Guyanatimes 6 september 2017

Banks DIH rewards 23 NGSA highflyers with bursaries

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Issue No. 3324

PRICE

Blackout woes

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Shoddy upgrade, malfunctioning parts responsible – source Page 3

... as GPL blames tripped transformer for latest blackouts Women on night shift

More comprehensive measures needed for single mothers ‒ activist

Page 12

Uncle remanded for killing toddler niece

Kako violent storm

School repairs expected to be completed today P10

Page 16

Residents, patients decry state of Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre

P16 HPV Vaccination Campaign to be re-launched in October

Page 9

8 Chinese fined, deported for 3rd time

Time for Govt to provide incentives to miners – GGDMA Stewartville accident

Cop charged for drunk P12 driving

Page 8

Amerindians decry lack of avenues for development

(See stories on pages 7&13)

…as UK assists in integrating Indigenous knowledge into national policy

Only 30% of Region 2 capital projects completed P14 – Chairman

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, September 6 – a night-time retraction at 04:30h and a daytime retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, September 7 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, September 6 – 16:35h-18:05h and Thursday, September 7 – 16:50h-18:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions in the early morning will be followed by heavy rain showers throughout the day, with clear skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-easterly to South-easterly and Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 04:27h and 16:48h reaching maximum heights of 2.71 metres and 2.72 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:23h and 22:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.49 metre and 0.47 metre respectively.

saturDAY, september 2, 2017

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Blackout woes

Shoddy upgrade, malfunctioning parts responsible – source

... as GPL blames tripped transformer for latest blackouts

T

he Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) shut down on Tuesday without notice, causing those connected to the grid to be without power again, an increasing phenomenon in recent weeks.

While the power company has blamed a tripped transformer for Tuesday’s widespread blackout, sources close to the utility company's operations are in fact blaming the shoddy works of the contractors that ‘upgraded’ the grid recently at a cost of US$42 million, coupled with inferior infrastructure and the displaced Wärtsilä managers as among the key reasons for the now incessant shutdowns.

The power company in a subsequent public missive said “At approximately 08:30h this morning (Tuesday), a transformer trip at our Kingston power station caused the DBIS to experience a shutdown. Restoration efforts commenced immediately and most areas were repowered at approximately 09:45h with the exception of Sophia, La Penitence, East Ruimveldt, West Ruimveldt and a section of the East Bank, between Herstelling and Craig. These areas were re-powered at 13:00h.”

Guyana Times has since learnt that the transformers referred to by GPL are not those seen installed on utility poles but instead are used to step up the power generated at the Kingston plant.

It was explained that the generating sets in fact produce 13.8V which is then fed through the transformer and stepped up to 69KV which is then transferred to the Sophia distribution centre.

There are several recent incidents according to Guyana Times source, where the power company experienced outages but are unsure as to the cause.

It was explained too that in many instances, Rural Cut Offs (ROC) which have been installed across the grid failed to effectively work which causes complications for the entire grid.

This publication was told that the ROCs are meant to act as fuses that would trip in case of surges or other malfunctions, hence isolating that section of the grid.

This does not obtain however, since the installed ROCs are in many instances not functioning, resulting in the surges not being contained. As such, it affects the entire grid. They have been described as defective which prevents them from functioning effectively.

Electricity woes being experienced on the West Bank

of Demerara are also being blamed on not only the inferior infrastructure in place but the actual design and location of the Vreed-en-Hoop plant.

It was explained that a recent explosion at the Craig, East Bank Demerara feeder which supplies electricity to sections of the West Bank of Demerara laid this bare since electricity could not have been diverted; the feeders in place could not accommodate the load.

Speaking with sources familiar with the operations of the utility company, the lengthy scheduled delays have also been pinpointed as a result of the removal of the Wärtsilä managers.

It was explained that there are currently two generating sets down at the recently rehabilitated Kingston Plant and while it is common for such systems to undergo scheduled repairs, under the Wärtsilä Management the procurement of and installation of the critical components were completed within two weeks.

The two generating sets current down for repairs are

not expected to be back up and running within weeks but rather months.

The lengthy scheduled delays have led in part to the load shedding phenomenon since the utility company at times does not have the generation capacity to meet the demands, especially during peak hours.

Ever since the change in management, the scheduled outages have now begun to take months at a time since the procurement of the components are often times delayed.

Tuesday’s unscheduled outage comes less than two weeks after the power company’s Public Relations Officer had promised an end to the chronic black outs currently besieging those connected to the national

grid.

Social media has in recent weeks and months been abuzz with sometimes profanity laced statements by Guyanese voicing their displeasure at the incessant spate of blackouts being experienced.

The power company’s PRO, Shevion Sears had told members of the local media corps, when the Skeldon Wärtsilä units and the Co-Generator plant are fully functional, the available generating capacity is 137 megawatts. She noted that the total generating capacity in the DBIS is currently 106 megawatts.

“Which means we are operating with a generation shortfall of approximately three megawatts during the day peak, and six megawatts during the night peak,” she explained.

Giving a breakdown of the planned and unplanned maintenance work at the time, Sears said three engines at Garden of Eden were down for maintenance overhaul work. One of these engines constitutes 5.5 megawatts, while the other two are 6.9 megawatts.

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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

Police and public trust

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) recently issued a stern warning that it intends to get tough with ranks who insist on breaking the law governing tinted vehicles. It was revealed that the Traffic Department has begun a drive, removing the tint from vehicles belonging to Police Officers and those used in patrols. So far, the Department was able to remove over 60 tints from vehicles belonging to Police ranks, while 12 were removed from vehicles being used for traffic patrols.

Even though there is a tint law, for quite some time now, ranks were allowed a free pass with their heavily tinted vehicles, giving the impression to the general public that there is one law for Police Officers and another for the public.

Now that the Traffic Chief has issued a strong warning to errant ranks, it is hoped that efforts currently being made to address the issue are sustained to ensure full compliance with the law. The law should apply to everyone, irrespective of their status, except in cases when the chief licensing authority grants an exemption, and in a few other special cases. As it currently stands, only certain vehicles are permitted to have tint without the expressed permission of the Public Security Minister; these include diplomatic vehicles and those belonging to senior Government and high-ranking military officials.

This recent move by the GPF is indeed a step in the right direction as it would send a strong signal to Police Officers that they would not be able to get a free ride anymore. Some Police Officers feel that they are not obligated to abide by the laws of the country like every other civilian. In some cases, they do not even observe the basic traffic rules; and they do so with certainty that they would not be made to face the necessary charges.

The level of lawlessness has reached enormous proportions, and many times, even though citizens observe the unprofessional and illegal conduct of ranks, they feel it is a waste of time to lodge the necessary complaints as nothing would come out it. Many letter writers have complained in the past, that they would often make certain reports to the relevant authorities, but in most cases very little action is taken against the officers responsible; in some cases, they are simply ‘transferred’.

The Police must lead by example. If they want to win the public’s trust they must be seen as having integrity and decency. They must engage in serious introspection and monitor themselves to ensure they too are held to higher standards. Police Officers cannot be seen as breaking the same laws they expect the public to abide by. As stated by the Traffic Chief: “The public must not see us doing the same wrong things that we are punishing them for.”

With public confidence in the GPF being at best tenuous, it would be in the Force’s own interest to employ every effort to eradicate corruption and strive to rebuild trust in the organisation. It is well accepted that the success of any organisation depends on the integrity of its officials.

While we do not intend to paint the entire Police Force with the same brush, as there are many professional and honest officers within the Force, we are convinced that unless what is perceived as the endemic corruption in the organisation, and the traffic section in particular, is addressed in a holistic manner, we will be preaching about the same issues many years from now.

That said, we are pleased that the Traffic Chief has spoken out strongly against this lawlessness and is taking the necessary steps to address the situation.

The rich culture of Guyana’s Indigenous community was on display at the Heritage Village, Sophia Exhibition Centre where Amerindian groups from all across the country are gathered as Guyana celebrates Heritage Month 2017. In photo, the Mainstay dance troupe showcase their beautiful cultural wear on Monday (Dexter Ceres photo)

This columnist is “a pathetic peddler of perversity” Dear Editor, In a previous letter written 3 years ago, I wrote, “For the readers of Kaieteur News to truly understand the mindset of columnist Freddie Kissoon, it is necessary for me to repeat the definition of a word that I believe accurately describes this writer. The MerriamWebster online dictionary defines the word ‘pompous’ as: “Having or showing the attitude of people who speak and behave in a very formal and serious way because they believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people.”

In his column on Monday, Kissoon referred to me as “someone named Harry Gill who seems to have a faulty memory when he writes his daily missives.” This conveys the impression that Kissoon is not too familiar with who I am, when in fact he does for many years. So, for the benefit of the newspaper columnist, let me refresh his memory. I am of Portuguese decent, and a former critic of the Jagdeo Administration who allowed myself to be suckered-in by the anti-PPP rhetoric of the online Mark Benchop radio while living in New York. I have since had reasons to regret my own actions, and I am now a proud member of the PPP cabal. I am the same patriotic son of the soil who returned home and never relinquished my Guyanese citizenship despite living legally in the greatest country God has ever created for over 23 years. I’m the same person that sent US$100 via Western Union to Freddie Kissoon after he made a pub-

lic appeal in his column for donations to build of a home in Linden for a woman whose house in Buxton had been set afire. To date, Freddie has never acknowledged receiving the money, nor has he ever thanked me for sending it. But I’m the same Harry Gill who Freddie once wrote that I had no right to be critical of anything that goes on in Guyana because I lived in the diaspora. And yes Freddie, I am the same person with whom you have had so many battles with in the pages of the newspapers.

Perhaps you may recall the hilarious headlines of some of those articles you wrote: “Harry Gill’s hariolation on a bennettitaceous performance in Guyana” (KN Feb. 05, 20111): “Harry’s harengiform and Harry’s harengula” (Feb 16, 2011); “Is Mr. Gill a gillyganpus?”

(March 20, 2011); and from me, “Berbicians are better off today and Freddie knows it.” (March 12, 2011); and “Freddie Kissoon’s mind is as unkempt as his appearance” (March 12, 2011). The last caption is still relevant today.

My point is Editor, by referring to me as “someone named Harry Gill”, Kissoon is being fraudulent, and this is the same level of fraud that permeates his columns.

Admittedly, I rarely agree with Kissoon, but I have always respected his constitutional right to free speech.

Unfortunately, it has cost him dearly. He blames the PPP for the feces that was thrown in his face; the termination of his contract as a lecturer at the University of Guyana; and the dismiss-

al of his wife from her state job at Go-Invest. Although the PPP has repeatedly denied these allegations, his ongoing personal vendetta against the PPP and its leader, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, is fueled by much hate and his selfish desire to seek vengeance at all cost.

Just a few days ago, Freddie admitted that he campaigned against the PPP, not for the AFC. He wrote, “This columnist here is very disappointed with the nature and performance of the two parties in power – the APNU and the AFC. But I will devote energy and passion to see that the PPP is not returned to power in 2020 and in the future.” He is determined to do so, even as the Guyanese people continues to suffer under the APNU+AFC coalition he helped to get elected.

Kissoon’s behaviour is becoming more hyperactive with each column he writes, and he has now become a pathetic peddler of perversity. in his last Monday’s column entitled, “They administered Guyana as if it was their personal property” (KN, Sept 04, 2017), Kissoon went into some detail about a piece of land that once housed a ministry, and after that ministry had moved and the derelict building torn down, the land was sold to a “small businessman” during the privatization policy of the late President Hoyte. He wrote, “A very close friend of President Jagdeo had properties in the same street and thought that the asset was state land because a famous ministry once stood there.

This presidential friend in

2014 decided to fence the land. An employee of the small businessman saw the land being fenced and alerted his boss. The small businessman turned up and enquired who gave the orders to work on his property.

The crew reported back to the presidential friend what happened and that was the end of that.” And incredibly, he added, “If the land was governmental asset, then the presidential friend simply would have taken it over and then gotten the legal transfer. Surely, there must be other similar incidents in which this rich presidential friend got state properties in identical fashion. There is an important question to think about – was he the only presidential friend that operated in such oligarchic ways?

This columnist has been told that such factual tales are being pursued by SARA and that SARA has found that one presidential friend has 42 properties in Georgetown alone.”

Kissoon has always been vague in his columns, citing some reason that prevents him from naming names.

And when he does, the person is already dead and is in no position to confirm nor contradict his story. But in the interest of full disclosure and the truth, Freddie Kissoon must answer the following questions, and he must not hide under the guise that he cannot publish this information for fear of a libel suit. For it is common knowledge now that justification and the truth are complete defenses to defamation. continued on page 5

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

Enough of this charade from Minister Bulkan

Dear Editor, In any society, following the rule of law is always the optimal course of action to take. However, this concept seems alien to Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, when it comes to the establishment of the Local Government Commission. Article 78A of our Constitution makes provision for the coming into being of such a Commission, something the Minister in 2017 appears very resistant to. If you observe his public utterance in 2012, it is clear as day and night that he was singing a different tune then?

In 2012, as the then Opposition spokesperson for local government, Bulkan argued for the local democratic organs to “breathe freely and that the oversight… should not be suffocating and subject only to ministerial control”. But today as Minister, he is solely responsible for this lack of freedom and more so these grave acts of suffocation in the local government system. What do you call such a character? In the Oxford Dictionary, such a character is defined as a hypocrite.

In Guyanese parlance, such a character is defined as a double-dealing counterfeit who speaks from both sides of their mouth.

Listening to Bulkan in 2012 and Bulkan in 2017 is like listening to Dr Jeckle

and Mr Hyde. It was Bulkan in Parliament in 2012 who said: “these local democratic organs must be empowered, as is required by our Constitution”. But today he has the power to empower them but has utilised every opportunity at his disposal to frustrate the establishment of the Local Government Commission. Isn’t this what his boss is doing on the GECOM Chairman issue?

Isn’t this mental corruption of the highest order?

Quite duplicitously, Bulkan declares in Parliament in 2012 that the establishment of the Local Government Commission is “… in the best interest of their respective communities, not of some political party; it is all about local democracy.” But five years later, he has singularly kicked those ambitions to the curb and today it is all about his People’s National Congress (PNC) party and not about local democracy anymore.

The people will surely remember this grave betray from the PNC in 2020.

Finally, I must commend the Granger Administration for holding Local Government Elections in 2016; it was a seismic deliverable that has to be acknowledged. But since those elections, as a nation we have gone backward on local democracy and I will cite two acts to represent this declaration – one, how the

Minister interfered in the process of the elections of the Mayor of Mabaruma and secondly, how the Minister has denied the nation a Local Government Commission.

Enough of this charade from Minister Bulkan.

I am therefore calling on the Minister to free himself of this great imposition where he pretends to be the Local Government Commission, because under the Constitution he is not.

Democracy is a medicine with much pain, but on any day it is better than centralised autocracy as is being practiced by this Granger regime in the local government system.

When everyone thought the 2016 elections would have brought new life to the local government system, since then because of the interference from Bulkan's Ministry, much inefficiency has been imported into the delivery of public service at the local level.

Using the Minister’s words from 2012 “for the old and the young…” please do the right thing and establish the Local Government Commission and stop this autocratic system of centralisation in the local government system when the Constitution and the spirit of the rule of law recommend differently.

Regards, Sase Singh

Expelled groups thrive away from oppression Dear Editor, Geralda Dennison, a Guyanese living in England, in another medium, pointed out that oppressed or persecuted ethnic groups (Jews and Indians used as illustration) thrive in new societies where they are re-settled.

She noted that the brutal black dictator, Idi Amin in Uganda expelled Indians similar to how Hitler sought to exterminate or expel Jews from Germany. The Indians fled to the UK, Hong Kong, and other countries while the Jews made their way to America and other countries. Dennison rightly commented, “Intriguingly, both expelled groups subsequently made great strides” where they had resettled – not only the members of the ethnic groups, but also the countries where they settled adding to wealth creation and industrial development.

They created countless jobs and played a significant role in national development and economic growth.

It is noted that in Guyana, another notorious dictator Forbes Burnham indirectly expelled Indians, Chinese, whites

(Portuguese) and others from the country. Members of these persecuted ethnic groups were forced out of Guyana through a variety of methods, including violence and using ethnic food as weapons. Away from oppression, and settled in Australia, North America, Suriname, the UK, French Guiana, and around the Caribbean, the members of these oppressed expelled Guyanese ethnic groups have done remarkably well in their new adopted countries – high paying jobs, opportunities at being professionals, home and car owners, access to advanced education, and generally enjoy a relatively high standard of living.

Evidence reveals that those who supported Burnham’s policy of ethnic chauvinism have largely regressed and the country experienced negative growth.

Countries that were the recipients of these oppressed ethnic groups have seen their economies made great strides, growing rapidly.

So if there is one lesson learnt from Hitler’s Germany, Idi Amin’s

Uganda, and Burnham’s Guyana, a country will regress rather than progress when hard working model ethnic groups are persecuted. Away from oppression, ethnic groups do well.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Progress report on Wales’ diversification Dear Editor, Having read an opinion piece from Gobin Harbhajan – APNU/AFC Regional Democratic Councillor (RDC) and former SEI Board Director – in a letter to the press on August 24, 2017, I am compelled to offer some comments using verifiable facts on the subjects articulated to support privatisation of the industry.

1. If Harbhajan is au fait with recent history or lived in Guyana during the period 2009-2015, he ought to know that the present Interim Management Committee (IMC) members of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo); Hanoman and Bhim, functioned as Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of GuySuCo consecutively in the periods 2009 to mid-2010 and mid-2010 to mid-2014. In the period mid-2014 to mid2015, Raj Singh was the CEO. Using Harbhajan’s rationale for the decline of GuySuCo, it follows that theft, squander mania, mismanagement, cronyism, poor investment decisions, etc are synonymous with Hanoman and Bhim.

Incidentally, these persons are managing the industry since mid-2015. It is therefore logical to surmise that the de-

cline will continue as evident in performances since mid2015.

2. The RDC Councillor concludes that “nothing ever worked” at Skeldon. Editor, it is Harbhajan who hosted the press at Skeldon in December 2016 to address the issue of power supply for the Christmas season. In that press outing, he is quoted as saying in KN edition of 12/04/17: “the Wärtsilä engines are capable enough and will be able to supply 10 megawatts of power to the national grid”. “We want to make it clear that there is no problem at the co-gen plant; it is 100 per cent operational”. Now, can this elected official explain how nothing ever worked at Skeldon, yet the engines can supply 10 megawatts of power and the co-generation plant is 100 per cent operational?

3. Harbhajan attributes the downfall of the Wales Estate to “voodoo crop husbandry”. I urge Harbhajan to speak with IMC members Hanoman and Bhim, as they approved this voodoo crop husbandry policy. I hope that Harbhajan is also fully aware that voodoo crop husbandry policy is in full force, causing Blairmont and Uitvlugt culti-

vations to be destroyed by rodents over the last one and a half years.

4. We are now advised

by Harbhajan that Skeldon should be the model for privatisation. Before moving to Skeldon, this nation was lectured by GuySuCo and Government about the Wales model for diversification. Can Harbhajan present this nation with a progress report on Wales’ diversification? Show us the diversification plan and its achievements along with income and expenditure at Wales since closure of the sugar operations in December 2016.

Once there is hard evidence to convince the citizenry that Wales diversification model is yielding profits and jobs, then, consideration can be given to any other model.

I urge Harbhajan to respect the intellect of Guyanese and desist from spewing lies and half-truths on subjects he is not proficient in. While Harbhajan is from a different era, he must appreciate a fact that the age allows citizens to access information via a few clicks.

Sincerely, Sookram Persaud

This columnist is “a pathetic...

continued from page 4

If he is telling the truth, he should have no fear of being sued. Freddie Kissoon must now tell the nation the location of the property he has written about. He must name the “small businessman” and the name of the person who was “a very close friend of President Jagdeo”.

Kissoon must also name the “presidential friend” that has 42 properties in Georgetown, the locations of these properties, and the name of the President to which he refers. Kissoon must also provide some evidence that these 42 properties were obtained illegally.

The nation also needs to know on what basis is SARA disclosing evidence of its investigations to Freddie Kissoon. If this is indeed happening, then SARA is guilty of providing information to political hacks of the

Administration for the purpose of witch-hunting, an accusation long made by my colleagues in the Opposition.

On the other hand, if SARA did not share this information with the newspaper columnist, I expect SARA to denounce the allegations made by Kissoon.

By any standard, Kissoon is a radical. His extraneous views are self-serving and are dangerous to the peace and stability of our nation that needs to heal.

I have restrained myself from responding to the filth that is spewed by Kissoon in some of his columns. But every now and then, Guyanese need to be reminded of Freddie’s political agenda, his personal vendetta, and the danger he poses of poisoning the minds of those who read his columns.

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

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Foundation

SMART goal

How to get better at

setting with students

achieving

your goals

– setting goals is, at its core, about behaviour change

By Christine L Carter, PhD

I

went into the summer with big plans, mainly to meditate and exercise a lot more. Then I went on vacation, and then the kids were home, and then I had a bunch of work travel… you know how it is.

Here’s the thing: Intentions are never enough. Even full-blown goal-setting isn’t worth much if you don’t do it right.

My error this summer was that I didn’t make a specific, science-based plan; I just vaguely wanted to do more exercise and meditation. Enter behavioural psychologist Sean Young, who summarizes all the science around how to change your behaviour. And setting goals is, at its core, about behaviour change.

Using Sean’s framework – as well as the research I wrote about in The Sweet Spot – I’ve freshened up my plan for how my kids and I set our goals (and institute behaviour change) as we go back-to-school. While here I use my desire to exercise more as a model, this can obviously be applied to many things – and to working with kids to set their own goals for the school year.

I’ve created a goal-setting worksheet to make it all easy here.

First, state the big goal

What would you like to accomplish in the next three months or so? My

hope is that I’ll get back to an efficient but well-rounded exercise routine that includes a little stretching, strength training, and aerobic exercise in about 20 minutes, six days per week.

This isn’t a ton of exercise, but because I can do it in so little time, it is realistic. (Six days a week seems ambitious, but I have given myself the option of combining two days, for three longer workouts if, say, I’m traveling or something.) One thing I’ve learned a million times, over and over: realistic is better than sexy. I’ll take a small success over an ambitious failure any day. Small successes show us that we really can change our behaviour in a lasting way.

Next, break this larger idea down into long-term goals

My long-term goal is that by the end of the year, I’d like to have had 10 “streaks,” or weeks in which I have completed my exercise plan.

Break it down again, into shortterm goals, which take one-tothree weeks to accomplish

I have three short-term goals: Work with a trainer to set up my workouts (the specific exercises and stretches) Memorise the circuits and learn to do them properly Have two “streaks” (entire weeks where I complete my plan) in a row.

Now break your goals down into very specific, ridiculously easy baby steps

What can you do today? Tomorrow?

My first step was to call my friend Aaron, a trainer, who put together the exercises for me. Today, a baby step is to learn the warm-up stretches he gave me. Try to break your baby steps down until they are so easy you feel little or no resistance to them.

Set up your environment to make things easier

Our environment dramatically influences our behaviour. We like to think our behaviour is all our personality and preferences, or that it’s the strength of our iron-clad will that determines our success, but actually, we are hugely influenced by the people, places, and technology that happen to be in close physical proximity to us. This means that to be successful in reaching our goals, it’s very helpful to set up our environment to make things easier, to create structural solutions.

This usually means removing temptations – if your goal is to stop checking your phone while you drive, keep the phone in the trunk or somewhere out of reach. And make sure that what you need is easy and convenient – if your goal is to eat more kale, keep a lot of kale in the fridge, and a list of restaurants that serve it. (Excerpt from psychologytoday. com)

W

ith all that is being written about “mindset”, it is an excellent idea to begin school by having our students set positive goals. More and more schools are introducing concepts like SMART goals as a way of gradually building students’ capacity to tackle the increasing challenges they are facing.

be too ambitious to be out of reach, but also not so simple that it does not challenge. A goal has to be realistic with a stretch, requiring effort and focus to achieve it. That’s why goals need timeframes and measurable action steps along the way so that we can keep track of progress and make adjustments as necessary.

Developing a Specific Goal SMART goals are: S = Specific M = Measurable A = Attainable R = Relevant, Rigorous, Realistic, and Results Focused T = Timely and Trackable Learning how to frame goals as SMART goals and being willing to adjust them to get SMARTer is an important skill that would help every student get off to a better start and have a better school year, this year and into the future.

Here is a practical example, starting with a typical, but not especially SMART, goal: I will do better on my report card in the next marking period.

Here is a way to make it SMARTer: In the next marking period, I will get at least a C on all my Math tests, and at least a B on most of my quizzes and homework assignments.

But it’s not SMART yet because it has no action plan or benchmarks. Here is a pretty SMART goal: In the next marking period, I will take careful notes and review them at least two days before tests and quizzes so that I can ask the teacher questions about what I don’t understand. I will do my Maths homework before I do things with friends, and when I hand it in, I will ask the teacher about anything I am not sure about. When I get anything wrong, I will make sure to ask the teacher, or one of my classmates how they got the right answer.

It’s not easy to write SMART goals. This skill takes time to develop, and it’s especially important to have in place for students at the secondary level. A goal is an outcome, something that will make a difference as a result of achieving it. It can’t

Setting character goals via peer interviews In The Heart of Education, Dara Feldman recommends that students set character goals as a way to show themselves – and others – that they have the capacity to live a happy, principled life. She recommends the following interview structure as a way to help students set goals (which can also be framed as SMART goals). I have seen the interview work effectively in grades five and up.

Adapt this to your students’ ages and circumstances. For example, you may have to explain about the importance of trust in sharing this information in class.

Begin by orienting your students as follows: Step 1 At the start of the school year, it’s important to set goals. Ask, “What are some things you want to have happen over the course of this year at school?”

Step 2 It’s also important to set goals for ourselves, to become better as individuals.

This is known as improving our character. We all have the ability to act in what can be referred to as “virtuous ways”. Acting in these ways most of the time is good for us and good for those around us. Here is a list of 12 “virtues” (at this point, you can choose to discuss each one, ask students to add to the list, etc., as your time and interest allow): Caring Confidence Kindness Courage Perseverance Courtesy Respect Enthusiasm Responsibility Patience Generosity Truthfulness ( Excerpt from Edutopia.org)

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wednesDay, September 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Heritage Month celebrations

UK assists in integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge into national policy ... model could serve as best practice for global community – Project Leader

B

ritish High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn, on Monday evening officially launched a United Kingdombacked initiative in Guyana, aimed at integrating traditional knowledge passed down from previous generations of Indigenous peoples to be incorporated into the development of a national policy meant to inform Government’s legislative agenda.

The official launch of the three-year project was held at the British High Commissioner’s residence and coincides with Guyana’s month-long Heritage Month celebrations.

Funded under the UKbacked Darwin Initiative to the tune of some £400,000, the activity saw in attendance acting Prime Minister Carl Greenidge; Vice President Sydney Allicock; Ministers of Government, Valerie GarridoLowe and Ronald Bulkan; along with members of the diplomatic corps and other stakeholders involved in similar activities and initiatives.

Best practice Addressing the modest gathering, Vice President Allicock who has under his purview the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, pledged his Government’s support for the project and its objective, namely the formulation of a nation-

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister, Vice President Sydney Allicock delivering the keynote address

al policy for the treatment of Amerindian Peoples and the environment inclusive of its biodiversity, utilising the traditional knowledge of the nation’s first people.

In his welcome message to the stakeholders gathered, the British High Commissioner used the occasion to point out that the Darwin Initiative on a global scale seeks to assist countries rich in biodiversity but with limited resources, in meeting their various international obligations under conventions signed onto.

He reminded that ever since its launch in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, the Darwin Initiative has seen eight such projects being completed in Guyana to the tune of £1.4 mil-

lion.

Vice President Allicock in delivering the keynote address to the stakeholders gathered, expressed his gratitude with regard to the timing of the launch of the project which is geared at developing national policy and possible legislative instruments.

“In Guyana our traditional knowledge is quickly disappearing and if we have no proper and approved recorded documentation of traditional knowledge we will certainly lose it, we cannot afford this, it is part of Indigenous peoples’ way of life and must be handed down to generations,” he posited.

He was of the firm conviction during his keynote address that the initiative provides an opportunity to ensure that the efficient legislative instruments are in place to protect and promote “that valuable component of the way of life of our Indigenous people.”

Vice President Allicock said he is hopeful that the national plan for traditional knowledge to emanate from the project will alleviate the bug bear, “and will be able to guide us at the policy level.”

Traditional knowledge, he said, can be to the benefit of all Guyanese, adding that Indigenous peoples have an important connection to the lands, forest and biodiversity.

He called for a merger of

timism that the project will in fact yield a model that could serve as an example for other countries to follow – sentiments earlier ex pressed by Project Leader, Dr Jay Mistry of the Royal Hollaway University of London.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn

the man-made laws with those that govern nature in order to strengthen the decision-making process at the policy level.

Allicock also expressed op-

Green State Strategy Dr Mistry, who would have completed three similar such projects in Guyana, used the opportunity to provide an outline of the project, its methodology and implementation strategies moving forward.

She observed too that among the objectives of the project, is not only the incorporation of traditional knowledge into the formulation of a national policy but it is also aimed at informing the crafting of the ‘Green State Strategy’ current-

Project Leader, Dr Jay Mistry of the Royal Hollaway University of London

ly being promulgated by Head of State David Granger. continued on page 8

Some of the key stakeholders involved in the three-year Darwin Initiative-backed project

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wednesday, September 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

8 Chinese fined, deported for 3rd time E ight Chinese were fined and deported when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for illegally entering Guyana three times.

Gangming Fing, Zingju Gen, Zoxie Wong, Zheng Xing, Jun Quing, Aihea Wang, Pin Yen and Wu Jua all stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge against them alleged that on September 1, 2017, at Georgetown, they attempted to use permits, which were not been issued

ter, which revealed that the Chinese were all previously deported from Guyana on two other occasions.

On August 22, the defendants all came to Guyana illegally via Suriname. On the said day, according to Prosecutor Moore, ranks were conducting a road block at Fort Wellington, Berbice where the minibus that the defendants were travelling in was stopped and searched.

An inspection of their passports revealed that they did

The defendants (pictured above) all came to Guyana via Suriname

by the lawful authority, that is the immigration department of Guyana, and which they were not permitted to use.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore read the facts of the mat-

not present themselves to an immigration officer and as such they were taken to the Central Immigration Department at Eve Leary.

They were later charged and placed before the

Springlands Magistrate’s Court where they were fined $20,000 and deported after pleading guilty to the offence.

However, while in Suriname, they all applied there for tourist visas and on August 30, 2017 returned to Guyana via a vessel.

They were again apprehended and it was discovered that they were the ones previously deported. As such, their passports were all stamped with a deportation order which is valid for

a one-year period and they were deported for a second time.

On September 1, Police acting on information swooped down on a popular hotel and found the said defendants. They were charged and this time taken before the Chief Magistrate.

However, Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat explained to the Chief Magistrate that his clients applied for permits, which would allow them to stay in Guyana and was unaware that they were given a deportation stamp on their passports.

He petitioned for his clients not to be sent to prison.

Magistrate McLennan fined the defendants $70,000 or a default of eight weeks in prison and ordered that they all be deported.

Minibus driver remanded on narcotics charge

A

minibus driver who plies the Georgetown-Mahdia route was on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate Clive Nurse for being in possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The charge against the defendant, Roger Smith, of 51 Bagotville, West Bank Demerara is that he had in

his possession 420 grams of cannabis on September 3, 2017. Prosecution facts on the case indicate that the defendant was the driver of the vehicle where the prohibited drug was found after he was ordered to drive to the Mackenzie Police Station in Linden. The facts also indicated that the defendant was responsible for packing the said minibus.

His Attorney, Yohance Welcome, however, argued that the defendant, who is a father of 5, had no knowledge of the prohibited drug.

The lawyer noted that the drug was not found in the front seat of the vehicle and there were five passengers in the minibus at the time, who were all seated in close proximity to the drug. In an application for

bail, Welcome noted that Smith had no pending matters before the court and was the sole breadwinner of his family. The prosecution, however, objected to bail owing to the serious nature and prevalence of the offence. Bail was denied

by Magistrate Nurse who remanded the defendant to prison. (Utamu Belle)

What now…

O

with the mess in health?

h…what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive! And God knows the government’s been doing better than Spiderman with their lies to the Guyanese people from the moment they snuck into office …and gave themselves a 50 per cent raise. They’re not “practicing” any more…

APNU/AFC are now experts in the art of deception!

It’ll make you dizzy, dear reader, if your Eyewitness were to regale you with even 1/1000 of what they’ve slipped over on us. So let’s just discuss one whopper that’s risen to the top of their ocean of sins: in the health sector. The lies in this area are so odious, of course, not just because of the money – which is nothing to sneeze at! – but because of people dying like flies from pharma-shortages caused by greed for that money.

The rental of the pharma Albuoystown warehouse – which wasn’t a warehouse, but a bottom house – was never reversed. Larry Singh’s still collecting $12.5 MILLION every month but pharma’s still stored and shipped from the Government’s warehouse at Diamond. Even though the East Bank highway is even more congested than ever!! The PM’s nose must be reaching to Berbice by now!!

But it’s the shocker on the $632 million pharma contract that was given to the Trini firm, ANSA that takes the cake. First were the firm denials that there were shortages of critical pharma in the country – after contracts weren’t issued for bidding – but just cancelled time and again. Suddenly – surprise! surprise! – there was an “emergency” and the GHPC bigwigs bypassed their Board and Tender Board gave the contract to ANSA – and revealed it only AFTER the goods arrived in Guyana!!

After a lot of hemming and hawing, the GHPC Board fired a few folks including the CEO but it was clear that there were a lot of other heads than needed to roll. Well, it took months for the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) to be established; more months for it to look into the ANSA scam but finally it came back and confirmed that “laws were broken”. Well if laws are broken involving $632 million, you’d expect action, wouldn’t you? Well, not necessarily!

After all, a CoI looking into other frauds in pharma confirmed: “The Permanent Secretary (of the Health Ministry) was willfully deceptive in his testimony when questioned by the Board of Inquiry and he made inconsistent and deceptive statements during his testimony.” But guess what, the fella was just discovered to be “the Coordinator of the Maternal and Child Health Improvement Project.”

Imagine that – he was promoted!! And the web widens – to catch more loot!!

…that Police Reform is on again?

UK assists in integrating traditional Indigenous...

from page 7

According to Dr Mistry, the project is primarily aimed at assisting Guyana in realising one of its obligations having signed onto the AICHI Convention.

The target identified by the group aims that “by 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of Indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels.”

Dr Mistry told those in attendance the project will be primarily focused on ar-

eas that are in and around protected areas and will hold a strong focus on consolidating the different types of knowledge systems.

“The goal of the project is to develop a participatory, transparent evidenced based process for traditional knowledge integration which hopefully meets biodiversity needs and poverty alleviation,” the Project Leader said.

Guiana Shield Model Dr Mistry said, too, that the group is looking to not only have the findings be incorporated into a national policy locally but will also be used as a model for countries in the Guiana Shield that face similar challenges.

She expressed optimism that the findings of the project could also serve as a model of best practice worldwide, “using Guyana as a

real case study, as a best practice example of this process.”

Among the stakeholders to voice support for the project was the Vice Chair of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), Michael Williams.

He reminded that the people of the North Rupununi are currently in a process of looking to manage the wetlands, and as such, the Darwin-funded project will assist especially in light of the climate change challenges that Guyana and the rest of the world is looking to grapple with.

He also spoke to some of the challenges experienced in integrating traditional knowledge into national policy.

Other stakeholders involved in the project which officially began works in

June of this year are the South Central Peoples Development Association, the Environment Protection Agency and the Protected Areas Commission.

Projects implemented locally under the Darwin Initiative includes the Greenheart initiative (1994), Influence of Selective Logging (1995), Insect Biodiversity (1998), Institutional Strengthening and Capacity building for Protected Ares (2002 to 2005), Sustainable Management in the Rupununi (2003 to n2006), North Rupununi Adaptive Management Plan (2006 to 2008) Biodiversity and Sustainable development of butterfly production (2006 to 2009 and supporting Indigenous and local organisations to implement part of the convention on Biological Diversity (2010 to 2013).

“The British are coming! The British are coming!!”

That, of course, was the midnight cry of Paul Revere as he rode through the New England towns after the American colonies had declared Independence in 1776. Of course, he didn’t actually scream the words since that would’ve let the cat out of the bag to the Brits! Longfellow’s poetic licence and all that.

Well over in in THIS former British colony which WAS GIVEN its independence 190 years after the Americans fought for theirs, the Government has just announced the Brits are coming to reform our Police Force. They’d offered once before, of course, but the then PPP Administration objected to elements of the plan on the grounds it interfered with our “sovereignty”.

Now ironically, “sovereignty” is one of those words we learnt from the Brits and it’s a word they hold dear. You can do whatever you want to a Brit, but don’t mess with his “sovereignty”.

So did our Government big up the sanctity of OUR sovereignty?

…for dear old Queen’s field

If the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton, then we hope this Government realises they can’t keep dallying with the playing fields of Queen’s.

The battle of Exxon is nigh upon us!!

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

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wednesDAY, september 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Residents, patients decry state of La Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre … regional administration says NDC ‘assists’ in maintenance

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ater, sanitation, hygiene services and safe healthcare waste management in healthcare facilities are fundamental for the provision of quality and people-centred care according to the World Health Organisation.

However, that is not the case at the La Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre.

Such services also reduce healthcare associated infections, chemical hazards and risks to the community. They also increase trust and uptake of health services, increase efficiency and decrease cost of service delivery and improve staff morale.

The residents and patients accessing services at the La Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre are complaining bitterly about the condition of the washroom facilities, water access and the general bushy compound. In addition, patients are complaining about the level of healthcare they receive, saying the staff at the facility are

The bushy La Parfaite Harmonie Health Centre

never on time and when they do arrive to work, they take at least one hour before they begin attending to patients.

When this publication visited the health-care facility on Tuesday, it was observed that the grass in the yard was overgrown, measuring as high as approximately three feet in some areas. The washroom stall has no door, the toilet does not flush and overgrown grass is slowly creeping into the stall.

In addition to a bushy compound, there is garbage at the back of the yard that

was poorly disposed of – an attempt to burn the garbage was visible but most of it was not destroyed by the fire. Also, there are no rubbish bins in the compound of the facility.

The water tank and trestle is surrounded by bushy vegetation, with no water flowing through the standpipe in the front of the yard.

“I am coming here for six months now with my baby and for that time, this yard has not been cleaned, the bush is too much and then we don’t have proper washroom and mosquitoes is full here,”

one of the residents related.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, lambasted the authorities for allowing the only health centre in the housing scheme to degrade to such a degree.

Nearby resident, Jennifer Singh, told Guyana Times that the current situation at the health centre is better than it previously was. She said the authorities would allow the grass to grow, often times completely covering the walkway, and noted that the door of the washroom facility fell off over a year ago.

She also took a jab at the nurses, stating that quite often, they would have pregnant mothers, as well as those with their infants, waiting for hours before the nurses would begin tending to them.

The facility provides antenatal and post-natal care, infant clinic, outpatient clinic and family planning services.

When contacted, Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikarran said the region

The washroom facility without a door

The standpipe at the front of the Health Centre surrounded by tall grass

A section of the Health Centre taken over by bush

is not responsible for the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, since it is still under the control of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

However, he stated that the Malgre Tout/Meer-Zorgen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) would assist in clearing the compound of the health-care facility, adding that he is unaware of the present condition of the facility.

Repeated called to the

Malgre Tout/Meer-Zorgen NDC went unanswered.

Roads

In addition to the poor state of the health centre, residents have to deal with the rapidly deteriorating roads in the housing settlement. In some streets, there are potholes as deep as four feet.

Several residents say they are tired of Government making promises and not acting on them. continued on page 10

10 news

wednesday, September 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Kako violent storm

School repairs expected to be completed today – Regional Chairman

R

ehabilitation of the Kako Primary School in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) is expected to be completed by the end of today, according to Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford.

The school was badly damaged following a violent storm on Saturday last.

“Right now the Regional Engineer team is in the area working to have the building standing habitable again… that repair work is expected to be completed by (Wednesday) and before the end of the week school is expected to be

Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the relevant ministries to formulate a coordinated approach to the situation.

He added that they are in the process of mobilising support for residents but noted that it would be costly to have it delivered to the remote village.

“We are mobilising all the support we can and when we do, we have to charter a plane to have it fly up there but that is costly… I would want to say we have everything under control though,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bradford told the Department of Public

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford

A section of the Kako Primary School

reopened for the children,” Bradford told Guyana Times in a telephone interview.

In addition, he noted that discussions are taking place between the Regional Administration, the Guyana

Information (DPI) that the region is working with the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry and the CDC to develop storm resistant infrastructure in the Upper Mazaruni region.

In less than one month, at least three villages in Region Seven were devastated by violent storms, leaving residents to pick up the pieces and restart life.

The most recent incident occurred late on Saturday afternoon, when a violent storm wreaked havoc in Kako Village.

Although there was no loss of life, residents now have the herculean task of reconstructing their damaged properties.

According to Bradford, at the time, no one was seriously injured but noted that a team from the Regional Democratic Council’s Emergency Preparedness Committee had been dispatched to the village and had reported that some

six houses were destroyed, six other buildings suffered major damage and the school in the area was also damaged.

The reopening of school on Monday was halted due to the facility being damaged.

According to the Regional Chairman, residents indicated that for the past five days they have been experiencing heavy rains, coupled with lightning and thunder, which would usually begin in the afternoon around 15:00h. Bradford said the CDC was informed and is on standby to provide assistance if needed. He added that Kamarang, also in Region Seven, was affected but because of its remote location, the details as it pertains to damages there are yet to be reported.

The Regional Chairman said interior locations would experience frequent storms during the hurricane season and noted the residents were already looking at the possibility of constructing storm-resistant homes. He asserted that a storm-resistant home would be built to house the family of Marsha Jordan, who was killed when a house collapsed on her last month during a violent storm. Jordan was seven months pregnant at the time of her untimely death.

She was the mother of two girls, ages three and 11. Jordan and her two daughters were sheltering under a house when it collapsed on them, immediately killing her.

Residents, patients decry state of La Parfaite... from page 9

They noted that they are the ones suffering since whenever it rains, the potholes are filled with water and taxis refuse to traverse the areas and if they do, then they charge double or even triple the regular fare.

Earlier this year, Junior

Communities Minister Valarie Adams-Yearwood had promised that the roads in the area would be upgraded.

“We are doing road upgrades at Parfaite Harmonie and West Minster and those works will commence

in about two weeks, and through the reformulated [Inter-Development Bank] IDB loan in 2018 we are going to spend over $500 million to do upgrade works in Parfaite,” the Minister had said.

“I know they (residents)

have been complaining about the state of the roads. We are paying attention and we are listening to people and while we can’t deal with everything immediately, we are paying attention to the ones that are more critical,” she added.

Spoilsport

S

atiricus was still smiling after looking at the Tridents vs Patriots game. He still hadn’t gotten used to seeing Gayle on a team other than the Tallawahs, but this was Franchise cricket, he’d reminded himself. Before the game he’d known his Warriors were practically a shoo in to get into the playoffs, but that “practically” grated on his nerves. Now that the Tridents had been dented beyond recognition, his heroes were on their way to go all the way!!

“Hey! That was some shellacking that kid Evans unleashed on the Tridents, wasn’t it?” said Satiricus with the broadest grin this side of the Joker, as he started on his beer at the Back Street Bar. “I couldn’t believe anybody could leave Gayle in awe at big hitting!” exclaimed Hari, clinking his beer bottle to his friends’.

“Me glad abee Warriah get in de playaff,” said Bungi, who wasn’t smiling. “But ayuh na talk ‘bout de bigges’ play in de game!”

“What’s that?” asked Satiricus and Hari simultaneously.

“Da nasty trick Pollard plan pan da bai Lewis,” complained Bungi. “Da a wan dutty, dutty t’ing ‘e do! Dem shoulda punish am.”

“But Polly didn’t break any rules,” said Satiricus. “How could they punish him?”

“Well if dem na gat wan rule fuh dat low class behavyah”, protested Bungi. “Den dem shouilda pass waan now!!”

“Bungi has a point, you know Sato,” said Hari.

“That last ball wasn’t in the spirit of cricket.”

“Spirit?! Spirit?!” exclaimed Bungi in exasperation. “De man foot half-way down de pitch and den ‘e bowl de ball wide! Da na “spirit”, da a jumbie!!”

“OK” conceded Satiricus. “Maybe Polly wasn’t being sportsmanlike. But what can we do?”

“Well fram now aan, wheneva he show up fuh play,” proposed Bungi. “All abee in de Caribbean shou’d boo ‘e tail!”

“Let’s drink to that!” said Hari.

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wednesDAY, september 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Time for Govt to provide incentives to miners – GGDMA …as 2017 Mid-Year Report highlights drop in gold production

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ith the worrying returns for Guyana’s gold sector being highlighted in the 2017 MidYear Report, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is calling for more support from the Government for small to medium-scale miners.

According to GGDMA Executive Member Colin Sparman, the Report indicates the need for action to boost production. Sparman noted that small to medium firms would not have the kind of capital large firms have to fall back on.

While he acknowledged that the Mid-Year Report had recorded an increase in production from small and medium-scale miners, the GGDMA Administrator stressed that it was still hard for them. “The small and medium-scale miners need all the assistance they can get,” Sparman said in an interview with this publication. “The larger firms have (a larger) capital investment.

But the small people keep on pushing.”

However, Sparman noted that there would be an upcoming meeting with Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman. He said that during that meeting, issues pertaining to concessions for miners were expected to be on the agenda.

For some time, miners

have been raising issues such as the spike in taxes across the board implemented by the Government; in particular, the increase of the Tributors Tax from 10 to 20 per cent, Value Added Tax (VAT) on heavy-duty mining equipment and the two per cent Withholding Tax. In addition, the Association had complained of not being able to benefit from the grant of duty-free concessions on mining equipment, vehicles and fuel, owing to the red tape experienced at the regulatory agencies involved.

Back in 2015, the GGDMA had signed agreements with the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA); Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The agreement was signed at the Finance Ministry.

These agreements had included the granting of exemptions from custom duties on fuel and equipment for eligible miners. But with the exemptions’ initial lifespan of six months, miners complained bitterly that the time elapsed with many not benefiting.

As if the issues with the lost concessions were not enough, it was recently revealed that all miners, including small and medium-scale miners, will have to pay a hiked processing fee of

The officials who signed the agreements for concessions for miners, back in 2015

$2500 per ounce of gold they declare to the Guyana Gold Board. The fee was previously just $1000 per ounce.

Had the GGDMA not intervened when a public notice announcing the hike first appeared in the daily newspapers, that fee would have been a whopping $4000 per ounce.

According to a missive from Avalon Jagnandan, the Administrative Manager at the GGDMA, the Association first became aware of the hike when a public notice appeared in the newspaper declaring that all miners and dealers selling gold to the Gold Board would have to pay the $4000 fee.

Mid-Year Report

According to the Mid-

Year Report, the mining and quarrying sector contracted by four per cent, during the first half of 2017. Gold production, it noted, fell by 1.7

per cent to 317,096 ounces, in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.

It is understood that of

the total gold declared, 65.7 per cent came from small and medium-sized miners and dealers whose declarations were above projections, while Guyana’s two large gold companies, Guyana Goldfields and Troy Resources, were below projections. Heavy rainfall and the switching to lower grade material by one of the producers, to facilitate remedial work at a higher yielding mine, were cited as factors that affected production for the large companies.

“Despite the slight decline in the first half of 2017, overall production is still expected to surpass its 2016 level, with the industry expected to grow by 1.7 per cent in 2017,” the Report nevertheless projected.

12 news

wednesDAY, september 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Women on night shift

More comprehensive measures needed for single mothers – activist

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ith the Social P r o t e c t i o n Ministry’s dogged move towards barring single mothers from working the night shift offered by security firms; a member of the Women and Gender Equality Commission (W&GEC) is arguing for a different, more comprehensive approach.

According to notable women rights activist, Nicole Cole, women have an inherent right to work. She recalled that at a recent workshop, she had made a presentation that had made recommendations for how the Government could truly help single mothers working the night shift.

She noted that Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, was present.

“This Minister listened to my presentation which included the recommendation of Government assisting single moms by subsidising night care services,” Cole said in a recent interview. “Women have a right to work!”

“What is needed is assistance with the children who are left unprotected at home when the mother is at work at nights, hence my recommendation of Government subsidised night care services.”

The activist noted that, at present, night care services are not a prevalent feature among Guyana’s service providers. She noted that while putting mothers with very young children on the day shift can help, it would call for more consideration to be shown to mothers who their children depend on – and more comprehensive measures.

“It’s not an easy road as a single mother when you have to work to feed the children,” the social worker said. “Many mothers cry as they leave those children alone. They're

Women rights activist Nicole Cole

really traumatised but have to go out to work; raising awareness of the importance of co-parenting in also very fundamental.”

Noble idea?

Even though concerns were raised by stakeholders regarding Minister Scott’s belief in barring single mothers from working the night shift for security firms, it was announced in a missive on Monday he has “no intention” of abandoning this “noble idea”.

The Ministry made it clear that it plans to minimise and eventually eliminate night work for single mothers within the private security industry and as such, directives were issued to other Ministries.

“In pursuit of this noble idea the Honourable Minister is with immediate effect requesting his colleagues and other senior Government functionaries to take all feasible steps to give efficacy to the initiative,” the missive said.

“Accordingly, they are asked to ensure that with immediate effect the contracts for the provisions of private

security services provide for the exclusions of single mothers from night work,” it continued.

But while the missive noted the Government’s plan to eventually eliminate night work for single mothers, it went on to state that whatever policies are developed and implemented they “should not run counter to the individual desire of a single mother who may elect to work at nights.”

“The Honourable Minister Keith Scott wishes to assure all interested stakeholders that this proposition is merely intended to promote the interest and safety of the family unit.”

The desire to bar single mothers from night work was first expressed by Minister

Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Keith Scott

Scott during a seminar hosted by the Minister on August 24, 2017. The Junior Minister

had noted that his Ministry was concerned with the work arrangement for female security personnel in the field and the effect it has on single mothers.

“Many days when I report for duty, I am pained and grieved to be greeted at 7:30am by a female security officer who had worked the night before,” he had expressed. “I’m unsure whether or not the private security industry has carefully examined the impact which night work has had and continues to have on women…”

“I wish to submit without fear of contradiction that the level of danger to which the family is exposed increases astronomically when that family is headed by one par-

ent only, who happens to be the mother and has to work all night while her children are left unprotected, unsupervised and to the mercies of possible predators.

We should not wait for indisputable evidence before we seek to minimise or control the level of night work to which our women… are exposed,” he said.

Scott had expressed the belief that these are the kinds of dangers family members are exposed to when single parents work at night. And according to the Department of Public Information, the Minister had called for the development and implementation of policies to completely prevent women from working night shifts.

Stewartville accident

Cop charged for drunk driving

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atrohan Gowkarran, a Police Constable who struck a pedestrian at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD) in a drunken state late last week, plead guilty and was fined for driving under the influence (DUI) when he appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The Policeman admitted that while being under the influence of alcohol, he drove his motorcar HC 2850 which hit and caused injuries to Quintin Anderson, 49, of Uitvlugt, WCD on Friday last.

Gowkarran entered a plea of guilty at his arraignment before West Demerara Magistrate Roshell Liverpool.

He was fined $7500 and his driver’s licence was endorsed, given that this was the first such offence. It is unclear how the endorsement was entered since most of the new

Quintin Anderson remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital

and renewed licences for motor vehicle drivers are digital.

Under the old system, the endorsements were entered in the licencee’s book.

Nevertheless, the Police disclosed on Tuesday that the matter has not yet concluded since the investigation into the accident is still incomplete. Meanwhile, the victim, Quintin Anderson, was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital and is said to be in a stable condition.

Reports indicate the accident occurred around 22:40h on the night in question.

Gowkarran was proceeding

East along the northern carriageway of the road when he struck the pedestrian who was at the time crossing the road from South to North.

Anderson fell onto the road, receiving injuries and a fractured left foot. He had been rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he remained before being transferred to Georgetown.

In August, two accidents involving junior Police ranks were recorded which resulted in the death of 58-year-old Pulmattie Ramotar, of Success, East Coast Demerara, who had

succumbed two days after she was struck down on the Success Public Road; and Eno David, 22, of Matthew’s Ridge, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

He was struck down at the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara by a Police rank who was reportedly transporting an injured colleague, who himself was involved in a separate car accident in the early morning hours. However, Police noted that no alcohol was traced when breathalyser tests were conducted on those two ranks.

13 Amerindians decry lack of avenues for development news

wednesDAY, september 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

By Ashraf Dabie

A

s celebrations are underway to commemorate Heritage Month 2017, representatives from various Indigenous communities across Guyana took the opportunity of being in the limelight to express concerns over the lack of avenues for the development of their people and the growth of their livelihoods.

This is as the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry staged a five-day Cultural Extravaganza, allowing for the descendants of the first peoples of Guyana to showcase their way of life and market their work at the Heritage Village being hosted at the Sophia Exhibition Centre in Georgetown.

At the fourth night of this exhibition, Guyana Times caught up with some of the participants as well as patrons, who have travelled great distances to take part in this event.

In representing their respective communities, many spoke out about issues affecting their people, with neglect and them being barred from much-needed development being among their main concerns.

One such person was Nona Khan, an entrepreneur who hails from the Pomeroon in Region Two

Neville Calistro, Upper Pomeroon (Region 2) calypsonian

(Pomeroon-Supenaam), but subsequently moved to Georgetown in search of a better market to ply her trade.

“I think that they need to come out a little bit more, maybe have more exhibitions like this where they can come out and showcase their work and sell their product, because they have a lot of talent,” Khan said.

“I find a lot of times, Guyanese people don’t really support these people.

When we come out here, a lot of time it is overseas-based people supporting us.”

As such, the entrepreneur of Indigenous descent is calling for more emphasis to be placed on promoting the work of Amerindians,

Nona Khan, Pomeroon (Region 2) entrepreneur

Edna Felix, Kato (Region 8) craftswoman

especially in creating markets for their produce, both in Guyana and abroad.

Adding to that was craftswoman Edna Felix, who journeyed all the way from Kato in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) to expose her talent to city dwellers.

When asked her opinion of the efforts being made to cater for the Indigenous peoples of Guyana, Felix expressed dissatisfaction, highlighting a number of necessary advancements that have been delayed in her community. “No, I am not satisfied because of the secondary school. You know how long so many children pass and there is no school for them and they are jobless and here without doing anything. So, I am not

pleased about that and I was made to understand that it isn’t open as yet. So what is the Government doing about it? We, the Amerindians in that area, are really starving for better education.”

The craftswoman went on to say, “The living standard of the people in that area, that is what needs to be changed and also we are facing water problems when the dry weather comes in. So, we need the Government to assist us in digging wells and running it to the homes of the peo-

ple.”

Also speaking to this newspaper on Monday was Neville Calistro, a calypsonian, who goes by the name “The Mighty Chief”.

Calistro noted that what was on display at the event over the past few days was only a glimpse of what the various communities have to offer. As such, he posited that taking a grass-root approach is more advisable, especially given that the staging of exhibitions within the Indigenous villages will not only promote the work of residents, but ultimately improve tourism within Guyana as well.

“You need to organise exhibitions within the communities, and concentrate broadly on those communities. It would not only help the people who produce art and craft, but it will also help the idea of tourism, because people would go there; if you advertise it properly, people would want to go have a look at the exhibits you have there and, therefore, you would be creating tourism,” explained the calypsonian.

Moreover, he further

outlined other challenges faced by the Indigenous peoples throughout the country, pinpointing the need for consultation when making decisions which will inherently impact their lives. “We need to meet and discuss, because your idea about the challenges might not suit us really, so we need to be part of your discussion and planning so that we can work out the things and let you know the areas that we need to strengthen.”

These cries for change come just days after the staging of the 11th Annual National Toshaos’ Council conference during which several leaders of Indigenous communities stormed out of the forum, as they felt they were being undermined.

Similarly, these members of Indigenous communities are of the belief that more can be done to improve their living conditions and provide opportunities for their advancement, and as such, declared that hosting events in recognition of the country’s first peoples just once a year is simply not enough.

14 news

wednesDAY, september 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

SOCU wrapping up Gold Board probe

BY SHEMUEL FANFAIR

M

onths after senior staff members of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) were sent on leave to facilitate a probe of alleged links to an embattled gold dealer, investigators are expected to conclude their work in the coming days and seek legal advice on the way forward. This was indicated by Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sydney James who hinted on Monday that the next step of the case involving the GGB staffers could soon be determined, as SOCU is wrapping up investigations into the matter.

“Investigations [are] being finalised, and should be submitted shortly to either the [Director of Public Prosecutions] DPP or Police Legal Advisor,” James disclosed.

Guyana Gold Board General Manager Lisaveta Ramotar, Deputy General Manager Andrea Seelochan and Legal Officer Suzanne Bullen were all sent on administrative leave in April following reports of that entity’s staffers being linked to licensed gold dealer, Saddiqi Mohamed Rasul, who was charged for the $956 million

Guyana Gold Board General Manager Lisaveta Ramotar was sent on leave

Bartica businessman and fraud accused Saddiqi Mohamed Rasul

fraud at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI). Shortly after Rasul was granted $3 million bail on the fraud charges in April, reports surfaced that he sold gold to the Gold Board regularly. There were also reports that he allegedly purchased yellow metal above the London Fix; deposited and withdrew millions of dollars from his company’s bank account, and was allowed to pay only the five per cent royalty and not the two per cent tax.

In light of these allegations, the Natural Resources Ministry has since called in the Police Force to prove the

“alleged linkages with personnel at the Guyana Gold Board.” SOCU has been leading that probe but its Head was tight-lipped when reporters asked what investigators were so far able to unearth.

“I can’t say what are some of the findings of that probe; I guess when we get the advice from the Police legal advisor, I might be able to elaborate further… we should be completing the file shortly and send it over to the legal advisor,” the SOCU Head affirmed.

SSS Minerals Trading Inc owner Rasul had deposited cheques totalling $290

million, $96 million, $138 million, $89 million, $298 million and $45 million, into his GBTI bank account even though the cheques were from Citizens’ Bank. The then Manager at GBTI’s Bartica office, Tanzy Powell went ahead and effected payment without the cheques being cleared. She was subsequently dismissed.

Meanwhile, Rasul is believed to have conned several gold dealers of hundreds of millions of dollars and he presently has several lawsuits from clients who claimed that he had taken their money to purchase gold, but instead fraudulently converted it to his own use.

Lisaveta, the daughter of former President Donald Ramotar, was appointed General Manager at the

GGB in December 2014 and she, earlier this year, proclaimed her innocence of any wrongdoing, saying that she professionally discharged her duties adding that frontline employees were the ones who interacted with customers and were best to indicate if an activity was suspicious.

Ramotar had further disclosed that the GGB’s

Finance Department was directly responsible for making payments to miners. The General Manager also denied that she had given instructions to GGB’s Legal Officer, Bullen to incorporate Rasul’s gold company.

The businessman is out on $3 million court bail while the Gold Board officials remain off the job.

Only 30% of Region 2 capital projects completed – Chairman

… expresses dissatisfaction with pace of projects

R

egion Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt believes the awarding of contracts in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) should be done based on a contractor’s ability to complete quality projects in a timely manner. Ramdatt made these comments during an interview with Guyana Times, pointing out that many projects in the region have started but have not be completed as stipulated by contracts. The Regional Chairman stated that most of the projects in various schools in the region should have been done during the August vacation, hence giving teachers ample time to prepare for the new school year, but this was not done. He explained that several projects are still incomplete and the majority of children and parents are inconvenienced as a result.

On that note, he disclosed that according to reports he received, only 30 per cent of capital project have been completed. This, he said, is not good for Region Two, further noting his dissatisfaction.

Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt

“Last year the region suffered since most of the budget went back to the National Treasury. I really hope this year it doesn’t reoccur,” Ramdatt explained.

He added that he is dissatisfied that the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson failed to implement decisions made by the Regional Democratic Council to have consultations with project beneficiaries before they commence.

He also said the REO as Chairman of the Regional

REO Rupert Hopkinson

Tender Board failed to convene Tender Board meetings in a timely manner; hence, contractors are given contracts late, resulting into delays.

Ramdatt is of the view that the REO should speed up the process of projects and avoid money from the region’s budget being returned.

Many teachers and parents are currently complaining, since several projects conducted in various schools are incomplete.

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wednesDAY, september 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

16 news

wednesDAY, september 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

HPV Vaccination Campaign Uncle remanded for killing toddler niece to be re-launched in October S

T

he Public Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Pan American/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), is re-launching the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign mid-October.

Director of Maternal and Child Health, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton on Tuesday said that they were currently on an education campaign while they were expected to begin vaccination on October 16.

At the press briefing on Tuesday, Dr Hamilton said the two HPV vaccines on the market were Gardasil and Cervarix, adding that both vaccines protect against HPV-16 and HPV18. Gardasil also protects against the two HPV-6 and HPV-11 that cause 90 per cent of genital warts.

She added that Latin America and the Caribbean have the highest number of HPV cases, noting that apart from sexual intercourse, the Virus can be contracted by coming into direct contact with an infected person who has broken skin or warts.

Dr Hamilton explained that when the virus enters the broken skin, it attacks the mother cells and changes the DNA of the cell so that every other cell generated from the mother cell becomes cancerous and begins to spread thus resulting in cervical cancer. She further explained that in the early stages, most persons display no symptoms, but

Director of Maternal and Child Health, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton

some signs include bleeding after sex; bleeding after menopause; unusual vaginal discharge –with or without blood; swelling on one or both upper thighs and pelvic pain coupled with weight loss.

She noted that cervical cancer was the second most common cancer that affects women in Guyana and its incidence has been increasing. Dr Hamilton said research has found that only four per cent of cancers were detected in the early stages while the remaining 96 per cent were detected when it was too late, most often during the fourth stage.

In the Guyana context, 27 in every 100,000 women die of cervical cancer annually, with women between the ages of 15 and 39 being the most at-risk group.

Dr Hamilton noted that the vaccine was the most effective way of preventing cervical cancer and said they would be targeting girls between the ages of 9

and 13 in schools. She added that apart from collaborating with the Education Ministry, they would also collaborate with private Paediatricians and have outreaches in communities to have the vaccines administered.

Dr Hamilton said the vaccine was not mandatory, but dispelled the rumour that it may cause infertility, adding that the only known side effects are slight fever, mild headaches and swelling at the vaccination site.

The Government is heavily funding the vaccination campaign and it is expected to target some 36,000 girls.

Some 40,000 doses of the vaccine have already been procured.

Each year cervical cancer affects about 500,000 women and causes about 260,000 deaths. Screening by Pap smear or Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) aims to detect precancerous regions in the cervix and to treat them so that the cancer does not develop. In the region of the Americas, it is estimated that more than 86,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and over 38,000 will die of the disease.

The re-launching of the HPV Vaccination Campaign would also see a host of local nurses, midwives, doctors and practitioners from both the Public and Private Health Sectors in Guyana being encouraged to educate persons about HPV and the benefits of the vaccination.

herwin Roberts was on Tuesday afternoon remanded to prison for the gruesome murder of his 18-month-old niece, when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and had the indictable offence read to him.

The confessed ‘baby killer’ appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not allowed to plea at his arraignment.

The indictable charge against him alleged that on September 1, 2017 at Sophia, Georgetown, he murdered Ronasha Pilgrim, his toddler niece.

The accused teenager of Lot 8 B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who is currently unemployed, was remanded to prison until September 25, when he will make his next court appearance. He was ordered to be supervised by a probation officer.

On the day of the toddler’s murder, it was reported that Roberts broke into his brother’s Lot 98 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown home, and tore a pair of earrings from the baby’s ears.

The child started to cry and in order to silence her, the teenager threw the toddler through the window into the swamped yard.

He then ran outside, dug a hole and then placed her inside the hole. He then covered the hole by placing planks of wood on top.

The dead toddler, Ronasha Pilgrim

The incident occurred sometime around 03:30h, when the toddler and her two brothers, aged 10 and 12, were alone at home.

Father of the toddler, Ron Pilgrim, a security guard who was on duty at the time, related to Guyana Times that he received a call from a female friend informing him of what had transpired and as such, he rushed home.

Upon his arrival at the scene, he recalled seeing the Police in the yard searching for his baby daughter’s body. The distraught father related “When the Police came, they say, ‘let we do an entire yard search,’ which we did.

The Police ask me to see if I (could locate) any wood. I saw two big pieces of plank, I moved them, I pushed my hands down as the mud was swamped, when I push

Remanded: Sherwin Roberts

my hands down I feel my daughter and then I saw her,” Pilgrim revealed in disbelief.

When questioned of his brother’s sanity, Pilgrim denied that he was mentally challenged but revealed that he was recently released from prison where he was convicted on a simple larceny charge. He added, however, that the teenager is a marijuana user.

The man told this publication “To be honest, he don’t come by me, so I am surprised as to why he come here. What he came here for? What was his intention? So I have no idea what to say but he wasn’t mad, up to the other day I saw him and he hailed me up”.

Roberts was captured later that day by Police at his Sophia home and has since confessed to the crime.

(Kizzy Coleman)

President’s brother, Frank Granger, has died

T

he Ministry of the Presidency said it regrets to announce that the brother of President David Granger, Cesare Francis Granger, passed away at his home about 15:30h on Tuesday.

He was born the third of eight children to the late Chetwynd and Verleigh

Granger on October 4, 1937.

Up until his retirement, Cesare Francis Granger, fondly known as Frank, served as an economist at the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat. He is survived by his two children and two siblings, including the President.

The Ministers and staff of the Ministry of the Presidency mourn with His Excellency, President Granger; his wife, First Lady Sandra Granger; the children of Cesare Francis Granger and all relatives and friends.

May his soul rest in peace.

wednesDAY, september 6, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

News

Banks DIH rewards 23 NGSA Region 5 Chamber extends support to Rosignol Day-care Centre high-flyers with bursaries … in commemoration of World Charity Day

T

Co-Managing Director of Banks DIH, George McDonald, along with other senior executives of the company joined by NGSA bursary awardees for 2017

B

anks DIH Limited on Saturday last rewarded 23 highflyers who recorded outstanding performances at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

They were awarded bursaries of monetary donations towards their future endeavours during the presentation ceremony hosted at the company’s Sports Club, Thirst Park, Georgetown last Saturday.

Delivering the feature address at the event was, Ramesh Dookhoo, the Business Development Executive of Banks DIH, who congratulated the recipients for their noteworthy accomplishments.

In doing so, Dookhoo relayed that, “You must always try to do your best and even in very difficult situations it must not deter you from being successful.” He also encouraged the group to remain enthusiastic in their academic pursuits.

Moreover, Sharon Nelson, Banks’ Human Resources Manager, took the opportunity to remind this year’s awardees that the company’s Bursary Awards Scheme has been in effect for over 40

years.

With that, she highlighted that this initiative stands as a testimony to the company’s commitment to its social responsibility.

Nelson further urged the young students to take full advantage of the opportunities thrown their way.

Among the awardees were Jada Christy Ifill, Eryn Naysa Canterbury, Christina Chisomu Oji, Akia Ruth Moore, Sarah Cynthia Manbodh, Treshontay Johnson, Pradesh Dass, Trevonna Hollingside, Latanzia Atoya Stewart, Joel Charles, Talianna Belgrave;

all of whom are children of individuals employed with Banks.

Adding to that were a number of students who are the children of stakeholders, comprising of Xavier Pratt, Kaden Conway, Savannah Ariana Pieters, Rasha Ramroop, Daniel Dowdlin, Tinisha Allen, Carlos Dey, Osmond Ward, Jabari Lovell, Jada-Marie Foo, Christina Chindu and Jermaine Jacobs.

These students are all off to pursue their secondary education at the respective schools awarded based on their performance at the NGSA.

he Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of Charity, by sponsoring two toddlers enrolled at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Daycare Centre in Rosignol.

A monetary donation was handed over during a presentation ceremony on Tuesday, aimed at assisting with administrative expenses of the two selected children.

Adding to that, the contribution was intended to aid in the operations of the daycare centre so as to satisfy its obligations to the children at the cchool.

Presenting the cheque to the daycare’s administration was Council Member of the region’s Chamber, Tage Singh, along with the President of the organisation, Imran Saccoor. On the receiving end was Jacqueline Isaacs, who was at the time in the presence of a few chil-

Representatives of the Region Five Chamber of Industry and Commerce presenting the donation to the Day-care Centre in Rosignol

dren currently attached to the Day-care Centre.

Saccoor, in brief remarks at the ceremony, welcomed the undertaking by the day care and called on other organisations to support this cause, especially since some of services offered are non-profit and for the overall benefit of the community.

Adding to that, the institution provides a further option for single parents rather than being forced to leave their children in unsafe environments while they go to work.

Given that the school caters for children in need of special care, the Region Five Chamber of Commerce was delighted to have been part of this initiative.

Moreover, the Chamber said this donation is as a result of its strong belief that an investment in youth represents an investment in the future.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Day Care Centre at the moment houses a total of 35 children, all of whom are between ages six months to three years.

CIOG pays tribute to “Fuzzy” Sattaur

T

he Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has paid tribute to one of its recently departed members, Mohamed “Fuzzy” Sattaur who passed away on Saturday last.

“Brother Sattaur was a very active participant in many of the CIOG’s programmes, and assisted in the development of projects that served to benefit many Muslims in our country. His

service to the country in his political capacity did not diminish his commitment to his religion of Islam, and his burning desire to foster good relationships and serve his fellow brothers and sisters,” the CIOG stated in a message.

It noted that Sattaur will long be remembered for his many achievements in the field of communication. “His work in improving the radio and television network in

The late Mohamed “Fuzzy” Sattaur

Guyana will remain a hallmark of his achievement,” the CIOG stated.

The CIOG said it will certainly miss Sattaur, who served as the CIOG’s Treasurer for a while. “The President, Executives and the entire CIOG extend our sincere condolences to his wife Mala, his children and his entire family. It is our fervent prayer that Almighty Allah (SWT) grant the family of Brother Sattaur pa-

tience and perseverance at this time of loss, and that He grant peace to our brother and Jannatul Firdous on the day of Youmul Kayama,” the statement added.

Sattaur was the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN). Among those at his funeral on Sunday were former Presidents of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, september 6, 2017

ARCHIE

ARIES

Hidden matters will keep

(March 21- you from finding out the April 19) facts. Emotional tactics will

be used to divert you from making a wise choice. Focus on personal growth, truth and happiness.

Learn from your mistakes TAURUS and don’t rely on someone (April 20- else to take care of your reMay 20) sponsibilities. Work diligently toward your goal, and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results.

dilbert

Partnership problems GEMINI (May 21- will develop if honesty is not June 20) maintained. Communication will help clear up any uncertainty that you or someone else is feeling. A romantic evening will alleviate stress.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

A unique approach to an old idea will motivate you. If you believe in what you are doing, you’ll gain the support you require to finish what you start.

Don’t miss an opportunity due to your responsibilities.

Find alternatives that will allow you to follow your dreams and not fall short on your commitments. Hard work will reap big rewards.

Changes at home will VIRGO add to your comfort and en(Aug. 23courage better relationships Sept. 22) with the people you live with.

Getting along and pitching in will bring good results.

Get everything in place LIBRA (Sept. 23- before you share your plans.

Oct. 23) Someone you live with or deal with regularly will interfere if you are too open about the changes you want to make.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — INTESTINE

SUDOKU

Average mark 20 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 31 or more words in INTESTINE? The list will be published tomorrow.

If you let your imaginaCAPRICORN tion run wild, you will come (Dec. 22- up with all sorts of interestJan. 19) ing ideas and plans that can help you get ahead. Look for new ways to use your talents.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — ENAMOR

amen mane mano manor mare mean

moan mora more morn omen ramen

ream roam roan roman

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

satisfying results. Participation is key to understanding and gathering information.

An emotional situation SAGITTARIUS will leave you speechless if (Nov. 23- you aren’t diplomatic when Dec. 21) discussing personal matters with your peers, friends or relatives. Stick to the facts and offer fair solutions.

(INTESTINE: in-TEST-in: The lower part of the alimentary canal.)

earn name namer near norm aeon

Creative endeavors, doing SCORPIO things with youngsters or net(Oct. 24- working with people who could Nov. 22) help you get ahead will bring

solution for Last Published Puzzle Try hard to satisfy all the AQUARIUS demands placed on you so (Jan. 20- that you’ll make a greater imFeb. 19) pact when you lay out plans and ask for backup. Celebrate with someone you love.

Speak up, but be fair.

PISCES (Feb. 20- You’ll be contradicted if you March 20) don’t stick to the facts and give an honest assessment of a situation that involves you.

Keep an open mind.

wednesDAY, september 6, 2017

B

19

Brazil Olympic chief brokered US$2M bribe to buy Rio Games – Police

razilian investigators said on Tuesday that politicians and the head of the national Olympic committee arranged a $2 million bribe to bring the 2016 games to Rio de Janeiro, despite the city having the worst conditions to host the event.

Police in Rio raided the home of Brazil’s Olympics chief, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, after prosecutors accused him of conspiring with former state Governor Sergio Cabral, already convicted in a separate corruption case, to buy the games.

Nuzman’s lawyer, Sergio Mazzillo, said his client was innocent. Calls to Cabral’s attorney were not returned.

The legacy of South America’s first Olympics, which ended just over a year ago, has been muddied by allegations of graft.

Nearly every infrastructure project connected to the games is under investigation. Prosecutors allege that major construction firms bribed politicians and others to win contracts worth billions of dollars for the event.

Tuesday’s development drove home the stunning fall from grace of officials who sold the idea that Rio’s Olympics would transform a developing-world city through giant strides in security, infrastructure and environmental improvements.

Prosecutor Fabiana Schneider said at a news conference that what was striking about Rio winning the games was it did so despite being “the worst candidate.”

“The Olympics were used as an enormous trampoline for corruption,” Schneider said, citing billions of dollars spent on construction projects.

Most of the building was done by large construction firms now ensnared in Brazil’s sweeping “Car Wash” anti-corruption investigation. The firms have admitted paying massive bribes to politicians and former executives at state-run companies in return for contracts.

Prosecutors suspect the same arrangement also took place in works for the 2014 World Cup, which Brazil hosted.

As part of “Operation Unfair Play,” a federal judge ordered the seizure of Nuzman’s passport and his questioning about an alleged $2 million bribe to secure the vote of Lamine Diack, former president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Police also served two arrest warrants and conducted search operations as part of the investigation started nine months ago in cooperation with French authori-

Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) President Carlos Arthur Nuzman (second left) arrives to Federal Police headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday

ties.

In Paris, prosecutors said the probe had revealed a corruption scheme centered on Papa Massata Diack, the son of Lamine Diack, once an influential member of the IOC now detained in France.

The younger Diack, speaking to Reuters in Senegal, said he was ready to provide proof of his innocence to French investigators if they came to the West African country.

“They have no proof,” he said. “They want to justify why they are holding my father in France.”

Olympic Fall

Rio was announced as the winning city in 2009 at a ceremony in Copenhagen,

beating out Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid. The Brazilian city lost the first vote to the Spanish capital but bounced back to win the nomination on a third ballot, by a 66-32 vote.

Brazil’s then-president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, soccer great Pele, Nuzman, Cabral and others celebrated the announcement in the Danish capital by leaping into the air, waving Brazilian flags and weeping.

In Rio, tens of thousands watched the announcement on the sands of Copacabana beach and erupted into an ear-splitting celebration rivaling the free-wheeling town’s Carnival parties.

Brazil, its economy then booming, was on a winning

streak. The Olympics were meant to shine a spotlight on the nation as it emerged as a global power, but instead coincided with Brazil’s worst recession on record and public anger at the massive Car Wash scandal.

Jules Boykoff, a professor of political science at Pacific University and author of the 2016 book “Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics,” said a lack of oversight of the IOC made it more difficult to root out corruption surrounding the games.

“When you graft the Olympic money shuffle onto the full-throttle ‘Car Wash’ debacle, you have a crucible for corruption,” Boykoff said.

Prosecutors allege that conspirators led by Cabral gave $2 million for the elder Diack’s influential vote and for him to convince other IOC members from Africa to bring the 2016 games to Rio, with Nuzman making connections on both sides.

The French newspaper Le Monde first reported in March on a payment to the Diack family three days before the 2009 IOC vote to choose the host city for the 2016 games.

After the publication of the Le Monde report, the IOC said it had started investigating the allegations and Rio 2016 games spokesman Mario Andrada said the 2009 IOC vote was clean.

On Tuesday, Andrada declined to comment. A media representative for the Lausanne, Switzerlandbased IOC said the organization learned about Tuesday’s operations in the media and was trying to get more information.

A spokesman for the IOC said the situation is of the highest interest to the body because it seeks “to protect the integrity of the candidature process and to address and sanction any infringements.”

The spokesman underscored that Papa Massata Diack never held any position within the IOC and that his father lost his honorary membership in late 2015.

(Reuters)

NBA Rockets owner sells franchise to restaurant mogul The 73-year-old Alexander bought the franchise for $85 million in 1993.

Forbes valued the franchise in February at $1.65 billion -- eighth-most valuable in the league -- with revenue of $244 million.

“It’s been my great joy and honor to own the The Houston Rockets were sold for US$2.2 billion to restaurant Houston Rockets for the mogul Tilman Fertitta, setting a new NBA record (File Photo by Terry Schmitt/ past 24 years,” Alexander UPI) said in a statement Monday. estaurant mogul mal announcement expect“I’ve had the incredible Tilman Fertitta has ed this week. opportunity to witness true reached agreement Fertitta is a local restau- greatness through the playto purchase the Houston rant mogul and one of many ers and coaches who have Rockets from Leslie celebrity-status investors won championships for the Alexander for $2.2 billion, who made an offer for the city, been named to All-Star an NBA record, with a for- franchise. and All-NBA teams, en-

R

shrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and done so much for our franchise and our fans.”

Alexander had immediate success as an owner as the Rockets won NBA titles over the New York Knicks in 1994 and the Orlando Magic in 1995 behind the play of Hakeem Olajuwon. ”The Houston community has been home to me,“ Alexander said. ”I will continue to support the charities I have made commitments to throughout the years. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the fans, partners, city officials

and employees who care so deeply for this team.

“I’ve made this decision after much deliberation with my family and friends, and do so knowing the franchise is in great shape with the players, coaches and management team in place.”

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement regarding Alexander’s desire to sell the franchise. ”Leslie Alexander is a true competitor who always searched for the right move to make his teams better, Silver said. ”Under his ownership,

he created a culture of excellence with strong management that attracted Hall of Famers, All-Stars and coaching giants and brought two NBA championships and four WNBA titles to Houston. “Wellrespected around the league, he has been an active and influential owner whose vision helped to grow the game globally, especially in China.” Alexander put CEO Tad Brown in charge to “oversee the sales process with the league office, supported by my management team.” (Reuters)

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"Embarrassing" gamesmanship "Concerned" CPL to review of legendary Windies aided Pollard ‘no-ball’ team's steep decline – Lara K

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est Indies great Brian Lara has sensationally suggested that “gamesmanship” used by great teams of the past is likely to have led to the steep decline of the Caribbean team in subsequent decades.

In a wide-ranging MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey lecture at Lord's, Lara was at times highly critical of the great Windies teams of the 80s and 90s, insisting that he was at times “embar-

Brian Lara

rassed” by their approach to the game, despite their unquestionable success.

During the address, Lara, the region’s record Test runs scorer, pointed to individual incidents like the 1980 series against New Zealand when Colin Croft barged an umpire and the 1990 series against England when Michael Holding kicked over the stumps.

However, while pointing out the responsibil-

ity of great teams to ensure ‘that the integrity of the game is upheld every single time they play,’ he also pointed to questionable series results.

The batting legend referenced the 1988 series against Pakistan where he believes umpiring decisions benefited the team in the form reprieves for Viv Richards and Jeffrey Dujon. He also spoke of the 1990 series against England where the visitors won the first Test in Jamaica and seemed on course for a win in Trinidad after rain.

However, time-wasting tactics by the Windies, including the ground staff, eventually led to a draw.

T h e hosts

went on to win the series in Antigua.

"As a West Indian, I was truly embarrassed.

As a young cricketer who looked up to a lot of the individuals in the team, it was one of the saddest moments in the world. For me, I felt the West Indies being the best team in the world needed to play cricket in a different way,” Lara said of the series.

The Trinidad and Tobago native believes the game being played in that manner hid some of the issues that the team faced at the time, which could have been addressed earlier had it lost fair and square.

"People talk about the Tests series we lost in 1995 as the time we began to spiral," Lara said.

"I felt we started to spiral years before that when the great players were playing,” he added.

"And if Pakistan or England got what they deserved in 1988 and 1990, I feel the West Indies officials would have taken a different look into what to do to save West Indies cricket at a time we had senior players who could have guided the younger players to have ensured we were on the right footing.

But that didn't happen."

(SportsMax)

ieron Pollard’s noball that denied compatriot Evin Lewis from scoring the fastest century in the 2017 Hero CPL on Sunday, is to be reviewed, the tournament organizers said on Tuesday.

Pollard, the captain of the Barbados Tridents, overstepped and bowled a short ball that sailed over the head of Lewis, who was on 97 from 32 balls as the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots romped to a 10-wicket victory to secure second place in the league.

They will face league leaders Trinbago Knight Riders on Tuesday night in a match which will determine which team goes directly to the final on Saturday.

The incident has stirred much debate across the region. Some, including former New Zealand fast bowler Danny Morrison, who was providing commentary on the match, described Pollard’s actions as unsportsmanlike.

“It’s a pretty disappointing way for Pollard to finish the game,” Morrison said.

Cricket statistician and journalist Mazher Arshad described it as “one of the lowest acts” and “pathetic sportsmanship”.

Others sided with the Barbadian, describing Pollard as ‘competitive’.

CPL has decided to look into the matter.

“The incident at the end of the match between Barbados Tridents and the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

Kieron Pollard

on Sunday, September 3, where the match was ended with a no ball bowled

by Kieron Pollard is being reviewed by the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL),” the CPL said in a statement.

“The Hero CPL are very concerned by any suggestion that the action of any player can be considered to have brought the game or the league into disrepute. Cricket owes so much of its unique appeal to the spirit in which the game is played and as a cricket tournament the Hero CPL understand the importance of fair play and good sportsmanship.”

The statement did not say what, if any action, would be

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Abysmal batting enables outright victories in 1st round their win, was the lone centurion while Kemol Savoury, Robin Bacchus, Seon Hetmyer, Devon Clement and Anthony Bramble recorded half centuries.

Therefore batsmen will have to apply themselves more going forward; show mental toughness as well as the approach that is required at this level.

Meanwhile, the bowling was dominated by the usual spin bowlers, namely Anthony Adams, Gudakesh Motie Kanhai and Gajanan Suknanan, who captured more than 20 wickets among them in the first round.

But the surprise of the weekend was emerging all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford’s 12 wicket match haul from his skidding medium pace

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W

hen the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars league bowled off on Saturday last a high level of competition was predicted over three days, however, that was not the case.

Instead the first round of the League was plagued with abysmal batting as three teams recorded victories.

In 12 completed innings so far, 1687 runs were scored which breaks down to 141 runs per innings. Which could only be determined an unhealthy batting performance.

Only one century was scored while five batsmen accounted for half centuries. Exciting all-rounder, Ricardo Adams, who had a good outing with bat and ball for Essequibo in

Sherfane Rutherford

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The victorious Rose Hall Town Jammers, Kevon Wiggins (far right) with his MVP trophy

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which secured a come from behind victory for East Bank against Georgetown.

Raun Johnson continued to be consistent with his quality fast bowling thus was able to standout despite Upper Corentyne’s loss to Essequibo.

In the three completed matches; Essequibo defeated reigning champions Lower Corentyne by 34 runs, Upper Demerara/ East Bank upset Georgetown by 26 runs and Upper Corentyne clinch a 2 wicket victory over West Berbice.

The encounter between East Coast and West Demerara was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Action in the League is expected to continue this weekend.

he Berbice Amateur B a s k e t b a l l Association’s (BABA) Tournament which was sponsored by Nigel Hinds Financial services came to an end on Sunday with the final being played between Rose Hall Jammers and New Amsterdam Warriors.

The Jammers comfortably defeated the Warriors by 85-55. At the end of the first quarter Jammers led 14-11 and never relinquished that lead.

The Warriors kept on fighting and at half time Jammers were ahead by six points with the score at 36 – 30.

However, it was in the

second half of the game that the Jammers turned on the heat leading 55 – 44 in the third quarter and eventually ending the game at 85-55.

Tournament MVP Kevon Wiggins had a game high 37 points and 4 steals for the Jammers, while Mikel Lewis contributed 20 points, 1 steal and David Hope with 12 points.

For the Warriors, Lewis Mickel had 13 points, Shamar France 12 points and Ramone Fogenay with 9 points and 2 steals.

Meanwhile in the third place playoff, Ithaca Hardliners beat Fyrish

Black Sharks 50-49 scores.

Top scoring for Ithaca was Emilence Edwards with 16 points and 1 steal while Philon Edwards added 10 points and Ankel Benjamin contributed 8 points.

Rayel Franklin was the main contributor for Fyrish with 16 points and he was supported by Keenan Williams with 12 points and Garfield Benjamin with 9 points.

Six teams were involved in the competition which included Canje Knights, Fyrish Black Sharks, Ithaca Hardliners, Rose Hall Town Jammers, Hopetown Stealers and N.A. Warriors.

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Anthony Joshua

orld heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua said on Tuesday his mandatory defence against Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev "can't come soon enough".

Joshua will return to action for the first time since his epic victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in April when he takes on Pulev in the Principality Stadium on Oct. 28.

"October 28 can't come soon enough, I have been eager to get back in the ring since Wembley and now we are confirmed and ready," WBA and IBF belt holder Joshua said in a statement.

"I'll be locked away focusing on fight number 20 for the next eight weeks. I am excited to experience the atmosphere in a sold-out Principality Stadium and aim to give the fans a spectacular night."

Pulev will be facing his second world title fight having fought and lost to Klitschko in 2014 and said on Monday he would relish taking on the Briton in front an expected 80,000 crowd.

"Anthony is a great and dangerous rival but his style fits perfectly with mine," Pulev said on his Facebook page. (Reuters)

22

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David Warner, Peter Handscomb give Australia momentum after Bangladesh’s 305

A

n unbeaten century stand between David Warner and Peter Handscomb led Australia’s strong reply against Bangladesh on day two of the second and final Test in Chittagong on Tuesday.

The visitors were 225-2 at stumps in their first innings, trailing by 80 runs after Bangladesh were bowled out for 305.

Warner was batting on 88 with Handscomb on 69 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Skipper Steve Smith hit a gritty 58 off 94 balls before being bowled by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam as the visitors slipped to 982.

The left-handed Warner and Handscomb then put together 127 runs to thwart the Bangladesh bowling attack, which failed to

An unbeaten century stand between David Warner and Peter Handscomb led Australia’s strong reply against Bangladesh on day two of the second and final Test in Chittagong on Tuesday

take a wicket in the final session of play.

Handscomb, who recorded his fourth Test fifty in just his 10th

game, took regular drinks breaks as he battled exhaustion and dehydration in the final half-hour.

The swashbuckling Warner played a sedate innings, having hit just four boundaries during his 170-ball stay at the crease so far.

Warner rode his luck with two reprieves. He was dropped at short-leg on 52 and then Mushfiqur Rahim missed a stumping when he was on 73, with Taijul and Mehedi Hasan being the unlucky bowlers.

Warner’s opening partner Matt Renshaw departed early, dismissed by fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman for four before the lunch break.

The left-hander tried to tickle a sliding delivery down the leg side but wicketkeeper Rahim took a stunning catch.

Warner was then involved in a 93-run second-wicket partnership with Smith as the pair steadied the innings.

Smith, who registered his 21st Test half-century, was done in by an arm ball from Taijul that sneaked through the bat-pad gap to hit the middle stump.

Earlier, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed seven wickets to help bowl out the hosts for 305 in the first session.

Lyon returned impressive figures of 7-94 including Rahim’s prized scalp for 68.

Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 after registering their first-ever Test win against Australia last week. The home team has tightened security after the visitors’ team bus was hit with a stone following the end of play on day one.

Unity, discipline and Stephens wins to talent key factors to launch American semi-final charge GFC’s resurgence S I

By Michelangelo Jacobus

n recent time the Georgetown Football Club has seen an overhaul with the team now consisting mainly of youths who have been performing creditably to date as a unit in the ongoing Corona Beer Invitational tournament.

Guyana Times Sport caught up with GFC’s Head Coach Floyd `Running Man’ Cadogan at a training ses-

Guyanese coaches benefiting from CONCACAF course

T

he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) is currently hosting a CONCACAF-facilitated Goal Keeping coaches’ course to build capacity among the national coaches.

The five-day programme which began on Monday, 4th September will be officially opened today at the course’s venue; the Training Centre, Guyana Fire Service (GFS) at 10:00hrs Among those scheduled to be present are Acting GFF President, Brigadier (Ret.) Bruce Lovell; Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; Operations Manager – National Track and Field Centre, Trevor Williams and Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle.

GFC will be looking to prevail against Northern Rangers on Sunday when they clash in the Corona Beer Invitational Tournament

sion and he revealed some of the key factors that would have attributed to the club’s success thus far.

“First and foremost, the main thing is to ensure that there is discipline among the guys, also being in a group, unity and thinking on the same wave length is crucial” Cadogan declared.

He (Cadogan) has been coaching the team for 67 weeks now and he thinks that his side is gelling together nicely on the field.

With that amount of `chemistry’ the club is seeing some amount of success.

As in all disciplines of sport, there are standout players in football and GFC is no different with talented players in the key areas.

Up front, Nigerian striker Benjamin Opara has maintained an incredible run of scoring in every game he has played to date. A natural goal scorer, Opara is a skillful dribbler and is also fleet-footed which makes it an arduous task to mark the

sharp shooter.

In addition, young midfielder Shaquille Bowen is the link between defence and attack and according to Cadogan, the midfielder who is also the team captain, is key to snuffing out opposition forays as well as starting plays which often results in goals.

Sessie Norville is a formidable keeper between the uprights. The talented custodian, a two-time Digicel Schools champion with Chase’s Academy, has been nothing short of spectacular.

The mood in the GFC camp is upbeat and confident ahead of Sunday’s Corona Beer Invitational semi-final against Northern Rangers who have been on an unbeaten run. Cadogan, a former Thomas United and national striker, believes his charges are eager to prove themselves as they aim to be crowned champions of the local football scene.

loane Stephens took down 16th-seeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova with a gritty 6-3 3-6 7-6(4) win on Tuesday to lead what could be an American parade into the U.S. Open semi-finals.

For the first time in 15 years four American women reached the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows with the 83rdranked Stephens hoping to be joined in the last four by Venus Williams, CoCo Vandeweghe and Madison Keys.

With her win over 16th seed Sevastova, Stephens becomes the first American woman apart from Venus or Serena Williams to make the U.S. Open last four since 2004.

“Man, I am hoping we can make it four, how awesome would that be,” said Stephens. “This is pretty amazing. I hope there are four Americans in the semi-finals.”

Ranked outside the top 950 just six weeks ago, Stephens was the most likely of the U.S. contenders to see her run end in the quarter-finals but the 24-year-old would not be denied.

Down 3-1 and a double break point in the third set, she dug deep and rode the support of a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd to get back on level terms and force a tiebreak, She clinched victory on her first match point with a thundering a forehand winner down the line.

“I just told myself to keep fighting,” said Stephens. “I just knew that if I just stuck with it and continued to play my game I was going to have an opportunity.”

to a jittery start when she was broken by the crafty Sevastova.

But the American quickly settled her nerves, breaking right back and then taking Sevastova’s serve again at 3-1 as her opponent suddenly began to show signs of distress.

With Stephens ahead 5-2, the Latvian called for the trainer at the changeover and was soon stretched out on the court while she had her right thigh worked on.

Sevastova, who came back from a set down to beat Russia’s five-time grand slam champion and crowd favorite Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, rallied again and secured the only break of the second set at 3-1 on her way to leveling the contest and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

“When I started my comeback at Wimbledon I could have never dreamed of something like this, these results and making the semi-finals in my home slam, my favorite tournament,” said Stephens. “It is indescribable.”

(Reuters)

Sizzling run

Sidelined for almost a year after foot surgery last summer, Stephens has been on a sizzling run since her return, playing four events and reaching the semis in Toronto and Cincinnati. ”A month ago before I started winning matches I was really worried,“ she said. ”There were just so many things I was worried about but once I just realized I have it good, I play tennis and have fun every day it just relieved a lot of stress.

“I was finally able to play my game, play loose and ‘BAM’ here we are.” Making her first appearance on Arthur Ashe, Stephens got the match off

Sloane Stephens

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wednesDAY, september 6, 2017

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017

Clash for survival

– as Warriors take on Tallawahs in eliminator

Chadwick Walton

D

espite a disappointed start to their 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League Guyana Amazon Warriors have managed to regroup to reach their fifth successive playoffs.

After winning just one of their first five matches, Warriors found form in the latter stages of the preliminaries and were able to secure the final playoff spot complements of

four resounding victories in their next five matches. Including a thumping nine wicket win over Jamaica Tallawahs in their most recent outing.

Apart from their home loss to Trinbago Knight Riders the Warriors have not been dominated but were clinched on occasions

by St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Jamaica Tallawahs, and even Trinbago Knight Riders.

However, they rebounded well from a horrific start and their batting continues to progress after functioning poorly in their first five encounters.

Chadwick Walton, who helped to demolish Tallawahs with a scintillating unbeaten knock of 84 from 40 deliveries and is the tournament leading run scorer this season, is expected to continue on similar path as Warriors aim to reach their fourth final.

While strong support in the batting department is predicted from the Warriors’ latest addition Luke Ronchi, Jason Mohammed and Gajanand Singh.

They must provide the foundation for the other batsmen to build on whether it is batting first or chasing.

The Warriors’ bowling has been up there with the most consistent of the season as Steven Jacobs and Rashid Khan produced

economical spells while Sohai Tanvir, the tournament’s leading wicket taker and Rayad Emrit were able to create constant breakthroughs.

However, the Tallawahs cannot be written off and their mixture of talented youth and establish experience could upstage any unit in the shortest format of the game.

Skipper Kumar Sangakkara is known for his exploits in matches that matters most and the Warriors are very much aware of the dangers should he spends some time at the crease. So it is with former Warrior Lendl Simmon as well as Rovman Powell, Jonathan Foo or the emerging Andre McCarthy, who has played a major role in getting the Tallawahs to this stage.

Like the Warriors, Tallawahs have two bowlers in the top five, Kesrick Williams and Krishmar Santokie. They also have Mohammad Sami and a couple express quickies, Oshane Thomas and Odean Smith who they could turn too.

Nevertheless it is expected to be a keen contest for survival for both sides, but the team that executes better with the bat is projected to win at the Brian Lara Stadium tonight in Trinidad and Tobago.

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Rayad Emrit (captain) , Luke Ronchi, Sohail Tanveer ,

Lendl Simmons

Chadwick W a l t o n , Assad Fudadin, Steven Jacobs, Jason Mohammed, Veerasammy Permaul, Babar Azam, Steven Katwaroo, Steven Taylor, Keon Joseph, , Rashid Khan, Keemo Paul, Ali Khan, Roshon Primus, Gajanand Singh Jamaica Tallawahs: Kumar Sangakkara (c & wk), Mohammad Sami, Lendl Simmons, Glen Phillips, Jonathan Foo, Krishmar Santokie, Garey Mathurin, Kennar Lewis, Imad Wasim, Glenn Phillips, Odean Smith, Trevon Griffith , Andre McCarthy, Kesrick Williams, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Rovman Powell.

The match is scheduled to get underway at 20:00h.

Patriots book place in Final with easy win over Knight Riders A

good bowling display

by St Kitts & Nevis Patriots helped them defend 150 against Trinbago Knight Riders in Play Off of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and book their place in the Final on Saturday. The Patriots took early wickets which derailed the Knight Riders innings and continued to make breakthroughs to prevent them gaining any momentum.

The Knight Riders chase got off to a disastrous start when Sunil Narine was run out without facing a ball in the first over by a brilliant direct hit from Evin Lewis. Things quickly went from bad to

worse when Ben Hilfenhaus had William Perkins caught down the leg side in a wicket maiden. When Colin Munro was caught and bowled off a leading edge from a low full toss bowled by Sheldon Cottrell the Knight Riders were reeling at 6 for 3 after three overs.

A sparky innings from Denesh Ramdin helped the Knight Riders regain a foothold in the match but he could not capitalise on his start and was caught off a leading edge for 19 in the eighth over. A period of consolidation between Darren Bravo and Dan Christian then saw six runs scored in three overs. Bravo briefly threatened to get go-

Bangladesh Police investigate after stone damages Australian cricket team bus

B

angladesh police say they’re investigating after the Australian team bus was hit by a small rock or stone as it travelled to the hotel after the opening day of the second cricket Test, although they think it was likely related to roadworks.

Police said the road was under renovation and it was likely that some small construction debris hit the window of the bus.

“We think there was no major incident,” Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Iqbal Bahar said. “The road ... went into renovation and a small piece of stone unexpectedly hit the window after coming under

the security car and hit the team bus.”

He said an investigation team had been formed and the route for the Australian team had been changed.

Cricket Australia’s security manager Sean Carroll said security had been upgraded as a precaution.

Aussies happy with security

“To date we have been happy with security measures that have been in place and we are comfortable with the response from the Bangladesh authorities and the increased security presence we have been provided in light of the incident,” Carroll said in a statement.

(HindustanTimes)

Tabraiz Shamsi (L) and Chris Gayle (R) of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots celebrate the dismissal of Shadab Khan

ing with a six and a four off Tabraiz Shamsi but a mixup saw Bravo run out for 29.

When Christian was trapped lbw by Mohammad Hafeez in the very next over the Knight Riders were 59 for 6 after 12.2 overs.

With the required run rate spiralling Shadab Khan fell shortly after looking to attack, leaving Dwayne Bravo as the Knight Riders last remaining hope. Bravo did not give up easily, striking three mighty leg side sixes but in the end it was asking far too much of him to dig his team out of a huge hole. Eventually the Knight Riders subsided for 111 with Cottrell’s figures of 3 for 17 the pick of a solid all-round team performance in the field.

After winning the toss the Knight Riders elected to field first, citing the unfamiliarity with a new venue. Against the imposing pairing of Chris Gayle and Lewis the Knight Riders could hardly have hoped for a better start to the Powerplay.

Ronsford Beaton bowled a excellent maiden to Gayle first over—and on another day may well have had him lbw—before only one loose ball in the second over from Javon Searles increased the pressure further. When Lewis finally looked to cut loose from the fourth ball of the third over he mis-timed a drive high over cover which Christian chased down before completing a stunning sliding catch just inside the rope.

It took some beautifully-timed and well-placed boundaries from Gayle and Mohammad Hafeez to lift the Patriots from 7 for 1 after three overs to 42 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay.

Hafeez’s elegant innings was ended in the very next over when he edged a wider slower ball from Kevon Cooper through to Ramdin.

Through the early middle overs Gayle and Brandon King worked hard to keep the scoreboard moving against the Knight Riders frugal spinners, Sunil Narine and

Shadab Khan, with both men hitting excellent and valuable sixes against the turn over the leg side. It brought the return of pace and Dwayne Bravo for the next wicket - King top-edging a pull shot to fall for a battling 30 off 26 balls leaving the Patriots 90 for 3 after 13.3 overs. Despite possessing power-hitters Carlos Brathwaite and Mohammad Nabi the Patriots found it difficult to accelerate in the latter stage of the innings with Bravo and Beaton varying

their pace regularly and picking up wickets to disrupt any momentum. It was indicative of the Patriots struggle that Gayle finished not out but only scored 54 runs from 51 balls. A six off the penultimate ball of the innings took the Patriots to 149, with all seven wickets falling to the pace bowlers. It was a total that seemed far from insurmountable at the innings break but within three overs of the runchase the complexion of the match had been transformed.

SCOREBOARD

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots - 149/7(20.0 overs) C Gayle * Not out 54 E Lewis c Christian b Beaton 6 M Hafeez c Ramdin b Cooper 21 B King c Ramdin b DJ Bravo 30 C Brathwaite c Perkins b DJ Bravo 14 M Nabi b DJ Bravo 1 J Carter c Cooper b Beaton 4 D Thomas † c Searles b DJ Bravo 8 Extras (5 wd,5 lb,1 B)11 Total (7 wickets, 20 overs) 149 Did not bat : B Hilfenhaus, S Cottrell, T Shamsi Fall of wickets : 1-7 (E Lewis,2.5), 2-42 (M Hafeez,6.4), 3-90 (B King,13.3), 4-120 (C Brathwaite,17.2), 5-122 (M Nabi,17.6), 6-128 (J Carter,18.4), 7-149 (D Thomas,19.6) BOWLING: R Beaton 22-2 J Searles 16-0 S Narine 30-0 K Cooper 12-1 S Khan 25-0 DJ Bravo 38-4 Trinbago Knight Riders - 111/10(19.3 overs) W Perkins c Thomas b

Hilfenhaus 1 S Narine run out (Lewis) C Munro c & b Cottrell 5 DM Bravo run out (Lewis / Thomas) 29 D Ramdin † c Gayle b Brathwai te 19 D Christian lbw Hafeez 4 DJ Bravo * c Hilfenhaus b Cottrell 24 S Khan c Gayle b Shamsi 2 J Searles c Brathwaite b Cottrell 4 K Cooper c Nabi b Gayle 4 R Beaton Not out 13 Extras (6 wd,) 6 Total (10 wickets, 19.3 overs) 111 Fall of wickets : 1-0 (S Narine,0.4), 2-2 (W Perkins,1.1), 3-6 (C Munro,2.6), 4-42 (D Ramdin,7.6), 5-59 (DM Bravo,11.6), 6-59 (D Christian,12.2), 7-70 (S Khan,13.6), 8-91 (J Searles,16.3), 9-91 (DJ Bravo,16.5), 10111 (K Cooper,19.3) BOWLING: S Cottrell 17-3 B Hilfenhaus 13-1 M Nabi 0-18 C Brathwaite 18-1 M Hafeez 11-1 T Shamsi 25-1 C Gayle 9-1

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

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

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Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017

Clash for survival

– as Warriors take on Tallawahs in eliminator Pg 23

Pg 23

Patriots book place in Final with easy win over Knight Riders

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