Guyana Times - Friday, September 7, 2018

Public officers trained to deal with Venezuelan P10 refugees

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, September 7, 2018

Issue No. 3679

Jagdeo suggests contracting UN to conduct LGE Page 7

“Good day for the Union” – GTU head …as Union, Education Ministry head to arbitration Page 3 ...no deductions for striking teachers

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Scissors, improvised weapons, ganja found at Camp P9 Street penitentiary

Parents join teachers’ strike in P12 Linden

Amerindian rights are being eroded – Opposition P11 Leader

5 busted with guns, ammo in Grove, EBD P9

WBD fire leaves 7 homeless Page 13

Block maker gets life imprisonment Page for raping 14 7-year-old girl

Blocked drains cause flooding on Essequibo P7 Coast

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 7 – 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, September 8 – 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

“Good day for the Union” – GTU head …as Union, Education Ministry head to arbitration …no deductions for striking teachers

Friday, September 7 – 14:55h-16:25h and Saturday, September 8 – 15:40h-17:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, while clear skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures will range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly and East North-easterly and Northeasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 14:55h reaching a maximum height of 2.53 metres.

Low Tide: 08:23h and 20:47h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.67 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, september 5, 2018

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thursDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 DAILY MILLIONS

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A confident teacher at Thursday’s protest held in Georgetown

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s pressure mounted on the Education Ministry on dayfour of the strike action, it has finally decided to give into the Guyana Teachers Union’s (GTU) call for arbitration.

The decision was made on Thursday during the second round of conciliation talks between the two parties, held in the boardroom of the Social Cohesion’s Ministry, Department of Labour on Brickdam, Georgetown.

This process will see the two parties both agreeing on an independent body, to address the issues affecting teachers at present.

President of the Union, Mark Lyte described Thursday as a “good day”.

In smiles, he explained that the Union was insisting on arbitration since day one.

“Today is a good day for the Union. From day one we insisted that this matter should go to arbitration and we have achieved that today, much to the pleasure of our members… we did not feel like this process would have served us well, the conciliation,” he said.

He informed that the strike has officially been called off after a much disturbing period for not only teachers, but students.

Lyte noted that teachers who are able to resume duty should do so by tomorrow, even as he assured that all teachers will return to their classrooms by Monday.

Teachers who were concerned about being unpaid during the strike period can rest assure, according to him, since there will be no deductions from their salaries.

He indicated too, that the arbitrators will be appointed in the week ahead, as the two parties are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss same.

As the representatives made their way out of the building, they were greeted to cheers from teachers as they repeated the chorus, “Solidarity forever for the Union makes us strong”.

The smiling teachers cheered the leaders as some even shouted “victory will be ours!”

This newspaper un-

also confirmed by the Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, who told media operatives, “No we did not reach to that stage…”

He added, “They have agreed to arbitration so they are working out the Terms of Reference… the terms of resumption will take a little time (so) nobody could add a time limit to that because there will be agreements and disagreements”.

GTU executives have in the past expressed no

the mediator during conciliation.

The Minister was quoted in other sections of the media labelling striking teachers as “uncaring and selfish”.

Upon recognition of his tongue slip, he later issued an apology for his statements. Scott did not sit in Thursday’s meeting but was represented by his advisior, Fancis Carryl.

The Education Minister also chose to sit out, as she was represented by the

The Union giving directives to its overjoyed members who were also briefed on the successful session

Chief Education Marcel Hutson.

Officer,

Teachers protest

A cheering section of teachers who greeted the Union’s executives

derstands that no financial kinks were ironed out during the course of Thursday’s meeting. It was

confidence in the Labour Department due to biased statements being made by Minister Keith Scott, who was responsible for being

As day four of the nationwide strike dawned, teachers again returned to the streets in a quest for salary increases.

At the Education Ministry’s 26 Brickdam office in Georgetown, educators from several schools joined forces as they sang songs calling for Minister Nicolette Henry to be removed among others.

While Thursday’s crowd was not as large as the previous days, the teachers present defended their position. turn to page 13

A section of teachers anxiously awaiting word from the Union, just opposite the Labour Department

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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, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

New GPF leadership

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resident David Granger, last week, announced that Leslie James has been confirmed as Guyana’s next Police Commissioner after consultations with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo as adumbrated in the Constitution of Guyana.

He, like Jagdeo, admonished the new Commissioner to ensure that he does his best to improve the country’s security situation by piloting reforms within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) that would result in positive changes and a paradigm shift in the behavioural pattern of both senior and junior lawmen.

The new Commissioner, who replaces Assistant Police Commissioner David Ramnarine – who had been acting in the post following the retirement of Seelall Persaud – has already begun receiving goodwill from several high-ranking civil society organisations and stakeholders as he undertakes his new role.

And as expected, James has wasted no time in meeting with those security officials responsible for manning the hierarchy of the Force in order to share his vision and philosophy of how the law enforcement agency will function under his stewardship.

Efforts have already been taken to restructure and reorganise the manner in which the Force provides policing services to the public and its overall organisational structure, following the appointment too of four substantive Deputy Police commissioners.

While James has no doubt started his tenure on the right, he must remember that his appointment came at a critical point in Guyana’s history and there is a lot of work ahead of him as far as transforming the image and functionality of the Force. He must also never forget that the President chose him because in Granger’s words – he was unbribable.

More importantly, the new Commissioner must work hard to reverse the fast rate at which public confidence in the Force is still deteriorating. After all, it was the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) Survey which revealed that the GPF is the least trusted law enforcement body in this country.

That survey also indicated that Guyanese also lack confidence in the Police and its ability to fight crime.

But what was then and is still now even more disturbing is the fact that the US Embassy-initiated survey also indicated that citizens do not believe that the Police Force here conducts itself professionally or appropriately. The truth is, the findings of the survey are not remarkable or surprising in any way, as it is a known fact that the level of confidence reposed by citizens in the law enforcement entities here is relatively low if not non-existent.

This is particularly true when one considers the level of crime and criminality prevailing in our society as each day citizens are murdered, victims of other heinous crimes, burglaries, rapes and domestic violence. The Police’s response is most times slothful, uncaring, unprofessional and unhelpful. Recently, patrons at an East Coast hangout spot witnessed ranks operating in an unprofessional manner when they swooped down on the location.

When they left, emotions ran high as patrons voiced their concerns over the manner in which the Police executed their ‘duties’.

It is simple incidents like these that impact public opinion and perception of the entire Police Force as they are not isolated or specific to one policing division. It is therefore laudable that Government, through the Public Security Ministry, has exhibited no tolerance for ranks who are engaged in unprofessional conduct in any area of their work as they are responsible for the ‘bad name’ the other ranks receive because of their deeds.

But the Government has to do much more to create a paradigm shift and culture transformation within the Force. The new Police Commissioner must ensure that his commanders read the riot act and understand fully that it is their responsibility to ensure that these ranks are disciplined whenever there are reports of such unprofessionalism and thuggery.

Surely, the ranks must understand too that they are not a law unto themselves and therefore whenever there are breaches of the law on their part that they will be offered no protection – not from their colleagues nor superiors. While it can be argued that the ranks are within their right to enforce the curfew laws, it can also be argued that they could spend their time patrolling the streets in pursuit of criminal elements who are usually wreaking havoc on innocent citizens.

They could spend their time solving the many unsolved murders that are staining the pages of the press while at the same time working very hard to rebuild public trust and confidence.

It is necessary for the Force’s administration to conduct periodic sessions with junior and middle management ranks on professionalism, ethics, effective communication and integrity.

This will go a far way in addressing the basic shortcomings that result in the Force suffering immensely whenever an evaluation is done of its performance and the level of public trust. In addition, urgent efforts at reforming the Force must be undertaken.

The new Commissioner faces an uphill task and the public wishes him well. He will be the sole decider of the legacy left behind when he retires.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Thursday fulfilled another promise when he honoured his commitment to several students from the mining town of Linden who performed exceptionally well at the 2018 National Grade Six Assessment

There are many issues that affect our doctors Dear Editor, It has come to my realisation that, over the last few years, the Cuban-trained doctors have become the whipping donkeys of the medical profession.

Recently, there was an interview with Dr Shamdeo Persaud, in which they again came under criticism and condemnation.

Having friends and relatives in the medical field, I have had a first-hand look at what is currently going on in this flawed system.

I wish to address a few of my concerns of fellow colleagues in this profession: Doctors are exposing their lives on a daily basis to help to serve our nation, and some may say that this is a choice that they willingly made. However, they are also humans.

I wish to make reference to the attack made on doctors of the West Demerara Regional Hospital last year May, when they were promised justice in a particular matter. They were given all assurance by the Minister of Health that the culprits would be brought to justice; yet, more than a year later, this matter has been swept under the rug and has been completely forgotten.

It was rumoured that, since the night of the incident, several pleas were made to have the Police dismiss the matter, because relatives were willing to pay to have it done.

My next reference is to doctors who are under contract and are desirous of travelling. This process is quite an extensive one: because approval has to be granted in writing; then the doctors, after having obtained the relevant documents, have to wait at the airport like deportees before they can be granted permission to leave; and the process is the same even while returning on the stipulated dates.

I also wish to make reference to the doctors who have matters pending with the Medical Council of Guyana.

Some matters have been pending for years. One such matter, which I wish to discuss, involved a doctor who was taken up by a colleague for medical misconduct.

This matter caught my attention because of the mature of the complaint and the extent that I was told the doctor who is the victim has gone to get some sort of satisfaction.

It is said that the doctor has received bomb threats from a colleague, and at one point is time, this said doctor even paid someone to meet the female doctor and sexually assault her.

This matter was reported to the Police, and as such, the evidence was acquired and the Medical Council was informed of the findings of the Police. Yet, to date, nothing has been done.

The said doctor has now

resorted to social media to impersonate her colleague.

I was informed that even this information was given to the Medical Council, but after two years, nothing was done.

What is also surprising about this matter is that other doctors are being targeted by the doctor in question. I took it upon myself to visit the Facebook page of the doctor, and I was not only appalled but disgusted by the language and the content of the things that were written on her page.

I therefore ask myself and others: Is she really a doctor??? Aren’t doctors governed by some sort of code of conduct? Is this acceptable behaviour in the medical profession?

This is someone who is dealing with the lives of hundreds, do doctors have to go through any kind of yearly psychological evaluation before they are issued with a medical licence? Because this is a clear cut case where psychological evaluation is not only needed, but required.

Another issue which was highlighted was the signing of books, as was discussed by the CMO, Dr Persaud.

I was informed that many doctors, after graduating, were never assigned a senior doctor in charge of them, especially in the faroff regions of Guyana. They are the ones who were overlooking their own supervi-

sion.

Many doctors complain of the deplorable conditions in which they are forced to work, and are being victimised when they speak out.

Some doctors even spoke about programmes for which they receive international funding, but nothing is filtered down to their departments. Yet they are being asked to tell lies when the international bodies visit, and when they do not comply…

We heard many false promises being made to doctors. There are many issues that affect our doctors; and, sadly, they have no union representation and they are not allowed to strike, based on Public Service rules.

Meanwhile, many of these doctors are soon to be off Government contract, and the sad reality is that many do not plan to remain in Guyana. Basically, we are training our doctors so that they can develop other countries, because they are unhappy with the current situation.

I would, however, like to suggest that a meeting be held, not only with these doctors, but the nurses who also face similar plights.

After all, happy doctors and nurses equal happy patients.

Sincerely, Concerned citizen (Name withheld)

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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

China and the World Teachers’

Dear Editor, A section of our media has been attacking the People’s Republic of China on several fronts. It is critical of China’s investments in Guyana in the first place; and, more recently, has moved to attack China’s investment in the developing world. China has been accused of having a colonial type of foreign policy.

This attitude seems to have been influenced by our own domestic politics; more specifically, politics of the recent past; and also by some international developments.

This anti-Chinese position was a main propaganda tool of the PNC/APNU and AFC while in Opposition. At that time, their main efforts were directed at damaging Guyana’s economic progress. To do so, they had to try to influence investors, mainly foreign investors, from investing in Guyana.

Their hope was that if the economy was not performing, the Government would be weakened and it would be better for them politically.

Despite all their efforts, the PPP/C Government performed will, with an average growth rate of approximately 5 percent per annum. However, the opposition did have some successes, the main one being their influence on the European Union to hold back the twenty-five million euros for the sugar industry. That was after the PPP/ Civic Administration had fulfilled its commitments and met all the targets set for the disbursal of the EU money.

The sugar industry, up to May 2015, was well on the way to recovery, and that money could have gone a far way to

consolidate the gains.

The APNU+AFC regime’s real intention became clear after the elections. They have started the process of closing the industry down.

The two parties now in power, together with their friendly media -- mainly the Kaieteur News -- began a big anti-Chinese campaign. The main reason was that Chinese investments were having a positive impact on our country’s economy.

That anti-Chinese attitude is still persisting in some quarters even though the situation is different now. It is basically a hangover from the past.

In passing, some of the slanders are more a reflection of the persistence of a colonial mentality. This is starkly seen in the vicious criticism of the Chinese construction of the new Skeldon sugar factory.

All the blame for the problems experienced in operating that factory are placed on the Chinese company.

The main criticism should have been directed at Booker Tate, who were the engineers of the project. It was more their failure than that of the Chinese company. However, the attack is only on the Chinese. It shows that some of our people still have an inferiority complex to the past colonial masters.

They should take Bob Marley’s advice seriously and free their own minds from mental slavery. Now let us examine Chinese policy.

China has been growing at a rapid rate since the opening up, which began in 1978. It has moved from being probably the tenth economy in the world to now the second largest. Its per

capita income has increased from US$150 in 1978 to now almost US$9,000. It has also taken more than seven hundred million people (700M) out of poverty in this same period.

This is unprecedented in the world. Not only are its internal achievements impressive, but so too is its international contribution to the world’s economy.

China has, since 2013, become the world’s largest trading nation. It is the biggest contributor to global economic growth.

In developing countries, China’s investments are leading to assisting those countries from being dependent. The railroads in Africa, Zambia/ Tanzania, Kenya have certainly helped Africa to progress.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, China’s offer to assist in building infrastructure is actually a dream come true.

Many Caribbean countries are taking advantage of this. The infrastructural work that was recently done in Jamaica, for example, has helped that island to overcome its economic problems.

Europe and North America are courting China’s investment. Looking at international trade, China’s contribution is great. At the end of January, British Prime Minister Theresa May visited China and was high in praise for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. She signed many agreements to help the UK economy.

Why is China being so generous with all its partners? In the first place, China wants to continue growing, so that it can take all its people out of poverty and improve their standard of living to be among the best in the world.

To do so, it needs firstly to assist the development of other countries, so that trade could be mutually beneficial to all countries and peoples. It also developed mutually beneficial projects with the developed world.

Secondly, China has no interest in war. It has no desire to conquer and control any country. In fact, it needs peace to pursue its goals at home and abroad. China does not have a history of colonial domination. It has a passion to be independent and to assist others in consolidating their economic freedom.

Therefore, no one should be afraid that China wants to colonise them. It is alien to China’s philosophy and contrary to its own history.

President Xi Jin Ping, in his address to the Davos Global Economic Conference, advocated thus, “…countries should view their own interests in a broader global context, and refrain from pursuing them at the expense of others.” This is a strong statement of China’s policy.

Only those who believe that China is becoming too powerful and influential are making the false charges that China wants to colonise the world. That statement is being made mainly to drive fear where none should exist.

China is a friend of the developing world, including Guyana. Indeed, the progress of the People’s Republic of China is the best thing that has happened for former colonial countries and the world.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

Teachers’ strike, decimated sugar industry, and Guyana's oil Dear Editor, How could we have billions of barrels of oil in 2018 and not be able to pay our teachers a living wage? The value of having the requisite quality of well-paid and motivated teachers of the highest calibre will reverberate across this nation in positive ways that will lift Guyana out of its morass.

Let us, for this occasion, set aside the multiple ways that funds can be sourced from our treasury to give at least 25 percent increase to our teachers for 2018 and a 5 percent increase for each year, 2019 and 2020. Instead, let us source the needed funds from our oil resources now.

What is more important to the development of a nation than the education of our youths? We hear so much of the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, English and Artisan skills, yet we show great trepidation in taking the necessary actions to ensure that we empower our teachers with the benefits to get the job done and stem the increasing trend of violence, robbery, idleness, underdevelopment of our youth, marginalisation of our youth, alarming levels of migration, poor communication skills, a subservient culture, inferiori-

ty complex, and contract subjugation.

The leveraging of our oil resources for the benefit of our teachers and support of the sugar industry, among others, will have an immediate and positive impact on the economic welfare of Guyana. What folly it is to create a wealth fund while our teachers and sugar workers are thrown under the truck.

We often hear of providing for future generations. I beg to differ somewhat, and state emphatically that the most important generations are those among us now. And the empowerment of current generations will benefit current and future generations.

Too often our political leaders are servile, complicit, compromised, weak-kneed and spineless to the global powers that we cannot engage with Exxon's Esso, Hess, and Nexen - mano a mano and negotiate a contract that 1: pays a realistic signing bonus exceeding US$500 million; 2: Increase the royalty to at least 10%; and 3: Have the partners of the Government of Guyana that signed on to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement disgorge themselves of the foul pre-contract costs that are doubling every

two years from US$460 million at the end of 2015 to over US$900 million in 2018.

How many billions of barrels of oil must be found before we find ways to monetise the oil discoveries to fund our teachers and sugar industry now?

In the midst of the Exxon’s Esso oilgreeopoly, we have the aptly named "Wood" McKenzie agent releasing a report dated August 31, 2018, noting that Guyana's Liza complex located in the Stabroek block accounts for 15% of all conventional crude oil found globally since 2015. "Wood" clusters over several key data points, such as amount of oil in the Liza complex, acreage of the Liza complex, location of the other 85% of crude oil found since 2015; and unsurprisingly, the amount of royalty for the owner of the oil: Guyana.

Wood McKenzie then gloats over the triple play for Esso, Hess, and Nexen, comprising of attractive fiscal terms, scale of resource, and oil reservoir quality.

How foolish it is that we have billions of barrels of oil in our backyard and we can't pay respectable salaries to our teachers and support our sugar industry. Are our negotiating skills so hollow and inept

that we can't use monetary value leverage, with the billions of barrels of oil, to benefit Guyanese in need now; starting with our teachers, sugar workers and nurses?

More probably, the failure to leverage the billions of barrels of oil has more to do with the despicable 2016 oil contract that Guyana signed away with Exxon's Esso and its partners for a measly 2% and other superficial benefits.

With 123 billion acres of land and water on earth – 29 percent land and 71 percent water -- our beloved Guyana has been blessed by Nature, Providence and Divinity to have Guyana’s Stabroek Block, comprising 0.005 percent of the earth’s surface containing billions of barrels of oil offshore.

Let us have the courage to demand that the resources in our 0.005 percent offshore secures a contract that is best for Guyana’s ascendancy, and provide a livelihood commensurate with our oil wealth: for our teachers, sugar workers, nurses, pensioners, youths; and provide financial support for our industries and build infrastructure that will propel us to developed country status.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

compensation package

Dear Editor, It is important that we respect and give thanks to our teaching community, which have helped to significantly improve the results of our students over the years. I fondly remember my experience as a volunteer teacher at Queen's College after successfully completing my CXC exams. We had a teacher shortage, and the Headmaster was kind enough to offer a few of us the opportunity to help with the upcoming 5th Form students. However, if it were not for those teachers who had made it their career and passion for helping students succeed, we would not have been in a position to help.

While working overseas, I was impressed by the high degree of respect given to teachers, and their high standing in their communities. It was of such importance that those teachers would be given tenure after proving their dedication and successful development of students over the years. Such lifelong job security was a gift by the government to both illustrate their respect and gratitude to those who were playing a key role in the development of the nation.

This is why it is important that we consider the total compensation package offered to this group of dedicated public servants. Not only should there be a structure that allows for tenure at the various educational levels, but consideration should be given to preferable financial investment options.

These options could be in the form of reduced housing costs and reduced associated expenses, such as electricity and water; reduced house lot costs and lower interest rates on financing of loans associ-

ated with housing and transportation investments.

The option of a transportation allowance in lieu of the preferable financing for motorcycles or vehicle purchase should be considered. After all, the biggest purchases or investments we will make over our lifetime are a house and a car.

Such consideration will go a long way to improve the total compensation package for the teaching staff. In addition, a clothing or uniform allowance should be given along with a stipend for the purchase of school supplies, which many teachers of high calibre and dedication usually take from their personal funds to supplement shortages at the schools for student projects.

Then there is also an opportunity for the Government to supplement the NIS contributions of the teachers, so as to reduce the burden of the deduction while augmenting the total value of the pension they will receive at retirement.

These considerations for a total compensation package should not be in lieu of wage increases. Such onetime wage increases should be followed by annual increases that keep pace with inflation, and performance increases agreed on in the new contract.

This holistic approach to the earnings and compensation package of the teachers would allow the Government to provide the teachers with a stronger foundation for their livelihood, while also motivating the teaching staff to continue to excel in their duties of helping build a stronger nation.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

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hild sexual abuse has both shortand long-term consequences. These effects last long after the victim leaves home, as she carries the symptoms into her relationship with her intimate partner, friends, colleagues, and with her children.

Selma Fraiberg and colleagues, in their paper, “Ghosts in the Nursery”, examined the intergenerational transmission of trauma and the mechanisms for passing down a mother’s traumatic wounds to her children. She questioned why some mothers with histories of abuse repeat and re-enact the patterns of abuse with their children while other mothers are able to shield their children from abuse and offer emotional and physical protection and comfort.

Fraiberg and her colleagues contend that a mother’s inability to meet and respond to her child’s needs is a “mother whose own cries have not been heard”. A mother’s unresolved childhood trauma can prevent her from feeling the pain, sadness, anger, and/or deep distrust connected to her own childhood abuse.

When these feelings are repressed it creates a barrier between her and her child which interferes with the mother’s ability to express compassion, be responsive, and show empathy.

Re-enacting the trauma During the abuse phase, the defence mechanisms of repression are used to protect against overwhelming and threatening feelings. However, the defences a mother employs as a child to

Foundation

E ward off the feelings of powerlessness, despair, fear, and/or anger during and after the abuse are the same defences that later render her incapable of responding to her children. The degree to which a mother re-enacts her abusive past with her child is related to her ability or inability to access both the memory and the feelings associated with the abuse.

A mother who is numbed and disconnected from the feelings related to her abusive past may have difficulty displaying warmth, exhibiting empathy, and responding to their children’s physical and social/emotional needs. A mother may also become immobile and unable to respond to her child’s

distress because it triggers her own unresolved childhood feelings of discomfort and pain. Thus, to avoid and protect herself from emergent feelings she ignores her child’s call for help and comfort. Thus, re-enacting the trauma on the newest generation.

Liberating ourselves from the past

Family theorists attempt to explain how patterns of childhood are re-enacted in our adult lives. Patterns of communicating and relating can be passed down across generations horizontally and vertically from one generation to the next. Some of these patterns are positive such as having the ability to form strong bonds with other people and cultivate relationships that enhance and support our strengths.

However, other patterns can be toxic and continue to cause harm in our lives and the lives of the people we are close to.

It is important to examine the length of the abuse, the relationship to the perpetrator, the degree and severity of the abuse, and the amount of protection received if and when the child disclosed the abuse.

The latter criteria can help in assessing the short and long-term impact of the child abuse and how it will impact our choices. That being said, not all individuals pass their wounds onto others in a cycle of reenacting their negative childhood patterns.

Some individuals have made a commitment not to cause harm to others and have had enough positive experiences with people in their lives to use them as alternative models to relate to others and avoid repeating dysfunctional patterns. No one goes through life unscathed and we all have a story to tell and a story that we carry.

Therapy helps to unravel the story so we can liberate ourselves from the past and live more authentic lives in the present.

(psychologytoday.com)

ach year September 8th marks UNESCO’s International Literacy Day, raising awareness globally on the issues surrounding adult and child literacy. First held in 1966 and now part of the UN’s sustainable development goals programme adopted in 2015, International Literacy Day highlights the changes and improvements being made worldwide in literacy development.

UNESCO has been central to improving global literacy since 1946 and promotes International Literacy Day in partnership with governments, charities, local communities and experts in the field worldwide. Using themes and programmes the day aims to turn attention on literacy in all its forms in a changing world. Recognising literacy encompasses more than the written word in societies today, the theme for 2018 is “Literacy and skills development”.

International Literacy Day is a day to remind world leaders, influencers and the general public of the current status of adult literacy and learning. UNESCO has used the phrase “Literacy is the best remedy” in its banners seeing literacy as key to the right for all to an education. In 2015, the UN adopted its Sustainable Development Goals to mobilise efforts to eradicate poverty and inequalities across the world, of which improving literacy rates is an integral

element.

In conjunction with International Literacy Day, UNESCO also announces its International Literacy awards. A prestigious prize recognising excellence and innovation, submissions will be on “Literacy and skills development”, the theme for 2018. With International Literacy Day the awards help in promoting awareness of the importance and relevance of literacy and adult learning.

Despite progress made, literacy challenges persist, and at the same time the demands for skills required for work, evolve rapidly. This year, ILD explores and highlights integrated approaches that simultaneously can support the development of literacy and skills, to ultimately improve people’s life and work and contribute to equitable and sustainable societies.

Veteran special educator June Behrmann writes, “All children and youth deserve to read. Some cannot read traditional books in print due to decoding and fluency or book handling difficulties. These can impact comprehension and access to grade-level curriculum for students regardless of their intelligence. For these readers, alternative formats such as audiobooks (with and without learning supports), Braille, large print, accessible PDFs and others presentations are the best way to read.”

This International Literacy Day, it’s helpful to think about the kinds of literacy programmes and events that happen in your classroom, school, library, or community throughout the year. These might include (but are not limited to) the following: book fairs and book distributions, family literacy events, kid-centred book clubs and field trips (awarenessdays.

com and unesco.org)

7 Jagdeo suggests contracting UN to conduct LGE news

fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

– says Govt interested in “sharing of proposals,” not power-sharing

D

ue to historical concerns about free and fair elections in Guyana, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has suggested that an external agency that has credibility and weight, like the United Nations (UN), could possibly be contracted to conduct elections here.

“We could hold a credible elections with just oversight from Guyanese; cheaper than if we contract an international body that all the parties could agree to,” Jagdeo told members of the local media at his weekly press conference hosted at his Church Street, Georgetown office on Thursday.

The Opposition Leader premised his assertions on historical and current concerns about free and fair elections in 2020. He also feels if this is contracted out to an international body, it would be cheaper to undertake.

“Maybe that could be a model. I’m not saying that we want that, I’m just saying that we need to discuss these things; because, if the conduct of free and fair elec-

tions have always been a worry of the people of this country, then we have to give them assurances that the two interested parties -Government and Opposition -- in their fight, don’t overshadow the need of the people and their right to free, fair, credible, and well-organised elections” the former President explained.

He posited that there could be a “heavy presence” of the UN in the electoral machinery and the formulation of a credible voters’ list.

Jagdeo said the model developed by the Carter Center, which was brokered in 1992 for the composition of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), was ruined by President David Granger when he unilaterally appointed retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman.

“He has disrespected that; he has changed all of it, and he has acted illegally.

From 25 years of practice, he has acted unconstitutionally,” Jagdeo posited.

President David Granger has recently said the National Assembly should be involved in appointing the

had called for commissioners to be drawn from civil society and prominent and well-respected Guyanese.

Power-sharing

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

GECOM Commissioners, because the current model has resulted in gridlock.

But Jagdeo has also hinted that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will not agree to Guyana’s Constitution being amended to allow for the appointment of GECOM Commissioners being done by Parliament.

The Government holds a one-seat majority in the National Assembly of Guyana.

The President noted that, ultimately, there would be a role for the two major political parties in

Blocked drains cause flooding in Essequibo Coast

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esidents of Charity Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast are contending that blockage in the main drainage canals are causing a buildup of water in the community.

Contacted previously, Councillor Ryan Vanslygtman of the Charity/ Urasara Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) said the NDC is aware of the situation. On Thursday he led a team of Councillors to visit the area and meet with affected residents.

He explained that the blockage is caused by persons blocking the main drainage system of the Housing Scheme by building concrete bridges over the canal. He noted that these residents claimed that they were given permission to construct these bridges by the overseer, Samuel Sooklall.

According to Vanslygtman, efforts to contact the overseer to get answers have proved futile.

The blockage is causing water to accumulate on, and cause damage to, the roadway

"He is doing things without the permission of the NDC, and is corrupting the system," the Councillor lamented.

He has posited that the lawlessness in the Charity area must stop, and that the NDC must be able to have full control over all decisions made, in the best interest of the people in the communities under its oversight.

When Guyana Times visited the community on Thursday, residents expressed concern over the sit-

One of the flooded roads in Charity Housing Scheme

uation and the impact it can have on their health, especially the health of the many children living in the unsanitary conditions in the area.

Water could be seen in many yards and some places on the roadways, causing rapid deterioration of the road as a spinoff.

Residents of the Charity Housing Scheme are calling on the NDC to quickly rectify the drainage system before a breakout of some deadly disease occurs.

the appointment of GECOM Commissioners by consensus, convention, or the constitution. In that regard, he preferred GECOM Commissioners be appointed by the National Assembly in a manner similar to how the Police Service Commission or Public Service Commission is appointed.

However, elections observer missions have repeatedly called for the scrapping of the GECOM seven-member Carter Centre formula, which advocates for three commissioners representing the opposition, three representing the governing party, and an independent Chairman -- because it entrenches the role of political parties in the process.

Some recommendations

On the idea of power-sharing, the President has said the time has passed for members of the Opposition to be included in the Cabinet. “As far as power-sharing is concerned, structurally, it is too late to embark on a reconfiguration of the Cabinet,” he said.

Reflecting on the months immediately after his coalition won the May 2015 general elections, he said, “A proposal was made for an inclusionary democracy”. The President appears to prefer sharing ideas, instead of power.

Jagdeo on Thursday slammed reports in the media that the PPP had proposed “power-sharing” with the APNU/AFC Government back in 2015.

However, on Thursday, during his weekly press conference, Jagdeo said, “Let me make this clear: we have never requested power-sharing, because some people thought we did. So the President said it’s too late… Now, I think the President is quite clear: he never offered power-sharing and we are not meeting to discuss that; so I was surprised to see -- maybe I

shouldn’t be surprised when Newsroom, which is from the E-networks Group, (is) suddenly included; and this is becoming a pattern now of fake news, including that there was a proposal at the beginning to the People’s Progressive Party for power-sharing.”

The Opposition Leader emphasised in his explanation that the President “wants this to be about an idea-sharing proposal, not a power-sharing proposal; so we must meet to share ideas.”

“I just want to make it clear to people out there who may be talking about power-sharing and somehow that the PPP is holding this up…and that we seem to be the stumbling block to this idea,” he said.

Back in May 2015, the PPP sought to make it clear to the Carter Center Observer Team that it will not be forced into any power-sharing arrangement as a result of post-elections violence or unrest.

This issue was raised on May 10 2015 during a meeting between PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar, former President Bharrat Jagdeo, and former US President Jimmy Carter shortly before he departed Guyana for Atlanta, citing health concerns.

8 news

fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mandela Avenue fatal accident

Police rank slapped with DUI charge

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olice Constable Ryan Persaud, implicated in the fatal accident of Akemo Anthony Bristol which occurred on September 1 at Mandela Avenue in Georgetown, appeared on Thursday before Georgetown Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, and was placed on $25,000 bail.

Represented by Attorneyat-Law Eusi Anderson, the 23-year-old Police rank denied the charge, which alleges that on the day in question, he drove Guyana Police Force minibus PVV 4652 while his blood alcohol level was over the legally allowed limit.

Persaud’s defence attorney made application for bail to be granted in a reasonable amount, and Magistrate Mittelholzer, in placing Persaud on $25,000 bail, ordered that he lodge all his travel documents with the court, and return for trial on October 11, 2018.

Even though Persaud is not yet facing a causing death charge, he is likely, in the coming days, to be arraigned in court in this regard, since the matter is still being investigated.

Recap On Saturday, September 1st, at about 23:40h, twenty-three-year-old Akemo Anthony Bristol of Lot 338 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was al-

legedly struck down and killed

by Police minibus PVV 4652, being driven at the time by Police Constable Ryan Persaud.

Persaud has been accused of speeding, and more so, of being under the influence of alcohol at time of the accident.

He reportedly attempted to escape the scene following the incident.

This publication previously reported that the Police Constable and Bristol were both travelling along Mandela Avenue when the collision occurred.

The impact reportedly flung Bristol into a nearby gutter while his mangled motorcycle ended up under the minibus.

Extracted from the gutter

State betrayal…

Dead: Akemo Bristol

with visible injuries about his body, Bristol was rushed to the GPHC, where he subsequently died while receiving medical attention.

He leaves to mourn his fouryear-old son, parents and siblings.

T

…on GuySuCo’s lands

he news sounded too good to be true; and with good reason, it was too good to be true. Your Eyewitness is talking about the now retracted news item that Granger had declared GuySuCo’s lands weren’t going to be put on sale. He’d said this at his once-a-year press conference, and the retraction suggests why Granger’s been so skittish about facing live questions. He explicitly declared, “The idea is that we will not sell off the family jewels…we will make sure that the lands which are being taken out of sugar are placed to the benefit of the people of Guyana as a whole.”

Now, as a historian, Granger certainly knows all about the blood, sweat and tears – not to mention lives – that were shed to create those “GuySuCo lands” that are our “family jewels”. Hundreds of miles of canals had to be dug by slaves -- and later by indentured labourers -- to drain the land after they would have cleared the tough mangrove and other mosquito-infested vegetation. And they got absolutely nothing for their labours. If Granger has forgotten about this, maybe he can brush up on Walter Rodney’s “History of the Guyanese Working People”!!

The point of bringing up this history is to tie it to what Granger has supported at a national and regional level – reparations for the uncompensated labour of the exploited workers, to be paid to their descendants.

Your Eyewitness isn’t going to get into the merits or demerits of shutting down those four estates at this time; but if lands are now going to be “redundant”, why can’t they be given to fired sugar workers on a “sweat equity” basis? The workers wouldn’t be given any “handouts”; which he claims he detests, since it leads to a dependency syndrome.

Meaning that workers would get lands in, say, 15-acre plots, and would gradually pay for them from the crops they would cultivate. In this manner, the Government would still be collecting revenues but the lands would remain in the hands of Guyanese. This is an issue on which all Guyanese must take an uncompromising stand, since to sell these lands to people outside of the industry -- much less the foreigners who’ll most likely want to snap them up to get a toehold for the coming oil boom -- is to betray our ancestors.

The betrayal is worse by Moses Nagamootoo, who’d explicitly promised sugar workers that, if any estate were to be closed, they’d get first dibs on the land.

But for quite a while now, it seems, a cat has got his tongue. Or is he muzzled by the hand that feeds him?? $22million and an SUV??

…on oil local content??

Our Private Sector has smelled a rat with the “Oil cooperation MOU” the Granger Government’s about to sign with T&T PM Keith Rowley. They’re concerned the Government’s a little too blasé about the intention of business entities – which is to make as much money as they can. Now, your Eyewitness KNOWS local businesses are no different, as you would’ve mumbled, dear reader! But the difference is that, with them, at least the money remains here, to be either spent or reinvested in the economy.

If the Trinis are to rake in the profits – like ANSA did with that $632 million murky pharma contract – it’ll be funnelled out to the land of carnival and soca!! It’s for the same reason that our Private Sector is insisting foreigners shouldn’t just be filing company names at our registry and calling them “local”.

Now, as will be argued, the Trinis – or whoever - may have skills that we don’t, in this inchoate oil sector. Fair enough.

Just insist they hire and train 60% Guyanese within five years!

…teachers

It’s very heartening that the strike by teachers for a living wage is getting ever-increasing support. This is as it should be.

Guyana cannot afford to have the PNC take us back to the high-handedness of Burnham’s rule, when unions had to be lap dogs!

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

News

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fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

5 busted with guns, ammo Scissors, improvised weapons, ganja found at Camp Street Prison in Grove, EBD

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A

The contraband items found during Thursday’s raid at the Camp Street Prison

raid on the Georgetown Prison at Camp Street, conducted jointly by ranks of the Police Force and the Prison Service on Thursday, has resulted in the discovery of even more prohibited and contraband items.

Items seized include: 19 cellular phones; five phone chargers; one flash drive; fifteen cigarette lighters; two packs of cigarettes; five pairs of scissors; seven improvised weapons, and 774 grams of cannabis.

Thursday’s operation lasted for five hours and involved two senior officers and a total of 71 ranks. It came less than a month after a major find at the Lusignan Prison.

During the Lusignan Prison raid, razor blades, 17 phone chargers, 24 lighters, a quantity of

wires, 8 metal spoons, 2 pairs of scissors, 1 plastic knife, 2 nail clips, a quantity of Ziplock bags, 6 bottles of pepper sauce, 1 pack of cards, 3 bottles of medicine, 4 bottles of oil with suspected cannabis seeds, 1 memory card, 3 mirrors and 1 wrist watch were discovered.

The smuggling of contraband items into prisons remains a perennial problem within the system. Authorities have been working assiduously to curb the practice, and these efforts have resulted in several prison officers being caught facilitating the illegal trade, which is said to be a “big business”.

In fact, back in July, Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, had disclosed during a press conference that several prison officers had been relieved

of their duties after they were found to be working in collusion with each other in order to facilitate the movement of suspected contraband into the Lusignan Prison Holding Bay area.

The Prison Director, further decrying the behaviour of such ranks, had said, “It is quite disturbing, it is quite embarrassing, to have to face these situations on a daily basis; but this is not a situation whereby the prison administration is failing to act.

The reality of it is, despite we would do vetting and so forth, these prison officers are drawn from communities…and for some strange reason, despite they’re given their dos and don’ts, they allow themselves to be sucked into the financial gains that these activities can bring you.”

Carpenter arraigned for stealing neighbour’s bicycle

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orty-year-old Pier Amsterdam of Lot 100 Laluni Street Queenstown, Georgetown appeared on Tuesday before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman on a simple larceny charge alleging that, on August 28, he stole a bicycle belonging to his neighbour Bynoe Morris while it was parked on Morris’s bridge

at Lot 103 Laluni Street, Queenstown.

Amsterdam, who plies his trade as a carpenter, denied the charge.

The prosecution is contending that, on the day in question, the bicycle was parked on the lawns of Morris’s home, two houses away from the accused, when the bike went missing.

It is further contended that the defendant was seen riding the same bicycle when an alarm was raised, and he was arrested and charged with larceny.

He has been placed on bail in the sum of $60,000 and is expected to return to court for continuation of his matter.

olice in A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) have arrested five ‘known characters’ after a search conducted on their vehicle unearthed two unlicensed firearms along with several suspicious items.

The discovery was made around 09:30h during an intelligence-led operation commanded by a senior officer.

According to reports, the ranks intercepted a white Toyota Fielder Wagon at Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and the five male occupants were searched.

However, after nothing suspicious was found on their persons, a search was then carried out on the vehicle during which the ranks found a red and black haversack hidden under the back seat.

Upon examination, an unlicensed .45 Colt Pistol with four live rounds, an unlicensed 9mm Ruger Pistol with nine live rounds, a pair of ‘paste-on’ number plates, a black jersey, a knife, a camouflage cap, a door lock and a screwdriver were found.

The five suspects aged 27, 28, 29, 30 and 33 years, all residing on the East Bank of Demerara, have since been taken into custody and are being processed for court.

The Police said that the men were all known characters.

10 news Public officers trained to deal with Venezuelan refugees fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Public officers from various agencies have undergone training to deal with Venezuelan refugees

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s large numbers of Venezuelans continue to seek refuge in Guyana, local public officers have been trained on the international best practice in assisting migrants and protecting them from abuse and exploitation of any kind.

The training was a response to the increasing influx of Venezuelans fleeing the worsening economic and social conditions in that neighbouring country.

The one-day work-

shop was conducted on Thursday by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in collaboration with the Department of Citizenship and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The workshop was aimed at capacity building to better equip representatives and agencies to respond effectively to this and other such occurrences in the future. It focused on issues such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling, mi-

grants’ vulnerabilities, and direct assistance and referral systems for migrants.

The sessions were facilitated by IOM’s Regional Coordination Officer Robert Natiello, and Programme Officer Argentina Santacruz.

Thursday’s workshop saw the participation of representatives from the Ministry of the Presidency, Guyana Defence Force, the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Guyana

Police Force, Communities Ministry, the Immigration Department, the PanAmerican Health Organisation (PAHO), the Public Health Ministry, United Nations Children’s Fund, and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Over the past two years, Venezuela has been experiencing worsened economic turmoil following the decline of oil prices on the world market. The country is in its fourth consecutive year of recession.

Reports coming out of that Spanish-speaking state

reveal that there is massive food shortage and limited access to basic health care and basic amenities such as electricity in certain parts.

Additionally, there continues to be rampant outbursts of looting and violence across some of its most affected cities.

Accordingly, scores of Guyanese living in that neighbouring country have been returning home, and there has also been a high influx of Venezuelans escaping to Guyana to seek refuge.

Back in July, Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley

had disclosed that some 268 Venezuelan refugees were in his region alone, staying in churches and makeshift tents with little to no belongings.

He had decried the lack of support from Central Government in providing assistance for not only returning Guyanese, but also Venezuelan refugees, saying that the region’s already small budget is being strained.

Government has since established a Multi-Sectoral Committee to coordinate the national response and assistance to these migrants.

Moblissa fatal accident victims died from multiple injuries – PM …children remain hospitalised

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post-mortem performed on the bodies of the two persons killed in the Moblissa,

Dead: Marlon McFarlane

Dead: Tessa Telford Ibrahim

Linden-Soesdyke Highway smash-up on Saturday last has revealed that they both died from multiple injuries.

Former seamstress Tessa Telford Ibrahim, 60, was killed, along with her son Marlon McFarlane, 30, a former employee of Guyana Goldfields and a former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

The accident occurred after Ibrahim's niece, Maisha Ibrahim, 23, lost control of the car when it dropped into a hole.

After dropping into the pothole, the vehicle, in which Maisha’s young nieces were also travelling, veered into a ditch and came to a halt but not before hitting a tree. Following the incident, public-spirited persons rushed the family members to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) where the seamstress and her son were pronounced dead on arrival.

Maisha was released from hospital on Wednesday, while her two nieces, Patricia McFarlane, nine, and Roshana McFarlane, seven, remained hospitalised.

Patricia, who was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, remains a patient there reportedly on life support while Roshana who suffered a broken leg remains in stable condition at the LHC. E Division (LindenKwakwani) Commander Anthony Vanderhyden on Thursday said Police were continuing the investigation into the accident and would send the case file for advice on the way forward.

The Commander has since cautioned members of the public to exercise caution, especially when driving along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

S RAIGHT Who will Mr Granger bargain with come November 2018?

By Sase Singh; M.Sc. - Finance, ACCA.

C

ritical Local Government Elections (LGE) are coming up, and the stakes for the David Granger Presidency are extremely high. First off, these are not a “mid-term” kind of elections anymore; these LGEs are a real litmus test on the Granger Presidency.

In 2016, the PNC won 14 of the 15 constituent seats and 11 of the 15 proportionate representative seats in Georgetown. Can they repeat such a performance in November 2018? The political signs at this point in time clearly expose that “things nah regula” for the PNC even before the teachers’ strike. Therefore it is difficult to comprehend why the PNC leaders are so bent on ignoring, antagonising and attacking the teachers since April 2018. Is this a case of the PNC Leaders feeling that they have the power to operate with a feigned attitude, as if they have prescriptive titles over the teachers and thus they can do what they want with them?

Well, congratulations to the teachers and their union (GTU), because they have provided quite a shock to the PNC Leadership. The doors of accountability have now been opened very wide, as more Guyanese are now questioning the words of the leaders in the Granger regime. The majority of people voted in May 2015 for change and better governance, but what these teachers have exposed is that, instead of change, the population has gotten arrogance, aloofness, intolerance, financial waste, and public squander of the resources in the Treasury.

When people lined up in the sun to vote for the PNC-led Coalition in 2015, they voted for greater accountability and transparency. What they got instead was a push for an ex-GDF Commander with credibility issues rather than the elevation of the leading professional in the judiciary (Justice Cummings) to be the next Chancellor. What the people got is another ex-GDF Commander who is failing at the largest state

hospital, rather than the services of a hospital professional, Mr. Michael Khan. What the people got was another ex-GDF Commander who has not even distributed 500 house lots properly over 3 years, instead of the stellar services of a housing expert (Ms. Myrna Pitt) who delivered to the people an average of 3,500 house lots per year over a 15-year period. Can you see the trend?

Granger’s continued impertinence and poor executive performance reinforce this trend, and he will not stop unless and until the people of Guyana speak to him firmly and directly at the ballot boxes. That is why these LGEs are not ordinary elections, but a referendum on the Granger Presidency.

This teachers’ strike was a Great Awakening of the kind that Guyana has not seen in a very long time. The millennials have moved in to take their rightful place as the largest group in the voting population. It is these youths who are really pushing this teachers’ strike; just watch the videos for the evidence.

But who are these millennial?

Millennials are people born between 1981 and 1996. From the graph below, they are now the largest voting bloc in the upcoming LGE, and most likely in 2020. Their combined force is about 46% of the voting population.

As the graph revealed, the so-called Silent Generation (over 75 years old) is only 3% of the voting population, while the Baby Boomers are 17%. The combined strength of the Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation is some 20% of the voting population, yet this combined group controls almost 89% of the executive positions in the State Sector since Mr. Granger assumed the Presidency -- be it the Cabinet or respective Heads of Department. The fact remains that Mr. Granger’s Government is a very old one, and is very out-of-touch with the ambitions and dreams of the millennials and first-time voters (the youths).

If the Middle Aged Group is added to the youths, they constitute some 82% of the voters today, but yet only control 11% of the executive positions in this Granger regime. Extrapolating from these trends exposes the political drift in present-day Guyana.

If one observed the outcome from the PNC Congress, the male geriatric Afro-Guyanese dominated its newly appointed Central Executive. Between the 2016 and 2018 Congresses, the population of geriatrics expanded on the PNC Central Executive by 2, while the youths and women lost a combined number of 4 seats. Guess who also gained 2 seats? The band of ex-army, ex-police officers!

Is the PNC swiftly becoming a yesterday party?

Conclusion So who really is Mr. Granger bargaining with come November 2018?

Please feel free to share your feedback at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

11 Amerindian rights are being eroded – Opposition Leader A News

fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

s Guyana celebrates Amerindian Heritage Month, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said he believes there is not much to celebrate, as many of Government’s promises have not been fulfilled; as such, he says, Amerindian rights and welfare continue to be eroded, although Government has defended its position.

A number of unaddressed issues concerning Guyana’s First People were brought to the fore by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday. Addressing his weekly media conference, the PPP General Secretary said these issues continue to erode the rights and welfare of Amerindians.

He pointed to several areas wherein Government has failed Guyana’s First People, and has explained that these issues should have been of paramount importance.

“Not a single new Amerindian land title has

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

been issued during his tenure, except for the ones that was prepared under the PPP,” he stated.

He also noted that the President had dismantled the Amerindian Land Titling Unit, and he spoke of the US$10.7 million.

Jagdeo had previously called for President David Granger to answer for the delay in the Amerindian

Land Titling (ALT) project.

“When does he plan to give out the new Amerindian land titles? We left a significant amount of money to continue the work of giving out land titles,” he said.

Jagdeo also said the coalition Government had slowed implementation of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) programme for the hinterland,

although monies were set aside for this through the Guyana Red Investment Fund (GRIF) project.

Another newer and even more worrying development, according to the PPP, has been the intrusive role of the Government in the declaration of new Local Authority Areas in Amerindian-titled lands, in violation of the 2006 Amerindian Act and the amendment to the Local Democratic Act 2006, which “removed any council established in an Amerindian community” from inclusion in LAAs. “This newer challenge is very serious. The Amerindian governance structure is a separate and distinct layer from the LAAs. Without notice or consultations, the Government included Amerindian villages and communities in gazetted orders to establish these new LAAs,” he charged. continued on page 15

12 news Parents join teachers’ strike in Linden P fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

arents, guardians and students joined scores of teachers as they continued their strike action in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Thursday -- the fourth day of countrywide protests for salary increases.

The protestors took to the streets of Linden in a march which commenced on the Wismar shore and concluded at Republic Avenue in Mackenzie.

Holding placards and chanting, they settled at the Linden-Georgetown Minibus Park, where parents and teachers shared their opinions regarding the strike.

Teachers had planned to agitate in front of the Education Ministry in Georgetown on Friday, but Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) General Council Representative for Region 10, Ferdinand McLeod, said the team was at the time

arbitration. But I just want this to finish, and at the end of it, let us all go back to school", he said.

McLeod noted, however, that teachers plan to go back to school on Monday regardless of the outcome, but he stressed that in the end he wishes that teachers gain the respect they deserve.

He told teachers, parents and guardians that whatever the outcome of Thursday's meeting, teachers and students need to return to school on Monday, agreeing to the Terms of Resumption.

He told teachers that according to the terms, their

A teacher holding a placard at the protest line on Thursday

awaiting word on the outcome regarding conciliation talks before coming to a decision. He noted that teachers will, however, assemble in continuation of the strike on Friday morning.

"Today was parents and guardians day. Right here

A group of teachers and parents assembled after the march

in Region 10, along with our teachers…they were all out here, showing their support (for) teachers…I am hoping that if the Government decides to make a proposal, it is a favourable one. And if it is not favourable, well then we will have to go straight to

salaries should not be cut, nor should any teacher be demoted. McLeod said that should anything otherwise occur, the Union is ready to support teachers.

"According to what happens at the meeting this afternoon, we're going to know what is going to happen tomorrow; because we had planned to go to Georgetown. So, depending on the outcome of the meeting, we will know what will happen. (It’s) more than likely we're going back to school on Monday, because conciliation or arbitration, we will go back to school…

It's not that we want to be here, but they have to start respecting teachers.

“So I do hope that after this, people start looking at us differently; start looking at us as indeed the moulders that we are; start looking at us as the ones who built every other profession that there is…," he told this publication afterwards.

The GTU Representative also called for better treatment of teachers by Education Officers, as well as for zero victimisation following strike action.

Bartica sandpit is a ‘done deal’ — Mayor

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oncerns have been raised by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and by extension the Natural Resources Ministry, over safety measures being employed at the Bartica sandpit, but Mayor Gifford Marshall has said that following timely interventions by the municipality, all is well at that facility.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, Bartica Mayor, His Worship Gifford Marshall, said works were done to ensure the environment is safe for workers to

access the resources.

“The sandpit basically is a done deal. We had our concerns with GGMC. GGMC would’ve outlined a number of things we needed to put in place. We have so far achieved most of them.

We know for sure that persons would’ve been taking sand from the sandpit and we will continue at the municipality to develop the area to ensure that the truck operators operate within a safe environment,” the Mayor said.

Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall continued on page 14

13

news

fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

WBD fire leaves 7 homeless

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fire on Wednesday evening has completely destroyed a one-storey wooden building at Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, rendering a family of seven homeless.

According to reports received, the fire started at about 21:00h at the home which is situated at the junction of Duncan Street and the Public Road.

Eyewitnesses told Guyana Times that the heat was intense, and neighbours could do little in terms of rendering assistance. The fire tender arrived on scene about 15 minutes after the fire started, but by then it was too late to save anything.

As it arrived, sourcing water also proved to be a challenge.

“We see the fire blazing and we had to stand till back.

Wilfred Duncan Sr, is contemplating his next move

I run and come, but it was too much of fire. In 20 minutes, everything finished. The fire reel came about 15 minutes after [the fire began],” one neighbour recalled.

The remnants of Wednesday night’s fire

It is alleged that one of the children who were at home was playing with a lamp, and this caused a mattress to catch fire, but the occupants of the home were all able to sprint to safety. There was reportedly no adult supervision at the time.

No one was however, injured during the blaze.

Seventeen-year-old Wilfred Duncan Junior, who was not home at the time, rushed to the scene when he received the news of the fire, but he said he could not save anything.

Home owner Wilfred Duncan Sr, his father, confirmed that he also was not at home when the fire started.

Upon receiving the news, he rushed home, only to see his house burnt to the ground.

The construction worker said that from work he went directly to church, where his daughter called him and relayed what had transpired.

Though he did not get a chance to save anything, the father of six has said the items lost were not more important than his relatives’ well- being.

“As a Christian, I believe that God has it in His hands.

It (the fire) hasn’t had that effect on me. That’s the level of faith God has given to me,” Duncan said.

Three of Duncan’s chil-

Wilfred Duncan Jr, said he rushed home to see his home on fire

dren and three grandchildren were living with him prior to Wednesday’s blaze. Another son lives in a separate wooden structure at the side of the building. That also was raised to the ground. That son declined to speak with this publication.

While still gathering information on what caused the fire, the senior Duncan denied that the property was at the centre of an ongoing family dispute.

Guyana Times has learnt that the original family home was dismantled several years ago after it had deteriorated.

“After the home deteriorated, the land became mine, and my sister went to the

Scheme to live. So I don’t believe in my heart that I have a dispute with anybody. If she’s having any, I am not aware about it; but my heart is clean about her,” he noted.

Duncan’s eastern neighbours were also affected by the fire, as they were seen removing curtains and fetching down furniture to be sun-dried.

An investigation into the cause of the fire was launched by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Fire Service. In the meantime, Duncan will be staying with his daughter and her family as he contemplates his next moves. (Story and images by Shemuel Fanfair)

“Good day for the Union”...

from page 3

A nursery school teacher told Guyana Times, “We are just trusting in God that all goes well for us…I think even if they can’t give us a 40 per cent, 20 would be reasonable.

Let the Ministry reach us half way”.

Roger Paris, a teacher at a secondary school in Georgetown said, “We are expecting the proposal that the Union has for us, which was recommended by the task force”.

Another male teacher, Anderson (only name given) explained, “They can give us something that will work for everybody that will at the end of the day satisfy everyone”.

Meanwhile, a supporter said he believes they should be given about 25 per cent.

The man explained that while he is not employed with the Ministry, he is a private school teacher and is of the firm view that educators deserve more.

Thursday was likely to have been the last day that teachers protest, since the GTU and the Education Ministry is set to head into arbitration.

Although this is so, several

schools throughout the country remained closed, others on a total shutdown, while a few were also reportedly open.

A number of parents have since made vocal their concerns, since their children are being left unattended.

The Ministry had established a contingency plan where about 400 substitute teachers were deployed to attend to those pupils.

The substitutes were reportedly not enough, even as parents also questioned whether or not their children will be properly taught by trainees and volunteer teachers.

The journey

A 40 per cent salary increase for public school teachers was proposed for the year 2016. Over time, the percentage would be increased for all categories of represented teachers.

For the year 2017, the Union was hoping to have bargained for a 45 per cent increase, which would then increase to 50 per cent for the remainder of the years indicated in the agreement (2018-

2020).

They recently changed their demands and said they were willing to accept a ‘substantial’ payout from the Government even after the GTU rejected Government’s request for teachers to agree to a debunching payoff of $200 million for 2018/19.

Lyte said the Union similarly rejected the $700 million cap that was placed on salary increases which was for 2018 only. Government also wants the clothing allowance to remain at $8000, a figure which Lyte said was given in 2011.

He said, too, that for Whitley Council Leave, teachers still have to wait four years before getting their one month off, even though the GTU appealed for three years.

Educators officially began strike action on August 27, 2018, during pre-term activities. They however took to the streets the following Monday, September 3, when the new school term began.

The Education Ministry was forced to deploy some 400 substitute teachers to various schools.

14 news Block maker gets life imprisonment for raping 7-year-old girl A fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

fter a 12-member jury last month found him guilty of raping a seven-yearold girl in an East Bank Demerara (EBD) community, 25-year-old Rowland Sam was on Wednesday given a life sentence by Sexual Offences Court Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The incident occurred during January 2015 when the girl’s mother attended a funeral and left her and others in Sam’s care.

At the end of his trial, Sam, a block maker, admitted that he only fingered the child and asked for mercy and forgiveness.

However, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry informed him that his action was still considered sexual penetration and further upbraided him for three other acts he was found guilty of performing on the primary schoolchild, including sodomising her.

These acts included performing oral sex on the child and having the young girl reciprocate. She was watching cartoons and he reportedly took her to another section of the home.

The girl’s impact statement, read by Senior Counsellor Nicola Foo of Blossom Inc Advocacy Centre, outlined that the child now felt uncomfortable around boys and men and that her performance has

Convicted child rapist Rowland Sam

slipped at school.

She, like other survivors of child rape, related that she was angry and scared that the offender took advantage of her.

“I want him to be punished so that he wouldn’t trouble other children,” the girl said.

Sam, in his address, said that he never wanted to waste the court’s time and observed that only half of the evidence presented during the trial was accurate. He said too that he understood that he should be punished, but wanted a chance to show that he was a better person who could contribute to society. Sam ended by stating that he was now closer to God. His lawyer, Clyde Forde added that his client was remorseful and wanted to be a more spiritual person.

However, State Prosecutor

Orinthia Schmidt, who led the case, told the court that Sam violated his position of trust by carrying out such acts on a girl of a tender age.

Schmidt said that a strong message should be sent to society to the effect that children must be left to strive and grow fully without being interfered with.

Cycle of abuse

In a probation report presented by Probation and Social Services Officer Maloma Bristol, it was outlined that Sam was himself the victim of various forms of abuse, including verbal, physical and sexual.

His home situation was described as unstable, with his mother moving the family to various homes across the East Bank. Sam’s father was an alcoholic and never really cared for his son.

The report further ob-

served that Sam left school in Fourth Form and worked as both a block maker and miner. He, however, returned to Georgetown after contracting malaria.

However, further checks into his background found that his mother was verbally abusive which had caused him to move out several times. At one point when he lived with his mother’s sister, that aunt was physically abusive to him.

Sam also told the probation officer that he was sodomised as a child by a fami-

ly member. He was jailed for 18 months for maliciously wounding a friend and when he was incarcerated, he said that an inmate had sexually molested him.

Sam admitted that he was addicted to gambling while his girlfriend whom he met at church described him as reserved.

Sentence

In determining the sentence, the Judge took into consideration that Sam was on remand for the last two years, that he showed genu-

ine remorse and that he had a poor upbringing. Justice Sewnarine-Beharry outlined that he abused his position of trust and caused the child psychological and emotional trauma.

Citing the prevalence of the heinous crime and the girl’s tender age, the Judge said the court could not condone such actions and ordered that Sam serve 20 years before he was eligible for parole. Attorney Lisa Cave also appeared on behalf of the State. (Shemuel Fanfair)

Bartica sandpit is...

from page 12

While noting that works to enable all the recommendations made are progressing, Marshall noted that the Town Council is expecting a visit from the GGMC in regard to the projects which were completed. At that time, the necessary adjustments would also be made by the council.

“It’s a work in progress, and we just have a number of things to do to get it all sorted out. This is the month of September, so we are expecting a visit from GGMC sometime this month; and of course they will advise us on the work we’ve done, and if we’re progressing nicely or need adjustment in some areas,” he declared.

In the earlier part of this year, there were orders to close the sandpit at Five Miles, Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) following “dangerous safety infractions” that were said to have occurred there during

a visit by the Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes.

Men were seen shovelling sand from a steep drop with unstable overburden, creating a situation which could have proven detrimental to workers. Additionally, millions in royalties were reportedly owed to the GGMC. Just a few weeks after that incident, Mayor Marshall had indicated that the Council was facing some challenges relative to other pending projects. At a City Planning Project, he had taken the opportunity to explain how the municipality was affected.

This included the fact that all works would have been stalled until the matter was resolved and the sandpits were again up and running.

It was a situation which was considered “unbearable,” he said.

“Of course, that means that all Government projects

are on hold. That also means that private contractors cannot work. The banks are calling us and asking us what is happening, and it’s a situation that is getting unbearable, to say the least,” he said.

Mayor Marshall also posited that attempts were made to engage the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and if a positive outcome is not generated, then the Council would remain on the sidelines and the decision would be left to the people of Bartica.

Presently, he declared the project is somewhat settled after a temporary permit was given and their differences were settled with the agency.

“All in all, I think it is a settled project now. They have granted us a temporary permit. For some time now, we would’ve been able to work out our differences with GGMC.”

news

15

fridAY, september 7, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 10 RDC calls for burnt-out Nalico/Nafico presents Post Office to be rehabilitated NGSA bursary awards

W

eeks after the Wismar Post Office had been set on fire, officials have renewed calls for Government to release funds in a timely manner to enable rehabilitation of the building, and ultimately return to senior citizens efficient delivery of their old age pensions.

The Post Office was torched in the wee hours of August 2 when bandits broke into the building in an attempt to cart off cash designated to pay pensions.?

However, the safe withstood their attempts at broaching it, and the perpetrators allegedly set the building on fire in retaliation.

The issue of rehabilitating the Post Office was discussed at the statutory meeting of the RDC on Thursday.

The current situation has created difficulties for many Wismar residents, especially senior citizens, who depend on services provided by the Post Office. Wismar Pensioners are forced to collect their old age pensions at the Mackenzie Post Office, and they complain that this it is time consuming and costly for those who are not in the best of health.

In seeking a solution, Regional Chairman Renis Morian told members of the Council that he has since written several Government officials on the issue, including President David Granger.

Morian pointed out that the Mackenzie Post Office is presently plagued by overcrowding and other issues, and cannot cope with the influx of pensioners at any given time.

He further noted that he has since met with officials of the Guyana Post Office Corporation, and he pointed out that the entity needs the support of the Council.

On the day of the inci-

N

orth American Life, Fire and General Insurance Companies recently presented bursary awards to 16 children of policyholders.

The awards were presented to students who were successful at the recently concluded National Grade Six Assessment. For the next

five years, the 16 children will be beneficiaries of the award, provided they meet the minimum requirements.

The students who received the awards are Aleah Hema, Oma Seeraj, Loydissa Watson, Safiah Thomas, Omadevi Peters, Mickael John, Prince Trotman, Simeon Jackson, Ranasha

Cum-Ewing, Kalief Sobers, Britney Johnson, Ranniv Babulall, Niaomi Young, Ronriel Greenidge, Nicholas Parmesar, Kayin Fontinelle.

The Board of Directors, management and staff of the insurance company wished the awardees the best as they embark on their studies.

Amerindian rights are...

from page 11

Region Chairman Renis Morian

dent, the region’s engineer was tasked with completing a bill of quantities for reconstruction of the Post Office building.

This was completed, and the repairs are expected to cost approximately $14.3 million. Morian related that he visited the Mackenzie Post Office on Monday and observed the overcrowding, coupled with the heat and lack of proper waiting facilities.

The Regional Chairman added that the Post Office needs the support of the council, since it serves people of their constituencies. The council is hoping for positive response from Government officials. As well, the Chairman hopes a solution would be arrived at very shortly. “"I sent a letter to the Minister of Finance, along with the bill of quantities, highlighting the plight of the residents… I'm asking the system to deliver $14.3 or $14.5 million. Find the money…the letters are out. I'm giving this whole matter another week, and if I don't get some positive response, then I gotta up the ante".

The Regional Chairman stressed that the temporary fix to facilitate the pensioners at the Mackenzie Post

Office is not working, owing to the numbers.

In addition, Councillor Charles Sampson noted that the Post Office should have been treated as an emergency, and work should have already commenced, since it serves a significant amount of citizens.

"Even if the Post Office Corporation doesn't have funds to effect immediate repairs, immediate repairs should have started… Why are we taking so long? As far as I see, that's an emergency…I hope that by the next pension day…we do something about the Wismar Post Office. Most of the pensioners live over at Wismar", he noted.

Meanwhile, Councillor Gordon Callendar noted that a contractor is expected to visit the site of the Wismar Post Office on Friday to assess the situation.

The Mackenzie Post Office is currently accommodating staff of the Wismar Post Office to aid in the better delivery of service at the facility. However, this is not without challenges, the Regional Chairman has pointed out.

He said the Council is committed to finding an urgent solution to deal with the plight of Wismar residents.

Describing them as impositions on the Amerindian people, Jagdeo’s party has said this reveals the scant respect the Government has held for the people and their elected leaders. Maicobie and Campbelltown’s opposition to their inclusion in the new township of Mahdia is striking, he said.

“We hope their voices will be heard and obeyed.

The new Annai NDC is a glaring violation of the Amerindian Act, with several titled villages becoming a Neighbourhood Democratic Council,” he charged.

Government has been charged with failing to propose an alternative for the Hinterland Household Electrification Programme, and after four or five years of the solar systems installed by the PPP Government, there is no maintenance plans to provide new batteries.

The PPP has said communities that were listed and expecting to receive their solar systems in 2015

were still waiting, as this project appeared to be abandoned by the Government.

The US$17 million hinterland ICT programme, from the PPP’s LCDS, was also diverted to other targeted beneficiaries, and the industrial solar units acquired for the computer hubs in 100 Amerindian villages were diverted for executive use, yet another blow to the Amerindian development agenda.

Only last month, at the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) conference, the former Chairman Joel Fredericks put Government on blast for a number of un-

implemented promises.

According to Fredericks, Indigenous people were promised a number of things, including constitutional reform and the revision of the Amerindian Act of 2006.

However, in the three years of the incumbent APNU/AFC Government, trust in the Government has been eroded by its failure to effectively act on these promises.

Jagdeo also took umbrage at the group occasionally being labelled as “oppositionists” because they fight for their rights.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

fridAY, september 7, 2018

Around the World

India court legalises gay Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s presidential frontsex in landmark ruling runner, stabbed at rally

I

n a historic decision, India’s Supreme Court has ruled that gay sex is no longer a criminal offence.

The ruling overturns a 2013 judgement that upheld a colonial-era law, known as section 377, under which gay sex is categorised as an “unnatural offence”.

The court has now ruled discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a fundamental violation of rights. Campaigners outside the court cheered and some broke down in tears as the

ruling was handed down.

Although public opinion in India’s biggest cities has been in favour of scrapping the law, there remains strong opposition among religious groups and in conservative rural communities.

But this ruling, from the top court, is the final say in the matter and represents a huge victory for India’s LGBT community. One activist outside the court told the BBC: “I hadn’t come out to my parents until now. But today, I guess I have.”

What have the judges said?

Thursday’s decision was delivered by a five-judge bench headed by India’s outgoing chief justice Dipak Misra and was unanimous.

Reading out the judgement, he said: “Criminalising carnal intercourse is irrational, arbitrary and manifestly unconstitutional.”

Another judge, Indu Malhotra, said she believed “history owes an apology” to LGBT people for ostracising them. Justice DY

Chandrachud said the state had no right to control the private lives of LGBT community members and that the denial of the right to sexual orientation was the same as denying the right to privacy.

The ruling effectively allows gay sex among consenting adults in private.

It is a 157-year-old colonial-era law which criminalises certain sexual acts as “unnatural offences” that are punishable by a 10-year jail term. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Canada to support post-hurricane reconstruction, gender equality in the C’bean

C

anada has announced two new initiatives totalling CAN$17.5 million to support post-hurricane reconstruction, build long-term climate and economic resilience, and further the advancement of gender equality in the Caribbean. Global Affairs Canada (GAC), in a release today, said this strategic move is due to Canada’s commitment to the working with regional partners.

Minister of International Development, Kamal Khera, Parliamentary Secretary to

the Minister of International Development, yesterday announced the two initiatives to support ongoing reconstruction efforts and strengthen response capacity in the Caribbean region, which was severely affected by the devastating 2017 hurricane season.

One of these reconstruction initiatives will help to rebuild and restore primary schools in Dominica to make them more climate-resilient.

It will also fund Dominica’s Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility for two

years so that essential services can continue in the event of a future crisis, GAC said.

The other project will enable the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to strengthen the region’s capacity to respond to and prepare for disasters. This project will help reach the most vulnerable populations, including women and girls.

Meanwhile, Khera also announced a CAN$4.8 million ‘Women’s Voice and Leadership’ initiative that

will support and improve the sustainability of local and regional women’s rights organisations in the Caribbean, particularly those representing vulnerable and marginalised women and girls, GAC noted.

Parliamentary Secretary Khera made these announcements during her four-day visit to Barbados and Dominica, almost one year since Category 5 hurricanes Maria and Irma wreaked devastation in the region. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro pictured after being stabbed in the stomach

A

front-runner in Brazil’s presidential election, Jair Bolsonaro, has been stabbed during a campaign rally.

The far-right politician was attacked in the city of Juiz de Fora in the south-eastern state of Minas Gerais.

He underwent surgery for injuries to his liver and intestines but is now stable, his son said. The controversial politician, who has outraged many in Brazil with racist and homophobic comments, has performed strongly in recent polls.

Polls suggest he would get the most votes in next month’s presidential elections if former President Lula da Silva fails in his attempt to overturn a ban on him standing.

Footage of the incident shows Bolsonaro making a thumbs-up gesture and be-

Jamaica Govt moves to end dutyfree importation of white sugar

North Korea’s Kim sets denuclearisation time line, prompting thanks from Trump M

N

orth Korea’s Kim Jong Un has given his first time line for denuclearisation, aiming for the end of US President Donald Trump’s first term, Seoul officials said on Thursday, prompting thanks from Trump who said they would “get it done together”.

Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet in Pyongyang on Sept. 18-20 for a third summit and discuss “practical measures” toward denuclearization, Moon’s national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, said a day after meeting Kim. The summit could provide renewed momentum to talks over denuclearisation between North Korea and the United States, after Trump canceled a visit to Pyongyang by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month citing lack of progress.

US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un shake hands after signing documents during a summit at the Capella Hotel on the resort island of Sentosa, Singapore, June 12, 2018

Kim told South Korean officials his faith in Trump was “unchanged” and that he wanted denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and an end to hostile relations with the United States before Trump’s first term ends in early 2021,

Chung said.

But there was no indication that Kim had offered concrete steps toward giving up his nuclear arsenal, something some U.S. officials have said privately they doubt he is willing to do.

Trump welcomed Kim’s remarks in a trademark Tweet. Trump had previously hailed his landmark June 12 summit with Kim as a success and said the North Korean nuclear threat was over, despite little evidence to back that assertion.

In previous, failed talks, North Korea has said it could consider giving up its nuclear program if the United States provided security guarantees by removing troops from South Korea and withdrawing its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from the South and Japan.

US officials involved in the latest negotiations have said North Korea has refused to even start discussions about defining denuclearization and has insisted the United States must first agree to simultaneous steps to reduce sanctions pressure. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

ing held aloft by supporters when he appears to be stabbed with a knife. He then doubles over with pain and his supporters quickly lower him to the ground and bundle him into a car.

After the attack, his son Flavio initially tweeted that the wound was “only superficial”, but he gave a more sombre assessment two hours later.

“Unfortunately it was more serious than we had expected,” he wrote. “The perforation reached part of the liver, the lung and the intestines. He lost a lot of blood, arrived at the hospital with a (blood) pressure of 10/3, almost dead. His condition now seems stabilised.

Pray, please!”

Police say a suspect has been arrested. He was named as Adelio Obispo de Oliveira. (Excerpt from BBC News)

anufacturers who import white sugar into Jamaica will now be required to pay the duty up front and be reimbursed by the Government within 30 days. Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw said this change was necessary as the Government seeks to stem the illegal importation of the product.

“There is no other way.

That is the way to begin to rescue this industry,” Shaw asserted while addressing a luncheon hosted by the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers’ Association on Tuesday.

For years, manufacturers have been benefiting from the duty-free entry of sugar into the country for the manufacturing process.

The Minister noted that since manufacturers are unable to ensure that the system of importing duty-free sugar into the country is kept rigidly intact and is not abused, “the guarantee now no longer exists”.

Shaw pointed out that

imported white sugar is increasingly finding its way into the local market, “not by way of the manufacturing process, but directly finding its way on to the supermarket shelves and the corner shop shelves of this country”.

He pointed specifically at brokers, who he said are brokering on behalf of manufacturers who import the sugar duty-free, noting that part of the product goes to the manufacturers and the rest goes into the local market. The Minister said this activity, which he stressed is unacceptable, is leading to a backup of locally produced sugar that cannot be sold.

He pointed out that at last check, more than 30,000 tonnes of locally produced sugar “is sitting around in warehouses, either at Pan Caribbean or Jamaica Cane Product Sales… can’t be sold, while sugar, illegally imported duty-free, is finding its way into the market, further destroying what remains of the Jamaica sugar industry”. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

A

s the Hero Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) comes to a climax, the two remaining games in the preliminary round will be held on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

On Saturday, the Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on the Jamaica Tallawahs at 20:00h and then on Sunday, the Guyana

Amazon Warriors will come up against the Trinbago Knight Riders who handed them a convincing defeat on Wednesday evening in Trinidad.

Now the Amazon Warriors are expecting to take revenge on Sunday evening. After those two matches, the “Biggest Party in Sport” will continue with the play-off matches. The first playoff matches are set for Tuesday, September 11 and the second on

S

ixteen-year-old Guyanese-born Shaheed Afridi Batoolall, who now resides in Queens, New York, has been creating quite a vibe as one of the most promising and versatile deejays on Fire Fest Radio in the United States.

The programme titled, “Pretty Love Entertainment” also features Selector Brian and the host, Joshua. The show is aired on Sundays from 13:00h to 15:00h.

This ambitious young man hails from Better Hope on the East Coast

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, september 7, 2018

Wednesday, September 12.

As of now, the Trinbago Knight Riders are leading the table followed by the Jamaica Tallawah then the Guyana Amazon Warriors and finally in the top four is St Kitts Patriots. After the two games, this weekend, the fixtures for the playoff will be finalisd.

Nevertheless, Guyanese from all walks of life are ready to party and will undoubtedly flock the Guyana National Stadium to support their

favourite teams. Guyanese are known for their tremendous support of the tournament.

Tickets are going like hotcakes with some indications that the grass mound and party stands are already gone. Tickets for the Red, Green and Orange stands are also going fast.

However, while picking up those tickets, fans are encouraged to purchase their hats, bandanas, jerseys and other items at the merchandise section of the ticket-

of Demerara and was fathered by a music lover, himself; Annup Batoolall, also called “DJ Sunil”.

Shaheed was born on February 21, 2002 and after spending a few years of his early childhood in his homeland, he migrated to the United States of America.

While in Guyana he attended Queenstown Secondary School and described his childhood days as very exciting and interesting, since every new day was adventure to him. In the US, he now attends John Adams High School in Queens, New York and is in his senior year.

After completing high school, the talented young man will proceed to college where he intends to study business since he sees himself being an entrepreneur in the next 10 years.

Shaheed is part of a family that loves music. In fact, his father is the owner of Pretty Love Sound System in Guyana. While in Guyana, his father had his own television and radio shows.

It is from his father’s love for music that Shaheed developed his own love for music.

“I was inspired by my father’s work and I chose to be a deejay because I wanted to make a name for myself and to be one of the best deejays in modern time”.

His mother, Rebecca Dookwah, is one of his biggest supporters. She has been his rock as he climbs to fame.

He recalled when he first started the radio programme, it did not go too well but on his third week, he caught the attention of his listening audience with his mixing and juggling skills. Today, he has a wide viewership on Facebook from the Caribbean and North America.

Meanwhile, on a lighter note, his favourite colours are purple, black, blue and red and he loves to eat fried rice. During his free time, he goes out with his friends, mixing his music at home or watches movies. Shaheed also has a Rakhi sister who he adores.

He advises his fellow young men and woman to stay away from doing the wrong things.

“Never give up and always aim for the skies,” he encouraged.

ing office. On this note, we are calling all ‘warriors’ to make sure they are ready and waiting to roar as the Guyanese owned team take on the best of the best at the Guyana National Stadium.

It’s a time when Guyanese show the rest of the Caribbean, “how we party”.

CPL is one competition and six teams vying for supremacy and will run from August 8 to September 16, 2018.

18

K

enwyn Norton, popularly known as “Ken.Will.Win” is a Guyanese by birth but now resides in Canada where he has built his brand and music career. He sees himself as a Canadian dancehall/hip hop artist.

He was born and raised in Guyana but moved to Canada eight years ago. While working on his craft, he is also attending university perusing his Bachelor’s degree in Arts.

While he has always been musically inclined, it was after moving to Canada that he saw the opportunity in him to cultivate his craft and have fun with his talent which he is happy to share with the rest of the world.

Growing up in the Caribbean influenced his musically style significantly, hence his preference for dancehall and hip hop.

“I joke with people I meet when they ask me what type of music I do, I tell them “if the music don’t make you wanna groove, I don’t wanna do it.” I believe that Canadian dancehall is on the rise, moreover dancehall music is on the rise once more in the world and I plan to help keep that vibe alive”.

He has infused his dancehall music with hip hop, similarly to the way Drake has been able to incorporate

T

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, september 7, 2018

he National Cultural Centre is the venue to be on Friday, September 21 for the first ever Afro-Praise Concert titled “Hosana”. The concert is organised by the African Pride Team, Peks the Band and the local churches.

The event will be a red-carpet affair and patrons will be admitted free are urged to wear a touch of African attire. Those slated to perform are the members of Zamar Music, RWCC Dance Ministries, Pastor Sean Sobers

dancehall into hip hop music; it is like doing the reverse.

He has been inspired by artistes such as Bob Marley, Tupac, Beenie Man, Mase, Marvin Gaye, Beres Hammond and Garnet Silk, just to name a few.

His music can be considered as groovy and edgy, with tunes such as “Love You Down” and “Get To Know You”.

However, he tries to promote positivity in his music.

One of his such songs is “Girl They Can’t Stop”, which supports and promotes women’s empowerment.

Another song, he made reference to was “African Woman”, which entertains but at the same time reminding women about their beauty, melanin and being comfortable in their own skin.

“It’s hard to say who I sound like as other artistes as well as myself could not come up with another artist who my voice sounds like. While I have had my own challenges since I’ve started recording music, I know that I am on a mission so I keep pushing through”.

However, he hopes to see more Guyanese artistes on the international scene. He believes Guyana has been blessed with talent but there not have enough windows of opportunity for people with similar ambitions to pursue their dreams.

As such, he is hopeful to be in a position where he can share his road map with Guyanese youths who are bursting with talent but feel stuck as they see no sense in going after their dream.

“To them I say dream on, and don’t give up on yourself or your dreams.

To those that are in a position to contribute to the music scene, I encourage them to invest in our youth”.

and the Prophetic Breed Band, Enea Benjamin, the Royalty Dance Group, the RWCC Praise Team along with the Fantastic Steel Orchestra and others.

The main feature of the evening will be Mic Dada out of Nigeria and the United States and Guyanese own, Saiku. The emcees for the event are the versatile, Kester D and Jasmin Harris-Smith.

Admission is absolutely free but those who wish to attend will have to secure a complementa-

ry pass. These passes are available at Kester D Gospel Music Centre, Andrew Super Market, National Cultural Centre (Box Office), Kaineville Full Gospel Church, Fellowship Grove, EBD, and Rehoboth Canteen, William Street, Kitty.

The red carpet welcome commences at 17:00h followed by the featured activity of the evening at 18:30h. The concert will be recorded and available for sale afterwards.

F

rom “Dem ah Watch me” to “Bunjal wine”, Guyanese Chutney singer, Mahendra Ramkellawan has released his newest single, titled “Na Tek Worries” on his radio station in Queen, New York, as well as Radio Guyana’s Team MMR Party Mix last week.

The song, which speaks for itself, has been creating quite a buzz and Guyanese in the Diaspora are asking for more releases. The song tells about the everyday life of Guyanese and how they cope with problems.

More so, it is a common slang that is used by practically the entire Guyanese populace.

“Na Tek Worries” was written by the Guyanese superstar but was recorded and mixed in the Maha Studio, Trinidad and Tobago. This is not the first song that the artiste recorded in Trinidad and according to him, he felt pleased when the final product was given to him.

In the coming months, the Guyanese is expected to release a few new songs. Ramkellawan over the past years has released quite a few songs which have made it to the top. He was also known for holding the biggest chutney shows in Guyana – the two main ones, “Clash of the Champions” and “Music of the World”.

G

uyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guayna) 2018 film festival, “Painting the Spectrum 14,” continues with two screenings that explore LGBT love, breakups, challenges and sexual exploration.

On Tuesday, September 11, Spectrum 14 presents “Play the Devil” – a gay-themed film produced and set in Trinidad and Tobago, aiming to show the diversity of love stories and sexualities in the Caribbean.

“Play the Devil” is set against the backdrop of Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival, a gifted and struggling young man becomes the object of intrigue for an older, well-meaning businessman until their worlds collide. The film is the winner of the Jury Award at the KASHISH Mumbai Queer Film Festival, winner of the Best Female Director award at the Woodstock film festival and the winner of the Special Jury Prize for Best Screenplay at the Nashville Film Festival.

On Thursday, September 13, the festival continues with a screening of 11 shorts on themes such as an amusing discussion about sex between a mother and a gay son; the separation of a lesbian couple from South Africa; the religious opposition that gay parents face; spontaneous encounters between future (or past) lovers. The films come from all over the world – Thailand, Russia, Poland, Iran, Canada, showing the many ways in which LGBTQ+ people can express their love and their desires.

“Painting the Spectrum” will continue every Tuesday and Thursday of September. The screenings take place at SASOD’s office, 203 Duncan Street, Lamaha Gardens (between Durbana Square and Eastern Highway)

at 18:00h hours each evening. For more information on the screenings, visit the festival’s website: https:// spectrumguyana.wordpress.com/.

Admission to the film festival is free. The films are intended for mature audiences. SASOD reserves the right to refuse admission to minors who are not accompanied by a parent or guardian or persons who do not have identification to prove that they are not minors.

The film festival aims to both offer a safe space for the LGBTQ+ Guyanese to interact and communicate, and to educate the general public by presenting queer-themed films, which are almost never screened in mainstream cinemas in Guyana.

SASOD is an international and local award-winning, 15-year-old human rights movement and organisation, leading change, educating and serving communities, to end discrimination based on sexuality and gender in Guyana.

fridAY, september 7, 2018

19

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018...

Tallawahs looking to keep streak alive – Richardson

Andrew Richardson

By Clifton Ross

J

amaica Tallawahs Operations Manager Andrew Richardson said with crunch time approaching, the team is focused on continuing their win-streak as they prepare to tackle the Guyana Amazon Warriors in their next match set for Saturday under lights

at Providence.

The Tallawahs final squad members arrived on Wednesday while some came Monday and immediately commenced their training at the Providence Stadium. The former Tallawahs fast-bowler Tallawahs Manager, during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport on Thursday afternoon, said that his players have been enjoying their time so far in the tourney and are upbeat ahead of Saturday’s clash versus the Warriors at home.

“It’s always enjoyable to come to Guyana, we have had some ups and downs, we have won three in a row and we lost three in a row.

But we’re looking to fix it cause now is the business end and its about positioning and hopefully we hit all our straps and correct the errors we made before”, Richardson admitted.

The Jamaica Tallawahs players during their net session on Thursday

The 37 year-old believed that his team was playing a good brand of cricket and he hopes that they can continue their win streak versus the home team and further climb the points table with play-offs approaching. “Our batting has been doing fairly decent, we have been scor-

ing 180 plus as along as we have been defending what we post. The wicket here in Guyana has improved its look like 170 so hopefully we can capitalize on the nature of it”.

Tied on 10 points with their opponents for this weekend, despite being

in 4th place the former Tallawahs pacer said that winnings games and acquiring the necessary points are crucial objectives for the team. “They (points) are extremely important; the next couple of games the teams involved will determine the play-off spots. Everyone

wants to be one or two, but we have to do we have to do the situation is we have one more preliminary game and we can ask our players to come good against Guyana and hopefully we can come out victorious”, he said.

Former title holders, the Tallawahs have been one of the better all-round sides this season and Richardson said it’s about the team winning every match and working on their weak areas as they go forward. “We want to win every game here, we have a three game win streak and we want to pull it back at the back end we have areas we need to brush up on and now is the time” he ended.

Both teams will have just one day left to finetune themselves ahead of Saturday night’s clash under lights at Providences which bowls off at 20:00h.

England unchanged for Cook’s farewell Test

W

hen the Test series began in England, there were murmurs about this Indian side being well equipped to end their horror overseas run - they had last won a Test series outside Asia and the Caribbean in 2009.

After India had lost the first two Tests and then bounced back to stun England at Trent Bridge, there were murmurs of a Bradman-esque comeback: from a 2-0 deficit to a 3-2 series victory. Then, when it mattered the most in a one-innings shootout at Ageas Bowl, India’s premier spinner R Ashwin struggled to loop the ball into the rough on a bone-dry pitch that was more MA Chidambaram Stadium than Ageas Bowl.

The killer blow then came when the batting line-up folded against Moeen Ali, again. All-new series. Sameold story for India.

The series is dead now, but this is by no means the deadest of dead rubbers.

Alastair Cook, who made his Test debut against India in 2006, is set to bow out of international cricket against the same team. Since the retirement of Andrew Strauss, in 2012, the England selectors have been endlessly searching for the other open-

but at The Oval?

When the Test bowls off today, the visitors could also be pondering handing a debut to Andhra batsman

England’ all-time leading Test batsman, Alastair Cook is saying good bye to the beautiful game after 161 matches

er. Post-Oval, their problems will be doubled. And what’s with Joe Root’s reluctance to bat at No. 3? Word has it, Moeen Ali will continue at one-down at The Oval.

India’s top order is in no healthy shape either. KL Rahul hasn’t produced an innings of note and has looked as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs against the inswing-

er. He has been dismissed bowled or lbw in six of his eight Test innings here.

Shikhar Dhawan has shown greater restraint outside off, and has moved into double figures in each of his six innings, but hasn’t passed 44.

So, will 18-year-old Prithvi Shaw, who has been racking up runs and records in domestic cricket and A games, make his international de-

Hanuma Vihari, who, like Shaw, has been prolific in domestic cricket and has the experience of playing league cricket in England. And if

Wednesday’s net session is anything to go by, Ravindra Jadeja could get his first international game on tour, in place of Ashwin. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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fridAY, september 7, 2018

Windies Women battle South Africa ahead of WT20 – Campbelle lone Guyanese included

W

indies Women will have a chance to test how ready they are ahead of their World T20 title defense when they face South Africa in three ODIs and five T20Is from September 16 to October 6 in Barbados and Trinidad.

Stafanie Taylor captains the 15-member squad to face the 6th-ranked South Africans, who will also be in the same group in the ICC WWT20 in November.

The selection panel has selected 13 players for the three ODIs with two additional players joining the squad for the five T20 Internationals.

Chairman of Selectors Courtney Browne stated, “As we approach the ICC WWT20, both the ODI and

T20 series will be key as out preparation continues towards the tournament.

After a disappointing tour of New Zealand, our players now have the opportunity to be highly competitive in familiar conditions.

We welcome the return of Shemaine Campbelle and Natasha McLean in the ODI and T20 squads, while Karishma Ramharack and Sheneta Grimmond will be joining the T20 squad for the first time. The team has plenty of experience and we would like to wish Stafanie Taylor and her team all the best for the series.”

The three-match ODI series will be part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championships as qualification for the 50-over World

West Indies Women are the defending World T20 Champions

Cup in 2021 in New Zealand.

The five-match T20I series will provide the WINDIES Women with international match practice heading into the Championships will be played in the Caribbean from November 9-24, in Guyana, St. Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda.

Full Squad: Stafanie Taylor (Captain), Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha Mclean, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman, Anisa Mohammed, Sheneta Grimmond (T20I Squad only), Karishma Ramharack (T20I Squad only)

Limacol double-header on tonight – Campton renews rivalry with GFC

F

our teams will head to the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue this evening to vie for their chance of securing points in the third annual Limacol Knockout football tournament.

The tournament is sponsored by the Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) under their Limacol brand, in collaboration with the Petra Organization and aims at giving smaller teams a platform to show off their skills.

With twelve teams participating in the tournament, they have been placed in

and Georgetown Football Club, both of whom will now be playing their first match of the tournament. Their encounter will go down at 18:00h.

On the other hand, playing out of Group C, Santos and Grove Hi Tec are schedgroups of four. Group A will feature a mixture of experience and youth in Guyana Police Force, Pele Football Club, Northern Rangers and Mahaica Determinators Over in group B Campton, Georgetown Football Club, Riddim Squad, Buxton Stars

will fight for the most points in the group whilst Group C Santos, Pouderoyen, Grove Hi Tec and Beacons Football Club competing against each other in the round robin segment.

Tonight will see Group B action between Campton

uled to clash at 20:00h. With these teams also playing their first match of the tournament it will be interesting to watch the battle for their first two points and an expected confidence booster for the rest of the tournament.

The twelve teams are

competing for a chance of grabbing the grand prize of $600,000 whilst the runner up team will contently settle for a $300,000 prize. Third and fourth places will receive $150,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Adventure Trounce Ariel in 10/10 final I n what aspired to be a great final, turned out to be far more than fans expected as they were treated to the greatest performance in 10/10 softball cricket last Sunday when Adventure Sports Club trashed Ariel by 51 runs to be crowned champions on the Golden Fleece Beach, Essequibo Coast.

Shining for Adventure were Shaz Grosvenor and Gavindra Sharma who were in destructive moods with the bat. Grosvenor struck two fours and 11 sixes in a scintillating knock of 80 while Sharma hammered 65 (2x4; 7x6). Chandy Jairam and Javed Azeez contributed 25 and 18 respectively as Adventure Sports Club posted a nearly impossible score of 206-2 in their allotted 10 overs with only Jonathan Fernandez with 1-19 having figures of respectability.

Ariel were then sent into bat with a now mammoth target of 207 for victory in 10 overs having to make at least 21 runs per over.

They made a brave attempt but were restricted to 1566 when their over expired.

Fernandez and S. Lall made 27 each as Grosvenor came back with the ball to claim three wickets for Adventure.

In their semifinal matchup Adventure Sports Club beat Golden Fleece by 10 wickets in their encoun-

Shaz Grosvenor (right) accepting his prize

ter. Batting first Golden Fleece managed 132-9 with Patrick Rooplall making 51 while Sharma and Deon Grosvenor took two wickets a piece. Adventure Sports Club responded with 133-0 in seven overs while Shaz Grosvenor scored 69 and Sharma 62.

In the second semifinal Ariel went on to beat Annandale by 30 runs. Ariel mustered 161-3 with Brian Mangar stroking 78 and Neilan Cadogan taking two

wickets. Annandale was only able to muster 132-7 in response. Cadogan kept his team in the hunt with an attacking 98 but when he departed the remaining batsmen failed to show any resistance, Mangar picked up three wickets.

At the end of the tournament Shaz Grosvenor ran away with two individual awards; Man of the match in the final best batman of the tournament while Sharma was voted the best bowler.

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GCA fixtures continue as planned M

atches organized by the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) will continue this weekend with some crucial fixtures.

Beginning on Saturday will be a highly anticipated GISE Star Party Rental and Trophy Stall First Division Two-Day semifinal between University of Guyana (UG) Trojans and the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in Queenstown at the DCC ground beginning at 09:30h.

The other semifinal between Police and GNIC will not play due to the unavailability of the Eve

Jayden Dowlin goes down the ground for DCC in a recent encounter at the MYO ground

s the T20 cricket fever spreads across Guyana there will be an epic battle when the visiting Rockaway AllStars take on Everest Cricket Club from 13:00h at Carifesta Avenue and Camp road.

The match which is sponsored by Hafeez Ali of Rockaway Group of Companies of New York City is jointly organized by Everest and the visitors with the aim of further strengthening the bond of friendship.

Ali, a ‘Life Member’ of Everest CC has seen the growth and development of many of the young talents in and out of Guyana

and is delighted to bring them back together for a friendly yet competitive match to keep the competitive juices pumping in the young stars.

Following the game, Ali will make individual presentations to outstanding players that will help with the development of their game.

There will be musical entertainment with live commentary in the ground while the players will use colour clothes and white balls.

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Leary ground however; it will be played next weekend.

The Noble House Seafood Second Division Two-Day tournament will also continue with one match this weekend. Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) will host Diplomats from 11:00h daily.

The other competition is the V-Net Communications Under-13 Pairs 25 overs Tournament which will see Transport Sports Club taking on DCC from 09:30h and Bel-Air Rubis going up against GCC at 13:30h at the MYO ground.

Everest CC hosts Rockaway All-Stars in feature T20 A

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– Police vs GNIC clash postponed

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legance Jewellery and Pawn Shop has thrown their support behind the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL) for the staging of the second edition of the Prime Minister’s T20 Cup. This partnership was announced recently when the entity presented a cheque to the organisers at the Regal Stationery Computer Centre, 69 Seafort Street, Campbellville.

Devon Callendar of Elegant Jewellery and Pawn Shop, who made the presentation to Secretary of the GSCL Inc (GSCL) Telesha Ousman, said they are happy to be part such a tournament once again and is looking forward to an exciting and successful ONE. He added that softball cricket is a family oriented sport and is calling on the fans to support the game.

Ousman expressed gratitude to the sponsor and said that the tournament has attracted some of the top teams locally and also involves teams from Canada, New York and Florida.

The tournament is being held in association with the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of the Presidency Department of Social Cohesion, Culture,

Devon Callendar (left) of Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop presents the cheque to GSCL Inc Secretary Telesha Ousman

Youth and Sports.

Ousman pointed out that lighted bails will be used in the finals and no entrance fee is required. The tournament will be played in the Allstars and Masters Categories and Ousman informed that the winning team in the Allstars segment will take home a trophy and $700,000 and the runner up a trophy and $100,000 while the champion side in the Masters division will pocket a trophy and $600,000 and the runner up a trophy and $100,000.

Members of the finalists will

also be given medals.

The GSCL Inc Secretary indicated that Florida/ Guyana Hope, one of the teams in the tournament, will present USD$20,000 to the Guyana/Florida Hope Charitable organisation during the competition which will commence on October 19 and conclude on October 21 at the Everest Cricket Club.

The first 12 teams that registered in the Allstars category and 16 in the masters division will be accepted and according to Ousman

informed that nine teams have registered so far in the Allstars category and 10 in the Masters.

The venues identified for preliminary matches are Everest Cricket Club, Muslim Youth Organisation, Gandhi Youth Organisation, GNIC SC, Demerara CC, Police, Malteenoes SC, YMCA and Ogle.

Live cross over band and cheerleaders will provide added entertainment during the finals while there will be lots of giveaways for the fans. (ZM)

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fridAY, september 7, 2018

Campbell, Bramble help Windies ‘B’ draw first blood J

ohn Campbell and West Indies B Captain missed out on tons but did enough to help the side beat hosts Canada by 77-runs in their first of two 50Over games played on Wednesday September 5.

The visitors stormed to the emphatic win at the South-West Ground, Maple Leaf Cricket Club, King City, Ontario where they racked up 286 all out in 48.2 overs.

Campbell smashed 9 0

while the Guyanese wicket-keeper Bramble continued his decent run as skipper by hitting a solid 83.

Spinner Derval Green flexed his muscles with the bat, chipping in with a useful 34 which rounded off the Windies B batting performance. The pick of the bowling for the Canadians was Cecil Pervez who grabbed 3-43 from 9 overs.

Justin Greaves

Canada’s response was good up until Sermon Lewis who grabbed 4-34 and Justin Greaves with 3-37, came to the party.

I t was a spirited chase by the home team who fell short in the end but managed to reach 209 in 43.4 overs thanks to efforts mainly from Navneet Dhaliwal who top-scored with an even 50 and mystery spinner Nikhil Dutta with an unbeaten 35.

Other seemingly fruitful knocks were compliments of; Nitish Kumar with 30, Saad bin Zafar with 28 and Guyanese Dilon Heyliger who made 21 but failed to convert. Meanwhile, the second and final 50-over game of the Canadian tour scheduled to be played at Maple Leaf Cricket Club on Friday September 7, from11:00h.

John Campbell

Anthony Bramble

Colours Boutique throws support Indigenous Affairs Minister behind Guiness Cage football confident of young player’s abilities

A

head of the highly anticipated semifinal round of the Guiness Cage football tournament, Colours Boutique located on Robb Street Georgetown, has reiterated their commitment to sport development by making a timely donation to the tournament by making one of the individual prizes more tangible.

The Colours Boutique has plunged into the Highest Goal Scorer award, which will now come in the form of a $16,000 gift voucher and is redeemable at the establishment. The voucher will be to the winner at the conclusion of the tournament.

The prize is extremely fitting for the tournament owing to the heightened competition that is showcased by the players. In this light, there are currently two players who are leading the goal scorers’ charts.

Those players are Deon Alfred of Tigerbay and Shem Porter of Alexander Village.

However, Jamal Cozier is looking threatening to cop the prize with a semifinal

Colours Boutique representative Samantha Thomas (center) hands over the ‘Highest Goal scorer’ gift voucher to Loreann Baptiste, in the presence of Three Peat Promotions Rawle Welch

(and possibly final) encounter left in the competition, added to the fact that he already holds five conversions.

At the boutique’s Robb Street location, the voucher was received by tournament coordinator Three Peat Promotions was Loreann Baptiste.

Colours Boutique staffer Samantha Thomas declared that the company has always been committed to the development of sports, as they are a key partner in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Championship.

Meanwhile, Rawle Welch, Director of Three Peat Promotions thanked the company for their timely gesture, declaring that the company has a tremendous track record in sports development.

He further added that the rewarding of individual talents is important, as it highlights the respective abilities of players.

The remainder of the tournament which is being dubbed ‘The East Coast Best versus the Rest’ will be

held the Haslington Market Tarmac, with the semi-finals and final set for today.

The semi-final matchups will pit home side Uprising against Broad Street, while Sparta Boss will take aim at fierce rival Leopold Street.

The victors of the aforesaid matches will face-off in the finale, with the losers relegated to the third place playoff.

Among the other entities in support of the event are: Banks DIH under its Guinness and Power Wine brands, Clarks footwear giants Chetsons, E- Networks Inc., KSM Investments, Yhip’s Bakery, Brass Aluminum & Cast Iron Foundry [BACIF], Ray’s Auto Sales, Insurance Brokers Guyana Limited [IGBL], Y.K. Investments, Trophy Stall, Express Shipping, Woodpecker Products, National Sports Commission, ‘C’ Division of the Guyana Police Force, Jai Signs & Auto Designs, Gaming Authority, Julius Variety Store, T&J Bookstore and C & C Prestigious Styles.

I

Nellisha Johnson is flanked by her parents and coach (from left) Glen Johnson, Carmelita Johnson, Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Coach Rai Sharma

n light of the Indigenous Heritage month activities, various persons of Amerindian heritage are being celebrated and recognized for their diligent work.

One such person is Chess’ very own Nellisha Johnson who is gearing up to compete at the highest international level.

The 17-year-old, who is one of Guyana’s Female chess champions on Wednesday paid a courtesy call to Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe. Accompanied by her parents, Johnson had the opportunity to interact with the Minister about her plans and goals ahead of the staging of the World Chess Olympiad later this month.

Minister Garrido-Lowe had nothing but high praises for Johnson and her achievements stating, “We are proud of you and the Ministry will continue to support you and other indigenous athletes so that everyone can excel at what they do.”

The teenager’s parents, Glen and Carmelita, who are said to have always been a strong pillar of support to their daughter also expressed confidence in her abilities.

“This will be a good learning experience for her and I am happy that she has taken up the game because I never to be honest expected her to meet this far but now I have lots of expectations. I am also very grateful to the Ministry for supporting her and I know she will make Guyana proud,” her father proudly stated.

Meanwhile, Johnson who hails from Orealla Village, Region Six admitted that she is aware of the high level of competition that lies before her, however, she has her mind set of competing to the best of her abilities.

“I know it’s going to be a challenge because is really good players there but I will have to focus on my game and not really on the player, the focus has to be there. I would also want to come back with my ratings points improved and I will represent Guyana to the best of my ability,” Johnson said.

Nellisha who had a feel of international competition at the 7th Junior CARIFTA Championships in Suriname during March of this year, was the only female Guyanese player to receive World Chess Federation (FIDE) ratings this year, which was an impressive starting score of 1123.

Coupled with her stellar local performances she has been awarded a place on Guyana’s team to the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia. She will be a part of a ten member team (consisting of 5 males and 5 females) who will represent Guyana from September 23 to October 6.

Aside from Chess, the young woman has seen success at the 2018 sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations as a Hinterland Scholarship Student who attended St Joseph High School.

guyanatimesgy.com

fridAY, september 7, 2018

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Amazon Warriors return home for fierce battles A

fter five keenly contested battles on the road, the Guyana Amazon Warriors returned on Thursday September 6, 2018 to their homeland to wrap up their home leg of the tournament with two heated clashes on the weekend.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport as the Warriors arrived at the Guyana Marriott International Hotel, Team Operations Manager of the team Omar Khan, when asked how he felt about the team’s performance in the away games he stated that the team’s goal was to win three of the five away games and they achieved that but it would have been nice to win all five but he noted that the game was all part of a process as they qualified for the top four and now the team’s next objective is to qualify first or second position since he believes they are very much on course.

When asked what are the plans he has for the team in the next two home games Khan said, “our plans are to work hard, train hard and execute our plans better that we did last night against

Devendra Bishoo and Imran Tahir making their way into the Marriott International Hotel upon their arrival on Thursday evening (Dexter Ceres photo)

Trinidad and Tobago and come out victorious in both games.”

The Warriors are currently at

number three on the points table after eight games, winning five and losing three. With their next

match against the Tallawahs on Saturday at Providence and will be looking to bounce back and go

to the number two position on the points table to play the very important play-off number one on Tuesday also at home.

In their three previous home matches, they defeated the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and the St Lucia Stars but lost to Barbados Tridents. While the Stars and Tridents are eliminated, last year’s losing finalist; Patriots are in the play-offs again on 11 points after completing their quota of 10 games.

The Warriors success so far have hinged on the batting of lefthander Shimron Hetymer who is currently ranked fourth in the table of leading run scorers with 279 while South African leg spinner Imran Tahir is the Warriors most successful bowler with 13 wickets, one behind Andre Russell and Oshane Thomas with 14 each.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will face the Jamaica Tallawahs on Saturday September 8 from 20:00h then play the Trinbago Knight Riders the next day at 18:00h. (Timothy Jaikarran)

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Fired-up TKR battle out-of-sorts Tridents F

resh off their win over the Guyana Amazon Warriors, defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) will be seeking another win when they take on the last placed Barbados Tridents in Match 28 at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Friday night’s match

should be interesting as TKR will be sizing up the under-pressure of Stars who are in last place, having suffered a re-

cent series of losses; setting up a typical top-of-the-table versus bottom-of-the-table clash. TKR shook up the Guyana Amazon Warriors in Wednesday’s game with Colin Munro denting the bowling surging to 90.

While TKR’s line-up has been firing throughout the tournament, Chris Lynn has been out of touch and with his replacement Colin Ingram a similar player to Munro, the champs could fancy their star-studded batting order and hope for a change at the top of the order.

A

strong showing from USA pacer Ali Khan who starred with 3 wickets in the last game along with some collective work from skipper Dwayne Bravo, Australian leggy Fawad Ahmad and others who have been making a difference. Should the Tridents look for some luck, they will need their batters to fire on the right cylin-

ders with their batsmen like Hashim Amla, Shai Hope, Dwayne Smith and others picking up the slack.

S t e v e Smith who was ruled out with an injury was also a huge loss for the Tridents, m a k i n g their playing combination going forward a bit more mysterious.

However, the quality of bowlers the Tridents possess such as their Pakistani pair of Mohammed Irfan and Wahab Riaz will be a handful while Jason Holder will have triple the responsibility playing as an all-rounder and skipper.

TKR could look again to Brendon McCullum for another MVP knock after the ex-New

Z e a l a n d Captain smashed 66 in a low-scoring game versus the Tridents earlier in the tournament, to help TKR win by 4 wickets.

With both Bravo brothers in immaculate hitting form, along with the pair of Kiwis, Ramdin’s seniority and a clicking bowling attack; the c h a m p s will fancy the chances of adding to their 12

points and remain in number one spot. The Tridents meanwhile, will be keen on upsetting TKR’s current flow; when the two franchises collide from 20:00h at the Queen’s Park Oval. (Clifton Ross)

fridAY, september 7, 2018

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Hero Caribbean Premier League 2018…

Amazon Warriors return home for fierce battles Page 23

Guyana vs Barbados

A glimpse of the action! Guyanese striker takes on possession of the ball well on his way to a goal. After a quiet first half, Guyana struck early in the second, only to concede two goals. Another stellar goal from Guyana meant that the encounter would end on a 2-2 draw. More details in a subsequent publication

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