Guyana Times Daily - February 27, 2016

WPO General Secretary sworn in as new P12 PPP/C MP Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 2780

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, February 27, 2016

PRICE

As drought conditions worsen

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Leguan’s entire rice crop ruined

P11 3 held after 12kg Corentyne Ganja bust

– farmers cry foul over indebtedness, poverty

Page 3

Armed bandits Armed bicycle thieves rob Corentyne rob Corentyne contractor women Page 2

$80 vat included

Govt refuse to exempt farmers P12 from firearm licenses fee hike – as amendment to Firearms Bill approved

Page 11

Man acquitted of attempted murder P16 charge Region 3 P14 Chairman to sue REO

President conducts reconnaissance visit at GuySuCo Headquarters Page 11

– location being considered for Public Service Staff College

President David Granger looks at a plan of the GuySuCo facility with (from right) Director of Protocol at the Ministry of the Presidency, Colonel Francis A Abraham; Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo Errol Hanoman

Shot accomplice Chancellor identified by Police stays CJ’s Technocrat Ministers ruling Page 10

Page 13

Agricola accident victim succumbs

P14

2 news Police salary increase consultations ongoing – Govt P saturday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

resident David Granger on Thursday disclosed that consultations are expected to be held in relation to the 20 per cent salary increase promised to Police Officers by the Government.

Granger made the an-

nouncement that consultations will be held to determine whether or not the Police Force will be given the 20 per cent pay hike as promised by the Government, while addressing media operatives at the Guyana Police Force

Officers’ Conference.

The Head of State related that Finance Minister Winston Jordan served a notice announcing that the decision will be made based on recommendations of Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan during these con-

sultations.

“In every single case, as you know, our Minister of Finance has served notice that we will embark on a consultative process, a bargaining process,” he stated, adding that he would not be involved in these consultations. “I am not in the business of negotiations… I will not be involved in any negotiations with any union of any association,” he de-

clared.

However, contrary to these statements by the President, the Finance Minister recently said Government could not keep its election promise to pay the Guyana Police Force higher salaries because the coffers could not afford it.

The Finance Minister blamed the $12 billion which Government had to divert to the bail-out of the Guyana

Sugar Corporation when it assumed office, as well as the $3 billion which had to be paid to rice farmers after Venezuela did not pay for rice and paddy supplied. In addition, Jordon had stated that the financing of a foreign policy campaign to counter Venezuela’s aggression over the Essequibo region is also a factor that contributed to the non award of the increases.

Armed bandits rob Corentyne women

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market vendor who operates at the Rose Hall Town Municipal Market was on Thursday evening robbed at gun point as she made her way into her yard after attending a wake house in the community.

Reports are that Latchme Veersammy, also called “Anita”, 46, and her niece Padma Satdeo, 21, were returning to their Lot 120 Mera Street, Reef Section Rose Hall, Corentyne, home just after 21:00h when three men – all masked and one carrying a gun, approached them.

According to Satdeo, after her aunt got out of the car to open the gate, three men approached. She said after she drove the car into the yard and her aunt was about to close the gate, the men appeared – one armed with a piece of wood while the others carried guns.

Satdeo added that the men were dressed in camouflaged outfits and appeared to be military. “One of them point a gun to my aunt head and tell she to take off all the jewellery from she hand.”

The duo was also robbed of a Samsung S6 Galaxy cellphone valued $179,000,

$8000 in cash, two gold finger rings, another ring valued $80,000, one silver ring value $4000, one Brazilian chain valued $1500, and one five-penny weight wedding band which was decorated with a white stone in the pattern of a heart. In total, the women were robbed of items valued $272,500.

The men then made their escape before an alarm was raised.

The matter has been reported to the Rose Hall Police Outpost and an investigation has been launched.

Up to press time, no arrest had been made.

Mother charged for murder of 8-year-old son

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wenty-eight-yearold Sonia King of Lot 565 Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, was on Friday charged for the murder of her eight-year-old son Emmanuel King when she made an appearance at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

The charges were laid immediately after the postmortem examination (PME) proved the child was manually strangled to death.

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

The PME was performed by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Ezikeiel Funeral Home, and gave the cause of death as strangulation.

It was reported that the woman initially claimed that the child fell from a guava tree during the afternoon of February 21 after which he retired to bed.

At about 22:00h, the mother went to check on the child but found him in a motionless state.

He was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. She later confessed that

due to frustration, she reportedly took a bed sheet and choked the child to death while he was sleeping.

King also claimed that the dead lad was very mischievous but Guyana Times understands that the child was frequently abused by the woman. After the incident, she reportedly confessed to her husband to killing the child. She was arrested subsequently confessed to investigators.

She was remanded to prison and will make another court appearance on March 21.

news

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saturday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, February 27 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, February 28 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, February 27 – 06:40h-08:10h and Sunday, February 28 – 07:10h-08:40h.

As drought conditions worsen

Leguan's entire rice crop ruined – farmers cry foul over indebtedness, poverty dustry over 60 years said he would usually plant 45 acres rice but observed that he attempted to plan 7 acres this season. He claimed that he invested some $140,000 but has seen no returns since none of the crops has yielded results. Raghuber had hoped

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light rain showers can be expected throughout the better part of the day, while sunshine is expected in the afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Rice crops are being destroyed by the current dry weather

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

By Shemuel Fanfair

High Tide: 07:05h and 19:26h reaching maximum heights of 2.61 metres and 2.56 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:41h and 12:59h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.61 metres respectively.

A

s dry weather patterns prevail across country, the livelihoods of many Leguan, residents are threatened since many rice crops are being destroyed.

On Friday Guyana

One farmer said that around 20 acres have been damaged by the dry conditions. It was explained that since Leguan has no conservancy water storage system, salt water from the Essequibo River had to be mixed with already depleting “sweet water” reserves

Shalim Razack

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Arjune Raghuber

Times interviewed several rice farmers who said conditions have become so dire that only 38-40 acres out of the usual 4000 were planted.

in trenches. This situation has not only hampered rice crops but cash crops as well as cattle.

Arjune Raghuber who has been around the in-

that the rain would have saved his fields.

“De salt water kill am, if it de rain it would help am,” Raghuber explained.

He noted that this entire situation is “very hard” and claimed that the miller owes him $350,000. He said that because of his declining finances, he would have withdrawn from savings and further noted that he wasn’t sure what would become of him.

Mahendra Tularam, 29, a father of two in Blenheim, Leguan, said he has 10 years as rice farm-

er. He pointed out that he hasn’t seen such dry conditions since 1996 which was around the time that he attended Primary School.

He explained that if his fields were successful, he would have seen results in March of this year.

Tularam claimed that he is also owed by the Leguan Rice Mil. “I have been owed $730,000 since March last year; they say how they suffer blows [and] they can’t make it,” the young farmer stated. He called on Government to enforce the Rice Factory Act which he feels would compel millers to pay what is owed to farmers. Tularam explained that millers should pay half the amount of money to farmers in two weeks and the rest is supposed to be paid in 42 days.

Turn to page 9

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saturday, february 27, 2016

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Editorial

Deteriorating relations in the sugar sector

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ver the past few weeks, the nation has unfortunately been witnessing the deterioration of industrial relations between the major players in Guyana’s sugar industry. In fact, the two parties have been issuing press releases one after the other, and the perception is that they both set out to cast blame on each other for the industrial crisis gripping the sector at present.

On its part the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has made it clear that it is in a dire financial situation and cannot afford to meet the demands which are currently being made by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). The Corporation has also issued a serious warning that should strike action continue it will call a halt to the current crop. At the time of writing, GuySuCo and GAWU have not been able come to a compromise which would have seen the two players striking a deal acceptable to all so as to return the sector to a state of normalcy.

This situation is very depressing to many, especially the sugar workers who are mostly affected as they remain uncertain about what the future holds for them. From the beginning, the key players should have allowed a higher level of maturity to prevail in the negotiation process.

This is necessary since we are all aware that when there is instability in the sugar industry, the entire agriculture sector and by extension the country stand to lose.

In giving an account of what occurred recently, GuySuCo said that on February 23, GAWU representatives fanned out across the sugar industry persuading workers to strike and protest. It posited that workers at most of the sugar estates did not answer this call which was masterminded by the Union’s central leadership.

It could be recalled that GuySuCo and GAWU on February 19 this year reconvened at Conciliation under the auspices of the Chief Labour Officer (CLO) to agree on sugar workers’ Annual Production Incentive [API] for 2015. Prior to this, the last meeting was held on December 11 where both parties presented their submissions to the Conciliator, after which the CLO informed the parties that he recognised they had reached an impasse.

Both parties held steadfast to their respective positions posited at the previous meetings. The Conciliator then declared a deadlock over the 2015 API negotiations. From reports gathered, the Corporation reluctantly indicated to the Conciliator that it had no reservation in moving to the next level, Arbitration, if the Union did not agree for the matter to be concluded on February 19. A deadlock was declared by the Conciliator since the parties could not have arrived at a compromise.

While we are not in agreement with the Union’s call for strike action, we empathise with the sugar workers as we are cognisant of the hard work they put in daily in the fields to ensure the industry meets its annual targets; and it is only reasonable that they be adequately compensated for their efforts.

That aside, there are serious issues plaguing the sugar industry which must be addressed holistically and very soon.

While GuySuCo continues to grapple with the challenges of returning to its production potential and profitability, it has to recognise and confront its managerial, industrial, technical, marketing and financial realities. For this reason we believe there is need for a strong and committed management response to deliver the anticipated output from investments.

The industry customs and practices of the past must now give way to modern, innovative and creative tools and techniques to deal with managing a complex organisation in the process of change.

Importantly too is that GuySuCo will have to review its management and human relations functions accordingly.

In this regard, promoting a harmonious industrial relations climate is considered an absolute priority and will require accommodation on all sides.

In our view, the key players in the sugar industry must return to the drawing board and work feverishly towards achieving common ground on issues affecting workers.

Students of Uitvulgt Secondary School at their Culture Day

As America votes, Caricom must watch itself Dear Editor, It may be dangerous to be an enemy of the United States, but in recent times it often has been almost as risky to be a friend. The uncomfortable truth is that America has too often treated some of its allies as expendable and this may very well be the case for the Caribbean region, particularly Caricom, come next January if any of the current Republican candidates happen to make it to the White House.

This is a serious prospect which the Caribbean Diaspora and regional governments must address frontally.

Even with the friendly Obama Administration, the Caribbean region and its Diaspora still face issues such as the de-risking of some its indigenous banks and unconscionable deportations, respectively. So just imagine what could happen to US/Caribbean relations under a president Trump, Cruz and even Rubio. We know for sure what our Caribbean American Muslim community will face.

The Caribbean Diaspora and regional governments have work to do.

First, the Diaspora has to ensure that it brings out the vote for Hillary Clinton. Perfect she is not.

Yes she has been “economical with the truth” at times but which politician hasn’t.

Despite her imperfections, she is America’s and the world’s best hope at this time for ensuring a world at peace and the

pursuit of policies and programmes that protect and promote the poor and disadvantaged, including the interests of small states like those of Caricom. So our Diaspora leaders have got to mobilise CaribbeanAmericans... to soca, chutney, reggae, zouk the vote to ensure a Clinton victory.

We in the Diaspora also need to park our rampant sense of nationalism and project ourselves as a regional diaspora for it is numbers that matter. It is votes that matter, stupid!

We are taken more seriously when we speak as a Caribbean Diaspora and a Caricom Region. Our unity does not require that we shed our national identities, but just promote the regional one.

We have also got to engage US elected officials on both sides of the isle to sensitise them to the issues that affect the Diaspora and the Region. This is critical and here is an opportunity for Regional governments to join with the Diaspora in helping to shape as well as deliver the messages we need to get to elected officials, not only in the US Congress but at all levels including state, county and city.

There are some who would argue that America has become almost irrelevant to the Caribbean since Uncle Sam no longer funds large infrastructural projects in the Region and that it is now China which is most relevant to the region. That is flawed thinking and the Region, if it

were to subscribe to such thinking, would be doing so at the risk of its own peril.

Just this week I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with US Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett during which I had the opportunity to update her and her key staffers on the de-risking issue as well as the Guyana/Venezuela controversy, among other issues. This outreach is part of an effort spearheaded by the Washington, DC based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) at which I serve as Co-Chair of the Private Sector Council.

I was also in Tallahassee, Florida for the celebration of Caribbean Day at the Florida Capitol and here the Caribbean-American community was able to discuss the issues that affect us and the Caribbean Region with key elected officials.

I should mention that for the first time Guyana was prominently featured at the celebration with the presentation of a gift bag to each member of the Florida Legislature that included the latest edition of Explore Guyana magazine, a miniature of Guyana’s globally acclaimed Award Winning El Dorado 15-year-old rum, and a sample bottle of the internationally recognised Limacol... the freshness of the breeze in a bottle. Thanks to Guyana’s Honorary Consul Ram Ali for arranging these gifts.

On the evening of February 23 I, along

with Joy Agness of the south Florida Guyanese Association had the honour of attending the Black Caucus meeting and the next day the Democratic Caucus meeting and the sitting of the Florida House of Representatives where we were introduced

by Representative Edwin Narain, of Guyanese descent. His father, Rev Narain led the Florida House in prayer prior to the debate. I later had the honour to speak at a press conference on behalf of the Caribbean-American community.

Rep Hazelle Rogers, a Jamaican-American, must be congratulated for arranging yet another Caribbean Day at the Florida Capitol as should the other CaribbeanAmerican members of the Florida House and Senate. During my visit to Tallahassee I also was able to have informal oneon-one discussions with a number of elected officials some of whom had an interest in being updated on Guyana since they have Guyanese-Americans in their constituencies.

This is the kind of engagement that needs to be intensified. Our Caricom Embassies and Consulates need to work closely with the Diaspora in a well-coordinated and effective manner. If nothing else requires it at this time, the prospect of a President Donald Trump does.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, february 27, 2016

President Granger’s statement out of place

Dear Editor, Yesterday, February 24, President David Granger, in person, let the world know that he considered the Report of the Walter Rodney Presidential Commission of Inquiry established by his predecessor and continued by him to be “deeply flawed” and does not reflect “the truth.” Announcing that copies of the Report had been circulated but that he was unable to obtain the views of Cabinet as he had been traveling, the President indicated that he would challenge the report’s findings and “the circumstances under which that Report was conducted.”

The Justice for Walter Rodney Committee notes that the President is commenting on a Report that is yet to be released to the public. We wish to repeat our call on the President to release the Report to Dr Rodney’s family, the lawyers representing all parties at the Inquiry and to the media. Indeed, now that the President has publicly pronounced on the Report, it is incumbent on him to release it to the public. Years from now new generations may find it strange that a government had hindered persons in search of information vital to them and the health of the society.

President Granger has faulted the Commission for letting in much hearsay, but in this regard he named only one witness whom he described as a “convict.” The Justice for Walter Rodney Committee hopes that the President in his next broadside at the still hidden Report will say whether all hearsay is out of place or only if a convict is the witness.

President Granger should also be reminded that it was no less a person than his current Attorney General, Basil Williams, who introduced to the Commission the most important piece of hearsay evidence: the book allegedly co-authored by army Sergeant Gregory Smith but published several years after his death. Under crossexamination, Smith’s sister and co-author was shattered when the book was exposed as a complete fabrication.

The President made reference to the fact that former Crime Chief “Skip” Roberts was not allowed to testify and former Army Head Norman McLean did not complete his testimony. We wish to remind President Granger that it was he who, despite the strenuous pleas of lawyers and the parties represented at the Commission,

brought the Commission of Inquiry to an abrupt end.

The President cannot have it both ways: he cannot stop the Inquiry and later, when the findings are adverse to his interest, lament the absence of their testimony.

President Granger, in claiming that the Commission did not give the “Guyana people what they deserve, that is to say what were the circumstances under which Dr Rodney acquired a certain device and how that device came to be detonated” not only attempts to rewrite the Commission’s Terms of Reference but completely overlooks the expert evidence by a witness whose credibility and evidence were not affected even after extensive cross-examination by the team of attorneys representing his Party.

It is regrettable that the President has once again raised the issue of the cost of the Commission. Our Committee is on record as being sensitive to the instances of wastage surrounding the Inquiry, but we find it highly improper for the entire Inquiry to be measured in dollars and cents. We are moved to repeat the old saying - “Justice is more precious than gold.”

Justice for Rodney Committee

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Window dressing the East Bank Berbice public road to fool the President Dear Editor, I have been using the East Bank Berbice public road to access my cane farm and for about five years I actually lived in a most beautiful house at Edinburgh which I had built as my retirement home but which I had to regretfully sell at great financial and emotional loss because the dust from the road ‘bathed’ my house in the dry weather and the sludge in the potholes which became craters in the wet weather virtually chased me away from my ‘dream house’.

Yesterday (Thursday 25/02/16) as I tried to access my farm, I was confronted with several machineries doing ‘patchwork’ on the road,

a phenomenon that has been featuring for the past several decades, to ‘welcome’ new General Elections and visits by high ranking ‘officials’ and VIPs of all political stripes including Presidents of Guyana.

The residents along this road have been unduly quietly enduring the hardships of commuting and the health hazards from the mountainous dust storms every time a vehicle rolls by… and no one from the government, past and present seem to care except when the Prime Minister or the President and others of such high office must travel on the said road. What a shame!

What a disgrace especially for the ‘rulers’ in so-called “so-

cial-minded regimes” to allow themselves to be so fooled!!

I was told that the road is being hurriedly given another of the numerous “quickfixes”, “face-lifts”, “windowdressings” etc because “de President is visiting” the area this weekend!

I could not help asking; “What’s wrong with the President not seeing the road as it is normally? Why try to fool the President by presenting a quick-fix, windowdressing job that hides the reality that all of us road-users and residents have been enduring for so very, very, very loooooonnngggg?

Nowrang Persaud

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saturday, february 27, 2016

Page

BY ROBERT MYERS, PHD

I

t has been shown many times over in research studies that a parent who is involved in their child’s education has a positive impact. It’s reflected in improved grades and test scores, strong attendance, a higher rate of homework completion, higher graduation rates, improved attitudes and behaviours in the child, as well as the child being more likely to become involved in positive extra-curricular activities. Send out the message early in your child’s education that your home is an involved and active supporter of their learning.

Probably the most important element of a positive learning environment at home is structure. But what is too little or too much? If we’re too lenient or expect too little, your child may become disorganised or unmotivated. If we’re too rigid and strict, it can cause undue pres-

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation sure or cause your child to feel unable to deliver on your expectations.

So what’s the best way to meet in the middle and create a positive learning environ-

ment for your child at home? Help your child develop a work area where they can study and focus without being interrupted. Children usually do better when they have a private study area away from interruption. If your child prefers doing their work at the kitchen table, make sure other family members understand the kitchen is off-limits during study time. Make

sure your child has plenty of supplies and reference materials available and that the area has plenty of light.

Regardless of its location, ensure the area is quiet and that your child can study and work uninterrupted.

Agree on a regular time for studying. To help your child make homework a habit, schedule a set time each day for homework.

Perhaps breaking study time up into smaller increments would work better for your child than one solid period. Work with your child to find out what works best for them. In ad-

dition, be sure your child has a sufficient break between the time they arrive home from school before they sit down to work in order to ‘decompress’ from their school day.

Help your child develop a method of keeping track of homework assignments. This can be a difficult chore for some students.

Developing a successful way of keeping track of assignments then scratching them off as completed helps them develop a productive method for accomplishing tasks later in life.

Develop a positive line of communication with your child’s teacher.

Teachers are usually very willing and excited to work with an involved parent to help the child’s overall success in school. Whether it’s notes sent back and forth in your child’s backpack or an e-mail correspondence, make sure your teacher knows your open for suggestions as how to better assist them in the homework and study process at home. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

BY PAM MYERS, BSED

A

cademic success is important in a child’s life as it will help to shape their future.

There are many things you can do to help your child succeed and they all start at home. Keeping track of your child’s school activities, setting up a consistent routine, ensuring that they have enough rest, and making sure that they are getting exercise are simple tips that will help them to excel in school.

Bottom line, parents who are involved in their children’s education help to foster the learning experience.

1. Start a homework routine. Set a certain schedule for your child to do home-

work every day. If there is no homework assigned for the day, encourage your child to study and review the week’s assignments. Constantly reviewing information helps to instil the knowledge in your child’s brain, thereby helping them to gain better insight into the lessons.

2. Sleep is important because it allows your brain to recharge itself If your child does not get enough sleep, it will affect their performance in school and out of school. Sleep is necessary for the body to function properly so make sure your child gets at least eight hours of sleep each night.

3. Take an interest in your child’s academics. It may have been a long time since you were in school, but you should still be able to check your child’s homework and assist them when necessary.

Reading with children is a good way to spark interest in learning; it’s also a good way to spend quality time with your child lowkey style.

4. Keep your child organised when it comes to school activities. Have your child carry a planner for teachers to record assignments in. Also, keep a wall calendar in your house with your child’s schedule and assignments. This will help to avoid any missing assignments and will also clue you in to how frequently your child studies.

Helping your child to succeed in school is one of your biggest jobs as a parent. Without establishing a routine in the household for both homework and bedtime, it can be very easy for a child to lose interest in school work. Not getting enough sleep and not being organised can affect how well your child does in school. By utilising these tips, you are helping to establish your child’s academic success. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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saturday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt passes remigrant, tax amendment bills ... despite fierce Opposition objections to key changes

G

overnment garnered the support of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition in passing the Customs Amendment Bill 2016 with major focus on correcting the loopholes in the Remigrant Scheme programme but failed to heed the advice of the PPP on the controversial tax amendments Bill.

Remigrant

According to the explanatory memorandum, the Bill seeks to standardize the requirements of residency, entitlements and conditions with regard to the concession for duty free vehicles imported by qualifying re-migrants.

The passage of the Bill will see a series of regulations being implemented as corrective measures in the programme, which is falls under the remit of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Bill was presented to the National Assembly on Friday for second ready

by Finance Minister Winston Jordan who stated that while the intention of the Remigrant Scheme was a good one and its initial stages were smoothly run, over time and more recently it has become plagued with “kinks”, noting that most of these had to do with the undefined entitlement of re-migrants.

“Some problems have arisen because of a system that is lax… So what we are seeking here in this amendment is to define who is a Re-migrant and what kind of vehicle and what would happen if certain violations occur,” Jordan stated.

Against this backdrop, the Finance Minister outlined that with the amendments to the legislation re-migrants will have to live in Guyana for at least 183 days after applying for re-migrant status before they can leave the country.

This he explained will now be solidified in the framework of the constitution.

Touching on the issue of the importation of vehicles, under the scheme, Minister Jordan underscored that those qualifying re-migrants who wish to

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

import vehicles without paying duties will have to now do so within six months of their return to Guyana.

Additionally, he made the point that those re-migrants living in Guyana for three years and more and who wants to import a vehicle then that vehicle will have to be a new one.

In the same vain, he outlined that remigrants cannot import vehicles that are more than eight years in accordance with the new policy adopted by the ruling administration, which was announced in the Budget presentation last month.

Adding sentiments on behalf of the Opposition, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minsiter Anil Nandlall, supported the Amendments to the piece of legislation. He remarked that the programme is a good one and the changes proferred by government will seek to strengthen its weakness.

“The re-migrants scheme as noble as the intent of that scheme may be it has been the subject of misuse, abuse… (so) it is a good attempt by the government to block the holes that have been identified in the system,” he remarked.

The Customs Amendment Bill 2016 was subsequently passed without any amendments or opposition from government.

Tax wavier amendment

Meanwhile, the PPP on Friday took the Government to task over its decision to legal-

Leguan's entire rice...

From page 3

Chitranjan

Another farmer, Chitranjan who has been in rice for 15 years said he would usually plant 30 acres but decided not to plant any upon his assessment of the conditions. Chitranjan opined that Government should provide seed paddy since the destroyed rice crops cannot provide new offspring.

Shalim Razack, 58, said

he has been around the rice industry since the age of eight and doesn’t know what he will do if this situation continues.

The farmer is also involved in cattle rearing which supports his upkeep. He pointed out that he had to sell half of his cattle and worries that he will be force to sell the remainder.

Farmers have called for more dialogue with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and stated that Government should send other officials from the Ministry of Agriculture to assess the situation.

Leguan is an island at the mouth of the Essequibo River and has a population of around 3000. Rice cultivation is the main source of sustenance and residents fear the economy will continue to decline if the rains do not return. The dry conditions have been blamed on the El Niño weather phenomenon.

ise tax waivers and increased income tax threshold for regional and international artistes who are eligible based upon a criterion.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan who commenced the debate on amendments to the Income Tax Act maintained that the new law would remove discretion in granting tax waivers on income earned by artistes once approval is granted by the Minister of Tourism and approved by the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

He said that the new Government met a regime in which the Finance Minister granted tax exemption to artistes for an event as part of a measure to encourage entertainment tourism explaining that this should not be the case.

He remarked that “not everyone will feel comfortable and they don’t know the rules.

It would be better if it’s in the law so that of a promoter wants to bring in an artiste, it’s in the

Shadow Finance Minister Irfaan Ali

law,” he said.

Minister Jordan argued that this new law would also lead to equity in granting the tax waivers and would reduce the amount of corruption involved in the process.

Not so fast – Ali

But PPP/C MP and Shadow Finance Minister, Irfaan Ali took him to task on those comments explaining that the amendment to the Income Tax Act, as structured , would re-

sult in a Government Minister having the final say and becoming involved directly in determining the eligibility of persons and would could be granted.

He said it would also mean that the minister would still enjoy discretion in defining what a festivity is and laying down the guidelines to ensure that an event is eligible for a tax exemption.

“One of the problems that we have with artistes coming in to the country without settling their debts…Did we take some time to look at their interests to ensure the protection of these persons who get the greatest hit sometimes when you have these events?,” he lamented as he drove home the point that the Government is seeking to bring discriminatory and piecemeal legislation to the National Assembly.

Ali, a former Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, said that the Government needed to ensure that there was reciprocal tax exemptions for Guyanese when

they perform in and out of the Caribbean since they stand to lose the most.

Tax Threshold

Meanwhile, the PPP MP also argued that the government failed to keep its 2015 election manifesto promise with respect to the threshold.

The then opposition party while campaign had promised to immediately increase the tax threshold to GY$100,000 per person.

So far the instead of the current GY$55,000 and Finance Minister Jordan explained that 68,000 Guyanese would no longer have to pay income tax now that the threshold has been increased from GY$600,000 to GY$660,000 per annum.

But Ali held the view that “The least” the Minister could have done is to present a case to justify why that target could not be achieved at this time as he argued that the PPP/C would be willing to accept even $75, 000.

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saturday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Duo charged for assaulting Police Constable

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Syndall Bourne

wo men on Friday appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with assaulting a police constable and several other offences.

Syndall Bourne, a farmer of 27 Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara and Nigel Ishmael of Robb Street, Georgetown, both stood before the Court to answer to the charges which alleged that on February 23, within the vicinity of Sheriff and

Nigel Ishmael

Duncan Streets they assaulted a police constable, behaved disorderly and resisted arrest.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges and were placed on $5000 bail for each charge.

It was also alleged that on the same day Syndall had in his possession five grams of cannabis.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on $10,000 bail.

The matter was adjourned to March 22.

Leguan woman placed on $35,000 bail for narcotics possession

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Leguan woman was placed on $35,000 bail after she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged for narcotics possession.

Ashmini Persaud, 20, a mother of two, of Doorn

Haag, Leguan, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) stood before the court to answer to the charge which alleged that on February 21, a Police search was conducted at her resident and it was discovered that she had cultivated the prohibited plant.

It was also alleged that on the same day and location, Persaud had in her possession 2 grams of cannabis. She pleaded not guilty to both charges and her attorney requested the court to be lenient with his client, while relating her severe medical condition.

It was because of this alle-

gation, he noted, that the fate of her two young ones remains in question and further made an application for reasonable bail.

However, she was placed on $35,000 bail and the matter was transferred to the Leguan Magistrate’s Court for March 24.

Case dismissed against former court clerk

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he case was dismissed against a former principal court clerk after he appeared before Magistrate Alan Wilson at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday charged with as-

sault.

Mohamed Bacchus, a judicial officer at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts stood to answer to the charge which alleged that on February 5, in the compound of

the Courts he assaulted Nardeo Sukhdeo, a security guard connected to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts causing him actual bodily harm.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and the mat-

ter was dismissed since the virtual complainant told the Court that he had accepted $30,000 compensation from Bacchus and so did not wish to offer evidence against the accused.

Woman fined $50,000 for electricity diversion

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woman was fined $50,000 after she appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for diversion of

electricity.

Amanda Kisson Dyal, of Meadowbrook Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown, stood before the court to answer to the charge which alleged that on February

18, a crew from the Guyana Power and Light Inc was in the area when they noticed the illegal wire attached to her house and contacted her and told her about the suspicion. The wom-

an admitted to the offence and she was subsequently charged.

She pleaded guilty to the charge and was required to pay a fine of $50,000.

Eyew tness PNC is territorial...

O ...about “its people”

n being released from what he calls a “pernicious political persecution and witch hunting” arrest by the police, Kwame McCoy said he’s a victim of “PNCtype politics of targeting Afro-Guyanese in the forefront of the PPP for all sorts of harassment.” As such, McCoy raises two very troubling issues that reverberate from the findings of the leaked Rodney CoI on the modus operandi of the PNC. Firstly, if today’s Police arrests a citizen purely on the say-so of the PNC then we’re really in a pickle. It’s precisely this misuse of the police to abuse the citizenry – especially the political opposition – back in the 70s that epitomised the breakdown of the state under the dictatorship. When judges hand out sentences for transgressions of the law, they’re especially harsh on those who “betray the trust” of people. What can we say about the police who’re supposed to “serve and protect” the citizens – not the political directorate.

What McCoy has charged cannot be dismissed just because he’s a political operative... he’s also a citizen. Our police force was founded on the British principle that the interests of the state and its proxies like King Sugar were its main concern. The PNC in the post-independent era simply substituted itself for the British and channelled that antipeople, pro-state orientation to buttress its dictatorship.

Because the PPP was always viewed askance by the GPF, that party skirted around real reform, leaving the GPF a deeply flawed organisation.

The other issue raised was political parties considering their ethnic constituencies as “bonded” to “their plantation” and needing a “pass” to participate in the party of the “other side”. Historically, this feeling of “ownership” is so strong that each party gets enraged when there’s “crossover” participation, as exemplified by McCoy in the PPP. Interestingly, the AFC’s claim to be a “multiracial” party seemed to have blunted this charge from the PPP, after the last elections – even though Nagamootoo claimed to have brought 11 per cent of traditional PPP Indian supporters over to the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition.

That the government’s only criminally changed two AfroGuyanese members of the PPP for larceny – even though before the elections they’d claimed the entire regime were “siphoning off” funds under cover of their office – supports McCoy’s claim.

In the case of the police action, the DPP has returned the police file on McCoy and the two other Afro-Guyanese individuals hauled in for questioning on the Crum-Ewing murder.

Let’s hope “professionalism” and not “persecution” will be displayed by the police and the PNC towards AfroGuyanese members of the PPP.

...on Police

From where your Eyewitness sits, most folks missed the import of Pressie’s pronouncement on “Community Policing”. Bottom-line – the Policing Groups will all be scrapped. They’re gone – just like the dodo. Pressie sees “community policing as a process, not a group”. So what we’ll have is the present Police Force beefed up and more ranks deployed to “show a kinder and gentler” face in the villages and other areas where “community police” are deployed.

The PPP, he said, had created a parallel police force and this just won’t do! He quoted from the Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) Report to support his position. But this Eyewitness thinks, the President’s being somewhat disingenuous. The DFC did in fact make that point – but the MAIN point it made had to do with the very reason for its existence – that the Disciplined Forces – including the GPF should reflect the ethnic composition of Guyana.

Will Pressie follow ALL his recommendations?

...on excuses

Pressie’s reason for calling the Rodney CoI’s Report “flawed” was also a tad self-serving. He complained Skip Roberts was brought but not “allowed” to testify.

Not so! Says the CoI’s counsel. Roberts REFUSED to give a statement. And then Pressie truncated the hearing that would’ve allowed Roberts to rebut the negative statements on him.

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

news

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saturday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

The race to LGE

PPP/C candidate pledges to expand Stabroek and Bourda markets

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

s the days count down to the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE) polls, candidates have are outlining proposals for development in the various constituencies. Businessman Bishram Kuppen said his main agenda is to “develop and revitalise Georgetown.”

Under the objectives of integrity, creativity, vision, hard work and professionalism, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate promises to ensure there is modernisation of the capital, especially in Constituency

7 Bourda-Stabroek-Central Lacytown.

“My constituency consists of the Stabroek Market, Bourda Market, the Parliament Buildings, Robb St, Regent St, Croal St, Camp St… I would say it’s a very important constituency within the entire municipality of Georgetown and I think we have some of the biggest problems there,” Kuppen explained.

He noted that these areas are prone to flooding so he plans to address this by rehabilitating the drainage systems and developing a long-term plan to pre-

vent inundations. He stated he would advocate for Dutch experts to be brought in since “they know about the prevention of flooding.”

“Everybody knows that they [City Council] were cleaning the drains and so forth but after the last cleaning there hasn’t been any plans to do any cleaning again so I want to see a scheduled and regular cleaning of these drains and canals,” Kuppen declared.

The candidate posited that the Stabroek and Bourda markets are faced with many problems. The main issue he hopes to address is limited

ExxonMobil spuds Guyana appraisal

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Drillship Stena Carron

xxonMobil has spudded its highly anticipated appraisal of the Liza oil discovery off Guyana.

The US supermajor has also begun seismic work on the adjacent Canje block after completing a farm-in deal.

Drillship Stena Carron has spudded the Liza-2 appraisal after sailing to ExxonMobil’s Stabroek block off Guyana from the Canary Islands, where it had been idle for more than a year.

The Liza appraisal is the first of at least four wells — split between appraisals and wildcats — planned for the 6.5-million-acre block by ExxonMobil, along with partners Hess and CNOOC Ltd subsidiary Nexen.

Earlier this month, Hess chief operating officer Greg Hill said the appraisal programme would also include a drill-stem test of Liza-2 in order to better understand reservoir characteristics such as the oil-water contact and any compartmentalisation of the reservoir.

Despite those unknowns,

Hill called rock properties of the Liza reservoir “fantastic” on a conference call with investors.

In addition to the appraisal drilling, ExxonMobil will drill one or more wildcats to test additional prospects after receiving data from a 17,000-square-kilometre seismic shoot that is being completed by CGG. “The objective there is to figure out what if we are seeing on seismic is replicable in other areas of the block, because we have a lot of lookalikes on seismic,” Hill said.

“So we want to get a well or two in a couple of the other things and see what running room we have on the block.

We think there’s a lot, but obviously you’ll need some more wells to figure that out.”

In addition to the drilling work, ExxonMobil is kicking off a suite of science on its newly expanded holdings off Guyana.

Earlier this month, ExxonMobil began meteorological and oceanographic surveys on Stabroek as well.

The work plan calls for surveys in three separate areas on the sprawling block ranging from 104 to 134 nautical miles (192 to 248 kilometres) off Guyana.

On the neighbouring Canje block, ExxonMobil will begin a 3D seismic shoot on 9 March as part of the required work programme for the recently acquired acreage.

Dubai-based geophysical contractor Polarcus has begun work to acquire 7760 square kilometres of seismic about 105 nautical miles off Guyana.

Polarcus will use the Polarcus Adira, which was built in 2012 and can tow up to 14 streamers.

The vessel will be supported by the Vroon Vos Athos and the Rederij Groenowned 7-Oceans, which is currently being operated by Dolphin Geophysical under a four-year charter.

The shoot is expected to last about six months.

Canje lies to the north of the supermajor’s Stabroek block.

ExxonMobil farmed in to the block for a 35% interest and operatorship through a deal with Toronto-based JHI Associates and Georgetownbased Mid Atlantic Oil & Gas, which previously held the block with a 75:25 ownership split.

Upstream understands that the partners plan to acquire and interpret seismic ahead of a potential wildcat on block next year. (Upstreamonline. com)

Bishram Kuppen

space to sellers which he described as “disastrous.” He explained that this has led to overcrowding and spilling of sellers onto the roadways.

“We have to clean up, we have to build them [Stabroek and Bourda] to accommodate more [sellers].” To this end, he suggested that there must to better planning with regards to rehabilitation of the Stabroek Market Wharf which should be able to accommodate many sellers.

Should he be elected a councillor, Kuppen said he would also advocate for better lane systems to ease traffic congestion in the city. He posited that there must be more collaboration between the Guyana Police Force and the City Constabulary to improve the traffic systems. He opined that City Hall should have a more active role in making traffic decisions.

The candidate decried the conditions of Parliament’s environs with many vagrants often seen at the location.

Kuppen stated:

“Everybody is walking through and nobody seems to care. I don’t think it’s a simple issue – it needs more, it needs counselling and facilities to deal with these people because they’re not just homeless, you have drug addicts, [mentally ill persons]…”

He noted that this issue deserves the attention of central government to cooperate with city council.

“I would suggest that we move them [as] there is presently housing for these people,” the candidate observed.

Kuppen however pointed out that he has spoken to many vagrants who declined to take up residence at these housing facilities saying that they would be unsafe. To this end, the candidate outlined measures that could be implemented to correct this fear.

“I would want to go and make sure that those areas where they can go are safe and [also include] amenities for them where they can get clothing and so forth,” stated Kuppen.

Though Kuppen credits his service in the Guyana Defence Force as a major stepping stone in his development, he remarked that the possible return of National Service should not resemble its previous form.

“I don’t agree if it’s in the same form. I don’t think it should take the form of a military-type unit - there can be a different configuration of it.

I think the whole concept of militarising is not in the best interest of Guyana but we do need to engage the youths in programmes where they can develop, they can learn skills and so forth,” Posited Kuppen.

The candidate hopes to implement measures for youth empowerment and opportunities.

Kuppen stated that his world view and experience has qualified him to represent the needs of his constituents.

“I just believe that more can be done and I think most of the people… everybody is talking about doing this and that but people don’t really have any idea what to do about the city. I spent more than 25 years abroad where I was involved in community issues and I know that we can do much better than this.

He reasoned that constituents should give their support to him.

“I’m not a politician so to speak… I haven’t been in all the politics but I have a lot of experience in management – whether it was in the army, or the businesses I’ve held. I am a man of honesty and high integrity [and] I want to see good for the city. When something occurs, [constituents] are not gonna go to the party, they will go to their representatives who they elected and I am accountable. I want to see transparency and action,” emphasised Kuppen.

He stated his confidence in winning the constituency.

“I am confident because the people in Georgetown have gone through too many years of suffering. I think I have a very good chance,” Kuppen opined.

Guyana’s previous Local Government Elections were held in 1994. United States President Barack Obama recently commended this country on the return of its local polls.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, february 27, 2016

News Arif’s Service Station shooting

Shot accomplice identified by Police

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man is now dead after his accomplice in crime shot him in the head. Both men had gone to rob a gas station on West Coast Berbice Thursday evening when the incident oc-

The dead man has been identified as Jermaine Jerrick, 35, of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara.

Police in a release said at about 19:30h Thursday, two armed men entered a fuel service centre at Onderneeming, and held up the three pump attendants and took away $80,000.

According to the release, during the incident, the man with the firearm discharged a round to scare the victims which struck his accomplice to his head. The perpetrator with the firearm then took away vehicle PTT 2704, a silver grey Allion, from a

Gas Station supervisor Aminadeen Nazir

curred.

Reports are that the two, one armed with a gun and the other with a knife went to Arif’s Service Station at Onderneeming, WCB, Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) as staff were ‘checking off’ before the service station closed for the day.

Car owner Roland Robertson

customer and escaped.

His accomplice, Jerrick was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Reports are that the thieves came from the neighbouring village of Hopetown and went straight to the supervisor who was sitting in front of the building with two of the three female attendants.

The masked gun-wielding bandit upon noticing a third pump attendant was carrying a money bag, approached her, demanded cash, shot his accomplice and then hijacked a car and left the scene.

Recounting the incident, the pump attendant said she was alerted that the gas station was under attack when she heard, “Hand me the xxxxing money, so I turn around to watch and see is who talking, and I see a gun inside me face. I didn’t know was two persons, I thought was one because is only one person I saw. When he say hand me the purse I hustling fo take off the purse because I seeing a gun in me face.”

Meanwhile, her supervisor Aminadeen Nazir says the bandit who was un-

Arif’s Service Station at Onderneeming

masked and carrying a gun started to move directly towards him. “After he coming in my direction, me ah watch he an me get up and he try rushing in on me an all I hear is ‘BLAM’, an when I look I see the other one get a gun in he hand.”

The pump attendant says the gun was next to her when it was fired. “When ah give he the purse, just after the bullet fire off, but me ent know nobody went behind me I ent know he shoot

somebody behind me… I turn round and I see somebody fall down, I thought was the watchman but when I watch properly then I see is a next strange boy.”

After firing the lone shot the bandit stopped a car that was pulling up to the pump. The driver of that car, Roland Robertson said he heard when the gun shot was fired but we was already at the gas station. “The man run to me car door, put the gun to my head and say he

want the xxxxing car now, jump out, and I surrender the car an he jump and drive away.”

The security officer says the car could not have gone far because he did not have much fuel in it.

Meanwhile the pump attendant says along with the sales money, her cellular phone was also in the purse at the time of the robbery.

Police are on the hunt for the other suspect.

Region 10 RDC fraud investigations

“More issues still being discovered” – Chairman R egion 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Democratic Council (RDC) Chairman Renis Morian has stated that more discrepancies are being discovered regarding fraud at the administration, as employees suspected of involvement continue to be on administrative leave.

During a recent interview, Morian said just a few weeks ago, more disturbing things were unearthed, involving RDC contracts. He explained that investigators may visit the Council’s office at Mackenzie again sometime next week.

“Two weeks ago we discovered, and we’re still discovering more issues. This whole issue, it’s frightening. We’re seeing more things coming up”, the Chairman explained.

He added, “The employees remain on leave.

We can’t fill the vacancies either because their positions aren’t vacant.

No decision has been made since they haven’t

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

Regional Executive Officer Gavin Clarke

been tried. We’re just gathering the information”.

As a result of some officers of the RDC being sent on administrative leave pending investigations of fraud at the Council, two technical officers were expected to be appointed to the Council to assist with the relevant job functions.

Irregularities within the Works Department,

including the discovery of false payment vouchers, prompted investigations last month, as Regional Executive Officer Gavin Clarke made the revelation of several money related discrepancies which involved RDC employees and contract workers.

Auditors from the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) as well as the police had been summoned to investigate.

news

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saturday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

President conducts reconnaissance Bartica residents to benefit from $250M housing programme visit at GuySuCo Headquarters – location being considered for Public Service Staff College

President David Granger spoke with staff members at the GuySuCo Headquarters before he toured the facility. Also present were Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo Errol Hanoman

P

resident David Granger on Friday conducted a reconnaissance of the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) Headquarters, located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, as a possible location for the establishment of the Public Service Staff College.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Agriculture Minister Noel Holder accompanied the President.

President Granger, speaking during his visit, said that upon his assumption to office, he made it clear that the future of Guyana depends on an efficient, reliable and dependable public service.

Therefore, training in key areas is critical to ensuring that this goal is accomplished. The Head of State

announced that the college is expected to have four faculties – international relations (Foreign Service), defence, public administration and Information Technology.

“I have no interest in having an unprofessional public service… I also said that I did not just want an efficient public service but an ‘unbribable’ public service; professional people, people who can do their trade and people who are prepared to do their jobs without fear or favour,” he said.

The college is expected to provide university level diploma qualifications and the President expects that with this training, within the next four to five years, the level of professionalism in the public service will be much higher than it is to-

day.

“I don’t want people walking off the street to become public servants because in the public service, the Foreign Service; every branch of Government, I expect professionals and part of professionalism is knowledge. You can’t be a professional unless you know what you are doing and to gain that knowledge, you need to be trained,” President Granger said.

During the visit, Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Errol Hanoman said that there are plans to move the company’s operations and as such, the premises will be vacant. He noted that the building and other facilities at the location have the potential to be developed and used as a training complex.

3 held after 12kg Corentyne Ganja bust

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hree persons are now in custody following the discovery of 12 kilograms of cannabis in Corriverton, Corentyne, on Thursday.

Reports are that the illegal drug was concealed in a black travelling bag which was stashed between some bushes at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Skeldon Wharf.

Guyana Times understands that Police Officers were present at Eno Boat

Landing at Skeldon when three suspects approached and boarded a boat saying that they were going to Suriname. Acting on information, the three men were taken off of the boat and searched. However, nothing illegal was found on them.

When the boat left for Suriname, it took a different route and went to Line Path, Skeldon. According to a senior Police Officer, based on intelligence, two officers went to the GuySuCo wharf

where they found a black travelling bag containing 12 transparent plastic bags with a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. It was later weighed and tested.

Meanwhile, further investigation resulted in the arrest of workers at Eno Boat Landing. The three men arrested are a boat captain and two porters.

Investigation are continues.

W

ith Bartica soon to become a town, major investments will occur to improve the level of services offered, making it suitable for a town.

Government is in the planning phase of creating more house lots for residents which will allow them to become home owners and to secure the lives of their families.

Minister within the Communities Ministry Valerie Sharpe-Patterson disclosed that the residents of Bartica will soon benefit from a $250 million housing programme for the purpose of developing new house lots in the region.

It was pointed out by the Minister that the Government is working towards creating unified communities; the focus not being solely on giving out lands.

In 2015, the Communities Ministry had set out to establish a new housing area at 4 Miles in Bartica, which would have the capacity of accommodating approximately 400 house lots.

The Central Housing and Planning Authority has been pursuing arrangements for the transfer of the 100 acres

of land needed for development of the area.

This project by the Communities Ministry marks the beginning of the realisation of a vision of Guyana becoming an upper middle-income developed

first green town in Guyana.

Following the success of a green Bartica, similar efforts would be advanced to transform other municipalities and communities to achieve a truly green country.

Bartica which is consid-

A conscious effort to make the process of owning a home as convenient and as hassle-free as possible

country by 2025, through balanced low emissions among the production, consumption, conservation and preservation sectors.

Bartica which is located on the left bank of the Essequibo River in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni district is set to soon become the

ered the ‘Gateway to the Interior’, has a population of approximately 15,000 and is well known for gold and diamond mining as well as its tourism potential.

The name Bartica comes from an Amerindian word meaning ‘red earth’, which is abundant in the area.

Armed bicycle thieves rob Corentyne contractor

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hree men, all operating on bicycles, on Thursday robbed a Corentyne contractor.

The incident took place at Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Reports are that Charendeo Motilall, 54, and his wife Yeszor Mahadeo had just returned home when they were ap-

proached by three men on bicycles.

Guyana times understands that as Mahadeo exited the car to open the gate, the men appeared and held onto her; one of them was carrying a gun. The men demanded that the contractor exit the car also.

After he complied, they held onto him and demanded money and jewellery.

A scuffle then ensued

between the contractor and one of the bandits during which a round was discharged but no one was injured. Mahadeo was relieved of a BLU smart phone valued $36,000.

Meanwhile, after the bandits rode off in separate directions, a black Samsung cellphone was found at the scene. It is believed to belong to one of the bandits.

12 news

saturday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

WPO General Secretary sworn in as new PPP/C MP gised that there is much for her to learn and understand as it relates to the procedures of the House, adding that she is looking forward to contributing to the Assembly.

“I am sure that I will be making exceedingly profound contributions that may influence changes in people’s lives, and that is basically why I’m here,” said the second-generation of indentured labourers.

Following Veerasammy’s swearing in, she was wel-

comed by several members of the House, including the Speaker, who expressed the hope that she brings much change to the House. “Let me express the hope that you will add luster and polish to the Assembly,” Dr Scotland noted.

Additionally, PPP/C MP Dharamkumar Seeraj extended a warm welcome to his colleague, noting that her presence has “richened” the House.

Veerasammy is currently the General Secretary

of the Women Progressive Organisation (WPO), an arm of the PPP/C. She joined the party’s youth arm – the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) – in 1979, where she was encouraged to empower herself. She attended the Accrabre College and then in 1984, she studied political science in Russia on a scholarship.

Upon her return to Guyana, rather than being allowed to continue on her path of self-elevation,

Veerasammy was forced into an arranged marriage at age 20 and settled into being a housewife; albeit she was still active in party work, which was all done on a voluntary basis.

Additionally, she was employed at the Transport and Harbours Department as a Personal Assistant to the Commonwealth Adviser; but was subsequently retrenched when it was reportedly discovered that she was a member of the WPO/PPP.

PPP/C new Member of Parliament Bhagmattie Sheila Veerasammy taking her oath in the National Assembly on Friday

Govt refuses to exempt farmers from firearm licence fee hike

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition has selected its new Member of Parliament to replace Dr Clive Jagan, who retired from the National Assembly two weeks ago due to ill health.

Bhagmattie “Sheila” Veerasammy is the newest addition to the Opposition’s list of parliamentarians after she was sworn in as a member of the National Assembly at the 34th sitting on Friday.

Veerasammy will take up the seat left vacant by Opposition back bencher, Dr Clive Jagan, who recently resigned. On February 11, the National Assembly was informed that the first time Member of Parliament (Jagan), the nephew of PPP/C co-founder Dr Cheddi Jagan, had indicated via

overnment used its parliamentary majority to reject proposals from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition to exempt farmers from the increases in the firearm licence fees.

This rejection comes as Government moved to pass the Firearm (Amendment) Bill of 2016, giving effect “to increase licence fees for firearms and firearms dealers”.

That is, increases of the annual fees for shotguns from $2000 to $5000; handguns from $5000 to $25,000; rifles from $5000 to $40,000 and dealer’s fees from $7500 to $150,000.

As he proposed the Bill for a second reading, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan indicated to the

T

a letter that he was giving up his seat in the National Assembly.

While Dr Jagan did not state in the letter to Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland, the reason behind his decision – it has been known that the parliamentarian has been ill for some time now and was overseas receiving treatment.

However, the nature of his illness was not revealed.

Speaking with reporters, the new parliamentarian said that her induction into the National Assembly is a proud moment for Guyanese women as her presence achieved a one-third woman presence in the House, thus confirming to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) quota for women’s participation in decision-making bodies.

The first time MP recon-

– as amendment to Firearm Bill approved

G

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

National Assembly that the hike in the fees was necessary since from the processing of the licences to the approval, incurs a lot of revenue and takes away resources from the Guyana Police Force, which plays a major role in the vetting process. He added too that the cost of renewing licences was also considered in imposing the increases.

The Minister outlined that processing a firearm licence has three stages. Firstly, it is sent to the Divisional Commander who instructs junior ranks to investigate the applicant; then the application goes to Police Commissioner’s Office who is tasked with ensuring that applicant’s antecedents are authentic; before passing it on to the Firearm Licenses Board for the final stage. The Board interviews the applicant to determine whether approval will be given or not.

On this note, Ramjattan said that Government has moved to recoup the costs via the increases.

“All these require resources… in view of the fact that so much efforts are needed because there are so many applicants, it was decided that to capture back some of the revenues that were spent in relation to matters dealing with processing right up to final approval, there should be an increase in these firearm licences and dealers,” he stated.

Moreover, the Public Security Minister pointed

out that those who apply for firearm licences, particularly for rifles, pistols and revolvers, can afford the increases as they would have or be dealing with large sums of monies. According to the Minister, these increases will not cause much burden onto the licence holders.

As it relates to the revised fees for shotguns, which he recongised are used mostly by farmers and Amerindians who hunts for a living, Ramjattan went on to say that the increase is minimal, as such, will not be terribly burdensome.

The Minister outlined that there are currently just about 8000 approved firearm licence holders; that is, just over 3000 registered shotgun licence holders, 4500 holders of pistols and revolvers and 347 holders of rifles.

In debunking the increases, PPP/C parliamentarian Dharamkumar Seeraj pointed out that while these increases may not seem much for Government, it will be a burden on the firearm licence holders, particularly the farmers.

Seeraj recognised that processing attracts fees but noted that, contrary to what the Minister said, many of the licensed firearm holders do not have weapons to protect “a lot of money”. In fact, he said many of them are farmers who use the weapons to earn livelihood.

The Opposition parliamentarian further outlined that the timing of the increases is unfavourable since many of the sectors are suffering. “But of course, if you are getting a million dollar salary then $5000 is not much… but it means a lot to farmers who are on the breadline, who cannot even service their homes. Every dollar means a lot to them and a $5000 can give a difference of whether some will eat tomorrow or go to bed hungry today,” he remarked.

Seeraj said that instead of looking at other ways to earn revenue, Government is burdening farmers, whom they promised the “Good Life”. This, he added, shows how insensitive Government is to the hardship of citizens,

while noting that they are even more insulated and isolated from the people of the country with their “fat cat salaries”.

On this note, the Opposition MP unsuccessfully called on Government to reconsider the exorbitant fees and have them reduced.

Meanwhile, former Home Affairs Minister and PPP/C front bencher Clement Rohee also rejected the increases, saying that it is a “fund raiser”. He stated that while he understands the rationale behind the increases, the explanations given by the Public Security Minister can not suffice.

“When he said that the individuals at the Ministry of Public Security and the Guyana Police Force have to take a considerable amount of time to process these applications, my question is what are they being paid for; that is their job,” he pointed out.

On the other hand, Rohee noted that instead of further burdening legal firearm holders, Government should focus on curbing illegal firearms that are being circulated in the country, which he said President David Granger touted as “pouring” in at the country’s border.

In fact, he outlined that Government is pushing persons to turn to illegal firearms as a means of bypassing the increases. He said “stricter the Government, wiser the population”.

“This means there is likely to be more firearms circulating in the country,” the Opposition front bencher remarked.

He noted that the cost of the cheapest pistol or revolver is currently $160,000 and this will now be $185,000 with increases; while the most expensive is $200,000 and will now be $225,000.

As it relates to shotguns, Rohee said these are presently $55,000 and will be $65,000.

The Firearm Amendment Bill of 2016 was subsequently passed without the Opposition amendments after Government used its one-seat majority to block the proposed exemption of farmers from the fees hike.

news

13

SATURday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Chancellor stays Another ‘Vote like a Boss’ CJ’s Technocrat campaign launched Ministers ruling W ... otherside not heard

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ays after outgoing acting Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled that Government Ministers Winston Felix and Keith Scott could no longer sit in the Chambers of the National Assembly, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh granted a Stay of Execution on Friday.

The matter before the court was filed last year by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister and now People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian Anil Nandlall, against Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams and Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs.

The Party was hoping to prove that the two ministers serving under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) umbrella, are illegally present in the

Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh

he made an application for an interim stay until the determination of the application for stay.

“The interim stay has been granted. It means the two ministers can attend parliament today until the application for stay is heard fully,” Williams told

Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott and Citizenship Minister Winston Felix

National Assembly since they are technocrats.

According to Nandlall, the APNU/AFC parliamentarians are taking up posts that have been allocated in an unconstitutional and unlawful way.

A decision was handed down earlier this week

by Chang, who came out of pre-retirement leave to deliver the ruling.

He had stated that the Ministers’ presence as members of the House were “unconstitutional” since they were Technocrat Members.

The contention is that the Ministers’ names were on the then opposition list of representatives during the lead-up to the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.

Following that decision both President David Granger and Attorney General Basil Williams had indicated that Government would challenge that decision.

The appeal was made and was immediately heard before the acting Chancellor who ruled that the judgment be temporarily suspended.

Williams on Friday said

Journalists.

Out of the ordinary

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall said the ruling was out of the ordinary, more so because he was not served with a copy of the Ex Parte application.

“I got wind of it and I wrote to the court and I requested an opportunity to be present. I was served this morning while the court case is ongoing…

I find that very strange.

Stays of Execution are not granted Ex Parte without hearing the other side… they have not heard me.” he

told reporters outside the courtroom.

In a press release which followed later in the day, Nandlall went into detail on the issue.

He said he had written the Chancellor of the Judiciary Thursday Morning indicating that he was made aware that the Attorney General had intended to make an Ex Parte application for a Stay of Execution of the Ruling. Later that day, his Chambers received a Notice from the Registrar of the Court of Appeal informing him that a Summons filed by the Attorney General was fixed before the Chancellor on Friday, at the Court of Appeal.

“Again, later that day, my Chambers was served with a Notice of Appeal against the Decision of Chief Justice Chang, dated 19th February, 2016”, he said He said the Application for a Stay of Execution was not served on him or at his Chambers. “Pursuant to the aforesaid Notice, I attended the Court of Appeal at 09:00h this morning. I saw the Attorney General and a battery of lawyers from the Attorney General’s Chambers present”.

“I applied for leave to file an Affidavit in Answer to the Application. I was granted five days to do so.

However, the Court proceeded to grant “an Interim Stay of Execution” until the hearing and determination of the Application for the said Stay of Execution. I objected on the grounds that I was not afforded an opportunity to be heard; that I was only momentarily earlier served with a copy of the Application and that the Orders granted by Justice Chang were declaratory orders and are therefore incapable of being “executed” and accordingly, there is nothing to “stay”.

He said the Court was unmoved by his objections and the matter was adjourned to 14 May 2016, for the full hearing of the Application for a Stay of Execution.

hile the Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) has indicated its readiness for the holding of the long awaited Local Government Elections (LGE), the question still lingers whether the electorate is in fact prepared to go to the polls on March 18.

Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Guyana Bryan Hunt on Friday said it was imperative that the local community members and each Guyanese be adequately prepared for the polls.

Hunt was speaking at the launch of the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC)’s “Vote like a boss” campaign at the Herdmanston Lodge.

The campaign officially launched in February 2015 in preparation of the Regional and General Elections, is aimed at sensitising and encouraging the electorate through every possible avenue to vote.

According to Hunt, it has been over two decades since Guyana has had a Local Government Election.

“Most voters, who are going to those polls, have not had the opportunity to vote for Local Government. How a country is able to function for

two decades without local government constantly boggles my mind”, he told the small audience of Candidates, group members and members of the diplomatic corps.

Hunt said when he arrived in Guyana a few years ago, he had come immediately after passage of the Local Government Legislation in the National Assembly. He said he remembered the enthusiasm of the populace, because they were finally going to be voting for the first time in a long time. He listed the events that followed which included the prorogation of Parliament, the running off of the National and Regional Elections and the announcement that Local Government Elections was finally going to be held in March. According to him, that enthusiasm seemed to have dwindled.

“I can guarantee you that GECOM has all the processes in place to make sure that this is a free and fair vote. The question isn’t if GECOM is ready, it is if the people will turn out. It’s are we going to have an elections where the majority of Guyanese go out and cast their votes for Local Elections.” He said if there is only a small amount participating then there will be “real trouble” because there needs to be

legitimacy.

He therefore endorsed the move by the groups saying that Guyanese need to be convinced that they should go to the polls on Elections day, since getting persons, particularly the youth to vote is a huge challenge.

“Getting anyone to vote in Local Government Elections when there is a complex system, when they have not been allowed to vote for more than two decades, you are pushing a rock up a very large hill” President of Youth Challenge Guyana Dmitri Nicholson said the three bodies, the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC), the Guyana National Coordinating Committee (GNCC) and YCG believe that they are better working together than apart. The collaboration he said is a move to help voters become more informed at the community level about their rights and responsibilities as voters.

He said not only will it be the start of something special, but will also demonstrate the cornerstone of what LGE is all about.

Trisha Tika of the GNYC said apart from reaching out to persons at the grass-root level, the campaign is also geared at reaching candidates.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURday, february 27, 2016

News

Region 3 Chairman to sue REO

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isagreements between the Regional Chairman and the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Three are spiralling out of control.

Regional Chairman Julius Faerber told Guyana Times he will be taking legal action against REO Dennis Jaikarran.

In an invited comment by this newspaper, Faerber stated that Jaikarran continues to carry out duties pertaining to the region on his own, adding that he, Faerber, is not being informed of any mattersworks in the region and is not being involved in any decisions-making etc.

“I want to say that the REO continues to work on his own and is not including us within the regional structure and this is not in keeping with the act”.

Faerber further added that Jaikarran has been violating the act; this violation gives Faeber grounds to take legal actions which he explained he will be doing.

“Jaikarran keeps violating the act and so we would be taking legal action against this guy” he disclosed.

When contacted on numerous occasions by this publication for information regarding matters in the region, Faeber continues to say he is unable to comment as he has no information since he is not being informed, and also because he is unable to attend to the needs of the region, as he does not have enough fuel for his vehicle.

Regional Chairman Julius Faerber

Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikarran

This issue between the Regional Chairman and the Regional Executive Officer has been escalating since Jaikarran in November last slashed Faerber’s fuel allowance from ten to five gallons per day.

Jaikarran had explained that when he was appointed REO in October 2015 and came to council, he noticed that the Chairman was allotted 10 gallons of gasoline per day but explained that he did not need that amount since he did limited driving on a daily basis, so he reduced that amount to five gallons.

Faerber was peeved about this development, stating that he runs out of fuel some days in the field when he is attending to the needs of persons in the region. He added that he even had to use taxis and minibuses on several occasions when this happened to get back to his office.

Meanwhile, Jaikarran

had noted that he has the authority to withdrawn the vehicle and replace it with a more fuel-efficient one if that will solve the issue. He further explained that as REO all assets are under his supervision, stating that he has to answer for the resources of the state and how they are being distributed for use.

Faerber wrote Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan on the various mistreatments he has experienced at the hands of the appointed Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikarran.

According to Faerber, the treatment he has been facing is “unprofessional.”

Further, he recalled that in 2008, there was an incident that may have sparked Jaikarran’s hostile behaviour towards him.

When contacted for a comment on the issue, Jaikarran stated that he will disclose such on a later date.

Police continue to engage communities despite call for removal of Commander

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lthough relatives and friends of several persons who have been charged with serious crimes including murder, armed robbery and rape mounted a protest for the removal of Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus of E Division (Linden/Kwakwani), the Division continues to forge ahead with its Community Outreach Programmes in keeping with the Police Force’s Social Crime Prevention Programme.

The Outreach Programmes have been gaining momentum with the assistance of community support that have positively impacted on Police Community Relations, more particularly with youth empowerment through life skills development and the inculcation of good moral values.

In appreciation on Friday, during the Children’s Mashramani Costume Competition at Mackenzie, Linden, a nursery school student who was a participant was dressed as the Police A child during his presentation at the Region Commander of the Division.

10 Annual Children’s Costume Competition

Agricola accident victim succumbs

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n Agricola, Georgetown, accident victim who was struck by an alleged unlicensed driver on February 13 succumbed to his injuries Friday.

Rudival Azore, 63, of 37 Evans Phillips Park, Agricola, who remained a patient at Georgetown Public Hospital Intensive Care Unit passed away at 04:30h.

Azore was struck at the corner of Brutus Street, Agricola, while riding to work. It was alleged the driver had reversed out of

a yard and was parking when she collided with the elderly man.

He was subsequently rushed to the hospital by public spirited citizens in an unconscious state. The injured man sustained severe internal injuries and a disjointed hip.

Grieving relatives related to Guyana Times that although the matter was reported, accompanied by frequent visits to the police station, the perpetrator was never taken into custody and continues to roam free.

Deceased: Rudival Azore

saturday, february 27, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Somalia al-Shabab: Deadly attack on SYL hotel in Mogadishu

Iranian voters ‘rush’ to polls in first elections since lifting of sanctions

ilitants have stormed a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu, leaving at least nine people dead, in an attack claimed by al-Shabab.

The attackers set off a car bomb outside the heavily fortified Somali Youth League hotel before moving in.

An explosion also targeted a popular park known as the Peace Garden. Police say the attack is now over after they shot and killed four attackers. Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, is waging an armed insurgency in Somalia.

The BBC’s Ibrahim Aden

ranians voted in unexpectedly large numbers on Friday in the first polls since last summer’s landmark nuclear agreement and the lifting of sanctions.

The election was a key test of whether supporters of Hassan Rouhani, the President, can gain ground from conservatives and anti-western hardliners.

Voting was extended for five hours in the evening because of what state TV described as a “rush” that caused shortages of ballot papers.

Experts say a high turnout – widely predicted to hit 70 per cent – will favour the Rouhani camp. The President himself spoke of an “epic” turnout after casting his vote.

Polling stations across Tehran were busy into

M

The Somali Youth League (SYL) hotel is frequented by government employees

in Mogadishu heard a loud explosion on Friday evening, followed by gunfire. Our reporter says 40 minutes after the first car bomb went off, another explosion of the

same magnitude was heard.

Al-Shabab told the BBC they were “in control” of the hotel. “We have attacked the SYL Hotel and we’ve forced our way into the hotel,” they

said. However, one resident at the hotel told the BBC Somali Service the gunmen had not managed to get inside and had been repelled by security guards.

The hotel, situated near the presidential palace, is popular with government personnel. It is not unusual for al-Shabab to launch attacks in Mogadishu on Fridays, the first day of the Somali weekend.

The operation comes a day after a mortar attack on the presidential palace in Mogadishu in which three people were killed. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Haiti names ex-Central Bank head as Prime Minister

H

aiti’s Interim President Jocelerme Privert on Friday named a former Central Bank governor as Prime Minister to help pull the country out of a paralysing electoral crisis.

Appointed by decree, Jean will work on forming a Government before deliv-

ering a policy statement to Haitian lawmakers. Privert took office on February 14, a week after the departure of President Michel Martelly, who left without a successor after a vote to choose his replacement was postponed over fears of violence.

Under an agreement signed hours before

Martelly’s departure, the interim President, who was chosen by Parliament, will serve for up to 120 days.

The agreement proposes a new presidential election on April 24, with a new president to be installed on May 14.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas, still

struggling to get back on its feet after being hobbled by devastating 2010 and now plunged into a drawn-out electoral crisis.

There is still much uncertainty over the country’s ability to hold presidential and legislative elections within the next four months. (Jamaica Observer)

I

Friday evening, fuelling hopes for a good result for the reformist-moderate alliance and increased support for Rouhani in the 290seat Parliament, or Majlis.

A parallel contest is taking place for the assembly of experts, a clerical body whose 88 members have to choose the next supreme leader after the 76-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In Baharestan Square, a religious area near the capital’s famous bazaar, a young couple emerged from a polling station to say that everyone they knew was voting – despite fears of apathy.

State TV broadcast pictures of queues of voters across the country – emphasising its size and diversity from Kurdistan in the north to Baluchistan in the East. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

JLP wins tight race in polls marked by low voter turnout

Israel commits to supporting A Caricom development

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s the Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom) accredits a new Israeli envoy, the Middle-Eastern state has reaffirmed its commitment to assist Caricom to achieve its ideals.

Mordehai AmihaiBivas, Plenipotentiary Representative of the State of Israel to Caricom, said Caricom’s objectives were noble ones that were centered on people: full employment, development, health and education.

Describing relations between Caricom and Israel as “natural”, he noted that through the Israel

Plenipotentiary Representative of Israel to Caricom, Mordehai Amihai-Bivas (left) with Deputy Secretary General of Caricom, Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan, who received his letter of credence on Thursday

Agency for International Development Cooperation, dozens of professionals from the region had advanced their training in agriculture,

healthcare, education, alternative energy and sustainable development, over the past year.

Israeli would expand

that cooperation with entrepreneurial training for young people in four Member States, Amihai-Bivas added.

He acknowledged the existential threat of climate change faced by Caricom, and noted that small islands states are affected by rising sea-levels, reduced rainfall and strong hurricanes. But he also pointed out that this reality presented a unique opportunity for member states to become leaders in sustainable development.

Amihai-Bivas is the second Israeli Ambassador to be accredited to Caricom.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Indian villages ban single women from owning ‘distracting’ mobile phones

S

everal villages in the western Indian state of Gujarat have banned girls and single women from owning mobile phones, saying the devices distract them from their studies.

A couple of villages in Mehsana and Banaskantha districts in Gujarat have imposed the ban in recent weeks, with more villages joining the campaign, said Ranjit Singh Thakor, President of the Mehsana district council.

The ban applies to girls under the age of 18 and unmarried women, he said.

This is not the first time Indian villages have taken

this step. Villages in eastern Bihar state had imposed a similar ban a few years ago, saying mobile phones were “debasing the social atmosphere” by leading young women to elope. Activists protested, calling it an assault on freedom that could potentially harm women by denying them access to protection.

India is the world’s second-biggest market for mobile phones, with more than one billion users. The ban in villages in Gujarat comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from the state, pushes the Digital

India initiative that aims to connect rural areas with high-speed Internet networks.

Female students in university are exempt from the ban, as they may need the phones for their studies, he said. The ban is being adopted by people from the Thakor caste in the entire state, he said.

Mobile phone ownership has been found to improve the lives of people in rural areas, who often have poor connectivity. In Tanzania, for instance, mobile phones were found to have a significant impact on women’s’ business-

es and lives, a study found.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

ndrew Holness returned the favour, handing Portia Simpson Miller’s People’s National Party (PNP) its first one-term Government in the country’s 17th General Election that ended with the tightest majority in Jamaica’s history — 33-30 seats.

The polls will be memorable for the low voter turnout — barely more than onethird of the electorate. But they also sent a message to politicians that Holness acknowledged in his acceptance speech at Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) headquarters in Kingston last night.

“I know from my travels around Jamaica that you wanted to change the Government, but I also picked up from going around the country that you want to change the way that Government works,” Holness told cheering supporters.

In conceding defeat, PNP President Simpson Miller commended the JLP, but warned that her party would not allow them to wreck the economy. “We have done our

Jamaica’s Prime Minister-elect Andrew Holness

best. I hope and pray that what we achieved on behalf of this country will not be ruined. I hope those who succeed us will not throw away the gains made by the People’s National Party Government,” she said.

“We have regained the respect of international Governments and the international community.

The fact is, we are not quarrelling with anyone. This is Jamaica, and we have a responsibility,” Simpson Miller added. (Excerpt from Jamaica

Observer)

US urges China’s Xi to extend non-militarisation pledge to all of South China Sea

T

he White House on Friday urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to extend his pledge not to militarise the disputed Spratly Islands to encompass all of the South China Sea. Dan Kritenbrink, President Barack Obama’s top Asia advisor, issued the call at the end of a week in which China and the

United States have sparred over Chinese deployment of missiles, fighter planes and radar on islands in the contested strategic waterway.

Xi had pledged during a US State visit last September not to militarise the Spratly archipelago, which is claimed by Manila and Beijing, but US officials have since said they see military intent

in China’s building of air strips and installation of radar there.

Friction has increased over China’s recent deployment of surface-to-air missiles and fighter jets to Woody Island in the disputed Paracel chain. It has been under Chinese control for more than 40 years but is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. (Excerpt from Reuters)

16 news

SATURday, february 27, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

Former GSA student charged with larceny Women cross-charged for assault A Former Guyana School of Agriculture student was on Thursday placed on $50,000 bail after being charged for stealing four truck axels.

Twenty-seven-yearold Albert Nurse of Lot 683 South Amelia’s Ward,

Linden pleaded not guilty to a simple larceny charge before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Details of the allegation stated that between February 15 and 16 at Ameila’s Ward, he stole four Bedford truck TN axels val-

ue $300,000, property of Berth Cumberbatch.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not reveal the prosecution facts in court.

Nurse who is unemployed will make his next court appearance on March 8 at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

T

Albert Nurse

wo women appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Faith McGusty slapped with assault charges.

Carol Shepherd, 49, of Lot 7 Charlestown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on February 18, 2016 at Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, she assaulted Sursattie Bacchus with intent to cause bodily harm.

Sursattie Bacchus pleaded guilty with explanations to the same charge.

Bacchus stated that on the day in question, she

was sitting in her yard when Shepherd approached her and started to point her finger in her face. She added that Shepherd then proceeded to slap her at which time she retaliated by returning the slap.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that both women assaulted each other, as such both should be charged.

Magistrate McGusty fined Bacchus $10,000.

Shepherd was granted bail at the sum of $15,000 and will return to court on March 21, 2016.

She was also placed on a bond to keep the peace.

Man acquitted of attempted murder charge

J

ust under 11 years after a stabbing at a secondary school which almost claimed the life of a 15-year-old male student, the alleged perpetrator was on Friday acquitted of the attempted murder charge which was indicted against him after the victim chose to end the matter by not offering any incriminating evidence.

Kevin Rema also known as Mongoose, 27, of Georgetown was placed on trial over two charges, the first of which read that on March 22, 2005 he inflicted grievous bodily harm on the Virtual Complainant (VC) Christopher Nicholson, with intent to commit murder.

The second charge read that on the same day in question, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Christopher Nicholson with the intent to maim, disfigure or disable him.

According to the facts of the charges, at the time of the incident, both Nicholson and the accused were 16 years old and attended the

same secondary school.

On the day in question, a friend of Nicholson, named Devon Sue, was involved in a fight with the accused.

During the fight Nicholson reportedly attempted to pull away Sue when the accused held on to his neck and began stabbing him. The VC received three stab wounds about his body.

It was related that only at the approached of a teacher did the accused throw away the knife. The injured Nicholson was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he received treatment. At Friday’s Court session, Nicholson informed the court that he does not wish to pursue the matter any further.

Upon this being said, Justice Navindra Singh directed the mixed jury to give a not guilty verdict.

After the unanimous not guilty verdict on both counts were read, Justice Sing told the accused that he was free to go, adding that he hoped that he learnt from his mistake.

Man, 21, placed on $75,000 bail for larceny

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man was on Friday placed on $75,000 bail after he appeared before Magistrate Alan Wilson at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with larceny from the person.

Calvin Accra, 21, a Labourer of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, stood before the court to answer the charge which alleged that on February 23, at Hope Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, he stole from Karen La Fleur one Samsung galaxy cell phone value $120,000, one silver purse value $5000, one Prada cream set value $20,000 and $4000 cash at a total of $149,000.

It was also alleged that on the same day and time

of the incident the accused stole an Apple Iphone 6 valued $185,000 property of the virtual complainant’s daughter that was stored in the bag at the time of the robbery.

According to Police report, at the time of the incident around 02:00h La Fleur had just left Palm Court Night Club when the accused approached and snatched her bag containing the mentioned items and ran away. An alarm was raised and Accra was later arrested where a search at his apartment recovered the two phones and this subsequently led to his arrest.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on $75,000 bail.

The matter was adjourned to March 14.

17

Entertainment

saturday, february 27, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

T

he hilarious comedy ‘Crack Jokes’ will be back for one more performances this evening at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

Patrons who purchased tickets for Tuesday, February 23, which was cancelled, are asked to use those tickets for this evening or check with the box office for their refund. ‘Crack Jokes’ starts promptly at 20:00h.

It is the comedy of the year.

An award winning play which is written and Directed by Odessa Primus and stars Michael Ignatius, Nuriyyih Gerrard, Melika Edmonds, Kwasi Edmondson, Nathaya Whaul, Mark LukeEdwards. Others include Johann David, Neelan Benjamin, Kescia Branche and Abigail Brower.

‘Crack Jokes’ is a hilarious play. It is set in the ghetto and illustrates the real struggles of the poor class in a very funny way. The main focus is the Davidson family.

There are a number of conflicts among the Davidson’s and their friends which take the comedy to new dimensions. They ar-

gue over the “farren” prags. Throw “bad” past experiences in each other’s faces. Complain about the neighbour’s food smelling too high.

Nothing is a secret. At least not for very long...

The main story line is centred on drugs and money, and how it could make or break family and friends. Additionally, everything is not what it seems with most of the characters since they all seem to

have secrets and hidden agendas.

Though they all have varying comical personalities they have one thing in common – the desire to get rich. This play will have endless laughter.

It is a GEMS Theatre Productions and Transformation Theatre presentation. Tickets $2000, $1500 and $1000 are available at the NCC and Nigel’s Supermarket.

A

A

s the carnival mood continues with soca vibes dripping from the pores of “soca junkies”, the fun continues in full swing this evening at the Buddy’s Night Club, Sherriff Street, Georgetown. Come this evening, AK Entertainment will host yet another concept party called “Soca Rave” which is expected to be full vibes.

Patrons can enjoy the best in soca music by the best deejays in the house. Those attending the party will be given free tequila shots, free glow bands and sticks. The carnivallike atmosphere will definitely be the highlight of the evening.

Patrons are urged not to be worried about parking since there will be secured parking facility. Remember, it’s the Soca Rave party at Buddy’s Night Club tonight. Admission is $2000 and tickets are available at the gate.

fter weeks of promoting the “Cabana Cocktail” event, all plans are in place to ensure that patrons have a grand time. The activity is set for this evening at the Gravity Lounge, Camp and Regent Streets, Georgetown.

“Cabana Cocktail” will be held on the outdoor patio at Gravity Lounge and will feature four guest bartenders, each preparing signature cocktails and shooters.

This will be a charitable event with a portion of the proceeding going towards Hero-GY, the local arm of the USAbased Hero-USA Charity engaged in improvement of health and promoting literacy in communities.

The Charity group would like to start its pilot project of reading classes in Mocha Arcadia and Santa Rosa, targeting children between the ages of eight and 12 years who have a difficulty in reading.

Additional, another portion of the profit will be utilised to formally launch Hotspotgy’s charity arm. This arm will retain a fund that will be available to non government organisations and charitable organisations. The fund can be accessed once the organisation’s proposal fits Hotspotgy’s donation guidelines and criteria and is approved by the Hotspotgy team.

This casual event will see Corona Beer on sale at a reduced price. Regular drink mixes will be on sale at the Gravity Bar as well.

Tickets for the event will be presold and will cost $2000 each, which entitles the ticket holder to one signature cocktail and one signature shooter from any of the guest bartenders. Each additional drink will be sold at $1000.

Be sure to support this event as it is towards a worthy cause.

C

omedy lovers on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) are in for a treat this evening as the popular theatrical show titled “Laff till yu fraff” is held at Good Fortuin Community Centre ground, WBD. With the cast slated to perform, those who plan to attend the show are advised to proceed with caution, as they are expected to “laugh till yu can’t laugh no mo”. If you are suffering from any heart ailments, it is advisable that you stay at home.

Heating up the ground this evening will be the Promoter Rajan Tiwari, also known as “Katahar”; Chris Gopaul; Michael Ignatius, known as “Credit”; Sonia Yarde; Mark Kazim and Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, Kirk “Chow Pow” Jardin and Chandraka Tiwari.

There will also be performances by the popular Christine for her belly dancing skills. Music will be provided by Wild Things Family.

The event is sponsored by Banks DIH, Payless Variety Store, Sase Hangout Bar and Fish Shop, Tiger Palace Restaurant and Palm Castle Restaurant and Bar. Admission to the event costs $500 for adults and $300 for children. There will also be VIP seating available at the venue. Make sure to be early so that you will not miss any of the fun. There will be other attractions including a well-stocked bar. It’s “Laff till yu fraff” at the Good Fortuin Community Centre ground this evening. Showtime is 20:00h.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, february 27, 2016

ARCHIE

Your benevolence will be rewarded. Finding solutions (March 21- and doing your part to imApril 19) prove the environment, your neighborhood or a cause you believe in will bring you greater acclaim. Self-improvement is favored.

Be creative with how you TAURUS go about getting things done, (April 20- but don’t cause discord with May 20) someone you love; get his or her OK before you proceed.

Emotions will mount if you are insensitive.

ARIES

dilbert

You will be popular with GEMINI (May 21- most of your peers, but someJune 20) one will be jealous of your accomplishments and will challenge you. Stand tall and do your best in order to excel.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Get involved in activities that include romance or the youngsters in your life.

The experience you have will spark an idea that will improve your surroundings.

Do your best to ease finanLEO cial stress. Cut corners or look (July 23for a second income. A few alAug. 22) terations to your lifestyle will be helpful, as will discipline and common sense.

Your commitment to VIRGO home, family and friends will (Aug. 23Sept. 22) result in popularity and opportunity. Don’t be afraid to do things differently. Be true to your beliefs and to those you love.

Calvin and Hobbes

A pick-me-up will do you LIBRA (Sept. 23- good. Buy a new outfit or do Oct. 23) something that makes you happy. Enjoy being with people who make you laugh.

Romance is encouraged.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – RETINA

Don’t take on too much or SAGITTARIUS suggest that you can do the (Nov. 23- impossible. Being honest and Dec. 21) helpful will be a winning combination. Balance and moderation will lead to victory.

(RETINA: RET-nuh: A light-sensitive membrane lining the inner eyeball.)

Average mark 20 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 28 or more words in RETINA? The list will be published on Monday.

THURSDAY’S WORD – TROIKAS taro task tiro trio tsar raki ratio riot risk

roast oast okra iota karst kart krait astir saki

sari sitar skat skirt skit skort soak soar sora

sort stair star stark stir stoa stork stria

Concentrate on ways you SCORPIO can make your home and per(Oct. 24Nov. 22) sonal relationships better.

Share your concerns and your ideas, and be willing to compromise in order to keep the peace.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

A reunion or reconnection CAPRICORN with someone you haven’t (Dec. 22- seen for a long time will lead Jan. 19) to unexpected suggestions that will help you move forward with a stagnant situation.

Re-evaluate your current AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- position and consider what Feb. 19) you would like to do next. Put together a proposal or to-do list that will encourage you to start something new.

Your relentless courPISCES (Feb. 20- age will help you accomplish March 20) what you set out to do, but it will also lead to controversial backlash. Be prepared to deal with opposition.

saturday, february 26, 2016

19

Maradona urges life imprisonment Gayle, Fairfax Media begin court battle over for Blatter, Platini ‘exposed genitals’ claim F ormer Argentina captain Diego Maradona says longtime FIFA president Sepp Blatter and European soccer chief Michel Platini should have been given life imprisonment rather than six-year bans from soccer for ethics violations.

The pair were suspended for eight years -- reduced to six this week -- for a payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2.03 million) made to the Frenchman in 2011 by FIFA with Blatter’s approval for work done a decade earlier.

Both men deny any wrongdoing.

“It seems like the FIFA ethics committee was wrong,” Maradona, 55, told Reuters TV. “Having so much evidence against these people and having seen how they were robbing for so many years, they should have given both life imprisonment.”

FIFA is caught in the worst crisis in its 112-year history with scores of people, including many former FIFA officials, charged with corruption-related offences in the United States. Blatter is

Diego Maradona

among those who also face a parallel Swiss investigation.

Maradona, who earned 91 caps for Argentina and won the World Cup in 1986, believes Blatter’s replacement at FIFA should not be motivated by money.

“I would like to see a president who is not interested in becoming a millionaire thanks to the ball, the sponsors or the World Cup -- because that is where they collect a good load of money,” he said.

“That is the kind of man I want to lead FIFA and he

will have my support.”

He also branded presidential candidate Gianni Infantino, the UEFA general secretary, a “traitor” for not standing by UEFA president Platini.

“He is an absolute traitor because he kept working as if nothing was happening while his boss (Michel Platini) was between a rock and a hard place, or almost behind bars,” said Maradona.

“It is very wrong to go from drawing the lots to run for FIFA president.” (Reuters Sport)

Chris Gayle

W

est Indies star batsman Chris Gayle and Australian publishers Fairfax Media have begun battle in court over claims the entity intentionally defamed the cricketer with a series of articles in January.

In the wake of an incident that saw Gayle heav-

ily criticized for asking a female reporter out on a date on live television during the Australia Big Bash League, Fairfax, publishers of the Herald, claimed that the player intentionally exposed his genitals to and indecently propositioned a female massage therapist in the West Indies team dressing room

during the World Cup. In the case now before the NSW Supreme Court, Gayle claims the accusations were defamatory and have caused injury to his business, personal and professional reputation, which have been bought into public disrepute, odium, ridicule and contempt.

In its defense Fairfax Media claims the articles were not capable of being defamatory.

The media company also argues that even if the articles are found to be defamatory, it can rely on the defense of justification – in that the accusations are true. It also claims it can plead the defense of qualified privilege because the articles related to a subject of legitimate public interest, being the treatment of women by professional sports people.

(Digicel Sportsmax)

Infantino elected new boss of FIFA

U

EFA general secretary Gianni Infantino vowed on Friday to lead FIFA, the sport’s world governing body, out of years of corruption and scandal after being elected president to succeed his Swiss compatriot Sepp Blatter.

“We will restore the image of FIFA and the respect of FIFA, and everyone in the world will be proud of us,” the 45-year-old law graduate, who for the last seven years has been the leading administrator for Europe’s governing body, told an extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zurich.

After a first round of voting in which he narrowly beat Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Infantino appeared to gather up almost all the votes that had been cast for the two trailing candidates. He won 115 of the 207 votes in the second round, giving him a simple majority.

Infantino owed his candidacy to the fact that Europe’s preferred candidate, his former boss, UEFA president Michel Platini, was banned from football last year along with Blatter for ethics viola-

tions.

Only the ninth president in FIFA’s 112-year history, he inherits a very different job from that inhabited by Blatter, who toured the world for 17 years like a head of state, dispensing development funds to his global support base.

Before the election, the Congress had overwhelmingly passed a set of reforms intended to make FIFA more transparent, professional and accountable.

That package should mean the new president faces much closer scrutiny than Blatter did, and have less influence over the day-to-day management of the organisation’s business affairs.

ised member federations more money in his quest for support, and an expansion of the World Cup finals to 40 teams from 32.

But unlike most of the other candidates, Infantino can point to the fact that he never served under Blatter in FIFA’s tainted leadership,

down on anti-government protests.

Following Blatter’s 17year reign, Infantino’s election maintains Europe’s stranglehold on the running of world football, and European officials were quick to welcome the result.

“It is the first time in a

New Governance

The reforms include term limits for top officials and disclosure of earnings, and a clear separation between an elected FIFA Council responsible for broad strategy and a professional general secretariat, akin to a company’s executive board, handling the business side.

Infantino’s campaign did not at first glance mark a dramatic change from the naked financial appeals of past elections as he prom-

verview of the FIFA Congress (Reuters Photo)

having worked for UEFA since 2000.

Sheikh Salman, the bookmakers’ favourite, had been on FIFA’s executive since 2013, and had had to repeatedly deny allegations from rights groups that he had been involved in or known about the detention and torture of Bahraini players in 2011 at the height of a crack-

long time that I have felt happy about anything to do with FIFA,” said Executive Committee member Michel D’Hooghe of Belgium. “(Infantino) is a young, dynamic man who has done a superb job at UEFA.” UEFA executive committee member Karen Espelund of Norway said: “We needed someone credible, we needed

a clean winner, a clean man, and I believe we have that in Gianni.”

Commercial acumen

Much of Infantino’s pitch centred on his commercial acumen; during his seven years as UEFA general secretary, revenue from Europe’s club competitions has grown dramatically, but so has inequality between the rich, powerful elite clubs in Europe’s four big leagues and the rest.

Many of the skills now required will, however, be in crisis management.

Infantino will hope for at least a brief honeymoon after the firestorm that broke out last May when seven football executives due to attend a previous Congress were arrested on suspicion of corruption in a dawn raid on their Zurich hotel.

Blatter survived long enough to win re-election at that Congress, but stepped down four days later as the scandals took their toll.

Since then, criminal investigations in the United States and Switzerland have resulted in the indictment of dozens of football officials and other entities for corruption, many of them serving

or former presidents of national or continental associations.

In addition, FIFA has been forced to investigate controversies surrounding the awarding of its showpiece, the World Cup finals, especially the decision to grant the 2018 tournament to Russia and the 2022 finals to Qatar, a small, scorching desert state with little football tradition.

Swiss authorities are reviewing more than 150 reports of suspicious financial activity linked to those awards, and said on Thursday they had sent more documents including an internal FIFA report to U.S. investigators.

Many key sponsorship deals have been put on hold until FIFA can be seen to have cleaned up its act, resulting in a $108 million (£77.8 million) deficit for 2015, an official said on Thursday.

Infantino welcomed that challenge.

“FIFA has gone through sad times ... We are going to win back ... respect and finally focus once again on this beautiful world that is football,” he said. (Reuters Sport)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, february 27, 2016

GCB/BANKS DIH LTD/DIGICEL NSSCL

National Junior, Cadet TT Championships set for March 4-7

Persaud’s ton leads Chase Academy to title T

By Akeem Greene

A

stroke-filled 104 by former National Under-17 player Joshua Persaud led Chase Academy to a hard fought 18-run victory over Uitvlugt Secondary School in the Inter-School round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Bourda on Friday.

Chase Academy batted first and posted a challenging 199-9 from their allotted 30 overs in which Uitvlugt responded with 181 all out.

The tournament which is sponsored by Banks DIH LTD under its Coca Cola and Rainforest Water brands along with Digicel was viewed by boisterous audience consisting of school children and family members.

In Uitvlught’s pursuit of 200 from 30 over, they lost openers Lallchan Seeram

(10) and Riddell Reddy (07) with just 24 on the board.

It quickly became 57-4 but Chanderpaul Mohair along with Dodi O’Selmo forged a courageous 80-run fifth wicket partnership to give challenge to the total.

The right-handed Mohair batted smartly, picking the gaps for singles and hitting the boundaries when necessary.

Mohabir show no regard for National youth leftarm spinner Ashmead Nedd when he lofted him into the Rohan Kanhai stand for six in the 15th over.

When O’Selmo fell for 21(1x4) they needed 70 from from 60 balls with five wickets remaining.

As the pressure mounted Mohabir was bowled by Joshua Persaud for a well played 76 inclusive of three fours and three sixes.

Mohabir dismisal broke the back of the chase as they were bowled out in 29.3 overs.

Lester Cupidore picked

up 3-13 while Persaud with 2-40 and Dwain Dick 2-26 were the other successful bowlers.

Earlier Chase Academy total was built on a superb 104 from Persaud. The right-handed opening batsman ton was by and large the only substantial contribution as the next best score was Kirk Lovell 20 (2x4s).

Chase Academy were 24-2 until Lovell and Persaud forged a third wicket stand of 76 when Lovell fell to medium pacer O’Selmo.

Uitvlugt continued to take wickets at regular intervals and Chase Academy found themselves 166-6 in the 21st over when Persaud fell after hitting twelve fours and four sixes.

A lower order batting collapse saw Chase Academy losing three wickets for just 33 runs in nine overs.

Sese Norvile chipped in with 19 (2x4s); O’Selmo took 4-28 and was supported by Reaz Khan with 3-28.

he Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) confirmed the dates for their flagship National Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships to be held from March 4-7 at the National Gymnasium.

The categories to be contested includes are; the Boys’ 18 years and under singles, Girls 18 year and under singles, Boys’ 15 years and under singles, Girls’ 15 years and under singles, Boys’ 13 years and under singles, Girls’ 13 years and under singles, Boys’ 11 years and under singles, Girls’ 11 years and under singles, Boys’ nine years and under singles, Girls’ nine years and under singles, Novices girls singles and Novices

boys singles.

Introduction of the Novices category The 12 category event will see the introduction of a novice’s category which seeks to sensitise the new entrants into the sport and act as a pool for emerging talent.

Keen Rivalry The championships will pit the nation’s top, talented and brightest table tennis prospects against each other for national glory and championships honours which will result in the likes of Shemar Britton Elishaba Johnson, Kyle Edghill, Kevon Corbin, Miguel Wong and Alec Hopkinson going against each other.

On the distaff side the likes of Pricsillia Greaves,

Kristie Lopes, Neveah Clarkston, Selenas Jackman Abigaile Martin and Davonna Bess will all battle it out for supremacy.

Prizes will be awarded to the first three places in each division, the awards includes trophies and cash incentives.

The event is open to all nationals of Guyana and who are eligible to represent the GTTA according to the ITTF Handbook 2014-2015.

Players are asked to officially register with the General Secretary of the GTTA, Linden Johnson on telephone number 621-7630 or with Deirdre Edghill on 6504520. The deadline for entry for events is on March third at 20:15h.

GFSCA warm-up tournament set for Sunday

T

he Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) will be hosting a 10-over knockout softball tournament at the Carifesta Sports Complex on Sunday.

The one day competition is geared to aid the GFSCA

teams with much-needed preparation for their trip to Florida, USA, for a tournament there in March.

Sunday’s tournament will be for players 40 years and over and the entrance fee is $10,000 per team.

The winning team will col-

lect $35,000 plus trophy, while the second place team will collect $15,000 and trophy and third one case Stag beer.

The first eight teams will be accepted and action will start at 10:00h. Further information can be had from Wayne Jones on 650-1790.

Arabs lament missed opportunity Federer plans tour Antiguan Government to return in April provide assistance to Joseph in FIFA presidency race

W

orld number three Roger Federer has delayed his ATP World Tour return by a month and plans to make his comeback from knee surgery at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.

The 17-times grand slam champion had initially intended to return in March at the elite Indian Wells Masters in California where he has won the title four times.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the 34-year-old

ed.

Federer had arthroscopic knee surgery in Switzerland earlier this month to repair a torn meniscus, having suffered the injury away from a tennis court the day after his Australian Open run ended in the semi-finals.

He withdrew from the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with the intention of returning for the March 10-20 BNP

W

est Indies Under-19 fast bowler Alzarri Joseph is set to receive some government assistance following his exploits with the regional youth squad in the ICC World Cup in Bangladesh.

This was confirmed by Government’s Chief of Staff Lionel “Max” Hurst who revealed, on Thursday, that Cabinet had decided to assist

to help the young Windies to a five-wicket victory in Bangladesh.

Hurst, in his weekly post-Cabinet briefing on OBSERVER Radio, credited Minister of Sports EP Chet Greene with having brought the proposal to Cabinet.

“Chet Greene … brought forward the idea (in Cabinet on Wednesday) and he said that he believes we have a

Alzarri Joseph

Roger Federer

Federer said: “I have now had a lot of great practices on the court and in the gym. As it is a long year, I don’t want to push it too hard and come back too soon.

“I will unfortunately not be able to make it back in time for the great event in Indian Wells but I do plan on playing in the desert next year.

“After consultation with my team, I have decided to enter the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters. Thanks for the support and I will see you back on tour soon,” the Swiss add-

Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California.

However, Federer has now set his sights on the clay surface of Monte Carlo for the April 10-17 ATP World Tour Masters.

The Swiss maestro has rarely missed any tournaments for health reasons during his remarkable 18-year professional career.

In 2005 Federer was out of action for six weeks while he recovered from foot injury and during 2008 he was troubled by a bout of mononucleosis and back problems. (Reuters Sport)

Joseph with his growth and development as a cricketer.

“I think the intention is to invite him to Cabinet and then announce that the Cabinet may very likely provide him with a stipend to meet some expenses that are associated with building his (physical) strength, buying his vitamins, and also ensuring that he has proper gear or whatever might be necessary,” he said.

“No fixed amount has been determined as yet, but it was agreed that … we would give him all of the press that would be necessary to make him a public figure,” he added.

Joseph claimed a total of 13 wickets during the World Cup event, and took three for 39 in the finals against India

West Indies team cricketer in Joseph, and so the Cabinet decided it would do everything possible to ensure that he succeeds in being on the West Indies team,” Hurst said.

Joseph was recalled to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes ahead of the Regional 4-day match against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force starting Friday in Trinidad. The speedster delivered the fastest ball in the World Cup tournament – at 91.5 mph and bowled consistently around the high 80s-90 mph.

Joseph removed the stumps in four of his 13 wickets, had three lbw decisions while three of his victims were caught by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach off tentative edges. (Windies Cricket)

T

he Arab region squandered the chance to help elect their first FIFA president because their two candidates failed to cooperate, leaving the door open for Swiss Gianni Infantino to triumph on Friday, Arab football chiefs and pundits said.

UEFA’s Infantino got 88 votes in the first round, three more than Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, while Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan managed 27 and Frenchman Jerome Champagne won seven.

Sheikh Salman would have had a better chance if his efforts were united with Prince Ali as Infantino won in the second round with 115 of the 207 votes, which was more than the required majority of 104, while Sheikh Salman got 88 and Prince Ali four.

“Some countries gave promises but didn’t fulfil them. We are all Arabs but unfortunately some support the other party (candidate) and we hope this changes in the future,” Bahrain FA president Ali Al Khalifa said in a television interview.

“We as Arabs should unite our efforts and be clear with each other.”

“It appears from the first round that some countries have joined the other party (candidate). We have now to look forward and help FIFA’s new president get (the world governing body) out of the current crisis”, he added.

FIFA was voting for a new leader amidst its biggest ever corruption scan-

FIFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa of Bahrain (C) reacts after the first ballot votre during the Extraordinary Congress

dal which has seen 41 people and entities indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) pledged its backing to Sheikh Salman while his AFC said it supported him but it seems some of those countries did not give him their vote.

“Africa has fulfilled its promises but it is clear that something happened with Asian countries and this was behind the final result,” Sudan FA president Mutasim Jaffar said.

“Sheikh Salman was depending heavily on Africa and Asia and the plan was to get 100 votes in the first round. He has to find out what happened to his home (vote).”

This was the second chance for the Arab region to get a FIFA president after Prince Ali lost to former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter by 133-73 votes in the election last May when Sheikh Salman announced his support for the Swiss incumbent.

(Reuters Sport)

21

YELLOW PAGES saturday, february 27, 2016

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Friendship being Block: XXV of Zone: East Coast Demerara as shown on a Final Plan by L. L. Rutherford, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the 6th day of May, 2011 and recorded in the Guyana of Lands and Surveys Commission as Plan No. 49987 and Land Registry No. L. R. 1540. NAME & ADDRESS OF AWARDEE: YVONNE GLASGOW Administratrix of the Estate of Charles Henry McLean, Lot 49 Friendship, East Coast Demerara.

DECLARATION OF TITLE OF PARCEL: 358. ACREAGE: 0.234. or Registrar of the Supreme Court SUPREME COURT REGISTRY GEORGETOWN Dated 25th day of November, 2015. LAND COURT. LAND REGISTRATION AREA: Plantation Zeelugt. PARCEL: 95 BLOCK: I ZONE: East Bank Essequibo River. Pursuant to Section 31 of the Land Registry Act, Chapter 5:02 the following Declaration of Title was made in respect of the Parcel of land herein mentioned situate at Plantation Zeelugt being Block: I of Zone: East Bank Essequibo River as shown on a Final Plan by G. Samaroo, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the 21st day of January, 2011 and recorded in the Guyana of Lands and Surveys Commission as Plan No. 49155 and Land Registry No. L. R. 445. NAME & ADDRESS OF AWARDEE: RAMKUMARI PARBATI MOHABIR Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo. DECLARATION OF TITLE OF PARCEL: 95. ACREAGE: 0.113.

For Registrar of the Supreme Court.

SUPREME COURT REGISTRY LAW COURT GEORGETOWN. Dated 13th day of November, 2015 LAND COURT NOTICE. ACQUISITION OF TITLE BY ADVERSE POSSESSION UNDER SECTIONS 106 AND 107 OF THE LAND REGISTRY ACT CH.5:02.

LAND REGISTRATION AREA: Plantation Naamryck. PARCEL: 64 BLOCK: IX ZONE: East Bank Essequibo River. NILWANTIE LEWIS also known as NILWANTIE SAMAROO and LEYLAND LEWIS both of Lot 17 Naamryck, East Bank Essequibo, have submitted an Application to the Commissioner of Title praying for a Declaration of Title in his favour in respect of the Parcel of land numbered 64 (sixty four) being Part of Plantation Naamryck, in Block: IX of Zone: East Bank Essequibo River as more fully described in the schedule hereunder: (Application No. 5/14 dated the 18th day of November, 2013). Attorneyat-Law for the Applicant is Mr. R. N. Poonai whose chamber is situated at Lot 153, Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara. The registered proprietor of the said parcel of land is Alice Elizabeth Abraham of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, vide Certificate of Title No. 99/5. Any person desirous of lodging a CounterApplication or Notice of Objection to the said Application is required to do so in terms of the Act and the Rules appended thereto. Forms (2) and (3) at pages 90 and 91 are applicable.

Upon the expiration of the period of 1 (one) year from the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Gazette and a daily Newspaper printed and circulated in the State of Guyana, the Commissioner of Title shall fix a day for the hearing of the said Application. SCHEDULE Parcel 64 (sixty four) being Plantation Naamryck, in Block: IX of Zone: East Bank Essequibo River, containing an area of 0.3554 (nought decimal three five five four) of an acre. .................. ....................................... For Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Registry Law Courts Georgetown. Dated this 3rd day of December, 2015. LAND COURT NOTICE ACQUISITION OF TITLE

BY ADVERSE POSSESSION UNDER SECTIONS 106 AND 107 OF THE LAND REGISTRY ACT CH.5:02. LAND REGISTRATION AREA: Plantation Aberdeen PARCEL: 189A BLOCK: XVI ZONE: Essequibo Coast.

THAKUR of Aberdeen, Essequibo Coast, has submitted an Application to the Commissioner of Title praying for a Declaration of Title in his favour in respect of the Parcel of land numbered 189A (one hundred and eighty nine A) being Part of Plantation Aberdeen, in Block: XVI of Zone: Essequibo Coast as more fully described in the schedule hereunder: (Application No. 75/11 dated the 22nd day of September, 2011). Attorney-atLaw for the Applicant is Mr. R. N. Poonai whose chamber is situated at Lot 153, Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara.

The registered proprietor of the said parcel of land are Shiwranie of 96 New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop,

West Coast Demerara and Jawhir Khan of Columbia, Essequibo, vide Certificate of Title No. 91/12 and 94/70. Any person desirous of lodging a Counter-Application or Notice of Objection to the said Application is required to do so in terms of the Act and the Rules appended thereto. Forms (2) and (3) at pages 90 and 91 are applicable. Upon the expiration of the period of 1 (one) year from the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Gazette and a daily Newspaper printed and circulated in the State of Guyana, the Commissioner of Title shall fix a day for the hearing of the said Application. SCHEDULE Parcel 189A (one hundred and eighty-nine A) being Plantation Aberdeen, in Block: XVI of Zone: Essequibo Coast, containing an area of 0.2319 (nought decimal two three one nine) of an acre.................................................. ......... For Registrar of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Registry Law Courts Georgetown. Dated this 3rd day of December, 2015.

LAND COURT NOTICE ACQUISITION OF TITLE BY ADVERSE POSSESSION UNDER SECTIONS 106 AND 107 OF THE LAND REGISTRY ACT CH.5:02 . LAND REGISTRATION AREA: Plantation Naamryck PARCELS: 88 and 89 BLOCK: IX ZONE: East Bank Essequibo River. NANDALALL SAMLALL and JASODA NANDALALL both of Naamryck, East Bank Essequibo River, have submitted an Application to the Commissioner of Title praying for a Declaration of Title in their favour in respect of the Parcels of land numbered 88 (eightyeight) and 89 (eighty nine) being Part of Plantation Naamryck, in Block: IX of Zone: East Bank Essequibo River as more fully described in the schedule hereunder: (Application No. 117/2012 dated the 9th day of October, 2012).Attorney-at-Law for the Applicant is Mr. R. N. Poonai whose chamber is situated at Lot 153, Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara. The registered proprietor of the said parcel of land are Etwaria Samlall, Vishnu Samlall, Seenauth Samlall and Nandalall Samlall all of Naamryck, East Bank Essequibo, in equal shares vide Certificate of Title No. 2000/161.

Any person desirous of lodging a Counter-Application or Notice of Objection to the said Application is required to do so in terms of the Act and the Rules appended thereto. Forms (2) and (3) at pages 90 and 91 are applicable. Upon the expiration of the period of 1 (one) year from the date of publication of this Notice in the Official Gazette and a daily Newspaper printed and circulated in the State of Guyana, the Commissioner of Title shall fix a day for the hearing of the said Application.

SCHEDULE Parcels 88 (eighty-eight) and 89 (eighty nine) being part of Plantation Naamryck, in Block: IX of Zone: East Bank Essequibo River, containing an area of 0.1301 (nought decimal one three nought one) and 0.0965 (nought decimal nought nine six five) of an acre, respectively. .. ........................................................

For Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Registry Law Courts Georgetown. Dated this 28th day of December, 2015.

2015 - HC - DEM - CIV - P- 1067 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE DECLARATION OF TITLE. Lynn Rutherford and Verbina Noeley Rutherford both of Lot 5 High Dam, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, have presented a Petition for a Declaration of Title by prescription of the property described in the schedule attached hereto.

Any person (s) intending to oppose the said petition must within one (1) month after the date of the first publication of this notice file in the Registry of the High Court in the City of Georgetown, Notice of his/her Opposition and an affidavit or affidavits in support thereof and serve a copy of this Notice and any affidavit/affidavits upon the said Petitioners.The said petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours.

Sgd. R.N. Poonai, Attorney-at-Law for Petitioner. Dated this 9th day of November, 2015. S C H E D U L E: Sublot lettered “VB” being portion of Lot numbered 4 (four), (South of the Public Road) Plantation Rebecca’s Lust or High Dam, within the Farm/Woodlands Neighbourhood Democratic Council, situate on the East Coast of Demerara, in the County of Demerara and in the Republic of Guyana, the said sub-

lot “VB” containing an area of 0.179 (nought decimal one seven nine) of an acre together with a right of way measuring 10 (ten) feet in width and running along the eastern boundary of the said sublot and leading to the Public Road, the said sublot and right of way being laid down and defined on a plan by H. M. Amsterdam, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the 19th day of December, 2014 and recorded in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 6th day of January, 2015 as plan No. 60502.

MEMORANDUM The Petitioner address for service is at the Chambers of his Attorneys-at-Law, Mr. R.N. Poonai and/or Mr. S. J. Poonai of Lot 153, Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana.

2015 – HC – DEM – CIV – P -1238 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE DECLARATION OF TITLE Joseph De Freitas of Lot 8 Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, Guyana has presented his Petition for a Declaration of Title by prescription of the property described in the schedule attached hereto. Any person (s) intending to oppose the said petition must within one (1) month after the date of the first publication of this notice file in the Registry of the High Court in the City of Georgetown, Notice of his/her Opposition and an affidavit or affidavits in support thereof and serve a copy of this Notice and any affidavit/affidavits upon the said Petitioner. The said petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours. Sgd. R.N. Poonai, Attorney-at-Law for Petitioner.

Dated this 15th day of December, 2015. S C H E D U L E Tract lettered “JD” being portion of Lots eleven (11), twelve (12), thirteen (13) and fourteen (14) being portions of Plantation Sarah Johanna, within the Craig/Caledonia Neighbourhood Democratic Council, situate on the East Bank of Demerara, in the County of Demerara, in the Republic of Guyana, the said Lots numbered 11 (eleven), 12 (twelve), 13 (thirteen) and 14 (fourteen) being laid down and defined on a Plan by H. Rainsford, Sworn Land Surveyor dated July, 1846, the said the said tract lettered JD containing 0.2967 (nought decimal two nine six seven) of an acre as being shown, laid down and defined on a Plan by Desmond A. Weeks, Sworn Land Surveyor dated 21st day of September, 2012 and recorded in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 4th day of October, 2012 as Plan No. 54030.

MEMORANDUM The Petitioner’s address for service is at the chambers of his Attorneys-at-Law, Mr. R.N. Poonai, S. J. Poonai and N. Poonai, of Lot 153, Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana.

2015 - HC - DEM - CIV - P- 1049 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE DECLARATION OF TITLE. ALEXIA KIPPINS of Bendorff, East Bank Essequibo, Guyana, has presented a Petition for a Declaration of Title by prescription of the property described in the schedule attached hereto. Any person (s) intending to oppose the said petition must within one (1) month after the date of the first publication of this notice file in the Registry of the High Court in the City of Georgetown, Notice of his/her Opposition and an affidavit or affidavits in support thereof and serve a copy of this Notice and any affidavit/affidavits upon the said Petitioner. The said petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours.

Sgd. S.J. Poonai, Attorney-at-Law for Petitioner. Dated this 5th day of November, 2015. S C H E D U L E Sublot lettered ‘b’ being a portion of Block lettered “KI” being portion of Plantation Bendorff, situate on the East Bank of the Essequibo River, in the County of Essequibo and in the Republic of Guyana, the said Sublot lettered ‘b’ containing an area of 5.5145 (five decimal five one four five) acres being shown, laid down and defined on a Plan by J. Ramnauth, Sworn Land Surveyor, dated the 8th day of March, 2005 and recorded in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 14th day of April, 2005, as Plan No. 37331. MEMORANDUM The Petitioner address for service is at the Chambers of his Attorneys-atLaw, Mr. R.N. Poonai and/or Mr. S. J. Poonai of Lot 153, Charlotte Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Guyana.

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guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, february 27, 2016

GOA presents airline ticket to Guyana confirmed to compete in CFU Men’s Cup Ramdhani for Peru tournament

In their last outing- an international friendly against Suriname earlier this month- the Golden Jaguars won 2-0

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uyana will participate in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Men’s Cup scheduled for March 2016 to May 2017. Guyana has been placed in Group Five of seven, and countries in the group include Anguilla and Puerto Rico.

Guyana’s first match will be played against Anguilla on March 23 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, at 19:00h. The second will be played against Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico on March 29.

Anguilla will then play Puerto Rico on March 26 at the Raymond E, Guishard Technical Centre in Anguilla. National Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz said there are no more easy teams in football.

Speaking about the CFU draw that pits Guyana

against Anguilla and Puerto Rico, he said, “There are no more push-overs in international football. The ball is round and the field is rectangular for everyone. How well we prepare is critical. The ability to get the Federation, the staff, the players and the fans to sing the same song from the same book is vital.”

Shabazz intends to have a five-day camp before the games against Anguilla and Puerto and also hold one session a week with the main core of locally-based players.

He said, “We must work to raise the level of players and add to the good work done in the clubs. We are nothing without the club coaches; they do all the work with the players week in, week out. We only have the team for short periods so we must work together.”

The Technical Staff is

expected to name a squad of 30 players by mid-March.

The competition will be played in two phases – the preliminary phase and the final phase.

Round One will be played from March 21-29; Round Two on May 15-21; Round Three on October 3-11; the Fifth Place Playoff on November 7-15; and the finals scheduled for May 2017.

Among the other teams participating in the tournament are Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St Maarten, United States Virgin Islands, Cuba, Bermuda, French Guiana, Barbados, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Suriname, Martinique, British Virgin Islands and Dominica.

Games will be played in 21 countries.

Garfield Wiltshire, Treasurer of the GOA, presents the cheque to Narayan Ramdhani in the presence of GOA president K.A Juman-Yassin, GOA executive Karen Pilgrim and the Taekwondo association president and secretary

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he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has presented an airline ticket to world ranked badminton player Narayan Ramdhani, who will be attending the 11th Peru Junior Under-19 International Championships in Lima on March 8-11. He will be accompanied by compatriot Jonathan Mangra.

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) said it is very grateful for the assistance from the GOA. “The GBA is amazed that Guyana’s top athletes still have to struggle to gain sponsorship for top and world ranked athletes to date especially when

the main factor is that the Golden Arrowhead flies in the international arenas.

We do hope in the future that the entities responsible for sports and also the interested private sector can understand why it is necessary to be involve with sports and the mileage it can take them,” the GBA said in a release.

The Peru tournament will be the first of a series of international tournaments Guyana will be competing in, and the players will gain points to boost their world rankings.

“These two players just won the first local doubles tournament for the year at

the Gumdac Open Doubles last week and is not new in the international arena. They also medalled in the Caribbean Games last year in Singles and Doubles. They are currently in training for this Peru International which they are expected to do well in both the Boys Singles and Boys Doubles events,” the GBA related.

The GBA would like to also thank Director of Sports Christopher Jones and the NSC for their contribution, Wayne Kanhai of Yellow Mining and David Fernandes of Bounty Farms for their support.

Fistic showdown at “Hostile Edghill Impressive on Territory” boxing card Intercollegiate Circuit – Giftland Mall to be transformed into war zone this evening

By Avenash Ramzan

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uyanese who trek to the Giftland Mall will be exposed to another type of entertainment this evening, as the Guyana Boxing Board of Control stages “Hostile Territory”, the first professional boxing event of 2016.

Set to get cracking at 20:00h, the event is expected to attract a large turnout, just like or even better than the first event at the stateof-the-art mall last year.

Given the organisers’ propensity to replicate the Las Vegas boxing experience, one can look forward to another spectacular evening of boxing, complemented by the colourful lights and ring setting.

In the ‘square jungle’, United Stated of Americabased Guyanese boxer, Elton “Coolie Bully” Dharry, will trade punches with Venezuela’s Felix Machado in the main event.

The 43-year-old Machado is a former IBF Super Flyweight champion, and has a record of 26 wins

and 13 losses, eight of which have come in his last nine fights.

Dharry’s record currently stands at 19 wins, 12 by way of knockout, five losses and one draw. He will enter the ring on the strength of a 16-bout winning streak, stretching way back to 2010.

The 10-round bantamweight showdown will serve as a warm-up for the 30-year-old Dharry ahead of a British Commonwealth fight on May 21.

The main supporting bout will also be a Guyana versus Venezuela thriller, as local boy Dexter Marques will face off with his neighbouring Spanish-speaking rival Freddie Beleno in a 10-round flyweight fight.

Marques, currently boasting six wins on the trot, has a record of 14 victories (5 KOs) and two defeats, while Beleno has 26 wins (15 KOs) and 10 losses, including seven in his last seven fights, dating back to 2008.

Kishawn Simon will look for revenge against Cassius Matthews when the two

meet in a rematch. The last time these two met was on Boxing Day 2013 in Linden, where Matthews earned a Split Decision win. A year later Simon suffered another loss, this time to Revlon Lake, and has not fought since.

With a record of two wins and three losses, Simon is now making a return to the sport, and said he is confident of topping Matthews, who had a record of five wins, eight losses and two draws. The six-round welterweight contest is being sponsored by Lewisons Automotive of Corentyne, Berbice.

In the other fights, Trinidad and Tobago-based Guyanese Revlon Lake will face Miguel Antoine of Barbados in an eight-round welterweight clash; Imran “Magic” Khan will meet Quincy Gomes in a 135 lbs all Guyanese contest; while Mandessa Moses will collide Anselle Norville in a fourround bantamweight.

Admission to the venue is $5,000 ringside and $2,000 outer ringside.

– wins Women’s Regional InterCollegiate title

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Chelsea Edghill

uyana’s Recently crowned National Women’s Table Tennis champion and Lindenwood University scholarship holder Chelsea Edghill completed an impressive showing on the intercollegiate circuit, winning the Women’s Singles at the National Regional Division Intercollegiate Table Tennis Championships.

The competition which pits upper Midwest Division teams against Lower

Midwest Division teams was played at the gymnasium of the University of Lindenwood Missouri on February 20.

Just off her recent success at the national championships in Guyana, Edghill defeated Maria Castillo of the University of Wisconsin in the finals by a 3-0 margin to secure the victory while avenging an earlier defeat to Castillo in the group matches.

In group action seeded number one in group two, she lost to eventual finalist Castillo 3-2, defeated Furuta Mayuko 3-0, Andrea Hoppert 3-0 and Jinvi Humi by a 3-0 margin to emerge out of group two.

In the quarterfinals she defeated Yan Dan and later went on to defeat defeated Zhang Yixin in the semi-finals before avenging her earlier lost to Castillo in the final.

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, february 27, 2016

23

GCB Under-15 Championship B&R Investment/ Dookie Construction Demerara, Berbice to do battle in final today at GCC cycling set for today

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Mario King

Robin Persaud

fter a break of three years, B&R Investment/Dookie Construction of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, is back on board with national cycling coach Hassan Mohamed for today’s 11-race cycling programme at the inner circuit of the National Park.

The company sponsored its first such race in 2013, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the programme was absent for Mohamed’s calendar of activities in 2014 and 2015.

Mohamed informed this publication that the management of the entity has agreed to stage the race today, with action set to pedal off at 09:00h.

The day’s activities will commence with the excit-

ing BMX races, catering for the 6-9, 9-12, 12-14 and Open categories, followed by the senior riders competing in the Juveniles, Mountain Bikes, Veterans and Open divisions.

In 2013, the main race, the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational, was won by the evergreen Robin Persaud of the Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club.

Persaud had clocked one hour, 18 minutes, 32 seconds (01h: 18m: 32s).

Other winners included Mario King (Juveniles), Junior Niles (Veterans U-50), Lennox Dick (Mountain Bikes) and Romello Crawford (12-14).

Representatives of the sponsor will witness the races and later assist in the presentation of prizes.

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Round 4 of Milo School Football to kick off today

By Treiston Joseph

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he Milo Under-20 School Football Tournament will kick off with round four action this weekend at the Ministry of Education ground with seven games spread across today and Sunday.

Today’s action will feature some top games with Carmel Secondary and Christ Church set to be the most intriguing of the set.

Both teams will need a win if they are to have a chance of making it the knockout stage and the extra impetus in the match might cause both teams to push the limits in hope of scoring an outright win.

Bishop’s High School will face Central High in what is expected to be a comfortable win for the former. Bishops have been playing some good football and will certainly have the edge in this encounter over a Central High team that has yet to make an impact on the tournament.

School of the Nations will also be battling South Ruimveldt in what can end up being the match that steals the show today.

Both teams have had a good tournament so far

and while not at their best can certainly test each other both defensively and offensively.

Meanwhile on Sunday St George’s and Tutorial will play each other in a game that can go either way. While St George’s have not been the powerhouse they once were, they are still a good bunch facing a Tutorial squad that is on the rise.

Queenstown and St John’s are also set for a class in what should be a run of the mill win for the latter who has had their ups and downs in the tournament thus far.

Charlestown and Freeburg are also set for a clash on Sunday in what can be a closely contested encounter between the two sides that have been hot and cold in the tournament.

However, the final match of the day can steal the show when Mae’s and St Roses clash to end round four action. St Roses’ have been in good form while Mae’s are now turning into a good bunch.

With the two sides being on even keel, a keenly contested encounter is expected. Action on both days start from 11:00h.

emerara and Berbice will play the final today of the Guyana Cricket Board/Dave West Indian Exports Guy-NY Inter-County Under-15 50over tournament at the Georgetown Cricket Club, Bourda.

Both teams secured victories in their final round matches on Thursday to make sure they play in what will be an intriguing matchup with Demerara having already defeated Berbice in the earlier rounds.

In Demerara’s final round match against GCB President’s XI, they rocked to a commanding nine wicket win due to man-of-the

match bowling performance by seamer Jason Payne who copped 5-19.

Payne’s heroics helped to bowl out the President XI for a meager 36 in 12 overs as Orin Gibson’s eight runs was the highest score in an abysmal batting performance; Daniel Paul supported Payne’s cause with 3-14.

When Demerara took strike openers Yeudistir Persaud and Andrew Samaroo (03) added 27 for the opening stand before Samaroo fell to Abdul Ramsammy.

Persaud batted positively in his unbeaten 25 (4x4s) as he finished on 37-1 in eight overs, Shoaib

Shaw was unbeaten on 05 as Ramsammy took 1-4.

At Enterprise, Berbice defeated Essequibo by three wickets; Essequibo batted first and scored 112 all out in 43.3 overs while Berbice in response made 116-7 in 17.2 overs.

The pair of Lance Roberts (34) and Mark Federicks (13) repaired the damage with a handy 49run sixth wicket partnership after the five wickets fell for just four runs.

Ameer Singh with 23 added some lower-order support as the wickets were shared amongst the Berbice bowlers.

Nigel Deodat snared

3-20; Jevon Shultz took 2-4 and Aaron Beharry 2-26.

Berbice response was led

by Shultz with a top score of 17; he got support from Fawaz Gafoor (16) and Seon Glasgow (11). Off-spinner Amos Sarwan took 4-39.

Today, Demerara will look to the likes of in-form opener Sachin Singh to lead with the bat and will certainly be expecting another good bowling performance from Payne.

Berbice on the other hand will be looking want to equal the score with a victory in the most important match and handy all-rounder Jevon Shultz will be key man, along with Glasgow.

GFA/Stag Premier League

Riddim Squad, Campton secure victories

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ten-man Riddim Squad side defeated the Guyana Police Force Football Club 1-0 on Thursday in the latest action of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Stag Premier League at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Bourda.

Riddim Squad’s Wendel Josh goal in the 82nd minute prove to be the winner, in a match that Police will be ruing lost chances.

Anthony Sancho

Josh’s goal came in a frenetic fashion as the Riddim Squad players crowded the box as Josh found a way to force it in the goal.

Police certainly had the upper hand throughout the match as they were much more flamboyant in their play and created much more chances but failed to capitalize.

In the other game, a double from Anthony

Sancho lead Sunburst Campton to a 2-1 victory over Beacon FC. The experienced Sancho netted in the 31st and 68th minutes while Royston Dublin scored in the 85th in a late surge by Beacon.

The league continues on March second with Flamingo taking on Police FC from 18:30h, then Beacon play Northern Rangers from 20:30h.

saturday, february 27w, 2016

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

Fistic showdown at “Hostile Territory” boxing card

– Giftland Mall to be transformed into war zone this evening

Round 4 of Milo School Football to kick off today Pg 23

Elton Dharry

Dexter Marques

Pg 22

Kishawn Simon

Infantino elected new boss of FIFA Pg 19

Revlon Lake

Some of the action during the previous round

GCB/BANKS DIH LTD/DIGICEL NSSCL

Persaud’s ton leads Chase Academy to title Pg 20

Newly elected FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledges applause during the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich, Switzerland (Reuters photo)

The victorious Chase Academy pose with their Championship trophy along with representatives from the various organising bodies

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