Guyanatimes

01 DAY TO GO THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyana-times.com

Issue No. 2899

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

PRICE

President urges City Hall to have clearer vision for Georgetown

WHAT'S INSIDE: Brexit fallout

No impact on Caribbean’s P9 call for reparations – Dr Phillips

Page 3

…underscores importance of involvement of all stakeholders

Canal businessman shot during home invasion

$80 vat included

...other political and economic ramifications in pipeline

Burning Haags Bosch landfill

Page 7

4 days later, fire still uncontrollable Page 16

Falling utility pole damages car, supermarket

Page 16 Danger: This Guyana Power and Light pole, which has rotted, fell on an SUV outside the Bonny’s Supermarket, posing much danger to employees, customers and passersby. Workers complained that despite reports, GPL turned a blind eye to the danger until the post fell on Monday

Oil exportation licence scrapping

GRA undergoes major reshuffle Page 16

Breach of contract can cost State billions – legal expert Page 7

...the contract was with State, not any party in power

Pomeroon teenager P8 slapped with rape charge – released into custody of parents

Charity businessman fined, jailed for narco P8 trafficking

2 arrested after robbing city-bound P2 passenger Man charged for attempting to kill Police P13 Officer

2 news

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

La Penitence man jailed for gun possession

E

dward McCullen was on Monday sentenced to three years when he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was found guilty of being in possession of an illegal firearm along with matching ammunition.

He was also fined $50,000 each for the two charges.

It was alleged that on June 5, 2015 at East La Penitence, Georgetown, he had in his possession one Intratec firearm and matching ammunition without a gun and ammunition licence.

The Prosecution contended that Police officers were in the vicinity of East La Penitence when gun shots were heard.

Upon investigating, the defendant was seen running with the gun in his hand. The Police gave chase and he dropped the weapon in a nearby septic tank and approached the officers. He was arrested, taken to the septic tank where the gun was recovered and

ed for 58 months on a similar offence, a possession charge.

After considering the facts of the case, McLennan declared that the court is satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did carry out the act for which he is charged.

However, the defendant was not satisfied with the ruling and pleaded to the McLennan saying that he was not in possession of any firearm nor was he even

Edward McCullen

later taken to Eve Leary Headquarters where he was charged.

In presenting her ruling, Magistrate McLennan said that after investigations, it was established that the gun found in the septic tank was the same weapon used to fire the shots that were heard. Also the shell casing matched those found in the firearm.

Additionally, the defendant was previously convict-

aware of the incident for which he is being charged.

He explained that on the day in question, he was sitting on his bridge when Police officers ran past him.

He added that as they were returning, they noticed him on the bridge and arrested and later charged him with the offence.

Magistrate McLennan explained to him that the evidence provided proved contrary to his plea and handed down the sentence.

2 arrested after robbing citybound passenger

T

wo men are now in Police custody after executing a robbery on a passenger in a taxi who was travelling from Berbice to Georgetown on Sunday afternoon.

The men were reportedly apprehended at Church View International Hotel, at Main Street, New Amsterdam with a quantity of foreign and local currency.

Police investigations revealed that the victim, Shan Goasu of Regent Street, Georgetown, boarded a taxi with two other men and in the vicinity of Number 2 Village, West Coast Berbice, the driver drove the motor car along a desolate road.

One of the occupants

then choked the victim and relieved him of the gold jewellery he was wearing, $300,000 in local currency, $2500 in Surinamese currency, one iPhone and a passport.

The man was then ordered out of the car and his assailants drove away. The matter was reported to the Blairmont Police Station and based on information received; Police went to the hotel where they arrested the two men.

The Police then conducted a search of the men and found the $200,000 in local currency, $2500 in Suriname currency, iPhone, passport and a bag containing clothing belonging to the victim.

Investors eyeing abandoned Linden State property for business … Govt to make a decision – Region 10 Chairman

S

everal investors have expressed interest in utilising an abandoned state property in Linden to open another business.

The abandoned entity situated at Kara Kara, Mackenzie, once housed a call centre, formerly the Toucan Connection Incorporated.

Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Chairman Renis Morian speaking with Guyana Times indicated that Government has to make a decision on the welfare of the new interests.

He noted that while some investors are seeking to conduct call centre-like services, several other business ideas have been touted.

“Everybody wants a piece of the call centre, but the Government got to make a decision as it relates to that. I would hope that it turns a call centre”, Morian said, while opining that the former Toucan Connection building is ideally suited for a call centre.

Regional Councillor Sandra Adams had also recently stated that she was in talks with a possible investor, however, the process was moving along slowly.

Several call centre investors have used the location, however their services have been short-lived. The Toucan Connection was the most recent, which operated for several years before abruptly closing last year, leaving ap-

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

proximately 86 employees on the breadline.

The call centre has over the years been one major source of employment in the community. A larger percentage of women and single parents benefited from employment.

The Government was forced to intervene last year, as workers from the Toucan Connection were sent home without prior notice and without receiving their severance packages. The issue has so far been resolved with over 60 employees having received their severance packages, however, the centre, which is considered the property of the State has since remained closed.

Residents are voicing concerns as to if and when the centre will be re-opened, so as to provide much needed employment to Lindeners.

NEWS

3

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, June 28 – 10:30h-12:00h and Wednesday, June 29 – 12:30h-14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, June 28 – 10:35h-12:05h and Wednesday, June 29 – 11:50h-13:20h.

President urges City Hall to have clearer vision for Georgetown – underscores importance of involvement of all stakeholders

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions, interrupted by thundery showers in the late morning, are expected. Heavy rain showers will prevail throughout the afternoon.

Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

By Devina Samaroo

High Tide: 10:49h and 23:23h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.44 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 16:48h reaching a minimum height of 0.81 metre.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS o

03 06 08 17 20 26 23 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2016

Daily Millions

10 16 21 25

03

LUCKY 3 5

9

3

Draw De Line 01

02 07 11 13

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan during Monday’s forum

17 19

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

A

t a time when tensions are high within the City Council concerning the ongoing parking meter scandal, President David Granger delivered his first address to the Georgetown Council on Monday.

While not attributing his remarks to any particular incident, the Head of State urged the Councillors to have a clearer vision and more profound mission for the development of the municipality, noting that the involvement of all stakeholders was most vital.

He made it clear though that his intention was not to pass any instructions to City Hall on how they should manage their affairs.

President Granger remind-

Mayor Patricia Chase Green

ed the Councillors that they have a duty to represent and serve the people who elected them into office, noting that if they do not perform satisfactorily, they can easily be voted out at the next Local Government Election, which is slated to be held before December 2018.

“Each one of you represents at least 2800 citizens: you don’t represent yourself, you don’t represent your family, and you don’t represent your political party. You represent 2800 citizens and you have to listen to them; sometimes you are tempted to speak for yourself, but speak to them first and find out what their views are before you attempt to make public your opinions,” he charged the Councillors.

He continued, “If you don’t perform, you are going to get a

A military parade welcomes President David Granger to City Hall

bad report and people are not going to put you in office if you abuse and misuse that office.”

The President emphasised that their return to the table was not dependent on their political affiliations but on their personality and performance.

Granger also underscored the importance of proper planning before undertaking any projects.

In this regard, he urged the Council to consider the establishment of a special commission to deal with these matters.

“I ask this Council today to consider – please, note my language because I don’t want to be misreported, I haven’t come here to give instructions – I am asking the Council to consider the possibility of establishing a national capital planning commission,” he stated.

This commission, he said, could be tasked with review-

ing the numerous plans which have been prepared over the years, and to develop structured approaches to urban renewal.

In addition, the President commended the work of the Council, particularly its efforts to prevent massive flooding in the city and for commencing the initiative to beautify the capital.

“The city must regain its image as one of the most picturesque and pleasant places for residents and attractive destination for visitors; it must become a showpiece: a place which features attractions and services allow everyone to experience the good life,” he said.

With this in mind, President Granger pledged greater assistance from Central Government in helping to push the urban development agenda and to further develop the capital city.

4

guyana-times.com

tuesdAY, june 28, 2016

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

“Animal Spirits” and institutionalism

T

he consequences of the Brexit vote by Britain will take years to sort out, especially since the Government still has not officially triggered negotiations on the terms of withdrawal as specified by Article 50 of the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty. But while almost every country in the world will be affected to a lesser or greater extent by the decision, the underlying rationales that undergirded Britain and the other European countries’ formation of their union will now have to be re-examined by other countries that followed their putatively positive example. Notably, the Caribbean and Caricom.

The EU emerged out of war-ravaged Europe in which Germany had been comprehensively defeated and in fact split into two parts that mirrored Europe itself that now had distinct eastern and western ideologically defined “blocs”.

The Allies, led by the US, decided to “rebuild Europe” by creating new institutions to develop its western bloc. The economic model to achieve this goal was “capitalist/free market” in orientation. They began by forming the European Coal and Steel Community in 1950 to unite their member countries economically. In 1957, this was then transformed by the Treaty of Rome which created the European Economic Community (EEC), or ‘Common Market’.

The development of new institutions to deepen the integration further politically continued as Britain started an expansion drive when it joined the EC in 1973. The Maastricht Treaty (1993), Amsterdam Treaty (1999) and the Lisbon Treaty (2009) were all supposed to create a European Union. This would have members operating as independent countries but each conceding a tremendous amount of sovereignty by forming a single market, which, in the main, used a single currency (the Euro) and allowed free movement of goods, capital, services and people between member states.

Underlying these institutions was the assumption that the rules undergirding them served to advance the “greater good” of all its members. And it is actually this premise that was on trial in the referendum that resulted in Brexit. The question, of course, is who decides what is the “greater good” - the leaders who the people elect to be their representatives or the people themselves? The answer given last week is a majority of voters (52%) disagreed with their elected leaders that the EU served their interests. The leader of the Conservative Government has resigned and there is great pressure for his opposite number on the Labour benches to follow suit.

While there may have been any number of issues which convinced voters that to remain within the EU was not in their interest, nativist fears were the clinching factor. “Nativism” describes the primal fears of “swamping” that are raised against immigrants or newcomers who are blamed for everything that ails the body politic in a country – from crime to economic slumps. The flood of three million immigrants into Britain after 2004 from Eastern Europe, which had been in the Communist bloc but were then absorbed into the EU, created a groundswell of opinion that rejected the economic argument that were made by most leaders for staying in Europe.

Nativism is not a new phenomenon and in the US during the 19th Century there was great agitation against Irish migration into the country which is now mirrored in presentday anger against Latin Americans. At other times, there were anti-Catholic sentiments. But nativism is only one of what Lord Maynard Keynes called “animal spirits” that act against “rational” behaviour on which all institutions are founded.

If one were to consider only the rational economic arguments made for remaining in the EU – economies of scales in marketing in the vast European market, sharing in defence spending, being part of a large bloc that can deal more assuredly with other power blocs, etc – then maybe the vote should have gone the way most leaders thought it would.

But leaders have to accept that the rational bases of institutions can sometimes have unintended consequences, “due to animal spirits”. Such as Brexit.

A ride around the city: These two young people were seen along Vlissengen Road on Monday on their horses

A paved road to destitution Dear Editor, It is crucial to note that the six sisters (rice, sugar, bauxite, timber, gold, and diamond) as the Government terms them, are the cornerstones on which this nation was built.

However, as of recent two of these fundamental pillars, rice, and sugar, were no longer considered important, hence, they were labelled by the Government as “none of our business” and “black hole”, respectively.

The haemorrhaging of these two industries, will undoubtedly, force Guyana into a deeper recession.

To highlight the detrimental economic effects, I would be concise as possible, yet retain the essence of the argument, without expounding on employment benefits and disposable income of our consumers. I would rather like to concentrate on our foreign exchange rate–Guyana Dollar for US Dollar. The rate of exchange, in a nutshell, is determine by demand and supply for our currency on the foreign exchange market.

Now, to be as simple as possible, if our country is to cease the production of rice and sugar, the demand for our currency (G$) to purchase these goods will reduce, hence, our currency will depreciate with respect to the US$.

On the other hand, goods and services demanded from abroad (imports), will further exacerbate the feeble exchange rate of our currency in relation to the US$.

Now, what’s the conse-

quence of this and would it not affect every single Guyanese? Of course, all imported goods and services will become relatively expensive which will surge inflation while crimping real incomes in our local economy.

Well, one might argue that it’s not feasible to support ailing industries, which, through the lens of a businessman, is correct.

But in economics, the other side of the coin does get examine. Subsidising these industries to help retain jobs and stabilise currency exchange is paramount for the livelihood of our economy.

So what is the government doing to stabilise the economy? They are promoting MSMEs through ease of doing business. This of course is an audacious plan that is meticulously crafted to increase tax revenue.

The other vehicle of economic growth is the “green” economy concept that promotes the creation of recreational parks, cleaning of the city, planting trees, etc. The only logic I found about this concept is the painting of buildings, bridges, recreational parks etc in green, is a propaganda cleverly disguised to firmly entrenched into the minds of the people the symbol of the APNU/AFC Government.

So are we actually approaching destitute? If one is to look at the Quarterly Report & Statistical Bulletin for March 2016, published by the Bank of Guyana, they will observe that the mining and quarry sector, the production of

gold, diamond and bauxite increased by 124.8 %, 37.5% and 13.9% respectively while output in the agriculture, manufacturing and services sector decreased.

According to the report, the performance of the service sector was relatively “flat” due to the sluggish activities in wholesale & retail trade, financial & insurance and other service industries.

Private sector credit weakened by 1.3% with loans to distribution, other services and personal sector fell by 7.8%, 2.4% and 1.5%, respectively. In addition, deposits by residents increase by 4% while non-performing loans increased by 25% to 10.2% of total loans compared to 8.5% for 2015.

In the agriculture sector, rice, forestry, and sugar fell by 37.3%, 19.2% and 4.7%, respectively or at a combined value of US$18 million or G$3.7 billion.

In the manufacturing sector, the production of alcohol beverages, stock-feed, flour and paint reduced by 15%, 14.9%, 5.9% and 5.3%, respectively. Merchandise imports declined by 16.6% due to a reduction in imports of capital goods by 25.7%, intermediate goods by 17.4% and consumption goods by 5.0%. Last but not least, inflation fell by 0.5%.

So what does this tell us?

It is conspicuous that even though the Government speaks of diversification, their centre of attention rests solely on the mining sector while they turn a blind eye to the agriculture, manufacturing and other services sector.

Now, putting the pieces together, it is conspicuous that our economy is in freefall (sugar, rice and timber industry is on the decline). The hundreds of jobs lost and billions of dollars (G$3.7 billion) that could have benefitted the ordinary Guyanese through an increase in disposable income is now gone, hence the main reason for the decline in demand for goods and services (reduction in inflation, merchandise import and manufacturing sector).

Coupled with this phenomenon is the shocking revelation of the high level of uncertainty that still exists.

Investors are reluctant to invest and the dream of home ownership is now an elusive “dream” (reduction in private sector credit).

With the reduction in sales due to the reduction in demand and increase in unemployment due to the ailing agriculture sector, serving of debts (loans) whether for the expansion of businesses or construction of homes are now increasingly difficult (increase in nonperforming loans).

The increase in crime rate is also taking a toll on the economy.

People felt that it’s safer for them to keep their hard earned savings in the bank (increase in deposits).

Yet, in the report it was outlined that Internal Revenue Department increased its revenue by G$945 million, which is a clear indication that the Government is “milking” the people.

Yours sincerely, Chris William

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016

5

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

The bidding process The struggles of a teacher Dear Editor, Reference is made to the article with heading “Bidders Protest $7.5M Generator Contract Award” published in another section of the media on June 25, 2016. The article refers to a procurement process conducted by the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. (HECI). As the head of the HECI, I would like to comment on our procurement processes in general, and not address the specific issue in the article.

I previously attempted to address the issue of bidprice when I wrote a letter on October 24, 2009 under the heading “Invariably, price is not the only criterion for winning a bid”. So, I would repeat some of what I wrote in that article.

Some contractors and suppliers believe that a contract should be awarded to the bidder with the lowest price, while others believe the contract should be awarded to the bidder with the price closest to the engineer’s estimate.

What those persons do not realise is that the procuring entity looks for the best value, not necessarily the lowest or the price closest to the engineer’s estimate.

Generally, in a procurement process, bidders are expected to meet certain stated requirements, which are used as the criteria for evaluating the bids.

Bidders are, therefore, expected to submit sufficient, relevant information from which a determination will

be made as to whether or not they meet those requirements.

However, very often, bidders ignore some or all of the requirements and just concentrate on offering the lowest possible price for their goods or services.

A bidding process usually have: i. a financial requirement to ensure that a bidder has access to sufficient funds to successfully complete the contract; ii. equipment and skill requirements to ensure that a bidder has the capacity to perform the contract; iii. an experience requirement to ensure that a bidder has successfully performed similar contracts in the past; and iv. strict technical specifications that items must meet, in the case of the procurement for equipment.

In a bidding process, bidders are expected to meet the stated requirements even before their prices are considered and compared. In other words, a bidder’s price is irrelevant if he does not meet the requirements, even if his price is the lowest or

closest the engineer’s estimate.

In the case of the procurement of equipment, it is particularly important that the goods meet the technical specifications. This is to provide some level of assurance to the procuring entity that the equipment can serve the purpose (for which it is being procured) in an effective, reliable and efficient manner.

As such, bidders should pay special attention to the bidding requirements when participating in a bidding process. If a bidder cannot meet all the requirements, that bidder should consider partnering with another contractor/supplier in order to do so.

I would like to reiterate that price is not the only criterion for winning a bid. Using price as the primary basis for awarding a contract could result in the wrong contractor, supplier or equipment being selected, and this could have serious repercussions for a project.

Yours faithfully, Horace Williams CEO Hinterland Electrification Company Inc

Dear Editor, I note with worry and also much anger the replies of GTU President Mark Lyte and one George Cave in the print media recently regarding my letters in the press which highlighted the High Court actions against dozens of teachers in the High Court especially as it relates to my own preliminary promotion to Head of the English Department.

I echo the call of Cave by asking the question, "What is the Education Service coming to?" Indeed, the system has become dysfunctional as can be over the years. To have me, a teacher trained in English to have to resort to do Social studies at the University in Berbice instead of what I had loved doing, English. But because there was no English being offered there, what is the education service coming to? A teacher 'wasting' four years of his life studying for a degree in an area in which he knew might have very well had no scope in his professional career at his school in the years that followed, but still followed through because he had education and teaching at his heart and wanted to upgrade his qualifications and professional skills? What is the system coming to?

Why then do we have a training college allowing peo-

ple to specialise in special subject areas if not to equip them with a base to organise the teaching of that specialist subject?

My fate already seems sealed - stagnated promotion, deliberate stagnation and indirect dysfunctionality from a system that ill- equips its servicemen and women for their professional careers; a system that creates square pegs in round holes; a system which makes me so angry regarding archaic guidelines which Cave mentioned in his missive for hiring HODs needing to have a degree in the subject area); a system which I believe must have its planners come together, meet with its stakeholders and go back to the drawing board; a system where the training college, university, Ministry of Education, teachers' union and the body for hiring and promoting teachers need to come together, talk and spend time with each other and agree on the way forward that benefits all!

Any progressive-thinking education system seeing the

need for cross-specialist curriculum reach might have recommended ways to teachers to ensure they are equipped in the area of their teacher-training at the university even well after they completed a degree in another area.

The university needs to educate its applicants better also.

In the end, persons who are both competent and experienced should merit their respective promotions. Finally, I believe Heads of Departments are curriculum based positions but they are equally administrative-intensive positions too, and strongly urge a timely review to the relevant guidelines.

It's sad that Lyte went on a tirade against me in his reply to me in the press about my promotion but skimmed through and conveniently omitted the parts of my letter which bemoaned the denial of my Whitley Council emolument and also the evident delay of payments of the debunching money.

Sincerely, Leon Suseran

6

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2016

Page

guyana-times.com

Foundation

Coaching yourself through fatherhood – how to handle the pressure and enjoy it

By Josh Guerreri

As a father of five, I have an overwhelming internal monologue about all the things I think I should be doing. At 3 am, it goes something like this: Summer camps are expensive. Make more money.

Wife seems distant and lonely lately. Be more attentive.

Sales are flat at my business. Work more hours.

Kids are growing up too fast. Work less.

It feels like I will never reconcile the competing priorities to somehow do more and do less. It's like playing a game I can never win. A game that I am often convinced other dads are dominating.

When I hit bottom like that, I've found that the best way to climb back out is to focus only on what I can control and what's most important. If I can do that, then I start to enjoy the game more – even if it still feels rigged.

Here's how I stay in the zone:

Accept that it's work This is a hard one, but family building is work. It needs the same care and attention as a small business – organisation, teamwork, effective managers, and goals. Just like any job, there will be good days, bad days . . . and days you wish you didn't work for this company. It will not be easy.

Sometimes this acceptance is all it takes to reduce

the mental stress. From this perspective, I'm able to give myself a break when I honestly just don't have the energy to read one stinking bedtime story. I also find solace in accepting that our family operates in seasons, and some are busier than others. We will pass from a busy time into a less busy time. We will move through the difficult times and return to happier moments if we just

keep moving forward. It's one foot in front of the other through the good and bad.

Get on the same page

With seven people under one roof, there are ample opportunities to offend, misinterpret, upset, and disappoint any number of people – sometimes all at once.

A sly comment here, an exaggerated exhalation there, and the pot begins to bubble.

It's only a matter of time before it boils over leaving both my wife and me feeling like this is too hard.

To keep this in check, we hold a weekly family meeting every Sunday. This gives us a chance to appreciate the

children, plan the schedule for the week (events, meals), and have conversations on important topics we may not get to address during a busy week, whether it's a discussion about what it means to fit in versus belong or (more practically) what to do when the fire alarm goes off. The coopera-

tive communication keeps the logistics of life manageable and makes us all feel more supported in tackling them.

Go deep

Every few months, my wife and I cover bigger topics in our own meetings. We ask each other questions like, What's one thing you love about me? One thing you're excited about? Are you getting to your hobbies?

Are you doing things for you? How can I help you get the time to do so?

These more meaningful meetings give us an opportunity to be open and honest in a formal setting where we both know what to expect, rather than trying to muster up thoughtful conversation as we're falling asleep watching Netflix. Again,

this helps me realise that I am on a supportive team where no one has to shoulder everything alone.

Fill up your bucket

In order to be able give my best to my children and my wife, I must do the things that feed my soul.

When I do, I'm exponentially more able to give to my family.

For me, this usually revolves around working out or playing basketball. It's a time when I'm not pulled to be a husband or a father or a provider, just a dude on the court trying to make some buckets without tearing an ACL. This is especially important when the daily parenting grind feels like I have a starring role in Groundhog Day.

Who needs a hug? We all do!

– the physical comfort of touch boosts the healing process

By Suzanne Degges-White, PhD

When we feel that the world is falling down around us or we are dealing with a case of the flu or some other physical suffering, many of us long to be cared for by

can be an effective pain reliever and healing agent all in one. Body chemistry is just that awesome.

When you face significant stressors, your body responds by producing cortisol. This hormone slows

Lean into your children

There's no better way to put things in perspective than lying flat on my back gazing at the clouds with my children. They make me laugh. They force me to be present. When I take these moments, I am struck breathless by the reality that I may only have a few years left of someone needing to hold my hand or wanting to tell me every detail about her day. Tapping into that transience, my stress melts into gratitude (at least for a few moments).

The demands of fatherhood are not going away, but they lose their power when my cup is full, communication is open, and I am in a more open mindset. That’s how I stay in the game. (psy-

chologytoday.com)

someone who would treat us as tenderly as a storybook mother might. I know grown-ups who have confessed to crying out for their mothers when coping with a bout of the stomach flu or just a really bad day. When we climb under a blanket on the sofa to nurse our wounds, we are recreating that all-encompassing "swaddle" of love that we enjoy as infants when a parent wraps us up tight in a baby blanket and we feel safe and secure.

The physical need for safety and support through touch never goes away. There's something especially soothing about the emotional support conveyed through the touch of a loving caregiver or even through a doctor's hand on your shoul-

der.

E v e n with all of this being true, most of us would probably recoil in horror if a stranger saw us in distress and solicitously inquired, “Aww… do you need a hug?” As children, most of us probably had to give more forced hugs to extended family members than we ever wanted.

For some reason, babies and young children seem to be the most huggable population on earth.

As adults, some of us crave affection and others of us are “touch-me-nots”.

However, the older we get, the MORE hugs we probably need. In fact, research shows that a warm embrace

down the body’s healing process and creates “flashbulb memories” to remind you of what you want to avoid in the future. It also encourages social connections – like when everyone pulls together in a crisis or when unexpectedly intimate, but transient, friendships develop between people stuck in an elevator.

On the flip side, when someone literally reaches out to you when you’re stressed, the body responds by producing oxytocin.

T h i s h o r m o n e creates a “natural high” that encourages trust, somewhat “dissolves” short-term memory,

and simply makes a person feel good all over. Not only that, but researchers have discovered that when oxytocin is coursing through the body, it is literally able to speed up the healing process and wounds heal more quickly.

Whether it’s a big old bear hug, a pat on the back, or a hand on your shoulder, physical touch leads to physical healing. So next time you’re feeling seriously stressed, don’t be afraid to ask someone for a hug – they really do have the power to make you feel better. (psychologytoday.com)

news

Oil exportation licence scrapping

Breach of contract can cost State billions – legal expert ...the contract was with State, not any party in power

A

s reports have surfaced that the Government has scrapped the oil exportation licence granted to China Zhonghao Inc, owned

by Chinese businessman Su Zhi Rong, at least one legal luminary has warned that the Administration was threading on dangerous ground, as there could be tremendous litigation costs brought to bear on the State as a result of a breach of contract.

Sections of the media reported that following a forensic audit into the operations of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government terminated the contract signed with the Chinese company under the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, without providing any solid basis for doing so.

Earlier this year, the Government had asked the company to conduct some corrective works on its multimillion-dollar bulk fuel facility called “Falls”, which was being constructed at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, following a complaint by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) that the works were not being done to the approved specifications.

Those corrective works were reportedly undertaken; however, the Government still went ahead and quashed the contract.

Speaking with a legal expert who requested anonymity, Guyana Times was told that any decision to bring to an end a contract must be done with solid justification, as he cited the sanctity of contracts, noting that “once

The Chinese company’s multimillion-dollar bulk fuel facility

parties duly enter into a contract, they must honour their obligations under that contract”.

“Contracts can only be terminated for just cause in accordance with the terms of the contract since many contracts provide grounds upon which they can be terminated,” the expert, who practises civil law, explained.

The expert went on to explain that the litigation costs could be humongous for the party which terminated the contract without proper reason.

“In other words, a contract cannot be whimsically and arbitrarily terminated. If that happens, the affected party can launch legal proceedings for damages and compensation for wrongful and/or unlawful termination of the contract and that can run into hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the subject matter of the contract,” the civil lawyer outlined. The expert said while not being fully privy to the terms of the contract, based on the trend in recent months, there seemed to be some misperception by the Government that contracts signed prior to it assuming office could be arbitrarily quashed.

“The Government seems to believe that they are not bound by contracts entered into under the previous Government. That is a ter-

ribly flawed view. Contracts with the State of Guyana, entered into by the Government of the day, continue to be enforced, notwithstanding that there may be a change of government,” the expert highlighted.

Efforts to contact officials of China Zhonghao Inc, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown, for a comment were unsuccessful.

Recently, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, under whose tenure the licence was granted, had come out defending the decision of licensing the company to export fuel, arguing that there was nothing corrupt or unusual about the contract.

Hinds, who was responsible for the energy sector, in a Letter to the Editor back in April 2016, had said that it was a matter of regret that the issuance of the licence was presented to the public as an outrageous matter.

He had explained that the granting of the licence was not against the law, since already Guyana had small incidental exporters/re-exporters of fuel, explaining that all fuel sales to international carriers –ships and planes – were exports/re-exports.

He also defended the decision as one which was intended to grow the local economy.

According to Hinds the contract was gazzetted.

7

tuesday, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Canal businessman shot during home invasion

A

businessman, of Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara, has been admitted to the Woodlands Hospital, after he was shot once to the hand during a scuffle with at least two gunmen who invaded his property in the wee hours of Monday.

Injured is 36-year-old Dhaniram Tirbeni, of Lot 13 Studley Park, Canal Number One Polder.

According to reports, the gunmen entered the premises by breaking a wooden window in the bottom flat of the two-storey wooden and concrete structure.

Shovonne Dass, the wife of the injured man, during a telephone interview, told Guyana Times that the incident occurred around 1:00h.

She explained that prior to the incident, they heard unusual sounds and thought they were coming from the dogs.

She noted that after some time, the sounds faded away, so they retired to bed.

They were in one room and their two daughters, ages two and six, were in another room. The couple did not realise that someone was in their room until someone hit her husband on his head with a gun.

The home that was invaded by bandits

The men demanded money and other valuables, but Dhaniram reportedly informed them that he used up the money he had at home to replenish his grocery store.

After ransacking the place, the men found an undisclosed sum of money but were not satisfied, so they threatened to kill the businessman. However, he put up a fight and was shot. The men then made good their escape on foot.

“They gun butted my husband and demanded money and jewellery. They ransacked the whole place, all the bedrooms and the shop and they find some money… one was not wearing anything to cover his face, but the other covered his face with a piece of cloth,” the traumatised woman related.

The bandits also took the keys to all the vehicles owned by the businessman.

His wife noted that after

The injured businessman, Dhaniram Tirbeni

the bandits found the money and jewellery, they collected two mobile phones, but they wanted more valuables. “One of them put the gun to my husband’s head, but he used his hands to bar and the gun went off… after the bullet went off, the men ran away,” she added.

Dass immediately contacted her brother-inlaw, who in turn called the Police. Her brother-inlaw subsequently arrived in a taxi and took the injured man to the hospital.

The woman noted that the Police arrived a short while after and launched an investigation.

Police have since recovered the crowbar that was used to break the window.

Dass noted that her children, who witnessed the entire ordeal, were still traumatised. The elder who had exams at school could not concentrate, so she had to leave school, while the younger child had not eaten or drank anything since the attack. The Police are continuing their investigations.

8 news

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS "Picture Boy" trial

Detective admits error in filing documents

A

s the third trial for double-murder accused Cyon ‘Picture Boy’ Collier continues, Detective Superintendent Michael Kingston continued his testimony in the presence of Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a mixed jury on Monday at the Demerara Assizes.

Collier is accused of murdering two brothers, Ray ‘Sugar’ Walcott and Carl ‘Alo’ Andrews at Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara in 2006.

Kingston was cross examined by Defence counsel Lyndon Amsterdam, while Prosecutors Narissa Leander and Tuanna Hardy represented the State.

The major part of the day was spent with Amsterdam going back and forth with Kingston on the uncertainty of three key points and errors in filing the documents.

Kingston gave evidence in the High Court that the accused had uttered the words “boss man them man violate me yuh know,” and when asked by Kingston about the guns used to kill the brothers, Collier pointed him to the guns on the bed.

However, Amsterdam indicated that it is best prac-

the property they were met at the door by the accused.

During discussions with the accused, Kingston was lead to the guns and ammunition after which he asked Collier if he was the holder of a firearm licences.

Cyon “Picture Boy” Collier

tice for the officer to make note of these words in one of the many record books in the Cove and John Police Station.

Kingston recollected that his role in the Criminal Investigations Department for this case was to gather information, plan and stage an operation and this resulted in the capturing of Collier and recovering of an AK-47 assault rifle.

Kingston stated that during the operation he along with several other ranks, including Linden Lord, acted on information leading them to Lot 23, Bachelors Adventure, ECD. When the team reached

Dead: Carl Andrews

According to Kingston’s testimony, Collier responded by saying “no” and so was arrested and taken to the Station.

He said that at the station he filled out the charge sheet and the station diary but during the cross examination, it was discovered that the charge sheet was incompletely filed. It did not include the time the ac-

Charity businessman fined, jailed for narco trafficking

T

hirty-six-year-old Cort Demand, of Charity Village, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), will be spending the next three years behind bars, after he was found guilty of the charge of trafficking in narcotics.

cused was placed in custody and the time of arrest was incomplete, having only the time 07:4, missing the final digit.

Kingston tried to justify his actions by saying, “it is an error on my part in filing the documents and it was some sort of distraction that resulted in the error.”

Demand was also fined $30,000 by Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

The businessman was found with a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis on June 29, 2015 at his market stall.

The leaves, when weighed, amounted to 35 grams.

During his first court ap-

pearance on June 30, 2015, he pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was then remanded to prison. A trial was conducted into the matter and on Monday, he was found guilty by Magistrate Scarce.

Demand was represented by Attorney-at-Law Latchmin Dindyal.

Dead: Ray Walcott

Collier is accused of murdering the two brothers in Victoria on September 23, 2006.

Reports are a group of young men were playing dominoes at the Victoria four-corner when the two brothers were allegedly shot by the accused who rode up on a motorcycle.

The brothers were rushed to hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

The trial continues on Tuesday.

Pomeroon teenager slapped with rape charge – released into custody of parents

A

16-year-old chain saw operator from Siriki Village, Upper Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was on Monday released into his parents’ custody when after he appeared in court slapped with a rape charge.

The teen made his appearance before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on February 2, 2016 he had sexual intercourse with a 10-year-old student of Upper Pomeroon River.

Following the alleged rape, a report was made at the Charity Police Station where an investigation was conducted. The file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the charge was recommended.

The teenager is expected to return to court on July 11 and as a condition of his release, he is required to report to the Charity Police Station every Friday.

Eyew tness Belabouring the obvious...

G

...on "divisions"

athering the pearls flowing from the lips of departing US Dep. Consular Officer Brian Hunt is now a full-blown cottage industry for the chatterati. His utterances are then parsed, hermeneuticised, exegesisised, and even subjected to tea-leaf treatment for meanings that might lurking beneath the surface.

Your Eyewitness was intrigued by his pronouncement that Guyana was "too divided" and – translated into politics – large chunks of the population are left out of "the corridors of power". Some old philosopher once said one's first task is to answer the question, "What should I know?" Well, Brian Hunt's answered this question as it relates to Guyana's politics. Do we agree with him?

Almost everybody and their idiot cousin had posed and answered the question just like the big diplomat.

The problem was the politicians didn't want to say it in public for the longest while – like for 50 years or so.

But, of recent, they've been slowly accepting the nature of the elephant in the room. So maybe we can maybe move off to the old philosopher's second question?

To wit – "what ought we to do?" Or more succinctly, in the words of Tina Turner, "Whachagonna do 'bout it?" Hunt wasn't fazed, and said laconically: we need "constitutional change".

Once again, 'most everyone and their idiot cousin had pretty much figured out the same thing way back when.

Including the fellas now in power. When APNU/AFC were in the Opposition, it was "Constitutional change THIS... and Constitutional change THAT”...at the drop of a hat.

Even when there wasn't a hat in sight! But something funny happened on the way to the swearing-in ceremony after the elections after APNU/AFC won. They suddenly developed either amnesia, or aphasia: the first is maybe they've completely forgotten their promises or the second is they can't understand or express the promise because of brain damage.

So, maybe Brian Hunt can give us a hint as to how we can get the Government to accept Constitutional change that'll make them share power with their arch enemy, the PPP? Because the same old philosopher who your Eyewitness quoted earlier also said "an option isn't an option if it's not an exercisable option". Or words to that effect, since he spoke in German and sometimes the gutturals made him unintelligible.

But everybody and their idiot uncle also knew – for the longest while – that Brian Hunt's Embassy can influence this Government to make the option exercisable. After all, they do have a relationship that goes back more than 50 years! So will he?

The old philosopher had a third and final question..."What may I hope?"

...on the parking contract

Is there possibly a soul out there who doesn't think the Parking contract executed by the Lady Mayor and her Gang of Four isn't more crooked than a pretzel? So, since we all "know"... we move on to question number two – what the heck are the citizens of Georgetown doing about it? Why the citizens of Georgetown and not all of us who work there and who'll have to fork out $4000/ day or $80,000/monthly for the privilege of parking their vehicles?

Well...THEY are the ones who voted those despicable frauds into office!! That why! They're the ones who stifled their consciences and ignored all the signs that were staring them in the face. And what should they do?

Well...DUH!! The same that the Gang of Four preached when the shoe (meaning Carol Sooba!) was on the other foot: picket them and prevent them from taking their seats at the City Hall horseshoe.

Can we hope? Your Eyewitness isn't gonna be holding his breath!

...on Brexit

The great unwashed of Britain voted to "leave" the EU 'cause they couldn't stand the 3 million Polish, Romanian and other Eastern European immigrants.

But the latter still get to stay!! So who's the loser?!!

Or the fool??

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

news

9

tuesday, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Brexit fallout

No impact on Caribbean’s call for reparations – Dr Phillips …other political and economic ramifications in the pipeline

By Alexis Rodney

G

uyana Reparations C o m m i s s i o n Chairman, Dr Eric Phillips, on Monday said the fallout of Britain’s exit from the European Union will have no impact on Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean in their call for reparatory justice.

Guyana has been calling on Britain, and several other EU States to pay compensation for what is said to be the severe impact the Transatlantic Slave Trade has had on the descendants of slaves living in Caribbean.

Caribbean countries said European Governments (in addition to being responsible for conducting slavery and genocide) had also imposed 100 years of racial apartheid and suffering on freed slaves and the survivors of that genocide.

Slavery ended throughout the Caribbean in the 1800s in the wake of slave revolts, and this left many of the Region’s plantation economies in tatters.

Caribbean leaders have said the Region continued to suffer from the effects of slavery today.

According to Dr Phillips, Britain is considered a sovereign State when it comes to reparations, noting that

its exit from the Union will not affect what the Caribbean countries have been calling for.

“We are not addressing the issue as a European Union Issue, so [Barbados] Prime Minister Freundel Stuart wrote letters to several Heads of State. It shouldn’t impact us at all, Britain has its own empire and we are addressing slavery and genocide in Guyana created by the British, not by the EU, so it shouldn’t impact us at all,” he told Guyana Times on Monday.

Dr Phillips said, however, that the move would very much have other political and economic ramifications, which, ultimately, may have some long-term impact. “But in terms of us specifically, I doubt,” he affirmed.

Dr Phillips also stated that while British Prime Minister David Cameron would leave office, someone else would have to take up the mantle, as the issue is a sovereign one between Guyana and Britain, and to a wider extent, the Caribbean.

Caribbean leaders in 2014 had approved a 10-point plan to seek reparations from the former slaveowning states of Europe.

These points include those countries providing diplomatic help to persuade

Guyana Reparations Chairman, Dr Eric Phillips

countries, such as Ghana and Ethiopia, to offer citizenship to the children whose foreparents were brought to the Caribbean to “return” to Africa; devising a developmental strategy to help improve the lives of poor communities in the Caribbean still devastated by the after-effects of slavery; supporting cultural exchanges between the Caribbean and West Africa to help Caribbean people of African descent rebuild their sense of history and identity; supporting literacy drives designed to improve education levels that are still low in many Caribbean communities; and providing medical assistance to the Region that is strug-

LM&TC preparing 2017 Budget

T

he Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) is currently in the process of preparing its 2017 Budget. This is according to Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindell, who also serves as Financial Chairman within the Municipality.

The deputy mayor said the municipal councillors who are elected representatives in the various constituencies across Linden would soon be venturing out to meet with residents to find out what is needed

in their community.

The deputy mayor outlined that consultations are expected to take on an interactive approach, as the residents’ input are necessary.

“Everything may not be able to go into the budget but we want to be able to say, this is what we’re going to be able to do this year.

We will advise the public when the meetings are going to be held…we would love to have those persons who are prominent in the area, there are some per-

sons who have been around long in their area and they know some of the necessary things that are needed to be done.

We would love to have them come out and be a part of those community meetings so the information will be filtered to the Council and we will finally be able to decide what is necessary for 2017,” she noted.

The LM&TC usually receives an annual Subvention of $15 million, which was recently increased to $16 million.

Outgoing British PM David Cameron

gling with high levels of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and type two diabetes that the Caricom Reparations Commission linked to the fallout from slavery.

It has been reported that if the European powers fail to publicly apologise and refuse to come to the negotiating table, the Caricom nations will file a lawsuit against them at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Governments in the Caribbean have estimated that reparations for the slave trade could cost trillions of dollars and some have floated the idea of debt relief.

Some 46,000 British slave-owners, including a distant relative of Cameron’s, were among

those compensated at a current-day equivalent of £17 billion (US$36 billion) for “loss of human property” after the country emancipated its slaves in 1833.

The issues of slavery and reparations have reverberated in the United States in recent years as well. TaNehisi Coates, a journalist for the Atlantic and recent “genius” grant winner, wrote an influential article in 2014 making the case for reparations.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Sir Hilary Beckles has warned the Region to brace for the impact of the United Kingdom’s break with the European Union, as he predicted that every aspect of life in the Caribbean would be negatively affected.

The Brexit vote last Thursday has already caused ripples across the world, with the value of the pound falling and stock markets dipping.

Sir Hilary said the Region’s fragile economic recovery was now under threat and Britain’s exit should trigger immediate strategic regional reactions, even before Heads of Government meet in Guyana for their July 4-6 Summit.

“The predictable, highly individualistic action poses both a short-term as well as a long-term threat to the performance of Caricom economies,” he said in a statement issued Saturday.

“From trade relations to immigration, tourism to financial relations, and cultural engagements to foreign policy, there will be a significant redefinition and reshaping of Caricom-United Kingdom engagements,” Sir Hilary further warned, as he urged Caricom to use the development to deepen and strengthen its internal operations and external relations with the wider world.

“It’s a moment for Caricom to come closer together rather than drift apart. The Region should not be seen as mirroring this mentality of cultural and political insularity, but should reaffirm the importance of regionalism within the global context for the future.”

10

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016

News

Demerara Lioness Club elects 1st male President

T

The Lioness Club elected their new President Sunday

he Demerara Lioness Club, the mostly female arm of the Lions Club International, has elected its first male president for the fiscal year 2016-2017. At a ceremony on Sunday, Mark Ross was chosen and he will now head

the board of directors, effective July 1.

Among objectives for his tenure, the President-elect stated that he plans to establish a Lions and Leo’s Youth Symposium to observe International Youth Day. This year will also see

the club collaborating with the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus Lions Club where a reading programme will be formed.

Additionally, Ross also plans to head a recycling project utilising worn vehicle tyres, as well as have the

Lioness Club assist in the rehabilitation of the New Amsterdam Library in honour of its 100th anniversary.

Meanwhile, outgoing President Kayeann Moore noted that the club has provided assistance and implemented major projects in Regions Four, Five and Ten which she explained has benefitted “500 persons at total cost of $3.2 million.”

The Lions Clubs International is said to be the world’s largest service club organisation and has some 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in 210 countries and geographical areas around the world.

According to the organisation: “Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.”

My nightmare at UG’s Berbice Campus

L

ike so many Indians in Berbice, I grew up in a home in which my parents never attended school beyond the age of twelve. My father, now deceased, was a proud sugarcane harvester while my mother was a reputable seamstress but both could not read or write. My parents relied on oral traditions to guide their day-to-day actions but they were not stupid people. They were simply uneducated. My mother can now read somewhat.

Of the seven children my parents raised, three of them have PhDs, one has a MA, two barely finished high school, and one was pulled out of Form One to take care of the Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine younger ones. The latter was my solitary sister and I am still mad at my parents for depriving her an education.

My family story with regard to education in Guyana has another bizarre twist. None of us attended the University of Guyana. Actually, only two of us have visited the University of Guyana. Instead, some of us have earned degrees from University of Wisconsin, State University of New York, University of Winnipeg, Florida International, and Columbia University.

Then why does the University of Guyana mean so much to me in particular? Or, why am I writing about the University of Guyana? It is this inward hunger to come back home and make up for lost ground through academic contribution. But I did not know where to start. When I told my Nigerian friend in graduate school that I planned to go back to Guyana to live and work he said to me why place unnecessary burden on your life.

My goal of returning home began realistically when I ran into Dr Parsram Thakur at a conference in Suriname in 2004.

I was then employed at the University of the Virgin Islands.

I did not know Dr Thakur. I found out later that he and my mother were kindergarten playmates. Dr Thakur asked me to come and teach at the Berbice campus. I said I would in a few years.

So far so good but in 2004 my father died suddenly in upstate New York. My elder brother, a Professor at Syracuse University, and I decided that in remembrance of our father we would set up a scholarship in his name at the Berbice campus. We did. However, the scholarship funds were abused and we pulled the plug on it. I doubt whether there is any record of this at the University of Guyana. It is sad, and in some ways, worse than my father’s death.

In spite of this bad experience, I was in 2009 preparing to come to Guyana to work at Berbice campus under the leadership of Dr Thakur but then someone or group of people discontinued this man’s contract with the university.

For years, I have tried to find out why and I have gotten nowhere. I even wrote a few letters to one of the dailies inquiring about his termination but it fell on deaf ears.

In 2010, I called the University of Guyana at the Berbice campus and spoke to an individual named Daizal Samad. I expressed my interest in working on that campus and he advised me to send a cover letter and my CV. I did. For over eight months after submitting my information, I tried to contact this man and any time I called the answer from his secretary was that he was busy and he would get back to me. Whenever I was in Guyana in summer months I would stop in at the campus but he was never around. I decided to make one final call using a different phone. He picked up and after a few minutes he slipped into this “Corentyne Creole/ dialect” actually downplaying my frustration.

After all these months and almost a year he said I would have to apply to the University of Guyana at Turkeyen. I asked him to forward my application and he said he could not do that. I said to myself this man must be a moron of morons. I was right. A year later he was removed from the job.

What is so bizarre about this experience is that I was going back home against the wishes of my family. I was also giving up an established faculty position at a reputable university in the US. What would have been encouraging to them more than me was that I was willing to accept whatever salary they were offering, which was, below expectations. I wonder how many other individuals have had the same nightmare experience like myself. (lomarsh.roopnarine@jsums.edu).

11

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

12 news

tuesDay, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Region 5 flooding

Floodwaters receding, relief needed – Regional Chairman

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo meeting with affected residents on Wednesday

By Shemuel Fanfair

E

ven as the threemonth intermittent flood situation in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) continues, Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal noted that the affected communities are in urgent need of flood relief.

“Residents across the region in those areas that are affected, should receive some form of relief so that they can get back on their feet,” he noted.

In a telephone interview with this publication on Monday, Ramphal highlighted that flood waters in the villages of Trafalgar, Union and Bush Lot have receded but communities in

the Mahaicony area remain inundated.

“There are still a few communities where the water is a bit high but Trafalgar, Union and Bush Lot area are relieved from the flooding situation...in Mahaicony Creek, the water is receding very slowly, a few inches [and] those residents are still affected,” the Regional Chairman pointed out.

It was also explained that the permanent pumps at the Trafalgar sluice have not been working “for a number of years” due to mechanical problems encountered over the years.

Ramphal pointed out that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), in collaboration with the

Falling utility pole damages car, supermarket

Ministers of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Annette Ferguson met with residents on Thursday

Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) installed three mobile hydraulic pumps to temporarily alleviate the flooding situation.

He stated however, that the mobile pumps cannot pull off as much water as the permanent pumps since it doesn’t have the capacity.

This he explained is a militating factor towards the prolonged flooding in the region.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had stated that the flooding in Trafalgar and Union was compounded by the non-working pumps.

Holder had pointed out that the damaged pumps at the Trafalgar Pump Station

have a combined capacity to drain “almost 3000 gallons of water per second”.

It was expressed that works to fix the pumps were expected to have begun. To that end the Region Five Chairman said that the Regional administration is anticipating the rehabilitation of the damaged pumps.

MMA general manager Aubrey Charles had told the Government Information Agency (GINA) on Tuesday last that some of the pumps in the region were not operational.

“The pump at Mora is an irrigation pump, that pump is not working, that is only to bring water into the system. The pump at Pine Ground is working. We can’t use the pump at Mora Point because it is a fixed pump to bring water into the system, it can’t take water out but right now we want to take water out,” Charles had posited.

On Monday last, over 200 angry residents from Number 30 Village, Trafalgar, Union and Bush Lot protested the flood situation.

Reports had stated that the residents gathered at sections of Number 30 Village and with the use of trailers, blocked a major access road, which caused a 45-minute traffic delay.

Since then operatives of Government and the Opposition have been meeting with residents to address their concerns.

One of the poles which fell and landed on a Honda CRV which was parked in the vicinity of the Bonny’s Supermarket

T

hree utility poles on Monday collapsed, with one causing extensive damage to a Honda CRV that was parked outside the Bonny’s Supermarket on Church Street, Georgetown.

The incident occurred around 11:00h on Monday.

Workers at a snackette located in front of the Supermarket told this publication that the wooden light poles were rotten and despite numerous calls to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), nothing was done to rectify the situation.

“The post them rotten. Yuh know how long we point it out, but nobody ain’t really tek we serious,” an employee of the snackette said.

A worker from another nearby store explained that he heard a crackling sound, and the crash soon followed.

“I run out when I hear the “blam” and then is when I see the fuss’ post fall. Then, a lil’ while after the other two fall, probably because the wires that attach the three post pull them down. But all ah them post old around here, yuh know how much year them deh out hay tekin’ rain and sun?” he said.

The poles also damaged sections of the snackette and disrupted the electricity in the area for some time. GPL quickly responded and managed to replace the poles.

Earlier this month, a similar incident occurred in Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

On Monday, June 13, heavy winds uprooted five utility poles along the Diamond Housing Scheme access road, causing them to collapse on the surrounding houses.

Police unearth cocaine in pot

A

husband and wife are now in Police custody after they were busted with 535 grams of cocaine in a pot at their Perseverance Village, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) home.

According to reports, the couple, known to Police since they were charged several times for trafficking in narcotics, were swooped down on at about 15:30h after Police received information that they had the illicit drug stashed in

their home.

The man, 55, and his wife, 49, were arrested after the cocaine was found in a pot of water in their kitchen.

The couple along with three others currently have charges of a similar nature pending.

In 2015, the couple was allegedly busted during a raid conducted by ranks from Georgetown. They have in the past also served jail time for a similar offence.

news

13

tuesday, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Deadly Prison Riot

GTT introduces Daily Health Ministry never crafted Social and Shared Narco Specialised Unit – CoI 4G Data Plans

Attorney Selwyn Pieters

By Shemuel Fanfair

I

n light of prisoners of the Camp Street penitentiary who expressed that marijuana, among other contraband items, helps “to cool them down”, the Commission of Inquiry report into the fatal Camp Street Prison fire observed that systems for the rehabilitation of substance abuse inmates were not put in

pointed out that no such unit came into operation.

Under the section it was stated: “The provision in the Narcotics Act for persons convicted of narcotics offences to be directed by the magistrate to attend recovery courses at a specialised Unit has never been made viable due to the Ministry of Health never having created the Unit.”

It was further pointed out by the commissioners that the absence of this unit meant that the already burdened Prison Service was forced to address this problem without the availability of the requisite professional resources.

Responding to concerns on how the non-establishment of this specialised unit would have affected the wellbeing of prisoners, attorney who represented the Prison Service Selwyn Pieters on Monday pointed to other jurisdictions where Drug Treatment Courts exist, which have the mandate

Items seized at the Camp Street Prison

place.

According to the report, commissioners noted that the law stipulates that persons who are convicted of narcotics offences should, under direction of a magistrate, attend “recovery courses” at Special Unit to be established by the Ministry of Health. However, it was

to oversee cases of drug offenders who “agree to participate in treatment” for associated substance abuse problems.

“In Canada, the United Kingdom, even Trinidad and Tobago, there are Drug Treatment Courts that deal with offenders or persons in conflict with the law who

G

The Camp Street Prison

have criminogenic issues that are directly linked to their addiction,” he noted.

At the 3rd Graduation ceremony of the Drug Treatment Court in the twin-island republic, T&T’s Chief Justice Ivor Archie noted that Drug Treatment Courts are an excellent model for the incorporation of the principle of alternatives to incarceration, guided by the public health approach.”

On March 2 a search at the Camp Street Prison unearthed a barrage of contraband items with several quantities of drugs being confiscated. Attorney Pieters rejected the supposition that heavy withdrawal symptoms from the sized drugs contributed to the rioting.

“There was no evidence led before the Commission of Inquiry to support a link or a nexus to any assertion that either withdrawal from marijuana or addictions to marijuana led to the events on March 02 and March 03, 2016,” Pieters told this newspaper.

When asked if the supposed medical conditions and non-establishment of the unit could absolve inmates of some of their criminal responsibility associated with the deadly prison fires, Pieters reasoned that it was in fact the “take-down” of two inmates which led to ghastly disturbances.

The CoI report further pointed out that indiscipline was well a part of the prisoners’ culture as the act of prisoners lighting fires as means of drawing attention

to their causes are grossly irresponsible, despite their grievances over extended trial delays.

“It is strongly believed that the timing of highlighting their grievances was directly related to the contraband items which were confiscated during the Joint Services’ search on March 02, 2016,” observed the Commission.

It was further noted that inmates led by prisoner Shaka Mckenize created “an unnecessary hostile environment” in the Capital A Division by “reacting to the officers operational procedure of extracting ring leaders”.

“Prisoners acted recklessly in lighting fires to highly combustible material –mattresses- which give off toxins and act as accelerants. The burning of mattresses in such an enclosed environment was dangerous,” a section of the report pointed out.

TT will today launch two additional 4G data plans to suit the varied needs of its customers.

The plans are the Daily Social Plan which provides unlimited access to Facebook and WhatsApp for just $160 for a period of 24 hours, and a shared data plan which allows up to five persons to share one data plan of three Gigabytes of data for only $3499 monthly.

“We continue to lead the market with our competitive new offers which comes just a month after we introduced “Free Basic Mobile Data Services” and free Facebook

and WhatsApp with every data plan,” GTT Chief Commercial Officer Gert Post stated.

GTT’s new Daily Social Plan allows customers to use the most popular social network apps at the most affordable prices. It can be activated or disabled by dialling *100#. The shared data plan is an excellent option that can be easily used among friends and family.

GTT says its data plans provide great ways to stay in contact with loved ones via WhatsApp and/or Facebook.

Customers can continue to dial *100# to activate any data plan.

Man charged for attempting to kill Police Officer

T

he man who in April 2016 attempted to kill Police Officer Donald McKenzie was on Monday remanded when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on an attempted murder charge.

The accused, Kerry Dick, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

It is alleged that on April 25, 2016 at William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, he fired shots at McKenzie, who was off duty at the time, with in-

tent to cause bodily harm.

Reports are that on the day in question, around 08:30h, McKenzie of Sandy Place, Kitty, was attacked by two men on a motorcycle who fired shots at him, hitting him in his right hand.

The men managed to make good their escape.

According to McKenzie, he was involved in an argument with the defendant and the other man who carried out the act. They were later arrested and charged.

The case will continue on July 18, 2016.

14

guyana-times.com

tuesday, june 28, 2016

Regional

Colombia: Army helicopter Past exposure to dengue may boost crashes in Caldas, killing 17 Zika’s potency, scientists say

A

The helicopter that crashed is a MI-17 similar to the one shown here

S

eventeen members of the Colombian security forces have died in a helicopter crash north-west of Bogota, the Army has said.

The wreckage of the army helicopter was found on Monday in Pensilvania in the central province of Caldas, a day after the aircraft had gone missing.

The Army said it suspected bad weather may have been to blame for the crash.

Accidents are not uncommon in this area as mountain ranges and unpredictable weather make flying difficult.

Last August, 16 Police Officers died when a helicopter crashed in low cloud in Antioquia province.

The latest incident involved a helicopter that had been on its way from Quibdo, in the northern Choco province, to an army base in Tolemaida when it disappeared.

The army said its mission was “operational”.

There have been instances in the past when army helicopters have been downed by rebel groups.

But last week, the Government and the country’s largest rebel

group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), signed a ceasefire agreement.

Analysts say it would seem unlikely the FARC would risk the progress made in the peace process by attacking a helicopter.

President Juan Manuel Santos said there would be a thorough investigation into the crash.

The mayor of Pensilvania, Jesus Ospina, told Colombian radio that locals had seen the helicopter “flying very low” and reported hearing an explosion. (BBC News)

Rapper 50 Cent arrested for using indecent language in St Kitts and Nevis

T

he rapper was detained shortly after a show on the Caribbean island of St Kitts and Nevis.

Fiddy and a member of his entourage were held for using “indecent language” at a music festival.

He’d been booked to host the gig, but the incident happened when he decided to treat the crowd to some songs.

Naturally we can’t print the actual words that got 50 in trouble but it was said during a per-

formance of his hit single “P.I.M.P”.

It wasn’t long before the star was on Instagram poking fun at the crime.

The rapper was due to leave the country on Sunday, but reports claim he was held until a court hearing on Monday.

As well as spending time in custody, he’s expected to have to fork out around £18,000.

Rules in St Kitts and Nevis prohibit swearing during concerts where young children may be

present.

As well as a successful music career, 50 Cents is also an actor and producer.

He’s been busy promoting the upcoming third season of “Power”, in which he stars. He also coproduces the gritty crime drama.

50 Cent was signed by Eminem and Dr Dre back in 2002 and went on to release the hugely successful Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ album. (Excerpt from BBC News)

pair of studies published last week focused on Zika’s complex relationship with dengue, which is closely related and spread by the same Aedes mosquito as Zika.

In paper published in Nature Immunology on Thursday, researchers found that most dengue antibodies helped Zika viruses proliferate and invade cells.

That suggests that people previously infected with dengue, whose antibodies against dengue remain in their blood, might have a more severe reaction to Zika, according to Gavin Screaton, chair of medicine at Imperial College London.

But although these results support similar find-

ings from Florida Gulf Coast University and the University of Pittsburgh Centre for Vaccine Research, not everyone is convinced that past dengue infections can make Zika cases more severe.

According to Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, while dengue antibodies may exacerbate Zika infections in the lab, there’s no evidence that this happens in the real world.

Zika was first documented in 1947, but it was never known to cause birth defects until last year when Brazil experienced an alarming increase in microcephaly, a condition in which babies

are born with abnormally small heads and impaired brain development.

Brazil has reported 1660 cases of microcephaly, about 10 times more than usual, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Microcephaly linked to Zika has been reported in 11 other countries or territories, including Puerto Rico, Martinique, Panama, El Salvador, Colombia, the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia and Cape Verde.

These locations have different varieties of dengue viruses, and it is said to be possible that some varieties of the virus are more likely to be associated with Zika complications than others.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

1 dead, 3 injured in T&T drive-by shooting

A

gunman sprayed bullets into a crowd of limers at a birthday party in Carapichaima on Saturday night, killing a father of two and wounding three other people, including a Form Three student.

Kendall “Kit” Boyce, 32, was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Couva Health Facility on Saturday night.

Another victim, Derron Richards is fighting for his life in the intensive care unit at the San Fernando General Hospital. Richards was shot twice in the abdomen and once in each leg. Andrew “Boyo” Anderson, 27, was shot once in each kneecap and in the left eye. He lost his eye as a result.

Anderson’s younger brother, Antonio, 16, was shot once in the left thigh.

Antonio is a Form Three student at the Carapichaima

One of the shot persons, Anthony Anderson

West Secondary School.

According to reports, the four were part of a group celebrating the birthday of another of the Anderson brothers at a house along Wyaby Road, Carapichaima, around 21:45h on Saturday. Several partygoers were liming in the roadway and Boyce, Richards and others were sitting on

the trunk of a parked car.

A silver AD wagon, registration PDG 48, drove into the street, turned and came back towards the crowd. The driver of the wagon passed the group, stopped and one of the back doors of the car opened. A gunman then leaned out and began spraying bullets into the crowd.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Rio 2016: Water thrown on Olympic flame in Brazil

Jamaican awaits sentence after admitting to impersonating FBI agent in lottery scam

A

30-year-old Jamaican woman has admitted to her role in a lottery fraud scheme based in her homeland, including travelling to the United States to meet with a victim and pretending to be an agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Vania Lee Allen last week pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Georgia to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and false impersonation of an employee of the United States.

Allen faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison. A sentencing date

has not been scheduled.

As part of her guilty plea, Allen acknowledged that she and a co-conspirator in Jamaica sought to unlawfully enrich themselves through a fraudulent lottery scheme targeting an elderly resident of Evans, Georgia.

Lottery fraud schemes operating from Jamaica targeting Americans typically get help from at least one co-conspirator in the United States, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.

“Impersonating an FBI

agent is just one way fraudsters convince innocent victims that the international lottery is legitimate. It isn’t.

The Justice Department will actively pursue and charge those who participate in such criminal activity.”

An indictment charging Allen was filed on March 3.

It is alleged that Allen’s coconspirator falsely informed the victim that he had won money in a lottery and instructed the victim to make payments to various people in order to collect the purported lottery winnings.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

The torch is being taken through Brazil

A

man has been arrested in Brazil after trying to put out the Olympic flame by throwing a bucket of water over it.

The 27-year-old later told Police the act had been a “dare”, law enforcement

officials said.

Video footage showed a spray of water being thrown over the group carrying the torch in Maracaju in central Brazil.

The torch relay will cover 20,000km (12,400 mile) and 300 Brazilian cities

before the flame arrives in Rio de Janeiro for the Games opening ceremony.

The incident comes a week after a rare jaguar was shot and killed after being used in an Olympic torch ceremony. (BBC News)

tuesday, june 28, 2016

guyana-times.com

15

Around the World

EU leaders reject Turkey ‘sorry for informal talks with UK downing Russian jet’

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (c), French President Francois Hollande (l) and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (r) met in Berlin

T

he European Union will not hold informal talks with the UK until it triggers Article 50 to leave, Germany, France and Italy have insisted.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted talks with French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Berlin.

The leaders called for a “new impulse” to strengthen the EU. Last Thursday, British citizens voted 52-48 in fa-

vour of leaving the EU in a historic referendum.

Together with the UK, Germany, France and Italy have the largest economies in the EU. Ratings agency S&P has downgraded the UK’s credit rating by two notches from AAA, warning that the referendum result could lead to “a deterioration of the UK’s economic performance, including its large financial services sector”.

All three leaders voiced regret at the UK’s vote to

leave, with Mrs Merkel calling it a “very painful and regrettable decision”.

“We are in agreement that Article 50 of the European treaties is very clear – a member state that wishes to leave the European Union has to notify the European Council,” Mrs Merkel told the joint news conference at the German chancellery.

“There can’t be any further steps until that has happened. Only then will the European Council issue guidelines under which an exit will be negotiated.

“That means that, and we agree on this point, there will be neither informal nor formal talks on a British exit until the European Council has received the [UK’s] request for an exit from the European Union.”

President Hollande and Prime Minister Renzi emphasised the need to process the UK’s exit as quickly as possible and focus on the challenges facing the remaining 27 states such as fighting terrorism and strengthening the borders.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) has received a personal apology from his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right), Moscow said

T

urkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has apologised for the downing of a Russian military jet on the Turkey-Syria border, the Kremlin has said.

Erdogan sent a message to President Vladimir Putin expressing “sympathy and deep condolences” to the family of the killed pilot, a spokesman said.

Turkey had angered Moscow by failing to apologise for the incident in November.

Russia responded by imposing trade sanctions and sus-

pending Russian package tours to Turkey.

Putin said at the time the restrictions would not be lifted until Russia received an apology.

Erdogan spoke of his deep regret for what happened and said he wanted to restore relations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

“The letter states, in particular, that Russia is a friend to Turkey and a strategic partner, with which the Turkish authorities would not wish to spoil relations,”

Peskov said.

Turkey has not yet commented on the Kremlin statement. The incident strained relations between Moscow and Ankara, with Putin saying he had been “stabbed in the back”.

The Russian leader also accused Erdogan of collaborating with the so-called Islamic State.

Russia hit Turkey with a raft of sanctions, banning import of Turkish foodstuffs and stopping Russian package holidays to Turkey. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

India Bihar ‘exam topper’ Strict Texas abortion Zuma urged to repay US$500,000 of home upgrade sent to jail for cheating law struck down

T

he US Supreme Court has struck down a 2013 Texas abortion law that imposed restrictive regulations on the procedure.

The law requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and clinics to maintain hospital-like conditions.

Republicans contended the law protects women while advocates argued the measure restricts access to abortions.

The key decision is the first major abortion ruling since 2007.

Justice Anthony Kennedy sided with the court’s liberals in the 5-3 decision, which marked the first time the High Court has limited state abortion legislation in more than 15

years.

Nearly a thousand people gathered in front of the Supreme Court in the hot sun, holding signs and dancing to a Beyoncé-heavy playlist.

At times, the prochoice crowd’s loud music and shouting drowned out chants of “We are the prolife generation” from the other side.

But when the Court handed down its decision invalidating Texas’s abortion laws, calling them unnecessarily restrictive, those who say they fight for life took to the microphones outside the court to say they would not give up.

“Women were hurt today,” one said. “There are two victims to abortion, and my heart is breaking.”

(Excerpt from BBC News)

S

outh Africa’s Treasury has recommended that President Jacob Zuma should pay back more than US$500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private residence with facilities, including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

The Treasury said in a statement on Monday that Zuma, the head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, should pay back US$509,000 for the unnecessary renovations.

In March, the country’s highest court found that the President had violated the Constitution by defying an order to repay some of the money used in the US$23 million non-security upgrades for his home in Nkandla, in the rural eastern province of KwaZuluNatal.

The work included a

swimming pool, which was claimed to be a fire-fighting facility, a chicken run, a cattle enclosure, an amphitheatre and a visitors’ centre.

The main Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, said that the sum was too low, but was still a damning indictment of the President.

“The President should pay back 100 per cent of the non-security upgrades – previously we determined that amount to be up to US$3.4 million,” party spokesman Mabine Seabe told the AFP news agency.

“This [the Treasury’s report] sends out a clear message to those involved in corruption, especially those in the ANC, that you will be held accountable for your actions, even if you are the President.”

(Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

A

n Indian student has been sent to jail for cheating after she failed a retest.

Ruby Rai, 17, ranked first in the Bihar state exams – but said in a video interview that her main subject political science was about cooking. After the video went viral, Rai was made to re-sit her exams, and was arrested after she failed and had her original results cancelled.

She was produced in court on Sunday where a magistrate sent her to jail until July 8.

The decision to send her to prison has been criticised given that she is a minor and should, therefore, be sent to a detention home for juveniles.

The Hindu newspaper quoted Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj as saying that Rai would have to

“prove” that she was a minor.

He did not specify how.

One State Minister told reporters that authorities needed to make the system accountable instead of punishing students. Meanwhile, arrest warrants have been issued for several other students who performed well in the exams, including Saurabh Shrestha who topped the science stream, but later could not say that H2O was water.

The AFP news agency quoted Police as saying that another 18 people had been arrested.

Examiners who retested Rai told reporters they were “shocked” by her performance. When asked to write an essay about the Indian poet Tulsidas, she only wrote “Tulsidas ji pranam (Salutations to Tulsidas)”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Chinese anger at Lady Gaga-Dalai Lama meeting

C

hinese fans have reacted with outrage to Lady Gaga’s meeting with the Dalai Lama over the weekend.

Her social media posts about meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader on Sunday have led to online speculation over whether she will still be allowed to perform in the country.

Lady Gaga is one of, if not the most, popular western musician in mainland China.

Yet she has irked mainland fans by showing her support for the Dalai Lama, who many feel is a figurehead for Tibetan separatism.

The Dalai Lama says he now ad-

vocates a “middle way” with China, seeking autonomy but not independence for Tibet.

Lady Gaga’s popularity in mainland China means that she is often a major talking point for entertainment and mainstream media there.

However, such media have been notably quiet on her June 26 meeting, meaning that it largely went unnoticed.

Some Weibo users have had their posts censored for sharing pictures of the singer’s Instagram post.

But fans have been determined to talk about it. More than 2000 users have reacted to one prominent user MusicWars’s post about the sto-

ry, calling for “rational views on the matter”.

Many have been quick to condemn Lady Gaga, asking whether she is “stupid” or “ignorant” on the subject of Chinese political sensitivity.

Yet lotusb defends her, saying “she should not be ashamed” and adding that some of her fans had “gone over the Chinese firewall” to find out why she met the Dalai Lama, and then tried to “painstakingly explain her reasons to other Chinese fans”.

“We should respect all of her choices,” he added. His comment received over 400 likes. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Lady Gaga’s met with the Dalai Lama over the weekend

16 news

tuesday, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

GRA undergoes major reshuffle – Human Resources, Customs Head fired

By Alexis Rodney

T

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Monday announced that it has made significant changes in what it said are some critical areas of operation, with the firing of the Heads of the Human Resources and Customs departments.

The tax collection body announced also that it has promoted another senior staff to the position of Deputy Commissioner General.

These changes, according to chairman of the governing board Rawle Lucas, are being done as the organisation seeks to realise its objective of improving its relationship with Guyanese taxpayers, and increasing the collection of revenues.

Head of the Human Resources Management Division Archana Joshi and Head of Customs, Jameel Baksh have been relieved of their duties “We were not satisfied with the extent to which our revenues were being collected with respect to our customs operation and we felt that it was in the best interest of the organisation to make some changes,” he explained Emanating from an indepth review by the board and from a number of concerns raised by the business community, Lucas said the GRA has reshuffled the system, taking former head of the law enforcement and investigation division Carol Chapman to oversee the transition programme.

The transition programme he said, is the new vehicle now being used, to put the organisation back on its right path.

According to Lucas, currently GRA operates as a functional type organisation that essentially reflects functions or tasks that have to be performed by various persons.

According to him, it was

Burning Haags Bosch landfill

4 days later, fire still uncontrollable – Fire Service unaware of situation

I

GRA Headquarters

found that those organisational arrangements are insufficient to enable the authority to maximise revenue collection.

At an earlier media conference this year, Lucas said some economic centres have not been generating as much revenues as they ought to. The new transition programmes should help to turn things around.

“In the view of the board, the functional structure leaves large amounts of revenues uncollected and communities of taxpayers underserved and the staff demoralised. The new transition programme will focus on the regional approach to revenue collection and focus on taxpayers’ needs, ease of doing business and creating a more acceptable working condition for the staff. All the regions will be more equipped to provide all the services being offered at to persons in Georgetown,” Lucas had said.

He shared the experiences of persons outside of the capital city, noting that it costs a businessman in Lethem some $50,000 for him to have a compliance certificate which is given free. He said this is only because the service is not provided in Lethem.

Lucas said GRA has moved to extend several services such as the validity of compliance certificates from three to six months, has undertaken a re-

view of the internal policies affecting staff and have begun to examine a number of proposals relating to compensation and education policy.

“GRA also looked at some other measures particularly those relating to trade facilitation in order to help with the expediting of the clearing of certain goods.”

According to Lucas, the organisation recently held interviews for the position of Commissioner General, which is currently being held by Ingrid Griffith. He said the evaluation of the candidates who took part in the interview is still to be completed as the organisation has been functioning without a substantive head for some time now.

He reported that Fitzroy Corlette, who has been functioning as head of projects division will now head the Law Enforcement and Investigative Divisions. Lancelot Wills, an international trade lawyer will take over Customs division.

The board also on Monday appointed Hema Khan as Deputy Commissioner General. Khan had worked as the Deputy Commissioner for tax operations and services.

Acting Commissioner General Griffith has proceeded on leave, however upon her return she will take up full responsibility of the cooperative services.

t has been four days since fire engulfed sections of the Haags Bosch Landfill Site, Eccles, East Bank Demerara and it is still out of control.

While heavy rains continued to assist the battle against the blaze, they were not enough to bring the fire under control, but the Landfill Site remains operational.

As of late Monday night when Guyana Times visited the site, a large fire could still be seen emanating from the compound and no one was at the entrance.

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle told this newspaper that the Fire Service was “unaware of the situation as it had not been reported by residents or anyone”.

He noted that he could not provide “a technical comment”, but “some of the fire is due to the combustion process and the Fire Service cannot just turn up and put out the fire”. He added that some two weeks ago the Fire Service was able to bring another blaze at the landfill under control.

According to reports, the fire has posed constant trouble for residents in the area who have already complained of being affected by the thick smoke, which they said was most severe during the hours between 19:00h and 05:00h.

In addition to the smoke, it is clear that the stench is an additional problem. The stench, especially in the wet season that is ongoing,

is “unbearable”, residents of Eccles said in describing the trying conditions.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan had earlier informed this publication that the matter was being addressed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had also indicated the matter was being investigated, but considerable time has passed and nothing significant has been done to contain the blaze.

Haags Bosch is no stranger to fires, igniting in December 2015 with residents having the same thick smoke and unbearable stench to deal with. That fire took in excess of three weeks to be completely extinguished.

Guyana seeking membership in extractive industries’ global body

T

he Government, through the Natural Resources Ministry is aiming to submit its application for membership to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in November.

Ana Maria Rodriguez, a consultant from the World Bank, is in Guyana assisting the ministry to establish a Multi-stakeholder Group (MSG). Rodriguez will be providing technical support on the process for creating the MSG and advancing the preparation, once the MSG is established, to draft a work plan.

In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Rodriguez said that she will be assisting stakeholders to, “Understand the process in order to accommodate that process to the context of the country so that they can actually prepare for the candidacy for EITI and come up with a good work plan that is going to be helpful for the country”.

Rodriguez explained that EITI is a good tool to generate public dialogue and trust within the sectors: “I think EITI is a great start to set up the table, create dialogue between the three sectors that most of the time they are not sitting down at the same table and being informed and asking questions about the transparency.”

The EITI is a global organisation of 51 countries that have subscribed to establishing, upholding and promoting the standards and tenets of good governance, transparency and accountability in the management of extractive in-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman and World Bank Consultant on EITI Ana Maria Rodriguez

dustries.

At its core the EITI promotes the belief that natural resources belong to the people and are to be extracted and managed on behalf of the people; both for current and future generations.

The MSG consists of a tripartite of government, civil society and industrie stakeholders. Establishing a MSG is an important requirement of EITI. Last month, a senior mining specialist and extractive industries specialist visited Guyana on behalf of the World Bank to discuss how it can support Guyana in its candidacy. Rodriguez’ visit is a result of that meeting and is part of a first mission by the World Bank in its support to Guyana for two weeks.

Meanwhile, the ministry will be hosting a National Symposium on Wednesday to engage stakeholders in the process of creating the MSG. Rodriguez is expected to guide the process of selecting representatives of

the MSG. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said the symposium is a, “good start” towards reinvigorating interest in EITI: “We wouldn’t be expecting that everything would be completed at the symposium on Wednesday, it’s the process of taking us toward membership and then, having attained membership your job is now starting in a sense because, you then have to ensure that you submit declarations.”

Minister Trotman noted that he would like to see the standard in place before Guyana begins oil production: “It would be good for us to put this standard in place by having our membership sorted out and accredited so when we start to benefit from the revenue from oil we would (have) already been subscribing to that standard and being transparent and open.”

Guyana had reaffirmed its commitment to join EITI at the world summit in Peru last February.

17

news

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Caricom States should Guyana to improve Sea Defence not follow Brexit – Deputy through Coastal Engineering Secretary General urges Design Manual by EU …EU Ambassador warns of consequences for Caribbean countries

W

ith the world still reeling after the revolutionary withdrawal of the United Kingdom from one of the largest politico-economic blocs – the European Union, Member States of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) are being urged to stand together.

Caricom Deputy Secretary General, Dr Manorma Soeknandan declared that Caricom should not go through the recent Brexit (British exit) experience, which has left millions of people worldwide facing major economic and political uncertainty.

She was at the time speaking at the opening ceremony of a Regional Technical Meeting on the implementation of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) CSME and Economic Integration Programme on June 24.

Dr Soeknandan urged all Caricom members to stand in integration and be committed together, and to struggle and achieve together.

“Caricom has challenges, hurdles…together putting our shoulders under those will only make us stronger… losing one is not the answer,” she said, as she expressed hope that Caricom would never have to deal with what the EU was currently undergoing.

In this regard, the Caricom Deputy Secretary General underscored the importance of regional integration and the need for technical meetings to resolve pertinent issues.

Also delivering his remarks at the event was Ambassador Mikael Barfod, the Head of the Delegation of the EU to the Eastern Caribbean Countries (OECS) and Caricom/CARIFORUM, who noted that the Brexit could have consequences for the Caribbean.

He explained that some Caricom countries may have to enter into renegotiations of trade deals with the UK as a result of Brexit.

Furthermore, the Ambassador stressed that the challenges related to regional integration were well worth taking, even though at times integration had a gloomy reputation.

Already, authoritative voices in Jamaica placed on their national agenda the question of whether their country should follow the ex-

The Caricom Secretariat in Guyana

ample of Britain, the former “Mother Country”, and leave Caricom.

In fact, the former Foreign Affairs Minister in Jamaica, Oswald Harding, is insisting that the Jamaican Government should follow the UK’s example and hold a referendum on whether Jamaica should remain in Caricom.

Several Member States have publicly subscribed to the view that the institution has been incapable of addressing the challenges facing the Caribbean.

With the Caricom Summit to be hosted in Guyana next month, Government has not pronounced on whether or not it would consider exiting Caricom.

Locally, discussions have commenced on whether Brexit could open an opportunity for the sugar industry to flourish.

Guyana’s sugar, which had been shipped to Britain

Body in WBD trench

Man died from seizure – autopsy

R

to the Tate & Lyle Sugar (TLS) on the Thames for refining, was incorporated into the EU regime in 1973 and modified accordingly in the following years.

Cane sugar has been treated as a stepchild in the EU which pushes beet sugar and TLS has seen its refineries gradually decrease from six to one. Because beet farming in Britain has never been on a scale, as say France and Germany British farmers never received subsidies on the scale of their

obin Gordon, whose body was found floating in a drain a short distance from his home, died as a result of a seizure. The cause of death was determined after a post-mortem was performed on Monday

by State Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh.

Gordon, 40, of Lot 2273 Parfaite Harmonie, WBD, was discovered floating in a drain by two young girls, who saw the man’s lifeless body on their way home about 12:20h on Friday. They raised an alarm, and residents rushed to the scene where they discovered the body was that of Gordon, whose house is just over 10 metres from where he was found.

The man lived with his 75-year-old father.

European counterparts.

In 2012, TLS launched a “Save our Sugar” campaign and asserted, “If current and proposed EU policies continue to unfairly restrict access to raw sugar, cane refiners will not survive as part of the supply mix in Europe’s sugar sector”.

TLS has been leading the charge for renegotiation of cane sugar trade arrangements before the old arrangement expires in 2017. It can be a potent ally for countries such as Guyana.

In the next two years, according to Article 50 of the EU Charter, Britain and the EU will be negotiating the terms of the former’s exit.

The EU’s entire sugar regime, which address three main areas: quota management, a reference price and a minimum guaranteed price to growers, and trade measures, will have to be replaced by Britain with a new regime.

A

s Guyana aims towards strengthening its sea and river defences, the European Union (EU) on Monday presented the Ministry of Public Infrastructure with the final copy of the Guyana Sea and River Defences Manual which had been in the making since 2015.

Additionally, the EU has doled out $2 billion in funding to the Government of Guyana to facilitate the development of strategic approaches to Sea and River Defence.

The presentation was made during a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel where EU’s Ambassador Jernej Videti? handed over the cheque along with the copy of the document, the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated.

Noting that Guyana and the EU has maintained a close relationship, especially as it relates to sea and river defences, Ambassador Videti? during his remarks pointed out that the country is susceptible to rising sea levels and coast erosion which needed to be addressed through a comprehensive and extensive approach.

Further, he added that there is a dire need for the development of the country’s capacities so that fighting rising sea levels would become unproblematic. In this way, Guyana would be at a vantage point of adapting to its vulnerabilities, which in turn would reduce the effects of the issue along with climate change.

Both these issues continue to be main concerns for the Government of Guyana which has been working towards reducing its impacts.

The country was additionally commended for its strident work over the past two years which has aided in protecting the country from the aforementioned global concerns.

Ambassador Jernej Videtič presents the final copy of the document to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

“I am pleased to note that over the past two years, Guyana has shown marked progress in developing capacity for protecting itself from rising sea levels.

A newly developed Coastal Engineering Design Manual sets the standards for designing sea and river defences specific to Guyana’s conditions.”

Ambassador Videti? highlighted.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson in his address expressed gratitude for the support shown by the EU in completing the documents alongside the technical staff of the Ministry. He said this document will serve as a blueprint for the way forward.

The presentation of this document comes seven months after the Government and EU had partnered to finalise the document which had been undergoing extensive review and drafting. The draft document had been crafted in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Transport and Harbours Department; and the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

This manual is anticipated to provide fitting and practical guidance for the implementation of methods and techniques for coastal engineering projects in Guyana.

Some of the projects that have been catered for are:

the prevention of the erosion of oceanic, estuarine, and recessed coasts; coastal flooding; and the heavy damage from wave attacks to valuable coastal commercial, urban, and tourist communities of Guyana.

The document also underlines four areas: integrated planning for sea and river defence works in Guyana; the physical site conditions and data collection issues; and natural flood protection systems along Guyana’s oceanic coast and river banks; and their relevance to the shore zone management process.

Meanwhile, the Government continues to make strides towards developing its capacity of protecting the country against rising sea levels which Guyana has fallen victim to as a result of being below sea level.

Thus far, the Administration has been able to craft an Integrated Zone Management Process and is working on drafting a new Sector Policy and Strategy, both of which will aid the country in its defence of rising sea levels.

According to GINA, Guyana and the EU are currently working to develop a Sea and River Defence programme. This will fall under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) which could see the country receiving more than $7 billion to support the sector.

‘Parliament View Mall’ gets 3-month extension – Market Council to provide permanent relocation after – Town Clerk

T

he city’s Town Clerk, Royston King, in a meeting on Monday relayed hopes of an additional three-month extension on the plot of land allocated temporarily to vendors, now known as the “Parliament View Mall”.

According to King, at the end of these three months, the Mayor and City Council’s Market Council is expected to acquire a permanent location for vendors to ply their trade uninterrupted.

“We’re likely to get an additional three months from the owner of the land south of Parliament Building where we have the vendors, the ones that were relocated from the

Stabroek Square. At the end of that three months, [the Market] Council will have to find a place to relocate those vendors,” said the Town Clerk.

King highlighted that the Council would initiate a market committee to devise a guiding principle with regard to “street vending.”

“Some time ago, two weeks or three weeks ago, I knew that Council was moving in the direction to establish a committee for the market to formulate its policy on street vending. And to look at options as to where vendors would be relocated after the time would be given by the owner of the land,” comment-

Town Clerk Royston King

ed King.

The Town Clerk also voiced that the responsibility to fa-

cilitate the vendors permanently fell solely on the shoulders of the Market Council, highlighting that until the Council provided options to relocate the merchants, the administration would be unable to formulate policies in this regard.

He added that “we have done our part, we have cleared the streets. We have done our part in providing a provisional temporary facility for vendors and the [Market] Council is to now ensure that there is a solid policy in favour of the law that the Council sees it fit to move forward and relocate these vendors and we only have an additional three months.”

18

guyana-times.com

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2016

ARCHIE

You will learn something new from someone trying to (March 21- dismantle your plans. You April 19) will outsmart whoever gets in your way if you use your intelligence and discipline.

ARIES

Don't divulge secrets or TAURUS personal information. Look (April 20- for a constructive way to May 20) move forward. Learn from experience and use your knowledge to advance. Celebrate your victory.

DILBERT

Easy does it. Don't fall into GEMINI a trap. Someone will be pro(May 21June 20) moting an event or activity that will end up costing you.

Trust in yourself, not in others.

Don't let your emotions CANCER take charge. If changes need (June 21- to be made in order for you July 22) to be happy, do whatever it takes. Put yourself first and don't look back.

PEANUTS

Your keen perception and LEO willingness to make chang(July 23es to appease others will win Aug. 22) you favours. A new position will give you an opportunity to make a fresh start.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

A change in direction will VIRGO turn out better than you an(Aug. 23ticipated.

Your help will be Sept. 22) appreciated and rewarded.

Romance will unfold if you make the first move.

Use your imagination to LIBRA (Sept. 23- help you reach a goal. Your Oct. 23) experience and skills will put you in a good position to advance. Rely on your intellect to help you get ahead.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY'S WORD – PYRAMID

Steer clear of anyone trySAGITTARIUS ing to goad you into spending (Nov. 23- money or getting involved in a Dec. 21) questionable affair. You have to make choices that will lead to your success, not to someone else's.

(PYRAMID: PIR-uh-mid: A structure with a square or triangular base and sloping sides that meet in a point at the top.)

Average mark 16 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 24 or more words in PYRAMID? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY'S WORD – LIGHTED lied light lithe idle geld gelid gild gilt glide held hide hied

hilt tide tied tilde tile edit eight deli delight diel diet

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

Observation will lead SCORPIO (Oct. 24- you to the information you Nov. 22) require to make your next move. Networking will give you the platform you need to show off your creative skills.

Make romance a focus.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Make your move. Explore CAPRICORN an enticing investment. The (Dec. 22- information you pick up will Jan. 19) come from an unusual source.

Don't let your emotions dictate your decision. Use common sense.

Keep the peace, regardAQUARIUS less of what others say. You (Jan. 20will get better results with Feb. 19) intelligence than with force.

Personal changes will give you a boost.

Be forthcoming with inforPISCES (Feb. 20- mation, or you may be critiMarch 20) cised for not sharing. A passionate offer will be difficult to turn down. Consider the possibilities and make necessary adjustments.

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016

19

Leading personalities braced for biggest and best ever CPL Pt 2

W

ith the Hero C a r i b b e a n Premier League (CPL) set to open tomorrow, we gathered the thoughts of some of the chief characters across all six teams and asked them to preview the forthcoming campaign and outline their vision for their respective teams.

The 2016 season is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, with an array of West Indies and international stars set to descend on the Caribbean and Florida for the biggest party in sport.

Dr. Vijay Mallya (Barbados Tridents), Roger Harper (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Paul Nixon (Jamaica Tallawahs), Eric Simons (St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots), Stuart Williams (St. Lucia Zouks) and Simon Helmot (Trinbago Knight Riders) talk about their teams and share their exclusive thoughts ahead of the fourth instalment of the biggest party in sport.

Today we get the views

Dr Vijay Mallya

of Dr Vijay Mallya, Paul Nixon and Roger Harper.

Barbados Tridents Owner - Dr Vijay Mallya: 1) What are your team’s plans coming together for the upcoming CPL season?

On the field we intend to win by playing good cricket. Our squad features

several world class players who can change any game.

Working together as a unit is important for our team's success.

2) Who are your team’s players to watch?

In T20 cricket, any player can be a match winner on his given day. However, with the likes of AB de Villiers, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard and others we feel the Tridents will be a hard team to beat.

3) Which one other player from another franchise are you most excited about watching at CPL 2016?

I’m looking forward to seeing what Brendon McCullum of the Trinbago Knight Riders can do in Caribbean conditions. He is another exciting worldclass player who, on his day, can take the game over with the bat and in the field.

4) What makes CPL such an exciting product?

The spirit of the fans, the atmosphere, Caribbean culture fusing with highpaced action-packed cricket. With that formula it is hard to not be exciting.

5) What can fans expect at your home games this year?

Fans will witness an unparalleled experience never seen before in the Caribbean. They’ll have a chance to see their team in new kit and enjoy an improved stadium experience which will draw on their passion for the game.

On the field, our team is focused on winning.

6) Describe your team’s distinct traits / values in three words.

Committed to winning!

B A R B A D O S TRIDENTS: Kieron Pollard (captain), AB de Villiers, Shoaib Malik, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Ravi Rampaul, David Wiese, Robin Peterson, Raymon Reifer, Ashley Nurse, Wayne Parnell, Akeal Hosein, Imran Khan, Kyle Hope, Navin Stewart, Kyle Corbin, Steven Taylor, Shamar Springer Coach: Robin Singh, Assistant

Coach: Vasbert Drakes Jamaica Tallawahs Coach - Paul Nixon: 1) What are your team’s plans coming together for the upcoming CPL season?

Our plans are coming together well for this year’s CPL. The management group touched base

Paul Nixon

several weeks ago discussing plans and our daily calendar through the tournament. The schedule includes the Cricket sessions, leadership group chats, rest sessions, gym sessions from physiotherapy screening to rest and recovery sessions and managing the young bowlers’ workloads. Looking after our very important sponsors as well, it is crucial to help the Tallawahs grow our brand and our players are committed to do this.

We are confident and happy with the direction we are heading at this early stage.

2) Who are your team’s players to watch?

The players to watch in our team is a tough question as all have a match winning ability but to say a couple of names are Rovman Powell a very hard-hitting batsman and Jon-Russ Jaggesar who is a very skilled off-spinner who can spin it both ways and with great accuracy.

Mohammad Khan and the team picked so many talented guys with strong mental belief. Our squad has age and experience combined with the vibrancy and energy of youth.

3) Which one other player from another franchise are you most excited about watching at CPL 2016?

We respect every one of our opposition teams but we don't fear them. There are many world class players and I’m looking forward to seeing each team’s number 11 batsman walking back to the dressing room!

It’s about us doing well and being calm under pressure with good decision-making in the heat of battle. One or two overs of super quality can win T20 cricket, so a good focus and mind-set is huge in the CPL. 4) What makes CPL such an exciting product?

T20 has taken the cricketing world by storm. T20 cricket is very exciting and with the Draft making it a very fair pool of players for all teams to pick from, keeps it an open competition and keeps things on an even keel. It’s about those who can execute their skills at the right time, create the team bonding and prepare well who will be the teams who will succeed.

This year’s overseas players are as strong as they have ever been. The coaches facilitate the best way possible so the players are ready. Passion, the colour and vibrancy of the West Indian public also create a unique carnival atmosphere throughout this amazing competition. The West Indies, and Jamaica especially, have always set amazing standards in sport over many years it's so it’s wonderful that cricket is again on the map.

With the U19's, the women and the men’s team doing so well recently, I have no doubt that CPL has played a huge part in this renaissance. The crowds are so knowledgeable, passionate and some of the most hospitable people on earth so together this adds to very special recipe called CPL. We all can't wait to get this

competition started and come 8 August our team will be aiming to holding the trophy again.

5) What can fans expect at your home games this year?

Roger Harper

Our fans can expect exciting, fearless and smart cricket, clear decisionmaking under pressure and quality entertainment.

6) Describe your team’s distinct traits / values in three words.

P a s s i o n a t e , Entertaining & Fearless.

We want to create a legacy for Jamaican cricket.

J A M A I C A TALLAWAHS: Chris Gayle (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Imad Wasim, Dale Steyn, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Andre McCarthy, Jonathan Foo, Alex Ross, Kesrick Williams, Nkrumah Bonner, Garey Mathurin, Timroy Allen, O’shane Thomas Coach: Paul Nixon, Assistant Coach: Mark O’Donnell Guyana Amazon Warriors Coach - Roger Harper: 1) How are your team’s plans coming together for the upcoming CPL season?

We gathered for a oneweek camp on 19th June and took that opportunity to sharpen our skills and

build our team-spirit.

2) Who are your team’s players to watch?

Our international players, namely captain Martin Guptill, Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Sohail Tanvir along with young Adam Zampa, will of course grab a lot of attention and we expect them to lead from the front. We also have a number of regional and local players that will have a great impact on the CPL this year; players like Rayad Emrit, Christopher Barnwell and Veerasammy Permaul, just to name a few. However, the strength and performance of our squad as a whole is what will make us successful.

3) Which one other player from another franchise are you most excited about watching at CPL 2016?

There are so many high quality and exciting players throughout the CPL that it is difficult to pick one.

4) What makes CPL such an exciting product?

The Caribbean environment and the West Indian spirit is unique and brings a special flavour to the CPL product.

5) What can fans expect at your home games this year?

The Warriors will always strive to make our fans proud and they can expect the Warriors to play quality, winning cricket at home.

6) Describe your team’s distinct traits / values in three words.

United, Determined, Focused.

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS: Sohail Tanvir, Martin Guptill (captain), Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Devendra Bishoo, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Ali Khan, Shimron Hetmyer Coach: Roger Harper, Assistant Coach: Esuan Crandon

20

guyana-times.com

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016

Seepersaud wins Clear Chile prove hard nut to crack Waters pools competition for South America's best

C

From left: Narendra Lucknauth, Leon Seepersaud, Manager of Hot Shots Ralph Narine, Robert Arjune, Ron Allen and Lester Patoir at the presentation ceremony

L

eon Seepersaud beat out a highly competitive field of 33 other pools players to win the Clear Waters Pool competition held at Hot Shots Sports Bar at Eccles East Bank Demerara.

In nail biting final Seepersaud overcame a huge challenge to edge Robert Arjune to claim the top prize. The final was swaying back and forth and it went down to both players still having two balls to drop including the number eight or black ball.

The competition was

played using the straight pools rules and was on a knock out basis.

For winning the competition Seepersaud copped the Clear Waters Trophy while the crowd favourite, Arjune had to settle for the runner-up trophy which was donated by Ron Allen the Controller of Pestex Environmental Solution.

The competition which was well supported saw Lester Patoir picking up the Best Pool Player award which was donated by Stag Beer. All prize winners also received Clear Waters

as incentives for winning.

At the presentation ceremony that followed the competition, Operations Manager of Clear Waters Narendra Lucknauth said his company was pleased to sponsor the competition as his company always support sports and will continue to do so throughout the country.

Lucknauth said based on the success of the competition there will be a similar venture at Hot Shots Sports Bar in the near future.

Olympic Day Open badminton tournament is a resounding success

T

he first two days of the Guyana Olympic Association Open Badminton Tournament has seen some thrilling performances from some of Guyana top and emerging players at the National Gymnasium.On Friday in the Men’s, Ladies’ & Mix Doubles Events; the first final in this tournament was played off with Priyanna Ramdhani & Ambika Ramraj defeating Ayanna Watson & Emelia Ramdhani: 21-7, 21-12.The Results on Day Two are; MEN DOUBLES SEMI-FINALS: Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra defeated Ronald Yuen & Avinash Odit: 2115, 21-18. Nicholas Ali teamed up with his Coach Gokarn Ramdhani had a trilling three setter to win against Darrell Carpenay & Marlon Chung: 13-21, 22-20, 21-13. LADIES DOUBLES SEMI-FINALS:Priyanna Ramdhani & Ambika Ramraj defeated Ayanna Watson & Emelia Ramdhani:21-7, 21-12.

MIX DOUBLES QUARTER-FINAL:Cecil Abrams & Kara Abrams defeated Gokarn Ramdhani & Emelia Ramdhani: 21-12,1921,21-16. MIX DOUBLES SEMI-FINALS:Narayan Ramdhani & Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Darrell

Carpenay & Ayanna Watson: 21-5, 21-12.

Meanwhile on Thursday; MEN DOUBLES QUARTER-FINALS: Ronald Chang Yuen & Avinash Odit defeated William Holder & Haymant Ramdhani: 21-16, 21-16.

Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra defeated Priyanna Ramdhani & Ambika Ramraj: 21-5, 21-1.

Darrell Carpenay & Marlon Chung defeated Dr. Harry Gorle & Nandha Kishore: 21-11, 21-8.

Gokarn Ramdhani & Nicholas Ali defeated Cecil Abrams & Fardeen Alli: 21-9, 21-9 MEN DOUBLES ROUND 1: Dr. Harry Gorle& Nandha Kishore defeated P.Ramnarayan & Armand Ramdhani: 21-3, 21-15. Priyanna Ramdhani & Ambika Ramraj defeated Tyreese Richards & Jamaal Humphrey:21-5,21-9.

LADIES DOUBLES SEMIFINALS: Priyanna Ramdhani & Ambika Ramraj defeated Kara Abrams & Wonita Yang: 21-7, 21-8 Ayanna Watson & Emelia Ramdhani defeated Priyanka Shivnauth & Gabriella Pertab: 2119, 19-21, 21-12 . MIX DOUBLES QUARTERFINAL:Jonathan Mangra & Ambika Ramraj defeated

William Holder & Angelica Holder: 21-15, 17-21, 21-14.

Darrell Carpenay & Ayana Watson defeated Fardeen Alli & Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-8, 21-6 The Tournament is scheduled to continue tomorrow at the National Gymnasium from 17::30 Hrs to 19:00 Hrs. Matches to be played are: Doubles Finals: Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra Vs. Gokarn Ramdhani & Nicholas Ali. Mix Doubles Semis: Jonathan Mangra & Ambika Ramraj Vs. Cecil Abrams & Kara Abrams and the winner will play Narayan Ramdhani & Priyanna Ramdhani in the Finals.

The GBA would like to invite all to see the Finals.

The tournament is one being held in observance of Olympic Day this year.

Olympic Day worldwide is observed each year on June 23 and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) celebrate the occasion on the Sunday closest to that day.

Olympic day is the only annual worldwide event of the Olympic Movement. The majority of the NOCs on the five (5) Continents take advantage of this occasion to share the Olympic spirit with people of all ages and from all walks of life.

hile have never beaten Argentina in open play in 27 Copa America meetings in 100 years yet have twice in 12 months dashed the hopes of Lionel Messi's team of lifting a major trophy.

A second successive victory on penalties in the final against their trans-Andean rivals, this time in the centenary tournament in the United States on Sunday, has cemented Chile's status as one of the world's top teams.

A further irony is that the revolution that has transformed the team is the work of Argentine coaches starting with the visionary appointment in 2007 of Marcelo Bielsa, who has earned cult status in Chile. "(Chile) have become audacious in the way they

that won the Copa America in Chile in 1991, said on Saturday.

Argentina, boasting one of the world's top players in Messi and ranked number one in the world, were expected to avenge last year’s loss to Chile in Santiago having already beaten them twice this year.

Messi has now lost four major finals with Argentina, three in the last two years including the 2014 World Cup decider against Germany in Rio de Janeiro, leaving them still looking for their first major trophy since 1993.

He often looked cut off from his team at a packed Metlife in East Rutherford, New Jersey and cut a dejected figure at the end after his penalty miss and amid Chile’s victory celebrations.

Bielsa, who was

to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after being absent from the tournament since 1998.

He and successor Jorge Sampaoli were instrumental in developing midfielder Arturo Vidal and forward Alexis Sanchez as world class players while Claudio Bravo has proved a top notch goalkeeper.

Sampaoli improved his mentor Bielsa’s work on a high pressing game, steered Chile to the round of 16 in Brazil and masterminded their first ever Copa America success at home a year ago.

Argentina had never lost a competitive match to Chile until 2008 and had beaten the team now coached by Juan Antonio Pizzi twice in the last three months -in a World Cup qualifier in Santiago in March and their

Chile defender Mauricio Isla (4) plays the ball against Argentina during the second half of the championship match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at MetLife Stadium. Chile won 0-0 (4-2)

impose their game on any field, against any adversary," Diego Latorre, who was in the Argentina squad

Argentina coach from 1999 to 2004, revolutionized Chile’s training methods and tactics and led them

opening group game of this tournament in Santa Clara three weeks ago, both times 2-1.

England humiliated by minnows Iceland

Roy Hodgson

E

ngland suffered their worst humiliation since they were knocked out of the 1950 World Cup by USA in Brazil as Iceland shocked them in the last 16 of Euro 2016.

Manager Roy Hodgson resigned after the abject embarrassment of losing to a nation ranked 34th in the world - and with a population of just 330,000 - despite

taking the lead through Wayne Rooney's fourth-minute penalty.

Iceland equalised within a minute as England failed to deal with a trademark long throw and Ragnar Sigurdsson bundled home from close range.

England's shameful performance was summed up

by Iceland's 18th-minute winner when goalkeeper

Joe Hart was badly at fault - just as in the win over Wales - as he let Kolbeinn Sigthorsson's shot through his hand.

Hodgson made changes as Iceland dug in, but the underdogs had as many chances as England before the final whistle blew on their Euro 2016 hopes and his four-year tenure as manager. (BBC)

21

sports

YELLOW PAGES

Downes, Gentle dominate GBTI Independence Open Awards

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016 | www.guyana-times.com

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 611-1018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 643-5122

dentistry Dentures provided in 72 hours from as low as $4500. Contact Dr B Stuart, 209B Charlotte St, Lacytown. Tel: 225-5034

Driving School Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 2273869, 644-7052, 659-3381

EDUCATION Qualify Yourself in Computers •Earn a Diploma in Computers 9 Courses $35,000 •Computerized Accounting 4 Courses $30,000 •Computer Graphics 4 Courses $35,000 •PC repairs $30,000. Limited space, Register now.

Micrographics, Vreed En Hoop. 2643057 Cybertron Technology Now registering students for •Diploma in Computers 9 courses - $25000 (Discount only for June 2016) •Computerized Accounting $30,000 (4 Courses) •Summer Computer Classes for kids, Age 5-14 ($8500) •US and Canada Visa Applications. Bollywood building (Parika). 260-4850 REGISTER - learn to play drums, guitar, keyboard and train your voice NOW OR in the Summer. Call 225-1151/ 657-8404 Special Computer Package for 2016 CXC Students. 9 Courses in Computers $20,000 OFF. Computerized Accounting 4 Courses. Quickbooks, Peachtree, POS, Excel 2016.

MicroGraphics Technology, Vreed-EnHoop/Parika. Tel: 264-3057 Study in CANADA/USA $1,000US Processing Fee. Limited Offer.

MicroGraphics Technology, Vreed-EnHoop/Parika. Tel: 264-3057.

FOR SALE Powerline Battery Water/wholesale.

1 litre and 0.5 litre sizes. Tel: 6803863 Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 6279977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 2265053.

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer & HP scanner - $25,000. Call 225-2676 or 601-5285.

your visa approved. High success rate. Balwant Persaud & Associates.

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 6228308, 655-3105. Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown. Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249. We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

optician Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 3393536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 9431515 for the perfect trendy touch.

health Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 MondaysSaturdays 9am-3pm. Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

lAND FOR SALE 1.5 Acre Land in W.B.D. Call: 658-0115 Land at La Grange Public Road, Size 4 Acre, could be used for commercial or housing scheme. Tel#: 625-1514 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel: 610-2234 One land 100/50 at Good Hope Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara for sale. Priced six million dollars. For more information, kindly call 623-0156 or 695-3150 (serious inquires only)

property for sale TRANSPORTED PROPERTY. Comprises of 14 house lots at lot 31 and 32 Mountsina. House on the premise 20x27. Contact Andrea on: 335-3661 / 625-2013 House Lot, Diamond New Scheme between 2nd & 3rd Avenue. Contact: 6381529 Eccles: $27M Neg. Enterprise Sec C: $20M Neg. MonRepos: $30M Neg. South Ruimveldt Park:$20M Neg. Broad Street: $80M Neg. Charlotte Street between Camp and Alexander: $55M Neg. Providence(land): $6.5M Neg. Parfaite Harmony(land): $4.5M Neg. Contact: 691-1521 GOOD HOPE AND OGLE. CONTACT: 6735546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987

2-STOREY CONCRETE HOUSE 35x45 ENCLOSED DOWNSTAIRS, SIZE OF LAND 65x120, SECTION A DIAMOND HOUSING SCHEME, EAST BANK DEMERARA, CONTACT 6645052/617-0583

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

immigration Immigration & Visa Services We handle all Canadian, USA and UK immigration and visa matters. Self sponsorships, holiday/visitor’s visas, work permits, students visas, family, class, immigration forms, embassy enquiries, appeals for refused cases, US green card lottery, business class waivers, pardons, etc. Get

A

KEY CUTTing

One 6 inch dredge, one 4-cylinder MWM, one 3-cylinder MWM engine in working condition with all other complete equipment in good working condition. 679-3655

flowers

BY DELVON Mc EWAN

IMMIGRATION SERVICES PROFESSIONALLY PREPARED BY IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT. PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATIONS (PERMANENT/VISITOR) FOR USA, CANADA, UK, CHINA, INDIA, ETC. SABITA’S IMMIGRATION SERVICES. TEL: 225-6496/662-6045

services

Repairs and Spares, Air Conditioning, Car AC, Washers, Stoves. Call Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206

spirituality Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit, bad luck, evil sickness, spells, reuniting lovers and prosperity to business. Call: 612-6417, 687-5653 Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc.

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 3375103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now. Email: anewlife@live.com

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

TO let Lot 2, First Avenue Subryanville house, Top Flat with 3 bedrooms, Internet, Cable TV, washing machine, dining table, front and back patio with view of the Atlantic ocean. Price $150,000 monthly. Call 684-5619.

nthony Downes and Afruica Gentle topped the awards ceremony of Guyana’s premier tennis tournament, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Independence Golden Jubilee Open.

Last Thursday Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA) closed the chapter of its major tournament of the 2016 calendar with a delightful closing ceremony.

It was a superb closure to the tournament that featured top performers, Men's Champion, Downes, and Ladies Champion, Gentle, who clearly outclassed all players by each winning all three open categories: Open Singles, Open Doubles and

to officiate matches. He tied this to the reluctance of persons in taking up the positions as the discipline of respecting the chair is lacking.

He also thanked GBTI for making their courts available during the training of the World Junior Tennis and observation was made that the extra training sessions on a quality court produced better results at tournaments and GLTA will be pursuing closer relationship with the bank to forge a stronger partnership.

GLTA Tournament Committee Chair Robert Bostwick praised the level of performance of the players, particularly the juniors who are consistently raising their level of play. Special mention was made about

earned him the Men’s Doubles Championship. He recounted Panday as a formidable opponent that he never defeated during the 80s but their partnership did bear fruit. He too expressed the new and youngest President needed strong support from his team to take tennis forward and congratulated him on executing his first tournament successfully.

Tracey made a special presentation to Coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan who was not present at the National Sports Award. Upon receiving the award for the Female Sports Official 2015 she praised the hard work of her previous coach, William Skeete, and she dedicated the award to him.

FOR RENT. DIAMOND SCHEME – 2 BEDROOM BOTTOM FLAT (NEW).

40,000 PER MONTH. SUITS FAMILIES. CONTACT: 611 - 3802 Leonora New Housing Scheme, W.C.D. Garage, Kitchen & Shower. Tel: 675-5998/268-2277. NO CHILDREN. Working Persons Only

VACANCIES FOOD WHOLESALE COMPANY LOOKING FOR SALESPERSON WITH EXPERIENCE AND VEHICLE. POLICE CLEARANCE A +.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 2318529 / 231-8344 GIRLS TO WORK IN A (WAITRESSES). TEL: 612-2522

BAR

Cashier for Supermarket. Tel: 624-0033 One (1) Cook. Tel: 624-0033 One (1) Maid. Tel: 624-0033 Driver for Water Truck. Tel: 680-3863 Security In-store; Day Duty. Tel: 680-3863

VEHICLES FOR SALE 518C Caterpillar Skidder. Tyres like NEW, Winch working. CF Hauler with 45 Ft. Triple Axel Trailer. Bedfrod TL 500 Dumptruck. JCB 4 wheel drive forklift. Call Tel: 626-0352 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003 JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRA-CAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

WANTED SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg. (MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER ST. G/Town. 231-7101 Vacancy exists for one part-time Pharmacist to work on the West Coast of Demerara in Meten-meer-zorg.

Telephone: 275-0733

Winners and Runner-ups. In the front row, Afrucia Gentle, John Tracey and Anthony Downes (L-R)

Mixed Open Doubles.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Pamela Binda, Marketing Manager of the GBTI said it was a successful tournament and praised the organising team for all the hard work. She reflected that the increase in the number of participants indicated that the sport is growing and that the bank is happy to commit to providing continuous support to GLTA. President of GLTA, Jamal Goodluck took the opportunity to recognize his new executive which he considered on average to be the youngest ever and most inclined to steer tennis in a new direction. He gave charge to all involved with tennis to pledge greater commitment to the sport using a famous quote from Martina Navratilova. His thrust to move tennis is underpinned by the philosophy of greater collaboration and the drive to go the extra mile. He noted the lack of facilities and the need for tennis to establish its headquarters which will be high on the agenda. Along with creating a pool of quality umpires and linespersons

young Heimraj Resaul who showed tremendous resilience by pushing his coach Leyland Leacock to a breath taking three setters which had the crowd edging off their seats. However Shelly Daly who through suffering from an ailing arm tried to outwit the Afruica Gentle but was successfully fended off by her much confident student.

The level of competition made an impressionable mark on US Diplomat Razick who mentioned that he was stunned at the high level of competitiveness of the Guyanese players while recognizing that these players are not afforded decent facilities to develop their game pointing to the fact that the public courts are cracked and unlighted.

Amidst the ceremony there were light moments provided by CEO John Tracey during his speech of direction and reminisce. He was appreciative of the audience being visibly greater than previous years and drew everyone’s attention to popular veteran player Harry Panday whose partnership with Men’s Champion Anthony Downes

Full results for the eleven categories: Girls Open Singles Winner, Kalyca Fraser and Runner-up Shivani Persaud, Boys Open Singles Winner Heimraj Resaul and Runner-up Keenan Persaud, Men’s Open Single Winner Anthony Downes and Runner-up Daniel Lopes, Ladies Open Single Winner Afrucia Gentle and Runnerup Nicola Ramdyhan, Men’s Open Double Winner Anthony Downes/Harry Panday and Nicolas Fenty/ Leyland Leacock, Ladies Open Double Winner Cristy Campbell/Afruica Gentle and Runner-up Aretta Dey/ Nicola Ramdyhan, Mixed Open Doubles Winner Anthony Downes/Afruica Gentle and Runner-up Aretta Dey/Daniel Lopes, Men’s 35 and over Winner Leyland Leacock and Runner Godfrey Lowden, Men’s 45 and over Winner Godfrey Lowden and Runner-up Harry Panday, Novice Singles Winner Asif Subhan and Runner-up Devon Gonsalves, Novice Medley Doubles Winner Patricia Hope/Martin Campbell and Runner-up Asif Subhan/ Devon Gonsavles.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

tuesDAY, june 28, 2016

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

St Kitts to host finals for 2nd time

BY JOHN RAMSINGH

S

t. Kitts and Nevis has won the bid to host the semifinals and finals of the 2016 CPL T20 matches scheduled for August 3 to 7 at Warner Park.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport Shawn Richards had indicated during the recent WICB matches held in St. Kitts that the local government would be bidding for the finals. He made the big announcement on Sunday evening at Carambola’s White Sands Fete.

“We are expecting the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots to be in the finals this year which will be held in St. Kitts and Nevis, from the third to the fifth of August and also on August 7th.

Pete Russell, one of the CPL directors, said it is exciting to be having CPL playoffs in St. Kitts.

“It’s fantastic to announce the semifinals and finals back in St. Kitts. You are by a long way the best fans in the Caribbean and we can’t wait to be here again in August, so come and support the team. We look forward to seeing you and them in the finals which starts on August 3rd.”

Beginning Thursday, June 30th, St. Kitts will host four matches during

St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport Shawn Richards

the regular season. The other matches are scheduled for July 2nd, 3rd and 5th. The Minister called on cricket fans to support their franchise team, the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

“On Thursday of this week we have the first of the series in the CPL games and I want to take this opportunity to invite all of you to come out and support the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots.”

St. Kitt’s and Nevis hosted the 2014 finals week which ended with Barbados Tridents being declared winners after the rain in-

CPL director Pete Russell

terrupted match against the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

The final in the inaugural CPL was hosted by Trinidad and Tobago. That year, the championship went to the Jamaica Tallawahs who defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets in the low scoring final.

In 2015 the final went back to the land of the hummingbirds and saw the home franchise, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel (now Trinbago Knight Riders) lifting the crown.

In April of this year, there were speculations about which country will host CPL finals 2016 with Guyana and Trinidad &

Tobago listed as front runners. News first broke that the T&T government had made an offer to CPL following which it was reported that the Government of Guyana also made a proposal. It was then reported that there was a counter-offer from Trinidad and Tobago that pretty much outbid Guyana. CPL officials then cleared the air stating that no nation has been awarded the final at that point. The first official announcement came from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport Shawn Richards at Carambola’s White Sands Fete.

Six teams will compete in the fourth edition of Caribbean Premier League Twenty Twenty matches- Trinbago Knight Riders; Jamaica Tallawahs; Barbados Tridents; Guyana Amazon Warriors; St. Lucia Zouks; and St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots.

The matches will be played across six Caribbean venues and for the first time in CPL T20 history, matches will also be played in Fort Lauderdale, USA. The league kicks off Wednesday, June 29 with Trinbago Knight Riders opening their title defense against the St. Lucia Zouks in Port of Spain from 21:00 hrs.

Messi calls it a day on internationals

L

ionel Messi blasted a penalty over the bar in what looks like being his last act in international football as Chile beat Argentina in a shootout to win the Copa America for the second year in a row on Sunday.

Messi cut a dejected fig-

Gonzalo Higuain, suggested he and other players might follow Messi's lead and quit the team.

"The likelihood is that Messi is not the only one that will leave the national team," Aguero, who lost his third final with Argentina, told

Lionel Messi

ure after losing his third Copa America final, and fourth major final after Argentina's loss to Germany at the 2014 World Cup, and said after the match he was retiring from the international game.

"In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it's not for me," the 29-year-old forward said.

"I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. Now I am leaving without having managed it."

Striker Sergio Aguero, a second half substitute for

Argentine sports newspaper Ole. "There are several players like me that are evaluating whether or not to continue," said Aguero, who was hugely disappointed after Argentina failed to end their 23-year trophy drought at senior level.

"Unfortunately, the one that leaves most affected is Leo Messi after his penalty miss. This is the worst that I've seen him in the changing room," said Aguero, who along with Messi won an Olympic gold medal in 2008. (Reuters)

Digicel Schools Football Championship 2016...

GTI trounce St Joseph High

G

o v e r n m e n t T e c h n i c a l Institute (G.T.I) moved unto to the next round of the Digicel School Football Championship after defeating St. Joseph High 3-1 on Monday at the Ministry of Education Ground.

Shawn Nassy, Tafari Simon and Ronaldo Thomas notched goals for the Technical Institute while Denzel Gomes was the lone scorer for the St. Joseph High.

Nassy gave G.T.I the lead after a series of shots of on goal by himself and teammates but his efforts eventually paid virtue when he forced his way behind the back-line and made a simple tap in the 28th minute.

G.T.I continued to dominate the ball possession, as Simon latched onto a loose ball with his left, striking with a powerful shot that went into the top right hand corner, piercing the hands of the outstretched keeper in the 36th minute.

It was then over to the nimble Thomas to extend his side’s lead when he made a quick dash down the right, taking a shot from inside the box that beat the keeper on his low left in the 41st.

The perfect perfor-

GTI scorers L-R: Tafari Simon, Shawn Nassy and Ronaldo Thomas

mance by GTI until was marred when an infringement occurred inside their penalty area and it gave St. Joseph’s a chance to reduce the lead.

Gomes causally scored the penalty in the 43rd, with a scorching shot to the left post, beating the diving Carlos Caesar, in what proved to be the final goal of the match.

The second half commenced with an invigorat-

ed St. Joseph’s unit taking the field but they lacked the pace and power needed to unsettle GTI’s defence.

Over at the Tucville ground, Lodge Secondary won via walkover against Business School.

Today’s feature game match will pit last year’s runners-up Chase Academy against Trust College at the Ministry of Education ground from 15:30 hrs.

23

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2016

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

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2016…

St Kitts to host finals for 2nd time Pg 22

Warner Park in St Kitts and Nevis will host the finals of the Hero Caribbean Premier League for the second time in the tournament’s four-year history

Messi calls it a day on internationals

Digicel Schools Football Championship 2016...

Pg 22

GTI trounce St Joseph High

Pg 22

Lionel Messi

GTI’s Shawn Nassy (No11) on the verge of scoring the first goal of the match

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyana-times.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.