Guyanatimes, monday, may 21, 2018

Guyana sends message of condolences to Cuba after deadly plane crash P10

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SARA remains mired in deep controversy – Nandlall guyanatimesgy.com

Monday, May 21, 2018

Issue No. 3570

…says Thomas, Retemyer holding posts unlawfully

Page 3

PNCR congress focuses on countering PPP

Broomes, GGMC halt operations at stone quarry, sand pit – several others owe $M in royalties

Page 10

– Granger says consensus with partners being sought

Page 9

National Youth Week commences with grand rally

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyanese media receive training in effective P7 reporting

Controversial Cyber Crimes Bill

Govt should P9 take full responsibility for sedition clause – Jagdeo

President, First Lady leave P3 Guyana for “routine” medical check-up

Guyana’s healthcare system deficient – US report P7

Several youth groups marched along Brickdam in a parade to signal the commencement of National Youth Week 2018 held under the theme, “Empowering young people to foster national and community development through innovation” (Carl Croker photo)

…points to lack of specialists, substandard public health

Page 10

Amaila Falls Hydro Project

Guyanese suffering because of Govt's pride, arrogance – MP Page 2

Herstelling residents decry deplorable condition of streets P14

…call for NDC to address plight

2 news

monDAY, may 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Amaila Falls Hydro Project

Guyanese suffering because of Govt’s pride, arrogance – MP

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ormer Government Minister and current Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Irfaan Ali, has lashed out at Government for its inconsistent policies, and has highlighted recent comments made by one senior Government Minister in relation to the Amaila Falls Hydro Power (AFHP) project.

He said Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman’s recent affirmation that the project is actually a renewable energy option for Government is one prime example.

Trotman’s statement is contrary to that made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who had said Government has shelved the idea.

“This Government has demonstrated that it has no clear vision, understanding, or clarity on where it is going, and its developmental priorities for Guyana… I think pride and arrogance (have) cost the Guyanese people tremendously, as a result of the actions of this Government,”

Opposition MP and former Minister Irfaan Ali

he stated.

Ali told Guyana Times on Sunday it is also clear that the only accomplishments that Government could point to are initiatives or undertakings that commenced under the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Government; another case in point being the Specialty Hospital which was also shot down by the coalition.

According to him, had

the Government, while in Opposition, supported the AFHP project, it would have already been on stream, and Guyanese from all walks of life would have been direct beneficiaries today.

“By today, the people in this country, our brothers and sisters, would have been benefiting from the most improved and cheaper energy costs. As a result of pride and the heavy-handedness of this Government, when they were in Opposition, the people were denied this opportunity,” he asserted.

The Opposition MP said also that the Government was given the opportunity, while in Opposition, to support the independent stakeholders who had come to assess the feasibility of the project. However, it did not seize those opportunities, but is now claiming that monies will have to be expended on carrying out another assessment.

“Why is it (that) we have to expend more resources and more study on a project that

is already deemed good and supported by every single independent group that came to assess the feasibility and viability of this project? By today, we should not be worrying about whether we should continue with the hydro,” he said.

Ali said Government should have moved ahead with the idea, but again reminded that Government was reluctant to do so because of pride, mainly because it was a brainchild of former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

He maintained that the AFHP project is the most important aspect of Guyana’s developtransformational ment goal, mainly because the greatest hindrance for all Guyanese is the cost of energy.

“Even the Inter-American Development Bank spoke about the inhibiting factor for Guyanese development is the cost of energy. Today, not only would we have had 100 percent renewable energy, but we would have had an electricity rate that would have come down by almost 50 percent,”

he noted.

In addition to that, local rates would have been far more competitive, so much so that it would have created expansion in the manufacturing sector, which would have ultimately lent to new oppor-

to maintain the current supply network or bring some improvements to it. His contention is that that investment could have been put towards the AFHP project instead.

The Opposition PPPC has long called for reintroduction

tunities for growth and development, and job creation throughout the country.

The MP said the same could be said for many other projects. These include the Marriott Hotel, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion, and the Specialty Hospital.

“Skepticism and a lot of mischief was created around these transformational projects that were critical in recreating a new developmental and economic growth landscape for our country,” he opined.

Reference was also made to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc seeking US$110 million to assist with an overhaul of its system. Ali reminded that this sum is not catering for any expansion, but just

of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project for a number of important reasons. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said not only does the scrapping of the project threaten the forest pact agreement with the Kingdom of Norway, which could cause the country to lose out on another US$3 billion in savings, but it could assist Guyana to combat climate change.

The project, which formed part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), was the brainchild of Jagdeo, and was commissioned in 2009. And having taken up office in 2015, the current Government has repeatedly stated its disapproval of resurrecting the project.

(Samuel Sukhnandan)

Guyana, Indonesia to explore trade, investment opportunities

President David Granger and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi at State House

T

he Republic of Indonesia is interested in investing in Guyana, particularly in the areas of value-added manufacturing, agro-processing, and the sugar industry.

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi, accompanied by Indonesia’s Ambassador to Guyana, Dominicus Supratikto, paid a courtesy call on President David Granger at State House over the weekend, and made this disclosure when she met the President.

The Guyanese Head of State highlighted the longstanding good relations between the two nations, while adding that the visit forms the basis for strengthening ties between the two countries, which share a common

history of colonization.

President Granger also took the opportunity to express condolences to the Government and people of Indonesia on the loss of lives that occurred during a terrorist attack in that country on May 13.

Minister Marsudi declared that her country is seeking to improve relations with Guyana, and said she looks forward to Guyana’s participation in the Indonesia Trade Exposition slated for later this year.

Guyana and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on August 27, 1999.

However, prior to that, the two countries had been involved in engagements within the Non-Aligned Movement, which Guyana joined in 1970.

news

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MONDAY, may 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, May 21 – 09:30h-11:00h and Tuesday, May 22 – 10:30h-12:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

SARA remains mired in deep controversy – Nandlall …says Thomas, Retemyer holding posts unlawfully

Monday, May 21 – 08:35h-10:05h and Tuesday, May 22 – 09:50h-11:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Cloudy skies will prevail during the day and evening with light showers in the morning and sunny intervals in the afternoon. Temperatures will range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 09:07h and 21:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.26 metres and 2.39 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 15:18h reaching a minimum height of 0.82 metre.

sUNDAY, MAY 19, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS E

03 04 06

15 17 25

22 Bonus Ball

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DAILY MILLIONS 01 03 08 10 13 LUCKY 3 9 6 2

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Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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Opposition MP Anil Nandlall

A

lthough the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Act came into force since May 11, 2017, SARA remains mired in deep controversy, according to former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall.

Nandlall reminded that several questions raised even before the Bill was tabled in the National Assembly by a wide cross-section of society, including, the parliamentary Opposition, to date remained unanswered.

Expectedly, within one month of the Bill’s enactment, legal proceedings were launched challenging the constitutionality of several of the provisions of the controversial SARA legislation. These proceedings are still pending in the Constitutional Division of the High Court.

The Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) said if this challenge was successful, then everything that SARA would have done would become legally questionable, including the impending charges. “It would be interesting to see how the Government will navigate these technical legal issues,” he stated.

Pointing to some clear loop-

holes in the transitionary period, Nandlall claimed that the persons who currently hold the position of Director and Deputy Director of the agency, Professor Clive Thomas and Aubrey Retemyer respectively seem to be holding those posts unlawfully.

“Having regard to the track record of the coalition Government, these persons are obviously enjoying handsome remuneration packages. The public is unaware of what these packages are, although public funds are being utilised to finance them,” he explained.

The former Attorney General has argued that both Thomas and Retemyer may be obtaining those monies unlawfully, because the Act provides for the Director and Deputy Director to be appointed by the National Assembly. Neither Thomas nor Retemyer were appointed by the National Assembly.

The terms of their office are to be determined by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments, as provided for by the Act. Again, this has not been done, although it came into force over a year now.

“Yet, Professor Clive Thomas continues to act as the Director of SARA under this transitionary provision. His continuation in office, therefore, is as illegal as that of the Deputy Director, who can only be appointed by the National Assembly under the Act and who was not,” he asserted.

Nandlall, therefore, believes that the two men are in no position to lecture the nation about illegality and to be entrusted with the responsibility of investigating and curbing illegality.

Political affiliations

The other significant issue, which, according to him,

SARA Director, Professor Clive Thomas

SARA Deputy Director Aubrey Retemyer

contaminates these two office holders, is their known and professed political connections. Professor Thomas is a leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), one of the political parties in the coalition Government.

On the other hand, Retemyer was recently quoted in the press as conceding that he has a political affiliation. Though he did not disclose to which political party he is aligned, Nandlall said it did not take a genius to figure out where his political allegiance lay, noting that it was certainly not with the Opposition.

“However, he maintains that despite his political affiliation, he can act fairly. What he fails to understand is that the test is not subjective but objective: it is not what he thinks, but the perception, harboured by the ordinary Guyanese, that is important. Quite frankly, a perception that he will take instructions from the Office of the President is a quite reasonable one to hold in the circumstances,” the Opposition MP said.

In addition to that, Nandlall reminded that the State Assets Recovery

Unit (SARU) which was reestablished as SARA, was housed in the Ministry of the Presidency while Retemyer was a member of the party in Government. He was appointed by the Ministry of the Presidency to SARU. That appointment still holds in SARA. SARA is still housed within the Ministry of the Presidency.

“Minister Harmon conceded in the National Assembly that SARU’s budget is funded from the Ministry of the Presidency. So, it is quite natural to conclude that Mr Retemyer has political connections to the Government.

These perceptions or realities will militate against Mr Retemyer and he may never be able to convince an alert Guyanese population of his impartiality and professionalism in this office,” he added.

Tacuma Ogunseye and Desmond Trotman, two longstanding leaders of the WPA, were also employed by SARU, which Nandlall said exacerbated the political contamination. There is no indication that they have not been transitioned over to SARA like their colleagues. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

President, First Lady leave Guyana for “routine” medical check-up 5

Guyanese to implement measures aimed at ensuring their good health, which should include regular health checks, exercise, and

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Evening Draw

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

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger

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resident David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger departed Guyana earlier on Sunday for the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago to undergo their annual medical check-up.

The first couple boarded a Caribbean Airlines flight that departed the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri about

05:45h. The couple are expected to return to Guyana on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

In a release issued by the Ministry of Presidency, it stated that medical checkups are a regular part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while noting that both the President and the First Lady remain in good health.

The Ministry of the Presidency urges all

healthy eating habits.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will act as Head of State until the President returns.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, may 21, 2018

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

Families and inclusive societies

F

rom the dawn of history, the family has been the bedrock for the development of man into what he is today. At the most mundane level, while all would have hunted and gathered their food, the transmission of the collective knowledge to the youths of the next generation was best done with-in the family. Today, while we have created elaborate school systems for socialising the young, that has proven ineffective without families as the fundamental units of society.

Starting from the ancient Greeks, there have been sporadic efforts to replace the family with soci-etal-wide collectives to handle the socialisation process. The rules constituting institutions such as the family, which society has to enforce for its sanctity, made Rousseau exclaim in despair: “Man is born free but is everywhere in chains!”

The communes of the 1960’s was only one in a long line of experiments to remove those chains with the group as a whole responsible for the young.

While there has been some variation in the exact structure of the family in different societies, the nuclear and extended families have proven to be the most stable over the millennia. The UN has acknowledgement of the importance of families in societies with their declaration of an “Interna-tional Day of Families”, falling on May 15 annually. This year, they have chosen the theme: “Fami-lies and inclusive societies” and we are exhorted to “explore the role of families and family policies in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16.”

This Goal is very apropos to our societal neds in Guyana today: “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, ac-countable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” If we unbundle the three sub-goals we may ap-preciate the distance we still have to traverse in Guyana.

The political class has waxed eloquently since the days of the independence struggle about the need to create an “inclusive” society in which all families can flourish, but apart from a brief moment in 1953, their actions have moved us in the opposite direction.

That we are a “land of six peoples” is nowadays offered as an explanation for our divided society; but it is forgotten that the label was initially a boast about our ability to live very peacefully and harmoniously before the advent of party politics. It is the “party”- etymologically and semantically connected to the word “part”, that has served to keep us fragmented since by its own inner logic, the “part” strives to govern the whole, precipating inevitable challenges to its legitimacy.

While the parties have now begun to acknowledge the need for more inclusive governance struc-tures, the present “coalition” government betrays that, at this stage, only lip service is given to the notion. To have dubbed their coalition a “government of national unity” when there was only a 1% difference in voting support between them and the Opposition, was to guarantee divisive decisions like the one that threw more than one-thirds of the sugar industry work force,mostly from one race-group, into the streets. The families of those unemployed 7700 sugar workers will now have to experience the trauma of “hunting and gathering” their food as in the days of the Cave Men. The second sub-goal, to “provide access to justice for all”, has proven to be as great a travesty un-der this government which has increased rather than decreased societal divisions. At the very highest level, the President has undermined the very rubric of the “rule of law” with his capricious insistence that his “perception” of the constitution is as good as the decisions of the Judiciary.

At a lower level, the insistence of the government to have the charge of misconduct in public officials” applied to PPP officials but not its own, has also vitiated the rule of equal access to justice.

From the foregoing it should be obvious that the third sub-goal: to “build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels” is but a pipe dream. And families are exposed to the vagaries of an exclusive society.

Children perform at the Annual May Blossoms Dance Production held at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday evening photo)

(Carl Croker

Local Authorities Bill signals strong inconsistency, duplicitous nature of Govt (Pt 2) Dear Editor, The failure of the Coalition Government to allow the Local Government System to function properly is certainly hurting the Government. The Ministry of Communities is trying desperately to influence the Local Authorities and influence the staff politically. The staff at the Regional Democratic Councils and the NDCs are daily being coerced into doing the dirty work of the PNC. More serious is the fact that the staff are encouraged not to support the work programmes of the various councils.

The hiring of staff to work in the Local Authority Areas is blatantly heavily influenced by the PNC arm of the APNU. Many of these staff do not have the necessary basic qualifications: no CXC English or Mathematics, and many Overseers cannot ‘string’ two sentences.

The minutes of the meetings are not properly completed month after month because of the lack of capacity of the persons catapulted as Overseers. Budgets are often not sent on time to the Region because of the incompetent preparation and lack of ‘will’ to get the work done by the administrative staff.

As for the Guyana Elections Commission’s readiness to hold Local Government Elections before the end of this year, that is highly questionable.

Recently, the Chairman of GECOM said the elections body is ready for Local Government Elections, and that only the date needs to be announced. Well, maybe an overdose of senility is affecting not only the Chairman, but most of the Commission’s members and the entire Secretariat.

How could the Guyana

Elections Commission be ready for elections when it would be embarking on another round of continuous registration later in the month? Those transactions would have to be taken into account before an Official List of Electors is produced for the election.

Importantly, lots of work have to be done after the next cycle concludes in three months’ time, after the commencement.

New registrants and those attaining the age of 18 would have to be added to the list from the National Register of Registrants.

Further, deletions would also have to be done based on upheld objections, and the list would have to be properly scrutinized before actually been put in use.

Based on the statements, however, it seems that the Elections Commission would be pushing towards

the elections with a list that would be less than a month old, which would not give enough time for proper scrutiny. Yet, moves are being made to amend the Election Laws (Amendment) Act 2000 to facilitate the implementation of continuous registration, so that there could be an electoral list which shall be in force and be routinely updated every six months. Before the considered amendment, the validity of the list was of threemonth periods.

Some analysts see the conduct of the Local Government Elections, due for later in this year, as a testing ground for the planned rigging of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. The voices of the people will speak again.

Respectfully, Neil Kumar

6 questions for Minister Patterson

Dear Editor, It is the private business of the Patterson family how they deal with their personal situation in regard to an allegation of trafficking of a controlled drug (cocaine) against one of their members. It is, however, a public matter for the people vs Derrick Patterson; not David Patterson. If anyone has an interest in this case, I suggest they take it up with the person who is charged, and not use the occasion to personally abuse the Minister.

So the portions of the statement from David Patterson – the individual giving support to his brother -- must be commended.

We all have families, and if for any reason any one of them falls into any situational challenge, it is our duty to offer them our love, irrespective of how annoyed we are at their action.

That is why I was baffled that David Patterson, the person, chose -- in his statement at the bottom half -- to import the voice of David Patterson, the Public Infrastructure Minister, into the debate. Since David Patterson the Minister spoke, I thought it might be wise to ask the Minister these six important questions, since he has executive access to the machinery of the State:

1: Were the controlled drugs (cocaine) trafficked from Guyana to Grenada?

2: Did the person on remand, who is a relative of the Minister, have a VIP Pass for our international ports of exit (airport, etc)?

3: Which Minister is in charge of the airport?

4: Is it common practice across the Granger Government to issue relatives of senior functionaries with VIP Passes, although they may not meet the criteria as set out by the Foreign Affairs Ministry?

5: Which Minister is in charge of security at the airport? And is that Minister a

member of the Alliance For Change?

6: Does the security protocol allow VIP Pass-holders to be checked for controlled drugs (cocaine)?

I would really appreciate full transparency and disclosure on this important matter, since if this VIP Pass situation is being abused at our ports of exit, good governance would dictate that we do the “fit and proper” thing by taking corrective measures immediately, and hold those who are abusing it accountable.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, may 21, 2018

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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

Skullduggery at With no concessions, families would have no income the GGMC Pt 3

Dear Editor, It has been a well-known fact that weak systems do bread corruption, and the corruption index is directly linked to the quality of the leadership. If the leader is strong, corruption will be low and vice versa. Due to the weak system at the GGMC, Corruption is striving and if the leadership continues to ignore our exposure to the corrupt practices at this organization, the situation will only get worst.

Even though many of the staff in the decision-making body possess an unblemished character, they are caught up in a vicious circle of covering-up the atrocities of their colleagues. Often times nature leads us into a vicious circle of being protective through religion, race, villagers, colleagues etc. It must be clearly understood, that those who collaborated in the covering-up of the wrongdoings of their colleagues, are as guilty as the ones who have committed the act. Often times, these acts are committed against the poor and vulnerable for the wealthy, just to satisfy those involved insatiable appetite for money.

There is a group of officials within the Commission who are bent on sabotaging the system in order for the Government to look bad, in the hope for a change of governance at the 2020 poll, so that they could return to the level of corruption they were operating under before the 2015 poll. I am saying categorically that there are deliberate attempts by some officials at the high echelon of the GGMC, to sabotage the system in the form of stalling the processes through delays and cover-ups.

For instance, there are letters sitting at the Commission for over four (4) years which were written by Hon. Minister, Mr. Joseph Harmon as our then lawyer, but were never addressed.

They are also many letters that were written and delivered to the Commission by me, seeking resolution to matters of grave concern to us the bona fide residents of Kurupung and in my individual capacity; which the commission blatantly refuses to address.

I met Hon. Minister Harmon at a meeting at the Clonbrook School Compound last October at which the Hon. Minister Semona Broomes was present, has her birth anniversary was announced. The Minister had reiterated his commitment to address our situation at Kurupung, through the relevant authorities. I have no reason to doubt him and believe he will stand to his word. That was the first time I met him after he had first made this

promised to me in 2015, that he will address our situation at Kurupung.

I have been writing many follow-up letters on these matters, though no attempt was made to seriously address these concerns. A matter of grave concern is the closing date for the THIRD DISPOSAL of MINERAL PROPERTIES 2009.This information is still not being made available because it will expose the callousness and the atrocious acts of their colleagues, they have decided to shelve the findings and never address the matter. There are many matters of great magnitude which the Commission has still refused to address.

The worse-case scenario is the perception of collusion among some top officials and those highly organized crooks. My concerns stem from:(1). Even though we were never issued with a notice to cease our operations in locating claims within those allotted boundaries, the commission has chosen to rescind six (6) of the twenty-one(21) Mining Permits that were allotted to us after the discovery of workable mineral deposits were found within some of them.

This had been done against the Mining (Amendment) Regulations, 2007. Section 27B (2) of the Regulations which clearly states ‘’the areas previously held under the cancelled prospecting permit, mining permit and special mining permit areas, shall be held in reserve for disposal by a process of bidding or lottery.’’ This also came as a back-drop to the promise of expanding the areas exponentially into a five-mile radius(2). The granting of mining permits to a wealthy foreign company by the name of Spectrum Investment Inc. which covers a huge swath of land, of our allotted twenty-one (21) mining permits. Those allotments are known as the THIRD DISPOSAL of MINERAL PROPERTIES, 2009 and the promise of granting of the five-mile radius to the residents of Kurupung which was made in 2011.

Those above mention scenarios are just a few of the many request by me and the Kurupung residents that the GGMC Commission has chosen not to address; yet they chose to address an August 14, 2017 letter which was delivered almost four years after the first letters were dispatched to the commission requesting answers.

I am of the firm view that some persons within the Commission have their ulterior motives to discredit me in the eyes of the public and especially to those persons that I had laid my complaints to, so as to continue hiding their wrong doings

while lying to their authorities to save their positions.

I was a witness to a conversation between two senior officials at the GGMC and two different Ministers of government, when they both had seriously lied to the authorities.

And due to the Ministers not micro-managing the organization, those unscrupulous characters got away with their wrongdoings with impunity, but I have decided to expose the practices of the commission for the world to see and be the judge for themselves.

Mr. Robeson Benn was arguably the best Commissioner the GGMC has ever had due to the strong leadership quality he demonstrated during his command at the organization. He had those who were bent on wrong doings in “straight- jacket” but after he left they rebounded like a re-coiled spring.

That’s how the credibility of a Commissioner will be judged.

I am also taking this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who are participating in getting the Commission to start looking into the various matters affecting the residents of Kurupung. It’s the beginning of a long journey with those at the GGMC who are bent on sabotaging the process through delays and the peddling of misinformation.

I promise to publicize an update on the progress made at various intervals to sensitize the public.

Yours truly, Suffering Miner

Dear Editor, It seems the political backlash of a terrible contract with the oil company is now spreading its ugly head on one of Guyana's best managed, most accountable and transparent companies, which provides more revenue to the country than sugar, and indeed is the largest contributor to the Government of Guyana in terms of employment, taxes paid (corporate and payroll, etc) and duties.

This is independent of the huge investment made by the company for over 10 years before finding an ounce of gold. This represents a sunk investment of over US$150 million or G$30 billion. Within this timeframe, over 30 exploration companies have been registered in Guyana, expended millions of US dollars seeking commercial deposits of resources, found nothing, and left the country. That is the risk a company assumes in the search for natural resources.

Surely, our artisanal or small miners need a better concession package. This was recently done by the Government of Guyana. But let's put everything in context.

The Mineral Agreement which governs concessions investments, royalties, employment, environmental safeguards and duties etc of Guyana Goldfields, was signed by President Bharrat Jagdeo in 2011. At the time, it was considered very harsh, as the royalty – eight per cent – was higher than in Suriname and other mining jurisdictions.

Guyana Goldfields is a

listed company. The US$150 million to invest in Guyana over a barren 10-year period was funded through the stock exchange and private capital. After gold was found in the vastness of the Cuyuni area, where transportation and logistics’ cost are very high and safety issues are dominant, Guyana Goldfields had to find more investors to build the mine, and had to bring in overseas firms because the skills and technology did not exist in Guyana, even though there has been mining for over 100 years in Guyana.

To build the mine, significant amounts of equipment had to be imported, as well as over 800 individuals with the appropriate large-scale mining skills. Also, significant environmental equipment and technology had to be applied to prevent another Omai spill.

The end result was that without the concessions granted by the Government, the mine would not have been feasible, and there would be the loss of over 800 jobs and revenues to the Government through taxes, the multiplier effect of procurement from local companies, among other revenue streams such as the taxes of employees, NIS payment etc.

Guyana Goldfields has the best CSR programme in Guyana by far. Its presence in Guyana has made Guyana an investment destination and has helped thousands of families earn a livelihood in a time of severe job needs.

Sincerely, Clive Allen Employee of Guyana Goldfields

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monDAY, may 21, 2018

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By Anna Wright

I

t’s a common refrain heard in upper elementary and middle school teachers’ lounges: “These kids can’t read!”

But what do we really mean when we say a child can’t read?

Too often, we don’t know what we mean – we just know

that the child’s needs seem too overwhelming for us to address. As a result, intervention in these cases often looks like more test prep passages, more graphic organisers, more annotation strategies. All of this doesn’t treat the underlying causes of the child’s reading difficulties – instead, it frustrates the child and the teacher further.

I’m not blaming teachers.

Educator preparation programmes and certification exams for middle grade teachers generally touch only lightly on foundational literacy. This makes it difficult for teachers to isolate the cause of a struggling reader’s difficulties.

There are several places where students’ understanding can break

Foundation

down. One of the most difficult for intermediate teachers to address is decoding, or the process of recognising what sounds are represented by the symbols on a page (that is, sounding out words).

Students who are unable to decode text need remediation in phonics.

Ideally, every school would

have enough literacy interventionists to meet every child’s needs; realistically, however, it often falls to the classroom teacher to deliver these interventions.

The continuum of literacy development Before we can talk about remediation, we need to ensure that teachers in the middle grades understand the big picture of early literacy development. Literacy development – like all kinds of human development – follows a similar general progression for nearly all people, although no two children develop identically.

Literacy development moves along a continuum from phonology (all sound, no writing) to orthography (all writing, no sound). Phonics – a

systematic mapping of sounds onto patterns of letters – is what helps us bridge the gap between the two.

Within phonics, there are many subskills that develop in a relatively predictable order.

If any of the earlier skills in the continuum are missing, students will be unable to

access increasingly difficult text.

Determining where kids are To meet kids’ needs, we need to know where they are. Diagnostic assessments in intermediate grades often take the form of standardised test passages, with the data analysed in terms of standards – summary, main idea, character development, and so on. For our most struggling readers, however, these data do not give us the right information. We need to know where their knowledge of phonics breaks down.

There are two assessments that can be given quickly and easily to struggling readers to find where they are in their literacy development: The free Quick Phonics Screener can be administered

orally in just a few minutes.

The Primary, Elementary, and Upper Level spelling inventories from Words Their Way can provide more information about students’ abilities.

Moving kids forward Once we know where kids are on the literacy continuum, the real work begins. A substantial body of research suggests that traditional methods of teaching children to read have been ineffective and leave too many children at risk for reading failure.

One way to remediate for all readers – especially those who are most at risk – is with systematic spelling instruction.

Research supports the use of spelling instruction to teach children how sounds map onto patterns of letters and how these patterns are transferable to other words, rather than teaching an isolated set of words to be memorised every week and promptly forgotten after Friday’s quiz.

In fact, spelling instruction supports reading development more than reading instruction supports spelling. Teacher and psychologist Louisa Moats describes the relationship between the two: “Learning to spell requires instruction and gradual integration of information about print, speech sounds, and meaning – these, in turn, support memory for whole words, which is used in both spelling and sight reading.”

Words Their Way is one helpful resource for this developmental approach to spelling. Children sort words based on their sounds and then draw conclusions about spelling patterns. They are

then assessed on their ability to apply these patterns to unfamiliar words, rather than ones they’ve memorised.

Another resource is the Florida Centre for Reading Research, which publishes research-based Student Centre Activities that can be used in small groups and during tutoring to reinforce crucial phonics skills.

Fitting it all in Another difficulty intermediate-level teachers face is figuring out when to execute these small-group interventions. Teachers can pull together small groups during independent work times in class – for example, when students are working

on independent reading or research, or in book clubs. This requires setting up engaging academics for the rest of the class, as well as iron-clad systems that allow teachers to focus on the small groups rather than on behaviour management.

Relearning how to teach phonics – or learning how to do so for the first time – can seem like a daunting task to teachers who also need to implement best practices in secondary literacy in their classrooms.

But children who are reading far below grade level need us to meet them where they are.

By building our knowledge of how literacy develops, we can make sure that we can support every child. (edutopia.org)

By Jack Schafer, PhD

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he purpose of communication, either oral or written, is to inform, persuade, or influence listeners or readers.

Effective communication has three basic components, the premise, arguments supporting the premise, and an inference or conclusion. This formula is easy to use and can be used in business and social situations to influence others to get what you want.

Premise The premise is the main idea you want to communicate.

Everything you say or write thereafter should support your premise. The easiest way for people to undermine what you have to say is to attack your premise. If the premise is not strong, you cannot effectively communicate with others, no matter how strong the arguments supporting the premise may be. You must carefully construct your premise to withstand counterarguments, especially from naysayers.

My daughter, age 14 at the time, used a flawed premise to convince my wife and me to buy her a cellphone. Her premise was “I need a cellphone because everyone else in school has one”. This premise is flawed because not every student at my daughter’s school has a cellphone. A more effective premise would have been “I want a cellphone.” This premise can withstand counterarguments because this premise is based on a desire versus a fact. No one can refute the fact that my daughter wants a cellphone. In order for my daughter to convince her mom and me to give her a cellphone, my daughter must present arguments supporting her premise without which she is left with an unrequited want. My daughter subsequently changed her premise to “I want a cellphone.” Since I could not present an effective counterargument, I let her present her arguments in support of her premise.

Arguments supporting the premise If your premise can withstand counterarguments, your next objective is to present strong arguments to support your premise. The arguments supporting your premise must be clear and concise in order to defend against counterarguments.

My daughter’s first argument supporting her premise was “In emergencies, I will be able to contact you.” I counterargued, “As you stated earlier, everyone at school has a cellphone. If you have an emergency, you can use one of your friend’s cellphones.”

The argument in support of my daughter’s premise failed. She is now left with her premise, “I want a cellphone”, which is simply an unrequited want, one of many unrequited wants she will experience in life. My daughter’s second argument was “If I’m out alone late at night and get stranded, I can call you for help.” My counterargument was “You are too young to be out alone late at night, so you will not need a cellphone to call me or your mom for help.” The argument in support of my daughter’s premise again failed. She is still left with an unrequited want.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

To be continued

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mondAY, may 21, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s healthcare system deficient – US report …points to lack of specialists, substandard public health

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key United States report on Guyana’s healthcare system has given a harsh analysis of the standards of local public emergency care, hospitalisation and surgery as currently being offered to the Guyanese public.

According to the US Department of State’s Crime and Safety Report, medical care in Guyana leaves much to be desired. It states that while care is available for minor medical conditions, there is a lack of appropriately trained specialists and substandard hospital care.

“Medical care is not equal to US standards,” the report states. “Care is available for minor medical conditions, although quality of care is inconsistent. Emergency care and hospitalisations for major medical illnesses or surgery are very limited, due to the lack of appropriately trained specialists, below

the report notes, such services are generally available only to travellers with travel insurance covering medevac services or those who are able to pay for the service in advance. The report carries a quotation for the medical evacuation, which it says can range from $40,000 to $200,000.

Vaccination

The US report gave a harsh analysis of health care in Guyana

standard in-hospital care, and poor sanitation.

“Visitors are advised to bring prescription medicine sufficient for their length of stay and should be aware that Guyana’s humid climate may affect some medicines. Some prescription medicines, mainly generic, are available.”

When it comes to contacting emergency medical services via the 913 number,

the report warns that the number is not always operational. In addition, it notes that an ambulance is not always available, while there are few private ambulances.

“Serious illnesses and injuries often require travellers to be medically evacuated to where adequate medical attention is available. Such medevac services are very expensive,” the report stated.

Besides being expensive,

According to the report, mosquito-borne viral infections such as Chikungunya, Dengue, Yellow Fever, Malaria, and Zika are significant health risks. But while the report notes that Chikungunya and Dengue Fever have become endemic, it states that Yellow Fever and Malaria are prevalent in the interior.

“Personnel travelling to Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 are advised to use malaria prophylaxis. All US Government personnel

are advised to obtain Yellow Fever vaccination prior to travel. There are no prophylactic therapies for Dengue and Chikungunya.”

Reminding that in January 2016, the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) had issued a Level Two Travel Alert for countries hit by the Zika Virus, the report recommended that the most prudent strategy was to prevent mosquito bites through repellents, treated bed nets, window screens, and air-conditioning.

The US State Department also warned that instances of water-borne diseases increase during periods of flooding. It, therefore, advised visitors to use only bottled or purified water for consumption purposes. It also advised that special precautions be taken when eating fruits and vegetables, especially during the rainy seasons.

“Leptospirosis, while not common, is a viral infection spread via rodent droppings and waste. Given the limitations of the sanitation system, one should exercise caution, including vigilant hand washing after outdoor contact and vaccination of pets that may contract the disease from food bowls and other exposed surfaces that rodents may traverse.

“Special attention should be paid to Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

“In addition to elevated infection rates among high-risk populations, data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that Guyana has among the highest prevalence rates in Latin America and the Caribbean,” the report goes on to state. (Jaryl Bryan)

Guyanese media receive training in effective reporting The workshop was a mixture of lectures, case studies, demonstrations, and practical sessions.

At the workshop, participants were able to learn of the difference between producing stories and writing for online media as opposed to the traditional way of reporting, writing for the web, multimedia storytelling and promoting stories on social media.

The participants were also able to put into practice the new information gained

A section of the audience

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he 2018 media training hosted by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to share effective reporting techniques for online media concluded on Sunday at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

More than 40 media personnel from various entities attended the two-day interactive session spearheaded by award-winning digital media producer Lily Ciric Hoffman.

Topics covered during the training included the digital first mindset, writing stories

Media personnel at the event

for web to inform the public, enhancing online stories with multimedia elements, ethics and properly crediting online sources and promoting stories on social media.

by working in groups following which the information shared was recapped by participants and corrected where necessary.

According to Hoffman, who has both web design/development and journalism degrees coupled with more than a decade of experience, it is the aim of PAHO to educate and enhance the skills of the media.

Media personnel in attendance were also encouraged to submit stories for

the PAHO media awards to be hosted later this year.

Panellist Denis Chabrol led an interactive session based on the freedom of the press as well as law and ethics.

He discussed the dos and don’ts when reporting on sensitive issues such as sexual offences and domestic offences among others.

The workshop concluded with brief remarks from PAHO/World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow, who applauded the initiative and encouraged the hosting of more of a similar nature in the future.

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monDAY, may 21, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Carpenter’s theft allegations at Canal Number Two

Market vendor gets $20,000 bail on simple larceny charge

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s ‘D’ Division Police continue their investigations into a string of larceny offences committed over the last several months at Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara, a market vendor from the area was recently placed on $20,000 bail for allegedly receiving stolen property from a carpenter.

Nineteen-year-old Avenash Mohan of South Section, Canal Number Two Polder was arraigned before Wales Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool on an allegation that on April 8th he fraudulently received Mohamed Rasheed’s laptop -- worth $120,000 -- from carpenter Anand Bhola of South Section, Canal Number Two, knowing that the laptop was either stolen or fraudulently obtained. The court heard that the electronic device

was recovered by Police.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, Mohan denied the charge and was placed on $20,000 bail. He was ordered to return to court on July 5 for statements.

Anand Bhola, a fellow resident of South Section, Canal Number Two, was earlier this month arraigned on two separate occasions before this magistrate on allegations of theft. At the first instance, the stolen items amounted to $564,000, and at an appearance one week later, he was slapped with three additional charges.

The carpenter and father of two was first accused of breaking and entering the premises of Lakeraji Ramdyall at South Section, Canal Number Two between January 3 and 4, 2018, and stealing items amounting to $185,000.

Represented then by Attorney-at-Law Paul FungA-Fat, the defendant was further accused of breaking and entering the dwelling house of North Section, Canal Number Two resident Mohammed Rasheed, from whence he allegedly stole property amounting to $379,000. This included two power drills and the aforementioned laptop computer that Mohan allegedly received from Bhola.

The carpenter had entered not-guilty pleas on both charges, and was granted $160,000 bail pending trial, which will continue on June 7, 2018.

At a court appearance one week later, Bhola further denied that on April 24, 2018, at North Section Canal Number Two Polder, he stole 15 ‘Mamey’ fruits belonging to farmer

“Deoranie”, and 16 oranges and 15 lemons belonging to Kaopattie Samaroo between December 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.

He has further been implicated in a break-and-enter and larceny incident which occurred between June 25th and August 8, 2017 at Canal Number Two, where he was accused of stealing items valued at $140,000 from “Etwarie’s” dwelling house.

Magistrate Liverpool has placed the unrepresented Bhola on $20,000 bail on each of the two simple larceny charges, and $60,000 bail on the break and enter and larceny allegation. He has been ordered to report to the Wales Police Station one Friday in each month as the case continues.

PI into possession of narcotics continues in Linden

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he preliminary inquiry into a possession of narcotics charge against 55-year-old minibus driver Garfield Parker continues at the Linden

Magistrate’s Court.

The Lethem resident is facing two charges of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The first charge alleges that

on November 1, 2017 at Mabura, Parker had in his possession 24.9 kilograms of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking.

The other charge alleges

Amelia’s Ward man remanded on armed robbery charge

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urwin Estwick of Lot 640 South Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie was on Tuesday last remanded to prison by Linden Magistrate Clive Nurse on a charge of robbery under arms.

Police contend that on March 15 at Bamia, Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, while

in the company of others and while being armed with a gun, Estwick robbed Michael Williams of three gold-and-diamond finger rings valued $440,000, a gold chain valued $75,000, a gold-and-silver band valued at $80,000, a Samsung Galaxy S8 cellphone valued at $160,000, and $3,000 in

cash.

The total value of the booty amounted to $758,000.

On remand for a previous gun-related charge, Estwick pleaded not guilty to this new charge when it was read to him. The matter has been adjourned to May 22.

that on the same day and location, Parker had in his possession 200 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

On Tuesday, two witnesses testified on behalf of the defendant as the trial continued. The matter has been adjourned to May 24, when the defence will make its submission.

Linden man on trial for narcotics possession

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everal witnesses for the prosecution on Tuesday testified in the case in which Quacy Giddings has been charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Giddings is accused of having had in his possession 49 grams of cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking, on Friday, November 3, 2017 at the Mackenzie market in Linden.

The Prosecution contends that, on the day in question, Police officers on foot patrol at the Mackenzie Market observed the accused acting suspiciously, and conducted a search of his person. They allegedly unearthed a pink and white plastic bag containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. Nine small Ziploc bags containing leaves, seeds and stems of the plant were also found on his person, as was a quantity of empty small Ziploc bags.

Giddings is being represented by attorney at law Yondessa Welcome. The trial is set to continue on May 22.

Getting hitched…

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…British style he “Gangnam Style” song and dance by K-Pop singer Psy spoofed the poseurs aspiring to the upscale Seoul district, “Gangnam”. It eventually received more than three BILLION views on YouTube, and had even Obama and Cameron prancing in the requisite “horsy” manner!! Well, your Eyewitness isn’t sure if the wedding of Prince Harry to US black actress Meghan Markle garnered nearly as many views as Gangnam Style, but it’ll certainly influence weddings around the globe for the next decade!!

Fundamentally, “Gangnam” and “The Big Fat British Wedding” were both “spectacles” that sought to show us plebes how the other half lives. Why else would, for example, half of the US get up at five in the morning to see how an occasional helicopter pilot would become hitched to a retired US starlet? And here we thought, when they threw out George III back in the day, the Americans didn’t want to have anything to do with Royalty anymore!! As it is, they just couldn’t get enough!!

Fact of the matter, most of us want to be part of “something bigger” and that’s what the Monarchy’s done for the English. Queen Elizabeth and her other “royal bloods” allow the English to connect to what they see as a long and glorious history when they have an empire on which the “sun never sat!! As the British go through a second shrinking from the world stage after WWII, this sentiment’s gonna grow with the Brexit movement.

The show just put on – and as carefully choreographed as the Gangnam Style video – will now say to the common Britisher that it’s worth it to shell out almost US$300 million annually just to upkeep the Royals. “Only” about US$50 million come directly from the British purse – “The Privy Purse”. The rest comes from real estate and other investment mostly by Elizabeth – on which she pays no taxes!!

Now, what does all of this have to do with us?? Not a damned thing!!! And that’s why your Eyewitness was interested in how many Guyanese were interested in “The Wedding”. Was it because Meghan Markle is what we would call a “Red Woman” in Guyana, and so many of the species could relate to marrying a prince?? So what’s all this talk about being “liberated” and all, when a fella with just a title can turn their heads so!!?

So how come when Marcus Garvey gave out titles and fancy costumes like lollypops, it didn’t have the same effect?? Whatever it is, the hoi polloi have to identify with the elite to escape from their own desperate lives of anonymity.

So who’re the elite in Guyana? The ones with the easy money?? …to corruption There are some Guyanese who’re a mite taken aback at how quickly the members of this Government have taken to corruption of one sort or another. It was like ducks taking to water. And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?? These fellas were already prepared for the corruption they KNEW would come their way once they got into office. Let’s face it: corruption became so entrenched during the Burnham years that it infected our national DNA!!

Members of the once proud Civil Service were reduced to receiving a fried rice from the businessman across the table, who wanted one of the innumerable permissions that had to be obtained to do business in Guyana. “Goosing someone” under the table received a whole new meaning at this time!! While a few were still proud to know what a friend they had in Jesus, they were prouder of the bribable contacts they had in one Government office or other!!

It was surreal when life became a matter of securing “lines” – persons in Government they could bribe!!

And like Freddy Krueger…THEY’RE BAAAACK!!! …to mediocrity Asked to grade his administration after three years in office, President Granger said they’d made “great strides”!!

On which front?

Politically? Country’s still divided. Socially? Still no “cohesion”. Economically? The five sisters are all on intensive care.

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

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monDAY, may 21, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Broomes, GGMC halt Govt should take full responsibility operations at stone quarry, sand pit for sedition clause – Jagdeo Controversial Cyber Crimes Bill

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ow that Government has taken steps to have the controversial Cybercrime Bill returned to Cabinet for further deliberation, given the mounting criticisms it has received, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said Government should take full responsibility for the sedition clause and stop trying to play the blame game.

Again criticizing the coalition for trying to “criminalize free speech” in Guyana, due to the inclusion of that particular clause, the former head of state explained that the notion that Clause 18 was supported by the Parliamentary Opposition continues to be repeated, despite that being far from the truth.

“I suspect that our positions on this and other things will be mischaracterized more and more leading up to Local Government Elections… However, we will not allow anyone to mischaracterize what the (Peoples Progressive Party) PPP stands for, and what its positions are,” Jagdeo said recently.

Since the controversy, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Attorney General Basil Williams have both signalled their support for the clause, saying it is aimed at protecting the State.

President David Granger has meanwhile said he would adopt the position of Cabinet, but Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Raphael Trotman has outrightly declined to support the legislation in its current form. Stating that many within the AFC share his view, Trotman has revealed that if the section is not amended, he and other AFC Parliamentarians would have to vote against it.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

His colleague, Ramjattan, who is also the Chairman of the AFC, told a news conference that despite concerns raised by some members of the party’s leadership and the public uproar regarding Section 18 (1) of the Cyber Crimes Bill of 2016, he is leading the charge to keep the offence of sedition on the books.

Speaking to this recently, Williams said Trotman is entitled to his opinion, but whatever Cabinet has decided would have to be abide by. Given the differences of opinion on this matter, Jagdeo said it would be interesting what would be the final Government position on the Cybercrimes Bill.

P u b l i c Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes has also vehemently criticized civil society groups and the political Opposition for their stance. Stating that the bill was before a bi-partisan Special Select Committee of Parliament since 2016, she said they both had the opportunity to raise their concerns since then.

But the Opposition Leader has stated that it is curious that the PPP and civil society are now be-

ing blamed for Clause 18 of the Bill. “It is as if this Government doesn’t have a responsibility to originate legislation that protect our people, and that (are) consistent with the provisions of our Constitution,” he asserted.

Responding to statements that there was PPP support for the Bill at the level of the Parliamentary Select Committee, Jagdeo has made it clear that being named as members of a Committee does not translate to automatic support of whatever is before the said Committee.

“The PPP does not support this undemocratic inclusion in the Cybercrime Bill. We are opposed to it…

You can blame us and some of the MPs for not attending the meetings, and it would be justified… but we did not sit there and agree to this insertion… You cannot say we supported this… This Government surreptitiously inserted this undemocratic clause,” he further added.

The former head of state maintained that the bill was intended to advance rights of Guyanese, and not take rights away. Given the controversial provisions within the Bill, he said the coalition

might as well re-enacted the National Security Act that was implemented under the former People’s National Congress (PNC).

“The insertion by the Government of Guyana of (this) provision in the Cybercrime Bill could mean, or could have, grave implications for freedom of speech in Guyana. In fact, looking at the provision, or that specific provision of the Bill which was inserted in the Special Select Committee, is reminiscent of the old National Security Act that obtained in the period of undemocratic rule,” the Opposition Leader said.

The Bill, which holds two controversial clauses, seeks to penalise persons who “attempt to bring into hatred or excite disaffection towards the Government” via text, speech, or image. It is considered to be a threat to freedom of speech in Guyana.

Since the introduction of the legislation, many members of the public have sought to criticise the clauses and Government, while calling for it to be removed from the Bill. The original purpose of the bill is to protect Guyanese and their children from the dangers of cyberspace.

Laid in the National Assembly since 2016, the Cybercrime Bill had catered for, inter alia: illegal access to a computer system; illegal interception; illegal data interference; illegal acquisition of data; illegal system interference; unauthorised receiving or granting of access to computer data; computer-related forgery; computer- related fraud; offences affecting critical infrastructure; identity-related offences; child pornography; child luring, and violation of privacy among a suit of other offences.

– several others owe $M in royalties

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, questioning Manager of Durban Quarries, Ravie, as Acting Mines Manager Krishna Ramdass looks on

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ne day after reports in State media suggested that quarry operators owed over $8million in royalties to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for last year, Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes openly criticised elected Local Government officials in the Bartica Town Council for their handling of the sector in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) missive, the minister called for greater compliance in the quarrying sector. However, in the same vein, she ordered Acting Mines Manager Krishna Ramdass to issue a cease order to the Durban Quarries company.

According to reports, the company showed the “most glaring instances of non-compliance” in safety practices, where the company “failed to correct unsafe mining practices despite notices by the GGMC a month ago to do so”.

The cease work order followed Minister Broomes and a GGMC team conducting impromptu inspections at

quarry operations in Region Seven.

Durban Quarries operated a stone quarry in the Mazaruni River. Manager of the quarry, Ravie (only name given), was quoted by the State media body as noting that efforts were being made to comply with the order, but efforts had been stalled by inclement weather. It was, however, disclosed

by DPI that there were signs that mining is occurring despite rocks being precariously perched on the facing.

“This is safety… Is it because he [GGMC officer] was not forceful that there was no regard shown?” Minister Broomes asked the quarry manager.

Broomes, meanwhile, called on Acting Mines Manager Ramdass to ensure that the GGMC follows due process to enforce compliance. The Minister and GGMC staff also visited BK International Quarry, Baracara Quarries Incorporated, Durban Quarries, Toolsie Persaud Limited’s St Mary Quarry in the Essequibo River, and a sand pit in Five Miles, Potaro Road, Bartica. turn to page 12

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monDAY, may 21, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PNCR congress focuses National Youth Week commences with grand rally on countering PPP – Granger says consensus with partners being sought

The head table from left: Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, Social Protection Minister Amna Ally, President David Granger and Attorney General Basil Williams

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he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) held its second General Council Meeting for the year on Saturday, May 19, to reconnect with the party base, but, according to information coming out of the congress a prevailing theme was how to resist the parliamentary Opposition’s criticism of its various policies.

According to the PNCR in a statement to the media, Party Chairman, Attorney General Basil Williams urged the party to be ready to put up with the resistance from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“In his welcome remarks, the Party Chairman spoke of the 60 years of light that the PNC has provided in this multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multireligious country of Guyana and reminded members of the leader’s congress speech in which he said that members must stand up for our party and defend it.”

“The Chairman said that the task of members is to

stand up and defend the party, the Government and the coalition. He then proceeded to list the many achievements of the Government over the last three years,” the party also stated.

Meanwhile, in her report to the General Council, PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally brought the Council up to date on the state of the party and the work of the Party Secretariat over the last quarter.

According to the release, the focus of her report was on membership, achievements, Local Government Elections, projections and other related party affairs.

President David Granger delivered the feature address, in which, according to the release, he highlighted daily challenges being faced by the Government from “sections of the media”. In addition, the President’s address had a cultural aspect.

“The Party Leader spoke on the celebration and importance of Chinese and Portuguese Arrival Days, and also

that of Indian Arrival Day, African Emancipation Day and Amerindian Heritage Month. The leader told General Council that Guyanese were blessed to be living in a country with such diverse cultures and ethnicities; peoples from all over the continents of Earth, living, mixing, loving and working together.

“The way forward is based on certain principles, right now we are engaged in discussions with both the Alliance For Change and the other partners in the APNU … seeking consensus,” Granger was quoted as saying.”

In addition to the addresses from party leaders, reports for the last quarter were also presented to the General Council by representatives of the National Congress of Women (NCW); Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM); North American Region (NAR); Georgetown District of the PNCR and the 10 administrative regions.

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grand parade was held on Sunday along Brickdam, Georgetown to signal the commencement of National Youth Week, which will be celebrated under the theme “Empowering young people to foster national and community development through innovation”.

Hundreds of young people marched from Parliament Building to D’Urban Park where a rally was held in commemoration of National Youth Week. Those in attendance were entertained by their peers who performed several dance routines, skits, and songs.

The week of activities was kicked off by Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael on Friday last.

The week of activities will offer Guyanese the opportunity to reflect on the critical role that youths play, and youths themselves will be able to express their concerns in relation to their welfare.

According to Carmichael, events planned for the week include a Youth Forum, a Career and Training Fair, a Youth Business Summit, an Arts Expression and a Youth Exhibition.

However, addressing the gathering at D’Urban Park, Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton encouraged youths to use this time in their lives wisely.

“It is important for young people to use their time wisely. Youth is not the age to be idle, it is not the age to waste time. This is the time when you should forge ahead and invest in yourselves especially when it comes to your education,” Dr Norton encouraged.

The Minister explained that the achievement of Guyana’s youths boosted the

A group of young people performs a dance routine at D’Urban Park on Sunday

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton and Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes interact with a student at the youth rally

entire nation.

Dr Norton further stated: “We have many examples of this in our nation; we have young people making strides in every facet of our society and we ought to celebrate them.”

He recognised several young people who have been doing exceptionally well.

These include Amber Low, Guyana’s youngest female commercial pilot; Temika

Henry, Guyana’s youngest forensic analyst; Randy Madray who has been blazing the trail in fashion designing and Anaya Lee Wilabus, Guyana’s youngest female publisher.

The Social Cohesion Minister encouraged the youths in attendance to ‘strive big’, assuring them “you have the capacity, we will shatter records in the coming future”.

(Kizzy Coleman)

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monDAY, may 21, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana sends message GNBS announces measurement of condolences to Cuba revisions for May 2019 after deadly plane crash

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Investigators at the crash site on Friday

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he Government of Guyana, on behalf of its citizens, has sent its sincerest condolences to the Government and people of Cuba on account of the recent tragic Cuban airline accident that claimed the lives of over 100 passengers and crew members.

This tragedy, which occurred on Friday, May 18, has definitely left the Government and people of Guyana distraught.

“All Guyanese share the loss and grief of the Cuban people and relatives of the victims who perished in this tragedy”, a release from the Department of Information stated.

The message continued, “We extend deep condolences to the Government and people of Cuba as they observe two days of official mourning in our sister Caribbean state”.

Guyana and Cuba have, over the years, shared a strong and unbreakable bond of friendship, brotherhood and solidarity. In recent years, (their) citizens have been forging ever closer ties through education,

diplomacy, medicine and trade.

“Even as this loss affects us deeply, we are confident that the Cuban people and nation will rise and recover from this unspeakably devastating accident. Such has been the demonstrable fortitude of Cuba and Cubans for decades”, the release added.

And as Cuba began two days of national mourning for victims of the crash, the Guyana Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) mourns, and expresses sympathies with families in this moment of pain.

This sentiment was shared by GCSM President, Halim Khan, who said the airplane, which was being operated on behalf of state carrier Cubana, was on a flight from Havana to the eastern Cuban city of Holguin.

“They have all our support and solidarity for the families of those who died, and best wishes for the recovery of those who were injured.” Khan said, while noting that the cause of the accident remains unclear.

“The mourning peri-

od is to last from dawn on Saturday to midnight on Sunday, the Communist Party leader and former president, Raul Castro, said. Flags are to be flown at half-mast throughout the country”, a release from GCSM stated.

More than 100 people died after a Boeing 737 airliner crashed near Cuba’s main airport in Havana on Friday last, and this crash has been described as the country’s worst air disaster in decades.

Three women pulled alive from the wreckage are said to be in critical condition. The BBC had reported that the aircraft, which was nearly 40 years old, was carrying 105 passengers and six crew members.

The Boeing 737-201 crashed at 12:08h on Friday, shortly after taking off from Havana on an internal flight to Holguin on the east of the island. All six crew members on board were Mexican, and most of the passengers were Cuban, with five foreigners reported to be among them.

he Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has announced that it would adopt several changes to the International System of Units that will come into effect on May 20, 2019. The announcement came in light of Sunday having been World Metrology Day observance of which was under the theme: Constant evolution of the International System of Units According to a release, GNBS will continue to promote metric system units even as the Global Measurement Systems continue to undergo revision. It was announced that some of the changes are being modified to accommodate future improvements in the technologies used to realise them.

The second, the metre, the kilogram, the ampere, the kelvin, the mole and the candela (the base units), are being revised to update the definitions of four of these units.

GNBS disclosed that come November 2018, revised definitions of the kilogram, ampere, kelvin and mole are expected to be approved by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM).

“The revised definitions will be based on seven physical constants (for example, the speed of light, the Planck constant and the Avogadro constant) and are therefore inherently stable,” the release identified.

The public is being informed that the value of the Planck constant will be chosen to ensure that there will be no change in the SI kilogram at the time of redefinition, while the ampere and other electrical units will become fully consistent with the definitions of those units. It was also explained that the kelvin measurement will be redefined with no immediate effect on temperature measurement practice, or on the traceability of temperature measure-

ments; and for most users, it will pass unnoticed.

The release observed that the mole will be redefined with respect to a specified number of entities, and will no longer depend on the unit of mass, the kilogram; while the metre will continue to be defined in terms of the speed of light, one of the fundamental constants of physics.

According to GNBS, the candela will continue to be defined in terms of Kcd, which is a technical constant for photometry, and will therefore continue to be linked to the watt.

GNBS gave all assurances that “care has been taken to ensure that there will be no perceptible impact on daily life, and that measurements made with previous definitions of the units remain valid within their measurement uncertainties”.

“Few users outside national metrology laboratories will notice the changes.

Reaching the experimental accuracies and fulfilling the conditions requested in the CGPM resolutions has been a remarkable accomplishment, which will ensure that the SI continues to meet the needs of even the most demanding users,” the state body added.

12 news

MONDAY, may 21, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Regional, National Land Policies underway – GL&SC Head

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he Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at improving services and integrity at the Commission. This was announced by Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Trevor Benn during a twoday outreach in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

During a television programme, he also noted that the establishment of Regional and National Land Use Policies is underway.

“There should be National and Regional Land

rounding villages.

Benn said such community visits and outreaches and face-to-face contacts with residents allow for more informed decision making on land issues and disputes. “It is our principal position that, as servants of the people, we are required to consult with them, to discuss with them their issues, and to get advice as is necessary…. From time to time, there are letters coming to us, and instead of making decisions on those letters, we like to understand the circumstances

Concerned citizens of Region Two air their grievances to the Commissioner during site visits at La Belle Alliance and The Deep

Commissioner Benn addressing land applicants and land leasers at a community meeting at Dartmouth Community

Use Policies… It is our expectation that these [Land Use] Plans will be prepared on a more frequent basis, and updated more regularly… There is a committee that has been put together to begin work on a National Land Policy, and that committee is also tasked with reviewing our Land Use Plans,” he said.

The two-day outreach was conducted to bring resolution to a number of land issues brought to the Commissioner’s attention by residents of the township of Anna Regina and its surrounding villages.

The Commissioner, flanked by a 10-person team comprising representatives from the Georgetown GL&SC office, the Region Two GL&SC office, and the Department of Housing, listened to the concerns of over 80 residents from Anna Regina; The Deep, The Jib, Dartmouth, Lima Dam, La Belle Alliance, and the sur-

that may have led to these letters, and one of our ways of doing that is to come on the ground and see for ourselves… We are now better

prepared to respond to the requests of those individuals,” he declared.

In order to ensure President David Granger’s

vision of an ‘unbribable’ Public Service at the level of the GL&SC, the Commission has also taken measures to improve integrity and accountability. “We have zero tolerance for corruption at the Commission, which is another reason (why) we do these visits… If any [corruption is] happening, we will know. We will hear first-hand from the people…

“Just recently, because of corruption, we’ve had to send home two staff [members]. We’re taking steps daily to ensure that our staff (are) sensitised. We are making our office more open to the public… We’re putting cameras in the building, and we are using [press] mediums to let people know that they do not have any requirement to pay staff members for the service they provide, and

Workers of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) on Sunday embarked on a massive clean-up exercise in time for Guyana’s Independence celebrations

any payment made must be done on a receipt”.

To that, Benn added that the Commission has an open mind when it comes to constructive criticism from the people of Guyana. “We are very open to members of the public in terms of how we can improve the service [that] we deliver. Again, this is why we come to the field. We don’t ever assume that we have the answers to all of the question that are out there,” he said.

The Commission will be implementing an Acknowledgement of Receipt system to assure applicants that their applications have been received and are being processed.

This was a suggestion made

by Region Two resident and land applicant Mr. Charles Gregory during a Regional Community Meeting conducted during the outreach.

Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Guyana National Cooperative Union Limited (GNCUL), Mr. Derrick Cummings, praised Mr. Benn for not losing touch with the people on the ground.

“Commissioner Benn, I’ve known you for a long time, and I’m very hap-

py to see that you’ve never lost the common touch and never lost the interest in trying to work with the down-trodden, and to bring justice to those who need justice,” he said.

Chief Co-operatives Development Officer within the Ministry of Social Protection, Ms. Perlina Gifth, said the GL&SC has been particularly helpful with land issues involving co-operative groups. “I want to thank the Commissioner for the work that he is doing, because the Lands and Surveys Department has been in contact with us where persons have applied for land representing co-op societies… [The Commission has] been checking to see the validities of the groups…

[In] the interest of people who want to be involved in agriculture… He [would] consider their applications and have the process done to issue titles,” she said.

The Commissioner made courtesy calls on the Mayor and Council Members of Anna Regina and the Regional Chairman of Region Two, and attended the dedication ceremony of the GNCUL’s Office Building.

Broomes, GGMC halt...

It was observed that the Minister also recommended that a sand pit be closed at Five Miles, Bartica following “dangerous safety infraction” that was said to have occurred there.

“Men were shovelling sand from a sheer drop wall into the back of a truck despite signs of an unstable overburden. Minister Broomes and the GGMC officers immediately ordered the men to stop working, and the truck left the pit,” the DPI missive highlighted.

A credible source in the Region Seven district confirmed that the sand pit is managed by the Bartica Town Council.

“They have a system where people pay them for the removal of sand and loam,” the source pointed out.

However, DPI reported Broomes saying that operators at the sand pit previously ignored cease work orders

from page 9

issued by the GGMC over the last three years, She has declared that the authorities would have to correct things.

The State Newspaper, Guyana Chronicle, reported that as it stands, only $19,563,528 in royalties for sand pits had been collected by GGMC even though $25,995,525 had been generated. This accompanied revelations that quarry operators’ royalties stood at 6,424,900 although $14,723,400 had been generated.

Minister Broomes said the Ministry and the GGMC will be engaging the Town Council to address their concerns.

“The GGMC (was) even recently trying to engage and meet with them, to have engineers working with the Council so as to give guidance in terms of how you develop and continue to mine the sand that you are mining, and also the loam,” Minister Broomes noted.

news

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monDAY, may 21, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Use of dealer to burn amalgam

TIGI urges Govt to come clean on arrangement – as Govt expresses satisfaction with using private dealer

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ith the lab at the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) out of service, Government has admitted to using the services of a private dealer to amalgamate gold, an arrangement it is satisfied is not ‘incestuous’.

But according to President of Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas, the move is one that raises concerns.

While he acknowledged the need for Government to find an alternative location to ‘burn’ gold, he declared that more transparency is needed for the process.

“While I understand the need to move because people were getting sick, the way it was done (is irregular),” Thomas stated in an interview with this publication. “They said they are not paying anybody, and I wonder whether that is to get around (the process).

But that whole arrange-

The Guyana Gold Board

ment sounds a bit too casual for the Government to be undertaking something like this.

“I think if the Government is doing something like this, they need to be a bit more formal and they need to be a bit more forthcoming with information. We have to know who it is. It’s not just a matter of whether you’re getting paid

or not, we need to know who it is,” Dr Thomas said.

Stressing that he was not implying anything on the part of the private dealer, Thomas posited that one reason it was important for Government to come clean on the identity of the company is to allay any uncertainty the public may have about the reputation of the individual.

“They need to be more

forthcoming about information to allay fears about what is happening. What the Minister said is not nearly enough. I’m not casting aspersions on anybody, but suppose you have somebody you really don’t want to have dealing with the Government, let’s say a criminal, and I’m not saying the person is, we don’t know.

That is a position we should not be in.

“We should know who is providing that service, we should know what or if they’re getting paid, and I find it strange you’re providing a service where you’re processing gold and you’re not getting paid. It sounds so strange to me that I must ask, ‘Okay, you’re not getting cashm so what else are you getting in lieu of cash?’”

When he appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Natural Resources on Friday, subject Minister Raphael Trotman had admitted that

Government was using the services of a private gold dealer to burn gold.

Trotman informed the committee, “Right now there is no gold being burnt at Brickdam. We are using the services of a dealer and we thank that dealer…I can assure you that no burning will ever occur there again.”

When asked outside the committee whether using this dealer could not be construed as a conflict of interest, Trotman further stated, “It has been raised, but we are satisfied. We have our staff there, but it is a temporary situation. We are actively scouring a few sites; this is only temporary.”

He also noted that the dealer is not being paid for the service he is providing to the Gold Board, which is an important agency charged with overseeing aspects of the gold trade. One of its most important tasks is collecting royalties from gold dealers.

Following the discovery of high levels of mercury in its laboratory, the GGB had contracted the services of Trinidad-based Kaizen Environmental Services to conduct an independent investigation of the effect of the emission, and that company has said the mercury levels are back to normal.

According to the report, the study was conducted on March 28 at ten locations primarily within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s compound and surrounding areas.

“The mercury (Hg) levels monitored at all ten (10) locations were within the United States Occupational Safety & Health Administration (US OSHA) eight (8) hour Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL),” the report stated.

Out of over 130 staffers tested, it was discovered that more than 60 reported high levels of mercury in their system. (Jaryl Bryan)

Eccles’ 1st health centre expected to be completed this year

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esidents of Eccles, East Bank Demerara will, by the end of the year, benefit from a health centre which is currently under construction to the tune of $27 million.

This is according to Regional Executive Officer (REO) Pauline Lucas, who also stated that after its completion, hundreds of residents will benefit. She noted that the residents are presently forced to use the Agricola or Herstelling health centres.

REO Lucas, accompanied by the Regional Health Department official Yogesh Narain, took an extensive tour of the facility, where she met with the contractors’ brothers, Mario and Marlon Andrews. she said the regular visits to projects being undertaken within her region is geared at ensuring that contractors are completing work in a timely manner and according to specifications.

“What we have seen over

Mario Andrews, REO Pauline Lucas, Marlon Andrews and Engineer Yogesh Narain inspecting the plan while holding discussions.

build. Since assuming the position of REO, I have sought to take a more hands on approach, so my engineer would visit regularly while I would also go and inspect, so that they are cognisant that I am not prepared (to accept substandard or poorly executed works).

“If we are paying them tax payers’ monies, then all we seek is value for money,” she declared.

The outside of the health centre taking shape

the years is that contractors do whatever they think that they should do, while in other cases they seek to ‘cut corners,’ thus robbing the public of the facilities that had been entrusted to them to

The REO said she is very excited at ongoing construction of the health centre.

She noted that, for a number of years, residents of Eccles have been calling for such a facility.

“Many have complained that they were forced to seek attention at Agricola or Herstelling, thus making them uncomfortable. So with this new facility, which is the first for their community, I am confident that a number of health-related issues being faced by residents can be effectively addressed,” she declared.

It was disclosed that this heath centre would contain a number of features that would certainly bolster the delivery of healthcare to residents and patients. REO Lucas revealed that among the features would be three consultation rooms, a pharmacy, a records room, a dressing room, a treatment room, a VCT room, a rehabilitation room, and bathrooms which will cater for those differently-abled.

“I have reiterated to contractors that, when constructing public facilities, catering for the differently-able must remain a priority, as no longer can we imagine that those (who are) differently-able would not want to access the same facilities and services like those who are able. As such, the health centre will be constructed so as

to cater for those who are differently-able, that they, too, can access the many services that will be provided there,” an evidently happy REO said.

Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr. Quincy Jones, in commenting on the construction of the new health centre, said it is very timely and the RDC and his department have collectively answered the cries and requests of residents.

“It has been a long time since residents have been

asking for a health centre in this community, as they have expressed concerns of visiting both Agricola and Herstelling health centres.

So I am very pleased that our REO has ensured that such a project has been undertaken. I now await its completion, so that all, especially the patients who would be accessing it, can be elated over the construction of this health facility,” Dr Jones stressed.

The RHO expressed sentiments similar to REO

Lucas’s -- satisfied with the construction and the fact that thus far everything is moving ahead nicely.

“This new health centre will certainly play a pivotal and critically important role in the effective delivery of healthcare to those accessing it,” Dr Jones said. REO Lucas added, “I can tell you that based on what we are seeing now, when this health centre is completed and opens its doors, the general public would certainly be impressed with everything.”

14 News

MonDAY, may 21, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Herstelling residents decry deplorable condition of streets …call for NDC to address plight

Sections of several streets that are affecting residents

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fter months of pleading with the Little Diamond/Herstelling Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to have several roads in Herstelling rehabilitated, residents of that East Bank Demerara community are now up in arms agitating to have their roads fixed and claiming that things have gotten worse.

A visit to the area on Saturday saw residents up in arms in agitation to have their roads fixed. They note that they have tried on numerous occasions to engage the NDC in discussions to

deal with the issue, but meetings never materialize. They say they are now forced to take money out of their pockets to fill the potholes in front of their respective yards, whereas money collected as rates and taxes should be used to fix the streets.

After constantly calling the NDC to complain, the council finally sent a bobcat to grade certain sections of the road that pose a hindrance for motor vehicles.

As it relates to fixing the roads, the local government body is at a standstill.

“We pay to full it, and then the NDC send a bobcat and grade it out, and look…” a woman stated.

Many explained that they have been seriously affected by the condition of several streets within the area. One affected resident explained that he has cordoned off the front of his property because many vehicle owners are using his driveway to divert from the potholes when it rains.

And a businesswoman who complained of the same issues has placed garbage bins alongside her proper-

ty to avoid damage to her parapet and driveway. Her contention is that taxpayers should have access to better roadways “All the vehicles driving up here… We got to put out the garbage barrel just to save the entrance here, and then when the rain fall, it’s worse because the water keep coming in (our) yards.

We’re paying rates and tax!

Every year you got to make sure you pay it, and what they doing with the money?

They have the money and they don’t want to fix the road”, the seemingly upset

woman noted.

The roads in Herstelling have significantly deteriorated over the past months, and many commuters after affected in one way or

the other. As such, they are calling on the NDC, and to an extent the Government, for assistance in getting the roads fixed. (Rupdai Sewnaraine)

First major prostate surgery NTC Conference set for performed at Linden hospital July month-end

Urological Surgeon Dr Brian Niles

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he Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) has recorded its first major prostate surgery, done by Urological Surgeon Dr Brian Niles on Wednesday last.

According to Dr Niles, the patient, a male diabetic, had an enlarged prostate that had been causing him difficulty in urinating, and he was suffering extreme pain due to multiple stones in his bladder, which were removed during the surgery.

Dr Niles explained that the bladder stones were formed as a result of the patient's inability to empty his bladder effectively. "He had two massive stones as well as a massively enlarged prostate. I'm sure it's one of the biggest that I have ever done.

The normal size of the prostate is about 30 to 40 grammes, and his was about 275 grammes. We transfused him 2 units of blood, and he's stable and doing well," Dr Niles explained.

He added that the patient has since been

able to urinate, and is presently recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the LHC, after which he is expected to be transferred into the hospital's male ward.

"We're very excited for this type of development for the Linden community. I feel very confident in saying that we can do a lot for Linden in Linden, as far as Urology goes", Dr Niles declared.

He further stated that while resources are limited, he is confident that more can be achieved with the support of health officials.

"Our resources may not be perfect, but we make use of what we have, and I think that with the continued support from the hospital administration and the Ministry of (Public) Health...I feel very confident that we would be able to provide as high a level of service, or even higher than what you may even see in Georgetown", Dr Niles said.

Urology services commenced at the hospital last November, and are conducted the second week of every month from Monday to Thursday, targeting both males and females of all ages.

Dr Niles had said that one of the most common issues dealt with is prostate diseases, such as prostate cancer and prostate enlargement.

Others include 'stoppage of water' due to enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and sexually-related issues in both men and women, including impotence, erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, total and urinary incontinence, among other urological disorders.

The medical doctor graduated from the Howard University College of Medicine in 1987. He has done Internship at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

His other qualifications include Urology Residency (4 years) at Howard University Hospital and Fellowship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New York. He has also worked in Trinidad and Tobago.

(Utamu Belle)

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

Amerindian leaders at the NTC Conference

he 12th Annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference is expected to be held in July, according to Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

This announcement was made on Thursday last by the Minister, who believes that the annual fiveday event will allow for Indigenous leaders to hold discussions with members of the Government on issues affecting their respective communities.

In addition, a new Executive Committee of the NTC will this year be elected. The process is usually conducted by the Guyana Elections Commissions (GECOM) to enable transparency. The electoral pro-

cess will see the casting of ballots in every administrative region, since this allows for the selection of the executives, based on a majority vote. From the twenty executives, a chairman, secretary and treasurer will be elected.

According to a report posted by the Department of Public Information, the political structures of indigenous communities are linked to the local government system, and village chiefs and their councillors, who are elected to serve for three years.

Prior to the holding of the NTC Conference, some 215 communities will hold village elections wherein new toshaos and councillors

T

would be elected to serve their respective communities. These newly elected village leaders would also represent their communities at the upcoming conference.

“We are looking at a programme that is going to see the new executive coming in, but the old executive is going to transition slowly. Three days into the activities, they will have the nomination for the new executive, and then they (new executives) flow into their new office,” Minister Allicock explained.

He said the idea is to give the sitting executives a proper “send-off” in recognition of their hard work and contributions over the past three years.

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monDAY, may 21, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

Should laws be put in place to protect women from sexual harassment when participating in beauty pageants?

Dalon Chapman “I think yes; laws should be put in to place to protect women from sexual harassment in beauty pageants... [the] reason for my answer is because...these women would be exposing their body half naked to be showing off their wear..... and there would be men out there who would be looking at these girls and having second thoughts.”

Dabriah Frank “Yes, I think so. For example what happened in the case of the Linden pageant contestant…If laws are in place, it would be better in terms of protecting the contestants from these sorts of situations.

Shaunell Wilson “Yes, laws should be put into place because to this day these women are not being respected. These are beautiful women, that are educated, why should they have to worry about stuff like that?”

Hartley Marks “Everywhere is corruption and wickedness is present these days. …”

“Re-Membering The Brink – Oil and a Whole Lotta Gas” opens on May 26 at Theatre Guild

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s it celebrates its 70th anniversary, the Theatre Guild – the oldest theatre in the English-speaking Caribbean – will be reopening its doors on May 26 with the grand premiere of its brand new production “Remembering The Brink: Oil and a Whole Lotta Gas” after a small hiatus for restructuring and refurbishing.

The production will, for the first time, see the arts grapple with the big questions provoked by the new oil and gas industry in Guyana, such as what might this mean for ordinary Guyanese? What changes are we likely to see? What might Guyanese do to make the best of these opportunities and, of course, what to do with the money.

Though it tackles big questions, the production still manages to be hilarious. It is styled as a comedy revue based on the Guild’s historical productions of “The Brink”, which it produced in the early 1960s prior to Guyana’s independence in 1966. “The Brink” was the Guild’s bestselling satirical review which saw its last production in the 1970s. “The Brink” is the grandfather to the Theatre Company’s highly successful series “The Link Show” and which later spawned other rib-ticklers such as

Malcolm Defreitas as Minister Long Beard from the Ministry of Dreams

“Nothing to Laugh About”.

The Theatre Guild’s production acknowledges the historic origins of its own Brink with this new production by invoking the memory and intent of it – “ReMembering the Brink”. The producers even incorporate some old material from 1964 and 1967 in this new show.

However, “Re-membering the Brink – Oil and a Whole Lotta Gas” seeks to innovate around the old idea of satire and to move towards what may be very timely and urgently necessary in Guyana: the unpacking of the complex arena of oil and gas for the populace. It may be seen as complementing

but not focusing on issues which have already been in the public domain for some time. Rather its focus is on simplifying, edifying, and reflecting the present and future of Guyana not only in terms of oil but other topical issues – hence “a whole lotta gas”. The production focuses on what we can learn through fun and laughter.

“Oil and a Whole Lotta Gas” is set as the Brink shows of old, in a fictitious country named “Oiligamey”.

The show was created by the Theatre Guild’s Workshopan ensemble of 39 old and new Guild members in response to numerous calls for a popular response to the is-

sues at hand. Thirteen rollicking comedy sketches are interspersed with music and dance pieces.

Theatre-goers will be delighted to see some of their older favourites such as Godfrey Naughton, Simeon Dowding, Sharon Taylor, Colleen Humphrey and Malcolm Defreitas, alongside new stars like Clinton Duncan, Mosa Telford, Keon Heywood, Jennifer Kendall, Kanini Fyffe, Frederick Minty, Kim Fernandes, Sherwin Adams, and Kelton Jennings. The cast also features a number of new exciting talents such as Jairo Rodrigues, Natasha Azeez, Shivina DeMendonca, Garrian Yannick Moses, and Ronaldo Thomas. The set and costumes are by award-winning designer Neilson Nurse.

“Re-membering The Brink: Oil and a Whole Lotta Gas” opens at the newly-refurbished Theatre Guild playhouse on May 26 with a premiere performance, and runs through May 29 from 20:00h each day. There will be two free matinee performances for children on May 30 and 31 underwritten by local oil company CGX Energy. Tickets are available at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Kingston; E-Networks (Camp St and Giftland) and from members of the production.

Atona Sam “I believe, as a woman myself, that laws should be put in place to protect women from sexual harassment in beauty pageants. I find that without laws, people, not just women, tend to do whatever they want to. Another important thing that the organisers of these pageants

need to realise is that they are promoting pornography in these pageants. I believe that the participants should dress elegantly and not use bathing suits so that men won’t be attracted to their bodies and disrespect them. As a Christian, I believe that clothing says a lot about you, so they should address the way females dress in pageants. The whole world will be seeing their bodies and might even discriminate against the women. As for the perpetrators of sexual harassment in pageants, I don’t believe that paying a fine is enough, they should be exposed for their doings and be sent to jail to know the seriousness of their act. If petty actions are taken against the perpetrators, then they will continue to do the same thing, if not to the same person, to others.”

Alisha Medas “My position on this issue is this: Why is it in the 21st Century that we still have to be talking about putting laws in place to protect the rights of our women? It is very sad that this is a reality; however, if that is the measure that we have to take, then I’m all for it.”

Kayshore Khemraj “Yeah, man; the Government need to realise the importance of protecting all the people, regardless of whatever they choose to do.

Those women, especially in them pageants, need extra protection because somehow I think they are more vulnerable to sexual harassment. The perpetrators of sexual harassment should be hanged, especially if the girls are under age. In some cases, depending on the seriousness or how severe the girls were sexually harassed, they can maybe be charged or sent to prison.”

Vickanand Deokie “I think that laws should be implemented to protect women who are participating in beauty pageants, because that would protect them from people who would like to sexually harass them. Over the past months, we’ve seen multiple women in Guyana being sexually harassed and it should not happen again, so I believe our laws should indeed be modified.”

16

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, may 21, 2018

Regional

Maduro favourite to win condemned Venezuela vote amid tepid turnout

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enezuela’s leftist leader Nicolás Maduro looked set to win re-election on Sunday in a seemingly poorly attended vote condemned by foes as the “coronation” of a dictator and likely to bring fresh foreign sanctions.

Despite his unpopularity over the country’s economic meltdown, the 55-year-old former bus driver was benefiting from a boycott by the mainstream Opposition, a ban on his two most popular rivals, and State institutions in loyalists’ hands.

The vote could trigger new sanctions from the United States, and more censure from the European Union and Latin America.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan said on Sunday the Trump Administration would not recognise the election and was considering oil sanctions.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the election a “sham”.

Maduro, the self-described “son” of former leader Hugo Chávez, says he is battling an “imperialist” plot to crush socialism and take

A Venezuelan is assisted while waiting with others to vote at a polling station during the presidential election in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, May 20, 2018

over Venezuela’s oil reserves.

But foes say he has destroyed a once-wealthy economy and ruthlessly crushed dissent.

Maduro’s main challenger is former State Governor Henri Falcon, who predicted an upset due to fury among Venezuela’s 30 million people at their increased poverty.

Though some polls showed Falcon ahead, analysts say his chances are thin given widespread abstention, the

vote-winning power of State handouts, and Maduro’s allies on the election board.

In voting stations visited by Reuters reporters, from wealthy east Caracas to the Andean mountains near Colombia, attendance appeared far lower than the last presidential election in 2013 when there was an 80 per cent turnout.

There were lines, however, outside polling stations in

poorer Government strongholds, where the majority of voters interviewed said they were backing Maduro.

“I’m hungry and don’t have a job, but I’m sticking to Maduro,” said Carlos Rincones, 49, in the once thriving industrial city of Valencia, accusing right-wing business owners of purposefully hiding food and hiking prices.

The Government has set up so-called “red point” zones near polling stations so Venezuelans can scan their State-issued ‘fatherland card’ used to receive benefits, including food boxes and money transfers. Maduro has promised a “prize” to those who do so. Critics say this is a way of scaring impoverished Venezuelans into supporting his government.

Falcon said his team had received some 350 complaints about the “red points”.

Three State workers also told Reuters they were pressured to vote, while pro-Government activists hovered around some polling stations, saying they were assisting voters. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Cuba plane crash: Damojh company “had safety complaints”

T

he Mexican charter company whose plane crashed in Cuba on Friday, killing 110 people on board, had received prior safety complaints, two ex-pilots say.

One of the pilots described how a plane rented from Damojh airlines had dropped off radar completely some eight years ago – another instance of allegedly poor maintenance.

Mexican authorities say they will carry out a safety audit of the company.

Three women survived the crash near Havana airport – Cuba’s deadliest air disaster in more than 30 years.

Separately, it was revealed that 10 Protestant evangelical priests and their wives were among the crash victims.

Cuban authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, as rescuers continue to comb through the wreckage site some 20

kilometres (12 miles) south of the Cuban capital.

One of two “black boxes” that hold key flight data and information about what happened to the plane has been recovered and is said to be in good condition.

Allegations of previous safety complaints have emerged against the Mexico-based Damojh company, which leased both the Boeing 737 and its crew to Cuba’s flagship State Cubana airline.

The head of Guyana’s civil aviation body, Captain Egbert Field told the Associated Press news agency the same plane – which was nearly 40 years old – had been barred from using Guyanese airspace last year after authorities found its crew were overloading luggage on flights in Cuba.

In one instance, the news agency reports, Guyanese authorities had discovered suitcases stored in the plane’s toilets. (Excerpt from BBC News)

PM Stuart: Reject “politics of cynicism” Terrorism, climate change top agenda for G20 in Buenos Aires

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

P

rime Minister Freundel Stuart is urging Barbadians to reject “politics of cynicism”.

He described it as “dangerous” and declared that Barbados would be worst off, if ever it was given the chance to prevail.

Addressing the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Christ Church East Political Meeting on Friday night at Parish Land, he told supporters that the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) has been up to all of its old tricks.

“Having said that Barbados is in the poorest state that it has ever been in, since Universal Adult Suffrage or since Independence, the Barbados Labour Party is now coming to give the impression to the people, that the same Barbados that is on its knees, can afford all the give-aways that they are promising.

“Mia Mottley has stood up in the House of Assembly on many occasions and said that the problem with Barbados is that we are running a government that we cannot afford. And although we can’t afford it, according to her, she is now coming with measures that would require us to spend even more than is being spent now. But, spending more by earning less,” he pointed out.

“And to suggest that Barbados is on its knees financially in one breath, but then come to the people of Barbados and say that you are going to take away what it is that makes it possible for Barbados to pay its bills and to continue to employ people in the public service and so on… –- something is fundamentally wrong with that... And it presumes that the people of Barbados can’t think… It is insult to intelligence of the people of Barbados.” (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

W

ith consensus on sensitive issues such as Iran, Syria or the Palestinians appearing elusive, G20 Foreign Ministers will focus on the fight against terrorism and climate change when they meet today in Buenos Aires, France said.

The talks will seek to strengthen cooperation “on the big issues on the international agenda, in particular

the fight against terrorism and the fight against climate change,” the French Foreign Ministry said Sunday.

At the initiative of Argentina and the United States, a statement was issued on Sunday’s election in crisis-hit Venezuela, in which President Nicolás Maduro is seeking a second term but which has been boycotted by the Opposition.

While Syria, Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be on the agenda, Ministers are not expecting to reach consensus.

Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will represent the United States.

In the absence of EU’s foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, whose country holds the body’s rotating presidency, will be attending.

It is only the second meeting of Foreign Ministers from the G20 – its State leaders, Finance Ministers and central bankers meet much more often -- following talks in Hamburg in 2017.

This year’s G20 summit will take place in Buenos Aires November 30-December 1. (AFP)

Antiguan Agriculture Minister Trinidad: Spouses, relatives make refutes claims of land giveaway domestic violence reports against cops

A

griculture Minister Dean Jonas is puzzled by the controversy that’s being stirred up around a pending agricultural project with a Chinese firm.

The draft document speaks of the Chinese getting two thousand acres of land in Barbuda and the same quantity in Antigua.

It’s this sizeable allocation that has many farmers up in arms against the project.

But Jonas has slammed the detractors, saying that contrary to reports, the Chinese Government will get nothing but satisfac-

tion in helping Antigua and Barbuda to modernise its agriculture sector and achieve food security.

Jonas says the Chinese firm is getting no concessions and he is urging Antiguans and Barbudans to show gratitude for the gift.

He also says that under his watch, the project will not go the way of other agricultural projects funded by the Chinese Government.

The Agriculture Minister says he will meet Tuesday with farmers who are concerned about the project.

Jonas and a representative from the Chinese firm initialled the document in Antigua, almost two weeks ago.

The three-year project will see eight Chinese agricultural experts working in Antigua for three years.

They will provide technical advice on vegetable and tree cultivation as well as agri-processing.

They will also establish seven greenhouses; two for experimental demonstrations and five for commercial production in the Greencastle area. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

S

erious allegations of domestic violence by Police Officers against their spouses and close relatives are now engaging the attention of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

Some of the allegations received over the three-year period 2012 to 2015 include: threats to beat, kill, shoot, throw acid, kidnap children; assaults including slaps to face, kicks to stomach; beatings which include a beating with a stone to the head, putting a gun to the head, and slamming against a wall. |

PCA’s Head David West told the Sunday Guardian that every allegation of domestic violence “is treated as serious since traditionally and statistically DV (domestic violence) allegations escalate from threats to death.”

He disclosed that from 2012 to 2015, the PCA completed at least seven investigations and is currently investigating three complaints, cases that he could not comment on.

After investigations, some matters were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to de-

termine if charges should be laid, while some others were sent to the Commissioner of Police (CoP) for disciplinary action. Other reports were made to the PCA between 2015 to present.

When a report is made against a police officer by their respective spouses/ relatives to the police station, the PCA would also inquire into the conduct of the Police, “whether they conduct proper investigations or whether they have committed the disciplinary offence of neglect of duty”.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

monDAY, may 21, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Palestinian President Trump seeks probe into FBI election campaign 'infiltration’ hospitalised; condition

U

S President Donald Trump says he will demand an inquiry into whether his election campaign was infiltrated for political purposes.

In a tweet, Trump said he wanted to know whether his predecessor's Administration ordered such a move.

The request, which will be made officially today, comes after US media reports suggesting the FBI had an informant meeting campaign aides.

There is already an investigation into all aspects relating to the campaign.

Trump's demand came amid a series of tweets on Sunday denouncing a "witch hunt" that, he said, had found no collusion with Russia.

This refers to the ongoing investigation led by Special Counsel Robert

President Donald Trump

Mueller into Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election, whether there was any collusion between the Kremlin and Trump's election campaign and whether the President tried unlawfully to obstruct the inquiry.

Trump has constantly attacked the inquiry.

Trump first made the accusation that the FBI had sent a spy into his campaign team on Friday.

"It took place very early on, and long before the phony Russia Hoax became a 'hot' Fake News story," Trump tweeted, adding: "If true – all-time biggest polit-

ical scandal!"

The New York Times followed with an article that suggested there was, indeed, an FBI informant – whose identity it did not reveal – who had been sent to speak to campaign aides but only after the FBI had received reports of "suspicious contacts linked to Russia".

The informant – an American academic working in the United Kingdom – had made contact with George Papadopoulos and Carter Page.

The Washington Post reported a similar account.

Law enforcement officials have refused to provide evidence to Congressional leaders over the issue.

They have argued that doing so would put the informant's life – or that of his contacts – in danger. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

US and China halt imposing import tariffs

“reassuring”, says doctor

P

alestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was hospitalised in the West Bank on Sunday, doctors and Palestinian officials said, giving conflicting accounts of the leader’s condition.

It is the third time Abbas, 82, has been hospitalised in less than a week. He is expected to stay at least overnight.

Abbas underwent minor ear surgery on Tuesday, but went back into al-Istishari Hospital in Ramallah briefly overnight on Saturday/Sunday, the offi-

cial Palestinian news agency Wafa said.

He was then rushed back later on Sunday, for what doctors described only as “medical tests”.

Dr Saed al-Sarahneh, medical director of the hospital, spoke outside the private hospital late Sunday, saying that Abbas had entered in the morning “for medical tests after the surgery he had three days ago in his middle ear. All the tests are normal and his medical condition is reassuring”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Man hit by lava in 1st serious Kilauea injury

C

hina and the United States say they will halt imposing punitive import tariffs, putting a possible trade war "on hold".

The deal came after talks in the US aimed at persuading China to buy US$200 billion of US goods and services and thereby reduce the trade imbalance.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin did not give figures, but said the US would impose tariffs worth US$150 billion if China did not implement the agreement.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He described the deal as a "win-win choice".

He said dialogue was the way to resolve such issues and "treat them calmly" in the future.

The US has a US$335 billion annual trade deficit with Beijing.

Before being elected, President Donald Trump had spoken of China "rap-

Eruptions could block escape routes for residents on south-eastern corner of Big Island

T

China's exports to the US far outweigh what it imports

ing" the US, and promised to label it a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

This did not happen, but he ordered a review of the trade imbalance last August. It found a range of "unfair" practices in China, including restrictions on for-

eign ownership that pressured foreign companies into transferring technology, unfair terms on US companies, Chinese investments in US strategic industries and Chinese cyber-attacks.

In March this year, Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on Chinese

imports – mainly steel and aluminium.

Beijing threatened equal retaliation, including tariffs on a number of US imports – among them aircraft, soybeans, cars, pork, wine, fruit and nuts. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he first serious injury has been reported as Hawaii continues to grapple with weeks of volcanic eruptions and lava flow.

The injured man was sitting on a balcony at his home when "lava spatter" – projectile molten rock – landed on him.

"It hit him on the shin and shattered everything there down on his leg," a spokeswoman for the county mayor said.

Lava spatters can weigh "as much a refrigerator", she told Reuters.

The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island erupted at the beginning of May, and the situation for residents has steadily been worsening.

On Saturday, a key coastal road used as the main escape route for residents was in danger of being cut off, which could hamper evacuations.

The possibility of the lava flows reaching the ocean, meanwhile, threatens to release toxic gases in a plume called a "laze". (Excerpt from BBC News)

India court jails ex-diplomat South Korea, US to work closely on summit after Pyongyang's about-face for spying for Pakistan

A

n Indian diplomat convicted of passing State secrets to Pakistan's intelligence services has been jailed for three years, her lawyer said Sunday.

Madhuri Gupta was found guilty in a New Delhi court on Friday of "spying and wrongful communication of information" while posted to the Indian Embassy in Islamabad.

Gupta, 61, was arrested in 2010 for allegedly passing information to the ISI, the intelligence agency of India's archrival Pakistan.

The low-level diplomat was initially sentenced for breaches of India's official secrets act and held for two years before she was released on bail.

Joginder Dahiya, Gupta's lawyer, said she would appeal the sen-

tencing in a higher court. "She has already been in custody for about 21 months. She should have been released on the basis of the time she has already spent in jail," he told AFP news agency.

The Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported that Gupta avoided a longer sentence, as the information she passed to Pakistani handlers was not military in nature.

As a second secretary, Gupta was among the lowest ranked officials at the highly-sensitive embassy in the Pakistani capital.

She has always denied the charges and claims she was falsely implicated by Embassy and Foreign Ministry officials with whom she had a strained relationship. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US President Donald Trump and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in shake hands during a joint press conference at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, November 7, 2017

S

outh Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump held discussions on Sunday to ensure that the North Korea-US summit remains on track after North Korea threat-

ened to pull out of the high-level talks.

Moon and Trump spoke over the phone for about 20 minutes, and exchanged their views on North Korea’s recent reactions, South Korea’s presidential office said without elaborating.

“The two leaders will work closely and unwaveringly for the successful hosting of the North Korea-US summit set on June 12, including the upcoming South Korea-US summit,” the presidential official said.

Moon and Trump are set to meet on Tuesday in Washington before North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Trump on June 12 in Singapore.

The White House said Trump and Moon discussed recent developments in North Korea and continued “their close coordination ahead of President Trump’s June 12 meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un”.

Although a historic inter-Korean summit in late April raised hopes of reconciliation, North Korea showed a dramatic change in tone in recent days. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, May 21, 2018

ARCHIE

Focus on what you can do for others and what you want (March 21- in return. A flair for comproApril 19) mise will be what helps you excel. Go with the flow and avoid interference.

ARIES

Ease into whatever you TAURUS plan to do today. Problems at (April 20May 20) home will leave you wondering what to do next. Accept the inevitable and do your own thing.

dilbert

Your involvement in orGEMINI (May 21- ganised events, retreats or June 20) trade shows will motivate you to alter your lifestyle. Initiate change and incorporate a fitness regimen into your daily routine to ease stress.

Personal changes can be made, but only if you set a (June 21- budget and stick to it. Making July 22) cosmetic changes will encourage you to update your image and pursue new opportunities.

CANCER

Peanuts

Overreacting will hurt LEO your reputation or cause a (July 23- problem at home. Someone Aug. 22) will unexpectedly start treating you differently. Stay calm and avoid a senseless argument.

Calvin and Hobbes

An energetic presentation VIRGO will capture attention, but (Aug. 23don’t mislead people. Stick to Sept. 22) the facts and only offer what you know you can deliver.

Personal gains are attainable.

Don’t make physical LIBRA (Sept. 23- changes that will slow you Oct. 23) down, lead to complications or cause a problem with an older relative. Think matters through and make reasonable suggestions.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — FLUSTER (FLUSTER: FLUS-ter: To make or become nervous or upset.)

SUDOKU

A change of location will SAGITTARIUS inspire you to rethink the (Nov. 23best way to move forward.

Dec. 21) Back away from anyone trying to interfere with your decisions or plans.

Average mark 28 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 33 or more words in FLUSTER? The list will be published tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SATURDAY’S WORD — SCALPEL

sale scale scalp scape seal sell slap space

spall spec spell call calla cape case cell

clap clasp apse lace lapel lapse lase leap

pace pale pall peal place plea

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Iron out problems before SCORPIO you share your plans with (Oct. 24others.

You will face opposiNov. 22) tion from someone you work with or for. A unique option will buy you time and intrigue someone with vision.

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Look for alternative ways to cut corners and save money. Downsizing or investing in something that will lower your expenses should be considered. Share your intentions with someone who depends on you.

Pump yourself up and get energised. Get into the groove and make personal changes that will leave you feeling good about the way you look and the place you live.

Home and property should be your priorities.

Financial gains look promising, and relying on the past to point you in the right direction will pay off. Romance is highlighted.

monDAY, may 21, 2018

19

Ngidi, Raina knock Kings XI out; Royals secure playoffs spot T

he equation was steep but simple for Kings XI Punjab. They had to win by a minimum of 53 runs to leapfrog to the fourth playoff spot, but Lungi Ngidi’s brutal spell of 4 for 10, followed by a patient innings from Suresh Raina slashed Kings XI’s hopes and knocked them out of the IPL. The result secured Rajasthan Royals’ fourth place in the playoffs.

The evening started with Kings XI on 12 points, but with a net run rate of -0.490. Royals - who finished their league stage on Saturday - were already on 14 points but with a much better net run rate (-0.250), forcing Kings XI to chase a big win against Chennai Super Kings.

But that wasn’t to be as CSK recovered from 27 for 3 to thwart Kings XI’s challenge. After posting 153, Kings XI needed to restrict CSK to 100 or under, but were knocked out as soon as the hosts went past that score in the 15th over. Eventually, Raina steered CSK to a comfortable five-wicket win, and ensured they finished second on the points table.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (first) and Kolkata Knight Riders (third) are the other two teams to join CSK and Royals in the playoff.

Asked to bat, Kings XI needed a big total to stay alive, but lost Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch and KL Rahul in their first four overs. It wasn’t the pressure that Kings XI were under, but fiery spells of fast bowling from Ngidi and Deepak Chahar that stalled the visitors.

The surface at the MCA Stadium

had both seam and swing on offer early on, and Ngidi struck early when Gayle gloved a leg-side delivery to MS Dhoni. Finch was squared up by Chahar next over, when he edged a delivery that was angling in, findi n g t h e s a f e hands of Raina at first slip. KL Rahul Kings XI’s highest run-scorer of the season - was out to Ngidi at the end of the fourth over, when he shouldered arms to a short-oflength delivery, but the angle resulted in the ball clipping the top of off stump in spectacular fashion.

Kings XI began a recovery in the form of a 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Manoj Tiwary (35) and David Miller (24), but Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo dismissed both batsmen in consecutive overs. Karun Nair fought on, scoring a 26-ball 54, but with no other batsman for company, all Kings XI could score was 153.

Kings XI weren’t going

down without a fight, and that was on display when Ambati Rayudu edged Mohit Sharma to the keeper for his first single-digit score of the season. Ankit Rajpoot then delivered a superb double-wicket maiden that forced CSK to stay on their toes. His swing bowling made Faf du Plessis edge to slip and Sam Billings lost his off sump that put the hosts on the back foot. With CSK three down inside five overs, Kings XI were in with a sniff.

But just how Don Bradman did in the New Year’s Ashes Test of 1937, Dhoni opted to shuffle his batting order, and chose to send his lower-order batsmen in before himself, Bravo and Jadeja.

With Raina for company, Harbhajan Singh scored 19 and Chahar smashed a 20ball 39 to take CSK beyond the 100-run mark. Chahar’s wicket in the 17th over brought Dhoni out amid loud cheers, and an unbeaten 45-run partnership with Raina took CSK home with five balls to spare. In classic Dhoni style, he finished the game with a six.

Suresh Raina

Lungi Ngidi

SCOREBOARD Kings XI Punjab Innings (20 overs maximum) KL Rahul † b Ngidi 7 CH Gayle c †Dhoni b Ngidi 0 AJ Finch c Raina b Chahar 4 MK Tiwary c †Dhoni b Jadeja 35 DA Miller b Bravo 24 KK Nair c Chahar b Bravo 54 AR Patel c Billings b Thakur 14 R Ashwin (c) c †Dhoni b Ngidi 0 AJ Tye c Raina b Ngidi 0 MM Sharma not out 2 AS Rajpoot c du Plessis b Thakur 2 Extras 11 (b 1, lb 4, nb 1, w 5) TOTAL 153 all out (19.4 Overs, RR: 7.77) Fall of wickets: 1-7 (CH Gayle, 1.2 ov), 2-14 (AJ Finch, 2.5 ov), 3-16 (KL Rahul, 3.6 ov), 4-76 (MK Tiwary, 11.1 ov), 5-80 (DA Miller, 12.1 ov), 6-116 (AR Patel, 16.3 ov), 7-132 (R Ashwin, 17.1 ov), 8-132 (AJ Tye, 17.3 ov), 9-150 (KK Nair, 18.5 ov), 10153 (AS Rajpoot, 19.4 ov) Bowling: DL Chahar (4-0-30-1), L Ngidi (4-1-10-4), Harbhajan

Nadal beats Zverev to win Rome title for 8th time B

Singh (1-0-13-0), SN Thakur (3.4-0-33-2), DJ Bravo (4-039-2), RA Jadeja (3-0-23-1) Chennai Super Kings Innings (target: 154 runs from 20 overs) AT Rayudu c †Rahul b Sharma 1 F du Plessis c Gayle b Rajpoot 14 SK Raina not out 61 SW Billings b Rajpoot 0 Harbhajan Singh lbw b Ashwin 19 DL Chahar c Sharma b Ashwin 39 MS Dhoni (c) † not out 16 Extras 9 (b 1, nb 1, w 7) TOTAL 159-5 (19.1 Overs, RR: 8.29) Yet to bat: DJ Bravo, RA Jadeja, SN Thakur, L Ngidi Fall of wickets: 1-3 (AT Rayudu, 1.2 ov), 2-27 (F du Plessis, 4.3 ov), 3-27 (SW Billings, 4.4 ov), 4-58 (Harbhajan Singh, 10.1 ov), 5-114 (DL Chahar, 16.1 ov) BOWLING: AS Rajpoot (4-1-192), MM Sharma (3.1-0-28-1), AJ Tye (4-0-47-0), AR Patel (4-0-28(4-0-36-2) 0), R Ashwin

Mo Farah wins Great Manchester Run

R

afael Nadal survived a stunning fightback from Alexander Zverev to win a record eighth Italian Open.

Nadal cruised to the first set before defending champion Zverev won nine of the next 11 games to take the second set 6-1 and lead 3-1 in the decider.

But the Spaniard turned the match around following a lengthy rain delay and closed out a 6-1 1-6 6-3 victory.

The win will see Nadal regain the world number one ranking before the French Open which starts next Sunday.

Roger Federer had regained top spot in the rankings when Nadal lost to Dominic Thiem at the Madrid Masters last week, his only defeat on clay this season.

Nadal has now won three clay-court titles from four tournaments in the lead-up to his bid for an 11th Roland Garros title in Paris.

Nadal cruised to the first set in just 32 minutes and had looked on course for a routine victory against in-form Zverev, who had won 14 matches in a row and 30

matches in total this season - more than any other player.

But the 31-year-old made a number of uncharacteristic errors in the second set while world number three Zverev upped his game to level at 1-1.

The German, 21, broke Nadal’s serve in the opening game of the deciding set and maintained that break to lead 3-1 going into an 11-minute rain delay.

Nadal won the game after the players returned only for play to be halted by a second, longer rain delay, after which he won four games in a row to clinch the match.

The win is Nadal’s 78th ATP Tour title and takes him clear of John McEnroe into fourth place in the list of most men’s titles won in the Open era.

It also extends Nadal’s impressive record in Rome where he has won the title more t h a n any other player with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic second on four titles. (BBCSport)

Rafael Nadal already held the record for most Italian Open wins

ritain’s Olympic and world 10,000m champion Mo Farah said he felt “tired” after his first victory in the 10km Great Manchester Run. Farah, who finished third at the London Marathon last month, raced past Ugandan Moses Kipsiro with 100 metres left to win in 28 minutes 27 seconds.

Abel Kirui of Kenya finished third, 25 seconds behind Farah.

Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba won her third straight women’s race, well ahead of Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei.

In the men’s wheelchair race, Britain’s David Weir beat Johnboy Smith and Simon Lawson to win in 21 minutes 28 seconds.

In the women’s wheelchair race, Britain’s Liz McTernan was victorious in 34 minutes 20 seconds ahead of Heather Gilham and Lucy Keyworth.

Farah, who was appearing in the race for the first time since 2007, took part in a minute’s silence before the race in tribute to the 22 people who died in last year’s Manchester Arena bombing.

For most of the race, the 35-year-old looked comfortable in warm conditions as he kicked past Kipsiro with 100 metres to go.

But he said he was still recovering from breaking the British record at last month’s marathon - his first event over the distance since switching his focus to road racing.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, may 21, 2018

Daredevils knock out Mumbai M

umbai Indians were knocked out of the IPL on a dry pitch that turned legspinners Amit Mishra and Sandeep Lamichhane into absolute terrors. That meant Rajasthan Royals were favourites to make the playoffs, unless Kings XI Punjab beat Chennai Super Kings by at least 53 runs in the last league game of the season.

Now that the details are out of the way, time to enjoy some drama. It was a difficult situation for Rohit Sharma and his men.

Mumbai were asked to chase in conditions that became progressively difficult for batting. Then they gave up a total of 174 though Daredevils had struggled early in their innings.

Later, they were t o t tering at 1 2 2 for 7. So B e n Cutting b e gan hitting boundaries.

Mumbai needed 38 off 18 balls when Cutting smashed Liam Plunkett for 4, 6 and 4. They needed 18 off six when he launched Harshal Patel into the crowd behind short fine leg. He was playing an innings to rival his blitz that won Sunrisers Hyderabad the title in 2016. He saw a short and wide offcutter. He knew it needed to go. He swung his big shoulders.

He launched it in the air.

The trajectory seemed to suggest it would soar over deep midwicket. It didn’t.

And Daredevils, a team that finished last,

that spent the evening veering from one extreme to the other, savoured pure joy.

There was a limp show from the Delhi Daredevils top order and a breathtaking half-century from Rishabh Pant. There were three drops, and an overthrow for five runs, but Glenn Maxwell masterminded two ridiculous catches on the long-on boundary to dismiss Rohit and Kieron Pollard.

Plunkett’s over - the 18th cost a debilitating 15 runs.

Boult followed up by giving away only 5 in the 19th.

Harshal seemed to lose the game one ball, and off the next, had it wrapped up.

Some teams might drop a player whose most recent scores are 5, 9, 2, 5, 6.

Daredevils, however, made Maxwell open the batting.

Now as ridiculous as that might sound, it made sense here.

On a slow deck, the new ball presented the best opportunity to score.

And Maxwell has the potential to break a rut Sandeep Lamichhane of the Delhi Daredevils celebrates after taking a wicket

with one shot. But he fell for 22 off 18 and finished with an average of 14 from 12 innings. To put that in context, among those who have batted at Nos. 1 to 6 a minimum of 10 times in a season, only seven others have fared worse.

Things weren’t going to plan at the other end either. The first delivery of the fourth over was steered to point and Prithvi Shaw thought there was a single, even though the ball was headed straight to the fielder. He saw Hardik Pandya grab it, set up for the throw, release it targeting his end and yet made no attempt to get back to his crease. He was run out for 12.

He looks like he shouldn’t be scoring any runs, losing balance with every other big shot he plays. He literally fell on his backside attempting one tonight. But in between those awkward mom e n t s , there was unbelievable brilliance.

Pant galloped to 24 off 11 on a pitch that wasn’t suiting strokeplay. He was hitting one-handed sixes. He was reverse-scooping fast bowlers for four. If only he could have convinced the umpires that he should bat at both ends.

The 20-year old did the next best thing, though.

After a fast start, he slowed down to make sure he could bat through the innings. It was terrific game awareness in tough conditions.

Pant was dismissed in the 17th over, for 64 off 44 deliveries, having become the top-scorer this season with a tally of 684.

A breakup of h i s runs

bound-

ary, he lobbed it over to Trent Boult who was coming in from long off.

F o u r overs later, Rohit - his left shoulder badly injured in the field - tried to clear the ground. He was deceived by a slower ball from Harshal Patel but it still had enough timing to go for six.

But Maxwell was there once again. And so was Boult to back him up. The Australian took the catch to dismiss Cutting as well. Each of them were match-winning moments.

Evin Lewis was belting the Daredevils fast bowlers to all parts. He had been dropped on 8 and added another 40 runs when he ran past a googly from Mishra.

It was exquisite cricket. The legspinner had been hit for six the previous ball but he trusted his strength - bowling slow and extracting turn from a helpful pitch - and sent back Mumbai’s top-scorer. Mishra also took out their last remaining hope with an equally artful legbreak. He was in his last over, bowling at Hardik, who bulldozes spin bowling. Still, Mishra kept tossing it up. He helped himself by bowling it wide of off stump. The batsman swung across the line and was caught at point. And his team was on their way out.

SCOREBOARD Rishabh Pant of the Delhi Daredevils played a stellar innings of 64

makes even better reading: 114 off 73 in the Powerplay (strike-rate 156), 403 off 253 (strike-rate 159) in the middle overs, and 167 off 68 (strike-rate 245) in the death.

Pollard had already been dropped twice - on 0

by Shaw and 3 by Abhishek Sharma - when he muscled the ball to long-on. And it was heading over the ropes.

Maxwell raced to his right and leapt, knowing his momentum would take him out of bounds. He took the catch with both hands, and while still in the air outside the

Delhi Daredevils Innings (20 overs maximum) PP Shaw run out (Pandya) 12 GJ Maxwell b Bumrah 22 SS Iyer (c) c KH Pandya b Markande 6 RR Pant † c Pollard b KH Pandya 64 V Shankar not out 43 Abhishek Sharma not out 15 Extras 12 (b 1, lb 6, w 5) TOTAL 174-4 (20 Overs, RR: 8.7) Did not bat: HV Patel, A Mishra, S Lamichhane, TA Boult, LE Plunkett Fall of wickets: 1-30 (PP Shaw, 3.1 ov), 2-38 (GJ Maxwell, 4.3 ov), 3-75 (SS Iyer, 8.6 ov), 4-139 (RR Pant, 16.5 ov) BOWLING: KH Pandya (2-0-111), JJ Bumrah (4-0-29-1), HH Pandya (4-0-36-0), Mustafizur Rahman (4-0-34-0), M Markande (2-0-21-1), BCJ Cutting (4-0-36-0) Mumbai Indians Innings (target: 175 runs from 20 overs) SA Yadav c Shankar b Lamichhane 12 E Lewis st †Pant b Mishra 48 Ishan Kishan †c Shankar b Mishra 5

KA Pollard c Boult b Lamichhane 7 RG Sharma (c) c Boult b Patel 13 KH Pandya c sub (R Tewatia) b Lamichhane 4 HH Pandya c sub (R Tewatia) b Mishra 27 BCJ Cutting c Maxwell b Patel 37 M Markande b Boult 3 JJ Bumrah c Boult b Patel 0 Mustafizur Rahman not out 0 Extras 7 (lb 1, w 6) TOTAL 163 all out (19.3 Overs, RR: 8.35) Fall of wickets: 1-12 (SA Yadav, 0.4 ov), 2-57 (Ishan Kishan, 6.1 ov), 3-74 (E Lewis, 8.6 ov), 4-74 (KA Pollard, 9.1 ov), 5-78 (KH Pandya, 9.4 ov), 6-121 (RG Sharma, 13.5 ov), 7-122 (HH Pandya, 14.5 ov), 8-157 (M Markande, 18.6 ov), 9-163 (BCJ Cutting, 19.2 ov), 10163 (JJ Bumrah, 19.3 ov) BOWLING: S Lamichhane (4-036-3), TA Boult (4-0-33-1), GJ Maxwell (2-0-19-0), HV Patel (2.3-0-28-3), LE Plunkett (3-0-270), A Mishra (4-0-19-3)

ends career at Barca Marquez eases to victory at Le Mans Iniesta with win over Real Sociedad M T arc Marquez won a third race on the trot for Honda as he claimed victory in the French MotoGP at Le Mans.

It was a 38th win for the Spaniard in the series and extended his lead to 36 points at the top of the

championship.

Danilo Petrucci claimed second and fellow Italian Valentino Rossi third, while home favourite Johann Zarco was on pole but slid out on lap

French GP results: 1. Marc Marquez (Spa/Honda) 41mins 49.773secs, 2. Danilo Petrucci (Ita/Ducati) +2.310secs 3. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) +5.350secs 4. Jack Miller (Aus/Ducati) + 6.314secs 5. Dani Pedrosa (Spa/Honda) 7.419secs 6. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa/Ducati) 10.355secs 7. Maverick Vinales (Spa/Yamaha) 13.543secs 8. Cal Crutchlow (GB/Honda) +23.758secs 9. Aleix Espargaro (Spa/Aprilia) +26.206secs 10. Alex Rins (Spa/Suzuki) +27.937secs Championship standings (after five of 19 races): 1. Marc Marquez (Spa/Honda) 95 points 2. Maverick Vinales (Spa/Yamaha) 59 3. Johann Zarco (Fra/Yamaha) 58 4. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 56 5. Danilo Petrucci (Ita/Ducati) 54 6. Jack Miller (Aus/Ducati) 49 7. Andrea Iannone (Ita/Suzuki) 47 8. Cal Crutchlow (GB/Honda) 46 9. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita/Ducati) 46 10. Dani Pedrosa (Spa/Honda) 29

seven.

“The race was tough because the pace of everyone was close. This victory is important,” said Marquez.

Maverick Vinales was seventh and is second on 59 points in the drivers’ standings.

Briton Cal Crutchlow was taken to hospital after suffering a crash in qualifying but recovered to finish eighth.

Four-time world champion Marc Marquez has 38 MotoGP wins

he Spain midfielder, 34, is leaving the La Liga champions at the end of the season after winning 22 major titles in 16 years with the senior side.

Fans formed a mosaic with the message 'Forever Iniesta' prior to the game.

Iniesta was typically assured in possession but the tired hosts needed a stunning strike by Philippe Coutinho to end their season with a win.

The former Liverpool midfielder cut in from the left and curled a powerful effort in off the far post on 57 minutes.

Iniesta, who captained the side, was replaced in the 82nd minute, embracing all of his team-mates and acknowledging the Nou Camp crowd with tears in his eyes.

Having joined the Barcelona youth set-up aged 12, Iniesta ends his 22-year association with the club after making 674 senior appearances, second only to long-time central midfield partner Xavi who made 767.

He was part of Barca sides

The legendary Spaniard plays his final game in the blue and red

that won La Liga nine times, four Champions League titles, three Club World Cups and six Copa del Rey trophies. The last of the league titles came this season as Barcelona almost went the whole campaign unbeaten, only to fall to a 5-4 defeat by Levante in their penultimate game.

The hosts were subdued against a stubborn Real Sociedad, the game itself of secondary importance to bidding farewell to one of their

greatest ever players.

Lionel Messi even started on the bench before replacing Coutinho on 67 minutes to enjoy a final cameo alongside Iniesta, the pair having won all 22 of those trophies together.

When granted an emotional send-off in being replaced

by Paco Alcacer, Iniesta went straight to Messi, handing over the captain's armband and hugging the Argentina striker.

sports

Success continues winning streak in Unity Cup

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he Unity Cup organized by the Guyana Softball League saw the village of success staying on top by having three teams going on to the next round by defeating their neighbouring village in Better hope.

The weather only allowed two matches to be completed as another downpour left the ground unplayable.

Success Young Guns displaying an abundance of talent defeated Strikers by 63 runs.

They firstly chalked up 110 for nine in their 10 overs with Amit Ramnarine 20 (2x6s) and Asif Mohamed 19 (3x4) took them to their eventual score.

Omedat Khemraj was the pick of the bowlers with 2-7 in 2 overs. When Strikers batted the wicket seemed to be different as

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21

the Young Guns bowlers were almost unplayable but extras top scored thus saving the embarrassment to the strikers’ team.

All the bowlers contributed.

In the other match to be played Enterprise Youths got the better of Better hope by a massive 41 runs. Enterprise batted first and made 110 -3 in 10 overs with Rohan Beepat top scoring with 31 (3x6; 2x4) followed by Gary Andrews with 26 (2x6s; 1x4s).

Better hope in their turn could only muster 69 all out in 8.4 overs with only Raj Rooplall getting into double figures with 16 (2x4s).

Rohan Beepat was the pick of the bowlers claiming 2-5 in 2 overs, supported by Clive Roberts with 2-14 from his two

overs.

Actions continues today, at Leonora Primary School Ground with Omesh XI, Speedboat XI, Diesel XI and Superbet will highlight the day proceedings.

Additionally, more incentives have been added to the tournament. Prizes will be given for highest score in the tournament and the best bowling figures, in case of more than one person achieve this all will be given prizes.

The tournament will also have programs beyond the boundaries and fans are urged to take advantage of these opportunities.

Incentives include the highest score in the tournament, the best bowling figures and lots more.

GTTA Senior National Championships

Cummings is new female champion – Edghill holds off Johnson for “B” Class honours

By Akeem Greene

N

atalie ‘Speedy’ Cummings is the new Senior National Female Table Tennis Champion, after a sublime display with the racquet at the Guyana Table Tennis Association’s (GTTA’s) Senior Championships, which continued on Sunday at the National Gymnasium.

Heading into the championships, it was inevitable that a new champion would be crowned, since Chelsea Edghill, the former champion, was overseas; and with Trenance Lowe also out of the jurisdiction, Cumming was at the top of the pecking order to win.

The foregoing by no means takes away from her robust display, as she still had to come up against some budding talents such as Pricilla Greaves and Neveah Clarkston, who can be lethal on their day; along with fellow senior player Joday-Ann Blake.

Natalie Cummings played a superb hand on Sunday to be crowned the new Senior Female Table Tennis Champion

Played on a round-robin basis, Cummings proudly represented her Titans Club by scoring six points, just enough to edge Blake on five points, while Greaves came third and Clarkston fourth.

The reality of it is that Cummings, a southpaw, never dropped a set for the day; and in her biggest

battle, against Blake, she won 11-7, 11-8 & 12-10. Her reflexes were lightning fast and her top-spin proved to be the undoing of many.

Over in the “B” Class open, the jaw-dropping action unfolded especially in the final between Kyle Edghill and Elishaba Johnson.

Edghill, rebound-

ed from his defeat to Shemar Britton in the 21-and-Under final and managed to topple a raging Johnson in a match which literally went down to the wire, as it went for seven sets in a brutal display of racket wielding prowess. In the end, Edghill won 4-3.

He rebounded from a 5-11 defeat to produce 117, 13-15, 11-9, 11-5, 8-11 and 11-9 against a fellow national player.

The semi-finals certainly gave a hint of what was to be expected between the two, as they disposed o f their opponents without much of a sweat.

Edghill won against Kaysan Ninvalle 12-10, 11-4, 11-5 & 11-8; while Johnson got the better of Wong 11-4, 11-7, 12-10 & 11-8.

Meanwhile, the Senior Men’s Open had only reached its round-of-16, and will continue today from 17:00h.

Kyle Edghill is the “B” Class champion

Yates extends lead with fine solo win on stage 15 B

ritain’s Simon Yates stormed to a sensational solo win on stage 15 to take a tight grip on the overall lead at the Giro d’Italia.

The 25-year-old attacked with 18km to go of the stage to Sappada to blow away his rivals for the pink jersey.

On a day when Chris Froome lost more time, reigning champion Tom Dumoulin also struggled badly.

No Briton has ever won the Giro but with one week to go Yates now has a lead of two minutes 11 seconds.

He admitted to feeling emotional after his third road stage win of this Giro and he is the first man to do that in the

Simon Yates

pink jersey since Gilberto Simoni in 2003 - with Simoni going on to claim overall victory that year.

“I didn’t know that,” Yates told Eurosport. “I do like the stats, I like the numbers. It’s really fantastic. I don’t know

why but I’m a bit emotional after today. I really gave it everything.”

It was arguably his most impressive yet, his sparkling form matched by the elan with which he timed his move.

Dumoulin stays second overall after battling through to finish third on the stage, 41 seconds behind MitcheltonScott rider Yates and picking up only four bonus seconds for his placing compared to Yates’ 10 for the stage win.

Monday is a rest day before Tuesday’s time trial so can Yates stay in the maglia rosa?

“It’s a good gap but (Dumoulin) could take two minutes out of me in a time trial.

I’ve been fighting since Israel to have a good gap. I’m happy with that gap but it could disappear in 35km. We’ll have to see.”

Froome, who had looked reborn in his win on Monte Zoncolan on Saturday, lost a

minute and a half on the day and is now almost five minutes down on his young compatriot, dropping two places in the general classification to seventh.

On a punchy day of second category climbs the racing was relentless, a huge break of 26 riders going up the road early on but gradually being whittled down to just Italy’s Guilio Ciccone and German Nico Denz with 30km to go.

Dumoulin’s Sunweb team pushed the pace hard in the main pack as the race climbed into the final hour, Yates watchful on his rival’s wheel and Froome in the company of Team Sky team-mate Sergio Henao.

(BBC Sports)

22

monDAY, may 21, 2018

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Chase topple North G/T to win 3rd title – Diamond thump Friendship in East Bank finals

C

hase Academy inflicted a 28-run loss on their opponents, North Georgetown Secondary School, in Saturday’s final of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) National Secondary Schools Cricket League Georgetown Zone finals.

Batting first at the Everest Ground, Chase’s innings would have a number of useful starts. Dwain Dick hit two sixes and a four in his top-score of 25, while the likes of National player Sachin Singh (17), Orlando Giddings (19), and Tameshwar Permaul (18) added to the team’s 117.

It was a spirited performance from Shivanand Gossain, 3-11, and Wayne Bollers, 2-26, who were the premier wicket-takers for North Georgetown Secondary School.

Wayne Bollers

Guyanese Elton “The

G

Mojica in the Main Event at Club Amazura in Jamaica, Queens.

The event, spearheaded

by Ronson Frank’s Uprising Promotions in associa-

porting hand with 19, the next best score, but by the latter stages of the game the writing was on the wall, as Chase lifted another title.

Game two, which was contested following the Georgetown Zone Finals, saw Diamond stomping their authority in a 15-overs-a-side match versus Friendship. Batting first, Diamond amassed 146-7, thanks to national youth player Mavindra Dindyal.

Some 10 fours and four maximums littered the Everest ground as the youngster put on a one-man show to take his side to an easy 65-run win over its opponents. With the two finals now wrapped up, Chase now faceoff with the East Coast Demerara zone winners in their next match.

Bully” Dharry wins Main Event in New York

Guyanese Bantamweight champion Elton “The Bully” Dharry and team celebrating after winning in New York this past Friday

uyanese pugilist Elton “The Bully” Dharry starred in New York this past Friday, as he racked up a win against Texan Oscar

The chase saw the North Georgetown batsmen faced with a gettable target; and although their side didn’t get the job done, much credit should be given to their batters, who applied themselves well but lacked the aggression needed to cross the finish line.

After openers Michael Pooran and Gossain both departed for 6 each, it was Bollers who provided a brief respite of hope with his counter-attacking. Bollers, who earlier starred with the ball in hand, returned to stroke 41 in a brave effort. However, the pace was not up to par with the required rate, as a few of the Chase bowlers managed to make inroads; thus curving the outcome of the game.

Afeilie Henry played a good sup-

tion with the New Mexican Promotions, saw numerous top fights being billed for the card, which saw a return to the state after a hiatus.

In the Main Event of the

Texan Oscar Mojica (L) and Guyanese Elton Dharry during the weigh-in

card, bantamweight champ Dharry (23-5-1, 14) punched his way to a win by unanimous decision after 10 gruelling rounds against the Texan Mojica (11-5, 1 KO),

who proved to be a worthy fighter in his own right.

After a top-class boxing match in which momentum shifted between the fighters, the skill and class of the

overseas-based Dharry enabled the judges to confirm final scores at 98-91, 96-93 and 95-94 in favour of the Guyanese.

2018 West Indies Full-Bore Championship

Guyana on a quest to defend multiple titles T he Paragon Ranges in Barbados come alive again as the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Fullbore Team set out to defend their Long/Short Range titles in this year’s tournament.

Led by 32-year-old newbie captain Dylan Fields, following the absence of recovering National captain Mahendra Persaud, who is out of this year’s competition due to illness, Guyana will seek to make the land of the flying fish theirs again when they defend their titles against shooters from around the world.

The GNRA team in Barbados

Persaud’s absence also means the Guyanese veteran will not be able to defend his individual championship title.

The local team landed in Barbados on Saturday as they look to get themselves acclimatized with a practice session at the 300and 900-yard ranges, which shot off at 10:00h on Sunday, as they prepare for today’s individual competition.

The shoot will last throughout the week, with Friday being the Long Range Match-Milex and Crown Mining Cup, followed by the Short Range Match on Saturday.

Skeete retains Independence

T

Deshana Skeete

400m crown

he Leonora Track And Field Center was a buzz of activity over the weekend as young athletes showed up to compete in the Independence Track and Field Meet organized by the Guyana Overseas-Based Sports Association.

Athletes both old and new dominated the competition with a number of close wins, while Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, and Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr. George Norton, watched on.

Linden’s Deshana Skeete ran her heart out to regain her 400m title. Leading that particular discipline for a few years, Skeete ran 57.54s in the Girls 1417 event to beat out her opponents. Kelize Smith (58.10s) and Adriel Austin (59.92s) took second and third respectively.

Prolific runner Daniel Williams suffered a bout of tough luck as he stumbled in his primary event, the Men’s 100m Open. Akeem Stewart took that race in a time of 10.48s, while Kevin Abbensetts (10.52s) came in second and Davin Fraser third with 10.56s. Williams eventually finished in fourth place.

Samuel Lynch, Tyrell Peters, Brianna Charles, Titus Webster, Tonya Rawlins, Jonathon Fraser, Tandika Haynes and Tiffauna Garnett all graced the podium at Saturday’s proceedings.

Ethan Lee reigns supreme at Saints championships

T

he recently concluded St. Stanislaus College Open Chess Competition is one of many “Chess in Schools” events whose main purpose is to empower students through Chess: by using the game to assist students with their educational and social development.

Running from Thursday, May 17 to Saturday, May 19, this year’s competition saw participation form students of St. Stanislaus College, Marian Academy and Christ Church Secondary School.

At the end of the three-day event, it was Ethan Lee of Marian Academy who emerged as the winner, his having swept the competition and remaining undefeated. The young man who recently received his first FIDE (World Chess Federation) trounced

Ricardo Ramlall, Savir Gookul and Odit Rodriguez in his first three rounds of play.

Later, It seemed as though Lee sourced confidence from those wins, as he went on to defeat the likes of Jaden ‘Mikhail’ Taylor, Ghansham Allijohn and Waveney Johnson, who are all exceptional young players.

Rivalling Lee was St. Stanislaus’s Jaden ‘Mikhail’ Taylor, who passed up an opportunity to break Lee’s winning streak.

In spite of that, the youngster still managed to accumulate 5.5 points from his seven games, which landed him in the second position for the overall competition.

Whilst Ethan Lee won the overall competition, Jaden Taylor was crowned as the new ‘Saints Chess Champion’ because he attends that school.

Another St. Stanislaus student, Ghansham Allijohn, and Christ Church’s Waveney Johnson both ended on 5 points, but third place was awarded to Allijohn by the tabulation system.

According to National Chess Coach Wendell Meusa, the competition identified a number of young talents, such as Odit Rodrigues, Andrew & Alexander Ally, and young Ronan Lee, all of Marian Academy.

Other players such as young upcoming female Chelsea Juma and school-mate Savir Gookul continue to show a lot of improvement in their game.

The young stars will meet again when the National Inter-Schools Chess Championships are staged later in the year.

23

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, may 21, 2018

DeNobrega

comfortably wins Pre-Independence race P

aul DeNobrega pedalled away with the spoils at the inaugural Team Alanis-organized Pre-Independence fixture staged on the outer circuit of the National Park Circuit.

DeNobrega won the 20lap (47- mile) event in a thrilling sprint finish as the Team Evolution rider led team-

Paul DeNobrega

mates Jamal John and Curtis Dey onto the podium, lapping all but Junior Niles, Christopher Griffith, Deeraj Garbarran, Paul Choo-WeNam and Jaikarran Sukhai, who finished fourth to eighth respectively.

DeNobrega bested a quality field of wheelmen, earning the top honours of $40,000 and stopping the clock in a time of 1h: 52.13s.

His victory was accompanied by also earning six of the 10 sprint prizes, which were worth $1000 each.

Dey and John pocketed two apiece during the O.G Shipping and Deliveries-sponsored event.

Full results:

Top 6 overall 1. Jamal John 2. Curtis Dey 3. Paul DeNobrega 4. Junior Niles 5. Christopher Griffith 6. Deeraj Garbarran Juniors 1. Brighton John 2. Adelie Hodge 3. Ajay Gopilall Veterans Under-45 1. Junior Niles 2. Paul Choo-We-Nam 3. Jaikarran Sukhai Veterans Over-45 1. Ian Jackson 2. Kennard Lovell 3. Oliver Young Mountain Bikers 1. Mario King 2. Talim Shaw

Hornets sting Caribs to claim inaugural Carnival title

T

he Pepsi Hornets held off a tough Caribs side to claim the inaugural title when the Carnival Seven’s Rugby tournament took place on Sunday at the National Park Track and Field Rugby playfield.

Hornets emerged victorious 12 – 10 after drawing first blood early on when Rickford Cummings got into the end zone. His effort was successfully converted by his captain, Ryan Gonsalves.

Cummings made his presence felt once again as he scored the second try with a breakaway run. Gonsalves then made it two for two with the conversion, to put Hornets ahead 12 – 0 heading into the final half.

Hornets, clearly the better side in the first seven minutes, found themselves on

a different end of the barrel when play resumed.

Caribs came storming back, with Richard Staglon scoring the first try for his side.

However, his effort was not converted, but some life was breathed back into the Caribs’ offence as Claudis Butts stormed to the end zone and scored, bringing the game within just one successful possession, 12 – 10.

Unfortunately for the Caribs side, Butts’s effort at converting failed, and Hornets held off a good scare as the regulation time whistle quickly approached.

Following the event, Gonsalves said he was happy with the win, calling it “crucial” for his club, since they were the hosts of the event.

Some of the action during the final

monDAY, may 21, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Chase topple North G/T to win 3rd title Pg 22

– Diamond thump Friendship in East Bank finals The Chase Academy team take a photo op following their title win against North Georgetown

Hornets sting Caribs to claim inaugural Carnival title Pg 23

The Hornets team celebrate yet another seven’s title

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