Guyana Times Daily

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Issue No. 2816

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, April 4, 2016

PRICE

Ex-husband shoots Linden woman, cousin

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 2

Father of 1 killed in La Jalousie accident

Page 8

$80 vat included

Police bust Jamaican national P9 with cocaine in shoe soles

Nonpareil man found gagged, chopped to neck Page 8

– robbery suspected

Deadly prison riot CoI resumes P7 today – 2-month extension granted

Triple victory for WI teams

In this composite photo: West Indies women celebrate their first ICC title after beating Australia while the WI men dance in delight after snatching the World T20 title from England on Sunday. Also in composite is the West Indies Under-19 team who won their first World Cup earlier this year. The wins for the WI teams have brought glory and a sense of pride to the Caribbean people and nations!

AFC silent on accusations of race-baiting

by Trotman Page 3

Students to protest against UG Admin today!

Page 9

... Ramjattan refuses to comment; “write what you want,” Patterson says …to demand better services

Former overseer P11 to head Guyana’s largest NDC

Future LGE will be held on time – P9 Bulkan

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Ex-husband shoots Linden woman, cousin

Injured: Simone Croal

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olice in Linden are investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident at Linden, which occurred in the wee hours of Sunday morning, leaving two people seriously injured and the perpetuator on the run.

Injured are Simone Croal, 41, of Lot 604 Half Mile, Wismar, and her cousin Sherwin “Cuttie” Hughes.

Reports indicate that the two were allegedly shot multiple times by Croal’s estranged husband Calwyn “Alex” Croal also known as “Brother” of Blueberry Hill, Wismar.

The incident occurred at Canvas City, Wismar, around 01:45h while Hughes and his wife were transporting Simone Croal by car to her home. Hughes was shot in his arm and back, while Simone was shot several times to her right arm, leg and chest. Both

were rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex but were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to reports, Calwyn Croal was reportedly waiting in the yard of his estranged wife’s home and opened fire as she was about to exit the vehicle.

Eyewitnesses recalled hearing about seven gunshots.

In a bid to escape the hail of bullets, the car, driven by Hughes slammed into several cars parked along the roadway and a concrete fence before it finally came to a halt. Hughes’ wife Annie escaped without injuries.

According to Simone Croal’s family, the couple who have six children together, have been estranged for some time now, however, the man would often visit the home to see his children.

The relationship between the two, who had been together for over 20 years, has been described as an “abusive one” which in times past led to several Police reports.

Speaking with this newspaper, a family noted that on Saturday evening, Simone was assisting Hughes and his wife at their stall in the Mackenzie Arcade when her estranged husband went there and started to verbally and physically abuse her.

He reportedly hit her to the head with a bottle during the altercation. Afterward, he reportedly made off with her bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, cellu-

An injured Sherwin “Cuttie” Hughes being transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital

lar phone and identification card.

Subsequently she along with the cousin and his wife made a report at the Police Station. They left the station after being told Police would be on the lookout for the suspect.

It was while returning home some time later that they were attacked. Police later found the suspect’s car abandoned at Buck Town Creek at Blueberry Hill, Wismar and his estranged wife’s bag, minus the money, at another location.

According to one of the couple’s children, the suspect called family mem-

bers several times after the shooting incident to find out if his wife was dead, while they noted that he indicated that he committed the act because she was “too disrespectful”.

They noted too that following the first (assault) incident he came to his estranged wife’s home with her phone and became upset after combing through several text messages. It was then that they noted he waited outside the house for her return.

The couple’s daughter, 22, indicated that he arrived at the home shortly before the shooting incident and

Wanted: Calwyn “Alex” Croal

enquired about her mother’s whereabouts. She said she became nervous after realising that something was awry since he was without shirt and his head was tied.

She pointed out that she spotted what appeared to be a gun in his waist.

The woman who witnessed the incident said she failed in conveying signals to the occupants of the car that something was amiss.

Calwyn Croal was recently wanted in connection with an armed robbery, for which Police had issued a wanted bulletin. He later turned himself in and was

questioned in relation to the incident. While he was not charged, E Division (LindenKwakwani) Commander Brutus had stated that the evidence against Calwyn Croal was highly circumstantial.

He, Calwyn, had also recently joined a line of protestors at Linden, against acts of alleged Police brutality. Based on Police report, Calwyn Croal is now wanted in connection with the attempted murder of the duo.

Investigations are ongoing.

news

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MONDAY, april 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, April 4 – 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, April 5 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, April 4 – 14:10h-15:40h and Tuesday, April 5 – 15:00h-16:30h.

AFC silent on accusations of race-baiting by Trotman ... Ramjattan refuses to comment; “write what you want,” Patterson says

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times –

tape with Trotman appealing to race while campaigning in Region 7.

According to Kissoon, Trotman’s speech was “hatefilled” and it “manifested the cruelties and sadism of old political culture.”

Kissoon expressed that Trotman “does not belong to the future of politics in this tragic land and that goose bumps emerged on my body when Trotman went into his demagogic rage of ethnic loyalty.” Kissoon called on AFC to ensure disciplinary actions are taken against

WEATHER TODAY Heavy to light rain showers sometimes accompanied by thunder can be expected throughout the better part of the day, while sunny conditions can be expected in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 14:29h reaching a maximum height of 2.56 metres.

Low Tide: 08:02h and 20:27h reaching minimum heights of 0.74 metre and 0.59 metre respectively.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

President David Granger

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Saturday, april 2, 2016

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he leadership of the Alliance For Change (AFC), one of the political parties in the coalition government is mum as accusations of race baiting by its co-founder and Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman surfaced.

Political commentator and ardent supporter of the AFC Freddie Kissoon accused Trotman of allegedly playing the race card during a public meeting in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), during the leadup to just-concluded Local Government Elections.

Recording Kissoon alleges he is in possession of a

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Political commentator Freddie Kissoon

Granger laid out a plan for Guyana. On the day in 2015 when the election results were made known, Trotman indicated that Mr Granger called him and said to him, ‘Raphael, this is Nassau.’

Trotman left the crowds in suspension because he thinks that it is President Granger that should be the first one to reveal what the two of them dialogued on 10 years ago in The Bahamas.

“I don’t have a clue what it is but whatever it is, I would suggest you listen to

AFC General Secretary David Patterson

Trotman. Kissoon said he submitted a copy of the tape to the party but when contacted on Saturday, AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan refused to comment on the matter. “I don’t do any interviews with Guyana Times,” Ramjattan declared, and hung up his mobile phone.

Also contacted was AFC general secretary and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson who also refused to comment on the matter stating, “no comment, you could write what you like.”

Meanwhile political commentator and former government minister Dr Henry Jeffery when asked his opin-

ion on the issue, said he would first like to receive a transcript of the tape before commenting.

However he stated that, “if what he (Kissoon) said the tape said and it’s correct, it is somewhat damning.”

Prodigal son returns Kissoon noted too that in the tape, which was made available by a senior member of the Team Legacy political party, Trotman indicated that he has rejoined the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

“He openly told the crowds that although he was a part of the AFC, he never left the struggle and that the Prodigal Son has returned,” Kissoon highlighted.

He added that Trotman said that a decade ago while he was launching the AFC with Ramjattan, Trotman evidently had a meeting in Nassau, The Bahamas with David Granger (now President), where they hatched a plan to reinstall the People’s National Congress (PNC) in office by ousting the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

“He then told the crowd that 10 years ago, he and David Granger met in Nassau (The Bahamas) and

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

the tape, and when you hear Raphael Trotman speaking at that Bartica LGE public meeting, then what was spoken and planned in The Bahamas 10 years ago has to be frightening, because Trotman doesn’t come across as a powerful politician that will shape a progressive future for Guyana,” Kissoon added.

Team Legacy chairman Ewart Williams when contacted, distanced his party from the recording and the views expressed by Kissoon.

According to Williams, whoever provided Kissoon with the copy of the tape clearly did so in his own personal capacity and not on behalf of Team Legacy.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, april 4, 2016

Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 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

Ignoring GPF’s ethnic representation

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ver since the struggle for independence, the nexus of ethnic violence and the composition of the Disciplined Forces, had been identified as a key problematic in the creation of a viable state.

The international scholar Cynthia Enloe, who taught at UG during the seventies, wrote in her seminal text, “Ethnic Conflict and Political Development: “The resolution of inter-ethnic conflict demands that armies and police forces be examined not as neutral instruments that cope with problems, but as potential causes of the problems as well.”

During the Constitutional changes approved by Parliament in 2000 - consequent to the post-1997 election violence, the nexus was identified as necessary to be addressed in Article 197 A (5): “Disciplined forces commissions may be constituted by the National Assembly from time to time, as may be necessary, with power to examine any matter relating to the public welfare, public safety, public order, defence or security, including the structure and composition of the disciplined forces and make recommendations generally with a view to promoting their greater efficiency, and giving effect to the need in the public interest that the composition of the disciplined forces take account of the ethnic constituents of the population.”

President Bharat Jagdeo in accordance with the National Assembly’s Resolution No 21 of 2003 of 16 May 2003 did constitute and appoint a Disciplined Forces Commission which, inter alia called for an inquiry into, “The methods and processes of achieving greater ethnic balance” in the Disciplined Forces.

The members were Ian Chang, Justice of Appeal as Chairman, Charles Ramson; Anil Nandlall; David Granger and Maggie Beirne. Ms Beirne resigned from the Commission and, on January 14, 2004, Professor Harold Lutchman was appointed in her place.

Presented to Parliament May 17, 2004, their Report was sent to a Special Committee that was supposed to resubmit its recommendations in “four months” but was only finally approved unanimously on June 10 2010. Of its 164 recommendations, 71 concerned the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The recommendation on manpower mandated the Force to achieve greater ethnic diversity by setting recruitment targets rather than quotas. To achieve this, ethnically-diverse recruitment teams were to be employed as “openly and extensively as possible”.

The identical directive was given to the Guyana Defence Force, and resulted in the following directive in their “Recruitment Outreach Guidelines” 1006. a. Particular focus was to be placed on recruitment in IndoGuyanese communities, but not at the exclusion of other ethnic groups. c. Public information is to be adequately disseminated in order to remove negative misperceptions about the recruitment policy. The public information campaign should highlight the inclusionary ethnic recruitment and retention policy of the GDF, in terms of: (1) the need for greater Indo-Guyanese representation in the interest of achieving ethnic balance.

(2) respect and regard for diverse religious practices.

Unfortunately we can find no comparable directives in the GPF’s recruitment guidelines but from the optics of the last batches of recruits, the directive towards representative recruitment patterns has not been adopted by the almost oneyear old APNU/AFC government. Very early on their Cabinet approved an increase in Police manpower from 3,410 to 4,956 - an increase of 1500+ but at no time did they mention the Constitutional and Statutory mandated “ethnic parity”.

Last week, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan claimed the GPF was now at 4500 strength and still needed 2000 persons to reach its “maximum capacity”. The Minister obviously had his figures skewed since the GPF can only process 660 recruits annually and there had been no Cabinet announcement that the GPF’s strength would in effect be more than doubled.

But he also was silent on the mandate for the country to achieve an ethnically representative GPF. President Granger, who was a member of the DFC that made the recommendation, should intervene to insist the ethnic recruitment targets be implemented.

This miniature exhibition of the Arrow Point Resort was on display at the annual Wedding Expo, at Roraima Duke Lodge Saturday

Effective communication is an essential component of political, professional success Dear Editor, Some of us love it, some of us hate it. The rules of the English language are brimming with intricacies, inconsistencies, and obscurities, and therefore it is critical that politicians, who are public speakers, master the technicalities of our native language and not get confused with their homonyms and mixed up with their pronouns.

Watching the tele-

vision interview done by the new Mayor of Georgetown, after their first meeting concluded, I must admit disappointment with her lack of fluency and the fact that her grammar was really far from flawless.

It is simply impossible to become a great leader without being a great communicator. From our earliest days in the classroom we are trained to focus on enunciation, vocabulary,

presence, delivery, grammar, syntax and the like.

While I don’t mean to belittle Her Worship, these things are important to learn. The ability to use the Queen’s English separates the truly great communicators from those who muddle through their interactions with others.

As Mayor she will be required to spend the overwhelming majority of her time each day in some

type of an interpersonal situation. Effective communication is an essential component of political and professional success, whether it is at the interpersonal, intergroup, intragroup, organisational, or international level.

The best communicators are great listeners and astute in their observations.

Best of Luck!

Sincerely, Sean Moniz

Freddie incorrectly attributes Hamilton’s (Locke) quote Dear Editor, Freddie Kissoon misleads readers that he is “Mr know all.” He once again errs (what else is new) -incorrectly attributed “the masses are asses” quote to the Portuguese dominated United Force (UF) founder leader, Peter D’Aguiar.

Freddie is consistently erring and as such is advised to avoid name droppings to give credibility to his writings that are replete with inaccuracies.

It was the great (Bermudian) White American Alexander Hamilton, during the constitutional debate (1780s), who uttered the words that have been repeatedly quoted ad nauseam by so many intellectuals and politicians.

Hamilton made the case for the adoption of American “electoral col-

lege” in the constitution (still in existence) to choose the President because, as he argued, the (uneducated) masses (the masses are asses) would not select the best person to be the president of the United States. Hamilton’s position was supported by other founding fathers who felt the people electing the President should be “educated”.

Had Freddie studied (American) history (instead of philosophy for which he claims he obtained two degrees in Guyanese history - an unprecedented achievement), he would not have made this simple faux pas. To err is human but Freddie has a penchant for mocking people who make simple errors in writings.

So he needs to be corrected, but the paper where

his column appeared did not publish the correction.

The masses are asses quote was also linked to the great Enlightenment British thinker John Locke who influenced the thought of the American founding fathers. It is not clear if the original quote was Locke’s. There were also plays and books with title of same quote.

Freddie claims he studied Philosophy - he should know about the natural rights theorist John Locke (a great political thinker, philosopher).

Suffice it to say D’Aguiar did not invent the quote if indeed he referred to Guyanese masses “as asses” for not voting for him and the UF. Freddie presented no evidence to support his claim that D’Aguiar uttered such words.

It is to be noted that Guyanese society has always been ethnically polarised. As a student of political sociology and a specialist on ethnicity, it is incomprehensible why Indians and Africans would vote for a Portuguese-based party or a Portuguese leader when there were the charismatic Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan, not that the latter two were any better than D’Aguiar in terms of developmental policies.

Freddie needs to study history and stop fooling people that by studying Philosophy you can get two degrees in Guyanese History – impossible from any university even in Philosophy, he gets it wrong.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, april 4, 2016

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There is an urgent Looking forward to the productive, non-corruptive need for forensic works of Bartica council audit at City Hall

Dear Editor, It was with utter disillusionment I watched an interview being given by Oscar Clarke to the Press after the Georgetown City Council was sworn-in.

My first disenchantment was due to the fact that he was back in the Council after all these years and not just back in the Council, but once more in the Finance Committee along with one of his cohorts who was in the same committee before, and now holding the very principal role as the Finance Chairman.

My second dissatisfaction came with his very sardonic response to a question from a reporter about the essential need for the urgent conducting of a comprehensive forensic audit of the entire Georgetown Municipality. He intimated that there was hardly a need for such, and that the Council was already carrying out its own audit.

Just in case Clarke and his new Finance Committee does not get it, the citizenry from their public outcry are not interested in a superfi-

cial, in-house sham of an inspection. Any such attempt to self-police would be like putting the proverbial cat to watch milk. What is needed is an all-inclusive, forensic financial and human resource audit to be effected by a competent and qualified external agency.

Just as Clarke’s party has commissioned a series of rigorous audits on state agencies, national projects and funds which were deemed to be tainted by some form of corruption, there is need for a serious audit of the Georgetown City Council to be effected by special teams comprised of highly qualified and competent officials, skilled in these sorts of exercises.

These recent audits which have purportedly found reckless wastage at the Government Information Agency, breaches of protocols and the absence of proper procurement procedures at GuyOil, and the astonishing scales of corruption within the departments of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) would be dwarfed by what goes on

at City Hall in terms of both structural and non-structural corruption, including graft with well-known acts of bribery, illicit kickbacks, embezzlement, and theft of public funds, nepotism with the Council being ‘a big family affair’, and the ostensible expenditure, which is actually wasteful and directed toward private benefits.

My third discontent with Clarke during the interview, was his display of conceit and disregard for the protesting workers whom he claimed do not know, and to be uninformed of their issues. It was Clarke’s duty to enquire from the workers of the nature of their problems and to summon the Council’s Chief Financial and Administrative Officers to be briefed and to have the matter resolved.

This course of action would be in keeping with the declaration by the Minister of Communities when he noted at the very swearing-in of the Councillors, that their new posts presented an opportunity for them to serve the residents of their respective constituencies as well as the City of Georgetown.

Sincerely, Amber Valentine

New Bartica Mayor Glifford Marshall

Dear Editor, The Bartica United Youth Development Group (BUYDG) will like to congregate Gifford Marshall, who was the only nominee that was elected Mayor and Kamal Persaud, who was also the only nominee, duly elected Deputy Mayor the BUYDG also congratulate the councillors.

For the first time Bartica has a Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Bartica recently gained township status.

The BUYDG encourages the Mayer, Deputy Mayer and all the councillors to work to the best of their ability in the interest of Bartica in a productive and non-corruptive manner so that Bartica can move from where it is to a very high level. BUYDG believes Bartica has a long

New Bartica Deputy Mayor Kamal Persuad

way to go as it relates to general development.

Bartica and Region Seven in general, should have been the most developed community in Guyana since the Region is one of the highest and main tax contributor that contributes 50% of the revenue that goes to the treasury of Guyana.

As such money should not just be generated and produced from the resources of Region Seven and go out of Bartica to develop the other regions in Guyana but a lot of the money generated in Bartica should be used to enhance greater development in Region Seven.

The residents of Bartica voted on March 18, 2016 for general development, transparency and proper accountability, etc. The

APNU+AFC Government just as it did in the General and Regional Elections again won the majority of votes cast by the resident, as such the BUYDG will be holding all of the persons elected accountable in Bartica/Region7. Not forgetting that the same persons elected took an Oath to serve the resident of Bartica.

The BUYDG’s great hope is that the Mayor and Councillors will address the concerns of residents on the spot, and will not operate by remote control that is used by central government since they won under the umbrella of APUN+AFC. Yours faithfully, Micah Williams General President Bartica United Youth Development Group

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Technology rules for both parents and children – new research explores parents and children household technology rules

BY Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, MS, LPC

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here are definitely perks to growing up in a time of fast moving technological advancement, but along with the advantages come the disadvantages. There is no doubt about it, technology can not only interfere with children’ face-to-face interactions, but it can also monopolise their time.

In today’s world parents have to create guidelines when it comes to technology so children learn to use and not abuse the

devices they own. So, while a lot of people would agree that children need technology rules, what about their parents? Do they need these rules too? If so, what rules would children make for their parents and vice versa?

Researchers at the University of Washington and University of Michigan released a study that addressed those very questions (along with others pertaining to household technology rules). They asked 249 parent-child pairs in the

United States about their household’s most important technology rules and whether or not they were effective. They also asked children, ages 10 to 17 years, what technology rules they would put in place for parents… some of the findings may surprise you.

Below are the top expectations children have for their parents when it comes to technology: 1. Be Present (19 per cent) Pay attention to me.

Basically, don’t use your devices when you’re spending quality

It’s okay to have rules that are for my own good and protection.

6. Don’t text and drive (6%) Don’t text and drive, even when you’re at a red light.

7. Don’t be a hypocrite (6%) Practice what you preach. If

Another interesting finding in this study was that parents reported that it’s okay to have a different set of standards for themselves than for their children, but according to the children that’s hypocritical.

time with me, like when I am trying to talk with you or we are doing something with one another.

“On a side note, being present was the most common theme for both parent and child.”

2. Don’t Overshare (aka Sharent) (18%) Don’t post stuff about me online without my permission.

3. Digital autonomy (11%) Give me some space when I use my devices.

4. Digital moderation (10%) Learn to balance technology and your everyday life.

5. Provide supervision (7%)

I can’t use my phone at dinner, neither can you – so put it away.

So there you have it, what children report they want from their parents when it comes to technology. Now let’s shift gears and take a look at what parents want from their children.

Also, in regards to expectations, children reported that it was easier to follow the rules when families had developed them together and when everyone had to follow them.

Children’s technology expectations for parents Children gave about 326 specific rules for their parents.

Approximately, 92 per cent fell into seven major themes.

Important strategies for raising children in a world of technology

By Joshua Becker

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arents today know the decisions we make for our kids concerning technology are important –but entirely without context.

Our conversations on the sidelines at soccer games about these issues are never based on proven experience (When I was a kid, my mom used to…). Instead, it is based on guesswork and the little wisdom we have gained (Well, this is what we have decided to do. What about you guys?).

There are no proven answers to the questions we are asking. That’s what makes this so difficult.

Well, that, and the fact that even the questions are changing at an alarming rate.

But this is a conversation we should be having.

Not because we will all choose to parent the same, but because there is wisdom in numbers.

And the more intentionality we apply to our parenting the better.

Here are some important strategies we have sought to implement raising children in an age of technology: Technology is not discouraged in our home.

Technology, it appears, is going to be around for quite awhile. Our kids will need the skills

in the future – they already do in the present.

Parenting is not about shielding our children from the tools of the world, but equipping them to use those tools properly. We should be active and intentional in teaching them how to use technology effectively and to its fullest potential.

In practical terms, this means both of my children received iPods on their seventh birthday. And they will receive phones on their 13th.

Moderation is encouraged and modelled.

While we know very little about the future of technology and how it might look, we do have ample study on the effects of screen time: Studies have shown that excessive media use can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders, and obesity. Most recently, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends television and other entertainment media should be avoided entirely for infants and children under age two. For older kids, “To help them make wise media choices, parents should monitor their media diet for both duration and content.”

Allison, “We make the children sit in public places when they are on devices or laptops, we look over shoulders, we check text message histories and set parental controls. We worry about their cyber footprints.” (Excerpt from becomingminalist.com)

Parent’s technology expectations for themselves and their children Parents gave about 412 rules for their children.

Approximately, 91% fell into 10 major themes. Below are the top expectations parents have for their children when it comes to technology: 1. Be Present (25%) Put the device away when we are talking or doing something together.

2. Supervise (21%) Household technology rules that are enforced.

3. Privacy (9%) Play it smart when you are online and don’t share personal identification information.

4. Moderate use (7%) Learn how to use your devices in moderation and balance usage with your other activities.

5. No oversharing (7%) Be respectful of privacy and don’t share too much information online.

6.

Model appropriate electronic use for children (7%) Be a leader and model the way for appropriate device usage.

7. Time-bound (5%), Set limits for your phone use.

8. Not while Driving (3%) Don’t use the phone when you are driving and don’t text (not even at a traffic light).

9. Be kind (3%) Treat others with respect and kindness online.

10. No sexual content (3%) Don’t share or view sexually explicit photos or videos.

Enforceable expectations Another area this study delved into was which household technology rules were more or less difficult to enforce. Overall, families reported rules that prohibited technology or social media use entirely, such as no using certain apps or video games were easier to enforce than rules that prohibited use of electronic devices in particular situations, such as no texting friends after a certain time. One of the researchers noted it was surprising to find that it’s easier for children to accept not being permitted to use a particular app as opposed to being limited to using it at certain times.

Conclusion In conclusion, when you look at the overall findings, this study shows parents and children are virtually in the same boat when it comes to household technological expectations. The primary area of agreement was the need for each other to “be present”. That concept speaks volumes about how we want our children to pay attention to us and in return they want us to pay attention to them.

Here is a quick change you can make in your household right now to ensure you have some technology free time with your family – create a place to set aside the electronic devices when you get home. Put them off limits for a specified amount of time, perhaps until after dinner. Make it a household priority to be present and spend quality time with one another. (pyschologytoday.com)

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Enhanced regional security needed – President

President David Granger

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ecognising that Caribbean countries are exposed to a number of threats to their security, Guyana’s Head of State, David Granger underscored that there was an urgent need for a stronger and more collective regional mechanism in providing the necessary assistance to Caricom Member States during times of adversity.

There currently exists the Regional Security System (RSS), an international agreement for the defence and security of the eastern Caribbean region, which was created out of a need for a collective response to security threats, which were impacting on the stability of the Region in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

It initially covered the provision of “mutual assistance on request” in areas of national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise con-

trol, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters and threats to national security.

Given the dynamism within the international security environment, an RSS headquarters subsequently was established in Barbados to carry out research on areas affecting national security, as well as analysing the crime patterns and trends, in order to establish evidence-based programmes to assist Member States in coping with the dynamics of national development.

During his weekly telecast “The Public Interest”,

that it was very unlikely that his Government would not be expected to offer financial support.

Notwithstanding, he said Guyana could offer other forms of support, as was done before, by providing material assistance; lending of expertise and sharing of human resources and intelligence.

Referring to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Granger said Guyana was prepared to offer assistance to Caribbean States whenever the need arose.

In fact, he pointed out that the CDC already was

Caribbean countries are exposed to many threats to their security

President Granger acknowledged that there have been successful operations, referencing the Cricket World Cup whereby special institutions were created, but he noted that much more could be done to ensure prompter and more organised responses in times of disaster.

Regarding what Guyana could bring to the table in terms of providing assistance to other Caricom States, Granger pointed out

working in close collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), which is based in Barbados, in providing relief to disaster struck countries.

Granger also reminded that Guyana recently assisted the two hurricanehit nations of Dominica and Grenada last year through shipments of rice.

Last month, Granger had emphasised that Guyana’s

Deadly prison riot CoI resumes today – 2-month extension granted

Former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine; former High Court Judge, Justice James Patterson and human rights coordinator Merle Mendonca comprise the Commission of Inquiry

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he three-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) probing the March 3, 2016 riot at the Georgetown Prison which left 17 inmates dead and several others injured has been granted a two-month extension by the government to complete its work.

Today, the Commission will resume its hearings at the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Public Service building located at Lot 164 Waterloo Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown from 10:00h.

The Commission, which began its work on March 7, 2016, was initially given

March 15 as the deadline to present its findings and recommendations; however that timeline was not honoured.

On March 29, the Commission’s Counsel, Excellence Dazzle announced that the sittings were put on hold awaiting a request for an extension from the Government.

The request was reportedly granted by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who recently returned from an official visit from China.

The Commission was established by President David Granger following three days of unrest at the penitentiary, locat-

ed in the heart of the capital. It is chaired by former High Court Judge, Justice James Patterson and includes Human rights coordinator Merle Mendonca and former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine. The trio was tasked with inquiring “… into all the circumstances surrounding the death of 17 prisoners from the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, on the morning of Thursday 3rd of March, 2016, to report the findings and conclusions to the Minister of Public Security and to make recommendations on any action that should be taken to avoid a recurrence”.

Turn to page 8

national defence strategy over the next four years to 2020, must incorporate steps, in concert with regional partners, in order to address the security threats facing the Caribbean.

“Guyana is an integral member of the Caribbean Community. The Community is at the core of Guyana’s security strategy.

Guyana is a partner in the promotion of regional peace and security...The coordination of foreign policy in the Caribbean Community is central to our defence strategy,” President Granger said.

Referencing the recently-concluded Inter-sessional Meeting of Caricom Heads of Government, the President said that as a collective, the Caribbean Community agreed on a protocol to amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to incorporate the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) as an Organ of the Community and the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) as an institution of the Community.

Recently, British Naval Vessel HMS Mersey visited Guyana, ideally coinciding with the Caribbean’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation in enhancing regional security.

Commenting on the significance, President Granger said the arrival of the ves-

British Naval Vessel HMS Mersey on arrival at Port Georgetown, ideally coinciding with the Caribbean’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation in enhancing regional security

sel in Guyana helped to reinforce the country’s role in participating in disaster emergency and management programmes with other Caribbean States, particularly those susceptible to hurricanes and facing the threats of the narcotics trade.

“From any angle, Guyana could benefit from cooperating with the Royal Navy… and I hope the relationship intensifies,” the President posited.

He noted that countries could not protect their borders on their own and, therefore, there was no running from the fact that they needed to depend on countries with advanced technology, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom.

But President Granger said he did not envision Guyana getting into any

agreement with the UK with respect to strengthening regional security, at least not in the near future, since it might undermine and jeopardise the efforts being undertaken currently by Caricom.

He pointed out, however, that once there was a multilateral agreement with Caricom States on the matter, Guyana could possibly enter into negotiations with the UK. “It is simply a technical arrangement that can follow because we don’t want to enter into bilateral relationship that can jeopardise our relationship with Caricom States … once we have agreement in the Caricom States … we’d be able to proceed with a more firm agreement with the UK and Royal Navy,” he stated.

8 news

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Father of 1 killed in La Jalousie accident

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West Coast Demerara (WCD) father of one was Saturday evening killed on the La Jalousie Public Road after he was struck down by a car.

The dead man was identified as Mahindra Bisnauth, 52, of Lot 5 La Jalousie Boardwalk, WCD. Police in a statement said that the incident occurred about 21:30h.

Dead: Mahindra Bisnauth

The man’s widow, Molly Bisnauth told Guyana Times that her husband had just left the home of a relative in the community when he was killed.

The woman said that as Bisnauth was about to cross the road he was struck down by a white Toyota Allex bearing registration number PVV 116.

The father of one was tossed several feet into a

nearby clump of bushes.

Bisnauth, who suffered a broken neck, was picked up by the driver of the vehicle and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors.

The driver of the vehicle is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

Nonpareil man found gagged, chopped to neck – robbery suspected

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he dead body of Roger Manikam, of Section B, Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was discovered along the Coldingen Railway Embankment, ECD, on Sunday morning gagged and with a cutlass wound to his neck.

According to Police reports, about 06:30h on Sunday, Manikam’s body was discovered with wounds to the head and upper neck by residents in the area.

Manikam, 64, was found bound with his head covered by a plastic bag. The Police have indicated that it was suspected that he was killed

during the course of a robbery since his wallet was missing.

Speaking with this publication, Manikam’s daughter, Nalini, said that the last time she saw her father alive was on Saturday evening.

“Yesterday (Saturday) in the evening, around 07:30 to 08:00 I saw him leaving, but I wasn’t sure where he was going. Me and my sister were in my room when he got a phone call and left,” she disclosed.

She stated that nothing seemed amiss before he left, and she was unaware that he did not return home until Sunday morning.

“He doesn’t sleep out.

So I woke up this morning to ask him about breakfast, but he was not in his room,” she related, stating that this caused her to become concerned.

She explained that they were later informed that a body was found a short distance from their home and when they checked, their worst fears were confirmed.

“They’re saying that it looks like a robbery because he had a lot of cash on him and when they found him, his pockets were empty and everything was gone,” the grieving young woman explained.

She revealed that her

Deadly prison riot CoI...

Among the Terms of Reference (ToRs) to guide them during the Inquiry are: to investigate, examine and report on “the causes, circumstances and conditions that led to the disturbances on (Thursday morning) that resulted in the death of 17 prisoners and any other subsequent disturbances

at the Camp Street Prisons, Georgetown” and also “inquire into the nature of all injuries sustained by the prisoners during the disturbances on (Thursday morning) and any other subsequent disturbances”.

The Commissioners will also have to “determine whether the conduct of the

father may not have succumbed to the chop immediately, but he may have died as a result of asphyxiation. “They didn’t tell me much, but they tell me that deh had a chop to his neck.

When they finished with him, they wrapped him up in black garbage bags and apparently he wasn’t dead, but the garbage bags stifled him. But we aren’t sure of that until the post-mortem report,” she stated.

The deceased man leaves to mourn his wife and four children. Manikam’s body is at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police have since launched an investigation.

From page 7

staff of the Guyana Prisons Service who were on duty on (Thursday morning) and thereafter was in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures of the Guyana Prisons Service”; as well as to “determine whether the deaths of the 17 prisoners was as a result of negligence, abandonment of

duty, disregard of instructions, inaction of the Prison Officers who were on duty on (Wednesday night and Thursday morning).”

In addition, after probing the incident, the three-member CoI is expected to make comprehensive recommendations to ensure the safety of the prisons henceforth.

The CoI are required to make recommendations in the areas of improving the physical infrastructure of the prison; security arrangements in relation to the custody, management and control of prisoners; appropriate treatment of prisoners in compliance with legal and other requirements, and to prevent a recurrence of any such disturbances.

The Commission has already heard several inmates who were witness to the deadly March 3 fire and conducted two visits to the scene.

On the morning of Thursday, March 3, a fire which was started by inmates in the Capital A Block at the Georgetown Prison spiralled out of control leading to the deaths of 17 inmates and severe injuries to several others.

The prisoners were protesting after joint services ranks raided the penitentiary and seized a number of contraband items, including cellular phones and narcotics.

The protest began on March 1 and saw a number of small fires lit; however, those were quickly extinguished by authorities.

Eyew tness

Photo-ops...

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...and politicians’ images

an you talk about something if there isn’t a name for “the thing”? Look at the term “photo-op”, which came into use in the Nixon White House. Before then, politicians certainly weren’t bashful to position themselves with “power people” - to be photographed for the papers and the message they were well connected.

You just have to look at all our stiff-necked local “Caesars” jostling to get into the same frame with Queen Elizabeth in those black and white pics in magazines of yore!

Way before pictures, folks would show up at court - if you were of the manor born - “to be seen” in the penumbra of royalty. But after Nixon, the term “photo-op” captured the cold calculation that went into politicians manipulating their appearances to bolster the “image” they wanted to “project”. It didn’t matter who the politician “really was” – it was who he WANTED to make the voters believe he was.

Pollsters discovered very few voters are interested in the details of policies and programmes. Folks have their own inclinations and prejudices and gravitate to politicians who “look” as if they’re responsive to their concerns.

You believe the government’s discriminating against you and folks like you? Who’s the politician who’s not only been saying the same thing but has been showing up at occasions to show solidarity with your angst? And the pics are in the paper to remind you. For years before he was seen as “PNC” Granger was showing up at ACDA, PanAfrican Conferences, etc and giving historical lectures of the constituency he now leads. With his pics in the papers.

Want to impress folks who take their religion seriously?

Turn up at key events at some Church, dressed soberly, looking serious (if not sombre) and have a pic at the side of the Bishop, or pastor or Apostle or whoever’s the “main man”. (It’s seldom there’s a “main woman” in Churches.)

For Guyana, multiply that by three and show up at Masjids and Mandirs also. You can even invite a group “from the other side” to visit your home and get down with them in their exotic practices as President Granger did a few weeks back. Ensure your PR team makes the pic go viral.

What to show you take security seriously since it weighs heavily on the minds of voters? It’s great if you’re a General... but you can augment the image by surrounding yourself with a battery of other military types. Then take pics of you looking stern as you convene a security meeting at 4am in the morning.

And ensure your Minister of Public Security’s there – even though his curfew’s on!!

...and photoshops

We’ve mentioned before the photoshopped pic of the President flying a kite with a bunch of kids. But the media managers – concerned about the President’s “image” went overboard and decided a “multiracial” bunch of kids would better burnish the President’s image. And what was that image they’d been working on so assiduously they felt secure enough not to check with people upstairs?

That President Granger could heal the deepest cleavage in this country – race. The image makers had to ensure Pressie was “on message” – just as he’d achieved that by having Moses Nagamootoo at his side during the campaign.

But he’d purchased that with 40% of the spoils. With AFC’s crass opportunism not going down too well with his base, he had to do it on his own.

But does this “image game” work with those from across the divide? And the answer comes loud and clear from the US’s where the art of the image has evolved furthest.

No!! Just ask Trump.

...with miners

Did you see Minister “I is” Broomes’ photo-op with small miners in the Chronic? One brought up their problem with “landlordism”. While she’d waxed eloquent on every other matter, she was mute on this question.

Wasn’t because she’s a “landlord”? Naaaah!

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

news

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monDAY, APRIL 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Police bust Jamaican national Future LGE will be with cocaine in shoe soles held on time – Bulkan A Jamaican is now in Police custody awaiting court appearance after he was busted with one kilogram of cocaine at Friendship Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara.

According to information, on April 2 ranks from the Police Anti-Narcotics Unit conducted a search

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ommunities Minister Ronald Bulkan has made a vow that never again would Guyanese have to wait a lengthy time before Local Government Elections (LGE) is held.

It was moments after the new Mayor and City Council were sworn-in at the Georgetown Municipality last Friday that Bulkan made the statement.

He was very pleased with the accomplishment of the day, nothing that the new team has much work to do.

“To this we should say, never again we should have such a long period of time elapsing between elections. Like I say in every confidence, as long as the APNU+AFC coalition is in office, these elections will be held when they are due; and that is every three years...

It is a pledge and commitment that is being given by President Granger”.

According to him, the swearing-in of the two new leaders along with the fresh 30-member council represents a rehabilitation of a “damaged system”, which existed for over two decades.

On March 18 last, the historic Local Government Elections were held.

While the turnout was not as expected, Government said it was pleased that per-

been several convictions of persons found in possession of the narcotic.

Just last month, Bothram Garnette, a Berbician, was sentenced to five years along with a $36 million fine after he was found guilty of possession of the illicit substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan speaking with the media

sons chose to exercise their franchise in this regard.

The run-up to the election saw a number of individuals and groups, along with the major political parties carrying out some rigorous campaigns, for what each said was a move to restore local communities for those who dwell there.

Some persons expressed the view that many Guyanese who were eligible to vote were completely unaware of the importance of the elections and consequently did not to cast their ballot.

The low voter turnout was compounded by reports indicating that substantial amounts of voters were denied the opportunity to vote.

Meanwhile, the results updated on the Election

Commission’s website showed the PPP reining in a total 123,564 votes, some 24,894 more than the coalition Government which gained 98,670. The results were made available Tuesday evening, some four days after the election.

The results showed Government retaining significant support in municipalities within Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Bartica, Mabaruma, and Lethem.

Communities such as Rose Hall and Corriverton in Corentyne, Berbice and Anna Regina in Essequibo went to the Opposition.

Out of the 507,584 eligible voters in LGE, 239,070 persons or 47 per cent voted.

Out of the total votes cast, 2744 were invalid.

Students to protest against UG admin today! …to demand better services

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niversity of Guyana (UG) students are once again up in arms over the poor services being offered by the institution’s administration and the many inconveniences it causes them. Consequently, a large section of the student body is expected to stage a booming protest to voice their concerns over these habitual issues which continue to affect their pursuit of a higher degree of education.

The students will be joined by disgruntled members of the UG Minibus Association who are also facing a number of internal problems with their Union and also with the University’s Administration.

The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) will be organising the entire demonstration which is slated to kick off as early as 10:00h in front of the Administration Building on the Turkeyen Campus.

UGSS President Joshua Griffith said he could not pronounce on the anticipated turnout, but he was determined that, even with a little support, the students would be no less vociferous in venting their concerns.

Griffith said students were worried over the fact that while the tuition fees

on a house at Friendship Squatting Area during which one kilogram of cocaine, which had been compressed in the form of shoe soles, was discovered. The Jamaican national at the house was arrested.

Although cases of cocaine busts have not been frequent this year, there have

were soon to be raised again, there was no evidence of the money being used.

Other reasons for the protest are related to the fact that grades are yet to be released; there is no chemistry labs although students are in their final year; security violations are getting worse; the washrooms continue to be unkempt and there is delay in student refunds; among others.

Griffith explained that the student body already wrote to the UG Administration highlighting these issues but to date there has been no official word in response.

He pointed out that letters were also dispatched to the Education Ministry, Finance Ministry, Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Presidency but there appears to be a blatant disregard about the concerns of the students.

Likewise, the UG Minibus

Association will be joining the protest with the hopes of getting their concerns addressed.

According to Griffith, bus drivers have internal problems with their association which will ultimately affect the bus service offered to UG students.

He explained that the internal problems could give rise to fewer buses plying the route, which would affect the students who utilise public transportation.

Additionally, he said, the Association pays money bimonthly to the UG Administration for the maintenance of basic facilities like washrooms, lighting and roads but the drivers are not seeing any returns on their investment.

Therefore, the bus drivers will also be demonstrating their annoyance with the institution’s slow administrative processes.

Two motorcyclists were Saturday evening injured after a speeding car turned into their path on the Better Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The injured motorcyclists were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, while the driver removed his driver’s licence from the vehicle and fled the scene

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, april 4, 2016

News

Farms recovering from Red Palm Mite infestation

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he leaves of coconut palms are gradually returning to bright green and blossoms are beginning to protrude – promising signs that the Red Palm Mite pest that wreaked havoc in the coconut industry for months is now being defeated.

In December 2015, some $49 million was spent to purchase chemicals and other materials to fight against the pest in all coconut producing regions.

Additionally, Extension Officers of the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI) increased their presence on the ground, offering technical support and monitoring of the situation.

According to NAREI, over 540 farmers have received chemicals and the requisite training in treatment of infected plants.

The Red Palm Mite pest was first observed in July 2013 on the island of Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Following the discovery of the pest on the island, NAREI immediately conducted a trial to determine the appropriate means of control.

In October 2013, NAREI assembled a team to treat the coconut palms, and quarantined the island to restrict the invasive species.

Between October 2013 and December 2014, over 50,000 coconut palms were

training farmers were exposed to will enable them to swiftly respond to any future attacks of the Red Palm Mite.

Like Cox, Randolph Garraway is keeping a watchful eye on his coconut farm, which spans some 15 acres. The effects of the Red Palm Mite on Garraway’s farm were not devastating since NAREI responded in a

The Red Palm Mite pest

treated on the island by injecting the chemical into each tree.

Preventive measures were taken in neighbouring Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), but those efforts did not prevent the pest from reaching other farming communities on the Essequibo Coast.

In fact, even with advisories informing farmers about the outbreak in Wakenaam, not many were prepared for the devastating effects of the pest.

Dennis Cox is one of the many coconut farmers in the Pomeroon (the largest coconut-producing area) whose farm had been affected by the Red Palm Mite.

For months Cox had observed the drastic changes in his farm: tree branches had become brown and no blossoms were visible.

Finally, owing to an advi-

sory broadcast via the radio, Cox became aware of the Red Palm Mite.

Farmers in the area were trying different remedies but to no avail.

Fortunately, Extension Officers visited the area and Cox’s conclusion was proven to be accurate – his farm was infested with the Red Palm Mite.

He benefited from Government’s assistance package. Today, Cox’s coconut farm, which is his only means of earning an income, is in recovering.

He is looking forward to a good harvest, but will continue to be vigilant for the Red Palm Mite.

He is aware that the farms in the Pomeroon are at great risk of being infested by the Red Palm Mite owing to the large number of unattended farms. However, Cox is of the view that the

timely manner.

According to Garraway, had it not been for NAREI’s intervention, his farm would have been destroyed by the Red Palm Mite.

“NAREI came and nick of time…I applied the chemicals and for two months now the trees are normal…the plants are getting green…

I am thankful for the assistance because I couldn’t

afford to purchase the chemicals,” he said.

Coconut palms that were treated are showing a significant reduction in the Red Palm Mite population.

Farmers need to be vigilant and take precautionary measures to ensure their farms continue to be Mite free. The pest is easily transmitted via air from affected areas to areas that are not affected.

Duo jailed for possession of firearm, ammo

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Jailed: Kevon Bunyon

wo men who had previously pleaded guilty to having a firearm in their possession while not being the holders of a firearm licence were last week jailed for four years each.

Kevon Bunyon, 24, called “Bunny” of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, and Quincy Goodheart, 24, a mason of Lot 540 East

Ruimveldt, Georgetown were jailed when they made their third appearance before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

Both Bunyon and Goodheart admitted to having a .38 firearm in their possession at Lot 52 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam on March 17, 2016. The two men also had one matching round at the same location.

When the two charges were initially read to them, both men had pleaded guilty. Magistrate IsaacsMarcus sentenced the men each to a two-year jail term on each of the two charges.

Meanwhile, both men will make another court appearance on May 4 for the beginning of their trial on a robbery under arms charge.

The two are charged jointly with Rudolph McCurdy, also called “Rudy”,

Jailed: Quincy Goodheart

27 and Kurt Edwards, 23, a taxi driver, both of Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, Berbice for the alleged robbery carried out on Nanda Bissoon Sankar of $636,350, a quantity of cellphone cards valued at $90,000, and one gold chain valued at $420,000, all property of Danny Sankar on March 15 at Strand, New Amsterdam.

St Kitts PM criticises Caricom’s lack of will on regional integration

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t Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris has criticised the lack of political will within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to push ahead with full regional integration.

He said Caricom leaders took a decision several years ago to delay fast-tracking the process because “people” were not prepared to make the argument for it.

“The case has to be made by all leaders saying the same thing and getting the people to see beyond the short-term discomfort of some measures to a mediumterm and long-term framework,” he said during a lecture held at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados.

He declared this as unfinished business within Caricom and said the matter must be dealt with.

“How do we say that we have free mobility when if you were to go to country ‘x’ everyone knows that is the most difficult of countries, even as a graduate, to be able to find work. There is an absence of the political will and an absence of the political leadership to sell and to persuade people that this is an imperative for regional good,” the Kittitian leader argued.

Dr Harris held up the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) – of which his twin-island federation is part – as a model for regional integration, saying it had achieved harmonisation in many areas.

When asked about the plans by his government to join other regional states that have signed on to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in both its appellate and original jurisdictions, he was circumspect.

The regional leader said while he believes the CCJ has excellent jurists and there is need to develop a home-grown jurisprudence that becomes an international model, the concerns of all residents must be taken on board.

“It’s not something, at this time, having regard to recent experience, that we want to rush but our minds and our hearts know that ultimately the repatriation of the justice system has to be right for Caribbean people,” he said.

“We understand, too, the real concerns of the man in the street, even though at times the man in the street can ill afford the Privy Council. It has come to symbolise something in his head.

So we have our own work to do and we think that it is not a task that the leadership of the CCJ is unable to do.”

(Caribbean360)

MONDay, APRIL 4, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

Former overseer to head Men busted with 613 grams ganja Guyana’s largest NDC

The Chairman and Vice Chairman pose with other Councillors and OPM representative Gobin Harbhajan

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he former overseer of the Number 5274 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has been elected chairman for the area, which is the country’s largest NDC. On Friday, a new 18-member council was sworn-in to run the affairs of the NDC. After tak-

ing their Oath of Office, a new Chairman and Vice Chairman were elected.

Davanand Chaitram, 56, a retired overseer, was elected chairman and Ahmad Rajab elected the deputy.

Chaitram served as overseer of the 52-74 NDC from 2005 to 2015 and had also been the overseer for the

Crabwood Creek NDC, three years prior. He now manages a rice mill on the Upper Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

The new chairman plans to continue working in the best interest of the communities.

During an interview with Guyana Times he said that

Caribbean Governments urged to decriminalise prostitution

Caribbean Governments advised to decriminalise prostitution

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gniting a fresh discussion on the issue of the sex industry in the Caribbean, international academic Kamala Kempadoo is recommending that governments take urgent steps to decriminalise prostitution.

Professor Kempadoo of York University advised that decriminalisation of the act would help the region get a handle on the sex trade; protect at-risk groups; and also fight stigma and discrimination against those engaged in the practice.

“The decriminalisation of prostitution would go a long way towards making the sex trade a safer place to work and could eliminate underhand deals, could eliminate extortions, false promises, and the criminalisation of sex workers by immigration, smuggling of persons, put-

ting them in shady businesses and so forth. It could allow working women to gain access to state protection, health care and rights as any other citizen or legal migrant,” the academic stated, according to Caribbean 360 News Agency.

The professor had put forth the suggestion during a recent lecture on the topic: “Who Trafficking What?

The Caribbean and Human Trafficking Discourse”, which was hosted at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies.

The calls for the decriminalisation and legalisation of prostitution in Guyana have been resounding, especially in recent years.

In 2014, several nongovernment organisations (NGOs) in collaboration with stakeholders within

the local sex industry reiterated calls for the legalisation of prostitution and the regularisation of sex work.

The discussion on the issue was extensive and focused on how the absence of laws to protect persons engaged in the industry has paved way for an abundance of injustices, abuse and discrimination to occur without proper form of redress that can be sought.

There are countless stories of how sex workers in Guyana are victimised, even by those who are tasked with upholding the law.

Executive director of Youth Challenge Guyana Demitry Nicholson had told the media that his organisation was working on educating sex workers in managing their finances with the intention of teaching them how to better provide for themselves and families.

The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) Guyana also played an integral role in the calls for the legalisation of the sex trade industry.

SASOD’s Joel Simpson had explained that if the sex industry is not regularised, then the risk at which commercial sex workers are exposed will certainly increase.

“Regulating the sector will make sex workers safe from impiety and abuse from law enforcement officers,” Simpson had advised.

in order to achieve the best, the support of all councillors is necessary and integral.

Meanwhile, in brief remarks at the swearing-in ceremony, Office of the Prime Minister Representative Gobin Harbhajan congratulated the newly appointed chairman and vice chairman, along with the councillors, and urged them to work in the best interest of their community.

He urged them to put political issues aside and work towards the improvement of the living standards of everyone within the NDC: “I want to pledge my support as a government official and Regional Councillor to this NDC whenever needed,” he said.

The full Council comprises of Davanand Chaitram, chairman; Ahmad Rajab, vice chairman, Lakhram Singh, Biji Latchmunarine, Gamchan, Jason Gravsandy, Uranie, Deonauth Rajkumar, David Thompson, Estella Simpson, Latchminarine, Seewnarine Balgobin, Roopnarine Kowlassar, Praymwatti Taijram, Ramesh Chandr, Jailall Tahal, Messiah, and Shakuntalla Bhoj.

– 2 in custody

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wo men are now in custody assisting with investigations following the discovery of 613 grams of cannabis sativa in a car in East Canje, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Acting on a tip-off, Police Officers intercepted a car and carried out a search during which the illegal drug was found.

Both men are expected to be charged shortly.

Berbice Police over the past six months have been partnering with members of the community in an effort to remove persons who have been trafficking in illegal drugs. Over that period, more than 20 persons have been successfully prosecuted for the offence.

Former Commander of B (Berbice) Division, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith in October last year had called on members of the public to partner with the Police in the fight against illegal drugs. Back then, he said any information which the Police receive would be

treated with confidence.

“We don’t even want to know the name of the person who is providing the information. Once we get the information, we will know what to do… I agree that there are some dishonest cops, but you can call me direct or the officer in-charge of the station and pass on the information.”

During 2014, the drug trade became a major concern for Police in Berbice causing the law enforcers to seek the assistance of the public. In January, when a couple was murdered at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (Region Five), Griffith linked the use of illegal drugs and serious crimes, including robberies and murder, and had stated that the Division had drafted a plan to tackle illegal drug trafficking but did not detail the plan to the media.

Thursday’s bust comes at a time when new officers are about to take up posts at local authority offices following the holding of Local Government Elections.

12 news

MONDay, APRIL 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

A night of blissful melodies!

Hundreds of Guyanese turned out at the National Stadium on Sunday evening to see Indian songbird Sunidhi Chauhan live in concert. Chauhan, who is a playback singer known for popular Bollywood hits, was sponsored by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. The very talented versatile singer has recorded songs in many languages, such as Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati. Some of her latest hits include: “Ladki Deewani Ladka Deewana”, “Shastra Ruki Ruki”, “Mast Bumbro” and “Mission Kashmir Ban Than Chali”

ExxonMobil climate change inquiry gains allies

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ore United States Government officials are asking what ExxonMobil knew about climate change. Attorneys General from Massachusetts and the Virgin Islands announced last week that they would join Eric T Schneiderman, New York’s Attorney General, in his investigation into whether ExxonMobil lied in decades past to investors and the public about the threat of climate change.

The additional participation was announced during a news conference at Schneiderman’s offices in Lower Manhattan announcing support from 15 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands for the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan.

Attorneys General from Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Connecticut and the Virgin Islands, as well as former Vice President Al Gore, attended the event.

While none of the other officials present, aside from Maura Healey of Massachusetts and Claude Walker of the Virgin Islands, announced inquiries of their own, Schneiderman said, “not every investigation gets announced at the outset”.

Schneiderman began his investigation in November. His staff is looking at whether statements

California, where an explosion and fire damaged the ExxonMobil Torrance refinery last year, is investigating company statements on climate change (New York Times photo)

the company made to investors about climate risks – some as recently as last year – conflicted with the company’s own scientific research.

Part of that inquiry includes the company’s funding, for at least a decade, of outside groups that worked to dispute climate science, even as its in-house scientists were describing the possible consequences of climate change, along with the areas of uncertainty.

The company has supplied thousands of documents in re-

sponse to the inquiry. While the inquiry could be expanded to include other energy companies and trade organisations, none have been named so far.

Many legal experts have questioned whether the actions and statements by ExxonMobil can be construed as criminal and outside the protections of the First Amendment.

Schneiderman said, “The First Amendment, ladies and gentlemen, does not give you the right to commit fraud.”

The Attorneys General have

a range of laws to work with, including the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, or RICO. Schneiderman has statutes specific to New York, including the Martin Act, which gives the Government broad investigative powers; laws allowing the state to take action against “persistent fraud or illegality”; and the state’s deceptive business and trade practices act.

Schneiderman reached a settlement last year with the coal giant Peabody Energy over that company’s financial statements and disclosures with regard to climate change.

In terms of the current investigation, Schneiderman said, “It’s too early to say what we’re going to find.” He added, “We intend to work as aggressively as possible, but also as carefully as possible.”

California started its own investigation into ExxonMobil this year, but no other state had announced it was joining the effort until Tuesday. States can share information under agreements of confidentiality, and speculation has grown that Schneiderman has been working to bring other Attorneys General into the New York investigation.

Last year, Inside Climate News and The Los Angeles Times published articles from ExxonMobil archives describing the company’s research into the

risks of climate change. An activist uproar ensued, complete with a popular Twitter hashtag: #ExxonKnew.

Suzanne McCarron, ExxonMobil’s Vice President for Public and Government Affairs, said accusations against the company were “politically motivated and based on discredited reporting by activist organisations”.

She added, “We are actively assessing all legal options.”

The accusations, she said, are based on the “preposterous” claim that the company “reached definitive conclusions about anthropogenic climate change before the world’s experts” and withheld it. The company, she noted, shared its findings in peer-reviewed publications.

The company “recognises the risks posed by climate change”, she said, and added, “the investigations targeting our company threaten to have a chilling effect on private sector research.”

At the news conference, Gore drew an analogy to the actions taken during the Clinton Administration against the tobacco industry, which denied risks of its products for decades, and noted that state Attorneys General had been crucial to that effort. “I do think the analogy may hold up rather precisely,” he said. (New York Times)

News

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MONDay, APRIL 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

CDCs in Regions 5, 6 get financing for developmental projects

CDC members from Region Five who will be receiving grants with the First Lady

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ineteen Community Development Councils (CDCs) in Mahaica-Berbice and East Berbice-Corentyne, on Sunday received letters of approval for small grants under the Community Development Project.

First Lady Sandra Granger was on hand to present the letters to the successful groups. This is part of efforts to empower communities to take charge of their own development.

In Mahaica-Berbice, nine groups, four of which are women’s, received letters of

approval for grants to the value of $11 million. These groups are: ExperimentBath Settlement Women’s Group, Rising Star CDC, Bush Lot-Armadale Women’s Group, Trafalgar Women on the Move CDC, Golden-Grove-Lovely Lass CDC, Seafield CDC, Golden Grove-Union Cash Crop Farmers Association and the Belladrum CDC. Meanwhile, in East Berbice-Corentyne, ten groups benefitted from grants to the value of $6.5 million. The groups were drawn from Kildonan,

Light Town, ZambiaBlack Bush Polder, No 53 Village, Fyrish, Nurney, Sisters Village, LiverpoolManchester-Lancaster, the All Saints Presbyterian Church, and California Macaw groups.

The grants will be used to support ventures into agro-processing, blockmaking, organic shade house and cash crop farming, garment construction, swine rearing, furniture making, and Information Technology.

Mrs Granger said she is happy to be part of a proj-

Corentyne student wins Miss Region 6 “Beauty Got Brains” Pageant

The 16 contestants who participated in the pageant

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orentyne Comprehensive High student Alihya Ward is Miss Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) “Beauty Got Brains”.

The 16-year-old won the title on Sunday morning at the Line Path Community Centre at Corriverton.

Ward emerged winner after competing with 15 other contestants in talent and evening gown segments among others. The event, which was organised by Co-Promotions, saw Nickeita Stass claiming the first runner-up spot, and Phileena Jardin, second runner-up ahead of Meroone King and Adonna Jabar in that order.

The new queen told this publication that she got involved in the pageant since it was an opportunity to showcase her talent and to gain experience in public speaking.

“And also to encourage young people to pursue their dreams; just don’t hide your talent, just come out and showcase what you have to offer.”

Ward, who was sponsored by Shelon’s Boutique, said winning the pageant meant a lot to her and was a dream come true.

After competing in the initial three segments, the top five contestants were

Winner: Alihya Ward

selected for the intelligence segment which decided the winner. Asked whether she prefers education to wealth, Ward said she would choose education because with education one could acquire wealth.

Jardin’s gown was adjudged the best, while Stass received the best smile award.

ect that aims to enhance the living standards of residents at the community level: “It is for me a great pleasure when communities come forward and decide what they want to do to help themselves.”

She was particularly happy to see the involvement of so many women’s groups and said when women succeed and advance economically, society develops.

Assistant community development director Donald Ainsworth said that based on the success of this pilot phase of the project, funds will be allocated in the 2017 budget to ensure it is expanded to include more communities: “You the residents have a responsibility to ensure that this project is successful, not only for your personal development but for what it means for communities across the country. This is the foundation for bigger things to come.”

He urged recipients to ensure their respective projects provide employment, generate income and are self-sustaining and emphasised that this is not a hand-out, but rather is an investment intended to cre-

First Lady Sandra Granger presenting Latchmin Azeez with a letter of approval for a grant for the Bush Lot-Armadale Women’s Group

ate economic opportunities for people.

The initiative was well received by residents of the two regions. Latchmin Azeez, who chairs the 32-member Bush LotArmadale Women’s Group, said they will start by packaging plantain flour and then branch off to other areas. She is of the view the project will greatly improve community livelihood.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Phyllis Peters who said her group will be embarking on cash crop farming and livestock rearing: “This is good because people find time to do all sorts of things. It is better they use that time to do something productive like getting involved in this project. It will be good for the region.”

Climate change shock for wine trade

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host of extreme weather, from cold snaps and sharp frosts to downpours could threaten the UK wine industry, according to new research.

Academics at the University of East Anglia looked at the relationships between four factors grape growing areas: temperature, rainfall, extreme weather events, and how much the vineyards produce.

Alongside this, they surveyed producers of wine in the UK, hearing their opinions on the relationship between climate change and English wine’s success.

According to a release from UEA on Thursday, this enabled researchers to “identify opportunities and threats to the industry for the first time.”

“The UK has been warming faster than the global average since 1960 and eight of the warmest years in the last century have occurred since 2002,” Alistair Nesbitt, the lead researcher on the study, said.

“Producers recognised the contribution of climate change to the sector’s recent growth, but also expressed concerns about threats posed by changing conditions,” Nesbitt added.

Even though the wine industry in the UK is much smaller than its European rivals, Italy, France and Spain, UK vineyards have

been enjoying something of a renaissance.

According to figures compiled by English Wine Producers, there were 470 vineyards in England and Wales in 2014, with 6.3 million bottles produced that year, up from 4.45 million in 2013. English sparkling wines have won several prizes for their quality.

Nesbitt went on to explain how he and his team wanted to see if potential future climate change could make UK wine making more viable. This was done by analysing sensitivity to “climate variability” in the past.

“We found that while average temperatures over the growing season have been above a key minimum threshold for ‘cool-climate’ viticulture for two decades, wine yields vary considerably.”

Both threats and opportunities had been identified, Nesbitt said.

“While rising average temperatures are important, the impact of short term weather events such as cold snaps, sharp frosts, and downpours will continue to threaten productivity,” he added.

One key finding from the report showed that the months of both April and May had become warmer over the past quarter of a century. While this signified an earlier start and “lengthening of the season”, there was still the potential for problems.

“When warmer temperatures occur in April there is potential for increased vulnerability if a May air frost follows,” Nesbitt said. (CNBC

News)

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDay, april 4, 2016

Regional fast-tracking megaresort T&T: ArcelorMittal Chinese sale, says Bahamas PM pension in jeopardy B

Terminated ArcelorMittal workers display two of their four banners at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Tuesday

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e r m i n a t e d ArcelorMittal workers are up in arms as their pension plan is in jeopardy.

The workers stand to lose their pensions after it was discovered at a meeting on Thursday that the company had been delinquent in its payments to the plan.

According to the 2012 Actuary Report, which Sunday Guardian was privy to, the market value with accrual at March 31, 2013, for 2014 was $815,396,571.22 The executive summary states the company was supposed to have increased its pension plan contribution from six per cent to 12 per

cent and by August 2016, increased to 23.7 per cent.

However, the company failed to do this and continued paying six per cent.

Sunday Guardian understands that a lump sum payment of $9 million was made in February towards the plan. It is unclear why this sum was paid or whether the sum had covered the total amount they had failed to pay over the years, but questions have been raised about the company’s motives since it closed down in March. Up to the end of March when workers received their final salaries, workers’ deductions had been made.

With moods starting to

change, the union is warning that it can no longer keep calm and is anticipating that there will be unrest in the country.

The meeting, held between members of the Steel Workers Union of T&T (SWUTT) and the trustees of the pension plan, Republic Bank Ltd, along with the actuaries, raised questions about workers’ pensions, especially those who were encouraged by the company after its closure on March 11, to apply for their pension contribution reimbursement even though they had worked for more than five years. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Big businesses won’t be able to take advantage of Junior Stock Exchange – PM Holness

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rime Minister Andrew Holness is promising rigorous examination of newly listed companies as some large businesses attempt unfair advantage by listing on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

On Friday, Holness, along with members of his Cabinet, commissioned the renewal of the 10-year tax concession among other benefits for new companies listing on the Junior Market, in keeping with the Administration’s

election promise in February.

He cautioned, however, that with the renewal strict measures would be taken to ensure that only legitimate small-and medium-sized companies with capital of less than $500 million benefit from the incentives the market offers. It is understood that a few large corporations have separated into smaller companies with an eye for listing on the junior market to access benefits.

“We know there are some concerns that big businesses

may try to take advantage of the tax incentive of listing on the junior market and it is a real concern because it will crowd out the genuine small entrepreneurs, so we will pay attention to that,” Holness told members of the market at the seventh anniversary celebration of the Junior Stock Exchange, at the Office of the Prime Minister.

“We will ensure that there are enough checkand-balance mechanisms in place,” he continued. (Excerpt from

Jamaica Observer)

ahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie on Friday revealed that the China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank is fast-tracking its process to find a buyer for the troubled multibillion-dollar Baha Mar megaresort property, which has been mostly shuttered for more than nine months.

“I’m expecting discussions with the bank and the construction company for next week,” he told reporters.

“I had a farewell visit with the Ambassador for China, we had some positions that we gave to him and that we felt like the

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Specialists from the IDB will identify and implement best practices in the management of natural resources

sources linked to extractive industries (oil, gas and min-

ing), with particular attention to the implementation

States on June 29, the resort’s convention centre will be used for hosting the upcoming Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) general meeting later this month.

The substantive bankruptcy claim in the US has since been dismissed.

Last year, a local Supreme Court judge approved a request from EXIM bank to send Baha Mar into receivership.

In October, court appointed joint provisional liquidators gained approval from the Supreme Court to implement a redundancy plan. (Excerpt from Nassau Guardian)

Barbadian Govt bonds downgraded

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arbados’ Government bond rating has been downgraded to Caa1 from Ba3 by Moody’s Investment Services.

The latest downgrade comes weeks after Government, in the Estimates, indicated that progress had been made in stabilising the economy, and that it was embarking on a series of discretionary spending measures, including spending on completing upgrades to its water mains, and to implement desalination plants to combat ongoing drought conditions.

The report also interestingly enough revised the outlook to stable from negative.

The downgrade was based on concerns over the slow progress towards achieving fiscal consolidation consistent with a sustainable debt trajectory. Also, concern was raised over what was perceived as a low level of foreign exchange reserves and weak funding conditions.

Moody’s actually praised Government’s efforts to reduce the fiscal deficit and contain pressures on foreign exchange reserves, macroeconomic and credit risks remain elevated in Barbados.

It pointed to debt burden remaining very high and ad-

Canada-funded programme to benefit Region’s extractive sector aribbean countries are to benefit from a Can$$20 million Canadian Extractive Sector Facility (CANEF) that is being established at the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

The Bank said that the Canadian Government was providing the funds for the facility that would support knowledge generation activities and technical assistance throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Specialists from the IDB will identify and implement best practices in the management of natural re-

Government of China can assist us with.

“The idea is to still try and get construction to resume. What is clear to me is that they are going through a process of identifying a buyer and they are fast [tracking] that.

“We have had visitations from potential buyers who have come in and asked whether the Government can give the same concessions and so we have been kept aware of what’s taken place.”

Although there has been limited movement on the project since Baha Mar filed for bankruptcy in the United

of environmental and social safeguards.

“Our country has long been a key partner of the IDB in its activities in the extractive sector in particular. Canada and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean share the conviction that natural resources can help boost inclusive economic growth in the long-term when the sector is handled with transparency, openness, and efficiency,” said Ambassador Guillermo Enrique Rishchynski, executive director for Canada at the IDB. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Barbados Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Chris Sinckler

ditional fiscal consolidation was advised to reverse the rising trend in debt burden. Slow progress to narrow the fiscal deficit to sustainable levels continued, in their view, to put pressure on foreign exchange reserves, placing the exchange rate peg at risk.

Moody’s maintained that despite low oil prices and previous fiscal consolidation measures which had been

put in place from August 2013, that “the recent and anticipated fiscal consolidation is unlikely to be sufficient to put the debt trajectory on a downward path”.

The projection was made that debt-to-GDP ratio would continue to rise over the next two-three years, and will likely reach 110 per cent of GDP by 2018 (excluding debt held by the National Insurance Scheme). (Excerpt from

Barbados Advocate)

Antigua and Barbuda: Cabinet hands corruption probes to Police

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he Government Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst has sought to distance the Cabinet from future Police action in relation to the bus probe involving at least three people who were Ministers during the United Progressive Party (UPP) Administration and the separate but related bribery scandal.

“All we have done is to turn the matter over to the Police, and the Police and the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) they are the ones who decide what action is to be taken and when it is taken. We just want to tell the people of Antigua & Barbuda that it is not the decision of the executive that matters,” Hurst said.

“The cases of the buses arose once more because these buses were gifted to the Government and people of Antigua, but found themselves registered in the

names of three parliamentarians and that is clearly an unlawful act,” Hurst added.

This matter, along with the bribery scandal involving Antigua & Barbuda’s former Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr John Ashe, a former Prime Minister and a former Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, were discussed in Cabinet on Wednesday.

Hurst said the latest revelation in a fresh criminal complaint of the involvement of a former Minister of State in the John Ashe saga was important for the executive branch of Government to discuss.

The complaint alleges that up to half a million dollars in bribe money was paid into accounts in Trinidad belonging to relatives and/ or affiliates of the former Minister of State. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

MONDAY, april 4, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Panama Papers: UN audit identifies serious Mossack Fonseca leak lapses linked to alleged bribery reveals elite’s tax havens T A

he United Nations’ internal investigations office has uncovered serious lapses and due-diligence failures in the world body’s interaction with organisations tied to an alleged bribery scheme involving a former UN General Assembly president.

The 21-page confidential report by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services’ (OIOS), reviewed

by Reuters, outlines the results of an audit ordered by Secretary General Ban Kimoon in response to charges against John Ashe, General Assembly President in 20132014, and six other people.

The report gave the UN an overall grade of “partially satisfactory” in the March 22 report, which is available to UN member states on request. It noted “impor-

The audit came in response to an ongoing US investigation that has since October resulted in charges against seven people

tant deficiencies” in the way UN and its staff interacted with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and oversees UN employees.

It is the biggest financial corruption crisis to rock the UN since the Oil-for-Food

scandal hit the world body during the tenure of Ban’s predecessor Kofi Annan. UN officials and diplomats say the latest scandal highlights the need for greater transparency.

OIOS recommended im-

provements in internal UN risk management and controls in light of the irregularities uncovered – a UN document improperly altered, travel expenses paid

by NGOs against UN guidelines, UN employees keeping iPads given to them by an NGO headed by an indicted individual.

OIOS urged Ban to ensure that any outside organisations the UN deals with are properly vetted. It also said that the UN should review any continuing relations with NGOs linked to the indictment.

The audit came in response to an ongoing US investigation that has since October resulted in charges against seven people including Ashe, a former UN Ambassador from Antigua and Barbuda. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nagorno-Karabakh clashes rumble despite ceasefire

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lashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces rumbled for a second day, despite Baku announcing a ceasefire after the worst outbreak of violence in decades over the disputed NagornoKarabakh region sparked international pressure to stop fighting.

Azerbaijan said on Sunday it had decided to “unilaterally cease hostilities” and pledged to “reinforce” several strategic positions it claimed to have captured inside the Armenian-controlled territory.

The Armenia-backed authorities in Karabakh – which claims independence but is heavily backed by Yerevan – said they were

Fierce clashes left at least 30 soldiers from both sides dead on Saturday after heavy weaponry was used across the volatile frontline [AP]

willing to discuss a ceasefire but only if it saw them regain their territory.

Both sides accused each other of continuing to fire across the volatile frontline that has divided them since a war that saw Armenian

separatists seize the region from Azerbaijan ended with an inconclusive truce in 1994.

“Armenia has violated all the norms of international law. We won’t abandon our principal position. But

at the same time we will observe the ceasefire and after that we will try to solve the conflict peacefully,” President Ilham Aliyev said at a security council meeting broadcast by Azeri state TV. An AFP news agency photographer in the Azerbaijani town of Terter – around 10 kilometres (six miles) from the frontline – reported hearing sporadic shooting Sunday afternoon.

Men carried a coffin draped in Azerbaijan’s flag through the streets as the funeral of an Azeri soldier killed in the clashes was held. At least three houses were destroyed by shelling and women and children had been evacuated. (Excerpt from

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reproductive rights has been building up for months. The conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which came to power in October, plans to tighten regulations to bring them into line with the Catholic Church’s teachings, infuriating liberals and women’s rights activists.

Chanting “keep your hands off the uterus” and “my body, my business”, the protesters waved wire coat hangers, a crude pregnancy termination tool widely seen as a grim symbol of the abortion underground.

“Even Iran’s abortion laws are more liberal than this proposal, that’s why we must protest,” said Marta Nowak, one the protesters at the rally, which was organised via social media by the left-wing Together party.

Poland currently allows terminating pregnancy only at an early stage and when it threatens the life or health of the mother, when the baby is likely to be permanently handicapped or when pregnancy originates from a crime, for example rape or incest.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

“I think the leak will prove to be probably the biggest blow the offshore world has ever taken because of the extent of the documents,” he said.

The data contains secret offshore companies linked to the families and associates of Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak, Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi and Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.

It also reveals a suspected billion-dollar money laundering ring that was run by a Russian bank and involved close associates of President Putin.

The operation was run

by Bank Rossiya, which is subject to United States and European Union sanctions following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

The documents reveal for the first time how the bank operates. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Maldives: Press freedom protest dispersed by Police

Al Jazeera)

Thousands attend Nigeria Islamist rally in Warsaw against group head arrested proposed abortion ban T

housands attended a prochoice rally outside Parliament in Warsaw on Sunday after the powerful leader of Poland’s ruling party backed a call by Polish Catholic Bishops for a full ban on pregnancy terminations.

Poland already has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the European Union. Official statistics show only several hundred abortions are performed every year, but pro-choice campaigners say underground abortions are very common.

The debate around

huge leak of confidential documents has revealed how the rich and powerful use tax havens to hide their wealth.

Eleven million documents were leaked from one of the world’s most secretive companies, Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

They show how Mossack Fonseca has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.

The company says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and has never been charged with criminal wrongdoing.

The documents show links to 72 current or former Heads of State, including dictators accused of looting their own countries.

Gerard Ryle, Director of the ICIJ, said the documents covered the day-to-day business at Mossack Fonseca over the past 40 years.

he leader of alQaeda-linked Islamist group Ansaru has been arrested in Nigeria, authorities there say.

A military spokesman said Khalid alBarnawi was captured in Lokoja, capital of the central state of Kogi.

The United States had placed a US$5 million bounty on his head after branding him one of three Nigerian “specially designated global terrorists” in 2012.

Ansaru is a splinter group of Nigeria’s largest jihadist group, Boko Haram, known for kidnapping foreigners.

Ideologically

aligned to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, it is also accused of killing a number of Westerners.

Ansaru said it carried out an attack on a maximum security prison in the Nigerian capital Abuja in 2012, freeing dozens of inmates.

“Security agents made a breakthrough on Friday in the fight against terrorism by arresting Khalid alBarnawi, the leader of Ansaru terrorist group in Lokoja,” military spokesman Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar said.

“He is among those on top of the list of our wanted terrorists.” (BBC News)

Sunday’s demonstration took place outside the office of President Abdulla Yameen

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aldives Police have used pepper spray to break up a protest about freedom of speech, officials say.

At least 16 of the protesters, who were mostly journalists, were arrested.

The demonstration was against Government moves to introduce a new law to criminalise defamation.

Observers says it is the latest sign of tension in the Maldives between those calling for greater democratic freedoms and a Government increasingly unwilling to allow critics.

A week ago, senior journalists in the Indian Ocean archipelago said in a joint statement the bill would “prevent journalists and citizens from speaking out over serious accusations of corruption and the integrity of state officials”.

Demonstrators had gathered outside the office of

President Abdulla Yameen in the capital Male on Sunday.

They fear that if enacted, the bill would be used against private media and political opponents of the government.

Protesters were also angry about: a recent decision to suspend the local daily Haveeru newspaper and the disappearance of a reporter, Ahmed Rilwan, two years ago.

Officials said the protest was broken up by Police because demonstrators had gathered in a protected area.

Those detained were reported to be from Haveeru, The Maldives Independent and private TV stations.

The Maldives Independent said its editor, Zaheena Rasheed, and Sangu TV Managing Director Ibrahim Waheed were among those arrested.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

16 NEWS

MONDAY, april 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

Guyanese share their views on GPL’s decision to reduce electricity rates in light of reduction of world oil prices Puneeta Boodhanlall (Essequibo) I think it’s a wise idea to reduce the rate for electricity for residents, its good but I think more should be done for pensioners, but it’s good for a start.

Marlyn Smith (Georgetown) I think it’s a good gesture. I think we had a decrease for a short time last year, but it didn’t show much difference on persons’ light bills, but I think this decrease is good and I believe more persons will feel more comfortable with what they’re paying. I believe that the government will upkeep this, providing that the oil prices continue to fall in the international market.

Padminie Pitamber (Georgetown) The reduction is a very good idea, everyone will benefit. 20 per cent is good but as years go by I would like for the coalition to lower it more so that persons can be able to live a comfortable life, as you know the weather is very hot and with the reduction many persons would be able to afford an air conditioner in their homes.

Guilène Regal (Region Five) I am happy for it. It is a long time that we got something like that. It should have come before but late is better than never. It is more than a year the oil price gone down so if it go back up we will have to get at least one year before they could increase it.

Martin Gravsandy (Region Six) I was happy to read of it in the newspapers. At first when I saw the headline I thought it was somebody from the opposition saying that it should be reduced, but is when I reach home my wife tell me because of low oil prices they reduced the rates. I have a plan to save the 20 per cent every time. We who aree paying the high bills should benefit now.

Suzan Parris (Region Six) It is something we were expecting since last year. I was not surprised when I heard of it because all around the world the rates for electricity consumption have been reduced because of reduced oil prices. I was surprised when I learnt how much it was.

Twenty per cent will be a great reduction. In terms on dollars it is under a thousand dollars but it is like you are getting an $800 increase on your salary; I am happy.

Davina Maniram (Essequibo) I think it’s a wise idea.

People on the Essequibo Coast can now afford to invest their money otherwise, its a good help for families, its wise but I would like to see the pensioner benefit more from it they are the ones that should get free electricity.

Randolph Baker (Georgetown) It will definitely assist my family in terms of paying three different bills. If one is decreased, it really helps us.

I mean $20,000 a month for light bill is like ridiculous so that 20% decrease will really bring that down significantly. I appreciate it.

Guyana set to sign on to Climate Change Agreement

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uyana is set to officially ratify the Paris Cop21 Agreement, Presidential advisor on Climate Change Gary Best has said.

The agreement sets out a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C. Guyana was among a number of countries in December 2015 that attended the Paris COP meeting, where an agreement was crafted for all countries present. Those countries are now required to begin signing on to the agreement between April 22 this year and April 21, 2017.

According to Best, when Guyana signs on, it will be bounded by the agreement.

“There are things that we are not required to do as there are some developed countries have to do. There are other things that Guyana, along with some other Small Island States is required to do. And the benefits are accrued to different groups”, Best told Guyana Times recently A draft decision of the agree-

ment states that the Conference of the Parties welcome the adoption of United Nations General Assembly resolution, “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, in particular its goal 13, and the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the third International Conference on Financing for Development and the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, recognising that climate change represents an urgent and potentially irreversible threat to human societies and the planet and thus requires the widest possible cooperation by all countries, and their participation in an effective and appropriate international response, with a view to accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions.

It also recognises that deep reductions in global emissions will be required in order to achieve the ultimate objective of the Convention and emphasising the need for urgency in addressing climate change and acknowl-

Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Gary Best

edging that climate change is a common concern of humankind, parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health and the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities, people in vulnerable situations and the right to devel-

opment, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had recently stated that Cabinet will prepare the instrument of ratification indicating that Guyana has completed all the necessary processes that signify consent to be bound by the agreement.

Cabinet will approve as well Guyana’s first Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to be submitted alongside the instrument of ratification, he said.

Guyana submitted a revised INDC to the United Nations Standards Coordinating Committee (UNSCC) in November 2015. This revised INDC proposes a set of policies, measures and actions focusing on the forestry and energy sectors, Minister Trotman said.

He indicated that it proposes to implement emission reduction programmes in the timber and mining sectors that can contribute up to 48.7 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide or its equivalent

to the global mitigation efforts, while developing a 100 per cent renewable power supply by 2025.

The Paris Cop21 Agreement came into being in December 2015 in Paris, France. The agreement was adopted by all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 12, 2015. It has been hailed as the most ambitious international environmental agreement in history.

The Caribbean Community played a significant role in crafting the agreement with a set of negotiating positions articulated in the Barbados Declaration of Climate Change which was later adopted by the Caricom Heads of Government in July of 2015.

For the agreement to be entered into force and be legally binding at least 55 countries, which account for 55 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions must ratify or approve the agreement through their own domestic legal systems.

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MONDAY, april 4, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Deadly derailment hits train Protests in Greece and Turkey over EU refugee deal services in US northeast – at least 2 dead and dozens wounded when train hits a backhoe on the track

Passengers leave the staging area after Amtrak’s Palmetto Train collided in Chester, Pennsylvania [EPA]

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wo people have died after a train with 341 passengers on board derailed near Philadelphia, forcing officials to close down the service along the busy stretch.

Dozens of people were wounded in the accident that took place in the town of Chester on Sunday short-

ly before 08:00h, news agencies reported.

The accident occurred after “a vehicle was struck on the tracks,” said Travis Thomas, Fire Commissioner for Chester, Pennsylvania, at a press briefing.

“There were two deceased, but they were not passengers on the train,”

Thomas said.

Thomas said later that 35 people received hospital treatment for “non-lifethreatening” injuries. He declined to provide additional details about the victims.

Amtrak – the company that operates the train, did not confirm the casualties but said the train had derailed after hitting a backhoe on the track.

Company spokesman Stephen Gardner told reporters that officials from the National Transportation Safety Board were en route to the scene of the disaster to launch an investigation.

Train service along a 50-kilometre stretch from Philadelphia south to Wilmington, Delaware was suspended, said Amtrak officials who did not give any indication as to when service would resume.

At least five people were killed in May last year when an Amtrak train derailed in the Frankfort section of Philadelphia.

"I played dead" – 73-year-old survives brutal bandit attack

A

73-year-old grandmother pretended she had died to save her life in a brutal attack by thieves who beat and robbed her in an invasion of her home in Princes Town, Trinidad, a week ago.

Kuntie Bachan’s harrowing story now emerges as police last Friday nabbed one of two men who it is believed beat the elderly woman with a piece of iron. The suspect, 28, a labourer, is expected to be charged today.

The mother of five, grandmother of 15 and great-grandmother of 15 was asleep when the masked men broke into her home in Princes Town. During the ordeal on Saturday last, one of the attackers sat on Bachan’s chest, striking her repeatedly about her head with the metal weapon.

Bachan did not want any photographs taken of her yesterday but agreed to share the picture of herself, bloody and battered, which one of her grandsons had taken after last weekend’s assault.

She bravely told Sunday Newsday her story.

“I was sound asleep at about 3 am when I felt someone jump on my chest.

It had to be a piece of iron that he started to lash me with. When I see blood so, I started to bawl and bawl.

I was beating up and bawling while blood was spray-

ing up. Then I stopped moving. I had to play dead and like they got frightened and ran,” Bachan recalled.

Her bedroom is on the ground floor of the one-storey home she shares with her grandson, his wife and their two children who were asleep on the top floor when the men broke in.

No one heard her screams as the air-conditioned units in her’s and her grandson’s room were on, and the steady din muffled any sound in the house.

Bachan put up a good fight as, in an attempt to block the blows to her head, she pulled the mask off of the man who sat on her. She said she got a “good look at his face”, as she had a light on in her room, but then pretended she had died, and the man stopped hitting her. He got off her and he and his accomplice ransacked her bedroom and stole more than $75,000 worth of jewellery as well as US$1000 and about TT$900 before fleeing.

When she felt safe enough to move, Bachan went upstairs and alerted her grandson since he could not hear her.

“I started to call out my grandson’s name but he was asleep and could not hear.

After I played dead and the men left, I climbed up the stairs.

When I reach up, I bawl and bawl and he too start-

ed to bawl when he saw my condition. They wiped out my face and then carry me to the hospital. If I did not reach in time to tell them about it, I would have bled to death,” Bachan said.

She was rushed to the Princes Town Area Hospital where she was treated and discharged.

Police said the men gained entrance into the home by cutting the lock from the burglar-proof.

After a report was made to police, a party of officers from the Princes Town CID, conducted investigations.

Last Friday, police arrested one of the the suspects at St Croix Road, in a sting operation.

“I am so old and never went to court in my life. My belly started to wring when I went to the station to identify that child (suspect),” Bachan said as she shook her head.

PC Mitchell is expected to charge the suspect today and he would be due to appear before a Princes Town magistrate tomorrow morning.

On March 30, the Spiritual Baptist holiday, Trinidad-born Canadian, George Hinkson, 69, was bludgeoned to death in a robbery at his home on Upper Bournes Road, St James.

Attacks on the elderly have been on the rise in recent years and several ended in murder. (NewsDay)

The returns are a key part of an agreement between the EU and Turkey aimed at ending the influx into Europe of refugees and migrants fleeing war and misery in the Middle East, Asia and Africa

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plan to send back refugees and migrants from Greece to Turkey sparked demonstrations by local residents in both countries, two days before the deal brokered by the European Union is set to be implemented.

At the same time, refugees stranded at a makeshift camp in a small town on Greece’s border with Macedonia staged a protest demanding that the border be opened and that they be allowed to continue their journeys to central and northern Europe.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reporting from Lesbos said the arrivals are continuing despite the fact that the EU-Turkey deal came into force on March 20.

“Greek officials are saying that undoubtedly arrivals have slowed but they have not stopped. Once they see the deportations happen then people will not be relying on hope but will be seeing for themselves

that Europe’s gates have been shut,” Khodr said.

The returns are a key part of an agreement between the EU and Turkey aimed at ending the uncontrollable influx into Europe of refugees and migrants fleeing war and misery in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Under the deal, those who cross into Greece illegally will be held and sent back once their asylum applications are processed.

For every Syrian returned, one Syrian will be resettled to Europe directly from Turkey.

The refugees’ continued presence led several dozen local residents to stage a protest on Saturday.

They blocked a road for about an hour to demand the evacuation of more than 11,000 stranded refugees to “transit centres” across the Greek mainland.

“The Police know what they must do ... they must be issued orders,” said Georgios Georgantas, a

lawmaker with the conservative Opposition New Democracy party, who joined the protesters.

He called for the “immediate” evacuation of the Idomeni camp “using violence, if necessary”.

Idomeni residents alleged that some refugees had broken into empty homes in the town and said they no longer felt safe.

In the coastal Turkish town of Dikili, hundreds demonstrated against the prospect of hosting people expelled from the nearby Greek islands, especially Chios and Lesbos, where there were over 5000 refugees on Saturday morning.

Turkey is due to receive the first batch of returned refugees and asylum seekers today. A plan to build a reception centre in Dikili is unpopular with locals.

“We definitely don’t want a refugee camp in Dikili,” said the town’s mayor, Mustafa Tosun.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Chief Joe Medicine Crow dies aged 102

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Chief Joe Medicine Crow

he historian, World War Two veteran and chief of Montana’s Crow tribe Joe Medicine Crow has died aged 102.

His grandfather was a scout for US military commander George Custer, who lost

his life in the Battle of Little Big Horn fighting Native Americans.

Medicine Crow earned the title of war chief in his tribe through stealing horses and other exploits during World War Two. He later worked as his tribe’s historian, lecturing into his nineties.

“When you spoke with Joe Medicine Crow, it was impossible not to be inspired,” Montana senator Jon Tester tweeted.

Medicine Crow was raised on the Crow Reservation in the state of Montana where he spent much of his life.

He was the first of his tribe to get a master’s degree in 1939, later helping catalogue his people’s history through oral testimony.

To become a war chief he successfully performed four daring deeds, including wrestling a weapon from an enemy warrior – in his case a Nazi soldier.

“I never got a scratch,” he said decades on, the Billings Gazette reported.

In 2009. President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“His contributions to the preservation of the culture and history of the First Americans are matched only by his importance as a role model to young Native Americans across the country,” the White House said at the time. (BBC News)

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monday, April 4, 2016

ARCHIE

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Deal with emotional situations quickly, using innovative solutions that will appease everyone involved.

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Try something new.

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If you face any challenge SCORPIO you meet head-on, you will be (Oct. 24surprised by your ability to Nov. 22) wheel and deal. Romance is highlighted and will improve your emotional well-being.

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monDAY, aPRIL 4, 2016

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CPL announces dates “This is for Shane Warne” for Florida fixtures – O’Donohoe hails Fort Lauderdale fixtures as “exciting new chapter” for CPL

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he 2016 HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) campaign will break new ground on Thursday, 28 July when Guyana Amazon Warriors faces the Barbados Tridents in a night game (starting at 7pm) in Lauderhill Stadium, Fort Lauderdale.

The ground-breaking Florida swing of the fourth edition of CPL, which last year welcomed more than 302,000 supporters through the turnstiles (representing a 44 percent increase from 2014), will also present the final opportunity for all six franchises to chase coveted league points ahead of the play-offs and finals.

All six teams will feature in the 10,000 capacity stadium across four days, with Faf du Plessis, Samuel Badree and Lendl Simmons’ St Kitts & Nevis Patriots facing newly re-named defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), who will this year have New Zealander Brendon McCullum in tow as their marquee player alongside spin twins Sulieman Benn and Sunil Narine, on the Friday night.

There will then be exciting weekend double-headers between the Zouks, who have in their ranks local favourite and West Indies’ T20 cap-

Chief Executive Officer of the HERO Caribbean Premier League, Damien O’Donohoe

tain Darren Sammy and the world’s leading all-rounder Shane Watson, against Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Kumar Sangakkara’s Jamaica Tallawahs (midday), with Kieron Pollard and Proteas star AB de Villiers’ Barbados Tridents taking on Martin Guptill’s Guyana Amazon Warriors (4pm) in a reverse fixture on the Saturday. Then on Sunday, TKR will take on the Patriots in the midday clash followed by 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs facing the Zouks later that afternoon.

Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the

HERO Caribbean Premier League, commented: “We are delighted to announce fixture information of the ground-breaking Florida leg of CPL which represents an exciting new chapter for the tournament. Supporters will have the opportunity to see all six teams in action twice over four action-packed days which will showcase some of the best West Indies and international talent on display.

“West Indies cricket is on a real high at the moment, with the success of the men’s, women’s and Under-19 World Cup winning squads generating a

feel-good factor locally and internationally, and plans are well underway to deliver a top-class leg in the USA.” Meanwhile, tickets for all of the confirmed CPL fixtures to date, including the previously announced fixtures in St Kitts & Nevis (30 June-5 July) will go on sale this Friday (8 April) from www.cplt20.com.

Ticket prices will start at (US Dollar) $23 - $92.50 for a single match, while tickets for one of the weekend double-headers are priced from $43 to $132.50. Further ticket announcements for the other franchises are expected over the coming fortnight.

FORT LAUDERDALE FIXTURES (all times local): 28 July – Guyana Amazon Warriors v Barbados Tridents (7pm), 29 July St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Trinbago Knight Riders (7pm), 30 July – Zouks v Jamaica Tallawahs (midday), Barbados Tridents v Guyana Amazon Warriors (4pm), 31 July - Trinbago Knight Riders v St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (midday), Jamaica Tallawahs v Zouks (4pm).

CPL ROLL OF HONOUR: Jamaica Tallawahs (2013), Barbados Tridents (2014), Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel (2015). (CPL

Release)

Guyana Amazon Warriors congratulates West Indies on their victories

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he owners, management and members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) would like to offer its heartiest congratulations to the West Indies Men’s team on their heart stopping, spectacular ultimate victory in the ICC World Cup T20 2016 Tournament. That several players on the team were members of Guyana Amazon Warriors over its past two seasons makes the team’s success even more

satisfying. In winning the trophy for an unprecedented second time, the West Indies T-20 team has demonstrated it can proudly maintain the tradition of its illustrious predecessors.

We also extend just as effusive congratulations to the West Indies Women’s team for emerging victorious in their ICC T20 World Cup Tournament in the same trademark West Indian style of passionate cricket.

Finally, we would be remiss not to cite the win of

the West Indies under 19 in their ICC T20 World Cup Tournament for leading the way to ignite the spark of West Indian cricketing victories in 2016. As both the Senior Men’s and Women’s teams took pains to mention at every stage of their triumphant tournaments, the victory of the youths inspired and challenged them to follow suit. Several of the players in the Under 19 team were also members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors as part of our commitment

to nurturing and developing West Indies Cricket.

Once again we of the Guyana Amazon Warriors salute our three winning teams for bringing our Caribbean nation together as only Cricket can. (Amazon

Warriors Release)

— Samuels

Marlon Samuels was among the West Indies players to make a point after the match (Getty Images)

F

ollowing an extraordinary World T20 final, Marlon Samuels was named Man of the Match for the second time in four years after his unbeaten 85 off 66 balls kept West Indies in their chase after a poor start and gave Carlos Brathwaite the chance for his astonishing finish.

As the emotions flowed for West Indies, Samuels made reference to recent comments from Shane Warne in the commentary box after his dismissal against India in the semifinal which reignited a feud between them - the pair had an infamous run-in during the Big Bash in 2013 - and said he always had confidence in himself to produce another key performance in a final.

“I woke up this morning with one thing on my mind.

Shane Warne has been talking continuously and all I want to say is ‘this is for Shane Warne’. I answer with the bat, not the mic.

“In the practice against Australia I sat in the same seat and made a first-ball duck, so I said I’d go back in the same seat I’d do something special. I don’t worry about semi-finals because when it comes to finals I always turn up and do well for the team. I grew up watching England cricket so all respect to the England players, we are champions again and want to continue to move from strengthto-strength. This is a win

for the Caribbean. It means a lot. I didn’t have much to say to Carlos, but told him to swing hard.”

Brathwaite himself was keen to heap praise on Samuels’ innings.

“It’s us against the world and someone needed to take responsibility. And today Marlon Samuels after a slow start took responsibility and played a fantastic knock.

That was amazing man, I wish I could use some expletives on TV to really express how much of a top knock that was. He did it in 2012, and I knew if Samuels was there in the end, he’ll bring us home in 2016 … it was a matter of when and not if.”

Curtly Ambrose, West Indies’ bowling coach, said the team always had the belief that as long as the target was mathematically possible they could chase it.

“We are that kind of team, we believe that we can chase down any target because we got some real firepower and it showed throughout this tournament. We have the self-belief, that it doesn’t matter how many we have to chase, I mean if it 40 it is out of the question, but anything under 30, we believe we can always get it. We wanted to create history, we won the Under-19, the ladies won theirs and now this. We created history and we’re really enjoying it. Yes, yes I have sympathy for the bowlers these days, but on this occasion, no!” (Cricinfo)

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monDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

ICC T20 World Cup…

Brathwaite’s power, Samuels master-class lead Windies to 2nd title

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rite off West Indies cricket at your peril. Less than four months in, 2016 is already a year of great celebration and renewal for cricket in the Caribbean. West Indies won the Under-19 World Cup. West Indies won the Women’s World T20. And now West Indies have won the World T20. In doing so, Darren Sammy’s men have become the first team to win two World T20 tournaments, having also triumphed in Sri Lanka in 2012.

Those are the facts.

The how is all the more extraordinary. Set 156 to beat England and win the championship, West Indies found themselves needing 19 off the last over, to be bowled by Ben Stokes. Marlon Samuels, who had steered the chase, was on 85. But he was at the wrong end. This was all down to Carlos Brathwaite, the allrounder who emerged on the Test tour of Australia Carlos Brathwaite and Marlon Smauels finish the job for West Indies in emphatic fashion (Getty Images) just a few months ago.

Six. Six. Six. Six. Job done Gayle in his first over. final score was 34 from 10 for 16 impressive, and sudwith two balls to spare. The Samuels had a mountain of balls, not out. Notably, Root denly it was more of a confirst one was a poor ball from work to do, and he did it, just did not bowl an over after test.

Stokes, down leg, clubbed as he had in 2012. taking 2 for 9 in his first.

Root was outstanding in over deep backward square.

Samuels is an enigmatic West Indies found them- the face of wickets falling Then a length ball slammed cricketer, one who seems to selves needing 45 off the last around him. He struck seven down the ground over long- spend long periods in hiber- four overs, then 38 off the boundaries and all were from on. Then over long-off. One nation. During those times last three, and 27 off the last classy, traditional crickrun needed. Push a single? he looks like a Don’t Care two. But Eoin Morgan had et strokes, mostly along the Why bother when you have Bear. But when he awakes, left himself with Stokes and ground, through the gaps. the power, like Brathwaite, he is capable of anything, as Root as his only bowling op- When eventually he innoto crunch another six over he showed during the World tions, and Stokes could not vated, he immolated. On 54 the leg side. The West Indies T20 final in 2012, when his hit the mark. Chasing had from 36, he fell when he tried players streamed onto the 78 from 56 balls set up the again proved successful for to paddle Brathwaite over field in jubilation. They had West Indies victory over Sri West Indies, who did not lose short fine leg, but in that ponot only done it. They had Lanka. Here when he came a toss in this tournament sition Sulieman Benn dived done it in style. out of his hibernation, he and bowled first every time. forward to take a sharp catch And all this from a team was a Kung Fu Panda, clubYou could sense the re- low to the ground. that, in the lief for Darren West Indies’ fielding was weeks before Sammy, then, universally outstanding. this tournawhen he won No catches were dropped, ment, was stuck England innings West Indies innings the toss for and some of those taken 0 J Charles c Stokes b Root 1 the 10th suc- were far from straightforin another pay JJ Roy b Badree 4 dispute with AD Hales c Badree b Russell 1 CH Gayle c Stokes b Root time ward. Badree, Brathwaite JE Root c Benn b Brathwaite 54 Samuels not out 85 cessive their board. But EJG Morgan* c Gayle b Badree 5 MN in T20 interand Russell were all hard to LMP Simmons lbw b Willey 0 that is for anoth- JC Buttler† c Bravo b Brathwaite DJ Bravo c Root b Rashid 25 nationals, and get away. Bravo found three er day. This day 36 AD Russell c Stokes b Willey 1 sent England wickets, including those of was about what BA Stokes c Simmons b Bravo 13 DJG Sammy* c Hales b Willey 2 in. Ball one, Stokes and Moeen Ali in the MM Ali c †Ramdin b Bravo 0 CR Brathwaite not out 34 happened on the CJ Jordan not out 12 Extras (lb 3, w 6) 9 S a m u e l space of three balls. But the field, and West DJ Willey c Charles b Brathwaite Badree skid- fifth bowler - a combination Indies dominat- 21 Total (6 wickets; 19.4 overs) 161 ded it past the of Benn and Sammy - leaked ed the first over LE Plunkett c Badree b Bravo 4 bat of Jason heavily.

4 Did not bat: D Ramdin†, S of the match AU Rashid not out Roy, who was Benn’s three overs cost 40 Extras (lb 4, w 1) 5 Badree, SJ Benn and the last over struck on the runs and Jos Buttler clubbed Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-5, 3-11, of the match. Total (9 wickets; 20 overs) 155 4-86, 5-104, 6-107 pad. Not out, him for a pair of consecutive England, along Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-8, 3-23, Bowling: DJ Willey 4-0-20-3, sliding down sixes in his 36 off 22 balls, the way, had 4-84, 5-110, 6-110, 7-111, 8-136, JE Root 1-0-9-2, CJ Jordan leg. Ball two, and Sammy bowled just one 4-0-36-0, LE Plunkett 4-0-29-0, their own ups 9-142 Badree skid- over for 14. Sammy finds Bowling: S Badree 4-1-16-2, AU Rashid 4-0-23-1, BA Stokes and downs, but AD Russell 4-0-21-1, SJ Benn ded it past himself in the strange po2.4-0-41-0. by taking wick- 3-0-40-0, DJ Bravo 4-0-37-3, the bat of Roy sition of having captained ets throughout CR Brathwaite 4-0-23-3, DJG and onto the West Indies to one of their the chase gave Sammy 1-0-14-0 stumps. Roy greatest triumphs in recent

themselves a had starred years, but in doing so havstrong chance of with 78 in ing almost done himself out claiming their second World bing England’s bowlers and England’s semi-final win of a job. He made only eight T20 title. kicking them into the dust. over New Zealand, but this runs in this tournament and But if Brathwaite deAnd he did it with lim- was going to be a rather dif- bowled three overs for 31 stroyed them at the end, ited support.

England’s ferent sort of innings. runs. In three games he neiSamuels was the one who bowling was good. David When Alex Hales flicked ther batted nor bowled. chipped away at them Willey picked up 3 for 20, Andre Russell to short fine But frankly, who cares? through most of the in- Liam Plunkett was hard leg in the next over, it felt like Sammy is a dual World T20nings. Samuels walked to to get away, Adil Rashid an anti-climax was brewing. winning captain. His men the crease in the second over cost less than six an over. So too when Morgan, per- have done what no others in of the chase, when England Dwayne Bravo managed 25 plexed by Badree’s wrong’un, cricket have done. And they had surprised West Indies by off 27 balls but besides him, edged to Gayle at slip to have given the Caribbean reusing Joe Root with the new Samuels and Brathwaite leave the total at 23 for 3 in gion a hat-trick of triumphs ball, and he duly claimed were the only ones to reach the fifth over. But Badree in 2016. What a year for Johnson Charles and Chris double figures. Brathwaite’s bowled out, his figures of 2 West Indies. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Expansion of swimming programme commendable

By Avenash Ramzan

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he annual Easter swimming programme concluded last Friday at the Colgrain Pool on Camp Street with a mammoth group of young and eager boys and girls graduating with a basic understanding of the fundamentals of the sport.

Over 100 youths- 120 to be precise- were engaged in the two-week programme, which was conducted by the Cuban coach Isabel Maria Cousa Fals and a competent bunch of local instructors. What was most encouraging about the make-up of the group was the large number of female participants- a whopping 75.

The 6-11 years participants were tutored on the different strokes, and the reasons for being part of the activity varied; while some parents just wanted their child/children to learn this critical life skill, others saw it as a means of keeping the young ones meaningfully occupied during the out-of-school period.

I’m sure the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA), the body responsible for the governance of the sport in Guyana, was looking way beyond it being just a leisure activity, but rather one where emerging talents could be spotted and groomed.

GASA president Ivan Persaud has advocated for youth involvement in swimming, and his team of talent spotters must have had a field day observing the young ones move from a nervous first dip in the pool to becoming more confident with each passing day.

It is event like these that swimming champions are born, and GASA will have its work cut out to ensure that those who show a penchant to become competitive swimmers are properly nurtured. It came as no surprise at the closing ceremony that Persaud was persistent in his call to have parents/guardians enroll their offspring in one of the various swimming clubs in the country.

Also the father of a national swimmer, Persaud spoke of the tremendous sacrifice that is needed to create champions, adding that parents/guardians must be committed to the process of development from an early age.

“We need you more than you even need us, because one of our objectives in the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association is to increase participation of children in swimming- to teach as much children as possible the life skill,” Persaud told the parents/guardians.

Of point to note, the programme catered for youths in Regions Three and Four only, and that restriction certainly did not escape the attention of Director of Sport, Christopher Jones. Delivering feature remarks at the closing, Jones revealed that the National Sports Commission (NSC) will work to ensure the annual camp is spread across the 10 administrative regions, as early as next year.

“It is the plan of the National Sports Commission to expand the swimming programme to every region where there is a swimming pool available, and of course those children in those regions will have the opportunity like yours had during this past two weeks to demonstrate their ability and capacity to swim. So rest assured, if any of you have relatives and friends in the outlying regions, that the swimming programme will be extended to those regions, as early as next year,” Jones promised.

Those plans would no doubt resonate well with Persaud and his team at GASA, and the swimming fraternity in general, as any form of assistance from government towards the development of sport is welcomed.

The onus is now on GASA to ensure a pool of talent spotters is assembled in every region. This will help to create a database of swimmers who can be identified and placed in clubs where their skills are fine tuned, and they are carved into athletes capable of representing Guyana.

This intended move by the NSC, which must be commended, will also allow persons from far flung areas to be considered for national selection, diminishing a situation where a national team is predominantly made up of swimmers from Regions Three and Four.

We must also not forget our Amerindian brothers and sisters, whose very own daily existence is dependent on swimming. The hinterland community could provide the next swimming champion, but we may never know until the words of the Director of Sport come to fruition. (aramzan@ guyanatimesgy.com)

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Sammy unloads emotional thoughts after T20 title win

– calls lack of WICB support “disappointing”

B

elow is the full comment by West Indies Captain Darren Sammy on the journey to the 2016 T20 title as West Indies became the first team to win the tournament twice.

“I want to thank the almighty, because without him nothing is possible. We have a pastor in the team in Andre Fletcher, he keeps on praying. We are a praying team. I’m really happy for this win and it’s something we are going to cherish for a long time.

I’ve said we have 15 match-winners.

Nobody gave us a chance but every game somebody stepped up and took responsibility. To see Carlos [Brathwaite] play like that in his debut World Cup, it’s just tremendous. It shows the depth we have in the Caribbean in T20 cricket and hopefully with the right structure and development our cricket will continue to improve in one-day and Test cricket.

We started this journey … we all know we had … people were wondering whether we would play this tournament. We had a lot of issues, we felt disrespected by our board, Mark Nicholas described our team as a team with no brains. All these things before the tournament just brought this team together. I really want to thank these 15 men, the ability to just put all those adversities aside and to come out and play this type of cricket in front of such

Darren Sammy said West Indies won the tournament against the odds, and despite lack of support from the WICB (Getty Images)

passionate fans, it’s just tremendous.

I personally also want to thank the coaching staff, coach Phil, he’s been through a lot, and to come here and the way he’s coached the team, he’s just brilliant. All the other coaching staff, who have done their part. We had a new manager in this tournament in Rawl Lewis, he had never managed any team before. He came here, we were at a camp in Dubai, but we had no uniforms, no printed … he left Dubai, went to Kolkata, that’s where he started. The trouble he went to, to get us in this uniform … I got to give credit to the entire team here, it was us in our own little circle, this win we dedicate it to all our fans in the Caribbean.

Lastly I really want

to thank the heads of CARICOM, throughout this tournament they have been supporting the team, we’ve got emails, we’ve got phone calls, Prime Minister [Keith] Mitchell [from Grenada]. He sent a very inspiring email for the team this morning … and I’m yet to hear from our own cricket board. That is very disappointing.

For today, I’m going to celebrate with these 15 men and coaching staff. I don’t know when I’m going to be playing with these guys again because we don’t get selected for one-day cricket.

We don’t know when we’re going to be playing T20. So this win, I want to thank you my team, I want to thank you coaching staff … everybody know West Indies are champion!” (Cricinfo)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

monDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

Women’s ICC T20 World Cup…

Windies women gun down 149 for maiden title

W

est Indies converted their maiden appearance in a World Twenty20 final into a historic victory in Kolkata, beating three-time defending champions Australia for the first time in a T20 international by pulling off the second highest chase in the tournament’s history. The heroes of the daunting pursuit were 18-year old Hayley Matthews and the captain Stafanie Taylor, whose halfcenturies and 120-partnership came at more than a run a ball.

Their effort left West Indies with two runs to get off four balls, and when Britney Cooper pushed to Megan Schutt at midwicket and sprinted, what should have been a run-out at the bowler’s end resulted in the overthrow that sealed the title. Their team-mates blazed a trail on to the field and the women were soon joined by the West Indies men in joyful celebrations in the middle of Eden Gardens.

Those scenes scarcely seemed likely when West Indies were run ragged in the first half of the game, as half-centuries from Elyse Villani and Meg Lanning helped Australia post an imposing 148 for 5.

However, Matthews and Taylor clinically brought the chase into the realms of possibility. From the 10over mark, there was an air of inevitability to the chase as Matthews, who combined her big-hitting prowess with delicate dabs, attacked the

77-run partnership off just 60 deliveries. But Ellyse Perry provided a surge, and Lanning’s wrists and extraordinary strokes, aided by supreme fitness, threatened to achieve a target beyond West Indies.

Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews shared a 120-run opening partnership (AFP photo)

bowling. She laid into Jess Jonassen, who had conceded only 12 off her first three overs, to turn the tide going into the last seven overs of the chase. Just like that, Australia, who had a fourth title well in their grasp for the first 25 overs of the clash, saw the trophy slipping away as their bowlers, who clinically applied the choke in a similar situation against England, fell apart under pressure.

The West Indies bowlers had also come under severe pressure under the wheel of Villani and Lanning, who made 52 apiece in a dominating batting display. Lanning had enjoyed the best seat in the house as Villani peppered the leg-side field with

regularity. Full tosses were swept fiercely, while short balls were pulled with disdain, with as many as six boundaries in the Powerplay overs coming between fine leg and deep square leg.

Villani’s aggression helped Australia tide over the dismissal of Alyssa Healy in the second over.

Lanning had slapped her second ball into the point boundary to trigger a blaze of strokes that left West Indies playing catch-up before they could soak in the occasion.

Having blasted 54 in the first six overs, Australia were on their way to an imposing total.

Once the head start was achieved, both batsmen negated Anisa Mohammed’s

spin threat by milking the bowling. That Taylor employed as many as six bowlers in the first eight overs showed the extent to which Australia had derailed West Indies’ plans.

Dottin had been central to West Indies’ march to the final, not just with the bat but ball too. Her variations in pace and pin-point accuracy at the death had been tough to get away, but her predictability against some serious hitting by Lanning and Villani, who brought up her fifty off just 34 deliveries, failed to put the brakes on the scoring.

West Indies had a wicket against the run of play, when Villani was caught at cover off a leading edge to break a

President Granger congratulates West Indies male and female teams

T

he Government of sions.

Guyana wasted litThe Government and tle time in congratpeople of Guyana are proud of and send heartfelt conulating the historic wins gratulations to West Indies of both the male and feCaptains, Darren Sammy male West Indies squads after their triumph on and Stafanie Taylor, who Sunday at the ICC World led their teams to these historic victories.

The male and female T20 President also specialWorld Cups in India. The ly mentions 18-year-old following is a full stateWindies Women’s openment by the President of the Cooperative Republic er Hayley Matthews, who of Guyana, Brigadier hit a stunning 66 off 45 David Granger. balls with three sixes and man of the match Marlon On behalf of the people of Guyana, Samuels, who guided the men’s team with his 85 off the President of the Cooperative Republic of 66 balls. Of course special Guyana, Brigadier David mention must be made of Carlos Braithwaite, who Granger extends conbrought the victory home gratulations to the West President of the Cooperative for the men’s team with Indies male and female Republic of Guyana, Brigadier (Ret'd) teams on their emphat- David Granger four consecutive sixes in ic victories today in the the final over of the match. once again served to unite International Cricket Sport, and cricket in Council’s (ICC) World our people as regional crick- particular, occupies pride Twenty20 and Women’s et successes invariably do. of place in our Caribbean These victories also illus- states as observed by the World Twenty20 championpre-eminent ships. The President said trate the indomitable spir- Caribbean’s that these victories provide it of the people of the West contemporary cricket scholus with an opportunity to Indies and what is possi- ar, Sir Hilary Beckles, in his celebrate and be proud of ble when we work togeth- foreword to the Report on our collective achievement er for a common good. The Governance of West Indies President noted that one Cricket. as a region.

The teams’ thrilling vic- cannot underestimate the “Cricket is the principal tories have undoubtedly value of West Indies cricket arena for the expression of thrown the people of Guyana as a symbol of what is pos- all art forms, a unique pride and the Caribbean into a sible when we, as a region, of place it does not command state of euphoria and have combine or talents and pas- in any other civilisation,”

wrote Sir Hilary.

The Government and the people of Guyana salute and congratulate each player and the entire support staff who have rallied together to contribute to these fulfilling and stunning victories, which have brought joy to the people of the Caribbean and which they will celebrate with fervour.

The West Indies’ triumphs in these global tournaments seat the region’s men’s and women’s Twenty20 teams at the pinnacle of this format of the game on the world stage.

The West Indies Men’s team is the first to have won the ICC World T20 on two occasions and the West Indies Women’s team has won the trophy for the first time.

Further, that these two enigmatic victories follow that of the West Indies Under 19 Team a few months ago indisputably positions West Indies cricket as a whole as a world force in the game. Guyana looks forward to continued successes and the government and the cricket-loving people of Guyana look forward to welcoming the teams to our shores for the upcoming Tri Series. (Media release)

Australia brought up 100 in the 14th over as Lanning laid into Dottin by hitting her for three successive fours, two of which pierced a packed off-side field. Once Lanning fell for 52, it was Perry who gave the finishing touches, hitting two sixes in her 28. West Indies, though, fought back to concede just 36 off the last five overs.

Something about the last over of Australia’s innings they scored only one - fired West Indies up. For the first

three overs of the chase, however, Australia put a lid on the scoring, conceding just nine runs. The defending champions began to relax, but Matthews was just getting started, unfurling boundary after boundary to build pressure on Australia.

Halfway through the chase, Lanning called her team into a huddle in a bid to regroup, but to no avail.

The wicket of Matthews, who miscued a pull off Kristen Beams to midwicket with West Indies needing 29 off 26 balls, came as relief rather than joy. That allowed Dottin, who had an off day with the ball, a shot at redemption, which she gleefully accepted as West Indies celebrated a historic triumph in style. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies Women innings Australia Women innings 4 HK Matthews c Blackwell b Beams AJ Healy† c & b Matthews 66 EJ Villani c Taylor b Dottin 52 MM Lanning* lbw b Mohammed View dismissal SR Taylor* c 59

52 Jonassen b Farrell 18 EA Perry lbw b Dottin 28 DJS Dottin not out 3 AJ Blackwell not out 3 B Cooper not out Extras (lb 2, w 1) 3 View dismissal EA Osborne run 0 out (King/Dottin) JL Jonassen not out 0 Total (2 wickets; 19.3 overs) 149 Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 3) 9 Did not bat: SACA King, MR

Aguilleira†, SA Campbelle, SL Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 148 Quintyne, A Mohammed, ASS Fletcher, SS Connell Did not bat: BL Mooney, ML Fall of wickets: 1-120, 2-144 Schutt, RM Farrell, KM Beams Bowling: JL Jonassen 4-0-26-0, Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-92, 3-134, EA Perry 3.3-0-27-0, ML Schutt 4-147, 5-147 3-0-26-0, RM Farrell 4-0-35-1, Bowling: SS Connell 2-0-15-0, KM Beams 4-0-27-1, EA Osborne HK Matthews 2-0-13-1, SR Taylor 1-0-6-0.

3-0-26-0, DJS Dottin 4-0-33-2, ASS Fletcher 1-0-9-0, A Mohammed 4-0-19-1, SL Quintyne 4-0-27-0.

WICB salutes Windies

O

ur men’s, women’s and Under-19 teams within the last three months have made the West Indies a region worthy of tremendous attention by being the best at the international level in World Cricket.

We are indeed a proud set of people today and we want to thank ALL OF YOU for your tremendous support. The men’s team has been electric and exciting in their performances during the tournament and we are all PROUD. This is a defining moment for Cricket and we ought to thank each and every one of our Directors, Management,

Staff and supporters for the support West Indies Cricket has received. This is a truly ecstatic moment and we are indeed proud of this momentous achievement.

The T20 format is a springboard to the other formats and we will use this as an opportunity to continue the development work we have to do to make the overall cricket product better.

The men executed their comprehensive plan and we are pleased with the results.

We salute the entire delegation on the hard work and commitment showed. We congratulate the team and management. (Widnies Cricket)

MONday, APRIL 4, 2016

guyanatimesGY.com

23

The journey in photos:

West Indies men and women are T20 Champions W

est Indies created history by becoming the first team to win both the male and female version of a tournament in the same calendar year while the females won their maiden T20 World Cup title and the men becoming the first team to win multiple T20 titles. Here is the journey of both squads through photos.

Chris Gayle is ecstatic after completing his century against Andre Fletcher substitutes for Gayle and blasts 84 off 64 balls Lendl Simmons is hoisted by his team-mates after his matchEngland (AFP photo) to celebrate with Andre Russell against Sri Lanka (AFP photo) winning knock of 82 off 51 balls to lead West Indies in their semifinal against India (Getty Images)

Stafanie Taylor performs with both bat and ball (40 runs, 3-13) to lead Windies to a 49-run win against Bangladesh, their largest of the tournament (Getty Images)

West Indies men and women celebrate together as both teams wrote their own bit of history (Getty Images)

West Indies rejoice after the winning runs were struck (Getty Images) Windies women celebrate a wicket during their disciplined bowling, Deandra Dottin tosses her bat away after the winning runs are hit to win the maiden title (AFP photo) which got them past New Zealand in the semifinal (Getty Images)

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016

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

ICC T20 World Cup…

Brathwaite’s power, Samuels master-class lead Windies to 2nd title

The West Indies team savour their title triumph (Getty Images)

WOMEN’S ICC T20 World Cup…

Windies women gun down 149 for maiden title

West Indies Women show their moves as they celebrate with the trophy (Getty Images)

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