Guyana Times 26 July 2017

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3283

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

PRICE

Exxon strikes again

More oil found offshore Guyana

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt congratulates Exxon for new oil P14 find

Page 3

– discovery equivalent to 500 million barrels of oil

Pilot killed after plane crashes at Eteringbang

OPEC Fund a “kick start” to economic development P8 – PSC

Page 2

Collin Martin

25 new District Education Officers appointed Page 5

…benefit from induction workshop UNICEF Representative Paolo Marchi, acting Education Minister Nicolette Henry, Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman and the newly appointed District Education Officers at the workshop

Security beefed up, prisoners being ‘sanitised’ at Camp St jail Page 2

– Cemetery among places searched for prison escapees

Young father kidnapped, beaten, P15 robbed by bandits

Granger assassination plot CoI

Top Cop P9 allegedly contacted brother of plot mastermind

2 news

wednesDAY, july 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Security beefed up, prisoners being ‘sanitised’ at Camp St jail – Cemetery among places searched for prison escapees

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n light of the disturbances that were created by unruly prisoners who

Prison earlier in the day, Police confirmed that security had been heightened as

Police stationed at the Le Repentir Cemetery on Tuesday

were transferred from the Lusignan Prison walled area, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan announced on Tuesday that law enforcement ranks would be stationed 24 hours inside and outside the Camp Street Prison.

When Guyana Times arrived at the Camp Street

a result of the “behaviour” of the transferred hardcore criminals. The Public Security Minister confirmed reports of prisoners pounding on the walls and shouting. He stressed that security has been heightened in an effort to prevent a repeat of the Lusignan Prison break.

“Security has been

heightened because as I said these are the real bad guys and they did a number of activities that caused the decision to be made that security must be fortified,” the Public Security Minister stressed.

Moreover, the Minister noted that the prisoners had been sanitised before being placed in the brick building located in the Camp Street Prison compound.

“They don’t have cellphones. They don’t have a number of the things that they had. They were sanitised [Tuesday] morning before they went into the prison…so it is important that we understand that. They were sanitised at Lusignan and then re-sanitised back at the prison [Camp Street].

So they are without all of the instruments and cellphones and other things that they had before,” the Minister noted.

The relocation of the prisoners was fast-tracked

following the second prison break in the space of one month which saw the escape of 13 inmates who fled through a hole from the Lusignan Prison between Sunday night and Monday morning. The manhunt is still ongoing for the remaining six still eluding recapture in addition to the four who initially escaped from lawful custody on July 9 after staging an attack on correctional officers at the Camp Street Prison and setting the penitentiary alight.

Late on Tuesday, Police, including the SWAT team, were deployed to the Le Repentir Cemetery, in Georgetown, as it was believed that escapees armed with guns were hiding out in the area. Up to press time, the search came up empty.

The escapees at large are: Clive Forde, Shawn Harris, Kerry Cromwell, Pascal Smith, Kendall Skeet, Paul Goriah,

The Camp Street penitentiary

Mark Uree

Royden Durant, Varswyck, Stafrei

Hopkinson Alexander, and Cobena Stephens.

Pilot killed after plane crashes at Eteringbang

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Roraima Airways plane has reportedly crashed in the Eteringbang, Cuyuni area in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) on Tuesday evening. Guyana Times understands that the pilot, identified as former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major Colin Martin, 39, was the lone occupant of the aircraft.

A senior aviation official and close friend of Martin told this newspaper late on Tuesday that the pilot was killed in the crash. When contacted, Chairman of the Roraima Group of Companies, Captain Gerry Gouveia

was reportedly busy networking with his counterparts tracking information on the crash. Reports are that the pilot, who has been flying since 2012, crashed in the Eteringbang area sometime before 18:00h Tuesday.

This newspaper was told that there was no hospital in the area which would have made it difficult for the pilot to survive his reportedly critical injuries had he been pulled out alive.

Major Martin was said to have left the GDF in 2012 to pursue his career in flying with Roraima Airways.

news

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, July 26 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, July 27 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, July 26 – 06:00h-07:30h and Thursday, July 27 – 06:40h-08:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Sunny conditions followed by thundery showers and heavy rain showers, with thundery showers returning in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between Easterly and East Southeasterly from 2.68 metres to 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 06:26h and 18:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.73 metres and 2.62 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 12:24h reaching a minimum height of 0.52 metre.

SATURDAY, July 22, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

02

05 08

09

11

26

16 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 06 09 17 20 24 LUCKY 3 0 0 3 Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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08 09

13 14 18

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

Exxon strikes again

More oil found offshore Guyana – discovery equivalent to 500 million barrels of oil

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x x o n M o b i l Corporation has announced the discovery of additional oil in the Payara reservoir offshore Guyana, increasing the total Payara discovery to approximately 500 million oil-equivalent barrels.

According to information released by ExxonMobil on Tuesday, drilling encountered 59 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone in the Payara field. The well was drilled to 19,068 feet (approximately 7000 feet waters) some 12 miles North West of the Liza phase 1 Stabroek Block project.

This places the discovery just 130 miles offshore. Guyana Times understands that ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited did the drilling.

Exxon stated that with this discovery, the estimated gross recoverable resource in the Stabroek Block has increased to approximately 2.5 billion oil equivalent barrels.

The discovery also enhances Guyana’s standing, but it comes at a time when the Government has already agreed to a 50 per cent profit-sharing system and a two per cent royalty agreement.

It is an arrangement the Government has defended on the grounds that it received the best advice possible.

“Payara-2 confirms the second giant field discovered in Guyana,” Steve Greenlee, President of ExxonMobil Exploration

Exxon’s oil exploration activities offshore Guyana

Company, stated. “Payara, Liza and the adjacent satellite discoveries at Snoek and Liza Deep will provide the foundation for worldclass oil developments and deliver substantial benefits to Guyana. We are committed to continue to evaluate the full potential of the Stabroek Block.”

It was only in June that Exxon was granted its formal production licence. Before that, reviews were done of the technical and environmental aspects of the Liza Project Development Plan submitted by Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd in December 2017.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen

Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

String of discoveries

Drilling on Payara began on November 12, 2016, with initial total depth reached on December 2, 2016. In January of this year, the oil giant had announced it had struck oil in its Payara-1 well, targeting the same type of reservoirs as the well’s Liza counterpart.

Before that, the company had announced that it made its third significant discovery in its drilling explorations offshore Guyana. Its partner, Hess Corporation, had noted that the Liza 3 exploratory well’s net value could be US$6.2 billion based on calculations from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Capital Markets.

In late June 2016, Exxon’s drilling results at Liza 2 revealed more than

58 metres of oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs in Upper Cretaceous formations. The well was drilled to 5475 metres at 1692 metres water depth. Drilling results confirmed recoverable resources to be between 800 million and 1.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Data from the Liza 2 well test is being assessed.

In May 2015, Exxon confirmed its first significant oil discovery at its Liza 1 exploration well, where more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs was encountered.

Exxon’s oil find in Guyana has attracted international attention, with a number of seminars being held over time. In addition, assistance is being provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to boost Guyana’s administrative capacity to handle the expected inflow of revenue.

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

Marked success in education sector

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ducation provides one of the main planks for the pursuit of enhanced lives and lifestyles. The ability to read is critical to student success, as well as lifelong earning potential and economic security.

In spite of the many and various challenges facing Guyana in the delivery of services in the various sectors, when one focuses on the education sector – one can see marked success in the programmes initiated by past and present Governments to deliver quality education to all of Guyana’s children and provide equitable opportunities for all in the pursuit of upward mobility.

A primary initiative in the education system that has created successes in the education sector was the establishment of the multimedia centre at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), with one of the centre’s main activities being the production and broadcast on television of educational programmes. The learning television channel is dedicated to broadcasting programmes throughout the country via the use of satellite communications technology. Broadcasting commenced in 2011 and has proven a great success story.

Additionally, organisational capacity and managerial capability have been enhanced, strengthening the management of the education sector and central ministry.

Focus has been placed on achieving improved educational outcomes through a continuum of policy reviews, initiation of new programmes and initiatives, promoting improved performance management, and monitoring mechanisms geared to ensure that the goals of the Education Strategic Plan were achieved.

Teacher training has been also enhanced with the introduction of the Associate Degree in Education (ADE), for which an initial batch of 426 persons enrolled and commenced training at the Cyril Potter College of Education, along with other teachers in training.

Teachers have been benefiting from continuous development programmes, especially in special training for Maths and English teachers who participate in the non-graduate programmes.

Efforts to support the advances made in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) at the school and post-secondary levels have also borne fruit, as well as in the field of Information Communication Technology (ICT), where teachers receive basic training in the use of computers, with a project of equipping computer labs completed. As such, there have been great strides in ensuring the professionalisation of the teaching force.

In the student community, remediation programmes to facilitate improved Maths and English scores are an ongoing facet of quality education.

There have been stringent efforts to promote childfriendly schools, including enhancements to the school buildings; sanitation blocks; health, nutrition and counselling services; revitalising the PTAs; community outreaches, student councils and inclusive education.

These elements facilitate the realisation of childfriendly schools.

However, irrespective of the efforts of Government, the development of Guyana’s children needs cooperative partnership between parents and educational mentors, so parents need to recognise that their support and participation are integral to the holistic development of their children so that they can emerge as rounded adults primed to engage and overcome the challenges of adulthood.

Guyana Amazon Warriors cricket stars (from left) Rashid Khan, Muhammad Ali-Khan, Steven Taylor and Chadwick Walton as they touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Wednesday night

Government must release ExxonMobil contract

Dear Editor, Many persons have been calling on the Government of Guyana to release the full text of the Production Sharing Agreement with ExxonMobil and its partners, but the Government has refused consistently to publish this document.

The previous PPP/C Administrations of former Presidents Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar also failed to disclose it and kept it secret since June 1999. So, in a sense, they are all the same.

At the GYEITI ‘Outreach’, held at the Marian Academy on July 20, 2017, this question was again put to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Minister Trotman replied that he could not release the contract because of restrictions placed on its release by Section 4 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act. I, therefore, examined Section 4 which states as follows: “Subject to Subsection (2)

no information furnished or information in a report submitted pursuant to this Act by a licensee shall be disclosed to any person who is not a Minister, a public officer or an employee of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission except with the consent of the licensee.”

Subsection (2) allows for the disclosure of information without the consent of a licensee in seven situations.

However, Subsection (3) refers specifically to a petroleum agreement and states as follows: “Where a licensee is party to a petroleum agreement, the right of the licensee, his servant or agents to disclose information about prospecting or production operations under the licence shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations in that respect specified in the agreement.”

Subsection (4) provides for penalties of G$75,000 and imprisonment for three years for contravention of Section 4.

First of all, Section 4 (1)

speaks about ‘information furnished’ or ‘information in a report’ submitted pursuant to the Act by the licensee.

The Production Sharing Agreement is neither ‘information furnished’ nor ‘information in a report’.

Therefore, Section 4 does not apply at all.

Now let me refer you to Subsection (3) which speaks about a petroleum agreement, which is what the public is rightfully demanding to be published.

These restrictions affect only the licensee, his servants or agents (not the Minister except, of course, if the said Minister considers himself an agent or servant of ExxonMobil) and deal with information about ‘prospecting or production operations’ and these restrictions have to be ‘specified in the agreement’.

There is nothing here about restrictions on publication of the agreement.

The language of the law is clear and this Minister as a lawyer should know bet-

ter than to keep peddling inaccurate information to the public.

In an interview in a section of the media dated Sunday, July 23, 2017, Minister Raphael Trotman repeated the lie that the Act “does not support the disclosure of contracts”. He then spoke some nonsense about ‘curing a mischief’.

The fact of the matter is that the Minister is misleading the public while stubbornly refusing to release the contract. If the Government of Guyana is truly interested in joining EITI, then it must start now by publishing the deal. There is no law that prevents this.

The Government is far too secretive about matters concerning the people of Guyana, although, in all fairness to Minister Trotman, the previous Government also behaved in the same way, keeping the original contract secret since June 1999.

Yours respectfully, Ramon Gaskin

Evaluating high-priced rugs is a lot like evaluating prison security

Dear Editor, A former Commissioner of Police doing immigration. A former investment banker on an ambassadorship in India.

These men are working out of their areas of training and expertise.

Running a Government is about recruiting skilled and competent people.

Bureaucracies must be managed to deliver goods and services efficiently. All sound political and management principles we had learnt and inherited from the British colonial masters have been thrown out the window. And, we as a nation became bun-

gling and backward.

I am in New Delhi purchasing rugs. The salesman threw out one and said price is $5000; another $3500; and yet another $2000. The cheapest looked prettier and more aesthetic to my eyes. I have no idea how to evaluate rugs. The salesman said to look under the rug for stitches per square inch, the more stiches the more expensive.

Minister Ramjattan is touring Camp Street Prison and Lusignan’s improvised holding facility. Knowing nothing about prison control and safety – like me knowing nothing about rugs –

Ramjattan simply did not know what the hell he was looking at. A disaster was waiting to happen, but he could not see it. He could have asked his subordinates simple questions and he would have gotten answers to help him realise the folly of housing dangerous criminals in a cow pasture without armed guards watching over them 24 hours a day.

Some managers ask a lot of questions; they are “a quick study” and they make good managerial decisions. Some folks are too lazy. They will screw up every time.

The very definition of

Guyanese politics works against competency. You were a good organiser, loyal to the party – but have no formal or technical education or training – and you will get a ministerial job. This nation called Guyana will pay a huge price for this crazy politics.

By the way, the real price for the $5000 pricetagged rug was $1500. Like me a tourist waiting to be scammed, Ramjattan, a Cabinet Minister waiting to be exposed as a square peg neatly fitted in a round hole.

Sincerely, Mike Persaud

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News

25 new District Education Officers appointed …benefit from induction workshop

Cop allegedly beaten, family terrorised during Joint Services operation

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UNICEF Representative Paolo Marchi, Acting Education Minister Nicolette Henry, Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, Deputy Chief Education Officer Donna Chapman and the newly appointed District Education Officers at the workshop

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wenty-five newly-appointed District Education Officers (DEOs) have been appointed to service the 10 Administrative Regions.

They benefited from a two-day workshop, which ended Tuesday at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Kingston.

The initiation workshop was held under the theme “Education Officers – Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence”.

Acting Education

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Minister Nicolette Henry said the workshop was important to realising the quality changes the sector needs. She also committed the Government’s support to the DEOs so that they would make a difference in their assigned districts.

The Minister urged the DEOs to strive for excellence and to execute their duties with confidence, diligence, and professionalism.

“The Ministry of Education must be known for its culture of excel-

lence. A culture of excellence within the Ministry provides meaning and purpose to work,” Henry said.

However, she pointed out that there has to be changes in the workers’ mindset if this culture was to be created and sustained.

The 25 new DEOs are learning the importance of the role they will play in strengthening the local education system.

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Marcel Huston said the workshop set a foundation for the DEOs. He also reiterated that the DEOs were critical to the process of transforming the landscape of education in Guyana.

“It will reinforce the Ministry’s mission to pro-

vide an education system that delivers quality education and training at all levels and particularly to eliminate illiteracy, modernise education and strengthen tolerance,” the CEO said.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative Paolo Marchi highlighted the need for officers to get to know and understand the needs of their students, so that they could make decisions that would guide the implementation of effective education strategies.

This is the first time in Guyana’s history that such a large number of DEOs were appointed, all in efforts to strengthen the county’s education sector.

Police Constable and his family members are now left in a traumatised state after ranks in a Joint Services operation invaded his home and allegedly beat him.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday last around 21:20h when the Constable, Carloid Austin, 33, along with his wife and 10-year-old daughter, was at home.

Reports indicate that the SWAT Unit with about 15 officers, all armed with weapons and shields, entered the man’s premises and pointed guns at him as Austin opened his door to make enquiries.

However, one rank allegedly used his gun and dealt the Constable blows to his head and subsequently threw him to the ground and continued to beat him.

At this time, other ranks started to ransack the cop’s home, even inspecting the ceiling.

Austin’s wife revealed that following this action from the lawmen, she began to enquire what was happening, but was horrified when she was told by one of the ranks, “We come to kill!”

Constable Austin was later blindfolded with

his shirt, handcuffed, dragged to a vehicle and taken to a location known as Milly’s Hideout, where he was further beaten, this time with a plastic bag tied over his head.

Following the beating, the rank escorted the man to the Mackenzie Police Station where the handcuffs were removed and he was instructed to find his way home.

However, the Constable refused as he was barefooted and had no money, so he was subsequently taken a short distance from his home.

On Friday last, the family visited the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where they lodged a formal complaint as to what transpired.

When contacted, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that he was aware of the operation, but was unaware of what took place.

He also stated that the Constable was aware of the Standing Operating Procedures and should know what action needed to be taken.

Constable Austin, who has been a lawman for over 10 years, is stationed in the construction unit of the Police Force at Eve Leary.

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Foundation

Discovering yourself

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egetables should be made into shapes using 3D printers to persuade children eat them, researchers have suggested, The Independent reported.

Experiments were conducted using a range of fruit and vegetables which were moulded into different structures to attract primary school children.

A team of academics blended banana, white beans, mushrooms and milk before pouring the mixture into a 3D printer.

Experts believe the 3D printing of food could become the norm in restaurants, schools and homes and the lead author of the study, Professor Carla Severini, of the University of Foggia, said the results were an indication of where the future was heading.

“This snack was based on ingredients that are sources of iron, calcium and vitamin D. Some of these are not appreciated by children, but in the shape of an octopus [it’s differ-

A believes the usage of 3D printers provides an opportunity to experiment with different food types.

“For too long… children have had a massive disconnect with their food and the obesity crisis is a symptom of this,” she said.

“The best way to teach them about nutrition and a healthy diet is for them to grow, prepare and cook their own dishes and make it exciting from a young age.

“Printing out meals is a powerful opportunity to do this as it allows for experimentation with flavours, form and texture."

s a young woman just having finished CAPE, the first question off the tip of the tongue of every person I encounter is the same; “So, what’s next?” This is a deceptively simple question.

It seems as though, by the age of 18, we are Ashley Anthony expected to know what we want to do for the rest of our lives. I think the truest tragedy that we face as young people is ignorance. There is a great pressure for us to know what our next step is without much guidance being given as to the options available. Consequently, I do not believe that many youths reach their fullest potential.

Now if this all sounds too incredible….

ent],” Severini told the Times.

“Other examples are with fish and cauliflower, two ingredients traditionally rejected by children. Also we are investigating printed snacks based on insects, which are very rich in terms of protein but absolutely rejected by Western people.

“Could different mixtures be mass-produced and bought in by schools? We strongly hope so."

The results were published in the Journal of Food Engineering and Nadia El Hadery, chief executive of YFood,

Now if this all sounds too incredible and the stuff of science fiction, causing you to ask yourself how does that help me now getting my children to eat veggies, just take a cue from the research and cut the vegetables into enticing shapes. You can also make consuming veggies more fun by using your imagination. Instead of regular carrots, use baby carrots and pretend you’re a giant. Broccoli trees make a great addition to mashed potatoes. There are also a variety of heirloom vegetables like purple carrots, tomatoes, peppers and potatoes that can make ordinary vegetables extraordinary. Preparation and cooking methods are similar to traditional veggies, so next time you’re in the grocery store, try something new. (Excerpted from The Independent and Active Beat)

The average Guyanese is not aware of many “good” career options. Most push their children to become lawyers, doctors or engineers. While these professions are distinguished in their own right, not everyone who is good at science is suited to be a medical doctor, or not everyone who enjoys Mathematics is fit to become an engineer. The problem is, however, that we simply do not know what else there is.

I think that for an individual to contribute the most to society they have to enjoy providing whatever service they are. It is important for both the health of the individual and the quality of work that they will produce.

No one wants to be treated by a doctor who doesn’t give his or her work first priority, and no one wants a lawyer to defend him or her who would rather be doing art.

This is why I feel that taking time to discover yourself is important. Life is not a race. Many professionals will speak of the years that they spent studying to become who they are. Does it make sense to rush into a career to which you have to dedicate nearly a decade of preparation and millions of dollars if you are unsure?

Even if you need to take an entire year to figure out what you’re ultimately going to pursue and where you’re going to study it, a year of uncertainty is better than a lifetime of regrets.

Finally, I think we need to strive to become less judgmental of the paths that people take with their lives.

They may have to forgo tertiary education due to finance; they may decide to take some time off working because their mental health, or they may just be searching for their passion. In any case, the point of the matter is that just because you don’t know what your next step is right now, doesn’t mean that you’ll be perpetually lost. If you really use the time productively searching for your passion, I promise it will not be wasted.

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wednesDAY, july 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

OPEC Fund a “kick start” to economic development – PSC

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has given its “thumbs up” to a multibillion-dollar fund headed its way and said that the spill-off would do well for the economy.

PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer said the Commission was yet to meet with Finance Minister Winston Jordan to discuss an agreement he signed in Austria earlier this month, but has already done a review of the fund.

The Finance Ministry said earlier this month that the Private Sector was set to benefit from new avenues for finance and investments with the signing of the Agreement for Encouragement and Protection of Investment with the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

The Finance Minister signed the Agreement in Vienna, Austria with OFID Director General Suleiman J Al-Herbish. It is the first such agreement with a mul-

PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer

tilateral partner and sets in motion a framework for the start of Private Sector operations in Guyana.

According to the PSC Chairman, based on the Commission’s review, the fund could see money being pumped into the operation of small and medium-sized businesses,

including the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED).

According to Boyer, the fund will help fast-track the economy.

OFID’s Private Sector facility supports the Private Sector in developing countries through loans to micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as directly to specific projects. As a pre-condition to such Private Sector investments, OFID requires the signature of a framework agreement with the country concerned for the encouragement and protection of investment. The agreement accords OFID the same privileges as those normally granted to international development institutions.

The Finance Ministry had said that the signing of the Agreement came at a time when a number of other initiatives were being implemented by Government to help drive Private Sector growth, including the design

Hapless…

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Finance Minister Winston Jordan

of a fiscal regime and a fiscal sustainability framework to address the management of natural resources wealth, development of a local content policy and the development of a time-lined work-plan on what the Private Sector needs to do to prepare for oil and thereafter. turn to page 13

…and hopeless

f the escapees from Prison Break II at Lusignan weren’t so dangerous, it would make a very good comedy routine. How do you separate 90 prisoners from the 1000 who had to be evacuated from Camp St Prison Break I and brought them to Lusignan because they were the “most dangerous”, and then NOT keep them under strict surveillance? And this isn’t a matter of hindsight being 20/20.

We know reading has declined among the general population, much less underpaid prison wardens. But don’t they and the rest of the prison hierarchy look at movies?? Especially ones on prisons? What’s the most common leitmotif of prison movies?? Jeez! Escape, of course!! Whether it’s the “Great Escape” from that German POW Camp in WWII or the “Escape from Alcatraz” (in so many versions) you learn that breaking out of the prison walls is foremost on the minds of the convicts who’re serving extended sentences.

So, no!! This Eyewitness isn’t buying the story that these 13 hardened convicts somehow just HAPPENED to slip under the fence from a tunnel they just happened to excavate during heavy rainfall. First of all, even in dry weather you dig a five-foot hole on the Coast and you hit water! And if it’s raining the way it was, that hole would be full of water. Then what did they do with the dirt excavated? Five feet down, five feet across, and five feet up on the other side of the fence is 15 feet.

Multiply by a minimum of 2-sq feet to allow crawling out, we’re talking about 30 cubic feet of first. That’s a hell of a lot of dirt to escape notice by the guards!! That tunnel was dug by fellas in broad daylight – and during the rain were allowed to cover their entrance with zinc sheets. Collusion of the guards had to’ve been rampant.

The seizure of 40 cell-phones the morning after just confirms this systematic collusion. How’d these prisoners charge their phones??

While your Eyewitness expects the obligatory COIs (plural since we had two jailbreaks…and counting!), the Government will be assisted (he knows) by the “trenchant” analyses by the Diaspora Academics who’d descended on Guyana for the coronation…oops!...investiture - -of UG’s Vice Chancellor, and ran into the jailbreak. Your Eyewitness was reliably informed the academics huddled in their rooms at the Ramada Princess for the duration!

But empirical evidence has never daunted academics from pontificating, has it??

But no matter how they slice it, dice it or even puree it – no one can get away from the fact that for a government that was elected on a “security” platform – they are just lost at sea!!

…and unaccountable

One feature of this Government has been the disjuncture between authority and responsibility. There’s at least one governmental scandal a week -- and yet, no one’s been fired to date!! It’s incredible. Prezzie has headed a very large organisation before - -the GDF – and he knows the buck always has to stop SOMEWHERE. And that “somewhere” comes with responsibility – for the good AND the bad. If appointees are allowed to get away with murder, then he shouldn’t be surprised to have the murder rate skyrocket. But what most folks forget is the present Government is not only different from the army – it’s different from the usual Government.

It’s a “COALITION government!

Here Prezzie is constrained by agreements – such as the Cummingsburg Accord. Even though he can – and has – futzed around with the small print (such as not allowing the PM to chair Cabinet!), he just can’t go around firing with impunity.

His Government’s now like a University. Ministers have tenure!!

…on time

It’s not every day a Minister of Government has to publicly ‘buse out’ functionaries. But Minister of Finance Winston Jordan was obviously pushed beyond his breaking point when lower level staff straggled in long after he was supposed to make his presentation.

Just can’t get no respect!!

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

News

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wednesDAY, july 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Granger assassination plot CoI

Top Cop allegedly contacted brother of plot mastermind … CoI hears alleged plot mastermind is a ‘Police friend’

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olice Commissioner Seelall Persaud allegedly contacted the brother of the alleged assassination plot mastermind on the night of March 29, when the allegation was made against businessman Nizam Khan by Andrif Gillard.

Police Corporal Keon Benjamin told the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on the night of March 29 he was on duty at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Major Crimes Unit when he was instructed to take a statement from a male and while taking the statement he heard Nizam’s brother, Imran using a series of expletives.

He added that he cautioned Imran Khan to desist from using foul language to which he did not adhere.

Subsequently, he arrested the man and noticed he had a 45-calibre pistol in his possession for which he produced a licence.

Benjamin related that he took possession of the firearm, which he handed over to Detective Sergeant Komal Pitama, as well as two cellphones that he kept on his desk. The Corporal told the Commissioners that while at his desk one of Imran’s cellphones rang and he noticed the name ‘Seelall’ displayed

Commissioner Paul Slowe, who noted that it was new information to the Commission.

money to say he was present when Nizam Khan spoke of the plot to kill the President, came forward and gave a statement. Subsequent to Baldeo’s statement, another of Gillard’s friends, Lloyd “Anthony” Adams, came forward and told Police that he received a cellphone call from Gillard, who said he was ‘setting up’ the Khan brothers.

He added that a confrontation was held between the duo, and Gillard denied the allegation.

‘Police friend’

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

on the screen.

“Whilst he (Imran) was in custody, when I take away his firearm and his cellphone, his cellphone ring and I showed Sergeant Pitama, Mr Seelall’s name shows up on the phone and I gave the phone to Sergeant Pitama who called [Assistant Superintendent of Police] ASP Alonzo and told him Mr Seelall, Commissioner of Police, was on the phone and Mr Alonzo said to give him (Imran) his phone and he collected his phone and went away and speak,” he told the CoI. This information caught the attention of the CoI Chairman, retired Police

ASP Mitchell Caesar, Head of the Major Crimes Unit, told the Commission on Monday that the alleged mastermind was a ‘Police friend’ since he often attended Police parties and rubbed shoulders with both senior and junior ranks.

Caesar told the CoI that Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum ordered him to spearhead an investigation into the allegation. He related that he instructed Detective Sergeant Komal Pitama to head a party to the home of Nizam Khan with the intention of arresting him and searching his premises.

He said he contacted the Police’s Legal Adviser, retired Justice Claudette Singh, to inform her about the investigation and seek advice. He noted that on March 29, when the allegation was made, he was unwell and left the office early, but stayed in contact with Pitama and the team offering his guidance.

He acknowledged receiving a call from Inspector Prem Narine, who informed him that Police Commissioner Persaud ordered the release of Nizam Khan and his broth-

Major Crimes Unit Head, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mitchell Caesar

er Imran Khan to which he indicated he could not say otherwise. However, he said owing to the gravity of the allegation, he would have kept Nizam and Imran Khan in custody.

When the CoI Chairman asked Caesar whether he thought about obtaining a search warrant to search the premises of Nizam Khan, he stated that he was trying to keep the information contained and as such, did not make application for a warrant.

He noted that a few days after the allegation was made, Leon Baldeo, who alleges Gillard offered him

Safeguarding myself

Baldeo also appeared before the Commissioners. He told the CoI that he reported the matter to the Police because he did not want Gillard to make falsified claims against him. He said it was known that Gillard would make up “stuff”.

He alleged that he was offered $50,000 by Gillard to say that he was present when the plot was revealed. He said the offer was made on March 26. Gillard reported the matter on March 29.

Baldeo revealed that he has been friends with Gillard for some time and they would often “smoke weed” together.

Police Corporal Heranjan Deonarine, who was part of the team headed by Pitama, said that when they arrived

Leon Baldeo

at Nizam Khan’s home on March 29, they cautioned him and told him of the allegation which he denied. He related that Nizam Khan then handed over his licensed firearm along with the licence and gave them permission to search his premises.

They conducted a thorough search of the two-storey concrete building and its environs and came up empty-handed. They then transported Nizam Khan to the CID Headquarters where they had a confrontation with the accused and accuser.

The CoI hearing continues today and the report is expected to be submitted to President Granger on August 18.

10 news

wednesdAY, july 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prison officer killed in Camp Street unrest, jailbreak laid to rest

Scenes from the Lyken Funeral Parlour on Norton Street, Newburg, Georgetown on Tuesday during the funeral for slain prison officer Odinga Wickham

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cores of people gathered at the Lyken Funeral Parlour on Norton Street, Newburg, Georgetown on Tuesday to mourn the loss and pay their final respects to prison officer Odinga Wickham, who succumbed after being shot by a prisoner while on duty during the July 9 Camp Street Prison riot and fire.

Among those gathered to pay their respects to the deceased was embattled Director of Prisons (ag),

Gladwin Samuels.

Relatives of the dead prison officer were in tears as they each went into the funeral parlour to view their loved one for the last time.

Wickham was described by his friends and family as a cheerful and positive individual.

Thus far, Police are still hunting the criminals responsible for his death.

Four prisoners identified as Mark Royden Durant, Uree Varswyck, Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander, and

Cobena Stephens, out of the initial six who escaped lawful custody on the day that Wickham met his demise, are still at large.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force on Tuesday reissued wanted bulletins for the remaining 10 escapees who are on the run after the breakouts from the Camp Street and Lusignan Prisons.

The Police Force said it was “appealing to members of the public, relatives and friends to give any relevant

information as to the whereabouts of these escapees so that they can be captured and returned to the prison".

Also an appeal is being made to the escapees to surrender to the Police or relevant authority, to avoid any serious confrontation that is likely to result in the use of force.

"All information will be treated with a high degree of confidence and also the rights of those escapees will be respected and upheld," said the Police.

Clean sweep S

atiricus was having that queasy feeling once again.

Would it never stop? Here it was, he thought his leader Rum Jhaat escaped comparatively unscathed after the Camp Street Breakout. But before he could relax, up came the news that 13 prisoners had absconded from the Lusignan Cow Pen that had been pressed into service as a jail. He dragged himself to the Back Street Bar like a cow being led to the slaughter. He was not disappointed.

“Sato me fr’en’,” began Bungi before Satiricus could even take his seat. “Ah wha’ yuh bass a do?? ‘e cyaan even watch dem jail-man in de open?”

“It’s not that simple, Bungi,” said Satiricus wearily as he signalled the waitress for a beer. “They got away through their tunnel when it was raining.”

“But wha’ me waan fuh know,” said Bungi quickly.

“Rum Jhaat na put police and soldier fuh look out fram all four side?”

“What do you know about that?” asked Hari, trying to rescue Satiricus and encourage him to take care of the beer supply.

“Budday, when abee na cut cane in de out-a-crap, abee does ketch rat,” answered Bungi. “Abee ah spead out pan all four side ah de fiel’ an’ dem rat cyaan escape!”

“But the prisoners had dug a hole under the fence,” protested Satiricus. “The guards couldn’t see them.”

“Sato,” said Bungi patiently, “Rat does hide in hole tuh. Abdee does look fuh hole and jook dem wid stick!’

“That’s not fair,” said Hari, still working on his freebeer scheme. “Prisoners and rats are different!”

“Me know ‘bout da,” replied Bungi. “W’en yuh deal wid animal an’ people, yuh gat fuh train yuh people fuh know wha’ dem guh do, befo’ dem do am!”

“Well, Rum Jhaat has launched ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ and will capture all the escapees!” said Satiricus confidently.

“Sato, yuh gat fuh get new broom, fuh sweep clean!’ said Bungi slyly.

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wednesDAY, july 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sloth in Govt’s spending continues to hurt economy – Edghill …says situation worrying, embarrassing on the Administration’s part

D

espite the coalition Government’s continuous presentation of early budgets, the rate of Government spending remains woefully short, so much so that Finance Minister Winston Jordan has admitted that Government is more than 30 per cent behind in its Public Sector investment.

The Minister made this admission during the opening of the Finance Ministry’s Budget 2018 preparation and sensitisation training workshop on Monday. According to the Minister, at the end of June 2017, less than 30 per cent of the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) had been expended.

Jordan cautioned the responsible officials against repeating the dismal performance. But according to former Minister within the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill, the Finance Minister is ultimately responsible, while direct blame can be attributed to heads of the respective budget agencies who requested funds.

“The Minister of Finance is the first person that would have to take responsibility,” Edghill stated.

“And then the head of budget agencies, because these budget agencies went to the Ministry of Finance and Director of Budget and requested specific funds based on what the programme budget is. Is it that these [Regional Executive Officers] REOs (and) Permanent Secretaries requested money that they can’t spend? Or they were just plucking things from out of the sky, they had no real programme or strategic

Former Minister within the Finance Ministry, Juan Edghill

layout for what they want to achieve and by what time?

Or they’re just careless.”

Describing the worrying situation as an embarrassment on the Administration’s part, the former Minister noted that the central point of an early budget was to ensure enough time to complete spending schedules.

Months after it entered office, the coalition Government had presented its first budget in August 2015. A second budget soon followed in January 2016, for the fiscal year 2016. And a third budget was presented in November 2016, before the start of this fiscal year. And Government plans to unveil its fourth budget, for fiscal year 2018, in November of this year.

“I think it is more than serious, it is embarrassing,” Edghill said. “Let’s go back to why we have early budgets. The Minister of Finance told the nation that they had early budgets (for) a better implementation plan to roll out.”

Edghill pointed out that

the previous Government, despite usually presenting budgets in periods ranging from March to June, still had a higher, faster rate of implementation when in office than the coalition Government.

“He’s having a budget that can be implemented from January 1 in the new year and at almost the end of seven months, he is only 30 per cent of his implementation, which shows that they have very serious issues.

“Is it administrative fumbling? Is it lack of understanding or clear policy direction as it relates to what needs to be done to see the PSIP in place? Or is it a case where projects are plucked out of the sky and they are not intertwined in a coherent manner to achieve a particular objective.”

He noted that the struggling rate of the PSIP implementation was symptomatic of what was occurring in the economy, based on the fact that a significant amount of Government’s capital works spending provided contrac-

tors with contracts and the unemployed with employment.

“It has an effect on employment; it has an effect on other services that are tied to construction. What happens in villages (is that) if people are not employed is that the market suffers, the stores suffer. So, it has very disastrous effects on the economy.”

No lame excuse

Indeed Jordan, in his address to heads of the budget agencies during the workshop, had stated that there could be “no lame excuse” as the 2017 Budget was presented to Parliament back in November of 2016, a signal accomplishment of the Administration.

Jordan, however, seemed at a loss to pin down why budget agencies would underperform to such an extent.

“Where is the benefit from the early budget presentation when, for example, we still have budget agencies in June, figuring out specifications of items to be pur-

Construction is one of the most lucrative Government-contracted sectors, and it supplies employment to numerous youths

chased?” the Minister queried. “We have awarded only 53 per cent of the PSIP and expended a mere 28 per cent on maintenance of infrastructure within the recurrent budget.

“What lessons can we learn from this underachieving performance? For one, it is that goals can be ambitious, but not realistic.

Grand hot air balloon ideas, not based on robust evidence, will never get off the ground, neither will they get anywhere,” he had continued.

But this backlog comes

against the backdrop of deficiencies in services provided by regional officials. A potent case is the countrywide drug shortages that necessitated Government moving to sole source over $600 million worth of drugs.

A continuously slow rate of Government spending, owing to poor planning from budget agencies and execution from the relevant departments, is also a contributing factor to slow overall economic growth. It is a fact that even the Finance Minister has acknowledged.

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wednesDAY, july 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prison population uncertainty

Police mistakenly held relative of former inmate who completed sentence – as Ramjattan, Samuels respond to calls for independent prison count

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s some uncertainty exists over the number of prisoners, Police on Monday mistakenly detained the brother-inlaw of a prisoner who was granted early release on suspicion that he was one of the escapees.

Officials have, however, responded lightly to calls for an independent prison count and maintained that their numbers are indeed accurate.

Thirteen inmates who were held in a swamped area at the Lusignan Prison were able to crawl to freedom through a dug-out hole early Monday morning. However, as Police pursued the escapees later that morning, a West Bank Demerara (WBD) cane cutter and cash crop farmer was wrongfully detained after false information surfaced that his brother-in-law, Kenton Noble, was one of the 13 escapees.

The cane cutter and cash crop farmer was identified as John Jacobs of La Retraite, WBD, who disclosed that his brother-in-law was granted early release, reportedly

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

from the Mazaruni Prison on Saturday night.

Jacobs explained that he was on his way through School Street, Stanleytown, WBD, when Police ranks with long guns in vans swooped down and detained him, reportedly saying that his brother-in-law was wanted. Guyana Times was told that his home and that of his mother-in-law and brother and his family were all searched as Police at-

tempted to find the officially released prisoner. Jacobs indicated that while he is glad to be released, the entire ordeal has left him upset.

“It make me feel bad, because people could think me is some murder man…they (Police) don’t tell you sorry; all they doing is patrolling, searching for some bandit,” Jacobs told this newspaper.

The farmer stated that he was only released from the La Grange Police Station after the former prisoner showed up and Divisional Commander Leslie James had reportedly intervened.

This publication understands that it was persons in the community who reported that Noble was in the area and claimed that he was an escapee.

Divisional Commander James concurred on Tuesday that Police ranks in West Demerara were acting on information obtained from members of the public.

He related that Jacobs’ detention was in keeping with standard procedures observed by Police. James further indicated that around

Acting Prisons Director Gladwin Samuels

13:00h, Police were able to confirm with prison officials that Noble was not one of the escapees and, as such, Jacobs was released from custody.

He further told this newspaper that the Police’s actions were based on calls which were echoed at a Monday’s Public Security Ministry press conference, where officials including acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine stated that any information on, or sightings of escapees should be provided to Police.

Ever since the July 9 prison fire and unrest, several discrepancies surfaced

over just how many prisoners escaped and how many were being held at Lusignan Prison. At the press conference, both subject Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and acting Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels responded lightly to calls for an independent count of the prison population when the media asked if Government was willing for an independent verification of the prison numbers.

“You’re giving the impression that you know somebody that might have escaped, but we don’t have his name, but if you could help me with that situation that is causing that problem with you, I would love to have it,” was the response that Minister Ramjattan gave to the reporter who posed the question.

The Prisons Director shared similar sentiments, but cautioned that inaccuracies over prison numbers could create further unrest.

He noted that 210 prisoners were transferred and added that records of all other numbers of those prisoners who were granted early release and bail were present and could be verified.

Samuels also observed that at Sunday’s locking down tally at 16:00h in the

Lusignan facility, 99 prisoners were in the swamped area, 104 were in the new holding area and 136 were within the actual prison. However, it was during Monday morning’s tally that it was discovered that 13 inmates fled the swamped area. Samuels maintained that his current numbers were accurate.

“At the end of the day, even if we try to ‘jook the books’, we are responsible for all of the persons who were deemed to be in custody for that day,” Samuels stressed.

When asked if he had any issue with the numbers being independently verified, the official retorted: “I wish that they would put you to head it, I have no problem – anybody. As far as I am aware, the Guyana Prison Service has not provided any false information as it relates to the number of persons we were accounting at the Georgetown Prison and the amount we are accounting for now.” On Monday, Police were able to recapture seven of the 13 inmates that the Prison Services announced had escaped while an additional four who were said to have escaped from Camp Street Prison remained at large.

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wednesDAY, july 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister wants stigma attached to HIV/AIDS to end M inister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings wants the discrimination against people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS) to stop.

According to the Minister, people living with HIV/AIDS have the same rights as everyone else, as enshrined in the United Nations Human Rights Declaration. She said that the Public Health Ministry was committed to providing quality HIV/AIDS prevention treatment, care and social support without discrimination. The Minister was speaking at the National Conference for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), at the Regency

Suites Hotel on Hadfield Street, on Tuesday.

The one-day conference was held to resuscitate the network of Guyanese people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and was hosted by the National Coordinating Coalition.

Dr Cummings said that over the years, Guyana has made tremendous strides in the fight against HIV/ AIDS. According to the Minister, Guyana’s goal is to end AIDS by 2030 and achieve the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets.

Additionally, to end the stigma, the Ministry will be undertaking a survey to measure the level of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS that exist in Guyana, the Minister said.

From left, Programme Manager of National AIDS Programme Secretariat, (NAPS), Dr Rhonda Moore; Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings and UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Martin Odiit

“To effectively conduct this survey, we need to work with PLHIV. Therefore, it is important that the opportunity of this conference is used to reorganise the network of PLHIV. Such that most PLHIV can be reached to inform the survey, and provide a representative

OPEC Fund a “kick start”...

Additionally, building on the wide-ranging concessions granted by the previous Government, the coalition has introduced several legislative and operational changes in support of the manufacturing industry, which include the importation of raw materials free of excise tax, waivers on duty and taxes for items that are not listed on the approved list of raw materials once applications are made to the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), initiatives by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to reduce processing time, the introduction of the ‘Trusted Trader Status’ for compliant importers, including manufacturers, the implementation of one-year tax exemption letters for manu-

facturers, and the reduction of the corporate tax rate paid by the manufacturing sector from 30 per cent to 27.5 per cent.

More recently, the Government announced the first Round Table Meeting with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) scheduled for July 28. This Round Table Meeting aims for a more structured dialogue and effective engagement with key players in the sector.

OFID is the inter-governmental development finance institution established in 1976 by the Member States of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and is based on “the natural solidarity which unites OPEC countries with other developing countries in their strug-

from page 8

gle to overcome underdevelopment”.

OFID has 13 member countries: Algeria, Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Libya, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

Resources for the Fund come from voluntary contributions made by members and its various operations.

Between 1976 to present, OFID has committed more than US$55 million to Guyana through its Public Sector operations. Much of this amount was provided as debt relief – some within the framework of the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative – while more than US$29 million was earmarked for Guyana’s energy, agriculture and financial sectors.

analysis of stigma and discrimination,” Minister Cummings explained.

The Minister further explained that data collected from the survey would be used to guide the development of evidence-based programmes for people living with the virus. The survey can also help to improve self-esteem, boost morale, decrease isolation and depression, and improve health through access to better information.

Minister Cummings is also urging people living with HIV/AIDS to get the necessary treatment, as they were recognised by the Government as productive members and contributors to society.

The Minister emphasised that the Government

would continue to provide resources to train and engage or employ people living with HIV in self-care, in HIV prevention, as community health workers in the practicalities and legal and social aspects of HIV and counselling.

“We will also continue to ensure psycho-social support for persons living with HIV who, in revealing their status, may experience discrimination against themselves or their dependents,” Dr Cummings explained.

Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, (NAPS), Dr Rhonda Moore said at the end of 2016, 8492 persons were estimated to be living with HIV. However, Dr Moore pointed out that 84 per cent of the

people who know their status were placed on medication.

“The encouragement that we want to give is to find yourself linked to a treatment site, and when you get to that treatment site do everything that you can to prepare yourself to work with the doctors, to prepare yourself to start treatment. The studies have shown that starting treatment earlier leads to good outcomes in the future. People live longer and they live healthier,” Dr Moore explained.

Additionally, the doctor called on persons living with HIV to support others who really need care, and to ensure that they seek treatment. Dr Moore acknowledged that some persons living with HIV/AIDS were coping with it while others were not. Additionally, a call was made for Government to play a more integral role in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS from UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Martin Odiit. Dr Odiit said the Government should create and promote education and employment, promote and adopt workplace policies in the formal and informal sectors and strengthen organisations that support persons living with HIV/AIDS.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, july 26, 2017

News Govt congratulates Exxon for new oil find T

he Guyana Government has congratulated ExxonMobil Corporation for its announcement on Tuesday about the discovery of additional oil in the Payara reservoir offshore Guyana, increasing the total Payara discovery to approximately 500 million oil-equivalent barrels.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources joins His Excellency David A Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and the Guyanese people in congratulating ExxonMobil and its joint venture partners Hess

and CNOOC Nexen for their latest efforts that led to the confirmation of the volume of the petroleum reserves that were announced today, July 25, 2017 regarding the Payara 2 well in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana,” the Ministry said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

It said the announcement “marks another important milepost in the journey towards Guyana’s emergence as an oil- producing state, and reinforces the reality that Guyana must continue to steadily and carefully build capacity

in a race against time before that date.”

The Ministry said it

looked forward to the “support of all stakeholders as we work together” to ensure

that there was a strong regulatory and fiscal framework in place so that the produc-

tion of petroleum could be done in a transparent and accountable manner and in a way that was respectful of our environment.

“We are thankful to all our local, regional and international partners who have committed to working with us to bring us into readiness for oil production. We call on the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to embrace this new reality that has dawned upon our beautiful country and to prepare themselves to take advantage of the opportunities it presents,” the statement added.

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WEDNESDAY, july 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Young father kidnapped, Ramsammy’s Ruminations beaten, robbed by bandits Ramjattan throws his officers under the bus A young father of one was on Monday morning kidnapped, beaten, and robbed by bandits after which he was locked in the trunk of his car at Zeelugt New Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

The man has been identified as 23-year-old Rajendra Narine of Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

According to information Guyana Times received, Narine parked his Toyota Premio motor car in front of a bank in Parika and left to run an errand.

However, while returning to his car, he noticed two males sitting on a nearby bridge, but paid them no mind.

Narine then proceeded to enter his vehicle and drove off, but was forced to stop when motor vehicle PTT 5888 drove into his path.

The two men who were seen sitting on the bridge entered Narine’s vehicle and one demanded that he hand over a bag, which supposedly contained $600,000.

He relayed to this publication that he informed the men that he was unaware of any such money, but was further traumatised when the driver of the car that stopped him entered the vehicle with a gun and demanded that he drive.

The masked men took Narine to a location aback Zeelugt where they further demanded the money and threatened to kill him if he did not comply.

He told this newspaper, “They ask me ‘bout three times and them seh them gon shoot me and kill meh...Them lash me in the right side knee at the back and them ask me fuh the

Pedal cyclist killed, T&T national detained

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pedal cyclist was on Tuesday killed and a Trinidad and Tobago national detained by Police following a fatal accident at Number 29 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

The dead man has been identified as 23-year-old Keyfa Campbell of Berbice.

According to information received by Guyana Times, Campbell was proceeding west along the Lovely Lass Public Road, WCB, when he was struck by motor pick-up with registration number GPP 4166, which was at the time being driven by the 28-year-old T&T national, who was said to be proceeding in the same direction.

Reports indicate that the cyclist suddenly swerved right into the path of the pick-up causing the left front of the vehicle to collide with him and he fell onto the road surface.

Campbell was picked up and rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital in an unconscious state.

However, he was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

A breathalyser test conducted on the detained driver revealed that there was no trace of alcohol on his breath.

Investigations are continuing.

The victim: Rajendra Narine

$600,000 and meh seh me nah know bout $600,000, them mistake me, and them nah answer…And then them seh they gon shoot meh and kill meh.”

Narine was then beaten about his body by the three men who even fired a gunshot a short distance away from his feet.

However, they subse-

quently knocked him unconscious and placed him in the trunk of his car when they noticed a truck proceeding in their direction.

The robbery victim awakened some time later and made contact with his family after realising that his phone was still in his pocket.

His brother reported the incident to the Police and was accompanied by a Police Officer, who visited the crime scene and released Narine from the car trunk.

Upon inspection, it was revealed that the gunmen had stolen Narine’s $85,000 car instalment as well as $3000 in change before making good their escape.

A report was made by Narine to the Parika and Leonora Police Stations.

The matter is currently being investigated and a manhunt was launched for the gunmen.

M&CC calling on food vendors to get certified T

he Food and Meat Department of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) wants food vendors to get their food handler’s certificate. Acting Chief Meat and Food Inspector Onica Alleyne said that while the call was for all vendors, the M&CC was targeting persons selling food on the street.

“We are going to set a date for a seminar and all of those food handlers in and around the market places, and all the vending sites will be invited,” Alleyne stated. The oneday seminar is slated to be held in the M&CC’s compound. According to Alleyne, the seminar is expected to demonstrate best practices to food vendors.

It will also share informa-

Chief Meat and Food Inspector (ag) Onica Alleyne

tion on how they can attain a food handler’s certificate.

The City Hall official pointed out that food vendors have a responsibility to ensure that the food they were selling their customers was safe for consumption. Alleyne noted, “There has been a proliferation of food vending on the whole.

It is very prevalent in, and around our city. If they are going to be vending food, then there are certain principles that they need to follow, so that is the reason why we need them to come on board and know what is expected of them, to do the correct thing”.

Alleyne said that while there was no fine for someone who was without a food handler’s certificate, the M&CC could seize their goods and stop operations.

J

ust two weeks after the Camp Street inferno, the destruction of the Camp Street Prison and the escape of some of Guyana’s most notorious prisoners, Guyanese citizens now live in greater fear because there was yet another escape this past Monday.

In fact, the escape only Dr Leslie Ramsammy became known at about 07:00h Monday morning, but the escape happened during Sunday night.

No one knows when on Sunday night the 13 dangerous prisoners waltzed out of the prison. At least 11 of the 13 were in jail for murder. This is after Minister Ramjattan dismissed concerns and informed people that APNU/AFC has everything under control.

More than 24 hours after the jail break at Lusignan, the President was still silent. He did convene a meeting of the National Security Commission on Monday morning, hours after the prison authority discovered the 13 prisoners missing. At such times of crisis, the people need their President and senior Government leadership to be visible and to assure them that the President and his Cabinet are standing with them. Instead, the President and other senior Cabinet members are aloof, hiding from the people.

While Guyanese were in shock Monday morning with the revelation that 13 prisoners brazenly escaped, Mr Ramjattan himself was missing and only after several hours issued a taped two-minute video statement through NCN TV. The statement came after 10:00h in the morning, several hours after the Guyanese people heard the frightening news of another prison escape. He was hiding from the media and from the Guyanese people at a time when he should have been very visible. Later in the afternoon on Monday, the Minister finally gathered the nerve to face the media.

Thank God, in that media encounter, he did not hold sugar workers responsible for this prison outbreak and he did not hold Jagdeo, Rohee, and the PPP responsible. At least I have not heard him doing so in public yet.

While admitting the buck stops with him, Ramjattan grudgingly pointed out that the security personnel were directly responsible, throwing his staff under the bus.

The Minister admitted he was embarrassed, but believes he is not to be held directly responsible for yet another security fiasco.

Two infernos that completely destroyed Camp Street Prison, at least three high-profile prison breakouts and at least 18 deaths in just about 16 months and he is still clueless. This is the same man that demanded the resignation of Rohee as Minister of Home Affairs for the Linden and Agricola protests which he and his colleagues in APNU/AFC instigated. The CoI which APNU/ AFC demanded following the deadly Linden protests concluded that leaders of APNU and the AFC played significant roles as instigators.

Ramjattan’s 2am curfew on restaurants and bars and the gun amnesty programme have not led to a reduction in traffic accidents and in crime in general. In fact, crime has spiralled under his leadership. The prison system has become more vulnerable under Ramjattan and APNU/ AFC. His argument that he was strait-jacketed because he did not have resources is absurd.

Last week, APNU/AFC approved $500 million for construction of a new prison at Camp Street. Together with work at Mazaruni and Lusignan, APNU/AFC would have suddenly found $1 billion for improvement of the prison system.

The truth is it was never a lack of resources. It was clearly an absence of any strategy and a lack of will. For that we cannot blame the security forces. The Camp Street inferno, the previous jail breaks and now the Lusignan prisoners’ escape are direct consequences of political neglect and cluelessness. When the Minister holds the security forces directly responsible, he is unfairly throwing them under the bus. The fact is, he (Ramjattan) is directly responsible. The President himself is abrogating his responsibility. Shifting responsibility worsens the already grave situation. Another CoI is pointless. It is time that those responsible stand up and be accountable.

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wednesDAY, july 26, 2017

Regional

Venezuelan agents seize 2 more New school rule in court appointees – Opposition Trinidad and Tobago:

T

wo more people named to an alternative Supreme Court in defiance of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's Government were arrested on Wednesday by intelligence agents during a fast-escalating political showdown, the Opposition said.

Jesus Rojas and Zuleima Gonzalez were seized in central Anzoategui state, after another appointee Angel Zerpa's arrest at the weekend, the Opposition-led National Assembly said.

Venezuela's majority-backed Opposition is demanding Maduro abandon a Sunday election to create a controversial congress with powers to rewrite the country's Constitution and override all other institutions.

Foes say that will institutionalise dictatorship by

People arrive at a session of Venezuela's Opposition-controlled National Assembly that appoints alternative judges to the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, July 21, 2017

the ruling Socialist Party.

But Maduro insists it is the only way to empower the people and bring peace after four months of anti-Government unrest that have killed

more than 100 people.

"The Constituent Assembly will be a blank check for the executive to decide everything," State Prosecutor Luisa Ortega,

who has broken with Maduro this year, told a local paper.

The main business guild Fedecamaras also backed the Opposition, issuing a statement on Wednesday that called the coming weekend vote "unconstitutional and unnecessary".

"We demand the executive branch abandon its intention to impose a new Constitution," said the group, which is hated by Government supporters for its central role in a shortlived 2002 coup against Maduro's predecessor Hugo Chávez.

Facing intense foreign pressure including the threat of economic sanctions

by US President Donald Trump, Maduro has vowed the vote will go ahead despite "imperial" pressure.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

no sugary drinks

S

oft drinks and other sugary beverages will not be on the menu when the new school term opens in Trinidad and Tobago in September.

According to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, that is when a ban will take effect at schools across the country, as part of a mission to curb the epidemic of NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs) among children.

“We have to recognise that we have a crisis on our hands when it comes to juvenile diabetes and childhood obesity. One of the drivers of that is an unhealthy lifestyle,” he said.

Deyalsingh told reporters on the sidelines of a one-week camp hosted by the Diabetes Association of T&T that an intensive programme was underway to convert schools into healthy zones.

“An awareness campaign will be part of the Non-

Communicable Diseases (NCD) programme we are rolling out. It has started already; we have already conducted the Body Mass Index (BMI) study of over 5000 students which started last year and we have banned the sale of sugary drinks in schools….A part of the NonCommunicable Diseases programme is to encourage children to lead a healthier lifestyle, which includes what they drink, what they eat and how they exercise or don’t exercise,” he explained.

The Minister said healthier options are to be introduced in schools, and changes will be coming to the free school meals menu.

Sodas are not the only beverages being targeted. Deyalsingh said energy drinks will also be banned and the Ministry would soon launch a public education programme to show the dangers of consuming those drinks. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Cayman House Speaker claims wrongful arrest after alleged 20,000 in Barbados butt grabbing incident in US

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he Speaker of the House in the Cayman Islands says he regrets the attention his “wrongful arrest” for allegedly grabbing a female casino worker’s buttocks in the United States has caused, but he’s adamant he committed no crime and that he will be exonerated.

McKeeva Bush, 62, was arrested last Monday night at a casino in Coral Creek,

Florida and spent a night in the Broward County Jail before being released on a US$1000 bond. His attorney, Keith Seltzer, subsequently entered a written not guilty plea on his behalf, to a misdemeanour count of battery, which is punishable by up to a year in prison and US$1000 fine on conviction.

The Florida State Attorney’s office has 30 days

from the date of the arrest to decide whether to move forward in prosecuting Bush.

“I regret the attention and concern that my wrongful arrest has caused to all concerned overseas, my constituents and the great citizens of Cayman,” Bush, a former Premier, said in a statement after his return to the Cayman Islands last Friday.

“I am certain that once my

attorney and the Prosecutor have an opportunity to review the evidence, the only conclusion that will be reached is that I committed no crime.”

A spokesman for the Seminole Police Department in Florida, Gary Bitner, said Bush was arrested after the alleged victim was interviewed and surveillance video from the casino reviewed.

march against tough tax measures

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Thousands joined in the march to press the Government to review tough taxes imposed on citizens. At left is Mary Redman, President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union, one of the four trade unions that led the march along with the Barbados Private Sector Association [Barbados Today]

US Coast Guard, Royal Bahamas Defence Force rescue 88 Haitian migrants W

The Coast Guard and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force rescued 15 of 88 Haitian migrants Friday, July 21, 2017, off Little Inagua, Bahamas. Due to medical concerns, the 15 were transported to Matthew Town for further care [US Coast Guard photo]

T

he US Coast Guard and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) rescued 88 Haitian migrants on Friday off Little Inagua, Bahamas.

The US Coast Guard and the Royal Bahamas Defence

Force (RBDF) rescued 88 Haitian migrants on Friday off Little Inagua, Bahamas.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, deployed to Great Inagua, located the Haitian migrants on the is-

land and received a request to assist by the Bahamian government.

The helicopter crew embarked 15 migrants for medical concerns and transported them to Matthew Town for further medical care.

“I am grateful for the continued support of the US Coast Guard and Operations Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) in preventing loss of life at sea and in the continues fight against illicit trafficking in our waters,” said Commander Clarence Dean, commander of operations, Royal Bahamas Defence Force. “I anticipate our symbiotic relationship and positive rapport will shine through in future endeavours.”

The RBDF deployed a marine-asset crew to embark the remaining individuals off Little Inagua for

transport to Great Inagua.

“This case highlights the value and professionalism of many crews coming together in support of a multi-nation joint rescue operation,” said Captain Aldante Vinciguerra, chief of response, Coast Guard’s 7th District. “Illegal migration ventures, such as these, all too often end tragically. Thankfully our Coast Guard and RBDF crews were able to locate and perform this rescue seamlessly.” The Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Agency and RBDF maintain a 24/7 presence on the island in support of OPBAT – a tri-country agreement between the US, Turks and Caicos and UK Governments to combat drug smuggling to and from the US, Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. (Caribbean News

Now)

ith the support of more than 20,000 Barbadians, the island’s four main trade unions and the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Monday took to the streets to march against the austerity measures imposed by the Freundel Stuart Administration.

Barbadians from all corners of the island and workers from every sector – including banking and finance, construction, retail and services – hit the main thoroughfares of the capital Bridgetown with placards demanding a roll back of the controversial increase in the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) and an urgent return to dialogue.

Scores who spoke to reporters in the heated sun shared their frustration with the Government’s handling of the country’s fiscal affairs and its deteriorating relationship with the island’s trade union and Private Sector, which have

been pressing for talks to find an alternative to the hike in the NSRL from two to ten per cent, which will significantly increase the cost of living.

Business owner Stacey Choat, director of Saltech Inc, told the Barbados Today online newspaper that she was concerned about the Government’s economic policies, warning that the measures would impose further burden on citizens.

She appealed to the Government to listen to the country’s stakeholders.

“Once you are living in this country, you are going to be affected by the state of the economy so . . . the three groups are supposed to be working together to find a solution to raise Barbados out of this fiscal deficit.

But from what I gather the Government is not listening . . . . They are basically saying, ‘this is it, this is how it is’. What they are saying and how they are saying it, is not working for us,” she stressed. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

WEDNESDAY, july 26, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Pope Francis shuts off Vatican US Navy fires warning shots at Iranian ship fountains amid drought

T

he Vatican has started shutting off its famous fountains amid a prolonged drought in many parts of Italy. Vatican Radio said the move was in line with Pope Francis's teachings on the environment. The Pope laid out his ecological fears in a 2015 encyclical, which denounced wasteful practices and highlighted the importance of clean drinking water. The prolonged drought has hit two-thirds of farmland and has cost Italian agriculture some â‚Ź2bn ($2.3bn; ÂŁ1.8bn).

The Vatican has about 100 fountains, including two

The Vatican has about 100 fountains and all will be switched off

Baroque masterpieces, and all will be switched off, including those in its gardens.

Vatican spokesman Greg

Burke told Reuters news agency it was the first time anyone could remember this happening. He said it was

the Vatican's way of showing solidarity with Rome during the crisis. "This decision is very much in line with the Pope's thinking on ecology: you can't waste and sometimes you have to be willing to make a sacrifice," he added. This spring has been Italy's third-driest in 60 years. Rome itself has suffered two years of lower-than-average rainfall and later this week city authorities will decide whether to introduce drastic water rationing. Some of Rome's famed drinking fountains have already been shut off.

(BBC)

Switzerland chainsaw attack: Manhunt becomes international

S

wiss Police have issued an international arrest warrant after a man went on the rampage with a chainsaw in the town of Schaffhausen.

Suspect Franz Wrousis, 50, is still on the run more than 24 hours after the attack on a local health insurance office close to the German border.

Five people were hurt.

The victim with the most serious wounds is now out of danger, police said.

They believe the suspect is still armed with the chainsaw.

Police released a new

photo of Franz Wrousis on Tuesday and said he had convictions for weapons offences in 2014 and 2016.

"Anyone who sees him should avoid him," a spokesman warned.

They said he had been wearing the same green jacket shown in the picture and that he was carrying three bags, including a black bin-type bag thought to contain the chainsaw.

Police with dogs spent the night searching an area close to the German border.

However, officials in the German state of BadenWĂźrttemberg said there was

A

The USS Thunderbolt pictured in the Gulf

US Navy ship has fired warning shots at an Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessel in the Gulf, US officials say.

It happened at around 03:00 local time (00:00 GMT), as the Iranian ship began to approach the USS Thunderbolt.

A US defence official said the boat came within 450ft (137m), and ignored radio calls and the ship's whistle.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard is a paramilitary force that answers directly to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"The IRGCN boat was coming in at a high rate of speed. It did not respond to any signals, they did not respond to any bridge-tobridge calls, they felt there was no choice except to fire the warning shots," the official told AFP news agency.

The Iranian ship stopped after the warning shots, and the Thunderbolt - accompanied by several US Coast Guard vessels - continued on its way.

The incident is the latest in a series of close encounters between ships from the US and Iran. (BBC)

Parents, UK hospital clash over taking baby home to die Franz Wrousis

no evidence that the suspect had left Switzerland.

The attack unfolded shortly after 10:30 (08:30 GMT) on Monday, when two workers

were attacked and wounded by a chainsaw at the CSS insurance office. One was badly hurt and needed surgery in hospital. (BBC)

Israel removes holy site metal detectors

I

srael removed metal detectors from entrances to the Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on Tuesday in favor of

still unacceptable.

Israel installed the detectors at entry points to AlAqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem after two police

Workers removing metal detectors from entrances to the Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City

CCTV cameras, hoping to calm days of bloodshed, but Palestinians said the modified security measures were

guards were fatally shot on July 14, setting off the bloodiest clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in years.

The spike in tensions and the deaths of three Israelis and four Palestinians in violence on Friday and Saturday raised international alarm and prompted a session of the United Nations Security Council to consider ways of defusing the crisis.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and the senior Muslim cleric who oversees Al-Aqsa compound both dismissed the new Israeli measures and demanded all of them be removed.

"We reject all obstacles that hinder freedom of worship and we demand the return to the situation where things stood before July 14," Hamdallah told his cabinet in Ramallah in the Israelioccupied West Bank.

The Waqf, the religious

body that runs the Islamic sites in the Al-Aqsa compound, said worshippers would continue to stay away from the elevated, marbleand-stone plaza - Islam's third holiest site - and pray in the streets outside.

Jews revere the compound as the place where two ancient temples once stood. A Waqf spokesman said it was awaiting a decision of a technical committee but was demanding the situation revert to the way it was before the metal detectors were installed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet of senior ministers voted to remove the metal detector gates early on Tuesday after a meeting lasting several hours.

T

Baby Charlie Gard

he parents of terminally ill baby Charlie Gard on Tuesday accused a London hospital of preventing their son from coming home to die, the latest harrowing confrontation in a legal battle that has raised emotions far and wide.

The renowned children's hospital treating Charlie told a court that the reality of the invasive ventilation the infant requires means that proper end-of-life care cannot be provided to him in his parents' home.

The plight of 11-monthold Charlie, who suffers from an extremely rare genetic condition causing progressive brain damage and muscle weakness, has been

at the center of a bitter dispute between his parents and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The case has triggered a strident debate on social media and in the press about whether doctors or parents should decide a child's fate.

"Emotions are as high in this case as they could be in any," said the judge presiding over the case, Nicholas Francis. Charlie requires a ventilator to breathe and cannot see, hear or swallow.

His parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, resigned themselves to allowing him to die after the most recent set of scans showed his condition had deteriorated to the point no recovery was possible. (Reuters)

Australia's Minister quits over dual citizenship row

M

atthew Canavan has quit as Australia's Minister for Resources and Northern Australia in a row over dual citizenship - the country's third politician to do so in recent weeks.

The 36-year-old said he was unaware his mother had applied for him to get Italian citizenship when he was 25.

But he said he would not be resigning as

senator until he had legal advice.

Under Australia's constitution, a person cannot run for federal office if they hold dual or plural citizenship.

Earlier this month, two senators from the Australian Greens party were forced to resign for holding dual citizenship.

In a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday, Mr Canavan said: "In 2006, my

mother lodged documents with the Italian consulate in Brisbane to become an Italian citizen.

"In doing so, it would appear that she made an application for me to become an Italian citizen as well. I was 25 years old at the time."

Mr Canavan, who is a member of the Liberal National Party, said his moth-

er raised "the possibility" that he was an Italian citizen last week, although he had not signed the application.

But he stressed that he was not quitting as senator because he had not yet obtained "definitive legal advice as to whether my registration as an Italian citizen, without my knowledge or consent, was valid under Italian law". (BBC)

18

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wednesDAY, july 26, 2017

ARCHIE

Aim to work hard and play to win. If you do your best, you (March 21- won’t be disappointed with April 19) the results. Precision and attention to detail will pay off.

ARIES

Look for solutions that TAURUS you know are a good fit.

(April 20- Conservative action will keep May 20) you out of harm’s way. A business trip will be informative.

Learn as you go.

dilbert

Emotional self-deception GEMINI (May 21- and being misled by others June 20) are prominent. Don’t make a move or a promise until you have facts and figures to back you up.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Facts will help you persuade others to do things your way. Anger will not solve problems, but realistic propositions will. A moderate plan and strategy are favoured.

Refuse to let anyone take advantage of your helpful nature or manipulate you emotionally. Size up whatever situation you face and offer only what you feel is sufficient.

Keep your facts straight and VIRGO ask questions if something that (Aug. 23someone says sounds suspiSept. 22)

cious. Being informed will help you avoid making a mistake.

Keep your business dealings and your personal life separate.

An emotional issue will LIBRA arise if you don’t agree with (Sept. 23a sibling, friend or neighbour.

Oct. 23) Be careful not to offend anyone or let someone put demands on you.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Refrain from offering too SCORPIO much. Guard against being (Oct. 24taken advantage of by someNov. 22) one you are trying to help.

Offer suggestions and advice, but don’t do the work yourself or pay anyone’s way.

Communication will be SAGITTARIUS difficult and confusing today.

(Nov. 23- Ask questions if you feel unDec. 21) certain or think someone is leaving out information you need to make a good decision.

Discipline and hard work, CAPRICORN along with being relatively (Dec. 22- quiet about your plans, will Jan. 19) help you achieve your goals.

Don’t let a personal incident slow you down.

solution for Last Published Puzzle Think twice before you AQUARIUS make a change to your ap(Jan. 20- pearance. Behaving excesFeb. 19) sively or taking an idea too far will turn into a costly affair.

Discipline will be required to avoid a risky experiment.

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

Get to the bottom of a situPISCES ation that is uncertain or con(Feb. 20March 20) fusing. Someone’s persuasive tactics will put you in a vulnerable position. Think before you agree to something you know little about.

wednesDAY, july 26, 2017

Warner applauds move for Windies cricketers’ amnesty

Brain disease

affects

19

99%

of NFL players in study

A

Jack Warner

F

ormer CONCACAF president Jack Warner has hailed the decision of Cricket West Indies (CWI) to allow the senior players an opportunity to return to line-up of the regional team.

The Windies most experienced players had been sidelined for several years, in major part due to a stipulation put in place which stated that players wishing to represent the team were required to take part in regional competitions.

The regional schedule often clashed with lucrative Twenty20 leagues around the world, with players opting to take part in those competitions. Recent discussions between the CWI and senior player representatives have, however, yielded a compromise which should see several return. Warner, who resigned from the posts of CONCACAF president and FIFA Vice-president amidst accusations of corruption, applauded the decision.

“Fans had become frustrated with our team’s performance and we were well aware the best of the West Indies were not representing us. Cricket West Indies however, has finally come to realise the importance of West Indies cricket to the region and the far greater importance in recapturing the greatness of past teams to leave for generations to come a strong legacy of whom we are,” Warner said.

“This is an important move because success on the field begins with the right mental attitude not only among the players but also with the administration of the game.”

(Sportsmax)

study of American football players’ brains has found that 99% of professional NFL athletes tested had a disease associated with head injuries.

The report published on Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association studied 202 deceased players - 111 of them from the NFL. All but one former National Football League player were found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

The study is the largest of its kind yet conducted, its authors say.

The invisible plague of concussion Dr Ann McKee, director of Boston University’s CTE Center, which led the study, cautioned against drawing any immediate conclusions.

“There’s a tremendous selection bias,” she said, explaining how many of the brains were donated specifically by families who had suspected that their loved ones were suffering from CTE, which researchers believe is caused by repeated blows to the head.

“There’s no question that there’s a problem in football.

That people who play football are at risk for this disease,” she told US media.

The neurodegenerative

brain disease CTE is typically found in people who have suffered repeated blows to the head, studies have found.

It causes a build-up of socalled tau proteins which can disable neuro-pathways and cause memory loss, impaired judgment, confusion and a variety of other mental health issues.

All 202 players studied ranging in age from 23 to 89 were required to have football as their primary exposure to head trauma.

Of the 202 total players, 87% were found to have traces of CTE.

It was also found in 48 of 53 college players and three of the 14 high school players.

Players featured in the study came from every position on the field, and from high school, university, and Canadian leagues, in addition to the NFL. In a statement the NFL said it was grateful for the study and the “value it adds in the ongoing quest for a better understanding of CTE”.

“There are still many unanswered questions relating to the cause, incidence and prevalence of long-term effects of head

trauma such as CTE,” the organisation continued.

“The NFL is committed to supporting scientific research into CTE and advancing progress in the prevention and treatment of head injuries.”

The NFL in 2016 acknowledged for the first time that there is a connection between CTE and football.

In 2015, a federal judge approved a class-action lawsuit brought against the NFL by thousands of players, who had alleged they had suffered brain damage as a result of concussions. (BBC)

Kenedy sent home from pre-season tour after social media row

C

helsea have sent winger Kenedy home from their pre-season tour following the Brazilian’s social media comments before a match in China.

The club had “solemnly and sincerely” apologised after fans accused the 21-yearold of xenophobia and racism.

He made the comments in Instagram posts before a 3-0 pre-season win over Arsenal, during which fans booed him.

Kenedy later apologised but will now play no further part in the tour and has returned to the UK. The Football Association has written to Chelsea and has also asked the player to explain the comments.

He put two videos on Instagram, one featuring an expletive about China and another of a sleeping security guard with a phrase which translated as: “Wake up,

China. You idiot.”

In the wake of the incident, writing on social media, Kenedy said he was sorry if “someone was sad because I used an expression”. He added it was “no racism, just an expression”.

Chelsea said in a statement prior to him being sent home that the player, signed from Fluminense in 2015, had been “strongly reprimanded and disciplined”.

“Kenedy’s actions were a mistake that he will learn greatly from,” they added.

“His behaviour does not represent the entire team and does not align with our expectations and strict requirements of the young players.”

On Sunday, Chelsea arrived in Singapore to prepare for the next match of their preseason tour, against Bayern Munich at the National Stadium on Tuesday.(BBC)

Kenedy played just three games last season two for Chelsea and one on loan at Watford

20

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wednesdAY, july 26, 2017

Elbow injury may rule Djokovic out of US Open

Novak Djokovic

F

ormer world number one Novak Djokovic is in doubt for the U.S. Open due to his elbow injury, Serbian media reported, citing the country’s Davis Cup team doctor.

Djokovic retired hurt during the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and said he was considering taking a break from playing to recover from the long-standing injury to his right elbow.

Serbia’s Sportski Zurnal reported

that the 30-year-old could face up to 12 weeks on the sidelines.

“He has a bruised bone due to excessive playing,” it quoted Zdenko Milinkovic as saying.

The 12-times grand slam champion won the U.S. Open in 2011 and 2015.

This year’s tournament begins on Aug. 28.

Britain’s The Times said Djokovic would make a decision about his play-

Mourinho says

Manchester United ‘better equipped’ for title bid

U

nited won the League Cup and Europa League and finished sixth in the league in Mourinho’s first season in charge.

Asked if he was targeting the domestic title this season, he told BBC Sport: “We are better prepared for that.”

United have signed Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof so far this summer.

“This season is going to be more difficult but I think we have better conditions to fight for the Premier League,” Mourinho told BBC Sport.

“I think this season we are a little bit better equipped. We are against fantastic teams, against amazing investments.

“But I believe in our group, in our spirit, in our empathy, in our togetherness. I trust my boys and we are going to try.”

As Europa League holders, United qualified directly for the Champions League group stage.

“We went to the Europa League as one of the top teams, we go to the Champions League and we are not one of the top teams,” Mourinho added.

“We have to be better, much better, for that objective. The base of everything is to find what I call a happy dressing room.”

Mourinho has confirmed for the first time that he is still looking to sign a midfield player and a wide attacker.

Speaking at a news conference before his side’s friendly against Barcelona in Washington at 19:30 on Wednesday (00:30 BST Thursday), Mourinho said no progress had been made.

The Portuguese has been linked most heavily with midfielders Nemanja Matic

ing schedule over the next 24 hours and that an announcement would me made at a news conference in Belgrade this week.

“We are doing different checks and getting opinions from more than one doctor,” The Times quoted his spokesman as saying.

Djokovic has appeared in 51 straight grand slams since his debut at the 2005 Australian Open. (Reuters)

Peerless Peaty

breaks WR twice in1 day

A

Adam Peaty

Jose Mourinho won the Premier League title three times with Chelsea

and Eric Dier, of Chelsea and Tottenham respectively, and Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic.

Mourinho said: “I am happy with my squad but I would like to have two more players. One midfield player would give me more options.

“The other is an attacking player through the wings to give me more attacking options.”

He added he was “calm” about the situation and was “waiting for good news” from United executive vicechairman Ed Woodward.

Mourinho has previously told Woodward he would understand if he only managed to secure one more signing this summer. (BBC)

dam Peaty’s 50m breaststroke world record previously stood at 26.42 seconds. By the end of Tuesday, the Briton had lowered that to 25.95s.

Adam Peaty sensationally lowered his own 50m breaststroke world record twice in one day at the FINA World Championships, becoming the first man to break the 26-second mark in the process.

Peaty, the Olympic 100m breaststroke champion who won the world title over that distance on Monday, caused a stir in Tuesday’s morning session in Budapest when he improved on his previous record 50m time of 26.42 seconds by a considerable margin, clocking 26.10secs in a heat.

However, the Briton was not finished there and went faster still in his subsequent semi-final, winning in a stunning time of 25.95secs.

Even Peaty himself seem shocked to dip under 26 seconds, the 22-year-old mouthing “no way” and smiling broadly upon seeing his time.

In a post-race interview with the BBC, Peaty insisted he was determined to find further improvement, with the final of the 50m breaststroke to come on Wednesday.

“This morning I went 26.1 and I thought ‘it’s going to be hard to beat that’,” he said.

“I can’t believe it, I can’t even think. I’m just looking for areas now where I can improve.”

Former Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington, working as a pundit on the BBC, said of her compatriot: “I think he shocked himself. It was the first time in a long time I’ve actually seen him genuinely shocked.

“He still has room to improve that - that is what is insane.” (Sportsmax)

Chess Tactics Con’t

The “Soft Spoons” – Double Attacks That Really Aren’t that Good!

A

“spoon” is a fun term for a double attack that doesn’t really do anything. If a Knight tried to fork an enemy Knight, for example, that might be a spoon because an enemy Knight can capture the same way your Knights can. Here white gives a check and double attacks the Rook and King, but to no avail as black can simply protect both pieces.

What is a Pin, Who Can Make a Pin, and Why Are Pins Good?

When a piece cannot move because it is “in the way” or “blocking” a more valuable teammate from being captured by an enemy piece, that piece is pinned.

The piece that is applying this pin is known as the “pinning piece”. Pins are a tactical motif that occurs solely on the straight lines of the chessboard – meaning the ranks, files and diagonals.

Because pins can only occur on the straight lines of the board, only three types of pieces can make a pin: The Queen, Rooks and Bishops (compare this to a “double attack” that can technically be carried out by any one of the chessmen). The Bishop and Rook are both pinning pieces in this position, with two different types of pins taking place:

Absolute and Relative – What’s the Difference?

The first type of pin taking place is by the b5Bishop, to the c6-Knight, to the King on e8 is an absolute pin. Absolute pins occur only when a piece is being pinned to the King. It would be absolutely illegal for the Knight to move, which makes an absolute pin the strongest kind of pin to have.

Jessica Clementson

The second type of pin from our first diagram is known as a relative pin.

The Bishop on g3 is pinned because it would never consider moving if it meant the Queen on g8 would be captured. However, we have added a white King on c1 here to display that if the g3Bishop was able to move for something more important than the Queen on g8 (in this case, a check to the King) than the Bishop could move.

(Absolute) – The Key to Winning Pinned Pieces!

Now that we understand the different types of pins, let’s talk about what makes a pin successful. A pinned piece is, well, pinned! It can’t move (especially absolutely pinned pieces, and it would be bad to move most relatively pinned pieces as well). So don’t ever take a pinned piece without first considering how to bring more pieces to attack it. Here the Bishop on b4 is pinning the Rook on d6. White could easily capture it and be happy with that “trade”.

But is there another way to gang up on the pinned Rook?

1.e5!, attacks the Rook a second time and therefore wins material after 1...Ke6 2.exd6. Not 2.Bxd6 after 2... f6, drawing.

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sports

21

CWI Regional U-19

Ali-Mohammed stars for Guyana on day 2 A

ll-rounder Renaldo Ali-Mohammed was the star of day two as Guyana closed with a lead of 221 runs against Leeward Islands at Verchilds Cricket Ground in St Kitts.

Bowling his medium pace, AliMohamed collected 5-11 from 13 overs

to spearGuyana’s t a c k

h e a d a t a s Leewards Islands folded for a paltry 100 all-out off 48.2 overs in their first innings. Kevin Sinclair with 3-33 supported AliMohammed with his parttime offspin.

With a lead of 120, Guyana added 101 for the

loss of five wickets in their second innings to extend their advantage to 221 by the close. Alex Algoo has so far been the principal scorer with 36, while Sinclair wasted another good start as he contributed 27.

Ali-Mohammed and Richie Looknauth will resume batting on eight and four respectively when play resumes on the final day today.

First innings wrecker K Pemberton has grabbed four wickets in the second innings so far to take his match tally to seven scalps.

Renaldo Ali-Mohammed

In

the other matches, reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago are well placed at 117-2 with a lead of 197 over Windward Islands while the bat-

Kevin Sinclair

tle between Barbados and Jamaica ended prematurely due to rain, with the former in a spot of bother at 32-3 and a lead of 45.

GFF Girls Academy camp Ramdhani, launched to focus on developing Chiong reach local players

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From left: GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood, GGA Coach Colin Wilson, GFF President Wayne Forde, and GFF Public Relations Officer Debra Francis

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Tuesday morning re-launched the Guyana Girls Academy (GGA) and launched the GGA Football Camp as well.

The founder of the GGA, US-based Guyanese Coach Colin Wilson, who is also the facilitator of the Football Camp, at the launch, noted that the Camp was designed to “develop, train and educate girls to compete on a collegiate, professional and international level as well as to ignite a strong culture of women’s football here (in Guyana) while continuously fuelling the Women’s National team programme”.

He pointed out that the ultimate goal of the GGA was to “start off with younger girls and build from there, to get as many girls as possible so as to create as big as possible of a player pool for Guyana, so that they can compete at the highest levels in the future”.

Meanwhile, GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood, who was present at the launch, pointed out that while women’s football in Guyana was at least “20 years behind where it should be”, the GGA would work in tandem with the GFF’s plan for the development of local female players.

“This initiative by Coach Wilson is a great one for the younger players that we have. We know we have to get a lot more local girls into our national teams over the next few years; pre-dominantly we know that it (Women’s National Team) has been mainly overseas-based due to the quality we get from overseas. We need to develop local players ourselves and this has to start at the ages of 5, 6,7, so this initiative will be following the GFF technical development plan and will be helping to develop young girls into footballers down the years. The collaboration between the two enti-

ties (GFF and GGA) will be very positive,” Greenwood maintained.

GFF President Wayne Forde thanked Coach Wilson for lending his expertise, experience, knowledge and time to the girls who would be taking part in the camp as he stressed that it would benefit Guyana profusely in the future.

He also pointed out that development required a lot of investment and discipline, noting the recent appointment of Women’s Development Officer Tricia Munroe as one such example.

“I assure Mr Wilson that next year when he gets back here, he will be conducting his clinic on a GFF facility,” Forde announced.

The four-day camp will begin today from 09:30h to 17:00h, and will continue until July 29. Some 50 young ladies between the ages of 7 and 11 are expected to participate in the camp.

Priyanna Ramdhani (left) and Sara Michelle Barrios Chiong

L

ocal badminton ace Priyanna Ramdhani on Monday evening advanced to the quarter-finals of the Pan American Badminton Championships Under-17 Girls Doubles, which are being played at the Pan Am Centre in Markham, Canada.

The national and Caribbean junior and senior champion teamed up with her partner, Sara Michelle Barrios Chiong of Guatemala to defeat Chile’s Constanza Naranjo But and Belen Troncoso Mandiola in a thrilling three-setter.

Ramdhani and Chiong, who have been playing together for three years, came from behind after surrendering the first game at 2123, before recovering to win the second and third sets 2117 and 21-10 respectively.

They will have a shot of entering the semi-finals when they compete later today. Meanwhile, in the Under-17 Girls Singles, Ramdhani lost to Peru’s champion, Inés Mendoza Rosell 21-19, 21-8 The Championships are being played from July 24 to 28, 2017.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, july 26, 2017

Digicel Schools Football Championships

Thrilling semi-finals anticipated T

h e s e v enth Digicel’s Schools Football Championships reached the semi-final stage with defending champions Chase Academic Foundation setting a date with arch-rivals Christianburg/Wismar Secondary while Annai Secondary will clash with DC Caesar Fox Secondary (Waramadong) on Thursday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

The four teams’ passage to this stage was varied, with their quarter-final matches on Tuesday taking different turns.

Chase continued to show their superiority as they hammered Hosororo 10-0 at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Ryan Hackett and Rondell Peters led the one-sided contest, netting respective braces. Hackett netted in the 14th and 73rd minute while Peters

– Chase to face Christianburg; Annai clash with Waramadong

had his share in the onslaught in the 43rd and 81st.

Nicholas McArthur (5th); Adrian Aaron (15th); Kevin Padmore (27th); Stephon Reynolds (28th); Jermaine Garrett (69th) and Jeremy Garrett (90th) were the other players adding to the misery of Hosororo.

Over at Leonora, Waramadong simply outplayed Sir Leon’s Lessons to win 5-2. Reon McNaughton led the rout with a sublime hat-trick, netting in the 34th, 53rd and 55th minute, while Javin Castro (63rd) and Ravi Ruddy (87th) added the other two goals. Tyrese Forde gave Sir Leon’s some respite with a double, netting in the 47th and 79th minute.

At Burnham Park, New Amsterdam, the Daniels brothers, Sherral and Orville, joined with their cousin Niadison to help Annai Secondary inflict a 5-0 win over Region Six Champions

Chase Academic marksmen! (L-R) Jeremy Garrett, Rondell Peters, Adrian Aaron, Kevin Padmore, Stephon Reynolds, Ryan Hackett and Nicholas McArthur

Vryman’s Ervin Secondary.

Sherral sent the visitors into the lead in the fifth minute with a well-directed shot wide of a flying goalkeeper.

The visitors found the soggy conditions difficult to play the short pass and as such, many of their passes were intercepted. Vryman’s Ervin, on the other hand, could not penetrate the defence of the

Rupununi school team and were only able to have control of the ball in the 18-yard box on four occasions, but they were not able to convert by the time the half-time whistle blew. In the second half, with the visitors having the wind advantage, the floodgates were opened and four goals were scored in the 45 minutes of play. Niadison

DeNobrega claim 4th Annual Felix Grenville Memorial cycling title R acing for Team Evolution, Paul DeNobrega clocked a time of two hours 42 minutes 53 seconds to capture the fourth Annual Felix Grenville Memorial Cycle Road Race in Berbice on Sunday. He has now won the event twice.

DeNobrega won ahead of Shaquel Agard (Team United); Romello Crawford (Trojan); Andrew Hicks (Team United); Raul Leal (Carlton Wheelers); Walter Grant-Stuart (Continental Wheelers); Christopher Cornelius (Team Evolution); Deeraj Garbarran (Team United); Alonzo Ambrose (Team Alanis) and Briton John (Team United).

DeNobrega, who won the event in 2015, made his move on the Palmyra road when he signalled his intention to break away from the pack.

The riders began at a frantic pace from the Rose Hall Estate, and it appeared to be an early cat-andmouse game that saw Team Trojan’s Crawford at the front of the peloton.

However, DeNobrega held his own as he kept up

with the lead pack and made his move on the return home. He outsprinted Agard over the final 300 metre stretch to claim the win.

In the veterans’ category, Ian “Dumb Boy” Jackson took top honours, while Stephen Fernandes was second and finishing in third was Steve Ramscuchit of Trojan Cycle Club.

In the ladies category, Shenika Teixeira claimed first place, while Deanne Welch finished in second and Whitney Poyer in third respectively.

For the juvenile cyclists who rode from Nand Persaud and Company Limited to the finish line, Zamal Khan took top honours followed by Johathan Ramsuchit, David Hicks and Kenwyn Collins respectively.

The event, which is staged in honour of the late Felix Grenville, a former engineer, was held in collaboration with the Flying Ace Cycle Club. It was first held in 2012 and has been held annually since Grenville’s death in 2013.

scored in the 53rd minute and seven minutes later, Sherral again scored as panic started to creep into the home camp, hushing the home crowd.

However, Sherral was able to bring the crowd on his side as he repeatedly dribbled past the Vryman’s Ervin midfield and defence, showcasing his skills much to the delight of spectators. After a failed attempt to penetrate the goalkeeper, his cousin did not fail to convert the rebound in the 72nd minute.

Orville then joined the action and rocked the back of the net with a shot fired 10 feet from the goal line to seal the issue. However, moments before, Vryman’s Ervin

Secondary came their closest to scoring when they found the bottom of the cross bar.

The ball rebounded to the ground, but was picked up by the defence.

Coach of Annai Secondary, Frank Allicock said his team were able to stick to their game plan, but thought that the home team played a very good game. “For us, it is improvement and a good feeling going into the semi-finals.

The team is about 95 per cent; it is just that we were hampered by the condition of the ground. We had good ball possession and our defence was at ‘A’. We did not allow them to control the ball.” Over at the Beterverwagting Ground, Christianburg won 5-4 on penalty kicks after the match ended 1-1.

The first semi-final will kick off from 16:00h, while the final is slated for Sunday at the said venue.

The schools are vying for the top prize of one million dollars towards a school project of their choice, while the second-place finisher will get $700,000, third $400,000 and fourth $350,000, which will go towards a school project of their choice. The top regional teams have been awarded $100,000 each.

Paul DeNobrega collects his prize after winning the fourth Annual Felix Grenville Cycling Road Race

Football equipment donated to Tavel Foundation Youth Football Camp O verseas-based Guyanese Floyd Fraser donated football equipment to football Coach Samson Gilbert on Monday afternoon at the Roxanne Burnham playfield.

Gilbert, who facilitates the Tavel Foundation Youth Football Camp, thanked Fraser for the donation, which included training bibs, footballs, shin guards, drill cones and football boots.

Coach Gilbert noted that the Foundation was East Ruimveldt-based, while the Camp kept the youths in the surrounding communities “gainfully occupied and teaches all-round life skills”.

“The Camp, which is in its second year of existence, focuses on remedial reading and numeracy, drug awareness and conflict resolution sessions in the morning pe-

Coach Samson Gilbert (left); Floyd Fraser ( right) and some of the participants in the Youth Camp

riods while we do football drills and training in the afternoons,” he explained.

Gilbert urged sponsors to come on board the initiative and to support a worthy cause, while Fraser intimated that he would be contributing to the Youth Camp annually.

Fraser, who grew up in Charlestown, said that it was his love of the sport that pushed him to make a contribution.

The Camp, which was a resounding success last year, according to Gilbert, started on July 24 and would conclude on August 11. It is being held on a Monday-Friday basis starting from 10:00h to 15:00h at the Roxanne Burnham playfield on the East Back Road, with lunch being provided for the participants.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesDAY, july 26, 2017

Amazon Warriors’ camp begins today

G

uyana Amazon Warriors’ one-week pre-season camp will commence today at the National Stadium, Providence ahead of their first match of the Hero Caribbean Premier League on August 5 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Florida.

Several of the players arrived late Tuesday to assemble for the intense camp, which will be headed by Coach Mark Harper and Assistant Coach Esuan Crandon. The other members of the support staff will be Jason Pilgrim (Physio); Clinton Jeremiah (Fitness Coach) and Kurlyn SmithNicholas (Masseuse).

The Warriors have been the most consistent team in the league, reaching three of the four finals and will be seeking to cop their maiden title in the fifth edition.

After playing in Florida, the team head to Trinidad

and Tobago then St Lucia before returning home for four matches.

On the 17th o f

August, they play the Jamaica Tallawahs; after which they play arch-rivals Trinbago Knight Riders, two days later. The Warriors then clash with the Barbados Tridents on the 20th, and then have their final home match against the St Lucia Zouks on the 22nd.

The Amazon Warriors squad comprises Martin Guptill, Rayad Emrit, Sohail Tanveer, Babar Azam, Jason Mohammed, Chadwick Walton, Rashid Khan, Steven Taylor, Keon Joseph, Gajanand Singh, Roshon Primus, Veerasammy Permaul, Assad Fudadin, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Keemo Paul and Muhammad Ali Khan.

Pakistan’s prolific Babar Azam is set to replace Chris Lynn in the Warriors’ squad

23

Get to know your Guyana Amazon Warriors Steven Taylor

Full name: Steven Ryan Taylor Born: November 9, 1993, Hialeah, Florida Current age: 23 Playing role: Opening batsman Batting style: Left-hand bat Bowling style: Right-arm off-break

T

aylor is no stranger to the Hero just 41 minutes. He took 212 off Big Broward Caribbean Premier League, having Cricket Academy, before retiring in the first played with the Barbados Tridents last 40-over match of the tournament. year, but did not have the most memorable The 23-year-old is setting himself some impact in his six matches. Taylor, who plays high standards as he told Guyana Times for the United States Sport: “My ultimate of America in ICC goal will be to have events and Jamaica a repeat of another “Come out, support your Amazon Scorpions in the great run, targeting Warriors through the highs and lows, 250-300 runs in this Regional Super50, is an explosive topso with your support and God’s bless- tournament and order batsman, who being a crucial part ing we can be your Champions.” boasts a highest of making my team T20 score of 91 be champions this made against Italy in the 2013 ICC World Cup year.”

T20 qualifier.

He further made a call to all Warriors’ He was born as a South Floridian native to fans to come out and show support. “Come Jamaican parents, Loveth and Sylvan Taylor. out, support your Amazon Warriors through Along with being a left-handed batsman, he the highs and lows, so with your support and was also a wicketkeeper. He became the first God’s blessing we can be your Champions.”

14-year-old to hit a half century in the South The player will play a crucial role in the Florida Cricket Alliance (SFCA) Keith Graham team’s chances to win the title, adding great Memorial Classic (now the SFCA Sims Cup flair and power to a solid top order, given Classic). This innings, against Pakistan, while that he has teammates the likes of Chadwick representing an SFCA Youth Team, included Walton and Martin Guptill. with 4 fours and 3 sixes off 33 balls and lasted

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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Amazon Warriors’ camp begins today

Pg 23

Get to know your Guyana Amazon Warriors

Steven Taylor

Jason Mohammed, Steven Katwaroo and Rayad Emrit upon arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Tuesday

Digicel Schools Football Championships

Thrilling semi-finals anticipated

Pg 22

– Chase to face Christianburg; Annai clash with Waramadong

Nicholas McArthur (white and red) scored a double to book his team’s spot in the semi-finals on Thursday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora (Akeem Greene photo)

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