Guyanatimes 7 july 2017

T&T Professor calls for P9 stronger ‘whistleblower protection’ in Guyana Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3264

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, July 7, 2017

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Free press critical in fight against oil corruption – DC lawyer

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P17 Teen confesses to stabbing death of taxi driver

Page 3

Missing Mocha woman found floating in trench Page 10

IMF growth P17 forecast for Guyana needs to be taken with a pinch of salt – Ali

No need for P14 further debate on sugar – Minister Holder

Flocked by regional officials, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence is being briefed on some surgical instruments at the 28th Ophthalmological Society of the West Indies (OSWI) Annual Regional Conference, being held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The four-day event serves as an opportunity for local eye specialists to upgrade and sharpen their skills. The conference attracts stakeholders, including eye surgeons; ophthalmic nurses and technicians; ophthalmic, pharmaceutical and equipment distributors and affiliate partners within the Caribbean Region annually. Distinguished ophthalmologists from the United States and United Kingdom presented and shared information on the latest advancements in their various fields of ophthalmology at this conference. (See story in tomorrow’s edition)

Security guard found with throat slit – in front of workplace Page 7

P7 CJIA temporary terminal in full operation

2 NEWS

friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil and gas development

Guyana's framework must not be driven

by T&T experience – Persaud T he discourse on and direction of Guyana's oil and gas development framework must not be driven nor dictated by the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) experience or any other singular case, says former Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud.

While recognising that many recent non-governmental conversations have had what he described as a “strong (T&T) fragrance”, Persaud said Guyana could look at other examples in the world, where oil helped to shape a bright future for countries, as the twin-island republic was not one of them.

“Guyana must do what's best for Guyana and Guyanese as we develop a new sector, learning from the best examples and experiences in the oil and gas sector,” he asserted.

The former Minister said while the record showed that Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) during his tenure as Minister on collaboration for oil and gas with the neighbouring island, as was and is being done with other bilateral and multilateral partners, it was about mutual cooperation and not meant to be a gateway for T&T domination.

Social activist and commentator Ramon Gaskin also believes that Guyana should not depend heavily on the experiences of the sister Caricom nation, explaining that Guyana already has laws that govern the operation of the oil and gas industry and that should be discussed more.

Gaskin said, “We have the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act. We already have a framework here passed by the National Assembly of Guyana. We don’t need to worry with Trinidad.

We already have laws here in place.

Secondly, Parliament passed a Petroleum Commission Bill.”

The outspoken activist and economist believes that more at-

Former Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud

tention should be paid towards reviewing the current act to ensure that it is modernised, given the complexities of the industry.

Nevertheless, he also recognised that many of the forums on oil and gas have had many Trinidadians as their guest speakers, many of whom worked within that country’s industry. He said maybe these forums could also attract professionals in the industry from other countries around the world.

Subsequent to the discovery of commercial quantities of oil offshore Guyana in 2015, several groups were formed and have hosted forums to discuss the industry. Many of them, including the Guyana Oil and Gas Association, have also brought in many Trinidadians to speak at these forums.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had said that Guyana could be susceptible to the “resource curse” brought on by sudden oil wealth and potential corruption. Guyana has no experience and few resources to handle taxation, regulation, and environmental control related to energy

production.

Guyana has sought advice from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the US State Department to draft legislation for a fiscal regime for oil revenues, environmental regulations, and government oversight. The Mexican Petroleum Institute will also assist to train welders, drillers, and other oilfield workers.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has publicly stated that he sees the Norwegian oil and gas model as one of the best in the world, particularly that country’s Sovereign Wealth Fund legislation is best to serve as a model for Guyana to manage and save large inflows of oil revenues when production begins in 2020.

While some countries have not effectively managed their oil resources, others have used these natural resources as a means of lifting their citizenry out of poverty and developing strong social and economic programmes that have benefited citizens.

news

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BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, July 7 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, July 8 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 7 – 15:30h-17:00h and Saturday, July 8 – 16:10h-17:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery to heavy rain showers with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while clear skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between Easterly to East North-easterly and South-easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 03:06h and 15:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.46 metres and 2.39 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:07h and 21:20h reaching minimum heights of 0.73 metre and 0.82 metre.

Free press critical in fight against oil corruption

...if citizens demand transparency, that will go a long way – DC lawyer

T

he most important thing to acknowledge about ‘corruption’ is that: you can have all the laws and regulations in place, but if you do not have the leadership and personal conviction to not steal from the public coffers, none of it matters.

This was the profound and succinct warning underscored by Vicky McPherson as she interacted with participants of a symposium on public corruption and the oil resource curse, at the Guyana Pegasus hotel in Georgetown.

McPherson, of the Global Energy and Infrastructure Group and the Africa Practice Group at the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, was at the time re-

cialising in the oil and gas sector was also questioned on the controversial move on the part of the Donald Trump Administration to repeal the Dodd Frank Act - legislation enacted by the Obama Administration to guard against US oil companies exploiting countries such as Guyana through their contractual and other arrangements.

Dodd Frank

Vicky McPherson, a Washington DC-based attorney-at-law specialising in the oil and gas sector

McPherson used the occasion to point to the fact that such a scenario is precisely why a vibrant indigenous citizenry is of such importance to guarding against the resource curse and corruption in public office as a result of the inflows

and sought to expound the point that, regardless of what happens in the US, it is the Guyanese population that has a right to decide even more stringent requirements in order to protect its resources.

McPherson did seek to clarify that while the provision in the US’ Dodd Frank Act have not been repealed as yet, the legislative safeguards are currently under threat.

One member of the audience drew reference to the fact that the repeal of the safeguards in the Dodd Frank Act is being led by former Chairman of ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson, now US Secretary of State.

Exxon Mobil discovered oil in commercial quantities offshore Guyana under the tenure of Tillerson, before he was called up by the Donald Trump Administration to serve as Secretary of State.

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A section of participants at the oil & gas Symposium on Public Corruption and the Oil Curse, held in the Savannah Suite of the Guyana Pegasus

sponding to external pressures placed on smaller developing countries which inherently force corrupt acts.

She told participants it is for these reasons she underscores the importance of the role of civil society and a free press in all this.

Transparency

According to McPherson, the determining factor in whether Guyana’s public figures succumb to the temptations of corruption is “whether or not civil society is active and vocal in development of that industry, and whether the press will report what it finds if it’s doing its job.”

Based in Washington DC but married to a Guyanese, the international legal powerhouse in the oil and gas sector sought to impress on those engaged in the development of the industry the fact that there will be some level of corruption that persists, since, at the end of the day, it reflects a personal choice on the part of that corrupt individual.

She was adamant, however, that this must not diminish the roles of civil society and the free press in demanding transparency.

“If citizens demand trans-

parency, that will go a long way,” she encouraged.

The Washington DC based attorney-at-law spe-

from the oil and gas sector.

“The role of civil society in this is key,” she said,

Among the first legislative changes promulgated by the Trump Administration and Tillerson is the repeal of the provisions of the Dodd Frank Act, which safeguard countries like Guyana from nefarious practices by companies such as ExxonMobil.

Section 15:02 of the Dodd Frank Act, known as the Conflict Minerals Rule, has been under unprecedented scrutiny by various agencies of the US Government in recent months. turn to page 9

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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

Making better choices

T

he news that three young men attempted to rob Republic Bank spread like wildfire on Tuesday when pandemonium broke out at the Water Street, Georgetown location. What was more shocking was, as the facts unfolded, it was revealed that these young men that planned the foiled robbery were educated, employed young adults, who were admired among their peers.

More shocking was that – up to the time of the attempted robbery – two of the three ‘bandits’ were earning reasonable salaries for the positions they held at their places of employment.

Then what led them to think that the world of crime is profitable as against an accomplished career? Sections of the media have reported that the slain robber, Elton Wray, was motivated to commit the robbery by his desire to get quick cash to facilitate an overseas trip to visit his girlfriend.

The clichéd statement that young people think they are immortal and invulnerable to harm is often heard, and this postulation about the minds of youths is expressed as a platitude in countless efforts to educate young people about making better choices. Considering the motive of the crime, there is no dispute that the conversation about youth crime should re-emerge in Guyana.

A study coming out of Cornell University, conducted by Dr Valerie Reyna on patterns of reasoning in young adults, highlights the startling conclusions about the reasons for adolescent risk-taking. The study shows that young people take risks not because of a belief that they are invulnerable, but because they engage in too much rational calculation when making choices. Even if they know the risks they run, youths mentally weigh those risks against perceived benefits.

While the decision to do right or wrong is a personal choice, interventions that help young people learn to make better choices can be an effective component of a larger commitment to youth development and healthy communities.

Positive relationships between students and their peers, teachers, and families can be critical assets in promoting youths’ well-being and influence their choices.

Bishop Juan Edghill was on point when he said on Thursday that the decision of these educated professionals to enter into the realm of crime pointed to a breakdown in moral values in society.

It is indeed frightening, as he pointed out, that in the past, certain communities were profiled and particular individuals were profiled as criminals.

However, what played out on Tuesday was that most of the robbers came from decent backgrounds, yet they were influenced to commit a criminal act. Religious leaders, parents, and teachers will indeed have to check to see if their messages are appropriate and whether the methods used were effective.

There is an undeniable need to teach selfefficacy and furnish young people with concrete strategies to help them become both responsible and capable. Parents need to reopen the level of communication with their young adults and engage them by occupying their time with positive activities. This particular incident, shocking as it is, that happened on Tuesday has highlighted the need for greater dialogue in communities and homes across Guyana.

Revellers hold up traditional red scarves during the start of the San Fermin (Running of the Bulls) festival in Pamplona (Reuters/Susana Vera)

Sugar workers are ‘expendables’ in current scheme of things

Dear Editor, I am astounded by the fact that this Government can peddle inaccurate information -- without verifying the truthfulness of a statement -- which appeared in the press to the effect that the European Union (EU) disbursed Gy$348.5 billion as financial assistance to the sugar industry in Guyana.

What is most disturbing is the fact that the Minister of State would have made an open statement in the press: that the previous Government did indeed collect such a humongous sum.

Moreover, when this Government was in the Opposition, its members were privy to all such information via the Economic Services Committee. In addition, numerous debates were held in connection with the subsidy to GuySuCo. They knew exactly what the true figures are. But it does seem that whatever political mileage can be gained for however brief a period, then it seems worthwhile to have a go at it, regardless of if the

Guyanese populace is misinformed fractionally!

I have been doing some research on the internet, trying to figure out the correct amount of financial assistance given under the Accompanying Measures to Sugar Protocol countries, and found this article titled ‘International Co-operation and Development’, in which it is stated that between the period 2007and 2013 Guyana would have received 143 million Euros, which would have amounted to $33.8 billion Guyana Dollars (https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/countries/guyana_en).

Furthermore, in that same article, it was stated that the Sugar Industry showed signs of recovery after the injection of that amount by the PPP/C government. The PPP also gave subsidies amounted to Gy$28 billion. This Government has given a subsidy of $32 billion, and has received around $10 billion from the EU in 2 years; and the industry, especially Skeldon, is falling apart

and Wales is closed. This is a spark of genius coming from a ‘competent’ CEO and his team of experts from the IMC. And of course without any political interference!

It must be noted also that the Skeldon Expansion Project was in keeping with the EU’s National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) which outlined five strategies, one of which is the expansion of the sugar industry. It must also be borne in mind that this same Skeldon Factory was lauded by the Coalition Government when it achieved its target. Then suddenly, in the beginning of the first crop in 2017, we were told that it was falling apart. This seems to be a different strategy.

The strategy to sell, Moreover the Skeldon Project, would have addressed two other strategies: to improve the sugar industry’s competitiveness, and to diversify into electricity generation. It must be recalled that other value-added activities were also promoted, such as ethanol and pack-

aging. It was a movement in the right direction.

However, this Government has made an about-turn and is mainly looking at diversification away from sugar, and privatization as well as ‘right-sizing’ the industry.

Unfortunately, it has so far failed to provide support for the livelihoods of those affected by the sugar sector reform it wants to implement (another NAS stipulation). Moreover, The White Paper is indeed ‘white’, since it does not say much about anything and far less about the livelihoods of workers.

Workers simply do not have the finance and ‘know how’ to be involved in any type of agricultural production. But they are ‘expendables’ in the current scheme of things!

This Government had said that ‘sugar is too big to fail,’ but by shrinking it gradually, they are hoping that no one will complain when it eventually fails.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Oil wealth trickling down to the masses just a pipe dream Dear Editor, Many of my fellow Guyanese think that now that oil is found and would be produced in Guyana, we would be a rich nation.

On the other hand, there are many of us who would say, ‘Ask the citizens of Iraq, Libya, Syria, Nigeria, Uganda, Sudan, Venezuela, Brazil and Trinidad how well the oil trickledown theory is working for them so far’.

The citizens of many of these oil-rich countries have only the results of a bomb trickledown campaign to show for their oil — in the form of a bomb crater 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep, where their family homes once stood.

In the view of many of us, Guyana’s oil wealth would never trickle down to the masses; that wealth is reserved for those in power,

and already rich and wanting to get richer.

Just look at the culture of Guyana and you can tell what would happen to the proceeds from oil. Oil wealth trickling down to the masses is nothing but a pipe dream.

It has never happened in any Third World country, and will never happen here in my beloved land.

This world is an extremely brutal place, I remain pes-

simistic about Guyana being an exception to the norm, as obtain in Third World countries with copious amounts of natural resources.

Do we in Guyana have the metaphorical “brains and mindset” to keep the potential oil wealth in Guyana?

For the time being, the jury is out on this matter!

Yours faithfully, Rooplall Dudhnath

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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

US-based Guyanese celebrate America’s independence

Dear Editor, Guyanese Americans celebrated, last Tuesday, the 241st anniversary since the Declaration of America’s Independence with a variety of joyful festivities. It was a family fun day, with many choosing it for outing in the park or a lime on the beach, or some other kind of entertainment; or for just plain rest and relaxation.

It was a day-off from work, as it was a public holiday with virtually all businesses, except for essential services, closed. It was a most enjoyable day for the Guyanese American population, as indeed it was for other ethnic groups in the USA. July 4 was a day-off to have a good time. Some were seen engaged in drinking on the streets or in front of their homes. Others visited family or hosted reunions. And there was a lot of patriotism exhibited by the Guyanese communities – they played or listened to songs about America, and flew flags. Some flew or waved both the US and Guyana flags. And some sported lapel pins of flags of both nations.

In several communities, the American flags flew in front of Guyanese homes on the verandahs or on the lawns. It is interesting to see the US flag fluttered next to the Jhandis. Guyanese are changing entire neighbourhoods, transforming former “slum areas” in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens into premium real estate, thought unimaginable just two decades ago.

Like their fellow Americans of other national backgrounds, many Guyanese held barbecues in their backyards or in the park. Some did picnics. Others went sailing and/or fishing. Some went to the beaches. Some were seen playing cricket, baseball and volleyball in the park. And in the evening or the night before, some set off fireworks or crackers, and others lit items or engaged in other activities associated with the day.

Many were glued to the TV for the famous Macy’s fireworks. Sadly, two Guyanese families in the Bronx lost their homes to fire caused by fireworks last weekend.

Some Guyanese were sworn in as citizens in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Some 15,000 immigrants were sworn in as citizens on July 4. Guyanese, like other ethnic minorities, were allowed to become residents and later citizens only during the 1970s, after the 1965 Immigration Act that officially permitted non-Whites to settle in the US.

The Luce-Celler Immigration Act of 1946, signed into law on 3rd July, 1946 by President Harry Truman, granted naturalisation rights to Filipinos and Indian Americans; IndoGuyanese fall under the Indian American category.

These Indians and Filipinos were stranded in the US after contributing in the war effort on the US side and were denied citizenship. Luce-Celler reversed the Naturalisation Act of 1870 which had denied Asians (including Indians) the right to gain US citizenship.

Upon becoming US citizens, the new Americans could own homes and farmlands, and petition for family reunification.

However, while Luce Celler Act allowed Asians to become citizens, de facto it barred further immigration. Indians were not allowed to come to the US except as students, until 1965, when the law was changed.

And Guyanese and other Caribbean people started coming to the US right after that Immigration Act signed into law by President Johnson.

Guyanese started becoming naturalized citizens in the late 1970s. This was followed by a massive wave of Guyanese from the late 1970s, through family reunification sponsorship, with some years reaching 20,000

of Guyanese migrants. There is an estimated 600,000 Guyanese immigrants or their American-born children living in America. Guyanese are listed as the seventh largest immigrant group in New York, where over 400,000 are settled.

The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC), led by Berbician Ashook Ramsaran, issued a release congratulating the people of United States of America (USA) on the milestone of attaining 241 years of freedom and democracy. The IDC is comprised of members from, among other countries, Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname. The release glori-

fies and salutes America for “continuing progress in championing the cause of freedom, justice and liberty throughout the world”.

Ramsaran stated: “We are grateful for the enormous sacrifices made for the hard fought independence of USA and the continuing diligence and determination to maintain and advance freedom and liberty, which universally endear the USA as a beacon of hope, freedom and refuge for the persecuted and downtrodden”.

Ramsaran called on other nations to emulate the freedom and democracy that exist in America. His release on behalf of the IDC noted that

“USA’s struggle for independence and promoting freedom exemplify the indomitable human spirit to choose and make decisions for the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, and has inspired nations, racially diverse and ethnic groups and individuals to advance their own struggles for freedom. The USA strives to be introspective and adapt to changing times and recognition of past injustices to better serve the needs of its citizens with established institutions and processes for social justice”.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Moving back to those times when the plantocracy ruled the roost Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) believes it is incumbent, as a responsible Union, to respond to Mr Earl John’s letter appearing in the July 01, 2017 Stabroek News captioned “GAWU must be the most outdated institution of its kind”. Our Union on one hand holds that Mr John is writing in his personal capacity albeit being difficult to delink him from the fact that he holds a very senior position in the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) and his letter focused on the very company he is currently employed with.

Mr John, the latest of several persons to have criticised our Union for our principled stance, speaks to the relevance of “customs and practices”. The gentleman is no stranger to the sugar industry having been involved in the industry since colonial times and thus he is very well aware that those “customs and practices” he decries arose from the unique nature of the operations in the sugar industry, and he should be equally aware that it was during his time as the Personnel Director that many these same “customs and practices” were established and became institutionalised as a part of the conditions of work of the sugar workers. It seems Mr John is advocating that workers not be paid for the labour they provide to the industry. GAWU is of the view that Mr John, rather than airing his discontent in the media, should seek to meaningfully engage the Union in discussions on the matter especially given his re-employment and newly-appointed post in GuySuCo as the Human Resources Director, responsible for la-

bour relations. Certainly, the learned and experienced individual that Mr John is supposed to be; he ought to know better to formally engage the Union rather than shirking from his responsibility and airing his discontent in the public domain.

The letter further speaks to our support of the Skeldon project which Mr John describes as a “failed computerised elephantine factory”.

While Mr John, for reasons best known to him, has chosen to describe the Skeldon factory in such terms, we read and hear about the high interest being paid by foreigners in acquiring the estate.

Certainly, either the buyers have to be absolutely insane or Mr John, maybe, is not acquainted with the reality of our times; having been out of sugar for almost two decades.

Mr John goes on the speak about workers’ demands for “obstacle” payments which are payments given to workers when they are required to exert extra efforts to cut canes wrapped in vines, shrubs and bushes, in grass-infest-

ed fields. The notion of obstacles pre-dates GAWU’s entry into the sugar industry and gives recognition to the significant efforts required by workers in the harvesting of canes in such conditions.

Furthermore, the quantum of those payments is determined between the shop stewards and the Management. It is, therefore, befuddling to say that price gouging is occurring when both sides have to agree on the price. Mr John, it seems, is confused. As a former Personnel Director, Mr. John you should know that a well-grown crop of canes, free of bushes and vines, will certainly avoid the payments of obstacles. So, Mr. John, in your current position, rather than criticising the payment of obstacles, you should advocate that the company grows canes in fields devoid of grass, bushes and vines.

Further on the matter of obstacles, the Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement, signed in 1976 between GAWU and the Sugar Producers Association (SPA)

– GuySuCo’s forerunner, conceded workers right to withdraw their labour when an agreement on pricing – could not be reached. This condition also prevailed in the predecessor Union/SPA agreement.

Mr John is well aware of this, or he is just conveniently forgetful. On this matter too, our Union had proposed to GuySuCo, some years ago, that where a worker is required to cut canes in abnormal conditions that worker would undertake his task but would not be paid less than their average daily earnings for some number of preceding days. Maybe, Mr John who is now in the driver’s seat on labour matters could consider this suggestion.

The talk about the number of strikes by the sugar workers seems to be a sore point for Mr John. He is obviously saying that workers should not utter a word when the Management seeks to take advantage of them and rides roughshod over their rights and benefits. While an inference is drawn regarding the strikes vis-à-vis what

takes place regionally those facts cannot be disconnected from the respect employers locally and regionally give their employees and their representative organisations.

Rather than the contemporary, enlightened approach, we see GuySuCo now-a-days rulers moving back to those times when the plantocracy ruled the roost and workers’ were seen as mere faceless pawns who had no rights and regarded as fit to do back-breaking work to fatten the owners and their hangers-on.

We wish to say to Mr John and those who seek to push workers back to those colonial times, he/they can only, consciously or unconsciously, do greater harm to the industry and also the country.

GAWU wishes to assure Mr. John that it will relentlessly defend, at all cost, any attempt to take workers back to those times.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

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Foundation

Want your child to help more in the house? Here’s how – and without fights

By Susan Heitler, PhD

What can parents do when chores don’t get done, or get done incompletely?

No one likes being criticised. Give feedback and reminders instead of criticism. Feedback has an informative and maybe even upbeat tone, as opposed to the judgmental tone of criticism. Remind yourself before speaking that mistakes are for learning.

Stay clear of emphasising what children did not do or did incorrectly. Instead, appreciate what they have done thus far. Then show them how to do the task better. “I see that you took the broom out on your own and started sweeping the kitchen floor without anyone even reminding you. Bravo! Now if you would like I can show you a trick I have for scooping up the piles so nothing’s left on the floor. Want to see it?”

Some responsibilities, for instance, dropping dirty clothes into a hamper rather than onto the floor, need to be done by the child on his own. Parents can make this task more fun by encouraging their children to use the laundry basket as a basketball hoop. How far from the hoop can they stand and still land the clothes in the basket?

Other tasks get done more enjoyably if everyone in the family works together

Working together as a family –kitchen clean-up after dinner or bathrooms and floors on the weekends –encourages teamwork. Pepper the time with encourag-

ing phrases like, “Everyone helps until the kitchen is clean. How quickly can we do it!” and “(last name) siblings always work together.

They help each other out!”

Mantras like these raise the ‘team’ morale. Work becomes a shared family mission. Upbeat loud pop music in the background definitely can add further to the good vibe.

How does helping with chores become habits?

Turn household responsibilities into routine rituals. Practise with younger children pulling their covers up to their noses before they get out of bed so bed-making becomes automatic. Encourage all family members to stay at the dinner table until everyone has finished eating so you can conclude dinner with an announcement, “Okay, kitchen cleanup time. Everyone got their plates, cups and silverware?

Who’s on putting away food? Who’s on dishes? Who is on sweeping? Who is on wiping countertops?”

A rotating responsibilities chart can further add to prevention of prevent sibling fights about who is doing more or has the harder jobs.

Which chores are appropriate for what ages?

Tasks that are too compli-

cated or too physically demanding can be discouraging for children. The following chart suggests responsibilities for each age.

Preschool through Kindergarten

Take themselves to the bathroom Wipe themselves Clean up after playing with toys Feed pets Get dressed independently Clear their silverware from the table to the sink after eating (dishes and glasses may come later)

Elementary through high school

Take out the trash Do homework Make bed and put dirty clothes in the laundry basket, not on the floor.

Helping w i t h younger s i b lings Walk o r bike to school and to after-school activities where possible Mow the lawn Put their

laundry in the machine and then into the dryer Fold clothes Wash dishes Babysit for younger siblings Sweep and mop floors Help with cooking meals

What’s the impact of getting mad when chores are not getting done?

Reminders are necessary for most children until routines get well established.

Beware of fighting during this transition period if you don’t want to set a negative tone about sharing family responsibilities. Stay clear of getting irritated, agitated and certainly far away from yelling. Getting frustrated or mad may be meant to motivate compliance. In fact, anger produces the opposite impact. It builds resentment and resistance.

Instead of getting mad, get realistic. Expect that children will sometimes forget to do tasks or do them only partially. Then here’re some techniques with high odds of success.

Ask questions: “What’s your plan for when you will be taking out the trash?”

Keep the tone positive, implying that of course the child intends to do the task.

If you can do it without getting sarcastic in a way that would be hurtful, throw in a little humour.

When the trash doesn’t get taken out, you might muse, “Hmmm, the trash doesn’t take itself out.” When the trash does get taken out, be effusive with appreciation.

“I really like the way you ….! Bravo!”

Offer a helpful hand to

Part 2

insure that the task’s accomplishment takes a turn for the best. And while you work together, enjoy the shared time. Talk, laugh, sing.

In sum, to keep chores positive ...

Expect all the tasks that keep a household going to become good-humoured habits.

When the work is not getting done adequately and with a positive attitude, talk together cooperatively to figure out what’s going on. Figure out together a solution. Create together a better system for getting the work done.

A family that works together happily grows together lovingly. (psychologytoday.com)

– it’s all about the

P

arents receive a lot of mixed messages surrounding how best to bring up their children.

How strict should you be? Should you be more of a friend or guardian? How much independence should they be given?

And current parenting culture may not actually be setting kids up in the best way, according to two professors.

“We’re training kids to do what computers do, which is spit back facts.

And computers are always going to be better than human beings at that,” says Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, developmental psychologist, professor at Temple University and co-author of Becoming Brilliant: What Science Tells Us About Raising Successful Children.

“But what they’re not going to be better at is being social, navigating relationships, being citizens in a community. So we need to change the whole definition of what success in school, and out of school, means.”

Hirsh-Pasek and her co-author Roberta Golinkoff from the University of Delaware believe children should be assessed in the six Cs: collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation and confidence. And they go in that order too.

Collaboration is crucial in the classroom and at home, and teaches children to get on with others.

Communication includes speaking, reading, writing and listening.

Content comes next because, as Hirsh-Pasek explained to NPR, “you can’t

Cs

learn anything if you haven’t learned how to understand language, or to read.”

Figuring out which content to select from a mass is a skill.

Critical thinking is then what you do with that content.

Creative innovation is the next step because: “You need to know something well enough to make something new,” Hirsh-Pasek explains.

Confidence is crucial in teaching children to take safe risks.

And it’s the roles of parents to encourage children in these six areas: “So, if you’re going to have a kid who engages in critical thinking, you’re not going to shut them down when they ask a question,” Golinkoff says.

“You’re not going to settle for ‘because.’ You’re going to encourage them to ask more. And you want them to understand how other people think.”

There are then levels to each of the six Cs, which reflect how strong you are in each skill, and Golinkoff and Hirsh-Pasek say parents can use the system to evaluate their own relationship with their children too.

The authors believe it’s crucial that parents supplement what children learn in school and they stress that social interaction – rather than gadgets – are crucial.

“What we do with little kids today will matter in 20 years,” says Hirsh-Pasek.

“If you don’t get it right, you will have an unlivable environment. That’s the crisis I see.” (The Independent)

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friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Security guard found with throat slit CJIA temporary – in front of workplace terminal in full A operation 55-year-old security guard was discovered early Thursday morning lying in a pool of blood outside of his Robb Street, Georgetown, place of employment.

The dead man has been identified as Sammy Prowell of Lot 21 Pepper Hill Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara. The discovery was made sometime around 05:45h on Thursday in front of a property he was guarding.

According to reports, the man’s lifeless body was found in a pool of blood outside the downtown Robb Street business, Hai Matadi Ishant Variety Store, with lacerated wounds to the neck.

Guyana Times understands that the man’s throat was slashed from the left side to the front and then stabbed on the right side. The slash reportedly had an eight inch incision, this newspaper was told.

Speaking with reporters, Prowell’s brother, Farley Scipio, related that he was at home when he received a telephone call from one of his sisters, who informed him about the man’s death.

“So what I did, I come down to town to try and get things in order. I end up at the hospital now and I identify him,” the brother said.

Scipio said they were not sure what transpired that resulted in his brother losing

Dead: Sammy Prowell

the 21:00h to 05:00h shift in the night. Only three months ago, he had joined the company.

At the scene, the company’s Operations Manager, Mark Samuels, told reporters that after being informed about the incident, he went to the scene and saw Prowell’s lifeless body crunched over a table.

“When I came here, I saw a crowd and the guy was lying on the desk. But I didn’t do anything else, I just go down to the Police station and they did the necessary,” he related.

According to the security

Investigators at the scene where the security guard’s body was lying

his life in such a manner.

“I ain’t know what really transpired, how he get murder and if he and anybody get any problem or whatever the case is,” the man stated.

Prowell was attached to the Transportation and Protection Agency and works

firm official, it appears that the act, which he described as gruesome, was a deliberate one since there were no signs of a struggle or any attempted breakage on the premises.

“The location was secured but what happens sometimes

when I come visit here, you find a lot of junkies in the area and he would be kind of aggressive to them. I spoke to him several times and I told him, when you working out here you got to be friendly because the area out here is lonesome. I said instead of creating enemies, you try to create friendships but he had this kind of attitude so I don’t know what brought (his murder) because if you check around there was no attempted breakage or anything of the sort,” the Manager told reporters.

While the security firm will be conducting its own investigation into the murder of its employee, Samuels is calling on the Police to thoroughly investigate the matter as he stressed on the risks security guards face while on duty.

Meanwhile, A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) Commander, Marlon Chapman, told this publication on Thursday evening that they were yet to ascertain what exactly transpired. Nevertheless, he assured that investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made.

The now dead father of three lived alone in a small shack. His neighbours described him as friendly.

Prowell’s body is presently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

T

he temporary terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is up and running as contractors move apace to complete the expansion of the airport.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Andre Kellman, said though the terminal is still to be completed, it has been used for arriving passengers since last Friday.

“Both Customs and Immigration are processing the arrival of the passengers then release them to their families and friends and taxis. I must admit that the operating system of the taxis is not the best at this time; we're hoping to install the necessary signage that will accommodate that shortly,” Kellman was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The temporary terminal became necessary since the November deadline for the completion of the permanent terminal is not likely to be met, Kellman explained. He stressed that the terminal is only for temporary use until the permanent one is completed.

The Deputy CEO further explained that both CJIA and the contracting

Deputy CEO of CJIA, Andre Kellman

company, China Harbour Engineering, agreed to create the temporary arrival terminal to provide space for the contractor to complete the airport project.

“Currently he’s designing the arrival terminal and in addition to that he’s also designing the departure terminal, those spaces will be required for the contractor to complete his project hence the reason for us creating this temporary arrangement.”

Works on the temporary terminal is being executed by the contractors at no additional cost from the US$150 million budget for the project which began in 2013.

8 news

friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Teen committed to stand High Court trial for murder

T

he Preliminary Inquiry (PI) of murder accused teenager, Christopher Chung closed on Thursday, where the lad was committed to stand trial in the High Court.

For the last several months, the 17-yearold West Bank Demerara (WBD) resident appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the PI in the Wales Magistrate’s Court on allegations which stated that on July 17, 2016, at Unity Street, La Grange, WBD, he murdered labourer James Stewart, 51.

The man’s lifeless body was found along the road near his Lot 101 Unity Street, La Grange home.

At Thursday’s court hearing, Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Campbell informed the court that the

prosecution had concluded its case against Chung.

In handing down the court’s determination for committal, Magistrate Nurse observed the court was of the view that the Police caution statement (CS) was obtained under pressured circumstances.

As such, he ruled the CS as inadmissible, meaning that the CS will not be included in the case file at this stage.

The presiding Magistrate however deemed Stewart’s death as unlawful, and as such, the court ruled that a prima facie case was made out against the accused.

“It is the view of the court and there is sufficient evidence,” Nurse told the accused.

When asked if he had anything to say, Chung an-

swered in the negative: “No my worship.”

Chung’s attorney, Defence Counsel Bernard De Santos, SC, informed the court that he did not wish to call any witnesses.

Thereafter, Magistrate Nurse told the teenaged murder accused that he has been committed to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the criminal session in the High Court.

According to reports that surfaced last year, the teen had confessed to the murder on August 1, 2016.

However, during Chung’s arraignment, it was maintained that there were “gross violations of law” committed on the accused, as the defendant had been held in Police custody for over 84 hours and was not afforded the privilege of an attorney at the time.

Nevertheless, it was contended that the youth had allegedly told Police that Stewart had knocked him off his bike, which caused him to fall to the ground.

This was said to have angered Chung who reportedly went to a friend’s home and borrowed a hammer and returned to where he had last seen Stewart.

It was then he reportedly struck the man once to the head with the hammer.

However, relatives of the deceased had contended that robbery was the motive behind the attack. Stewart had reportedly been drinking at ‘Ann Jones’ shop’ on the night he was killed.

His post-mortem report revealed he died from haemorrhaging and multiple injuries to the head.

Rise…

A

…of RISE fter its birth was heralded (“make ye ready…the coming of the deliverance party!”) by a columnist over at the Muckraker, (who’d been identified by Adam the prophet) there are great expectations after RISE was birthed at Moray House. No manger this, though!! This was as elegantly retro, as you could get within the carefully preserved colonial ambiance starting with naming the building down to the bric-a-bracs of the aspiring, earnest, middle class.

But unlike what the herald had heralded, however, RISE was quite coy about its political ambitions. But then that’s the tradition in Guyana, no? Politics and competing for political office? Naah! Not us…that’s too infra dig! But one candid soul from the group did rise and concede if “the people” do demand they become a political party, what could they do? Another member announced he was “privileged”, but sadly did not expand on that interesting titbit, even as he accepted he just had to do something for those less privileged. Aaaah…the burdens of noblesse oblige, not the crass opportunism of the nouveau riche!!

Your Eyewitness does concede, dear reader, he’s being quite snarky; but then, he’s been through this so many times, you’ll excuse his jaded reaction, won’t you?

Remember those two altruistic young men -- Trotman and Ramjattan -- who’d essayed forth from the two major parties with an altruistic consumer advocate lady from WPA -- Sheila Holder -- a decade ago? They, too, didn’t want a new political party, even as they squatted on the parliamentary seats they’d been allocated by their parties. They, too, talked about “constitutional change” to free us from the bondage of that nasty “race voting”.

But maybe there’s some reason to fan the hope in your Eyewitness’s heart. Unlike what the three Musketeers -who quickly morphed into the AFC party, and addressed the “race question” by embracing it with their “rotating” leadership, did – the people of RISE have announced they are “post-racial”!! Imagine that!! We’ve arrived at the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, dear sisters and brothers!! Hallelujah!!! So while Ramjattan, for instance, represented Indians by the facticity of his “race” - as did Trotman - the leaders of RISE have evolved beyond that!

Like Athena issuing full-blown from the brow of Zeus, they haven’t been tainted by any of the fabled six (contaminated?) collectivities of Guyana. They’re beyond concrete manifestations of mankind’s cultures, and rather represent the Platonic categories of “man”. Yes, they’re probably also “post gender”. But they ARE willing to tell us benighted souls, who insist on voting PPP and PNC because of our “ethnic bent”, what constitutional changes are necessary so that we can also break our terrible habits.

And perchance also lead the US, EU and Britain, which seem determined to “go ethnic”, to the Promised Land?!

…of the middle class

RISE is just another expression of the development of Guyana from its abysmal “Highly Indebted Poor Country” pariah status, brought on by the PNC to, “Upper Middle Income” status, achieved by the PPP. With “middle income” status, you’ll have folks like the ones in RISE -from the upper end of the bracket -- feeling their oats.

“Boom Out” babes parading in Parliament imitating ghetto trash is just too cringey to be representing them!!

Puleeeze!!

The rise of the “educated” criminal in another symptom. Your Eyewitness is surprised folks are surprised that some fellas with degrees and jobs are into armed robbery. They’ve obviously forgotten that part and parcel of middle-classdom is the “fetishization” of commodities. To be middle class now means the big ($500,000/monthly rental), big SUV and big bling (for those at the bottom end) etc…etc.

Sure, the middle class aspirants will try to finesse it; but, like a druggie needing a fix, some will go for brute force and ignorance.

Even those in RISE!

…of self interest On that “administrative” decision to bump the Junior Minister of Natural Resources' housing allowance by $475,000.

Doesn’t the Parliamentary Clerk have a conflict of interest, since he has extensive mining interests”?

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

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friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

T&T Professor calls for stronger ‘whistleblower protection’ in Guyana ...says local procurement laws inadequate to guard against public corruption

G

reater protections for ‘whistleblowers’ are to be embedded in the Guyana State Asset Recovery Laws, along with a drastic overhaul of the nation’s procurement laws. These are necessary to not only guard against, but prosecute, corrupt activities emanating from the resource curse, associated with the influx of large sums of money into a country from commercial production of oil.

The dire warning was sounded yesterday as local stakeholders, led by the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) and the Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA), met at the Guyana Pegasus to commence a two-day symposium to address ‘Public Corruption and the ‘Oil Curse’ ,ahead of commercial production of the ‘black gold’ in Guyana come 2020.

The cautionary messages were delivered by Managing Director of the Raymond and Pierre Limited, Professor Afra Raymond.

Professor Raymond is a recent past president of Trinidad and Tobago’s Institute of Surveyors, as well as the immediate past president of the Joint Consultative Council for the Construction Industry in the twin island republic.

Addressing the matter of protection for persons wanting to become ‘whistleblowers’ in order to curb some corrupt activity uncovered, Professor Raymond told those gathered at the Guyana Pegasus that greater protection is needed.

A whistleblower is defined as

a person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organisation that is either private or public.

On the matter of protection for whistleblowers, Professor Raymond pointed to the fact that some employees are bound by confidentiality agreements in their contracts, and as such are threatened with disciplinary action should information be released.

According to Professor Raymond, there must be mechanisms put in place in the SARA laws to ensure that litigation cannot be mounted against persons who want to divulge information on corrupt transaction, since such an act would run counter to the conditions of the contract.

Professor Raymond was even more critical of the Guyana Procurement Act of 2003, which he said seemingly contains ‘engineered loopholes’ in addition to the antiquated provisions that allow for a situation to be taken advantage of by corrupt persons.

According to Professor Raymond, the Guyana Procurement Act of 2003 creates a loophole, because government can enter into government-to-government arrangements outside of the ambit of the procurement laws for international agreements.

He observed that, as is the case in Trinidad and Tobago, international agreements such as government-to-government contracts can account for the largest quantum of public money.

Professor Afra Raymond

Professor Raymond was quick to point out that ‘public money’ is money that is due to the state, money due from the state, or money which, in the event of a default, the state would be liable to pay.

He said, too, that it is in this vein that the shortcomings in the Procurement Laws must be seen, and he pointed to the narrow definition of procurement as simply the acquisition of good and services.

Professor Raymond also raised, as a red flag in the

Free press critical in...

In light of the circumstances, McPherson cautions that, in its absence, US companies such as ExxonMobil are still required to adhere to some levels of transparency, since they are accountable to their shareholders as publicly traded companies.

Meanwhile, David Holukoff, another of the eminent international panellists in Guyana for the two-day confab, also sought to weigh in on the need for there to be leadership at the very top in the fight against corruption in public office.

Conviction

He drew reference to the inaugural address by Bahamian Prime Minister, Hubert

Minnis, to the opening ceremony of the 38th Conference of Heads of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) In his address, Prime Minister Minnis had cautioned that government ministers found to be accepting bribes and other payments as part of any corrupt practice will be fired immediately.

According to Holukoff, the fight against corruption in public office in oil rich countries is not just about having laws in place, since loopholes will always be found.

He said, “It’s a lot about the will and leadership from the top, and a willingness for them to accept corruption and chase after and get rid of bad players.”

from page 3

According to the Canadabased oil and gas expert, it was refreshing to hear “a leader in the region talk so openly about it, with apparent conviction.”

Moderator for the panel discussion, Dr Perry Stanilas, was quick to also point out that it must be borne in mind that some governments can speak with proverbial forked tongues, and are often times coerced by powerful multi-national companies.

This, he said, underscores even further the role of civil society and a free press in the protection against the resource curse that comes with commercial oil production in developing countries such as Guyana.

Procurement legislation, a limited scope for the acceptance of bids tendered for projects.

According to the eminent professor, this arrangement provides for a limited scope, since it does not take into account modern transactions such as design & build projects as well as public-private partnerships.

Such arrangements, he pointed out, require full financial and technical assessments of prospective bidders.

According to Professor Raymond, the approach to such arrangement, as provided for under the existing procurement law, is very limited and require modern procurement initiatives.

Speaking to the importance of understanding the nature of public property and its disposal, which could come in the form of licences and leases, Professor Raymond was quick to point out that public property goes beyond real estate and would include mineral rights such as oil and gas, timber and timber licences, and concessions including those to operate toll roads and bridges.

He pointed out, too, that it was only recently recognised that information traded across thin air using bandwidth and frequencies is in fact the most valuable commodity in the world.

“All of that information is on the information superhighway using bandwidth and concession....the signal is rooted in a license and a concession, and that is why it has a value and (is) taken proper care of in a proper pro-

curement regime.”

He was also critical of the Cabinet role of the review of contracts in excess of $15M, calling the practice backward, since the Executive should not be involved in such operational matters.

Other presenters to yesterday’s symposium included former T&T Energy Minister Eric Williams and Professor Kennedy Mkutu.

The forum continues today at the Guyana Pegasus, with other international presenters/panellists including, Zalena Khan, Founder and Managing Partner of Zcloud LLC, a NetSuite Solution Provider Partner in the Caribbean and South America; and Stephen Baker, senior partner at Baker and Partners, English barrister and Jersey advocate.

The symposium is slated to explore why the oil industry in the overwhelming majority of developing countries is associated with widespread corruption, procurement and other forms of fraud, institutionalised tax evasion, and a range of other ingenious means to steal government revenue.

Panel discussions will include the protection of sovereign interests and the avoidance of these typical pitfalls. Other topics up for discussion include ‘The Misuse of Offshore Structures in Laundering/hiding the Proceeds of Illicit Payments in the Oil and Gas Industry’ and ‘How offshore trusts, companies and financial services are used to hide illegal payments, and ‘best practices to prevent such payments’.

10 news

friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Missing Mocha woman found floating in trench

Police and the undertaker preparing the body for transport to the funeral home

T

he body of 63-yearold Rita Fredricks of 12th Field, Barnwell North, Mocha, East Bank Demerara was recovered from a trench in the community on Thursday morning.

The woman had gone missing on Tuesday evening, and was not seen until Thursday morning, when her body was spotted floating in the canal.

According to information reaching the Guyana Times, Fredricks and her husband were imbibing with a friend some distance away from their home on Tuesday evening, when she left to go home sometime around 22:00h. However, when her husband arrived home later that night, she was nowhere to be found.

It is believed that, on the way home, the woman went to the nearby trench to wash her feet, during which

ried out a search in the area but did not find the woman anywhere, so the husband went to file a missing persons report at the station.

Turnhill told this newspaper that on Thursday morning she was going to shower, sometime around 10:00h, and went to the trench to get water, then she made the discovery.

“My neighbour from the other side of the trench called out to me and we ended up talking. Whilst gaffing, I look in the trench and see her floating. Her head

The dam residents in Barnwell North are forced to use daily

Neighbours observe the body of the elderly woman being removed

she may have fallen into the water.

This newspaper spoke with a close friend of the dead woman, Hettie Turnhill, at whose 10th Field house the elderly couple was drinking on the night Fredricks went missing.

“She left around 10 o’clock (Tuesday night), and

then I went to bed, leaving her husband and my sister. But the next morning her husband came back and asked if his wife by us, and I said, ‘No, we ain’t see aunty’. So he said he went home and didn’t see her anywhere,” the woman related.

She said neighbours car-

and ears were showing, so I screamed and called out for aunty’s daughter, who was nearby,” the woman recalled.

Turnhill said that upon spotting the body, she knew immediately that it was the elderly woman. This, she said, was confirmed when

the woman’s body was retrieved from the water, as she still had on the clothing she was wearing on the night she went missing.

Meanwhile, Fredricks’ daughter Marcelle explain to the Guyana Times that she was away for a few days, and returned home on Thursday morning only to be greeted with the news of her mother’s disappearance.

“I come by my mother’s friend (Turnhill) to find out what really happen, and she said she ain’t know too.

So I sit down and she went to go ready to go in town,

and when she went by the trench, she see the head and call for me,” the daughter stated.

Marcelle added that the police were contacted and arrived on scene. The body was taken out of the water and was transported out of the area on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), since vehicles could not traverse the area due to the deplorable condition of the road.

The body of 63-year-old Rita Fredricks is currently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.

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friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

S RAIGHT M

SOCU Head testifies in Omar Shariff matter

By Paula Gomes

IMF predicts overall deficit will deteriorate in 2017

G

iven the complexity of a national economy, it is important that the broad indicators are consistent, in order to give a fair sense of the impact of the public policies being rolledout. One such type of policy is fiscal policy. This policy is the use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy.

Competent governments typically use fiscal policy to promote strong and sustainable growth and reduce poverty.

Any government can do this directly and indirectly by influencing aggregate demand. Economic activity (GDP) is induced by controlling government expenditure (G) directly, and by influencing private consumption (C), private investment (I), and net export (X) indirectly. This is mainly done through changes in taxation policy, government transfers, and government spending.

So, in the final analysis, a collection of fiscal policies can increase aggregate demand and reduce poverty.

One of the most important indicators of the state of an economy is the overall fiscal balance. This indicator assesses a government’s financing requirements and fiscal vulnerability. In the case of Guyana, according to the data from the just concluded IMF consultations, the overall deficit worsened in 2016 to negative 2.9 percent of GDP, compared to negative 0.2 percent in 2015. But what is most concerning is that the IMF projects that, in 2017, the overall deficit is expected to further deteriorate to negative 7.2 percent of GDP (see graph below). This basically means that this Granger-led PNC regime is spending way more money than it is earning. They are filling this hole in the budget by borrow more.

Such a reality could also mean additional taxes being imposed on the public in 2018.

In a small country of only 750,000 people, it is utterly reckless and irresponsible of any government to saddle the nation with so many high-maintenance ministers and expensive presidential advisors when we have such a large fiscal deficit.

Based on information at my disposal, the average upkeep cost of this Granger “coterie” of retired generals is estimated at G$158 million in 2016. And it has gotten worst in 2017. There are many other glaring cases of financial abuse of the Treasury, with the imposition of many square pegs in round holes since President Granger assumed office. For example, let us consider the untrained Tacuma Ogunseye, who is now being passed off as an expert investigator in SARA. Here you have an individual who, over the last 2 years, has burdened the taxpayers for G$17 million in pay, perks and privileges, but when you ask for the record of achievements -- to illustrate value for money to compensate the taxpayers for this fiscal burden -- the evidence trail runs cold, save and except for a few letters to the press from this individual, singing the praise of the Granger triumvirate. This is when one realizes that what is happening under this Granger-led PNC regime is nothing but financial “murderation” in the Land of Many Waters. How are these bills being paid? More borrowing and more taxes.

That is why the IMF can reveal that, from a low of 48.3 percent of GDP in 2015, the total government debt is set to skyrocket to 55.1 percent of GDP by the end of 2017. At this rate, the national debt is expected to be around 66 percent of GDP by 2020. This is a clear reflection of the same old PNC attitude of borrow and spend thoughtlessly, with no care for the people. The end game was Guyana being saddled with a stock of debt that it could not service, resulting in the international community branding Guyana in the 1980s as “financially uncreditworthy.” In layman’s language, worse than junk bond status.

That is why we can report that at the end of April 2017, the International Reserves have reached their lowest level in 9 years, all because of the reckless manner in which the economy is being managed by President Granger. Can you imagine that, today, the oil price has hit the lowest level in one and a half years, literally halving the oil bill from three years ago, yet Guyana is experiencing a deterioration in its current account deficit in 2017? You can visit any of the supermarkets in Georgetown and they will boast at least three different varieties of tinned pigeon peas, none of them homegrown despite Guyana having more arable land than Switzerland or Israel.

Guyana has everything: fertile land, great natural wealth, an abundance of intelligence and ingenuity (if the diaspora and the locals are aggregated), and enough physical wealth between the diaspora and local business community. But yet the Guyanese society remains poor after 50 years of independence. These facts beg the question: Has Mr. Granger, the historian, learned any history at all?

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

agistrate Leron Daly heard the testimony of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ASP) and Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Sydney James, when he appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday afternoon.

In the witness box after taking the oath, James commenced his testimony by stating that relative to the alleged incident, he conducted investigations over a period of time and he requested information from the Commercial Registry related to businesses owned and registered to Omar Shariff, Savitri Hardeo, and Bibi Khan.

He recounted that after he received relevant information on June 30, 2016, a superintendent was handed a search warrant and given certain instructions. According to James, later that day, he and a party of SOCU officials conducted a search at the office of the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of the

Former Permanent Secretary Omar Shariff

Presidency, belonging to the defendant.

Upon arrival, James noted that he spoke to the then PS, and informed him of the search warrant to search the office for materials and documents to assist in money investigations. laundering Shariff reportedly indicated that he had “no problem” with the search, which was subsequently conducted in the presence of the defendant.

The accused was also informed that officers from SOCU were conducting a search at his Dowding Street,

SOCU Head Sydney James

Kitty residence, and he responded that he wished to be present. James relayed that he accompanied Shariff to his home, where a rank handed him (James) a box containing documents, two laptops, an external hard drive, and a digital tablet. These articles were listed, marked as SJ1 160630 and lodged at the ASP’s office at SOCU Headquarters to which only he had access.

James further testified that on September 7, 2016, he uttered to a superintendent, instructions to prepare a search warrant to conduct searches on the home of one

Hemwattie Dairam. Later that day, the officer handed him a box containing documents retrieved during the search which were listed and marked as SJ2 160907 and lodged in a safe in his office.

An affidavit was prepared for a production order under Section 24 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, requesting documents related to the businesses operated by the trio on September 30, 2016. It was filed at the High Court and granted by then acting Chief Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards on the same day.

As he continued to reveal events during the course of the investigations, James uttered that on October 7, 2016, certain instructions were given to a superintendent with respect to the service of the production orders, and a Marshall of the High Court returned these documents and disclosed that there was an endorsement service of production order 727 (related to Shariff and his reputed wife), which stipulated that documents were to be produced within seven days. turn to page 17

12

friday, july 7, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

T

he Miss Renaissance Pageant will be held in August with 12 professional women competing for the coveted title. The delegates were introduced to the media late last month at a sashing ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.

The pageant serves as a catalyst to re-educate the public about their inner beauty, creativity, cultural awareness and an accomplishment of the matured Guyanese women 30 years and older. For the next few weeks, Guyana Times Entertainment will feature each delegate.

This week, we are pleased to introduce to you 46-year-old old Jillian Viola Moore, a mother of one and an Inspector of Police. This professional woman was trained at the Felix Austin Police College in areas such as domestic violence and human rights among others.

She also received certified training in professional standards by the Department of Justice in the United States of America, the use of force by the Red Cross International and also ethics and corrupt practices at the International Law Enforcement Academy in El Salvador.

Moore completed her secondary education after which she completed studies at the University of Guyana/

P

opular duo, Party Boss WR Reaz and Selector Andy, will be creating quite a stir on the local airwaves, as they head RGI’s way in the new week. The duo is expected to heat up the airwaves Mondays to Fridays from 13:00h to 14:00h.

For the best in remixes and live interactions, the station to tune into from Monday will be 89.5FM. The two talented young men out of Team MMR have a reservoir of knowledge in the deejaying field and more so, have a knack for making their fans dance to their tunes.

With the two on one of the most widely

spanned radio stations, listeners can expect nothing but the best in all genres of music; from yesteryear to present. Arrangements are also being made for the one-hour energetic vibes to be live on Facebook.

In addition, talks are ongoing with radio producers in the US to have the one-hour programme broadcast simultaneously overseas. With the combination, listeners of RGI across the country are urged to clear their schedules for that one hour since it will be a “party on air”.

Listeners will also have a chance to win fabulous prizes during the onehour live show as they will be given soundtracks to name the various recording artistes. Do remember to tune in to RGI 89.5 from 13:00h on Monday.

Institute of Distance and Continuing Education holding a certificate in Industrial Relations and Management and is currently reading for a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations.

She was once an executive member of the South Georgetown Junior Chambers’ International (Jaycees) 1995 -1998, where she was trained in leadership skills, etiquette and conflict resolution.

Her training has definitely proven to be helpful in every phase of her life. With a love for singing, Moore had the opportunity of perform in live bands in and out of Guyana.

This splendid servicewoman is fun-loving, jovial, loves meeting people and forming lasting friendships. She believes that laughter is indeed the best medicine.

Choreographer with KAST Talent Management

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K-born Dominic Alleyne started dancing at the age of 14 at Tutorial High School. In 2009 Dominic joined the Let’s Dance Studio after being a part of Carifesta X in 2008 and was a guest performer with the National Dance Company Seasons 29.

It was then the talented young man developed an interest for classical ballet, modern dance and other dance styles and techniques.

In 2012, Alleyne was a part of the GT&T “Feel The Beat” dance competition where he came out on top taking the first runner-up prize and gaining the recognition as one of Guyana’s best and most technical dancers in the competition.

I n that same year, he made his appearance on the international stage after being invited to be a part of the Guyana delegation to the Inter-Guyana Cultural Festival in French Guiana.

Not long after, Dominic was invited to be a part of the performing arts team to our neighbouring country Suriname for Carifesta Xl in 2013 and Carifesta XII in 2015.

“I truly believe that I was born to dance, everyone can dance but not everyone is a dancer. Hard work and dedication towards the arts has made me successful thus far, my journey is long and far from home but that’s a small price I will pay for the one thing I treasure so dearly,” he stated.

The inspiration he has gained has pushed him towards great achievements and he is thankful to everyone who has supported him throughout his journey thus far.

Currently the Assistant Director and dance instructor at the Lets Dance Studio and Dance Choreographer with KAST Talent Management, Alleyne continues to thrive as a dancer and role model to many young aspiring dancers.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, july 7, 2017

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w e n t y f o u r- y e a rold Chavez Bender was born on August 16, 1992. His musical career actually started when he was only 16 years old, as a deejay referred to as “Yellowcat”.

He is a versatile deejay and selector and would have entered in a number of deejay competitions.

While he won a few and lost a few, this did not deter him from being one of the best deejays and selectors on the West Side (West Coast and West Bank of Demerara).

However, at the age of 17, he started to write his own songs after discovering that he had a knack for singing. By 19, he started to record his vocals as “Yellowras” and became his own producer; going on to build his own recording studio he calls, “Hammanuttree Records”.

Over the past years, he has built some of his own “riddims” as well as mastering all his songs. He also sang and produced more than 700 songs and “riddims” and is still uploading

more songs locally. All tunes comprise of all genre of music and they can be uploaded from Google.

Presently, he is an independent Guyanese selector, deejay, recording artiste and a producer.

He does this for the love of knowledge, wisdom, history an education.

At the same time, he wants to send a positive message to the youths in Guyana and across the globe.

are all part of her album “Who I am” which is scheduled to be released before the end of 2017.

Vanilla has been among the local artistes who have called on radio stations to play Guyanese music more often. Asked whether she felt that this situation has changed, she stated that some stations and DJs seem a bit more open to playing Guyanese music these days, but there is still some way to go in that regard.

“When you take into consideration the amount of locally aired music in total, to the same amount you use to hear when the Government had their two stations, it seems as though we’ve moved one step forward and five backward,” she said.

She further stated, “Don’t get me wrong, we appreciate all the radio stations and DJs who

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wo young entrepreneurs have taken on the challenge of providing men in Guyana with trendy, quality and designer clothing options at affordable prices.

The online clothing store, Na-Mar Showroom, developed out of a conversation about the difficulty of finding fashionable menswear locally.

After going back and forth, Chief Operating Executive Namon Oneil Frank and Managing Director Mark Junior Murray decided to create a business plan to import and resell affordable options for men.

The business partners have agreed that prices will not be driven by profit, as they focus on providing the solution for male shoppers in Guyana to “See it, Click it, Wear it.”

Na-Mar Showroom plans to bring a new meaning to how men shop online when the

business officially launches on July 24.

Customers will be able to place orders online using the company’s Facebook store.

Shoppers can expect online price promotions and discounts at the launch of the online retail store. With advertised stocks readily available, Na-Mar Showroom will conveniently offer customers same day pick up in Georgetown, Guyana.

Prior to the launch, the business partners have been busy on social media, providing potential customers with a look into the future of the company through a short commercial, fashion tips and trending articles.

“Fashion is what happens when you dare to do something with your wardrobe that is uniquely different and that’s the service we hope to provide with Na-Mar Showroom; one that’s uniquely different,” said Frank.

Conscious that the online store is entering the local market at a time when there are a number of competitors for the resale of clothes, media personality Mark Murray hopes that Na-Mar Showroom will stand apart by providing its customers with a personalised shopping experience.

“I personally struggle to find clothes that fit properly and look effortless. I am often forced to turn to my local tailor for that. What we hope to accomplish with Na-Mar Showroom is to help men understand sizing and complementary colours,” said Murray.

Although the online store will initially

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focus on linking Guyanese men to the global fashion arena, Na-Mar Showroom hopes to one day share the talents of local fashion designers in other countries.

B e sure to check out Na-Mar Showroom on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or online at www. namarshowroom. com for the latest trends in menswear which will be available just in time for summer.

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t a time when the local hit “Blow” by Blaze Antonio is heating up the airwaves, local soca queen Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts’ newly released hit has somehow been interpreted by fans as promoting ‘blow’ culture, but she assures that it is not.

The song is a feel-good tune that essentially speaks of a woman and a man – both of whom have their significant others – who meet at a party and get wrapped up in each other on the dance floor. But when the party is over at 02:00h, they part ways, with the singer simply stating in the hook: “Till we meet again”. So does that constitute infidelity? Vanilla says “no”.

“According to the dictionary, infidelity is the action or state of being unfaithful to a spouse or other sexual partner. So does it mean that if I go going out and party and have a good time with someone else that I’m being unfaithful?

My thing is that once I don’t violate my partner’s expectations and trust then how is it I’m being faithful?” she said.

Vanilla recently released the song via WhatsApp and said since she has, persons have continually interpreted its lyrics to mean that the subject is cheating.

“They have said to me “Eh Vanilla, you do a blow song too?” and I can’t see why people seem to think that, when all I’m talking about is that one night I decided to go out and party and leave my boyfriend alone. Men do it all the time. So as soon as a woman does it, it’s blow or infidelity? Oh, come on. We live in the 21st Century. People just need to learn to live a little and be honest with their partners,” she said.

She stated instead that the song, which was written by writer and producer, Burchmore Simon, is instead intended to speak about the fact that women can still have casual encounters without leading further.

This is the third track for the year from Vanilla, having been preceded by “We run things” and her fireball track “Mash up the place” which was a major hit during Mashramani. These songs

play the music, but the fact remains that there is still too little air time given to local content.”

However, she praised the stations and DJs in Linden, Region 10 who she said are well known for supporting their own artistes.

“You see when you are in Linden, if you never knew a new artiste from there, you better believe before you leave you’ll catch the name of that artiste or remember a piece of their song before you leave. I often wish the rest of Guyana would adapt the attitude of Lindeners in terms of supporting their own. Whether it’s locally produced food, music, craft or any other product,” she said. Nevertheless, Vanilla is thankful to her own supporters who have been behind her throughout her career. That includes those DJs and radio stations who continue to support her music.

“I’m also thankful to my fans who never give up on me, my label Kross Kolor Records, my family, friends and corporate Guyana. As I continue on my journey I hope that you continue to support my endeavours,” the reigning road march queen stated.

Persons interested in finding out more can keep updated at vanillagy.com.

14 news No need for further debate on sugar – Minister Holder friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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overnment has affirmed that there will be no further consultation and debate on the future of the local sugar industry, because it said all such undertakings have already taken place before the white paper which detailed several changes on sugar was laid in the National Assembly.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has also maintained that the white paper came out after public consultations were held, and he deemed it the end product of a long process, which lasted for about two years.

He recalled that the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee examined the state of the industry and invited comments from all stakeholders, including members of the public.

“They received a lot of views from members of the public,” he claimed, stating that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has also been engaged in several public meetings with members of the various communities where sugar estates are still in operation and workers are attached to the corporation.

Holder said, “That has always been part of the pro-

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

cess, with the quest for information to come in. We just had to make a decision, because (sugar) was haemorrhaging the economy. Just imagine, (we have been expending) $80 billion dollars a year (on keeping sugar going). That money could have gone towards increasing public servants’ salaries, (as well as those of) nurses and teachers.”

According to the minister, that money continues to go down a “bottomless hole.” However, he said it was decided -- after consultations and studies -- that the funds made available to the sector could be taken to the other estates that showed more promise to produce better quality and quantities of sugar. “(Producing sugar) at Skeldon (costs) 60 cents a pound, and we sell at 15 cents; (Producing sugar at) Rose Hall (costs) 4045 cents per pound, to sell for 15 cents. It’s best (for GuySuCo to) put the money in (operating) Blairmont, (an estate) producing (sugar) at 22 cents per pound; and Albion, (which produces at) 25 cents per pound; and Uitvlugt (which produces) at 26 cents (per pound). Put the money there, so you have a chance to turn around (the fortunes of GuySuCo) along the (operation of the) cogeneration plants. This (course of action) is (necessary) to save these communities,” he explained.

Pressed about wheth-

er the Government plans to debate the white paper in the National Assembly, Holder told Guyana Times, “We cannot keep on debating and debating. When you come to an end of a process, then you produce the white paper.

The Opposition would love to keep on debating. How much more consultations do you want? It must come to an end.”

While Government’s plan to downsize the industry will take full effect at the end of 2017, the process has already commenced.

Holder said implementation is progressing well, but the only issue is that there is dire need for more cane harvesters from Wales to take up the offer of working at the Uitvlugt Estate. He alleged that the Opposition is encouraging them not to do so.

“It is a hindrance to the social and economic well-being of the people of the Wales area,” he said, while promising that more Government officials apart from those attached to GuySuCo will meet with people within the various communities and villages to listen to their concerns.

However, the Government’s position on the need to downsize the industry is unchangeable.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has accused Government of misleading the Guyanese people that genuine consultations would have been held first before the fate of GuySuCo

was decided.

Jagdeo pointed out that United States-based Guyanese Brian Wesley Kirton was authorised before the consultations to search for investors in GuySuCo. He said that was before the Opposition was invited to what he described as “perfunctory and cursory” consultations called on December 30, 2016.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has also accused the Government of not being keen on debating the white paper on the sugar industry. GAWU President Komal Chand believes the policy decision taken is of national importance, and it ought to be debated by the National Assembly.

In announcing plans to downsize the sugar industry, Government said it plans to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar estates and sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory, but keep functioning estates at Blairmont on the West Bank of Berbice, Albion-Rose Hall in East Berbice, and UitvlugtWales in West Demerara.

Government also plans to cut sugar production to approximately 147,000 tonnes per annum, to satisfy the demand in the local market (25,000 tonnes per annum); Caricom and other regional markets (50,00060,000 tonnes per annum); the United States (12,500 tonnes per annum) and the world market (50,000 tonnes per annum).

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friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Shootout during foiled bank robbery

Ramjattan praises Police, security guards for bravery

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fficers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Professional Guard Service (PGS) were commended by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan for their bravery.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the Minister was at the time referring to the attempted robbery at Republic Bank Limited, which was brought to a halt on Tuesday owing to the efforts of the ranks from the two organisations.

“The efforts of the PGS have to be commended and I want to congratulate their very quick thinking and the fact that they managed to foil the attempt of these robbers.

Of course, they were there first; the Police came and in combination with the PGS –

I am so proud of the fact that indeed our private security services in combination with the Police – have managed to foil this attack,” Minister Ramjattan stated.

However, the Minister expressed disappointment at the wayward path youths were taking despite being given the opportunity to excel in life. He said, “It is a pretty negative aspect to know that people who have graduated, who got scholarship, duty-free concession and all of that, they are now going to be the masterminds of crime… what is disappointing about this whole thing is that some bright kids trained in China have done their parents such a bad thing to want to go rob a bank and they had almost all the world at their feet really, but it is greed I suppose,

immaturity, so many negative things but we have to do lots more.”

Ramjattan said that the Government was cognisant of the fact that much more needed to be done to turn the tide against youths who turn to crime. The Minister revealed that the Government would be hosting a “crime and youth violence forum” at the Pegasus Hotel on July 12, 2017 to address the issue.

Just around 07:30h on Tuesday, three young men attempted to rob the Republic Bank branch on Water Street in Georgetown.

However, the situation was quickly handled by members of the GPF and officers of the PGS. One of the bandits was shot dead, while two others were in custody as the investigation continued.

Teen on bail for marijuana, security guard charged for assault – in separate incidents

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17-year-old handyman of Friendship, East Bank Demerara was earlier this week arraigned before Georgetown Court Ten Magistrate Sunil Scarce on a charge of allegedly being in possession of 15 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

He allegedly was caught with the narcotics on June 30, 2017.

Attorney-at-law Bernard Da Silva based his application for bail for the teen on the fol-

lowing grounds: that the accused is of tender age and had been in Police custody for five days prior to his appearance in court on Tuesday; and that the alleged narcotics were not found on the person of his client.

In the circumstances, the teen was placed on bail in the sum of $30,000 and was ordered to return to court on July 21, 2017.

Meanwhile, 62-year-old Supdeo Mahadeo of Hyde Park, Timehri, East Bank

Demerara was arraigned before the magistrate on a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, committed on Anil Khan on June 25, 2017 at Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Mahadeo pleaded not guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Khan; and while details of the incident were not disclosed to the court, the elderly security guard was placed on $70,000 bail and ordered to return to court on July 11, 2017.

Caricom to push for improved intra-regional travel

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uring a curtain-raiser press conference held in Grenada ahead of the Tuesday opening of the 38th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Caricom Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, expressed hope that regional leaders would sign off on an age-old Multilateral Air Services Agreement that seeks to pave the way for easier inter-regional travel.

“We are hoping that the Multilateral Air Services Agreement will get policy sign-off from the Heads of Government. It will allow greater ease of travelling within the region in terms of Caricom-owned airlines,” Ambassador LaRocque told journalists gathered in Grenada for the HoG meeting.

The aim of the Multilateral Agreement Concerning the Operation of Air Services within The Caribbean Community, commonly called Multilateral Air Services Agreement, is to improve the level, quality and efficiency of air services within and beyond the Caribbean Community. It dates back to 1996.

During the Conference of the Heads of Government, the Caricom Secretariat would seek approval for all aspects of the agreement from the Regional Leaders.

Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

According to Ambassador LaRocque, the policy will allow for more opportunities for inter-regional travel.

“The agreement concerns operations of Caricom air carriers…It provides for fair and equal opportunities for all Caricom air carriers to compete in air transportation covered by the agreement,” he posited, while adding that in addition to the large carriers, there are a large number of small carriers within the region.

Caricom nationals have long complained about the high airfares attached to inter-regional travel, and according to Ambassador LaRocque, the Secretariat is aware of the issue.

“The issue of cost of air transportation is one that continues to concern us; it

will come up again,” he emphasised.

Through the Regional Transportation Commission, Caricom airlines “are now talking to each other,” Ambassador LaRocque said.

“The airlines are looking to see how they could cooperate and collaborate better,” he added.

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTRC) has been meeting to advance its work towards the provision of adequate, efficient and safe transportation services at affordable cost to the people of the Community.

In July 2013, conscious that transportation services delivered in Caricom had to address the needs of the travelling public and intra-regional trade, Caricom Heads of Government agreed to the urgent establishment of a Transportation Commission to address air and maritime transportation matters.

Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago have all ratified the Multilateral Air Services Agreement, which came into force in 1998.

The Conference of Caricom Heads of Government was held in the Grenadian capital of St George’s from July 4 –6 under the chairmanship of Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell.

16 news

friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

New trend of legislative drafting cause for concern

– says former AG

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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new trend of legislative drafting has raised some eyebrows and should be a cause for concern to many as it seeks to give more power to Government Ministers and does not require for the immediate renewal of a Board, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall has said.

Nandlall told Guyana Times that this trend was never there before. However, he said whenever a semi-autonomous agency is established by a statutory provision, that organisation invariably will be managed by a Board. Every Board has a life which will be provided for in the law creating it.

“The new drafting mechanism which I have seen replicating itself over and over in recent times, is that when that Board life expires, the Minister performs the function of the Board,” he explained.

The former AG stated that it is self-defeating and contrary to the whole intention of establishing a semi-autonomous agency governed by an act and managed by a Board. Ministerial control of all these agencies obtained in the past, but that was changed under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

Using the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority as an example, Nandlall said that agency used to be under the ministerial control of the Legal Affairs Minister. That was subsequently changed by him, and an authority was created to govern the Board in accordance with the act creating it.

“When that Board expires, the Minister has to appoint another Board. These Ministers now, when the Board expires, they perform the function of the Board.

So have gone back to square one and they don’t seem to understand that that is the principle which informed

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

the creation of statutory and semi-autonomous agencies in the first place,” he lamented.

The former Minister rejected comments made in Parliament during the last sitting where the PPP was accused of being “control freaks,” stating that it is the total opposite, because “you have the most vulgar and blatant attempt by Ministers to take control of a Board when its life expires.”

Power

The outspoken Member of Parliament Guyana Times that trend started with the rent Attorney General

PPP told this curand

Attorney General Basil Williams

Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, when the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority’s Board expired and the Minister refused to appoint a new governing Board.

Nandlall had filed legal proceedings at the High Court against Williams, for failing to comply with a court order, demanding that he appoint a governing Board at the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority.

The former Minister had said that Williams had ‘blatantly refused’ to appoint the governing Board, which was in violation of the law. He also accused Williams of allegedly engaging in all man-

ners of malicious manipulation in order to get rid of the people he doesn’t like.

He was quoted as saying that, “Therefore, you have trumped up charges and baseless allegations being laid against people whom he wishes to destroy. This Minister is prepared to destroy reputations, destroy people’s profession and destroy people’s careers in order to achieve his objectives.”

Nandlall recalled that on April 19, 2017, he approached the High Court and obtained an order by the High Court Judge instructing that Williams appoint the governing Board of the Authority.

According to Nandlall, “he has refused to do so. That order was served to him by a Marshal of the High Court.

In addition, my lawyers wrote him a letter enclosed with the order, demanding that he comply with it.

Again, he has refused to do so. Therefore, he is in contempt of court.”

The governing Board which should comprise of representatives from the Guyana Bar Association, Berbice Bar Association, the Private Sector, the Finance Ministry, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and a Chairman was only appointed after Williams was sued for contempt of court.

Only recently, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, also highlighted the inconsistencies with the proposed Petroleum Commission Bill which was laid in the National Assembly by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, stating that again, the bill gives the Minister too much power.

Jagdeo had told a recent political meeting that the bill in its current form is both “oily” and “slick”, and rather than being a Guyana Petroleum Commission, it appears to be more like a “Trotman Petroleum Commission”.

“This bill is very oily and slick, like Trotman. They (present Government) used to criticise us that Ministers had too many powers.

They want to manage the oil money after promising Sovereign Wealth Fund years now, and not coming up with (only) a draft or a model that will ensure the proper use of the money,” he remarked.

Once this bill is passed and assented to by President David Granger, Trotman would be given the authority to terminate the Board of the Guyana Petroleum Commission at any time.

Jagdeo said the Minister would also be granted the power to discharge the functions of the Board if the Board is not appointed.

Aviation economic activities chalk up $20.7B annually – study

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Egbert Field

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recently completed international study on the impact of Guyana’s aviation sector revealed that the sector contributes a whopping $20.7B to the economy annually, according to Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), retired Colonel Egbert Field.

Colonel Field told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the authority contracted Oxford Economics in London to execute the study.

Oxford Economics was founded with Oxford University’s Business College in 1981 as a commercial venture to provide economic forecasting and modelling to United Kingdom companies and financial institutions expand-

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority head office

ing abroad.

“I’m very happy to say that the first sentence in the report that was sent to us states that the economic impact of the aviation sector in Guyana is substantial. So we play a big part in the development of Guyana.

The sum of $20.7B in annual economic activity is a sizable amount which the aviation industry contributes to the economy,” Field highlighted.

Most visitors to Guyana come by air. In August 2016, Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, had announced that the study commenced in June 2016 and is

expected to be completed by year end.

The GCAA Director posited that even with this completed study, it is still the responsibility of GCAA to not only regulate the aviation industry, but strengthen and grow it to meet the challenges ahead.

GCAA, formerly the Civil Aviation Department, is under the purview of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. It was established in March 2002 through the Civil Aviation Act 2000 approved by Parliament. The main law governing the air transport sector is the Civil Aviation Act (2000).

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friDAY, july 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IMF growth forecast for Man’s decomposed Guyana needs to be taken body found in rice field with a pinch of salt – Ali

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nalyzing the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) projection for Guyana’s economy, former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government Minister Irfaan Ali has said the projected 3.5 percent growth in 2017 must be taken with a pinch of salt for several important reasons.

Ali said the macroeconomic outlook projected by IMF is based on past economic performance, and the positive outlook projected by the IMF for 2017 is attributed largely to the uninterrupted series of economic growth experienced under the PPP Administration.

“Under closer review, it can be coherently concluded that based on the first quarter performance of our economy, contrary to the IMF, the probability of an increase in public investment, expansion in the extractive sector, and a recovery in rice production remains very slim,” he stated.

Even though an increase in public investment may increase aggregate demand, a reduction in private investment will neutralize that effect, Ali claimed, stating that in Guyana the damped economic climate and heavy tax burden will likely absorb private investment.

With respect to the extractive sector, with the exception of gold, bauxite during the first quarter of 2017 contracted by 21.5 percent when compared to 2016, and 6.6 percent and 28.8 percent when compared to 2015

Former Minister Irfaan Ali

and 2014 respectively. This, according to him, is evident that this industry is on the decline.

Another area of concern is the temporary foreign market provided for rice. Alli said even though production may likely increase by the end of December, the increase in foreign revenue generated may not fully offset the shock of a precipitous fall in sugar output.

“Compounding this abysmal performance, other traditional sectors, such as forestry, may reduce significantly.

During the first quarter of 2017, the forestry sector exported 22,400 cubic metres -3,293 cubic metres less than what was exported in 2016 during the same period,” he explained.

In monetary terms, foreign currency has contracted

by US$1.7 million to US$7.6 million with respect to 2016.

When compared to 2015, the amount lost in foreign reve-

nues is even more startling at US$5.6 million. Overall, the economy may likely contract based of the underperformance of key sectors.

Nevertheless, the former minister said the IMF should be commended for their astute and shrewd recommendations submitted.

On the notion to preserve macroeconomic stability, according to IMF, large fiscal deficit is anticipated to increase debt-to-GDP ratio to 61 percent by 2020. However, Ali said it is worthy to note that the projection is a conservative estimate, given the fact that debt will likely increase even further as government continues to seek additional funding from several international banks, to help cushion the shortfall in domestic revenues.

Just over a decade ago, as reported by the IMF, Guyana’s debt-to-GDP in 2003 was 186 percent. However, due to prudent macroeconomic policies by the government and over a decade of uninterrupted growth, total indebtedness fell to 69 percent in 2009, and subsequently 49.6 percent in 2016.

In addition, the IMF stated that safety nets should be provided for persons affected by the reform of the sugar and electrical companies.

Moreover, Ali said improvements to the business climate, diversification efforts, and structural reforms of key economic sectors must be addressed urgently to support more broad-based and inclusive growth.

Teen confesses to stabbing death of taxi driver

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s the investigation into the murder of Upper Corentyne hire car driver Deonarine Laljit continues, a 15-year-old school dropout has confessed to the killing.

B Division (Berbice) Commander, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam told the media on Thursday that Police have so far received a confession statement from the teenager. He said, however, the investigation is still ongoing.

Laljit, also known as “Baba”, 37, of Lot 223 Number 72 Village, Corentyne, was allegedly stabbed Wednesday afternoon by the teenager who regularly travels with him.

A post mortem conducted on the body on Wednesday gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage and a stab wound to the neck.

Meanwhile, the teen’s father said he has secured a lawyer on behalf of his son.

He has, however, expressed concern that he was not allowed to be present when the Police were questioning the 15-year-old boy.

However, in the presence of Attorney-atLaw Chandra Sohan, the boy, who dropped out of a senior high school, related that the driver would frequently tease him about his elder sister.

The father did not explain in detail the circumstances, but said his eldest daughter was from Number 72 Village, the same village where the now deceased man lived. “My daughter and her husband separate and he take somebody else…,” the man related, while suggesting that the taunts may have been in relation to his daughter being with-

B

halraj Chalth of Warren Village, East Coast Berbice, who had gone missing for more than a week, was found dead in a rice field at Warren village in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) on Thursday shortly after 13:00h.

When a search party retrieved his body from the field, the body was found to bear no physical marks of violence, although it was believed to have been partly eaten by fishes.

On July 2, a missing person’s report was filed for the 42-year-old man, who had lived alone. This publication understands that Chalth was last seen alive on June 29.

According to neighbours, Chalth was an epileptic who periodically suffered from seizures and had a vision problem.

He had claimed to have ended a relationship with a Corentyne woman after the couple ended up in court last month.

Deported from the USA in 1992, Chalth used to be maintained by close relatives who all live overseas. According to reports, a villager was paid to do his cooking and take care of him.

Police are working on a theory that

Dead: Bhalraj Chalth

Chalth might have had a seizure and fallen into a canal near his house. Relatives are, however, eagerly awaiting the findings of an autopsy, but have already started pointing accusing fingers at a female whom Chalth had known. (Andrew Carmichael)

Guyana, 4 other Caricom States sign Arrest Warrant Treaty

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he Caribbean Arrest Treaty was formally signed on Thursday afternoon by the leaders of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia.

The objective of this Treaty is to establish within the Caribbean Community a system of arrest and surrender of requested persons for the purpose of conducting a

criminal prosecution for an applicable offence; or executing a custodial sentence where the requested persons have fled from justice after being sentenced for an applicable offence.

The Treaty was presented in draft form when Guyana hosted the 28th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of

Caricom on February 16 and 17, earlier this year. It was also presented for ratification at the meeting.

At a post-Cabinet press briefing on February 2, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said, “The adoption of this Treaty will simplify the procedures by which fugitives from justice are returned to participating member states, to face criminal prosecution or serve judicial sentences.”

The Treaty is one of the regional security instruments that was formulated to enhance cooperation between member states in the fight against crime and to reduce the complexity, cost and delays in the existing extradition arrangements inherent in the Region.

According to a GINA release, 10 other member states are yet to sign on to the agreement.

SOCU head testifies in Omar...

Dead taxi driver: Deonarine Laljit

out a husband.

The man described his son as being willing and quiet. "He is a quiet child, all the time he does spend at home…he used to pay my bills, go to the market and so, because his mother is not too healthy. Most of his time, he is at home, he's not a boy that got friends and go out in the streets," the father of six said, adding that what his son has done was "unbelievable". However, he noted that while he was aware that his son would have to face the wrath of the law, he was pleading for some sort of counselling.

(Andrew Carmichael)

A week had since lapsed and after receiving no feedback from the defendants, SOCU wrote to them, indicating that they were not in compliance with the production order (on October 28, 2016) to which Shariff responded (on November 1, 2016) that the delay was owed to the volume of documents requested.

The witness further testified under oath to receiving on November 4, several sealed envelopes and six carton boxes from Shariff in response to production order 727, all of which were listed and lodged.

An examination of the contents of the envelopes and boxes revealed that not all requirements as stipulated in the production order were complied with. Subsequent and complete analysis of all documents obtained during the course of the investigations revealed that Shariff and Hardeo were non-com-

pliant with respect to several obligations contained in paragraphs eight and nine of the production order.

At this point in James’ testimony, the Magistrate halted court proceedings and the matter was adjourned to July 31, 2017.

Shariff was arrested in June last after some $10 billion was allegedly uncovered in his personal bank accounts; he was subsequently released on bail, but SOCU continued investigations into the former Permanent Secretary’s allegedly extraordinary accumulation of wealth as well as allegations of tax evasion and money laundering.

Earlier this year, Shariff was arraigned before Magistrate Fabayo Azore for failure to comply with a production order contrary to Section 26 of the Money Laundering Act, an order issued by the High Court.

from page 11

The former PS was sent on leave by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on December 31, 2016, pending investigations by SOCU in relation to some $500 million, which allegedly could not be accounted for in payment to the Public Service Ministry.

It is reported that there were several large transactions between several bank accounts and a separate investigation was launched to determine how billions of dollars passed through Shariff’s bank account dating as far back as 2010, following records showing that he and his reputed wife purchased shares in companies which were placed in her name. According to media reports, there were hundreds of transactions using several bank accounts in different city commercial banks.

Shariff, however, has always maintained he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, july 7, 2017

ARCHIE

Take a break and explore places in your community (March 21- that are new to you. Join an April 19) interesting group in order to discover new ways to tackle forthcoming challenges.

ARIES

Get involved if you want TAURUS to promote positive change.

(April 20- Go the distance and reach out May 20) to organizations that are dedicated to a cause that matters to you personally.

dilbert

A relationship will become GEMINI (May 21- problematic if you don’t feel June 20) the same way about someone as he or she feels about you.

Discuss intentions before you get too involved emotionally.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Hard work will pay off, as long as you don’t let someone take control or take credit for your efforts. Stick to a tight schedule and do your own thing.

Make plans to do something that includes the person or people in your life who bring you joy. What you do for others will have a profound influence on your future.

Change is only good if VIRGO (Aug. 23- it promotes overall benevoSept. 22) lence. Don’t disregard who will be affected by the decisions you make. Look at the big picture before you make a move.

Helping a friend or relLIBRA ative will lead to a positive (Sept. 23Oct. 23) change in your relationship.

Speak up about the way you feel and what you want to accomplish. Insightful suggestions will be offered.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

It’s up to you to make SCORPIO a change if you don’t like (Oct. 24the way things are going.

Nov. 22) Problems with a peer or at work are apparent.

A settlement will turn in SAGITTARIUS your favour. Don’t back down (Nov. 23- once your momentum has Dec. 21) kicked in. Finish what you start in order to achieve a worthwhile reward.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Emotional mood swings CAPRICORN can be expected. Whether (Dec. 22- you’re the one having second Jan. 19) thoughts or someone else, it’s best not to alter any aspect of your life prematurely.

Contemplate your next move.

Check into a situation that AQUARIUS arises before you decide to (Jan. 20pitch in and help. It’s importFeb. 19) ant to take care of your own responsibilities before taking on someone else’s.

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

Make alterations based on PISCES what you see and what you (Feb. 20March 20) know. Putting a unique or unexpected twist on something you are doing will help you gain respect and acknowledgement.

friDAY, juLY 7, 2017

19

Kittel bursts through to win Tour de France stage 6

M

arcel Kittel once again had too much power for his rivals as he burst through to win a bunch sprint at the end of the sixth stage of the Tour de France on Thursday.

The German sprinter looked to be struggling as the leaders roared towards the finish in Troyes but ended up winning the sprint by a bike's length for his 11th Tour stage victory.

The Quick-Step Floors rider, who also won the second stage, crossed the line in front of Frenchman Arnaud Demare and fierce rival Andre Greipel.

Kittel and Greipel are now tied for Tour stage wins, but Kittel has been looking in ominous form on this Tour and he will be the favourite again for Friday's seventh stage that takes the peloton over 213.5 km through the vineyards from Troyes to Nuits SaintGeorges.

"I'm proud of my team, they did a great job because it was a very different finish to Liege," Kittel said after the 216km ride from Vesoul.

"The last kilometre was a little bit freestyle, but I had a good wheel to follow in Demare, and then I had to

go on my own from 250m. I feel good at the moment, and for sure I have (the green jersey) in my focus."

In the points classification, Kittel trails Demare (FDJ) by 27 points, after Peter Sagan, who was targeting a sixth consecutive green jersey, was kicked out of the race for sending Mark Cavendish crashing in the finale of the fourth stage.

Sagan's team, BoraHansgrohe, appealed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) but sport's highest court rejected their request of having the world champion reinstated.

Marcel Kittel of Germany reacts after winning the stage

Race leader Chris Froome finished safely in the pack to retain the yellow jersey, 12 seconds ahead of his Sky team mate Geraint Thomas with Italian Fabio

Aru (Astana).

"This was one of my most relaxed days on the Tour de France," said Froome.

The GC (general classification) contenders will

return to proper action on Sunday for a stage featuring three out-of-category climbs and a dangerous descent into Chambery. (Reuters)

Hamilton still has “utmost respect” for Vettel T

riple world champion Lewis Hamilton said he still had "the utmost respect" for Formula One title rival Sebastian Vettel after accepting a public apology from the Ferrari driver on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at a crowded Austrian Grand Prix news conference, the two men addressed a "road rage" controversy that has dominated the headlines since the June 25 race in Azerbaijan.

"I still have the utmost respect for him as a driver and will continue to race him hard through the rest of the season," declared Hamilton, who said at the time that Vettel had "disgraced himself" by driving into him in Baku.

He said Vettel called him on the Monday after the race and then texted an apology, which he accepted.

The championship leader had driven into the back of Hamilton's Mercedes while both were following the safety car in first and second places, waiting for it to return to the pits.

Vettel then pulled alongside, gesticulating angrily, before banging wheels.

The German, a four times world champion, later ac-

cused Hamilton of "brake-testing" him by slowing suddenly.

The car's telemetry subsequently showed that was not the case and Hamilton said the accusation was one he particularly wanted correcting.

Vettel was handed a 10-second stop-and-go penalty, and finished fourth. He was then summoned to a hearing in Paris last Monday where the governing body declared the matter closed.

Initially reluctant to dwell on the matter, saying he did not want to "pump this up more than it is already", the Ferrari driver on Thursday repeated the written apology.

"It was the wrong move to drive alongside him and hit his tyres," he said.

"I don't think there was any bad intention (by Hamilton). I don't think he actually brake-tested me. I was upset and over-reacted. I am not proud of the moment."

Hamilton, 14 points behind Vettel after eight races, missed out on victory in Baku after a headrest worked loose and he had to pit. He finished fifth.

Before Baku, the two world champions had made much of their mutual respect and the budding "bromance" seemed to be back on.

"It's nice to hear that we are able to move forward," Vettel said. "I think the respect we have for each other on and off track helps us in this regard."

(Reuters)

Lewis Hamilton

Horn brushes off Pacquiao call to review loss

Jeff Horn has been handed the keys to the city of Brisbane after his surprise win over boxing legend Manny Pacquiao

B

risbane (Australia) (AFP) Newly-crowned world welterweight champion Jeff

Horn on Thursday brushed aside boxing legend Manny Pacquiao's call for a review of his controver-

sial defeat and threw down the gauntlet for a rematch.

Thousands joined a ticker-tape parade in Brisbane in honour of the former school teacher, who said he doubted if Pacquiao had personally backed a call to review the outcome of last Sunday's title bout.

"I don't actually believe that would be Pacquiao actually even saying that himself," the Australian told Channel Nine.

"Maybe it is his team around him. But Pacquiao seemed very humble in the way that he lost and thought the decision was correct.

"I am ready for a rematch. If he wants to come back and do it again, we will do it. That's up to him, he's got the option," Horn said.

Written off by most observers, the 29-year-old stunned the Filipino legend with his ultra-ag-

gressiveness to earn a unanimous 12-round decision.

The result has been widely questioned, with many believing Pacquiao should have won.

The 38-year-old Filipino champion Wednesday backed a formal request by the Philippines' Games and Amusement Board for the World Boxing Organisation to review the decision.

"I love boxing and I don't wanna see it dying because of unfair decision and officiating," he said in a statement issued by his office.

"I had already accepted the decision but as a leader and, at the same time, fighter I have the moral obligation to uphold sportsmanship, truth and fairness in the eyes of the public."

In the twilight of a 22-year pro career in which he won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, Pacquiao had initially

called for a rematch, but later said he would also "think hard" about retiring.

In Brisbane, with chants of "Hornet! Hornet!" ringing out, the Australian boxer was handed the keys to the city and told thousands of supporters he was ready for the next challenge.

"Thank you all for turning up and supporting me and my dreams and, as you can see, you never give up.

"I went through a tough round nine, pushed hard through and we got there" he told the crowd. "We got that World Championship."

There was no doubting the fight's outcome among fans who came out to greet their hometown hero. "(It was) an absolutely amazing performance. He (Horn) definitely, definitely, definitely won," one supporter told Sky News.

20

friDAY, JULY 7, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Djokovic trounces Pavlasek in punishing heat N

ovak Djokovic raced into the Wimbledon third round on Thursday, but has yet to be given a real workout.

The three-time champion was in relentless form as he trounced Wimbledon debutant Adam Pavlasek 6-2 6-2 6-1 in little more than 90 minutes. It was Djokovic's first full match at the tournament after his first-round opponent retired hurt with the Serb leading 6-3 2-0.

Djokovic said afterwards that he was delighted he had only lost eight games in two rounds.

"It's perfect -- exactly what I want," he said, grinning. "I don't want to have any five-set matches."

"I felt very good today in terms of my game, it just keeps going in the right direction," added the second seed, who is looking to salvage his season after losing his Australian and French Open crowns.

Djokovic was unstoppable against Pavlasek on a sweltering Court One. He pinned his Czech opponent behind the baseline with unerring groundstrokes off both wings, moving him from side to side in the 30 Celsius heat and forcing error after error.

Pavlasek was playing his childhood hero and the 22-year-old, ranked 136, appeared overawed by the occasion. He rarely tested the 12-time grand slam champion.

Djokovic, 30, was asked afterwards whether he found it strange playing someone who had idolised him when growing up.

"Well, first of all, it makes me look old," he chuckled. "But it is definitely very nice to hear that I inspired him, you know, with my tennis and what I have done. It's very flattering.

"At the same time, stepping on to the same court, I try not to think about that too much and try to do what I'm supposed to do."

Djokovic will next play Latvian Ernests Gulbis, who beat Argentina's Juan Martín del Potro 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-3).

(Reuters)

Petra/Corona Football tournament…

Inclement weather shifts kick-off to Sunday at GFC

T

he Petra Organised Corona Football Tournament kickoff date has been shifted to Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club, Bourda due to the inclement weather.

The inaugural tournament which was slated to kick-off on Friday is expected to begin with an exciting triple header.

Riddim Squad will play Flamingo from 17:00 hrs, followed by Northern Rangers v Eastveldt at 19:00 hr after which the old rivalry of Pele and Santos will be renewed from 21:00 hrs.

Organiser Troy Mendonca in an interview on Thursday posited that the aim of the tournament is to put football back on the field and also bring out the various communities to witness exciting action.

The likes of Gregory "Jackie Chan" Richardson (yellow) are expected to feature for Pele

The former footballer also stated that the tournament will offer many youths something positive to do given that many are training but not engaged in compet-

itive field-goal football.

The organiser further explained that on the first day of the tournament admission will be free for all patrons and will continue

to be same for women only throughout the duration of the tournament.

The tournament will be played on a round-robin knock-out phase where there will be two groups of six teams. The top four from the respective group will advance to the knock-out phase.

The teams are playing for first place prize of one million dollars and championship trophy while second to fourth will pocket $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

The other teams participating are: Guyana Police Force FC, Campton FC, Georgetown Football Club, Beacons FC Western Tigers, Flamingo FC and Black Pearl.

Root leads from the front with unbeaten 184 N

ew England captain Joe Root rode his luck to make a battling unbeaten 184 and lift the hosts to a commanding 357 for five on the opening day of the first test against South Africa at Lord's on Thursday.

Root, dropped twice, and Ben Stokes (56) shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 114 to dig England out of a deep hole after they had stumbled to 82 for four at lunch having won the toss in excellent batting conditions.

The skipper reached his 12th test century by sweeping spinner Keshav Maharaj for three, raising his bat to all corners of a sun-kissed home of cricket as a packed crowd rose to applaud him.

Root emulated the feat of the last three England test captains, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss, in scoring a hundred in his

first game in charge but his day had not started well.

South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander dismissed openers Alastair Cook (three) and Keaton Jennings (eight), forcing Root to stride out to the middle with his team reeling at 17 for two.

The 26-year-old struggled to find his usual fluency against a disciplined South Africa pace attack and, on 16, he was dropped at gully off Kagiso Rabada shortly after offering a much more difficult chance to fine leg.

Gary Ballance made a scratchy 20 before he was trapped lbw by Morne Morkel and Jonny Bairstow fell lbw to Philander for 10.

Root and Stokes batted watchfully in the afternoon session, accumulating runs with careful placement.

Stokes did advance down the wicket to lift Maharaj over long-on for six

but the firebrand all-rounder also enjoyed a stroke of luck when he was bowled by a Morkel no-ball.

Root reached 50 off 89 balls and slowly began to find his usual sweet timing as the South African bowlers tired in the warm conditions.

Stokes got to his half-century shortly before tea but he fell soon after the interval, nicking a bouncer from Rabada through to De Kock.

After passing his century, Root lit up the ground with crisp punches through mid-wicket and square drives but he had another reprieve on 149 when he was stumped off a no-ball from Maharaj.

He struck 26 fours and one six, sharing an unbroken partnership of 167 with Moeen Ali, who finished on 61 not out, as runs flowed in the evening sunshine with England on top at the start of the four-test series. (Reuters)

Digicel’s School Football Championship...

St Cuthbert’s Mission trounce Dora Secondary 3-1

Despite the weather, the tournament is producing some riveting football action (File Photo)

S

t. Cuthbert’s Mission Secondary is among the latest team to record victories in the Digicel School Football Championship on Thursday.

Playing at the Dora Ground on the Soesdyke Linden highway, the home team went down 3-1 after Mark Clenkian, Elroy Dundas and Paul Henry gave the visitors a comfortable lead with goals in the 3rd, 7th and 13th respectively. Jahmal Harris-23rd scored a consolidation goal for the opposition in the 23rd minute.

Over at the Burnham Park ground, Issano Fields hattrick lead Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary to a 5-0 hammering of Winifred Gaskin. Fields netted in the 28th, 45th and 60th while Quinton Andrews supported with goals in the -14th and 21st.

At the Beterverwagting, Ground, Bladen Hall managed to edge Bygeval 2-1 with goals by Shamar Adams (21st) and O’Neil Hamilton (41st); Nigel Mansfield scored a late goal in the 70th.

Schools are vying for the top prize of one million dollars towards a school project of their choice, while second will play for $700,000, third $400,000 and fourth $350,000. The championship final is set for July 30 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

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sports

Marian Academy, President’s College continue dominance in NSBF Nationals T

he National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF) National Championships continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Tuesday with the Marian Academy U-14 boys defeating a hapless New Amsterdam Multilateral (NAMS) by 38 to 4 points.

The main contributors for Marian were Ethan Fernandes with 12 points, Jether Harris 11 points, 4 assists, 9 rebounds and 8 steals while Meshal Allicock added 6 points, 5 steals.

Devonte Tappin contributed 3 points and 3 rebounds for NAMS. The U- 19 males from Tutorial High School defeated Adult Education Association (AEA) 35-30 in a highly entertaining game.

Denzil Logan’s 16 points coupled with Zion Gray’s 5 points and 14 rebounds secure the game for Tutorial.

Graig Harlequin had 10 points and 12 rebounds while Terrence Audain scored 5 points and 11 rebounds for AEA. In another highly exciting U-19 game, Plaisance Secondary held off GTI to win by 56 to 54 points.

Regional Conference MVP, Nigel Bowen amassed 30 points and 29 rebounds and got valuable support from Andrew Johnson with 7 points and Jared Sears with 6 points and 11 rebounds to seal victory for Plaisance.

Shamar Huntley fought bravely with 32 points while Ki-Jah-Nee Simple added 6 points and 16 rebounds for GTI. On day three (Wednesday) President’s College U-16s defeated St. Joseph High in their open-

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ing game by 52 to 19 points.

Rankin McDonald contributed with 13 points and 14 rebounds, Akinyan Deirell added 10points and 7 rebounds while Jesse Thomas pitched in with 9 points and 7 rebounds for PC. Shaquawn Gill was the main scorer for St Joseph’s with 11 points and 5 rebounds.

The Marian Academy U-16 continued their winning ways as they totally dominated New Amsterdam Multilateral by 44 to 5 points.

Akili Haynes with A President College player (white) attempts to block a St Rose’s attempt at the basket 15 points, 7 rebounds, snatched 22 rebounds to ensure that PC got the Josiah Daniels with 11 points, 5 rebounds and Jether Harris with 10 better of St Rose’s.

Anthony Yansen battled valiantly with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals were the principal points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals while he received tormentors for Marian Academy.

Imtiaz Jaundoo had 3 points and 4 rebounds back up from Kwesi Roberts who had 15 points, 10 rebounds and 7 steals for St Rose’s. for NAMS. The tournament broke for the 2017 All-star President’s College overcame St Rose’s High game on Thursday night and will resume with 52-46 in a game that went into over- time.

Anton Fileen scored 25 points, 4 rebounds and the championship rounds today from 2pm at the 5 steals while Akeem Crandon had 18 points and same venue and continues on Saturday with the final games slated for Sunday.

“Candy teams vie for Man” national supremacy samples bitter

Guinness ‘Greatest of the Street’ Football….

DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES

TIMES

21

S

ixteen of Guyana’s top Street football teams will vie for top honours when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Street’ National Play-offs commence on Saturday in the mining town of Linden.

The teams are those that would have won in the respective zones such as Georgetown, East Bank/ West Demerara, Linden, Bartica, Berbice and East Coast of Demerara.

Georgetown will be represented by Sparta Boss, who is also the reigning title holders and 2015 champions as well, inaugural winners Back Circle, who won the title in 2013, Tucville and Broad Street, while Dave and Celena's All-Stars (champions of Linden), Swag Entertainment and Jermaine and Family Silver Bullets will represent the Mining Town.

The East Coast of Demerara representatives are Melanie-B (Champion), Plaisance-B and Buxton Diamond, while Showstoppers (Champion), Hustlers and Money Team are the West Demerara/East Bank Demerara ambassadors.

New Amsterdam (NA) Kings (Champion) and East Bank Gunners are the Berbice representatives, while Riverview (Champion) will be the sole entry from Bartica.

Speaking at the launch of the event on Thursday, Guinness Brand Manager

Lee Baptiste revealed that the season has certainly lived up to the expectation of being the best thus far.

Given that Caribbean playoff have ceased, Baptiste said that they will seek to spread the game in Guyana as opposed to bringing foreign teams due to the possible financial burden.

Present also at the ceremony was Banks DIH Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart,

ling Melanie-B at 20:00hrs and this encounter will be followed by the clash between Swag Entertainment and Buxton Diamond from 20:45hrs.

At 21:30hrs, East Bank Gunners square off against Dave and Celena's All-Stars, while Tucville and Jermaine and Family Silver Bullets clash kicks off at 22:15hrs.

Following the completion of the four matches, the winners of game two and three

off against Riverview from 20:45hrs.

The third fixture will see the Money Team match strides with Sparta Boss at 21:30hrs, while Back Circle tackles Hustlers from 22:15hrs.

The winners of game one and four then collide for a semi-final place and so too the winner of the game two and three encounter.

The semi-finals and final will be played on July 15, at

(L-R) Banks DIH Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart, Communications Manager Troy Peters, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, Colours Boutique representative Creana Damon and Referees Coordinator Wayne Griffith

Communications Manager Troy Peters, Colours Boutique representative Creana Damon and Referees Co-ordinator Wayne Griffith who all wished the respective teams success and hoped for an exciting championship.

The fixtures for opening night will see NA Kings tack-

battle from 23:00hrs, while the winners of game one and four clash at 23:45hrs.

The survivors automatically move into the semi-final round. The event resumes on July 14, at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.

Plaisance-B battles Broad Street at 20:00hrs, while Showstoppers square

the Demerara Park, Thirst Park.

Winner of the tournament will receive $800,000 and the Championship trophy, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies.

G

uyanese middleweight Simeon `Candy Man’ Hardy was forced off his sweet diet last Saturday in the USA. `The Candy Man’ was served a bitter concoction following a unanimous decision six-round lost to American Eric Moon at the Buckhead Flight Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

It was the 30-yearold Hardy’s first fight in over two years and his second consecutive defeat. His 26-yearold opponent’s record improved to 5-0.

Hardy won the vacant Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) welterweight title in January 2012 after knocking out countryman Iwan Azore.

He switched camp to the USA two years later and was undefeated in 13 fights when he clashed with Armenian Vito Gasparyan in February 2015 and recorded his first loss.

Saturday’s bout was fought in the super middleweight category.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

fridAY, juLY 7, 2017

GABA launches tournament –10 teams to participate

New champion to be crowned – P&P Brokers cycling meet

T

(L-R) GABA Vice President Kester Gomes, GABA President Adrian Hooper, Brand Manager Clive Pellew, Banks DIH PR Troy Peters, Banks DIH Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart

T

he Georgetown Basketball Association (GABA) has partnered with Banks DIH under the Powerade, Powerade, Rainforest Waters and Malta Supreme brands to host their (GABA) first tournament for the year with 10 teams slated to participate.

This was revealed at a press conference at Banks DIH Head Quarters, Thirst Park on Thursday.

President of GABA, Adrian Hooper said the association has decided to include the second division of the Georgetown area in order to boost the tournament which will be played in a league format.

“We have added the second division back to the league. It has been added back to the league to have everyone playing basketball” he pointed out.

Hooper thanked Banks DIH for “stepping up in terms of sponsoring the competition” while noting that he hopes the partnership can put basketball back on the map

in Georgetown.

According to Hooper, the league will begin on the outdoor Burnham Court due to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall being unavailable. However, play in the competition would ultimately end at the Sports Hall during the six month course that it is expected to run.

Brand Manager for Rainforest Waters Clive Pellew stated that Banks DIH is proud to be associated with the event and expressed pleasure at the opportunity to “refuel” persons participating in the league.

The 10 teams taking part in the competition are: Colts, Ravens, Guardians, Pepsi Sonics, Nets, Knights, Trojans, Pace Setters, Eagles and newcomers Kobras who are based in Agricola.

They will compete across the 1st division, 2nd division and U-23 categories for cash prizes and trophies.

The league begins on Saturday July 8 on the Burnham basketball court at Carmichael and Middle Street from 6pm. Games will be played on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at the same venue until a change is announced.

he 17th annual P&P Insurance Brokers’ 11-race cycle programme is set for Saturday and will be contested around the inner circuit of the National Park commencing at 09:00hrs.

The feature event is the 35-lap race which is open to Schoolboys, Novices and Invitational cyclists.

Cycling fans will see a new champion being crowned this year as Team Evolution’s Marlon “Fishy” Williams will not defend his title won last year with a winning time of 1hour17 minutes54 seconds.

The race will attract top cyclists. Team Coco’s Jamal John, Paul De Nobrega (Team Evolution), Raul Leal (Team Evolution, Shaquel Agard, Romello Crawford, Andrew Hicks, Andre “Padlock” Green, Christopher “Chicken Legs” Griffith and Briton John are all expected to turn in good performances.

In addition to the feature, event there will also be a 10-lap race for Juveniles with defending champion Nigel Duguid hoping to successfully retain the title he won last year.

The Veterans Under-45 years five-lap event will also expected to entertain as Jaikaran Sukhai, the defending champion, will be tested by the likes of Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson,

Paul DeNobrega is a top contender for the 17th annual P&P Brokers cycling meet

Warren McKay and Leer Nunes among others.

Nicholas Alphonso is the defending champion of the five-lap Mountain Bike race, while Adelie Hodge will try to successfully defend his Boys-and-Girls’ 12-14 years three-lap race title as well.

Other races on the day’s card include two-lap races

for BMX Boys 6-9 years old as well as a three-lap race for BMX Boys 9-12 years old.

The event is being coordinated by National cycle coach Hassan Mohamed.

Representatives of P&P Insurance Brokers will be on hand to present the prizes to the respective winners.

Grasstrack championship for Anna Regina

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ssequibians and grasstrack fans from around Guyana can expect to be treated to racing of a high quality come July 22, when the third round of 2017 grass championship is staged at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground in Region Two. The competition will be hosted under floodlights and current competitors will attempt to equal and surpass the standards left by former stalwarts such as Nikki Ramsarran, Mahase `Track Bully’ Premsukh, Sheik Yassen and Terry `Killer’ Miller to name a few.

Riders who won races in the previous rounds will compete in 10 events. The host county will be represented by Kennard Spellen, Kenrick Spellen and Fiyaz Kassim all of whom expressed confidence of turning in good performances. The Spellens were sponsored by Raman and Ganesh Mining Enterprise located at Middlesex on the Essequibo Coast which provided the motor cycles.

In the previous novice races, Essequibo copped two second place finishes and one third while in the professional races they secured one first, two seconds and one third.

Other sponsors of the event are: Rooster Bottled Coconut Water, Riyadh Khan (AutoZone) and Trophy Stall of Bourda Market. Gates of the Anna Regina Community Centre ground will open at 4 pm. (Indrawattie Natram)

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, july 7, 2017

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ormal service resumed in the West Indies as the hosts' batsmen failed again - this time on a much better batting surface - and India chased 206 down with relative ease to seal the series 3-1. Just like India seem wired to score around 300 no matter the situation or conditions, the number seems to be 200 for them. They got away with 189 in the last match, but on a pitch that the ball came on to the bat, their inability to score freely off the spinners - 76 runs in 24 overs - consigned them to defeat.

In the chase, Virat Kohli overcame his recent short-ball trouble by choosing to tide over the barrage as opposed to hooking everything. He now has more hundreds in ODI chases than anybody else - 18.

The unsung heroes for India, though, were their spinners even though the scoreboard shows just one under the wickets column for them, that too for part-timer Kedar Jadhav.

The fast bowlers, who took eight wickets between them, will, however, argue that they cleaned up after themselves after a profligate start. Umesh Yadav in particular struggled with the new ball, bowling either short and wide or full on the pads. Kyle Hope cashed in as he and Evin Lewis added 39 for the first wicket in 8.2 overs. Then he joined brother Shai to add a further 37.

At 3-0-22-0, Umesh was taken out of the attack, and was brought back soon after the fielding restrictions were taken off. He bowled two overs for four runs, then Kyle Hope attacked him with two boundaries and fell while going for a third. The ball was short enough, but the batsman failed to clear short midwicket. Umesh swooped in on that break with a full and straight de-

Virat Kohli now has more hundreds in ODI chases than anybody else

livery to send Roston Chase back first ball.

The stage was now for spinners to cut off the oxygen supply.

Ravindra Jadeja found turn, Kuldeep Yadav remained difficult to negotiate, and Jadhav's low, round-arm, non-turning, slow offbreaks sent back a frustrated Jason Mohammed.

Walking in at 115 for 4 in the 31st over, Jason Holder used his long reach to put the spinners off their rhythm. He hit four fours, and a six off Hardik Pandya, but when he went to hit Shami straight down the ground he found an agile Shikhar Dhawan at longon. The going was tough for West Indies after that.

And before that. There had been an 11-over spell without boundaries before Holder, and after Holder they managed only three boundaries, which incredibly were the first ones they had hit past the 40th over all series. Two of those were sixes in the last two overs from Rovman Powell that pushed West Indies past 200. Still they knew they needed lightning to strike twice if they were to defend this.

For a moment it seemed lightning might indeed strike twice when Dhawan went back in the first over

of the chase, again driving on the up and failing to keep the ball down. In the fourth over, it should have become two down but Devendra Bishoo dropped Ajinkya Rahane at point. Rahane didn't go on to take his streak of 50 or more to five, but he added 79 with Kohli to set India on their way.

More importantly, Rahane's urgency and early boundaries meant Kohli could take his time dealing with the short ball. In the previous matches, his eagerness to score, a dominat-

ing batsman's ego if you will, had got the better of him, but here Kohli was prepared to wait it out. He kept ducking, weaving and leaving bouncers before he finally hooked in the ninth over, at least the eighth bouncer bowled at him. This was smoked clean in front of square for four with the wrists managing to keep it down.

The bouncers now came down to the occasional ones.

Rahane reached his slowdown period now with the ball getting older, but slowly - and a little gingerly - Kohli began to dominate. It helped that there were quite a few loose balls on offer, especially from West Indies' legspinning talisman Bishoo.

As Kohli got more and more comfortable at the wicket, he began to put away even the good balls, as he did with a late cut off an Ashley Nurse length ball to move to 68 off 80. He moved to hundred in another 28 balls, unleashing an emotional celebration. Dinesh Karthik, playing only his second ODI in three years, provided Kohli good support, scoring a fifty of his own. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies innings 9 E Lewisc Kohli b Pandya KA Hope c Dhawan b Yadav 46 SD Hope† c Rahane b Mohammed Shami 51 RL Chase lbw b Yadav 0 JN Mohammedc & b Jadhav 16 R Powell c †Dhoni b Yadav 31 AR Nurse c Kuldeep Yadav b Mohammed Shami 0 D Bishoo c †Dhoni b 6 Mohammed Shami AS Joseph not out 3 0 KOK Williamsnot out Extras (lb 1, w 6) 7 Total (9 wickets; 50 overs)205 Fall of wickets 1-39, 2-76, 3-76, 4-115, 5-163, 6-168, 7-171, 8-182, 9-205 Bowling: Mohammed Shami 10-48-4, UT Yadav 10-53-3 (3w),

HH Pandya 6-27-1 (2w), RA Jadeja 10-27-0, Kuldeep Yadav 10-36-0, KM Jadhav 4-13-1 (1w) India innings (target: 206 runs from 50 overs) AM Rahanelbw b Bishoo39 S Dhawan c Lewis b Joseph 4 V Kohli* not out 111 0 KD Karthiknot out Extras (lb 1, w 1)2 Total(2 wickets; 36.5 overs)206 Did not bat: MS Dhoni†, KM Jadhav, HH Pandya, RA Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, UT Yadav, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets 1-5, 2-84 Bowling: AS Joseph 7-39-1, JO Holder 8-35-0 (1w), D Bishoo 8-42-1, KOK Williams8-40-0, AR Nurse 4-34-0, R Powell1-6-0, RL Chase0.5-9-0

23

Scorching rivalries expected

– GT Motorsports Grand Prix

Members of the head table including President and Owner of GT Motorsports, Vishok Persaud (extreme left) during the press update

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he limits of friendships and family bonds will be tested when the third edition of the GT Motorsports Grand Prix gets underway this evening with time trials at their headquarters on Albert Street and Thomas Lands.

While the main attraction is slated for Saturday, tonight’s time trials which are open free to the public will bring the heat as competitors seek to cop the vital top grid positions.

The experienced Stefan Jeffrey and his younger brother Jean Claude Jeffrey, a former Caribbean squash champion, will test out skills in go-karts. Emma Vieira,Paige Fernandes, Elan Rahaman along with the Phang brothers Matthew and John are some of the top names involved.

Young Rahaman feels he stands a good chance of doing well come Saturday given the work he has inputted.

Rahaman will be seeking to overtake Mikhail Persaud who has been piping him at the finish line at the previous encounters.

Likewise, Likewise Stephan Jeffrey who will be competition in the shifter pro knows a tough task awaits and is ready to put metal to metal.

Meanwhile, GT Motorsport owner Vishok Persaud explained that over 40 persons are slated to compete which should translate into intense action given the wide cross section of drivers.

“On Saturday night we are going to have what’s now an anticipated event on the local calendar not only for the motor racing fraternity but families as well. Karting is for everyone. You can come out and try it and just see if you like,” Persaud noted.

He added, ““The highlight of the night will be the development of the kids, I believe they have gotten faster and they know the track better, we also have the shifter karts where it is expected to be a grand show and we should have a surprise on Saturday for those drivers who have worked on getting faster”.

The categories that will be contested come Friday include 60cc for ages six to 10, 80cc for ages 10-15, 125cc for 15 years and older, as well as the featured event, the Shifters Pro Cup. The Grand Prix will start at 19:00h or 7pm. Tickets cost $1,000 for adults, while children under 12 is $500 and VIP $4,000.(Akeem Greene)

FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Scorching rivalries expected Pg 23

– GT Motorsports Grand Prix

Some intense action is expected on Saturday night (NLightimaging photo)

Pg 23

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