your friends or anyone else. Even the most successful people in the world have failed at something in their life.

Tell your parents that you are serious Sometimes, when you try to distract yourself in play and games, parents may feel you are not serious enough.

Therefore, make it a point to understand their concern, take your studies seriously and try your best. (indiatoday.intoday.in)

news

7

saturday, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Madewini man stabbed to death in bed

– 12 inch knife, pink mobile phone found at murder scene

Vreed-en-Hoop vendors relocated to facilitate road project

Some stalls located at the Vreed-en-Hoop market Dead: Puranand Baljit

Detectives at the scene on Friday morning

lthough the Police announced a 16 per cent reduction in serious crimes, another murder has been recorded, this time a young man was stabbed to death in his bed at Madewini, East Bank Demerara.

Dead is Puranand Andrew Baljit, 25, also called Andrew of Lot 57 Madewini, EBD. He was reportedly stabbed seven times to the body while lying on his bed at about 22:00h on Thursday. The man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD. According to reports, the perpetrator might have got access to the young man’s bedroom through a glass window that was left open.

At the time of the stabbing, the young man’s father and stepmother were at home and heard a moaning sound coming from his room. Upon investigating they realised that the man was stabbed.

When Guyana Times visited the scene on Friday morning, relatives of the dead man were washing away the blood stains. His stepmother, Simone Baljit explained that she and her husband along with their baby retired to bed at about 21:00h but soon after, they heard a scream emanating from the young man’s bedroom.

“In meh sleep I hear one

holler, only one holler with all he strength, I know something wrong… he father jump and I jump up… he rushed to the window then to the door… he collect a cutlass and tell me not to open the door yet until he go check see if anybody deh in de house,” the stepmother said.

She noted that they finally opened their bedroom door and went to the young man’s bedroom. His bedroom door

A

bedroom by jumping through the window and eventually opened the door. She noted that the young man’s body was covered in blood.

In panic, she screamed for neighbours but no one came to their assistance. They eventually called a taxi and took the injured man to the Diagnostic Centre. There, she recalled seeing several stab wounds in the vicinity of his chest and abdomen.

The bloodstained bed in the bedroom the young man was killed

was locked and although they attempted to “kick it open”, they were unsuccessful.

“He went back into our bedroom and jumped through we bedroom window and went towards his son room…

Andrew bedroom window de open and when he look inside was blood all over”, the woman noted.

She went on to say her husband gained entry to the

She was ordered out of the room by doctors because she kept fainting away.

The distressed father, too distraught told Guyana Times that when he eventually got access to his son’s room, the young man took two deep breaths and at that point he realised his son was dead but did not tell his wife. He telephoned for a taxi and rushed his lifeless son to the hospital.

While the son was described as a quiet individual, his stepmother explained that he spent a night out of the house during the week and upon returning, stayed at home for three days which is highly abnormal.

“He didn’t go out with he friends and so for three days… and I thought something happen but he never tell anybody what does bother he… I would argue with him but he doesn’t argue back”, the woman cried.

Meanwhile, at the scene on Friday morning, detectives stumbled on a muddied track leading to the house from a bushy area. They have also retrieved a 12-inch knife on the ledge of the window and a pink mobile phone at the murder scene. Neighbours pointed out that they did not hear any unusual sound nor screams for help from the young man’s stepmother.

One neighbour explained that during the time the murder reportedly occurred, loud music was banging through the speakers of a neighbour’s music system. This, she noted might have been the reason for them not hearing anything.

Friend and family of the young man are still in a state of shock upon learning of the unfortunate incident. (Bhisham

Mohamed)

Attendees during the meeting discussing the relocation to facilitate the WCD Road Improvement Project

F

ollowing discussion with Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson, some 65 vendors from Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, have agreed to relocate in order to facilitate works under the West Coast Demerara Road Improvement Project (RIP).

Minister Ferguson met with the vendors at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School to discuss a way forward that is agreeable to both the RIP and vendors.

She was accompanied by officials from the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Region Three Democratic Council (RDC).

During the interactive session, it was emphasised that the project was

one which would ultimately benefit the entire community, particularly its economic wellbeing through the provision of farm-to-market access.

Furthermore, it was relayed by project coordinator Kester Hinds, that the US$44 million Road Improvement Project is the largest infrastructural development to ever be undertaken in Region Three.

However, for the RIP to be successfully completed, the 65 vendors from Vreed-enHoop would have to temporarily relocate since their current location is in the direct path of the proposed road. As part of the contract, the technical specifications must be adhered to and are therefore unchangeable. turn to page 13

8 news

saturDAY, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS KN grenade attack

Police issues wanted bulletin for mastermind T he Police on Friday issued a wanted bulletin for Shemar Wilson also known as “Abdue” for questioning in relation to the recent grenade attack on Kaieteur News on June 6 at Saffon Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown.

Wilson, 20, whose last known addresses were given as Lot 43 North Sophia, Georgetown and Lot 51 West La Penitence, Georgetown, is believed to be the mastermind of the attack.

However, Guyana Times understands that 13 persons are now in Police custody being interrogated in connection with the incident. This was confirmed

by Police sources that revealed two others were on Thursday evening arrested.

One of the two arrested on Thursday is said to have paid over money to the contracted persons threw the grenade at Lall’s luxury ve-

Wanted: Shemar Wilson, also known as "Abdue"

hicle, while it was parked in front of the building on Saturday last.

With the recent arrests, the source told Guyana Times that a total of 13 people, mostly teenagers, are now being questioned. The Police however, have secured an extension to de-

tain those who were arrested since Tuesday.

This include the 19-yearold driver of a Toyota Spacio similar to the one allegedly used by the perpetrators who hurled the grenade.

He is said to be giving conflicting statements. He initially claimed that his car was hijacked on Saturday at about 22:30h by two men on a CG motorcycle, while driving along Albert Street, Alberttown.

The car was subsequently found abandoned on Norton Street and Mandela Avenue.

The grenade was hurled at the luxury vehicle belonging to Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall last Saturday night during the first night of wake for Assistant Editor Dale Andrews.

Persons who were at the wake recalled hearing a strange sound but assumed it was a shattering glass.

However, when a thorough check was made, the grenade was found lying next to the right tyre of Lall’s black Lexus vehicle.

The Police were summoned and the area was immediately cordoned off while bomb experts deactivated the device. They noted it was a miracle the grenade did not explode.

It was after the review of the surveillance cameras that the grey car was identified. Prompt investigations lead to discovery of the car and the arrest of six persons who were later joined by seven others as investigations continued.

Meanwhile, the police are encouraging anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the wanted man to contact the police on phone numbers 225-6411, 225-227, 2258196, 227-1149, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest police station. (Bhisham Mohamed)

CANU unearths 170 lbs marijuana in WBD house

T

he ex-wife of selfconfessed drug lord Barry Dataram was among four persons arrested Friday morning following the discovery of 170 pounds of marijuana in a house at Versailles, West Bank Demerara.

The operation carried out by the Customs-Anti Narcotics Unit was part of an ongoing investigation.

Head of the Unit James Singh confirmed the discovery of the drug and arrest of the four persons.

He noted that a quan-

tity of the marijuana was compressed while the other portion was apparently being prepared for shipment when the ranks swooped down on the house located at Roraima Estate, Versailles, WBD. The drug enforcement boss added that the illegal substance was confiscated, and the four persons taken into custody are assisting with investigations. Singh also confirmed that the ex-wife of Dataram is one of the persons arrested.

Investigators believe the self-confessed drug lord is involved in this recent bust. Dataram is presently before the courts for the possession of 129.230 kilograms of cocaine which was discovered at his Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X, Diamond, EBD home.

His common-law wife, Anjanie Boodnarine along with Trevor Gouveia and Komal Charan were also charged.

However, months after the charge was read, Dataram during an inter-

view with HGPTV Nightly News (Channel 67), alleged that senior officials of CANU were involved in drug trafficking and even alleged that one of the ranks bagged some $10 million in exchange for allowing cocaine to leave the country.

These daring allegations have forced the establishment of a commission of inquiry which is being conducted by Retired Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Bruce Lovell. (Bhisham Mohamed)

Eyew tness

No soul...

T

...in Guyana?

here’s this self-confessed “zero credibility”, newly returned pastor who’s been regaling us with his ruminations on every topic under the sun - and then some. In his most recent foray, he opined that Guyana has no “soul”. And this “soullessness” is the source of much of what ails us. Now there’s been all sorts of handwringing about our national “condition” during the stocktaking precipitated by the Jubilee Celebrations - but this is new.

A national soul!! Acknowledging that for sure he’s not as knowledgeable about “souls” as the good pastor who harvests them probably is, your Eyewitness thought these ephemeral entities were confined to individuals. And their possession by individuals didn’t necessarily guarantee them - much less a country “peace on earth” or an angst-free existence. One even heard of “tortured souls” - especially in the artistic community.

And that reminded your Eyewitness - who his regular readers would know is a fella of eclectic musical tastes - of that genre of music his father just used to lap up - Soul. Conceived in the travails of the AfricanAmerican oppressed community, “Soul” was born from the “gospels” Black folks sang in the Churches they formed when Christian brotherhood with the whites was denied them.

Sam Cook and Ray Charles were the progenitors of “soul” and was followed by Motown soul (remember Little Michael Jackson?), southern soul, funk and dance music to hip hop and contemporary R&B that’s keeping us on our feet right now. But surely now that “soul” has drifted so far from its Gospel roots, the pastor couldn’t possibly be alluding to heartfelt sentiments in song.

So is he talking about what that notoriously dense German philosopher Hegel called “zeitgeist”? Which wiki simplifies for us as: “The spirit of the age or spirit of the time - the dominant set of ideals and beliefs that motivate the actions of the members of a society in a particular period in time.” But while the good pastor use the word “soul” as in a metaphysical entity, he insisted its possession would’ve saved us from violence, thefts, political skulduggery, political assassinations etc etc.

But with “zeitgeist”, whatever is ...IS! And it’ll be expressed - according to Hegel - generally through the arts. So what does our “arts” say about our “spirit of the times”? Well “in song” the Indian community gave us “Rum till I die” and its derivatives... and from the African side we have Dancehall and its variants. In dance we have “dutty wine” followed by “backballing” - which one Minister insisted in demonstrating in public during the Jubilee Float parade.

So really...should we be surprised at the nihilistic pass to which we’ve arrived?

...in exploiting children

Some folks seem to think the phrase, “Suffer little children” means to make them suffer...not that one should be considerate towards them. We all know of the massive cover-up of sexual abuse of kids - in every society in the world. UNICEF calls for protection against paedophiles in its convention on the Rights of the Child...which we’ve signed on to. This Eyewitness takes a tough line against sexual exploitation. Don’t hang ‘em high though...castrate them.

But the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is against another form of exploitation against children they’d like to eliminate. With them being a LABOUR organisation it has to do with labour. To a hammer, everything’s a nail? So this Sunday is World Day against Child Labour.

Now while we have to be against all forms of exploitation - this Eyewitness, who laboured long and hard in various jobs as a child - hopes we don’t throw out the baby (kids who contribute to the survival of their family) with the bath water (exploitative conditions).

...on prison death responsibility

So after all the sturm and drang, of the Inquiry into the 17 prison deaths, it is pronounced that it’s the prisoners who’re mostly responsible for the tragedy.

So can we say they committed suicide?

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

news

9

saturday, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

More welfare officers La Repentir Cemetery to get staff needed in Region 10 maintenance – area overgrown again

By Utamu Belle

C

hild welfare issues such as truancy and neglect continue to be of major concern to the administration of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Councillors have over the past few months brought the issue to the fore at statutory meetings where it has been discussed with Regional Chairman Renis Morian.

Presently, the Council is seeking to solve the vexed problem of just one Welfare Officer in the entire region by proposing that several others be employed to effectively serve the community.

Instances where children are not attending school in Linden have been of particular concern, as highlighted by the officials.

Councillor Gordon Callendar has been particularly vocal on these issues, as he highlighted several instances of child neglect and truancy in areas across Linden.

“In the One Mile area, there are a lot of children out there who are not going to school…I would have raised this concern with (Minister Volda) Lawrence and she would have asked both the Child Protection Agency and the Education (Department) to work in close collaboration;

but in terms of Education, to my understanding, there is only one Welfare Officer. So I asked her if we cannot increase that and she said that we have to look for persons with the relevant qualifications…because she knows we’re really in need of personnel. One Welfare Officer can’t serve this whole region”, Callendar recently told the Council.

He noted that an Officer of the Child Protection Agency has already visited a particular area at Wismar, Linden, where it is believed to have a number of children neglected and not attending school.

School aged children are said to be loitering at wash bays and inside Nintendo shops.

Councillor and member of the region’s Board of Guardians Sandra Adams have also contended that the issues relating to Child Welfare in the region are “many” and “disgusting”.

She said a recommendation which was put forward is for letters to be sent to owners of Nintendo shops who encourage schoolchildren at their shops during school time, reminding them that it is against the law to do so.

She has also called for more school welfare officers to be employed.

“There are a number of people who have approached me and indicated that they have applied (for the po-

sition) several times, who are qualified, they’ve went through the training and are certified and we are complaining about welfare matters when we have trained people out in the society needing a job and we can’t have them on board for whatever reason. I think that is something that we really need to fix and we need to fix it quickly,” Adams said.

Meanwhile, the regional chairman has also expressed concern over the limited number of welfare officers assigned to the region, noting that one person is inadequate.

Expressing concern over the imbibing of alcohol by students after certain events in Linden, he said the Department of Education and the region’s Education Committee should work collaboratively with the Police to ensure these issues are dealt with.

The regional chairman urged that a letter be written to Police E Division (LindenKwakwani) Commander Calvin Brutus for a consultative meeting to be held regarding the issues.

“This has been a sore issue for a long, long time…

We don’t have adequate staffing of people but I know that (Child Welfare) agencies came into this region over the past month,” Morian said.

M

ayor Patricia Chase Green has asserted that there are plans to have a maintenance programme at the La Repentir Cemetery since it has been continuously left unattended.

The Mayor made the comments during an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, noting that numerous complaints have been filed with her office about the condition of the cemetery.

She noted that since the last clean-up campaign at the cemetery, no one was assigned to maintain the area.

However, though she blames the rapid growth of weeds on the constant rainfall, she pointed out that there is a plan in the future to assign maintenance staff, specifically for the purpose of ensuring that the La Repentir Cemetery is cleared.

“After the last clean-up we would have done at La

La Repentir Cemetery

Repentir, there were no persons employed to do maintenance and we don’t have the staff. And the rain has started and that causes the delay and then the grass is growing faster than we would have anticipated but we are presently sitting to look at the maintenance project for it and quite soon we will start on that,” she said.

In 2014, some $100 mil-

lion of the $1 billion that was set aside in the 2014 national budget for the ‘Clean up Guyana’ project was spent on restoration works in Le Repentir Cemetery.

Among some of the clean up undertaken was the desilting of main and internal drains, road works, and repairs to kokers. The cemetery was cleared of overgrown trees and weeds.

10

guyana-times.com

saturDAY, june 11, 2016

News 1 injured in Liliendaal accident

Eteringbang shooting

Venezuelan Government A denies military shot at GGMC workers

A

week after launching an investigation into an alleged shooting incident in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), the Venezuelan Government on Friday denied the allegation, saying that officers of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces did not fire any shots at the Guyanese crew.

Through its embassy here, the Spanish-speaking nation said that the news reports carried about the alleged incident are all false, since there have been no such reports.

“It is important to note that the investigations carried out by the Venezuelan military authorities have not reported of any incident in the above-mentioned area and our military units confirm not having carried out any military exercise in that location,” the embassy said.

Following the incident, which occurred on May 30 last, the Venezuela Government launched an investigation, into reports made by officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, who said that they were shot at by the Venezuelan soldiers, while travelling in a boat in the Cuyuni River.

However none of the mining officers, nor the captain of the boat were injured in the shooting incident.

The officers were carrying out inspections and monitoring gold mining camps in the Cuyuni area when the

President David Granger

Venezuelan soldiers opened fire on them. They were forced to seek cover by lying flat in the boat as the captain sought to get the attention of the Venezuelan troops with whom he is said to be familiar with.

After recognising the captain, the Venezuelan troops ceased fire and asked the GGCM official to identify themselves before they were allowed to proceed.

President Brigadier David Granger has since labelled the situation as unacceptable; however, he also expressed confidence that it will not escalate into an international conflict.

He also indicated that Government, once requested, might consider providing assistance to the Spanishspeaking nation during its time of economic crisis.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry had dispatched a Note Verbale to the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs

Ministry conveying its gravest concern over the incident and calling on the Venezuelan Government to desist from such provocative and dangerous actions on Guyana’s border.

During an interview on the ‘Public Interest’, the Head of State explained that while the situation is unfortunate, it should not be a considered a clash between the two States.

“It is localised… It was a local incident and we are not saying that there is no fault but my information is that the rain was falling very heavily and there might have been some misunderstanding with the boat that was taking the officials…,” he stated.

Nonetheless, Granger said that matter is still unacceptable. “It is unacceptable in the relation between two States, on a river owned by Guyana for shots to be fired in a hostile manner,” he expressed.

According to reports however, the Venezuelan soldiers opened fire at the vessel because they suspected it was carrying smuggled fuel and other contraband.

This is not the first time there has been tension at the Guyana/Venezuela border.

Last September, the Venezuelan military dispatched heavily armed troops as well as a gunboat and other heavy artillery to the Cuyuni area. Then in December, a Venezuelan helicopter landed at the Kaikan Airstrip, in Region Seven.

man is now in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital after being struck by a motorcar along the Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD) Public Road.

Injured is Apollos Mohanlall, 33, of Lot 299 Fourth Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown.

According to reports, the man was walking along the Liliendaal roadway at about 19:00h on Thursday when he was struck by a black TVR with registration number

PSS 411.

The driver of the vehicle, George Chester, of Lot 67 Block R, North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, told Guyana Times that he was on his way home when Mohanlall suddenly appeared in his path.

“I was driving when this man made a sudden run across the road. After I saw that, I immediately pulled my brakes but I still struck him,” the driver said.

He added that he immediately rendered assistance to the injured man and realised

that he was unconscious.

“I came out of my car and I rushed to him, he was unconscious on the road and was not responding to my calls.”

Assisted by public spirited individuals, Chester picked up the man and rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital. This newspaper was told that Mohanlall has not regained unconsciousness and has suffered severe head injuries.

A report was made at the Sparendaam Police Station and Chester is assisting the Police with investigations.

Establishment of Rights Commissions achievable before year end – President Granger

P

resident David Granger has said the establishment of the four rights commissions is achievable with the full cooperation of the Opposition by the end of this year and reiterated his commitment to meaningful consultations with the political Opposition to see this process through.

The President was at the time responding to questions posed by a reporter during the recording of his weekly programme ‘The Public Interest’.

The Commissions are the Women and Gender Equality Commission, the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, the Rights of the Child Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Ethnic Relations Commission.

“Each Minister is aware of the person in the Opposition with whom he or she has to deal on matters

of State policy… It is just a matter of form to ensure that there is consultation and there are many other issues on which we have to consult with the Opposition but there are no obstacles to consultation and it is the principle of the coalition to ensure that there is consultation,” President Granger said.

Commissioners were last appointed for the Women

and Gender Equality Commission, Indigenous Peoples’ Commission and Rights of the Child Commission in 2010, while the Ethnic Relations Commission has been without a chair since 2011. The Human Rights Commission, which has to comprise the chairpersons of the other four Commissions, was never constituted under the previous Administration.

11 Revamping of truancy campaign likely after CoI news

saturDAY, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

By Merissa Wilson

A

s truancy remains obstinate in Guyana, the Education Ministry has disclosed its plan to have a broad-based approach taken to curb the prevalence after the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education sector.

This is according to Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine who affirmed that the Ministry is currently looking at strategic measures to address the escalating issue.

However, Roopnaraine remarked that the Ministry does not want to deal with the situation in isolation, since the input of the public is crucial.

Noting this, he said that during the CoI, an investigation will be launched into the current state of truancy in Guyana.

“We want to have teachers and parents be a part of the investigation so we will be consulting with them on the issue. From this, proposals can be made on how to approach the problem,”

Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

the minister informed.

This, he said, will ensure that the persons have an equal opportunity to make their suggestions and play a role in the solution.

With the CoI into the education sector still ongoing, it is likely that truancy will be addressed subsequent to the completion of this inquiry when a plausible solution is reached.

The CoI is said to be a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the

education sector. Through the findings, the Ministry will then be able to implement its plans for the advancement of education delivery in Guyana.

Truancy campaigns had been initiated under the previous Administration and had since been dubbed a success. During these campaigns, welfare officers would spontaneously swoop down on the areas that are prone to the problem. This initiative had been given the thumbs up

Vreed-en-Hoop vendors...

It was highlighted during the discussion that a failure to move forward with the project could lead to heavy financial repercussions for Guyana from the loaning agency, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Finance Secretary Dr Hector Butts explained the ramifications to the vendors, and stated that the loan comes with interest that “grows, whether construction goes on or not.”

However, Minister Ferguson emphasised that the goal was not to “come like a thief in the night” and remove the vendors, rather, she said, the vendors had a say in their alternative short- and long-term options and the way forward.

“We are here to listen and to find solutions, not to strong-arm you,” Ferguson stressed, while urging the vendors to present options that might not have been

previously considered by officials. Two possible locations were also put forward to the vendors for consideration.

In response, the vendors expressed understanding at their relocation but said one of the proposed sites is untenable. This site is located in an area known as Felix Park in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, and, according to the vendors, it is a “dead zone”.

“No customer is going to want to go there; it is not a catchment area,” one vendor said. Another added, “People would prefer to take the speed boat to Georgetown than to travel to that location.”

The vendors also loudly called for the use of the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling as the relocation site.

However, they were informed that this area is currently earmarked for development into a water-

from page 7

front facility through funding by the United Kingdom Government and is therefore unavailable.

At the end of the discussion, two sites located right in Vreed-en-Hoop were proposed by the vendors and agreed upon. The 65 vendors will be split between the two locations – one at ‘school road’ and the other in the vicinity of the gas station – and they are expected to be relocated as soon as Monday.

The road project which began in Hydronie and stretches to Vreed-en-Hoop, covers approximately 30.7 kilometres of road and is primarily financed by the CDB. Works include pavement rehabilitation; installation of traffic signs and road markings; provision of additional streetlights; construction of concrete drains; and the relocation of utilities.

in recent years.

Meanwhile, truancy remains an evident problem in the capital city since stops at various points across the city on Tuesday highlighted the severity of the problem, as children and young adults could be seen aimlessly traversing the streets or idly loitering in their communities.

When Guyana Times visited the Sophia, Greater Georgetown area, there was the unpleasant sight of seeing more than 20 children clad in “house clothes”, running errands, playing games or walking aimlessly, even though a nursery and primary schools are located just a short walking distance away.

The area is described as ‘poverty struck’ and according to many residents, most might not be able to send their school aged children to school as a result of unfortunate financial circumstances. The question left unanswered though is

whether or not the Ministry is aware of their plight.

Guyana Times spoke with an eight-year-old student who was walking the road in his home clothes.

He told this publication that he attends the Sophia Primary School and ironically related that his house was just opposite his school but it was an institution that he hardly attended.

Explaining the reasons for his absence, the boy told this publication that his mother leaves for work early in the morning and there is usually no other adult to overlook his two-year-old brother.

A neighbour of the child also relayed that it was usual for the child to be kept away from school to look after his younger sibling as his mother is a single parent and works excessive hours to make ends meet.

This publication also came across a mother of three who admitted to keeping her children away

from school as a result of financial strain she faces daily to make ends meet.

Though both she and her reputed husband have a steady job, the woman explained that because of the economic situation in the country, it is a “daily burden” to send her children to school.

“It is a very hard to provide for three children in this country because you have to get school clothes, lunch money or meals, books, footwear and they have to get a little pocket money. I don’t want to keep them from an education but it’s not like I have a choice,” she related.

Other youngsters informed that it was their personal choice to stay away from school since they are trying to be make their “own money.”

Another stop in West La Penitence and Laing Avenue revealed the same problem being prevalent, though not to the extent of the Sophia area.

12 news

SATURDay, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Linden Hospital Complex NBTS urges Guyanese to become regular blood donors short on insulin I

Linden Hospital Complex

A

s the Public Health Ministry continues to lag in supplying health facilities across Guyana with crucial medical supplies and drugs, patients are beginning to feel the brunt of this deficit as the situation spirals from bad to worse.

Not only have there been recorded reports of drug shortages at the capital city’s premiere health facility, the Georgetown Public Hospital, but reports indicate that smaller hospitals have not been spared.

This was confirmed at the Linden Hospital Complex where a diabetic woman was reportedly sent away with her glucose levels touching 400 due to there being no insulin in stock at the facility.

The issue was first reported by Shadow Public Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who informed Guyana Times that the shortage continues to deteriorate the delivery of health care across Guyana.

After an investigation, it was ascertained that an elderly diabetic woman from

Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) had visited a community clinic for her monthly checkup as her glucose levels tend to rise above the normal and manageable levels.

Subsequent to the examination, nurses had found that the woman’s glucose level was over 400, with the normal range being around 100 to 150. It was clear that she required immediate medical attention and the elderly woman was transferred to the Linden Hospital to receive medical treatment.

Based on reports, after waiting for hours to be treated, the woman was called into the doctor’s office where she was informed that she was in dire need of insulin to reduce the level, since the medications available were not strong enough.

However, it was reported that apart from not having the necessary medications, there was also no insulin available. Without receiving treatment, the diabetic woman was left with no alternative but to return home

with her glucose levels dangerously high.

The issue had been reported to the regional health authority, but it was referred to the Public Health Ministry since it is the Ministry’s responsibility to provide drugs to the State-run medical institutions.

Based on information received, this occurrence was not only recorded at the Linden Hospital, but many other health institutions are suffering the same fate of an inconsistent supply of the most basic drugs.

The root cause of the problem had been linked to the Ministry which confirmed that a change in the procurement system of drugs has caused the current drug shortages.

However, the situation is likely to see a turn around since Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton has reaffirmed that companies will start supplying drugs within the next month.

This move comes after Cabinet approved a number of contracts for the sourcing of drugs and medical supplies.

n recognition of blood donors across Guyana as well as promoting the integration of blood donation into Guyanese regular tasks, the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) on Friday hosted its Interactive Health Fair for this cause.

The event also functioned as an early observance of World Blood Donor Day which is celebrated globally on June 14 to honour persons who have made it their duty to be constant donors.

With the National Blood Bank in Guyana consistently urging citizens to “save a life” by donating of blood, the NBTS extended its appeal by means of the fair.

Apart from providing commendations and recognition to persons who are regular donors, the event was also to bring awareness that there is always need for persons to donate blood.

As the value of donors is clearly underlined, the NBTS recognised that there is in the health sector the impetus for activities that encourage others to get on board donating blood.

Attesting to this was Dr Pedro Lewis, Acting Director of NBTS, who opined that the blood bank would suffer a devastating collapse if donors had not been as consistent. He noted this while underlining that contributing is vital to the blood bank in Guyana: “These are the people we rely on to support those per-

A voluntary donor being prepped before making a donation

sons who are in need of blood.

So on this day we look to appreciate those donors and thank them.”

The value of blood was emphasised as many cases occur on a daily basis which require immediate utilisation of the substance which is stored especially for such purposes. these, Dr Referencing Lewis mentioned that with the increase in accidents, maternal mishaps and other emergency cases, it is necessary for the blood bank to always have a sufficient supply of blood.

For this reason, more donors were urged to become advocates for blood donations as well as to make it their duty to give blood regularly.

Dr Lewis also noted that the blood bank receives as much as 10,000 units of blood per year and this is often sent to public and private medical facilities when needed.

Given that the demand

for blood in Guyana continues to rise, blood donation was dubbed one of the most crucial health practices that citizens should subscribe to.

Meanwhile, a representative from Red Cross, John Smith, told Guyana Times that the organisation on a regular basis supports NBTS as it has realised the importance of blood and its visible link to saving lives. Smith added that the Red Cross will continue to reach out to those in need as well as promote blood donations.

One donor Francis Wright reiterated the call for blood donation to become more integral in citizens’ regular tasks since there is always someone in need of the lifesaving substance. The health fair, while focusing on blood donation, also included health education on other issues that are prominent on a medical level.

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts washroom facilities deplorable

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he appalling conditions of the washrooms within the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts have been of major concerns for the hundreds of persons who traverse there on a daily basis.

Persons having to use the facilities have complained about its deplorable, unsanitary state which causes the surrounding areas to smell of the putrid scent emanating the washrooms. Further exacerbating unsanitariness is the very overflowing of sewage within the compound of the Courts. The quarters which serves as an outpost for police officers and the holding cell for prisoners are most affected.

Despite the washrooms being

Unclean sink area

at the rear of the building, visitors of the Magistrates’ Courts are being greeted with the repugnant odour coming from the washrooms. Persons turn from the area which seems to have been uncleansed for quite

some time, judging by the ruststained sink, discoloured toilet seats, floor and wall tiles.

However despite the unhygienic and uncomfortable conditions, Police officers need to have a visible presence around the area since they escort prisoners to and from their holding cells daily.

In a candid conversation with a well-known attorney, he raised the issue with the media. He made reference to the $180-million spent in 2014 to refurbish the facilities, saying that more work could have been done to modernise the facility especially since it is the only one designated for the public.

He also added that since the Magistrates’ Courts is one of the more popular courts within the city of Georgetown, and is the home of twelve courtrooms, as such there should have at least been two public washrooms for the public.

Besides the unsanitary facilities there is also not much room for privacy in the toilets, since males and females are seen entering and using the same facility.

news

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saturDay, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Amazon Warriors wins Jubilee parade award

Some of the winners including Amazon Warriors representative (second from right) Faye Smartt-Scott with their trophies

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he Guyana Amazon Warriors were among those awarded for their extraordinary performance at the float parade to mark Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary.

In a night of high achievements, the Amazon Warriors topped their group in the category of large Semi-Costume designed by Jermaine Broomes.

With rags, flags and heavy rhythm, those on the Amazon Warriors truck

gained loud cheers and support from the gyrating revelers, as the truck drove along the parade route.

Christopher Barnwell, Paul Wintz, Stephen Jacobs, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble and Coach Roger Harper, were among those who gyrated with the Warriors in the parade.

The awards ceremony was hosted by the National Commemoration

Commission under the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, at the National Cultural Centre on Friday evening.

Present at the event were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister within the Finance Ministry Jaipaul Sharma and Minster within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry, who played an integral part in the Jubilee celebrations.

Delivering remarks at the event, Minister Henry highlighted the impact the celebrations had, not only locals, but the vast number of people who travelled to Guyana’s shores to be a part of Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary.

Minister Henry also thanked Television Guyana, Channel 28 (TVG) and the National Communications Network (NCN) for their integral role in bringing the celebrations into the homes of thousands who could not join in the float parade on the streets of Georgetown.

Digicel was outstanding in the competition, winning two first places including the first place for the best commercial float.

Among the big winners was Region Six, copping the full costume prize, as well as the Ministries of Public Health and Natural Resources.

Bank of Guyana also walked away with the special 50th Golden Jubilee award for their creativity and illumination. Schools such as the Sophia Special School, business hubs such as Palm Court and individ-

uals such as Alexander Bell were all winners for their creativity and décor of their buildings.

The designers claimed their prizes as well, with designer Neilson Nurse winning the Designer of the Year award and Olympia Small-Sonaram, designer of

Guptil, who has been with the Amazon Warriors since the inaugural tournament in 2013.

The Amazon Warriors will be hosting the inaugural winners Jamaica Tallawahs on July 7 (19:00h), the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (12:ooh noon), defending

Palm Court representative Lisa Lewis receiving the 1st prize for best decorative business place from Minister of Culture Nicolette Henry

both Digicel’s top prizes.

Meanwhile, the Amazon Warriors will come out under new Captain, New Zealand’s destructive top order batsman Martin

champions Trinbago Knight Riders (19:00h) and the St Lucia Zouks (19:00h) at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Construction underway Trotman to lead Guyana delegation for teachers' quarters to Norway REDD forum in Mashabo

– Regional Chairman inspects project

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt inspecting the construction By: Indrawattie Natram

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teachers’ quarters is presently under construction in the Amerindian community of Mashabo in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), which will accommodate coastland teachers.

The construction was budgeted for in the Region’s capital works programme after residents openly requested a location from the regional administration to house trained teachers.

During a face the community meeting, parents of Mashabo told Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt that the community is left back in terms of

education due to the lack of teachers at the school. After inquiries, it was revealed the school was understaffed since the area did not have accommodation for teachers.

Immediately after the meeting, representation was made at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) level, by the Regional Chairman for the construction of the teachers’ quarters and hence provisions were made for the building in the Region’s budget.

The construction commenced by a local contractor and according to the Region Two Chairman the work is moving apace.

He however called on the Village Council of Mashabo

to form a monitoring committee to oversee the project.

Residents have expressed gratitude for the quarters and said it will aide in the delivery of education in the Amerindian settlement. Toshoa of the community Sylvn Rapheal expressed concerns about the fencing.

Rapheal said he would like for more space to be given so that a school garden can be accommodated.

The Toshoa however expressed gratitude for the building and said that often the community is left without teachers due to the lack of a facility to accommodate them.

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atural resources Minister Raphael Trotman, along with a high level delegation will be leaving Guyana for the Kingdom of Norway to attend the “Oslo REDD Exchange” 2016.

The forum will be held on June 14 and 15 and will bring together high level representatives from around the world to exchange ideas, experiences and perspectives on how best to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) in developing countries and protect tropical forests.

During the visit the team will meet with Minister of Climate and Environment Vidar Helgesen to discuss the Guyana/Norway partnership, examine renewable project opportunities and explore avenues of support for the development of Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

Minister Trotman will be accompanied by Chairman of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Jocelyn Dow and Head of Planning and Development Pradeepa Bholanath, Technical Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources Teresa Gaime and Head of the Project Management Office at Ministry of the Presidency Marlon Bristol.

Apart from the conference, the Guyana delegation will be involved in other engagements while in Norway.

Following its ascension

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

to office, the APNU+AFC Government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources has been actively engaging the Norwegian government to advance the Guyana/Norway partnership agreement which seeks to provide Guyana with US$250 million for avoided deforestation.

Additionally, Trotman, who has responsibility for the agreement, and a team from the Ministry of Natural Resources and other coordinating agencies, have facilitated several exchanges to help finalise an agreement that would yield better outcomes for Guyana.

The Kingdom of Norway had recently sent three teams of advisors from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative who supported local stakeholders

to improve their capacity to execute the Joint Concept Note and take advantage of REDD opportunities.

This will be government’s first visit to Norway having facilitated previous visits by Norwegian representatives over the course of engagements between the two countries. Guyana’s presence at the conference will further strengthen the capacity of local coordinating agencies while other incountry meetings will move it closer to achieving its Green Economy vision.

The visiting team will place much emphasis on petroleum production and renewable energy both of which Guyana believes that Norway can provide valuable support for.

Both countries are eagerly anticipating the visit and the positive outcomes that will further strengthen their relationship.

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guyana-times.com

saturday, june 11, 2016

Regional

Peru elections: Keiko Fujimori Cuba-EU human rights dialogue moves forward despite differences concedes to Kuczynski

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eruvian Presidential Candidate Keiko Fujimori has conceded to rival Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in run-off elections.

Ms Fujimori promised in her concession speech on Friday that she would lead a “watchful” Opposition. She said her rival had won the run-off race through the support of “promoters of hate” and that official election results were “confusing.”

Ms Fujimori, 40, is the daughter of incarcerated exPresident Alberto Fujimori.

With all ballots counted for the run-off vote, Mr Kuczynski won 50.1 per cent to Ms Fujimori’s 49.9 per cent.

Ms Fujimori was initially widely tipped to win, but lost ground in the final stretch of campaigning. “In a democratic spirit, we accept these results,” she said

Keiko Fujimori was surrounded by party supporters when she made her concession speech

on Friday.

As she spoke, the defeated candidate was surrounded by members of her Popular Force party, who will have a majority in congress from late July.

Kuczynski warned repeatedly throughout the campaign that the corruption and criminality many associated with Alberto Fujimori’s authoritarian tenure in office could reap-

pear if his daughter was elected. Analysts said that corruption scandals in the Popular Force Party may have dented Ms Fujimori’s support since April.

Kuczynski on Thursday urged Peruvians to unite for the future of the country. He is an ex-Wall Street financier who has promised to use his international financial experience to promote economic growth. (Excerpt from BBC News)

energy or utilise renewable or emission-free sources.

The 2016 National Winner of the Energy Globe Award in Belize installed a mobile biogas laboratory at the University of Belize’s Belmopan Campus in order to build capacity in the biogas sector.

The submission for the Project “Biogas Laboratory at UB” was made by Henrik Personn, the Renewable Energy Expert at the CCCCC and was designed and implemented by the regional organisation.

CCCCC said that since its installation, University of Belize’s Faculty of Science and Technology has made strides in incorporating the Biogas Laboratory into activities that are contributing to educational activities through research and teaching.

The regional organisation said the university is also actively engaging stakeholders to determine how the biogas lab can contribute to solving some environmental concerns. (Excerpt from

Caricom climate change institution wins international award

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he Belize-based C a r i b b e a n Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) has been awarded the 2016 Energy Globe for a project submitted on Belize.

CCCCC won from over 1500 projects submitted from 170 countries and according to a statement issued here, the Energy Globe Award is a prestigious environmental prize worldwide.

It distinguishes projects regionally, nationally and globally that conserve resources such as

Caribean360)

Jamaican woman in US charged with killing 2 of her children

round of talks on human rights between Cuba and the European Union (EU) was held in Havana on Sunday, June 6, when, despite profound differences, both parties agreed they had made advances.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Cuba (MINREX), the discussions were presided over by Stavros Lambrinidis, the European Union’s special representative for human rights, and Ambassador

Pedro Núñez Mosquera, general director of multilateral affairs and international law of MINREX. The dialogue was aimed at creating areas of debate, expanding knowledge on the respective realities and exploring possibilities of cooperation in the fields where there were points of coincidence.

The delegations tackled specific issues of human rights as defined previously by the parties, both in the fields of civic and political

rights as well as economic, social and cultural ones.

The Cuban Ministry release stated there were profound differences in positions and points of view in several issues, but the talks were held in a respectful manner and they maintained a willingness to address any issue with full respect to sovereignty, independence, non-interference on the internal affairs of the parties and the reciprocal character of the talks.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Kenny Anthony resigns as leader of St Lucia Labour Party

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ormer St Lucian Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Anthony has formally resigned as leader of the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) less than a week after he led the party into defeat in the June 6 general election.

The election to choose his successor will most likely be held in October and in the meantime former Deputy Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre will lead the Party.

Anthony, who submitted his resignation letter on Thursday, had signalled his intention to step down as SLP as well as Opposition Leader after the Party failed to win a second consecutive

Dr Kenny Anthony

term in office in Monday’s general election. But he promised to support his colleagues and remain as the parliamentary representative for Vieux Fout South in

Parliament.

SLP general Secretary, Leo Clarke, said that after seven days of receiving Anthony’s resignation, a national council meeting will be held to endorse Pierre as the acting leader, until the party’s next convention in October when a new leader will be chosen.

Anthony served as Prime Minister on three occasions and the candidates to replace him are likely to include Pierre, the second deputy leader Alva Baptiste, and newcomer Dr Ernest Hilaire, the former Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

‘At the limit,’ Mexico buckles under migrant surge to US

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exico is struggling to stem the flow of Central American migrants traveling to the United States ahead of the US presidential election, causing major concern in Washington, which is weighing sending more agents to help.

In 2014, Mexico moved to strengthen its southern border when a surge in child migrants from Central America sparked a political crisis in the United States.

Last year, Mexico detained over 190,000 migrants,

more than double the number in 2012. But official data examined by Reuters shows that fewer migrants have been captured in Mexico this year even as the number caught on the US border has soared.

The slowdown in detentions on Mexican soil is frustrating US officials who feel that Mexico could be doing more, according to a source familiar with internal briefings on the topic at the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Illegal immigration is stoking a fierce debate ahead of the US election on November 8 with Republican candidate Donald Trump vowing to deport millions of people and build a wall along the Mexican border if elected President.

Mexico says its National Migration Institute (INM), which regulates migration in the country, is already working flat out to contain the problem, but it has a fraction of the resources that US agencies have. (Excerpt from Reuters)

a detailed examination of the shipment led to the detection of five large packages containing 109 parcels of marijuana and

that the shipment arrived from China en route to Suriname.

No one has been arrested. (Antigua Observer)

Customs seize marijuana destined for Suriname Sophia Hines is accused of murdering two of her children. Pictured on the right is seven-month-old St Leo

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Jamaican woman in the US state of Florida is facing two premeditated murder charges after allegedly suffocating her two children.

The mother of four, Sophia Hines, reportedly killed her seven-monthold son St Leo and threeyear-old daughter Ariel on Wednesday in Miramar, a suburb in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Police said the 40-year-

old woman admitted to suffocating the young children by holding a bed sheet over their mouths. She said she had killed the baby first.

Hines lived in Philadelphia with Anthony Singleton – St Leo’s father, to whom she was married for four months – but had driven with the children to the home of her cousin, Neisha Nettleford, in Florida a week ago.

A complaint affida-

vit released by Police on Thursday said that Hines had called Nettleford around 16:20h on Wednesday, urging her to come home right away.

When Nettleford arrived, she found her cousin crying and the children unresponsive. Both children were pronounced dead at the scene.

“The defendant gave no explanation for her actions,” according to Police.

(Caribbean360)

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he Jamaica Customs Agency’s Contraband Enforcement Team (CET) says it has seized more than 600 pounds of marijuana with a street value of more than three million dollars (One Jamaica dollar =US$0.008 cents).

In a statement, the CET said that together with officers from the Port Security Team they seized 605 pounds of marijuana at the Kingston Container Terminal on Wednesday with an approximate street value of J$3.9 million.

The agency said that

saturday, june 11, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the world

China dog meat row: Millions back Russia: We will respond to entry petition against Yulin festival of US naval vessel into Black Sea

Activists with pet dogs handed in a petition against the Yulin festival in Beijing on Friday

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nimal rights campaigners in China have handed in a petition with 11 million signatures calling for an end to an annual dog-eating festival in the South-West of the country.

Activists want to stop the consumption of dog meat at the festival in the southern city of Yulin which is due

to begin later this month.

Correspondents say animal rights is a growing concern in China.

There have been frequent calls to treat animals more humanely.

About 24 activists accompanied by their dogs handed in the petition at the representative office of Yulin city in the Chinese capital,

Beijing. They unfurled banners with pictures of their pets alongside the message: “I’m not your dinner.”

The annual festival – due to begin on 21 June – involves the slaughter of thousands of dogs for human consumption. Figures cited

by The Washington Post say about 30 million dogs are killed across Asia every year for their meat, with more than a third of that number killed in China.

Opponents say many dogs are either stolen or are strays rounded up for the festival. They say many are caged in cramped conditions before being killed.

C a m p a i g n i n g group Humane Society International has described the Yulin event as a “nightmare not a festival”. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

5 sentenced to life for raping Danish woman in Delhi

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court in the Indian capital Delhi has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the 2014 gang rape of a Danish woman in the city.

The 52-year-old tourist was robbed and raped at knife point in January 2014.

Nine people, including three minors, were arrested for the crime. One of the accused died, while the

minors are being tried in a juvenile court. Scrutiny of sexual violence in India has grown since the 2012 gang rape and murder of a student on a Delhi bus.

The five men have the right to appeal against the sentence in a higher court.

The tourist had lost her way to her hotel in Delhi’s Paharganj area when she approached the men to ask for directions.

She gave police a detailed statement about what happened to her in the presence of the Danish ambassador before leaving the country soon after the assault.

The 2012 gang rape led to protests and new anti-rape laws in India.

However, brutal sexual attacks against women and children continue to be reported across the country.

(BBC News)

Saudi Arabia’s row with Ban Ki-moon over Yemen marks new low in UN relationship

US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Porter sets sail in the Bosphorus, on its way to the Black Sea in Istanbul, Turkey, June 6

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he Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow would respond to a US naval ship’s entry into the Black Sea with unspecified measures, saying it and other deployments were designed to ratchet up tensions ahead of a NATO summit, the RIA news agency reported.

Russian state media reported that the USS Porter, a US naval destroyer, entered the Black Sea a few days ago on a routine deployment, a move it said raised hackles in Moscow because it had re-

cently been fitted with a new missile system.

US Navy officials told reporters on Wednesday the US military would also have two aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean this month ahead of a July NATO summit in Warsaw as Washington sought to balance Russian military activities.

“Of course, this does not meet with our approval and will undoubtedly lead to response measures,” RIA cited Andrei Kelin, a senior

Foreign Ministry official, as saying about the USS Porter’s movements.

He also said the deployment of US aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean was a show of force which in his view deepened a chill in ties between Moscow and Washington caused by Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Syria.

“As regards the overall situation of course there is a definite increase and stoking of tensions in our relations,” he was quoted as saying. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

S Korea launches military patrol against Chinese fishing boats

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outh Korea launched an operation Friday to drive out illegal Chinese fishing boats from neutral waters close to the disputed sea border with the North, in a move that could further escalate cross-border tensions.

The patrol is the first military operation in the buffer zone – an effective no-man’s land at sea – between the two Koreas since the area was drawn up at the end of the Korean War in 1953.

Seoul has repeatedly complained to Beijing about the number of illegal

Chinese trawlers fishing in the waters. But the number of Chinese boats in the neutral waters of the Han River estuary and around the disputed sea border in the Yellow Sea has continued to surge in the absence of patrols.

“Diplomatic efforts have met their limits... We’ve decided to enforce restrictions in cooperation with the UNC,” a South Korean military official said according to Yonhap news agency, referring to the US-led United Nations Command (UNC), which oversees the armi-

stice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. “The troops carried out their first crackdown operation in the estuary area earlier in the day.” The personnel have been authorised to use force against Chinese fishing boats if they do not comply with verbal warnings to leave, the official said.

South Korea has warships and helicopters on standby, which will be deployed in the event of any skirmishes with North Korea, he added. (Excerpt from MSN)

Eritrean extradited to Italy denies being top smuggler

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Children in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, taking shelter after their houses were destroyed by air strikes carried out by the Saudi-led alliance last year

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audi Arabia has never liked the United Nations, but the spat with Ban Ki-moon over the child casualties of the war in Yemen this week marks a new low.

It was extraordinary to hear the Secretary General admit publicly on Thursday that he had had his arm twisted to change tack in the wake of anger from Riyadh.

The row began when the UN published a report about global violations of children’s rights and listed

the Saudi-led military coalition’s actions in Yemen, where it is backing the restoration of the legitimate president and fighting Houthi rebels.

It is a controversial war that reflects regional tensions, especially with Iran.

And Saudi Arabia has both powerful friends and many enemies. It has also been in assertive mood under King Salman – with key policies run by his ambitious son Mohammed, the deputy crown prince.

The UN report released

last week attacked both coalition and rebel forces for a “very large number of violations” including attacks on schools and hospitals, but said the coalition was responsible for 60 per cent of the child deaths and injuries in Yemen last year.

There was outrage on Monday when the UN said it had removed the coalition from its annual child rights blacklist pending a joint review by the world body and the coalition of those deaths and injuries.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

n Eritrean man extradited from Sudan to Italy on suspicion of being the head of a human smuggling ring has told investigators they have arrested the wrong man, his lawyer said.

Lawyer Michele Calantropo said his client “denied being the suspect and also denied being linked in any way to a trafficking network”, when questioned by Italian magistrates on Friday.

“He is another man... and doesn’t understand the meaning of this arrest,” Calantropo said, adding that his client was a carpenter.

On Wednesday, Italian and British anti-crime agencies announced the arrest of Medhane Yehdego Mered, who was caught in Sudan and flown to Italy to face trial.

However, when photographs of the arrested man were released after his arrival

Family and friends said the detained man is 27-year-old Eritrean Medhane Tesfamarian Berhe (left) not Mered (right)

in Rome on Wednesday, family and friends said he was an Eritrean refugee named Medhanie Tesfamariam Berhe.

“These are two different people,” Meron Estefanos, the Sweden-based executive director of the Eritrean Initiative on Human Rights, told Al Jazeera.

Italian prosecutors admitted on Thursday that they

were checking the suspect’s identity after reports that the arrested man was the victim of a case of mistaken identity.

Sudan’s interior ministry, Italian police and Britain’s National Crime Agency had made much of the arrest of Mered – dubbed “The General” – in Khartoum at the end of May and his extradition to Italy. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 news

saturday, june 11, 2016 | guyana-times.com

De Kendren residents Retired teachers likely to complain of collapsing become school counsellors lamp post A – fear for children’s safety

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esidents of De Kendren, West Coast Demerara (WCD) are calling for assistance from the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) in fixing a lamp post on the verge of collapse in the community.

According to residents, the post has been a cause for concern for a number of months now.

Many calls have been made to GPL to look into the issue but all calls fell on deaf ear, as nothing has been done up to this period.

When Guyana Times visited the area, the post could be seen hanging across the road even as residents used ropes to pull it back into place.

This publication spoke with a few residents who vented their frustrations.

According to Camille Potterville, a resident who lives in close vicinity of the lamp post, she fears for the safety of her children.

“Now everyday my kids pass that post to and from school, I am afraid for them because I don’t know when that post could fall, it will fall anytime now and somebody can get hurt,” she explained.

Another resident, Mark Medas explained that he has made several calls to

s the Education Ministry aims towards enhancing the education sector, it is mulling the possibility of having retired teachers return to the school system but this time to serve as counsellors.

This is according to Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who over a year ago had revealed plans by the ministry to initiate a central counselling body that would comprise of counsellors for students and even parents.

The Ministry is now, however, working on reintegrating retired teachers back into the system where they will work with the students in the area of counselling as opposed to academics.

Dr Roopnaraine had reported to another section of the media that schools might very well be seeing retired teachers act as

counsellors since they have already been a part of the system and gained experience in the field.

He made this declaration while noting that the Ministry is committed to having counsellors placed in schools across the country; a move that has been in the making for quite some time.

Given that there is a large contingent of retired teachers who still have the capabilities of working in the school system, they have been the first choice of the Ministry.

“We have a very large number of recently retired teachers. We have teachers retiring at 55. At 55, they are really at the top of their game. Well I want really to look at this large group of retired teachers and recruit from within that group,” he had pointed out.

To this extent, the

Ministry will be placing advertisements so that retired teachers can fill the vacancies if interested.

Subsequent to this, the teachers who have indicated their interest will be required to undergo training so that psycho-socio support becomes their major.

Using this, they can be able to work along with students and parents to combat societal problems that affect their daily lives, according to Minister Roopnaraine.

Citing similar initiatives in other advanced countries, the Minister is hoping to follow the pattern so that counselling becomes a crucial and unfailing part of Guyana’s school system.

This initiative had been highlighted as one of the ambitions by the Minister to have education and young people remain a vital part of the country’s affairs.

US airlines chosen for scheduled flights to Cuba GPL. “I called them myself so that they can come and fix the post but nobody came. I think when this post fall and something tragic happens then they will come”.

This newspaper was told

that on a daily basis, workers of GPL are in the area for other matters but fail to repair the lamp post.

The residents are calling for urgent attention to be given to the issue.

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ix US airlines were approved to begin the first scheduled flights to Cuba in more than 50 years, the United states Transportation Department announced on Friday.

The airlines were approved to fly from five US cities to nine Cuban cities other than Havana. But the

STARR Computer donates computer for ‘Tiger Bay Project’

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he children of the ‘Tiger Bay Project’ will now be able to advance their technological skills after receiving one new desktop computer and accessories on Friday.

The computer was donated by one of Guyana’s leading computer stores, STARR Computer.

The Tiger Bay Project was founded by School of the Nations, Mings Products and Services and New Thriving Restaurant and it has been supported by kind hearted citizens.

The donation was made during a simple ceremony held in the STARR Computer building. Rehman Majeed, the General Manager of the store, handed over the items to Balinda Beckles, a teacher at School of the Nations.

During an invited comment, Majeed said “an investment in children is an investment in our future.

We must offer assistance in whatever small way we can to children who are victims of circumstances”.

Children of Tiger Bay receive free classes three times per week at School of the Nations. These classes include Information Technology, developing better reading skills, homework assistance, moral development and other subject areas. Snacks are also included for the students.

In addition to academic studies, the School of the Nation hosts an annual Christmas party which is made possible through the kind contributions of teachers, parents and other generous members of the public.

Department is still considering which airlines will get a combined 20 daily flights to the capital out of nearly 60 proposed flights, which will be announced later this summer.

The carriers approved Friday are American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.

The 155 combined weekly flights are expected to begin in the fall and winter, and will depart from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Chicago and Minneapolis/St Paul. While charter flights have been allowed for years, the announcement resumes

scheduled airline flights.

The nine destinations in Cuba are Camagüey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguín, Manzanillo, Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba and Varadero. Each city could have received up to 10 US flights per day, but the approvals Friday weren’t contested.

The flights are part of President Obama’s “new journey” with the Cuban people, as part of normalising relations since relations broke down after the Communist revolution of 1959, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. (Excerpt from USA Today)

Colombian Government and rebels plan joint drug crop eradication

C

Balinda Beckles of School of the Nations receiving the donation from STARR Computer General Manager Rehman Majeed

o l o m b i a ’ s Government and leftist The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels agreed on Friday to a pilot project to replace illicit crops, mainly coca, as part of negotiations aimed at ending Latin America’s last and longest guerilla war, which is fueled in part by drug profits.

Colombia is one of the world’s biggest producers of cocaine, derived from the coca plant. Experts hope an end to hostilities can lead to a drop in production.

A joint statement said the United Nations-backed project would begin next month in the municipality of Briceno, Antioquia, where a joint effort to eliminate land mines began in 2015 as part of confidence building between the two sides.

Under the agreement, the Government will provide security for FARC delegates to implement the agreement, as well as funding programmes to help farmers transition to alternative crops.

“This joint work on the ground with local leaders and their communities has opened up the possibility to incorporate alongside the humanitarian de-mining effort the voluntary substitution of illicit crops,” the statement said.

The agreement comes as the two sides are in the final stretch of peace negotiations begun in November 2012 in Havana, where all issues except for a final ceasefire, disarmament and the reincorporation of fighters into civil society have been settled. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

17

NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

staff accuse Minister CDB funding project to boost local CH&PA of being out of control SMEs in non-traditional exports M

CDB-funded project launched to help small and micro enterprise develop in creative and agro-processing sectors

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ith Guyana solely dependent on the six economic sisters according to President David Granger – the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is looking to strengthen small and micro enterprises (SMEs) in order to increase non-traditional exports, with the development of the local creative industry and agro-processing sector.

This initiative will be funded by a US$226,195 from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), through the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Standby Facility for Capacity Building under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).

The grant resources will be used via GCCI, towards the cost of improving competitiveness and to enhance the export-readiness of enterprises in creative industries particularly music and art and craft, as well as in agroprocessing. The project also seeks to build the capacity of business and trade support of business organisations to deliver value-added support services to the targeted industries.

Through its funding, the CDB seeks to assist Guyana’s most export-ready enterprises operating in the identified industries to improve their business and production practices and product quality in line with the market requirements in the European Union (EU), CARIFORUM and French Caribbean Outermost Regions (FCORs)/Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) markets.

Participating enterprises and musicians will receive assistance to identify specific “best bet” trade opportuni-

ties, particularly those made possible through the EPA. In addition, the participants will receive assistance to develop Export Development Plans which will outline the strategy and actions required for them to successfully enter or deepen their penetration of the targeted markets.

This initiative was conceptualised under the GCCI while it was headed by former president Lance Hinds, who is currently the Chairman of GCCI’s Trade and Investment Committee.

Delivering remarks at the project launch on Friday at the Herdmanston Lodge Hotel, Hinds pointed out that while the six industries (gold, bauxite, sugar, rice, fish and timber) have supported Guyana’s economy for so many years, it is no secret they will not be able to do so much longer. He posited that it is critical that other sectors are developed for commercial and most importantly, export-led growth.

“This initiative seeks to support this imperative by better positioning enterprises to take advantage of trade and development opportunities to compete under the rules, regulations and reality of the Economic Partnership Agreement” said the committee Chairman.

The project is expected to develop and initiate implementation of approximately 19 Export Development Plans and three-year Export Development Strategies and Action Plans for the three industries. The project will positively impact the quality of goods and services produced by participants as well as the capacity of firms to identify market opportunities and meet market demands in the EU, CARIFORUM

and FCORs/OCTs. Also, the supporting business organisations within each sector will receive training to enhance their capacity to use the marketing information and the results of the export-readiness assessment to lead the implementation of the three-year Export Development Strategy and Action Plan for their particular industry.

According to CBD’s Division Chief Technical Cooperation Division, Edward Greene, this project aligns to the bank’s strategy to support initiatives focused on building competitiveness, innovation and entrepreneurship, among women and men and within SMEs. “We do this by providing technical assistance to assess the production capacity of these enterprises, identify genuine market opportunities, and design and implement plans to take advantage of market opportunities,” he stated.

Meanwhile, CARIFORUM/CDB representative Percival Marie posited that Guyana should look closely at the thriving music industry in Jamaica that has significantly boosted the country’s economy.

“One good reggae artiste in Jamaica earns more foreign exchange for Jamaica than the bauxite industry and the banana industry combined, and that tells you of the potential of the creative industry… (and) for Guyana the potential is no less so,” he noted.

In relation to agro-processing, Marie explained that while the potential is here, that alone is not sufficient.

He posited that this sector needs to be worked in order for its true potential to be fully reaped.

Moreover, GCCI has partnered with several other agencies and is currently collaborating with regional and international development partners to deliver services critical to the growth and development of Guyana’s private sector.

GCCI President Vishnu Doerga remarked that, “sustainable business growth is driven by access to training and other business support that provides the necessary skills required to fuel innovation. It is critical that businesses use this support to move towards larger scale, export ready enterprises focused on generating employment and growing revenues.”

The project has commenced and is expected to conclude on March 17 next year.

Youths to participate in exchange programme in Barbados

I

Volunteers preparing to travel to Barbados

n completion of an exchange programme cycle which began in March of this year when a team of 25 youngsters from the Haynesville Youth Club in Barbados visited Guyana, a group of nine from the Volunteer Support Platform

(VSP) left for Barbados to participate in the Guyana/ Barbados Youth Exchange Programme 2016.

According to a release issued, this initiative was conceptualised at the Head of States meeting of the Third Guyana-Barbados Joint

Commission in October 2015.

It was there that the importance of strengthening the regional relationship and integration between Guyana and Barbados in the areas of youth development, culture and agriculture were highlighted.

The group, while in Barbados, is expected to participate in workshops designed to strengthen and create new approaches to entrepreneurship, through cultural establishment while building the capacity of young people in order to help create employment and business opportunities.

Additionally, the workshop will also focus on building capacity in small business management techniques relative to agriculture, foster sustained youth involvement at national and regional levels through civic engagement and leadership and impart skills and knowledge in the areas of up cycling, recycling and economising in the creation and promotion of craft.

The Guyanese contingent is expected home on June 19.

inister within the Communities Ministry Valerie Sharpe-Patterson has come in for shape criticisms from employees, who have accused her of acting without discretion.

In a letter to the editor, staff of the Central Housing and Planning Authority has accused Sharpe-Patterson of operating solely out of her office and bypassing the land allocation department.

The authoritarian handling of the agency by the Minister was allegedly identified in a number of matters. These matters included the allocation $300,000 to fix 50 homes as an act in relation to the jubilee celebrations. It was alleged that the Board had rejected the proposal, but the Minister went ahead with her plans.

In addition to that, the employees are claiming that they were not notified of the plans for the 50 per cent discount plan until it was reported in the media.

The deal offered a 50 per cent discount on the outstanding balance for persons who had completed paying at least 50 per cent of the cost of their house lots by May 1.

The immediate implication of the action of the Minister resulted in the deal being cancelled by Chairman of the Board, Hamilton Green.

Green had confirmed that the deal was off. He said there were some lapses in the arrangement, including the

Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Sharpe-Patterson

fact that the Minister failed to consult with the Board before making the announcement. He said the Board was now examining the deal, giving consideration to all possible financial implications.

This publication’s efforts to contact the Minister on the issue proved futile.

However, when Guyana times asked the Chairman for his take on the issue, he indicated that it was a matter discussed at the Board meeting on Wednesday and it will be dealt with in house.

Meanwhile, former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali in a letter to the editor stated that the management and staff in the post had an input in the decision-making processes within the sector.

He pointed out that housing is too important to the structure of Guyana’s economy for the Minister not to get involved meaningfully in the decision-making process of the sector.

Police floating base in Waini River to be operational soon

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s part of its anti-piracy efforts, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will soon put into operation its floating base in the Waini River, Region One (Barima-Waini). The vessel MB Tamakay will also be integral in clamping down on smuggling.

The base is staffed with members drawn from the Police Marine Station, Tactical Services Unit (TSU) and F Division (Interior locations). It is commanded by a Gazetted Officer.

The vessel is equipped with the necessary facilities in keeping with socio-economic standards and also with smaller crafts to be used for launching preventive patrols and to respond to reports of piracy and other crimes on the river.

The purpose of the Floating Base is based on a memorandum of understanding signed in 2014 by the Police Force, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), and is in keeping with a collaborative approach to address the prevention and response to piracy and other crimes in that area.

It was noted that diligent endeavours are being expended to realise the satisfactory upkeep of ranks and other efforts are directed in furtherance of safety and security, retraining, the appropriate legislation, and of course maintenance and other aspects inherent to the serviceability of the Floating Base.

Additionally, a Standard Operating Procedure is being finalised. The overall cost of operationalising this Floating Base, is approximately $100,000,000.

MB Tamakay was built by Courtney Benn Contracting Services. Construction of the floating base commenced in 2013 and was first docked back in March 2014.

The vessel is 70 by 20 foot and has a main deck and two others complete with billets.

In February 2014, the member agencies of the Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Contraband signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the joint use of the GDF’s floating patrol base. The training of staff to be embedded on the vessel was also done by Coast Guard and joint operations among the agencies from the floating base have commenced.

18

guyana-times.com

saturday, june 11, 2016

ARCHIE

Plan to have fun. Traveling, learning and sharing experi(March 21ences with someone you love April 19) will improve your life, but don’t take unnecessary risks. Make sure you pay attention to rules and regulations.

ARIES

You’ll make a difference to TAURUS any group you join or cause (April 20- you take up. Your ability to May 20) push for what you want and to get things done will make a lasting impression.

dilbert

Go it alone if you can’t find GEMINI people who share your inter(May 21June 20) ests and concerns. Trust in your judgment, not in someone else’s words or actions.

Be cautious if you are asked to donate your time or money.

Include the people you

CANCER feel most comfortable with in (June 21- an enjoyable activity. Devote July 22) your time to nurturing re-

Peanuts

lationships and building a strong home base. Begin a creative endeavor.

Focus on protecting your cash

LEO and integrity if you get involved in (July 23- a group endeavor. Charitable doAug. 22) nations should not be made unless

you have ready cash. You cannot buy respect.

Calvin and Hobbes

Go over your notes and VIRGO prepare what you want to say (Aug. 23before you decide to spar with Sept. 22) someone who disagrees with you. Take care of your health and don’t overdo it emotionally, physically or financially.

Put greater emphasis on LIBRA (Sept. 23- the direction you want to purOct. 23) sue. Make positive changes to where and how you live and the people you surround yourself with.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD – SALUTARY

SUDOKU

You’ll be given false inforSAGITTARIUS mation. Don’t make a decision (Nov. 23- until you feel comfortable.

Dec. 21) Emotional blackmail is apparent. Personal change will bring you the most satisfaction. Update your wardrobe.

(SALUTARY: SAL-yuh-tare-ee: Effecting or designed to effect an improvement.))

Average mark 23 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 37 or more words in SALUTARY? The list will be published tomorrow.

Attend a function that CAPRICORN will allow you to promote (Dec. 22something you want to purJan. 19) sue. Your dedication and passion will entice investors.

THURSDAY’S WORD – HIRELING

heir hieing hinge hire hiring ingle inlier reign rein rile riling ring

lien liger line liner ling linger lire neigh nigh girl

glen grin

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Don’t wrestle with fear.

SCORPIO Face your demons head-on in (Oct. 24- order to attain your chosen Nov. 22) goal. You will shine at group functions and attract interest in your concerns and projects.

solution for Last Published Puzzle Take action and bring AQUARIUS about changes that will add to (Jan. 20Feb. 19) your security and make your surroundings more conducive to your lifestyle. Romance and personal development should be a priority.

Take one step at a time.

PISCES (Feb. 20- Don’t let anyone interfere in March 20) your private affairs. Problems with your home or someone you live with will cause emotional turmoil.

saturDAY, june 10, 2016

England v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Lord’s

Zimbabwe v India, 1st ODI, Harare

Zimbabwe search for competitive spirit to topple India

Sri Lanka fight back after England’s 416 A S

ri Lanka battled hard in response to England’s big total on the second day of the third Test at Lord’s.

The tourists, who have struggled with the bat in losing the first two Tests, reached 162-1 in friendly conditions.

Kaushal Silva finished unbeaten on 79 and Dimuth Karunaratne, dropped by Jonny Bairstow on 28, made 50.

Bairstow earlier was left on 167 not out, the second highest Test score by an England wicketkeeper, while Chris Woakes added 66 in the hosts’ 416.

Still, that is no more than par on a placid Lord’s surface. Indeed, the average first-innings score in Tests on this ground in the past decade is 416.

The nature of the wicket and the solid start they have made will give Sri Lanka hope of at least prolonging a four-match undefeated streak at Lord’s that dates back to 1991.

In their first three innings of the series, Sri Lanka managed to bat no longer than 43.3 overs in conditions favourable to England’s pace attack in Leeds and Durham.

At Lord’s, however, buoyed by their secondinnings 475 in Chesterle-Street, the tourists enjoyed the comparative lack of movement in the air and off the seam.

Showing a greater intent to score, rather than just survive, and running well, opening pair Silva and Karunaratne added 108 for the first wicket.

The England attack, so rampant earlier in the series, stuck to their task and were willing to experiment with cutters and catchers in front of the bat.

They were not helped by wicketkeeper Bairstow, who dropped a straightforward chance from Woakes’ first delivery of the day.

L e f t - h a n d e r Karunaratne offered the thinnest of edges that did not require Bairstow to move, but the ball hit his left glove and bounced away.

The Yorkshireman, in imperious form with the bat, has now dropped

Kaushal Silva has made three successive half-centuries at Lord’s

three catches and missed a stumping in the series.

Unbeaten on 107 overnight, the right-hander continued to accumulate with late cuts and rapid running for his highest Test score and third in excess of 140 in his past six matches.

Woakes too had the chance for a maiden Test century, but frustration in

the face of left-arm spinner Rangana Herath’s legstump line eventually resulted in a tame pat back to the bowler.

England’s final three wickets fell for 20 runs, leaving Bairstow one run shy of the highest score by a wicketkeeper in a Test at Lord’s, the 168 by West Indies’ Clyde Walcott in 1950.

SCOREBOARD Stumps - Day 2 England 1st innings AN Cook* lbw b Pradeep

85 AD Hales c Mathews b Herath 18 NRD Compton c †Chandimal b Lakmal 1 JE Root lbw b Lakmal

3 JM Vince b Pradeep 10 JM Bairstow† not out 167 MM Ali c Mathews b Herath

25 CR Woakes c&b Herath 66 SCJ Broad c Mendis b Lakmal 14 ST Finn c Lakmal b Herath

7 JM Anderson c †Chandimal b Eranga 4 Extras: (lb-16) 16 Total: (all out; 128.4 overs) 416 Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Hales, 19.4 ov), 2-67 (Compton, 24.3 ov), 3-71 (Root, 26.1 ov), 4-84 (Vince, 31.3 ov), 5-164

(Cook, 56.2 ov), 6-227 (Ali, 73.5 ov), 7-371 (Woakes, 113.3 ov), 8-396 (Broad, 122.2 ov), 9-411 (Finn, 127.5 ov), 10416 (Anderson, 128.4 ov) Bowling: RMS Eranga 25.42-94-1, RAS Lakmal 27-290-3, N Pradeep 27-4-1042, AD Mathews 13-5-31-0, HMRKB Herath 36-8-81-4 Sri Lanka 1st innings FDM Karunaratne c †Bairstow b Finn 50 JK Silva not out

79 BKG Mendis not out

25 Extras: (lb-8) 8

Total:(1 wicket; 49 overs) 162 To batLD Chandimal†, AD Mathews*, HDRL Thirimanne, MDKJ Perera, HMRKB Herath, RAS Lakmal, RMS Eranga, N Pradeep Fall of wickets 1-108 (Karunaratne, 30.6 ov) Bowling: JM Anderson 11-2-350, SCJ Broad 10-1-45-0, ST Finn 10-1-31-1, CR Woakes 10-220-0, MM Ali 8-1-23-0

19

second India tour of Zimbabwe in as many years. The last, and only, time that happened was in 1997 and 1998. When Sachin Tendlkar and Henry Olonga were still a thing, Andy Flower would reverse sweep first, ask questions later and Anil Kumble would fume. In essence, there was competition between the two teams. Palpable competition.

Zimbabwe would be hopeful of rekindling that on Saturday considering India have left their biggest match-winners behind to make room for new ones to develop. A similar outlook towards a Bangladesh tour left India vulnerable on seaming pitches in 2014; the next year Bangladesh beat a full-strength Indian side 2-1.

Imagine the weight it would lend to Graeme Cremer’s prospects of becoming permanent captain if his team can topple MS Dhoni’s.

That’s a big if, though.

The touring party may be fairly new to international cricket but together, they comprise the range of skills needed in limited-overs cricket. Manish Pandey has won an IPL final off his own bat. Karun Nair uses the straight drive just as well as he does the reverse sweep.

Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg spin isn’t traditional - he doesn’t toss the ball up and as such doesn’t get it to turn too much - but his flatter trajectory has worked for him in List A and T20 cricket.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have picked a fullstrength squad but they pos-

Zimbabwe ODI Graeme Cremer

Captain,

sibly need to do better at flexing their muscles. The batting can hold its own with Hamilton Masakadza at the top, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine to control the middle while Elton Chigumbura along with Sikandar Raza can be depended to provide a suitably breakneck finish. Their problem is the bowling, especially against a batsman who can go on a rampage as was evident against Afghanistan and an unstoppable Mohammad Shahzad.

India have had a different captain in each of their last four tours to Zimbabwe - Dhoni in 2016, Ajinkya Rahane in 2015, Virat Kohli in 2013 and Suresh Raina in 2010. Another interesting fact is that Dhoni has played 275 ODIs while the rest of the Indian team has 83 matches among themselves.

While Graeme Cremer has been Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler since his return from international hiatus in May 2015. He has 45 wickets in 33 innings

across formats. The next best is Luke Jongwe with 32.

Zimbabwe squad reads: Graeme Cremer (Captain), Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Craig Ervine, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Peter Moor, Tawanda Mupariwa, Richmond Mutumbami (Wicketkeeper), Taurai Muzarabani, Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano and Sean Williams India squad reads: MS Dhoni (Captain/Keeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rishi Dhawan, Faiz Fazal, Kedar Jadhav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Mandeep Singh, Karun Nair, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Lokesh Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Barinder Sran, Jaydev Unadkat and Jayant Yadav.

The pitch at the Harare Sports Club usually has a split personality, especially during matches that begin as early as 9 am. It would help the new ball dart around in the first hour or so, but following that batsmen would only have to be wary of its slowness. India’s interim head coach Sanjay Bangar felt that the pitch wasn’t as green as the one that greeted the team last year but cautioned his batsmen against the behaviour of the Kookaburra ball to be used in this series vis-à-vis a Duke ball that was used in 2015. Weather wise, a clear and pleasant day is expected, with temperatures in the low 20C range.

Sobers rings Lord’s bell for Ali

W

est Indies legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers led a tribute for boxing great Mohammad Ali at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday.

During the lunch interval of the third Test between England and Sri Lanka black and white images of a meeting between Sobers and Ali flashed on the big screens around Lord’s. Sobers then rang a bell in the Lord’s pavilion to signify the passing of the great boxer.

Ali died at the age of 74 last week after years of battling with ravaging Parkinson’s disease, which had severely impacted his motor skills. Ali, born Cassius Clay, is widely

regarded as the greatest boxer of all time and was an assertive pugilist whose social influence extended well beyond the ring.

Sobers the brilliant lefthanded batsman, who could also bowl left arm fast medium, slow left-arm orthodox and left arm chinaman is considered by some as the greatest all-rounder of all time.

The two sporting legends met in 1966 when Sobers was at Lord’s for the West Indies Test match against England and Ali was in London for his second fight with Britain’s Henry Cooper. The Barbadian born Sobers played 93 Test matches for the West Indies between the period of 1954

Sir Gary Sobers ringing the bell at Lord’s during the lunch interval on Day 2 of the third Test between England and Sri Lanka

and 1974. (Sportsmax)

20

guyana-times.com

saturDAY, june 11, 2016

Copa America Centenario, USA 2016

Mexico through to last eight after beating Reggae Boyz 2-0 J avier Hernandez and Oribe Peralta both scored as El Tri advanced to the last eight at the centenary tournament, while sending Uruguay home.

Mexico booked its spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa America Centenario after overcoming Jamaica 2-0 in Pasadena, California, on Thursday.

Javier Hernandez scored his 45th international goal and Oribe Peralta came off the bench to secure backto-back wins for in-form Mexico, which withstood a spirited Jamaica display to eliminate Group C rival Uruguay in the process after the 15-time champions lost 1-0 to Venezuela earlier in the day.

In a rematch of the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, Hernandez opened the scoring approaching the 20-minute mark to move within one goal of the nation’s all-time leading record and Peralta sealed the result nine minutes from time in front of 83,263 fans at Rose Bowl.

The win extended Mexico’s winning streak to 11 matches, while Juan Carlos Osorio’s men are unbeaten in 21 games, dating back to last year’s Copa America.

Mexico made four changes - one of those forced due to Andres Guardado’s suspension - to the team that stunned Uruguay 3-1, with Guillermo Ochoa, Yasser Corona, Jesus Duenas and Raul Jimenez coming in for Alfredo Talavera, Diego

Reyes and Javier Aquino.

Leicester City’s Premier League-winning captain Wes Morgan returned to the starting lineup after being a substitute in Jamaica’s 1-0 loss to Venezuela, replacing Kemar Lawrence, while Lee Williamson was named in place of suspended midfielder Rodolph Austin.

The Reggae Boyz made a promising start in Pasadena and continued to threaten Mexico throughout the opening 45 minutes but they somehow went into the break trailing 1-0.

Clayton Donaldson had Jamaica’s first chance of the game in the seventh minute, running onto Williamson’s throughball, however, the striker lashed his shot just wide of the post after timing his run to perfection.

Mexico then went up the other end and broke the deadlock thanks to Hernandez after 18 minutes.

A whipping delivery from Jesus Corona picked out Hernandez in the center of the box and the in-form Bayer Leverkusen striker glanced a header into the far corner of the net for his 45th international goal in his 83rd appearance.

As the half wore on, the Jamaicans huffed and puffed but they could not find an equalizer despite two golden opportunities in quick succession approaching the break, with Garath McCleary’s goal-bound shot blocked by Yasser Corona in the 35th minute and Michael Hector’s effort turned away

by Ochoa four minutes later.

El Tri made an electrifying start to the second half and they almost doubled their lead within minutes of the restart following an inch-perfect cross from Jesus Corona that found Jimenez, but the ball proved elusive for the striker and Hernandez as it bounced across the six-yard box.

The end-to-end tempo was thrilling as Mexico continued to peg Jamaica back in its own half, though the Caribbean nation did loom large at the other end via Giles Barnes and Donaldson, who was unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty just past the hourmark after being taken to ground by Yasser Corona.

Mexico came within a whisker of putting the match to bed in the 75th minute but Andre Blake got a hand to the ball to deny Hirving Lozano, though second-half substitute Peralta made sure of the points six minutes later after placing a shot across the keeper.

Uruguay sent packing after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Venezuela

Venezuela edged closer to the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 win over Uruguay on Thursday.

A first-half goal from Salomon Rondon was enough for the Venezuelans, all but confirming Uruguay’s elimination in the group stages.

The result moves

Javier Hernandez

Venezuela to first in Group C on six points, while Uruguay sits last without a point from their first two games.

The second half of the contest was marred with confusion as Luis Suarez warmed up but had not been named in the squad.

However, the Barcelona star did not feature, and was not shy in expressing his frustrations with the Uruguay coaching staff.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez made four changes to the starting lineup from their 3-1 loss to Mexico, bringing in Cristhian Stuani, Gaston Ramirez, Alvaro Gonzalez and Gaston Silva for Diego Rolan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Matias Vecino and Alvaro Pereira.

Venezuela’s Rafael Dudamel made just the one change to his side that beat Jamaica 1-0, replacing Luis Seijas with Adalberto Penaranda, and it was they

who started the brighter of the two sides.

While Venezuela pressed forward early and put the Uruguay defense under pressure, they found it difficult to create any clear-cut opportunities on goal.

Uruguay had a good chance to open the scoring in the 15th minute through Edinson Cavani after Gonzalez set him up with a cutback, but the Paris SaintGermain forward fluffed his shot.

Cavani came close again just past the half-hour mark when he looked set to get on the end of a Ramirez free kick, but he was unable to get any connection on the ball as it went off the post and out for a goal-kick.

However, it was Venezuela that took the lead in the 36th minute, with a goal that came out of absolutely nothing.

Alejandro Guerra broke

down the right and spotted Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera off his line, and while the Galatasaray man made a good save to tip the ball onto the bar, Rondon reacted quickest to convert the rebound.

Tabarez made no changes at halftime as Uruguay looked to turn things around, and an early free kick was blasted into the wall by Cavani.

The Salto-born forward then played a ball in for Stuani who laid it off for Ramirez, but the former Southampton man’s firsttime shot went well wide of the goal.

Stuani came close to equalising in the 52nd minute with a shot on the turn, but his effort went just over the crossbar, to the relief of Venezuela goalkeeper Daniel Hernandez.

Cavani had shouts for a penalty waved away and Venezuela almost made it 2-0 seconds later on a counterattack, but Muslera made a great save from Penaranda one-on-one.

Tabarez made all three substitutes in the closing stages as they looked to find an equaliser, and came closest through Cavani.

The 29-year-old was straight through on goal but somehow completely missed the target, while second-half substitute Romulo Otero missed an open goal for Venezuela in the dying stages, but it mattered little as they held on for the slender victory. (Goal)

Lewis Hamilton fastest in Canadian GP practice Rousing farewell for Muhammad

Lewis Hamilton is cheered by the Montreal crowd during practice for the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

L

ewis Hamilton was in scintillating form as he set the pace in second practice at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The world champion headed Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel by 0.257 seconds and was more than half a second clear of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo were next, both 0.9secs off Hamilton, separated by only 0.012secs.

Jenson Button was an encouraging seventh for McLaren, matching the time of Williams’ Valtteri Bottas in sixth.

Button’s team-mate

Fernando Alonso was 0.197secs behind in 11th place, setting his fastest lap earlier in the session. The McLaren drivers were separated by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz.

Hamilton is currently 24 points off Rosberg in the championship, ahead of a weekend when the circuit will, as ever in Montreal, be packed with about 100,000 enthusiastic fans.

Hamilton took his first victory of the year in Monaco last time out, closing the margin between the two Mercedes drivers by 19 points as Rosberg struggled

to seventh.

And the Briton has looked like a man on a mission since he took to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in first practice on Friday morning.

He set the pace in the first session, 0.331secs quicker than his team-mate, and was nearly 0.9secs than the German on the first runs in second practice.

Hamilton was then quicker on his first lap as they did their qualifying simulations on the ultra-soft tyres than Rosberg managed on his second, which was marginally faster than his first.

The world champion also had an advantage of about 0.2secs on average on the race-simulation runs later in the session, when the cars are filled up with fuel and the drivers try them as they will be set up at the start of the grand prix.

The gaps suggest that Mercedes, at least in Hamilton’s hands, still have a comfortable margin over the rest of the field after Red Bull set the pace in Monaco.

“It’s been an awesome day,” said Hamilton. “This has always been a strong circuit for me and I’m really enjoying being back here again. I’ve generally been

really happy with the car so far.”

Rosberg said: “Generally I feel good in the car. But getting the tyres working is not so straightforward here, so that needs some further analysis tonight.”

And at least on Friday Red Bull do not appear to have emerged as the second fastest team despite the 0.5-second-per-lap improvement in the upgraded Renault engine both drivers are using this weekend.

“I’ve always enjoyed driving around here,” said Ricciardo. “Bouncing over the kerbs, it’s a lot of fun. I don’t think we quite got everything out of it today but I think if we put it all together we can be pretty close with Ferrari. With the right lap, we can be ahead of them.”

Behind the Mercedes and Vettel, the field is very closely packed - just over half a second separated Bottas in sixth from Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat in 14th.

“The car is always very alive here,” said Vettel. “It is a rough ride. All the new bits we brought are giving us what we expected so that is good news for today.”

Ferrari have a new turbo design, plus some new Canada-specific bodywork.

(BBC Sport)

Ali at Louisville memorial

M

oving tributes have been paid to boxing legend Muhammad Ali at a memorial service in his home city of Louisville, Kentucky.

Muslim, Christian, Jewish and other speakers spoke of his fight for civil rights, while a message from President Barack Obama praised his originality.

The interfaith event took place hours after thousands said farewell as his coffin passed through city streets.

Ali was buried in a private ceremony attended by friends and family.

The service, attended by dignitaries and by several thousand people who acquired free tickets, was held at the KFC Yum! Centre.

Among those attending the service were King Abdullah of Jordan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended Thursday’s prayer ceremony and had been due at the service, but cut short his visit to the US. The reasons for his de-

parture are not clear, though there are reports of differences with the funeral’s organisers.

The motorcade procession began at about 10:35 local time (14:35 GMT), more than an hour behind schedule, and took the coffin past Ali’s childhood home, then the Ali Center, the Center for African American Heritage and then down Muhammad Ali Boulevard.

Onlookers lining the roadside waved, took photos and chanted “Ali, Ali” as a cortege led by the hearse carrying his coffin drove through the downtown area.

Fans threw flowers at the hearse and rose petals were scattered along the route.

In one neighbourhood, several young men ran alongside the vehicle carrying a placard which read: “Ali is the greatest, thanks 4 all the memories.”

The cortege then brought the coffin to the Cave Hill cemetery, where Muhammad Ali was buried in a private ceremony. Actor Will Smith and ex-boxer Lennox Lewis were among the pallbearers.

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he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) on Friday afternoon donated a whopping $400,000 to the Guyana Volleyball Federation at Olympic House in Kingston, Georgetown.

The donation is intended to assist with the expenses of the male Under-23 National team in their quest for supremacy in the South American Male Uner-23 Championship to be held from June 21 to 25, 2016 in Columbia.

President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF), John Flores noted that it was a good first step as the overall trip will cost anything in the range of $3M. The national team was selected through trials in the two playing counties, Demerara and Berbice where 18 players. Over the next few days the final squad will be further broken down to 14 to travel to Columbia on June 20.

The squad is currently in

GVF President, John Flores (left) receives the donation at Olympic House on behalfof the Male Under 23 team

training under the guidance of national coach Levi Nedd with assistance from deputy coach Ian Wills.

The touring party comprises 14 players, two coaches, the manager and a referee is as follows; Devendra Latchman, Joshua Jagmohan, Samuel Fraser, Xavier Lambert,

Ryon Mangrau, Chavin Arnachalam, Yoganand Dhoray, Kellon Leitch, Leon Stewart, Andy Rohoman, Ravi Rampartab, Paul Welcome, Simon Seecharan, Ray Moore, Levi Nedd (Coach), Ian Wills (Assistant coach), Andrea Flores (Manager) and Odile Broomes (Referee).

Bangladesh considering hosting West Indies in September

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West Indies last played Test cricket in Bangladesh in November 2012. The visitors won the twomatch series 2-0

B

CB president Nazmul Hassan has said that the board is in talks with the WICB to host West Indies in September. He, however, did not specify the format of the proposed contest.

If West Indies’ tour materialises, it would fill a substantial void in Bangladesh’s calendar in 2016. Bangladesh haven’t played international cricket since their loss to New Zealand at the World T20 in India in March. There was a possibility of their solitary Test in India being held in August or September, but since the BCCI announced

New Zealand will be touring India in SeptemberOctober, Bangladesh’s next assignment will be England at home in October, unless the West Indies series gets the nod.

Hassan said Bangladesh are likely to tour India in February, shortly after they complete their tour of New Zealand and before Australia begin their fourmatch Test series in India.

“We were supposed to go [to India] in August but because they have other commitments they asked us if we are free in January,” Hassan said. “But we have a tour to New Zealand at

that time. It looks like the first week of February, but we still haven’t got a specific date [for the one-off Test].

“We have the England series in October and the Bangladesh Premier League in November. Then we go to New Zealand. After the Super League ends this month, there isn’t much time left for the players.

We are already communicating with West Indies but nothing has been confirmed yet. They have showed interest but we need to find a time when both sides are free.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

saturDAY, june 11, 2016

CPL welcomes West Indies stars for ‘biggest party in sport’ – Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo & Jason Holder join franchises – Denesh Ramdin replaces injured Fidel Edwards for Zouks

T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are delighted to announce that a host of West Indies stars - Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo and Jason Holder – will join up for the opening weeks of the biggest party in sport, which is scheduled to start on Wednesday, June 29.

The quartet were previously retained on a “free” by their respective franchises at the CPL Draft in Barbados in February and will be available as their sides aim to make their mark in the early exchanges of the CPL. Carlos Brathwaite, whose match-winning heroics guided the West Indies to their second ICC World T20 title in India a few short months ago, will join St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots in time for their opening home match against Guyana Amazon Warriors on June 30. This will be the 27-year-

old’s second year with the Patriots having previously featured for Antigua Hawksbills and Barbados Tridents.

Bowling all-rounder and West Indies ODI captain Jason Holder will link up with his home team the Barbados Tridents, while Darren Bravo returns to Trinbago Knight Riders where the 27-year-old batsman will link up once more alongside his brother Dwayne.

Guyanese leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo will feature once more for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

The 30 year old Berbician who has played 39 domestic T20’s will be available for the Warriors’ fist five matches before proceeding on West Indies Test duties.

The West Indies team management have agreed to release the retained players, who are currently involved in the ODI Tri Series involving Australia and South

Africa, and they will link up with their franchises until July 11, upon resumption of their international Test commitments with the West Indies for the series against India.

Meanwhile, the St. Lucia Zouks have announced that experienced wicket-keeper batsman Denesh Ramdin will replace the injured Fidel Edwards until July 11.

Ramdin, who has played 58 T20 internationals to date, will then be replaced by left-arm spinner Kristopher Ramsaran for the remainder of the tournament.

CPL CEO Mr. Damien O’Donohoe commented: “On behalf of the CPL and our thousands of supporters across the Caribbean and beyond, I would like to extend a warm welcome to these five West Indies and global superstars for the fourth instalment of CPL. “Our thanks to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Coach and

Chairman of Selection Committee for facilitating the release of the players for the opening weeks of the CPL. It’s a tremendous boost for the competition and I have no doubt that each of the players will be motivated to add great value to their squads.

“All five players know what the passion and the excitement of CPL is all about and are box-office draws across each of the five teams.

I know their fans will welcome the players with open arms once more. In welcoming Denesh to the Zouks, we would all like to wish Fidel a speedy recovery and we hope to see him back in action in the near future.”

Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2016 opens on June 29 while the Guyana Amazon Warriors will play their first of four home matches on July 7 at Providence.

Tickets for the Guyana leg of matches are currently

Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series...

South Africa hold edge over Australia T

he Guyana leg of this triangular series resulted in a win for each of the three teams, with South Africa and Australia claiming bonus points. The caravan moves to St Kitts, where South Africa and Australia kick off proceedings today.

After being ran down by Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard in the tournament opener, South Africa surged back to humble Australia, who just two days earlier had brought West Indies down to earth.

Bowling has been South Africa’s stronger suit thus far, with Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir, in particular, excelling in dual roles of attacking and containing. That has meant time on the bench for Morne Morkel, although he is likely to force his way in at some stage.

Australia’s attack has been equally impressive.

After restricting West Indies to under 120, they dismissed South Africa for 189. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood have been misers and their two spinners - Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa - have worked well together. That leaves both teams with concerns over their batting.

South Africa’s tail was exposed too early in both matches and while Australia were untested in their first outing, they fell apart against quality seam and spin in their second.

Some of that may come down to conditions, however. Providence’s slow, spinner-friendly surface made for slow scoring rates and a

JP Duminy was cleaned up by Nathan Coulter-Nile

scant boundary count, but that should change with change in venue.

Both line-ups will want to work on partnershipbuilding in what could be an important match in deciding who holds the advantage before they take on the hosts.

Faf du Plessis’ recovery from a finger injury and Dean Elgar’s calls up means there’s that much more pressure on JP Duminy to perform.

Duminy has not scored an ODI half-century in eight innings, since July 2015 against Bangladesh. He has had starts in both innings in the tournament, but uncertainty outside offstump has cost him.

Unlike Duminy, Australia’s captain Steven Smith hasn’t managed to get into double figures in either of his innings so far.

Smith has been out lbw on both occasions while shuffling across his stumps to play through the onside.

He will want to get back to

the kind of form he was in against India earlier in the year, when he hit a century and a fifty, along with two scores in the forties.

The biggest difference between Warner Park and Providence is the size.

Smaller boundaries are likely to mean more big hits, although a livelier surface could bring the pacers into play a lot more than they did in Guyana.

The rain threat from Guyana has been reduced to next to nil, although humidity levels could test the players’ fitness.

The average first innings score at the Warner Park ground is 282, well ahead of the Providence’ average of 211.

Both Australia and South Africa have made

totals over 300 at Warner Park, Australia four times including a match-winning 377 for 6 against South Africa at the 2007 World Cup and South Africa once.

Warner Park is also the venue of Herschelle Gibbs’ six consecutive sixes against Netherlands at the 2007 World Cup. Action in the day/night contests bowls off at 13:00 Hrs. South Africa and Australia are on five points with the Proteas just marginally ahead on net run rate.

West Indies will get back into action on Monday 13th June when they take on Australia.

Australia squad reads: Steven Smith (Captain), David Warner, George Bailey, Scott Boland, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa and John Hastings South Africa squad reads: AB de Villiers (Captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi

POINTS TABLE

Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts SA 2 1 1 0 0 5 Aus 2 1 1 0 0 5 WI 2 1 1 0 0 4

Darren Bravo

on sale at the new ticket centre at Camp and Quamina Streets in Georgetown which also houses the Amazon

Warriors merchandise store.

The Trinbago Knight Riders are the defending champions.

Guyanese coaches complete another phase of WICB/ ECB coaching course

F

Colin Stuart

our Guyanese coaches participate and successfully completed phases one and two of the West Indies Cricket Board/ England & Wales Cricket board WICB/ ECB level three coaching course which was held in Barbados from May to June, 2016.

Phase one was conducted over the period May 1 to 8, 2016 and phase two over the period May 31 to June 4, 2016, both conducted by the ECB. The coaches who would have completed the highest certifying coaching programme conducted in the Caribbean under the sponsorship of the WICB include, Guyana Jaguars head coach – Esuan Crandon, Assistant CoachRayon Griffith, National under-15 coach – Julian Moore and territorial development Officer Collin Stuart.

Over the past two years coaches Griffith and Crandon have been at the helm of the profession when Guyana Jaguars won back to back Professional Cricket League (PCL) regional 4-day titles, while Moore has been the coach of the under 15 teams over the past two years as well.

Stuart, the former West Indies fast bowler has jurisdiction over the National Coaching Programme.

The first section of the course captured informative advanced concepts on batting, spin bowling and fielding, skill acquisition, coaching philosophy inclusive of an examination by Myres-Briggs type indicators, tactical analysis and decision making while section two covered suspect action and remedial processes.

Stuart acknowledged the course’s worth as it provided

Julian Moore

some new concepts which can be used to identify players’ natural abilities among other things to ensure growth.

He added the course was particularly valuable across the region as it promoted the overall upholding of WICB/ ECB standards Phase two of the programme explored principles of biomechanics, wicket keeping training and match approaches.

Anand Sanasie, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), commented that the level three programme is another phase in the overall plan of the GCB to set up a robust coaching structure across the country.

He noted the goal is to have 30 level two coaches ad 100 level one coaches in another year’s time.

guyana-times.com

saturdAY, june 11, 2016

Digicel 6th Annual School Football Championship…

Vreed-en-Hoop outplay L’Aventure to win 3-1 on penalties

Digicel CEO Kevin Kelly (left), Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacqueline James at the ceremonial kick-off. (Marcenao Narine Photo).

By Akeem Greene

T

he sixth annual Digicel schools nationwide Under-18 football kicked-off in the most dramatic fashion with the match needing penalty kicks to determine the winner at the national the Track and Field Facility, Leonora.

In the end, the large gathering of spectators saw some fantastic goals being scored with Vreed-en-hoop Secondary edging L’Aventure Secondary 3-1 on penalties after the match ended in a 2-2 deadlocked.

Vreed-en-Hoop started the early offensive attack but a lack of proper set plays prevented any goal from materialising.

After some more close attempts, Brian Chapman in the 33rd minute put Vreeden-hoop ahead.

It seemed the first goal sparked a higher level of enthusiasm on the field from the boys in the white and black uniform, as forward Shemar ParJohn doubled the lead in 39th from a penalty, to end the first half in his team’s favour.

Behind the proverbial “eight ball” L’Aventure upped their tempo in search of a goal to get themselves back into match. The final minutes of the riveting match were approaching and Ariel Whoskey had a successful shot on goal in the 85th to minimise the deficit.

Despite the late advance from the boys in red and black playing kits, not much persons expected another twist in the pulsating game.

As the match went into injury time L’Aventure

Secondary through Dan Boston completed the great comeback. Boston not only etched his name on the score sheet in the 93rd rather his effort send the game to penalty kicks and gave his team an equal chance of a victory which seemed highly unlikely just moments before.

However, all it turned out to be was false hope as Vreeden-Hoop Secondary made a well calculated move to put a different goal keeper in the up rights.

With tensions rising the butterflies obviously in his stomach the new keeper pulled off two excellent saves which essentially won them the match while breaking the hearts of their spirited opposition who played with lots of determination.

The next match is slated for Monday at the same venue where the Canadian School come against Supply Secondary from 15:00 hrs.

Higher quality of play Under the theme Unite.

Develop.Excel, Customer Care Head of Department Sherwin Osborne, in speaking before the kick-off revealed that the company is looking to see a higher quality of play as compared to the previous years.

Osbourne stated, “We expect a higher level than last year and last year our standards had gotten way better. I was up there in New Amsterdam on Wednesday and actually saw a pretournament to our tournament among schools in New Amsterdam; I’m excited and looking forward to some great football.”

The Customer Care Head

also explained that “We think from the first year to now, we have seen development in the players as well as players staying in school longer,” Osborne continued, adding “A couple of Gentlemen from the Christiansburg/Wismar Secondary School were in the top 10 in CSEC exams last year. So we’ve seen success in terms of that.”

Director of Sports Christopher Jones posited that the tournament surpasses the usual boundaries, saying, “Digicel’s football tournament is more than just an interschool tournament, its part and parcel of Guyana’s economic activity on a yearly basis and that is why the government is always interested in supporting the work of Digicel.”

The Tournament will be played on a knock-out basis and will have four play-offs and every region is expected to produce a champion team.

However, region four will be dived into three sections, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara and North and South Georgetown.

This year, the champion school will collect $1 million to fund a project of its choice, while the second to fourth place finishers will receive $700,000., $400,000 and $350,000 respectively, also to fund a school project.

The regional champions are also expected to $100,000 each also for school projects.

Christianburg Wismar Secondary School are the defending champions. Last year they won the championship for the fourth consecutive year.

GVF and SSSS close teachers’ volleyball camp on a High

T

he primary school teachers’ training clinic hosted by Samaritan Sports Support System (SSSS) in collaboration with the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) closed off its one week training clinic on Friday at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

President of the GVF, John Flores expressed his satisfaction and urged all the participants to transcend the knowledge they would have gained into the school system.

Event coordinator,

Robert Sam acknowledged the dedication shown by the primary school teachers and emphasized on the importance of having sports in the schools. He noted that from the training received these teachers are better equipped to prepare teams to compete in tournaments and do outstandingly well.

The coach of the event, Tameshwar Doolchand was extremely impressed in the abilities displayed by the 19 participants. He agreed with Sam in the ability of the teachers to move into competitive sporting in vol-

leyball.

The teachers themselves recognized the technicalities, methods and strategies needed to develop the sport and are eager to make volleyball as popular in their schools as cricket and football.

The coordinator went on to identify that this effort is not the last but Samaritan Sports Support System clinic will be heading on to region three where his team will be looking at the Churches across the region for development.

23

GFF/ NAMICLO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17...

Series of exciting matches slated for this weekend T

he Guyana Football F e d e r a t i o n (GFF) NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 Nationwide tournament will continue this weekend with several matches across the various associations, all of which are expected to be highly competitive.

In the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA), Slingerz FC will come against Wales today from 12:00 hrs at the Den Amstell ground while on Sunday, Den Amstell will host Eagles from 12:00 hrs; the other participating team in the WDFA are the Beavers FC. In the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA), an action packed double header will take place when BV/Triumph United tackle Mahaica Determinators from 13:00 hrs then Plaisance Panthers will seek to spring a victory against Buxton United from 15:00hrs at the Golden Grove Ground.

On Sunday at the same venue, Buxton Stars are expected to lock horns with Ann’s Grove from 13:00hrs then Buxton Youth Developers play Victoria Kings from 15:00hrs.

The EDFA will field ten team teams, namely: Plaisance panthers Football Club, BV/Triumph United Football Club, Buxton Stars Football Club, Buxton Youth Developers, Bachelor’s Adventure/Paradise Sports Club, Golden Stars Football Club, Victoria Kings Football Club, Ann’s Grove United Football Club, Mahaica Determinators Football Club and Buxton United Football Club.

In the Georgetown Football Association, the popular and formidable clubs will have their youth teams on show with matches today and Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda.

Today’s action will kickoff from 09:30 hrs with an encounter between Order & Discipline FC and Eastveldt FC which will be followed by

an anticipated mega clash between the home side and Fruta Conquerors FC from 11:30 hrs.

Both GFC and the Tucville based Fruta Conquers hosts some of the most talented young players in the country and have well established youth programmes.

On Sunday Santos FC tackle Campton FC from 09:30 hrs then Pele FC and Alpha United will face-off at 11:30 hrs.

NAMILCO has for 47 years been Guyana’s main provider of wholesome and nutritious wheaten flour products (including Thunderbolt and Maid Marian flour) and a line of healthy and convenient value added products including Pholourie and Roti Mixes, Wheat up, Whole wheat and Harvest High Fibre flour.

RHTYSC, Sonia Noel Foundation hosts Youth Inspiration Forum

Sonia Noel (second from right) along with Hilbert Foster another hosts of the programme.

T

he Cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club in collaboration with the Sonia Noel Foundation of Creative Arts, the ‘B’ Division of the Guyana Police Force and the ST. Francis Community Developers on Tuesday last hosted a highly successful Youth Inspiration Forum at the ST. Francis Training Centre.

The forum, which was attended by over 600 students drawn from schools across Region 6, was described by the students as one of their best personal experience and they issued an appeal for more sessions of a similar nature to be held across the ancient county.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster in welcoming the large group of youths, stated that the main objective of the forum was to inspire youths to fulfill their full potentials in education and sports while assisting them at the same time to start preparation for a career for the future. The long serving Club Secretary/CEO stated that it was important for youths to plan for a future career and to inspire them to stay away from the evil world of Satan and his

social ills of crime, drugs and Suicide. Foster spoke widely of the importance of education and the benefits of getting involved in sports.

The other speakers at the inspiration Forum were Asst. Commissioner of Police Ian Amsterdam, MS. World Guyana 2015 and famed Guyanese singer Lisa Punch, founder and CEO of Fabulous Homes International Reality Group DR. Karis Munroe and renowned Guyanese Fashion icon Sonia Noel. Asst.

Commissioner Amsterdam spoke widely on the importance of a positive attitude, personal discipline and value of hard work to achieve success. The highly popular Lisa Punch used her personal story to advise the attentive audience that success is possible for anyone once they dare to dream and be prepared to plan properly to achieve it. Punch, who won the MS. Talent award at MS. World 2015 contest also encouraged the students to have strong faith in God as he would never fail them. Punch surprised the students by regularly bursting into some of her popular music, stated that one can achieve success in areas like music or sports and

still achieve good grades in education once they are committed.

Fashion icon Noel in a wellreceived presentation to the packed auditorium spoke of the importance of choosing a career early in life, the need to be focused on achieving that objective and using her own rags to riches story, stated that success could only be achieved throughout sheer hard determination and a strong desire to succeed against all odds.

DR. Munroe in her one hour presentation told the audience that they must dream so big, it must scare them. She shared the tips used to manifest her dream – Visualize what you would like to achieve, Write it down with a date in mind as a dream with a date becomes a goal, Make an action plan, Take full responsibilities for your goals, find an accountability partner, mentally prepare yourself for challenges and act like the successful person you have chosen to become, remembering to believe in yourself.

Several students won financial awards for answering questions after each presentation, while a large number of students in remarks during the event hailed the four hours event as a great motivation and urged the organisers to host similar ones across Berbice.

The event was organised by the RHT Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermediate, Metro Female and Gizmos & Gadgets Under 21 and First Division cricket teams as part of their personal development programme.

saturdAY, june 11, 2016

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

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Amazon Warriors wins Jubilee parade award Amazon Warriors representative Faye Smartt-Scott receiving the first place prize trophy for the semi-costume category at the Jubilee Awards Ceremony on Friday from Culture Minister Nicolette Henry

Digicel 6th Annual School Football Championship…

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Vreed-en-Hoop outplay L’Aventure to win 3-1 on penalties Vreed-en-Hoop player (White and Black) on the attack against L’Aventure. (Marceano Narine photo)

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