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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2961 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

August 28, 2016

Guyana ranks poorly on Intl Business index

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Serious crimes dip by records P16 15% – Ramnarine

…on par with war-torn Pakistan, Tanzania Page 8

$120 VAT INCLUDED

Page 3

15-year-old AFC Councillor busted with slapped by cocaine APNU ranger at CJIA – Police investigating Page 11

2 critical as speeding bus topples on Regent St

Pharmagate

P7

Contract must be terminated – Nandlall … says review a futile exercise

Page 5

Zika virus

Don’t wait on an epidemic to take action – Ramsammy urges P17 … condemns Govt’s nonchalant response to threat

The mangled minibus which stuck a motorcycle before slamming into a lantern post and toppling on Regent Street, Georgetown on Saturday evening. Several persons are in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital

Page 11

Blueberry Hill Govt spent nil on residents stop Sanata Complex selling to QAII ‘substandard’ …after Kaieteur News that lie since road repairs peddling 2008 – Dr Ramroop Page 13

Amerindians feel discriminated against, P10 neglected by Govt – NTC Vice Chairman

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, August 28 – 14:30h-16:00h and Monday, August 29 – 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, August 28 – 13:45h-15:15h and Monday, August 29 – 14:35h-16:05h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Heavy to light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies with chances of light showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North Easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metre and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 00:52h and maximum heights of 2.30 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:02h and minimum heights of 0.88 metres respectively.

13:38h reaching metres and 2.26 19:30h reaching metre and 0.97

Guyana ranks poorly on Intl Business index …on par with war-torn Pakistan, Tanzania

G

uyana has dropped several places on the international scene, when it comes to the ease of doing business. The country currently ranks in the same region as war-torn Pakistan and Tanzania, according to the 2016 World Bank’s Report.

The recently released report rated 189 countries across the world, with Singapore proving to be the most relaxed, scoring 87 points on the World Bank index.

Guyana Scored 52

The country did pick up favourable remarks for establishing its Credit Bureau in May last year.

Guyana was also flagged by the international report as being among the countries where entrepreneurs would have to resort to hiring an attorney for its business registration.

According to the World Bank, “among regions, Latin America and the Caribbean has the largest share of economies where entrepreneurs hire lawyers for company registration…It also has the highest average cost of doing so, with fees ranging from roughly US$70 in

Guyana.”

This represents the sixth consecutive year that Guyana’s ranking on the international business index has plummeted.

Four of the top five ranked economies remained in the Asia Pacific region.

Brunei, Costa Rica and Kenya each moved up 21 positions, the most; Albania declined 35 positions, the worst in the 2016 report.

Since its launch in 2002, the Doing Business project has aimed to provide objective measures of the regulatory environment applicable to the life cycle of a typical small- and medium-size company. A higher ranking confers a more conductive business climate to local en-

trepreneurs.

The news comes on the heels of the Guyana Financial Mid-Year Report.

Kaushik Basu senior vice president and chief economist at the World Bank, in providing an overview of the report said that a quick look at the list of economies at the top with the ease of doing business reveals that the best 30 performers are not those with little regulation but those with good rules that allow efficient and transparent functioning of businesses and markets while protecting the public interest.

Guyana has over the years also been ranked poorly on the annual Transparency International Corruption perception Index. Basu in the 2016 World Bank report noted too that the data in this year’s report also show that economies that have efficient regulatory processes as measured by Doing Business have high regulatory quality.

In addition, the economies that rank high on Doing Business indicators tend to perform well in other international data sets, such as the Global Competitiveness Index and Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

Toshaos against establishment of a 5-member authority

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hile most Toshaos are pleased with the pledge of the President to have Cabinet deliberate on accenting to a piece of land for the National Toshao Council (NTC), many of them are against the establishment of a five-person body to assist the Council.

At the closing of the National Toshao Council Conference, Guyana Times spoke to several indigenous leaders and they expressed disapproval with the President’s call for the setting up of a five-person Indigenous People’s Authority to speed up the implementation of decisions coming out of the NTC. On Monday, President David Granger had stated that it is unfair for the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to act as “postman” in a fragmented system diffusing across the several ministries in order to access aid for health, physical infrastructure, social protection, economics, and education, Granger stated that it is applicable for such a novel establishment.

He predicted that the

body will implement decisions made by the NTC and the National Assembly.

“We need to clothe the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs with the authority to act decisively to deal with some of these problems,” he had said, charging the Minister to recommend measures to set up the authority.

However, one Toshao of Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo) stated that this is a bad move since it would usurp the role of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Council. “We don’t need something like that if we already have a ministry and the NTC,” he said, adding that the Government to turn their eyes at establishing ways to fix more pressing issues like mining and the social breakdown of the hinterland regions.

Toshao of Isseneru, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) Darnes Larson said; “I don’t think it is a wise idea because the Ministry already has two Ministers, two advisors plus technical workers,” stressing

NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks that his opinion is not blinded by any “agents of division” or support of any political party.

He stated that it is crucial for the Government to address issues such as mining, land titling, and the rights of Amerindian peoples.

President Granger had stated that the authority would work under the Ministry to lend support to the NTC as a measure to better the quality of life for indigenous people.

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Shadow Minister

Pauline Sukhai has also openly rejected the call. She contended that the new body would undermine the work of the Ministry and the NTC, explaining that the Ministry is already staffed with technical people to manage the affairs of the people.

“I notice that there is an attempt to usurp the power of the NTC now and even the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs where now you are going to propose to establish a five-man committee to implement decisions.

I don’t see independence in that,” Sukhai said. “…there is need for support for empowering and support of indigenous leaders. How will you establishing a five-person committee when there is a Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs with two Ministers,” she added.

However, NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks received President Granger’s announcement with elation. “I believe this is a step in the right direction and I support it but I think the NTC should be a part it,” he said.

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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Real educational needs

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nce again we have recruited a new Vice-Chancellor to resuscitate the moribund University of Guyana.

He has asked for $5.2 billion. Maybe it is time we interrogate the very purpose of a university for our country.

This is not to say that we do not need a university – but the question that must be asked is, “What exactly is the University supposed to produce for our country?”

We would then be joining a larger ongoing debate and discourse in the developed world. They were forced into this introspection by their economic collapse that started in 2008 with still no light evident at the end of their tunnel. They realise that much deadwood will have to be jettisoned and there is quite a lot of that deadwood in the halls of academia.

And they are not only questioning just the number of PhD’s that are being churned out in obscure fields on even more obscure and recondite topics. A hard look is being cast at the relevance of the undergraduate programmes. The question asked by the powers that be is whether the degree awarded is worth the investment demanded.

Interestingly even on their own, since the crash in the US, students have been asking this same question.

One of the response of the latter cohort has been to desert programmes in ‘business’ and ‘language’ in droves and head into fields that are directly connected to available jobs such as in the health field. Suddenly, nursing schools are “in”.

In Guyana, the need for this sort of introspection seems to have escaped both students and administrators. Do we actually need all those graduates in Sociology or International relations? Are we not just creating trouble for ourselves when the young (and not so young) graduates in these fields cannot find employment?

We have known since 2000, courtesy of the US geological survey, that we were awash in oil off our coast. It was just a matter of time as to when the real powers that move the oil industry in this hemisphere would decide to pump it out. But we don't even have a programme in this area, like Suriname initiated some time ago.

And it is not only specialised knowledge in petroleum mining.

What about skills in laying and connecting all those steel pipes that even lay-persons can see will be needed in the oil industry?

But one development in the US that addresses the need to provide academic knowledge and industry-specific training points in a direction in which we have some experience and which we hopefully can introduce quite quickly: apprenticeships. And since we tend to only copy what is common ‘overseas’, maybe our educators may take notice.

In recent decades, we seem to have bypassed the apprenticeship system, introduced in the sugar industry since the fifties. We’ve opted for some nebulous “internship” system that really does not provide the background and training for its graduates to step into any available jobs.

Apprenticeships, of course, combine paid on-thejob training with college-level or trade-school classes.

The Booker’s Apprenticeship Training Programme (now GuySuCo’s) was immensely successful for decades and can become the nucleus for expanding our apprenticeship schemes.

Apprenticeship programmes make economic sense because specific companies – such as the ones in the petroleum and information and communication technology sector, for instance – do not have to look outside the country or towards retraining to fill their personnel needs. In the US, the Department of Labour is trying to expand apprenticeship models in high-demand fields like health care, green jobs, transportation, and information technology.

One problem with our "Technical Institute" model that we are expanding at present is that it does not offer the graduates the assurance of specific skills that employers need. The apprenticeship scheme, by combining the employers with the institutions and the specific training, removes that doubt. It also allows corporations to more directly absorb the costs of training their employees.

Red and white balloons are released during the opening ceremony of newly built Yavuz Sultan Selim bridge, the third bridge over the Bosphorus linking the city's European and Asian sides in Istanbul, Turkey (Reuters)

Is the President listening to his supporters?

Dear Editor, Just when you think an APNU/AFC self-inflicted scandal is over, another one piles on, threatening to outdo the previous one.

Until now, I deliberately avoided commenting on the Bondgate fiasco as individuals who could be considered supporters of the ruling APNU/AFC were daily expressing their outrage in ways that, had the same comments been made by me, they would have been expected as coming from a PPP parliamentarian, and would not have had the same impact.

But the feeling of righteous indignation expressed by the likes of anticorruption advocate Anand Goolsarran; outspoken WPA executive Dr David Hinds, Kaieteur News columnists Freddy Kissoon and Peeping Tom is evident that the honeymoon is over, and Guyanese are determined more than ever, to hold the APNU/AFC Government accountable.

And so the question must be asked: Is the President listening to his supporters?

Judging from his inaction on other embarrassing and controversial events that are rapidly becoming the hallmark of his leadership, it does not appear so.

As Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton is, in my opinion, the designated ‘fall-guy‘ for the outrageous decision taken by the APNU+AFC Cabinet to rent an unfinished, uncerti-

fied pharmaceutical bond for $12.5 million (US$62,500) monthly from a known supporter/financier of the coalition Larry Singh of Linden Holding Inc. Editor, most Americans do not earn that type of money for the entire year in the USA, and the security deposit of $25 million I’m convinced, was given to Singh to facilitate the renovation of the building he had just bought for the exact amount.

And to prove just how insensitive the Administration is to public opinion and criticism, Brian Tiwarie, owner of BK International, the man who was just gifted a whopping US$5.7M by the Granger Administration based on a claim by the Attorney General, Basil Williams that BK had filed a US$10M lawsuit against the Government which turned out to be false and misleading, and another controversial figure, Larry Singh, shared the spotlight at the opening of the 19th Biennial Delegates’ Congress of the PNCR at its Congress Place headquarters.

The mere presence of these men there would have been a nightmare for any public relations officer involved in the Administration’s damage control. Who in the Administration can be so naîve as to ignore the gravity of the BK and Bondgate scandals that shocked the entire nation by inviting these controversial businessmen to the highly publi-

cised PNCR Congress?

Perhaps the strategy was to get the PNC hardliners at that Congress to rally around Brian Tiwarie and Larry Singh and give critical support to the Granger Administration during this crisis.

But what is evident by Singh’s presence there, is that President Granger, the Leader of the PNCR, does not hold Larry Singh responsible for putting his Administration in this scandalous predicament, for no one would have dared invite Larry Singh to the PNC Congress without Granger’s approval. And if this is so, it is likely that the President’s close advisors may even have been aware of existing conditions of the proposed pharmaceutical bond before it was discussed at Cabinet level.

Whether certain information were withheld from some members of Cabinet is no excuse, as the sheer size of money involved was big enough to raise eyebrows and initiate due diligence before any contract was signed.

Now we know that the original contract was signed for an executive building and not a pharmaceutical storage bond. Another piece of misinformation made to parliamentarians in the National Assembly.

I believe the administration took a calculated risk that turned ugly. I have a theory that could have provoked the making of this deal: With a more vigilant

press and opposition, it will be difficult for government to later siphon off funds from the treasury as was done by the PNC regime under Forbes Burnham. Could it be that a percentage of the $12.5 million monthly rental finds its way in the pockets of a few unscrupulous government officials, or more likely the APNU coffers to help finance its 2020 re-election campaign? Just a thought!

Say what you want about the Guyana Times and other media houses but the independent press must be commended for courageously and objectively reporting the many blunders of the David Granger Administration since they took office.

I salute the investigative reporters who fearlessly dig deep to uncover these corrupt dealings by an Administration which was elected on the promise of being transparent and accountable to the people of Guyana, and to put an end to the “corrupted” policies and practices they accused the PPP/C of.

The Granger Administration has been plagued with making terrible choices, either through inexperience or downright disregard for accountability and the rule of law. Many have already been reported on, and there are more to come.

Sincerely, Harry Gill, MP

NEWS

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2 critical as speeding bus Incest, TIP widespread in topples on Regent Street Amerindian communities – Lawrence T wo persons are in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after the minibus they were travelling in slammed into a motorcycle before toppling on Regent Street, Georgetown on Saturday night.

Reports are the minibus, bearing registration plates BTT 7944, driven by an offduty Policeman Timothy Andrews, toppled after he reportedly swerved to avoid hitting a motorcycle.

However, Guyana Times understands that the minibus slammed into the motorcycle, struck a power pole, then toppled.

Those injured are Ronald Maxwell, the conductor, 23,

…urges communities to stand up against wrongs

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Part of the mangled minibus

of Kitty, Georgetown; Manfro Jeffery, 23, of Trinidad and Tobago; and Trevor Phillips, 22 of North Sophia, Greater Georgetown. However, the other passengers and the motorcyclist are still to be

identified.

While details are still sketchy, this newspaper understands that the motorcyclist and a passenger are in critical condition at the GPHC.

Guyana excels in Brazil patrol training competition

The Guyana team at the competition

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n the Amazon Military Command International Patrol competition Brazil finished ahead of many leading countries.

With a total of 2583 points, the Guyana Defence Force finished ahead of Bolivia, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, and Colombia.

Centro De Instrucao De Guerra Na Selva (CIGS) better known as the International Patrol Training of Brazil was established in 1964 and is known for its high quality jungle training.

Since its establishment, some 6000 Brazilian troops and troops from throughout the world have graduated in the Centre’s specialised jungle training courses.

This year, the five-day competition saw teams competing in more than 20 events

that included shooting from a moving platform, team shooting as well as seven events relating to anti-smuggling, anti-illegal logging and annihilation operations, in the jungles of Manaus.

Tested three times daily and also at nights, teams were challenged to execute military jungle tactics and apply the relevant knowledge in the jungle environment.

Teams from Brazil’s Amazon Military Command, the North Military Command, the Brazilian Navy and Air Force, as well as teams from Canada, China, East Timor, Germany and Mexico, also participated in the competition, with China winning the competition.

Each team that competed consisted of 10 members.

Team Guyana comprised

of Lieutenant (Lt) Lionel Medford (Observer), Lt Simon Gordon, Warrant Officer Class Two Cleveland O’Brien, Sergeants Michael Holder and Cornelius Messiah, Lance Corporals Deon Gilead and Stevie Petrie, and Privates Rod Jeffery, Sean Williams, Timothy Adams and Euclid Wright.

Thus far, Guyana has sent and now has more than 40 officers and ranks trained at the institution. Guyana ranks fourth among foreign nations to have sent the most troops for training there.

oncern is brewing within the Social Protection Ministry over the rising number of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) cases and incest in Indigenous communities, Minister Volda Lawrence said on Wednesday.

During the ministry’s presentation at this year’s annual National Toshao Conference (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Lawrence revealed that the numbers are swelling in the hinterland among Indigenous peoples.

She made a call for the leaders of the 212 plus communities to proactively protect their women and children and report cases of sexual violence and TIP. She stated that while the ministry must act decisively to combat the growing scourge, the leaders also have their roles to play.

It was emphasised that young people, especially Indigenous women are leaving their homes and families in search of jobs in other communities and when they are promised employment they end up being exploited and worked as slaves or sex workers.

The ministry promised to collaborate with the leaders to quickly address the issues affecting these communities. Lawrence stated that the people have adopted a passive approach in tackling issues of rape, incest and TIP in their communities, with most of them remaining mum on the issues.

She recalled visiting the community Kwakwani and seeing a child mother-

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

ing another child. She said the child was 13 years and the baby was one-year-old and that was accepted in the village. She said no one raised their voice against it.

She pointed out that teenage pregnancy is one of the harsh realities that bedevil child abuse and rape.

Speaking to the Toshaos and councillors, Lawrence pleaded that if they are going to prosecute perpetrators, the elders need to stand up and speak out instead of allowing them to continue living in the communities, or their homes.

Earlier this year the community of Annai complained of a growing number of teen-

age pregnancies at the village’s Secondary School. It was reported that there were five teenage pregnancies at the school, all of which went underreported.

It was reported that as soon as these girls become pregnant they would drop out of school and return to their villages and never benefiting from any counselling.

On the contrary, participants stated that counselling is usually carried out on a one off basis, with hardly any follow-ups on victims of sexual abuse and TIPs. Acknowledging this fact, the minister stated that the ministry is suffering from a shortage of probation officers but was quick to assure that they are taking the necessary measures to ensure that the officers available would carry out follow-ups.

President David Granger, when delivering his feature address at the NTC conference last week, stated that sexual abuse of children were rampant in Indigenous communities; and noted that there were many incidences of teenage pregnancy, child abuse, school drop-outs, and illiteracy.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016

Page

Foundation Religious landmark being established in Leguan A solid T foundation “A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.” – Albert Camus

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Anu Dev

nother year of schooling is about to start - at all levels - primary, secondary, and tertiary. I’ve been in school for most of my life (now, there’s a sad thought!) and over the course of my schooling, I’ve had so many different types of teachers.

I’ve had the ones that go about their jobs like they truly love what they’re doing, and the ones that seem to go through the day like teaching is a burden.

But no matter what their teaching attitudes or stance might've been, I've learnt a lot from our teachers. Teachers teach more than just the subjects on the curriculum like Science or Math - and while they mightn't realise it, they teach ethics as well.

Their behaviour impacts their students strongly.

And of course, it’s always best to lead by example, so we’re most likely to do as our teachers do, rather

than as they say.

Much of my personal values and sense of ethics is a product of the influence of my school teachers.

Of course, the major chunk consists of values directly instilled into me by my parents, but on some level, I have been influenced by my teachers.

My current value system is a hybrid of what I’ve been taught at home and whatever modifications my experiences have forced me to make.

And I realised how damaging it could’ve been if I had teachers whose values and sense of ethics were not that stellar. What if I had teachers that throw things and scream at their students, calling them names, belittling them?

If a student didn’t have a strong personal value system or positive role models, they could easily accept that sort of behaviour as being okay, or acceptable.

And they might carry over

that type of behaviour to the way they handle their patients when they become doctors.

Our teachers have great powers; they have the most interaction with us, especially during our young, impressionable years, when we’re still forming our opinions of the things around us and deciding how we want to fit into society.

More emphasis should probably be placed, when training teachers, about their role in moulding the values of their students. They have to be made to appreciate that values can only be transmitted in action - not just words.

Things like the importance of confidentiality and the importance of privacy could be emphasised by the teachers so that when the students leave the school system, they’ll be able to function like adults who are capable of respecting their peers.

Now in medical school, we’re having classes on ethics and professionalism.

They’re trying to teach us to be the type of doctors we would like to take care of us - empathetic, kind, caring doctors. But is it too late? For many, those early formative years are when our characters get moulded. If that solid foundation wasn’t built all those years ago, can these classes now make a difference? For the sake of our healthcare, I certainly hope that they can.

Our teachers can hold great sway over how we might turn out at the end of our tenure at school; they could be the difference between whether we become successful professionals, or whether we go about our jobs in a very unprofessional manner. We need a solid foundation in professionalism, and our teachers can give us that, hopefully by their actions and not just their words.

hrough the voluntary donations of many business entities, a 45-foot Murti is being constructed in Region Three, (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Leguan Island.

The Hanuman Murti will be located in the compound of the Rama Krishna Mandir, and is said to be one of the biggest Hindu deity’s statue in the country.

The sculpture is voluntarily being built by the owner of JP Sculpting, Jainarine Prahalla, through donations of the public, including David Persaud Investments Ltd and David/ Leila Persaud Foundation.

The statue is to be completed by the end of August, 2016 with an expected grand four-day celebration to commemorate the opening.

The 45-foot incomplete sculpture of the Hanuman Murti

Art exhibition showcases work of all female class

Some paintings on display at the Burrowes School of Art exhibition at the Umana Yana

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he E R Burrowes School of Art held an exhibition at the Umana Yana, Kingston on Thursday evening, showcasing the creative works of nine graduating female students. This is the first time that the graduating class is all female.

The one-day exhibition showcased drawings, paintings, sculptures, textile designs, ceramics, leather craft, graphic designs and photography.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry congratulated the students for the dedicated work they have put into their creative pieces. The Minister noted that art tells a story and challenges one’s imagination. “Art allows people to express themselves and communicate with others, in other words, art ties people together,” the minister stated.

Minister Henry pointed out that art pieces can be regarded as the soul and spirit of the artist. “Art draws the outsiders into the work of the artist and gives them the tools to help them understand how the artist thinks and feels,” the Minister opined.

The Minister urged the artists to pay keen interest in what they do, be observant of

their environment and capture and convey the atmosphere, characteristics and details of scenes.

Administrator of the school, Ivor Thom said that many people are unfamiliar with the institution’s complexity and dynamism. Thom said that merely looking at the creative works displayed is testimony to what the school is doing.

“We make art, we appreciate art, we study art because nothing else speaks to us the way art does; intuitively, emotionally and intellectually,” Thom explained.

Additionally, Thom pointed out that artists have the power to change peoples’ perception of life and therefore they must consider the role they have to play in a developing society.

Thom stated, “We (artists) freeze moments and time so that those (who) come after us can look at our art and through our art understand what used to be.”

Present at the art exhibition was Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Alfred King among other invitees. The students are expected to have their graduation exercise shortly.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Pharmagate

Contract must be terminated – Nandlall

… says review a futile exercise

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mmediate steps must be taken to terminate the controversial drug bond contract unless both parties involved pledge their consent for modifications to be made, a review of the controversial drug bond contract, as was recommended by a Cabinet Sub-Committee, would be a pointless exercise.

Former Attorney General and Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Nandlall explained that the matter is a done deal and therefore a review of the contract would be futile since there can be no alterations or modifications to the existing legally binding agreement without the

consent of both the tenant (Government) and the landlord – Linden Holdings Inc, whose majority shareholder is listed as Larry Singh.

Moving forward, he said nothing short of a revocation would suffice.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, when drilled by media operatives during a news briefing on Friday about the issue, was adamant that there is no need for the contract to be retendered.

Critics say the announcement that a review of the contract was recommended was all but a window-dressing exercise, as was the apology.

In fact, Nandlall allud-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton

ed to the absurdity in establishing a Cabinet SubCommittee to review a decision Cabinet itself had

taken.

“When the astonishing information regarding this rental contract was made

public and the pressure began to build, Cabinet made another egregious blunder.

It appointed a sub-committee of Cabinet to investigate a decision of Cabinet. It is as if Cabinet fell into a state of comatose,” he stated.

Nandlall, in a statement to the media, also pointed out that the contract was in complete violation of the Procurement Act. “This contract was simply handed to the landlord in complete disregard and in violation of the Procurement Act,” he noted as he continued to expose corruption within the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

He pointed out that the nation was told that Cabinet examined, discussed and deliberated on the contract, but found nothing wrong with its contents and thus gave its approval.

However, the contract points to a number of red flags including that fact that the building owned by Linden Holdings Inc was to be used as a professional office as opposed to a warehouse for storing drugs.

The contract reveals that Government might have undervalued, whether deliberately or unintentionally, the expenses it will incur in renting the bond.

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NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

15-year-old busted with cocaine at CJIA

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15-year-old US-based Guyanese was on Friday busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport following the discovery of two pounds of cocaine in the handles of his suitcases.

The teenager travelling alone, was about to board an Eastern Airlines flight destined for the United States.

The young man was returning after spending his summer vacation in Guyana.

The teen allegedly told Police that he did not pack his bag.

Moments after the discovery, the teen’s mother and two others who dropped him off at the airport were arrested since it is believed that the young man was not aware of the contents of his luggage.

The three people are being questioned by Police in connection with the discovery of the illicit substance.

Earlier in the month, Kapil

Thakurian of Fouls, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, was arrested following the discovery of 88.2 kilograms of cocaine in a shipment of frozen seafood destined for the United States.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the drug was detected while the shipment of seafood was being processed at the CJIA. The cocaine was neatly sealed in white tape and plastic and placed just above the

backbone of fish that were in the shipment.

The 175 pounds of cocaine was found in 35 boxes of seafood.

The businessman was reportedly overlooking the preparation of the drug-laden cargo. The Police narcotics branch and the Custom Anti Narcotics Unit have stepped up their game since cocaine mules have became very innovative in the ways of shipping.

Contract must be terminated...

In addition to the $12.5 million monthly rent which will be paid to Linden Holdings Inc for usage of the building, the contract outlines that Government will pay the required Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Inclusive of VAT the rent would total $14.5 million instead of the $12.5 million that Govt was touting.

The contract stipulates also that Government would be responsible for paying util-

ity bills to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc (GWI).

While it was reported that Government made an upfront payment of $25 million to the company, it was demanded in the contract an advance of $37.5 million – representing two months rent in advance and one month’s rent as a security deposit.

The Government also agreed to stand the expenses to maintain the building, including cleaning, regular and

emergency repairs, the servicing of the air conditioning units, etc.

The contract stipulates that if the Government fails to execute the functions within a stipulated timeframe, the landlord will take up the responsibility and all costs incurred will be recoverable from the Government as if it were rent in arrears.

Moreover, it is suspected that the security deposit of $25 million paid by the Government as an ad-

FROM PAGE 7

vance payment for rental of the building, was used by the landlord to purchase the property.

According to the contract, the landlord enjoys three secured years with a 12-month notice of termination.

Nandlall noted that an investment of $25 million yielding a return of $12.5 million monthly, equivalent to $450 million in three years, makes this transaction one of the most lucrative ever conducted in the history of the country.

Eyew tness In the Founder's image...

Y

...the PNC is reborn

our Eyewitness has been bemoaning the absence of a declaration of an ideological orientation in the government in general and the PNC in particular, even before they became the government. An ideology, dear reader, explains the goings on in the world from a particular perspective and at the same time suggests how to act in that world to achieve one's goals. So the government's actions can be predicted.

Well, finally, we've been enlightened by no one other than the present leader of that party - Brigadier David Granger - President of Guyana. The PNC's ideology is that the Founder-Leader of the PNC, LFS Burnham - who unfurled it between 1964 and 1985. Now the explanation for everything that the government has been doing since May 2015 is clear...it is as Burnham would've ordered it.

And "order" was the key of Burnham's ideology. As far as governance is concerned he announced in his famous "Declaration of Sophia" in 1974 that the PNC was "paramount" over the government. None of this beating about the bush, he declared. Since it’s the party that forms the government then by that fact alone, the party determines the flavour and trajectory of what the government does.

None of this confusion about whether the egg or the chicken came first when it comes to government: the party gives birth to the government and ontologically they’re one and the same. So now we can understand why the government gives short shrift - actually NO shrift! - to the inputs of the Opposition. Burnham didn't have any truck with the British insistence that the Opposition could influence government's policies: he merely genuflected to them.

For instance, to the Constitutional stipulation that he "consult" with the Opposition Leader (Jagan in those days) on say, certain appointments, he'd merely call Jagan on the phone, ask him about the weather or some such thing - and insist he had consulted!! Reminds you of how the PPP's being treated today? Now you know why!

This ideological insistence that the party knows best, didn't only make an Opposition irrelevant - it also made coalition partners both irrelevant and a botheration. Forced to remove the PPP through a coalition with the UF, Burnham treated the leader of the UF, Peter D'Aguiar so shabbily that he quit before the term was up. Reminds you of what happened to the AFC - who helped to remove this PPP government - after the elections?

As insurance, Burnham both out some UF MPs. Has the same been already done to some AFC's MPs? But don't expect the present coalition partner leaders to quit.

Unlike D'Aguiar, they need the gravy train!

...snubbing the GPSU

Back when the first PPP government was being removed by the US - via their clients the PNC and UF - the Public Servants played a critical role. But once the PNC got into power all the explicit promises about salary increases went out the window!! Sounds familiar? The excuse offered then is the same as today - the treasury just didn't have the money! But it found the money for the Founder Leader to be jetting off into the blue yonder at the drop of a hat. He had to burnish his Third World "progressive" image! As it was found for Ministerial 50% raises.

So we have the GPSU rejecting the PNC government's (like the UF, the AFC are neutered, remember?) "absurd" 10% offer on wage increases. But it's the GPSU's leadership's thinking that's absurd - just like in the days of yore.

The PNC figures they've nowhere to go. Bet you they don't go on strike!

...and due diligence

It was announced with great fanfare that GoInvest will be conducting serious due diligence on foreign investors.

So who'll be doing even a cursory check - much less due diligence - on the Founder Leader's son-in-law Baby Jesus and his foray into buying and selling fuel?

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Amerindians feel discriminated against, neglected by Govt – NTC Vice Chairman V

ice Chairman of the National Toshao Council Lenox Shuman said that the Indigenous peoples are continuously being faced with discrimination and neglect, and called on the Government to urgently address the situation.

He stated that Indigenous people have the right to be protected by the State, noting that there are indications of letdown.

“Under Article 149, it states that the State has an obligation to protect the Indigenous Peoples and their cultural way of life. If any Government truly looks at Indigenous peoples and how the article applies… they would see that we are still not being taught in our own language,” he emphasised.

He opined that Guyana has to move from a “paternalistic model” that currently exists into something that gives the Indigenous peoples more autonomy.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has lambasted the government for what it said is its blatant neglect of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana.

The party’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira had stated that while the PPP/C Government cannot boast of

A section of National Toshaos Conference on Wednesday

reducing poverty to zero during its tenure, it was able to do appreciably enough to advance the lives of persons living in the hinterland.

She declared when the Party left office in 2015, there was water; lights; and every village had a nursery and primary school.

She said the PPP would be willing to fully support any venture the Government would take to improve the lives of Amerindians.

However, Member of Parliament and former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai said since the coalition government

took office 2015, there has been little progress in the lives of Amerindians, particularly for the youth.

She spoke of the termination and cessation of several beneficial projects for Indigenous students and questioned the reason behind government’s move to do this.

Her comments come on the heels of probes from the media on whether the PPP was pleased with the way it left the Indigenous peoples before the elections, and if it should be criticising the current Administration for its move to distribute shoes to

Amerindian students.

However, she contended that the Indigenous people did not escape the discrimination and “witch-hunting” after Government took office.

“We could point to the dismantling of the land titling unit and the dismissal of the Project Coordinator, Associate, and the CDP Project Coordinator…

We saw the discrimination against the youth, the dismantling of the Young Entrepreneurship Programme which was replaced with a less effective programme, HEYS.”

Shuman stated that land titling programme is a vital step toward Indigenous peoples’ development: “If we cannot get land then we cannot get security. We have to remember that these people existed for centuries.

According to international laws we are the owners of these lands yet the State fails to recognise the land titling programme even though it is drafted within the legal framework of Guyana (and) needs to be addressed in how we define ownership.”

He further indicated that the law needs to be re-examined in how they define ownership.

The Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project seeks to enable Amerindians to secure their lands and natural resources with a view towards sustainable social and economic development.

It is expected that titling of communities will strengthen land tenure security and the expansion of the asset base, enabling improved long-term planning for their future development.

Shuman also stated that the Toshaos and councillors are given a meagre stipend of $30,000 to look after the affairs of their communities.

However, he stated that the money is small and does not

help in assisting them to provide for their families.

He explained that their post requires spending sometimes all day tending to the affairs of the communities, leaving them with no time to provide for their families.

Thus he stated that the ministry cannot demand accountability if the leaders are suffering. “If you cannot pay someone anything just having them volunteer all the time then what kind of accountability do you expect from them.

They could simply walk away the job.”

He stated that many councillors would quit their jobs because they want to “go and earn for their families.” Therefore the discrimination and neglect of the people are one of the reasons why the Amerindians are eagerly anticipating the revision of the Act: “That is why we are looking forward to the revision of the Amerindian Act as a very vital part of addressing Indigenous people’s rights and moving forward if we cannot address it then we would see the continuous destruction of Amerindians and eventually lead to extinction. We are being dispossessed of our lands and eventually it would be our culture.”

10

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016

guyana-times.com

News

Amerindian Act amendments

Alterations must be approached with caution – Toshao warns The Burnt T Ham talk

he revision of the Amerindian Act is a vital part of addressing Indigenous peoples’ rights and development, and it is crucial for the amendment to be carried out with caution.

This warning was sounded by the Vice Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council, Lenox Shuman, as the week long debates of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference comes to a close.

He further asserted that the relevant parties have only scratched the surface in the discussions for the amendment of the Amerindian Act. “We have gotten our toe

in the room. I would say we need to be reminded that the revision would affect 212 communities and over 70,000 people so it must be done in a very careful manner,” he said, adding that the people should not expect that the revision would be completed within a year.

“We cannot look at the revision of the Act being done in a single year… what we have done is simply scratch the surface,” Shuman continued.

The NTC Vice Chairman said debaters need to take a very “careful and cautious approach because what we don’t want is another Act of 2006 because it would lead to our continued destruc-

Vice Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council, Lenox Shuman

tion,” he said.

Shuman, however, acknowledged that the conference was a success and noted that the Council is pleased that they were given a great opportunity to control the agenda and chair without any political interference, which he pronounced was a very good start.

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, was adamant that the purpose of the Amerindian Act catered for the needs of the Amerindian people of Guyana and said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic will never, at the national level, support any changes that will erode the rights afforded to the Amerindian people.

He had urged the Toshaos to enquire diligently about the benefits to be accrued by any proposed changes and if, however, the answer is in the negative then it is the duty of the Amerindian people to fight against the changes.

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock admitted that there

are some hiccups as it relates to the submission of proposals for the revision of the Amerindian Act. According to the Minister, in 2015 they had discussed the need for the strengthening of the Amerindian Act and when he addressed the Executive Council on the first meeting, he had vowed to take to Cabinet a menu of the amendments of the Act for approval and present them to the National Assembly for passage into law.

Allicock related that he had requested the Council to submit within two weeks, written proposals for amendment but none were submitted.

He expressed his willingness to work with them to strengthen the Amerindian Act, but pointed to the fact that he is still awaiting their submissions.

The revision of the Act was high on the agenda for this year’s NTC conference.

The Minister stated that they are also pursuing an extension into the Amerindian land titling project.

According to Minister Allicock, the Government believes that the Indigenous people’s land issues are critical to nation building. And they are certain that with an extension to the project, they will be able to address this matter in a very significant way.

He added that contrary to what some will have them believe, the Government continues to offer significant support to the sustainable development of indigenous villages and communities across Guyana. (Jeanna Pearson)

S

atiricus was ecstatic. And when Satiricus was ecstatic it meant his inhibitions on delving into his pockets to supply his friend Cappo with beers at the Back Street Bar, had disappeared.

"Eh eh Sato! Suh wha' put yuh in such a good mood, bai?" said Cappo as he polished off his second beer in the sweltering heat. "Me na a complain, yuh know!"

"Cappo my friend, happy days are here again!" Satiricus had a broad grin plastered over his face. "Haven't you been reading the papers?"

"Well...yes," said Cappo carefully, since he didn't want to spoil his friend's good mood. "But which part a de pay-pa yuh a talk about?"

"The Pee-an-See Congress, Cappo," Satiricus said with feeling, "The Pee-an-See Congress! Prezzie said he's bringing back all the things Burnt Ham stood for!"

"An da wan good thing?" Cappo said circumspectly.

"Well what else?" demanded Satiricus. "Burnt Ham was the most brilliant son of Guyana. He had so many good ideas!"

"Me hear da. But na HE bruk up de country and mek abee tu'n begga?"Cappo tried valiantly to keep any emotion from his voice.

"Cappo, one thing you have to learn," said Satiricus heatedly, "is you can't get fried eggs without breaking some egg shells."

"Burnt Ham bruk up de country beca'se 'e bin want fuh mek fry egg?" Cappo looked genuinely confused now. He chugged at his beer faster, since he suspected its source might dry up soon.

"That is just a saying, Cappo," Satiricus said sternly.

"Burnt Ham wanted to do great things for Guyana, so he had to make some tough decisions."

"But if he bin suh bright, how come none ah 'e bright idea na wuk?" Cappo had decided to take the plunge and risk his beer supply.

"Execution, Cappo, execution," said Satiricus. "The man was so bright, he was light years ahead of his followers, who just couldn't keep up."

"Suh if Burnt Ham idea na wuk den, wha' mek dem guh wuk now?" Cappo wanted to know.

"Because nowadays the leaders are just like the followers," Satiricus smiled. "And they can't muck up ideas they don't understand!!"

"Suh dem guh talk de talk, but dem cyaan walk de walk?" Cappo smiled.

"That's right Cappo," said Satiricus. "Happy days are here again because we will HEAR about Burnt Ham ideas, but no action!"

Cappo signalled for another beer, in relief.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

AFC Councillor slapped Blueberry Hill residents stop

by APNU ranger ‘substandard’ road repairs – Police investigating

R

egion Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Councillor Naithram (only name) was on Friday slapped some four times by an employee of the Region Two Administration. The incident reportedly occurred at around 09:15h Friday.

According to Naithram, who spoke with Guyana Times, he was disrespected by the newly appointed employee. Unveiling his side of the story he related that he was having a conversation with two rangers at the RDC Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) building concerning the cleaning and maintenance of trenches. He said that during that conversation, the employee interrupted and dealt him four slaps to his face. The employee, who is a well-known A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) activist in Region Two, is responsible for clearing and cleaning of trenches from Anna Regina to Charity.

Naithram, currently the coordinator for Agriculture in the Region, said he is deeply concerned about the trenches and the way they are cleaned, citing that in some instances they are only sprayed. He said it is also alleged that the said ranger is approving trenches that are sprayed instead of being cleaned – cleared.

“What I did was simply speak out; things aren’t going the way I speak out, I am the one overlooking, I have every right to speak out,” Naithram said.

AFC Councillor Naithram

Following the misunderstanding Naithram said he made a report to the Anna Regina Police Station then visited the Suddie Public Hospital and was examined by doctors and given a medical.

Head of the Region Two RDC, Devanand Ramdatt said he is saddened over the disrespectful act by the employee who was handpicked by the REO. Ramdatt said as such the RDC condemns and call on the Minister of Communities to immediately launch an investigation.

Ramdatt further noted that on numerous occasions the REO would breach the employment practices by hiring people that are not under the Public Service Commission.

“Recently he hired someone who went and broke another person office; he has like five retirees walking around the compound doing nothing.

These persons were appointed without anyone’s knowledge,” Ramdatt noted.

By Utamu Belle

R

esidents of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, have expressed dissatisfaction over repair work being carried out on one of the main thoroughfares in the area.

On Friday, several disgruntled residents protested by means of blocking the roadway against what they described as an unsatisfactory job by the contractor.

According to residents, upon enquiring a few days ago, they were informed that the project is being carried out through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at a cost of $14 million.

They noted that repairs are only being done to the mid-section of the roadway, leaving the corners in a deplorable state. The residents have also voiced concerns over the construction of drains along the said road and numerous others within the community.

Speaking with this newspaper, residents in the area vented frustration over the issue, complaining that the area’s infrastructure has been neglected for years by the regional authorities; and it is time they demand better treatment. They noted that by protesting, they were exercising their rights, indicating that they were “fed up” with the situation.

“They said to us they are

patching our road...They are not doing the road shoulder to shoulder, and our contention is you have to do the parapets. Where the pedestrians gonna walk? They’re claiming as though the road is 17 feet in width, it seems as though two vehicles can’t

road with the asphalt and the two ends, that is where they gonna put the stones and they would throw some stuff on it. But we would not get it shoulder to shoulder,” Lisa James, a resident stated.

The road, which the resi-

The road under repair at Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden that residents are dissatisfied with

pass at the same time. Then the vehicles gonna end up driving in the corner of the road. Which means it will break up the end of the road.

They just do the road and left the edges,” an irate resident pointed out.

“They are saying to us, allow them to do the road and if anything (materials) left back, they’re going to spread it out to the edges.

Then after we started making more noise they come to an agreement saying that they’re going to do like three feet, off of the part of the

dents are protesting against, is situated adjacent the Upper Demerara Hospital (UDH). They have also highlighted several other deplorable roads in the community.

Residents who spoke to this newspaper said the REO of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Gavin Clarke paid a visit to the site during the protest action and enquired what they would like to see happen regarding the situation.

“He’s saying to us this $14 million is for the road.

We’re saying that we want the shoulders, so he’s saying that he got to negotiate with the contractor now... so the road got to cut short.

They can’t do the length of the road and give us shoulders. If the shoulders gonna come in now, is more money.

So the road wouldn’t complete and we’re not satisfied with that”, a Blueberry Hill resident pointed out.

Another resident stated that should the road remain in that state, the corners would eventually “wash away” when it rains.

He pointed out that the area is also subjected to massive erosion during the inclement weather.

The residents said they decided to stop the work upon realising that it was being done in a substandard way. They also complained of not being consulted on what works are being executed in the community.

“They’re not coming and tell us anything. Just coming in the area and doing a set of stupidness and we must accept whatever they do. We can’t accept this,” another resident declared.

They also claimed that it is difficult reaching with Regional officials to voice their concerns, pointing out that Regional Chairman Renis Morian lives in the area but did not meet with them over the issue because he was ‘unavailable’.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Museums foster Upcoming anniversary discussed at PNCR Congress development

A

s the 19th Biennial Delegates Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) continued on Saturday at the Party’s Headquarters Congress Place, Sophia, plans were discussed for the PNC's upcoming 60th anniversary.

PNCR General Secretary Oscar Clarke during his presentation informed the gathering about the plans for the anniversary which will be on October 5, 2017.

It was announced that a Special Congress would be the centre-piece of the celebrations which will include a number of other activities at the central and regional levels.

Clarke in his address also delivered the General Secretary’s Report, informing of the state of the PNCR, the work of the Party’s Secretariat and the major activities during the review period.

Addressing the signing of the Cummingsburg Accord on the 14th February 2015 between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), the General Secretary said “our decision was a correct one and indeed is the correct one for the future of our Party and…in-spite of our differences

“E

A section of the gathering at the opening of the Congress

our coalition administration have begun to work together to solve the myriad problems which we inherited…”

During the first session which was chaired by Party Vice Chairman, Dr George Norton, a moment of silence was observed in remembrance of party members who died over the last biennium.

There was a plenary during the second period of the morning session chaired by Party Chairman Basil Williams.

The plenary examined the

Chairman’s welcome address, the Party Leader’s address and the General Secretary’s Report.

The 19th Biennial Congress passed a motion for the establishment of a resource centre for the preservation of works by former and future leaders of the People’s National Congress Reform.

Six hundred and twenty-five (625) delegates and two hundred and seventy-five (275) Observers from one hundred and forty (140) groups are in attendance.

ducation is critical for development. Education that is devoid of the cultures of the people in the society is empty and incomplete. One of the fundamental objectives of the museum is to educate, and it is only the museum that has the capacity and the ability to impart cultural education effectively as it houses the tools and materials for doing so in its collections. In modern society, the museums enrich the educational process by exposing children and indeed the public to their history in a positive way; they assist our future generations to understand and appreciate their history and culture and take pride in the achievements Ryhaan Shah of their forbears.”

These words were spoken

by Emmanuel N Arinze, President of the Commonwealth Association of Museums, at a public lecture at the National Museum here in Georgetown in May 1999.

Arinze makes the point that museums are not “dead” spaces, meant only for the repose of artefacts and records but are living, breathing institutions that are essential for the development of a nation. In a place like Guyana with its racial divisions, museums are central to creating a more understanding and respectful environment.

President David Granger’s plans to have the artefacts and records housed at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology hoisted off to some other space – and this without any prior consultation, as is usual with him – brings the role of our museums into sharp focus.

That Granger is often touted as a “historian” adds another level of grievance to his plan since their interest in the past should make any historian particularly sensitive about preserving anthropological and archaeological materials.

The Walter Roth Museum’s artefacts and records are not only substantive to Guyana’s history but to the history of the world and Government must be aware that moving any of the collection’s pieces, some of which are prehistoric, would require the expertise of trained preservationists.

Granger was, however, also the leader of an elections campaign that exhorted Guyana to “forget the past”. The irony of a “historian” having such utter disregard for history was never lost on a good section of the electorate.

The Walter Roth Museum is home to historical materials of Guyana’s indigenous peoples and the Museum of African Heritage houses a collection of art, artefacts and records that are important to the history of African Guyanese.

Castellani House is both an art gallery and museum that allows students and art historians to trace the development of local art themes, styles and techniques. By acquiring pieces from Guyana’s major artists for the National Collection, the gallery provides recognition for the artists and their work, and international status and exposure for the country’s art.

The National Archives and National Museum round off the list of state funded institutions that preserve past records and allow for research and analytical study by students and academics.

At Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD, the private Heritage Museum, curated and managed by Gary Serrao, is an eclectic collection of maps, pamphlets, books, and an array of artefacts that also tell the Guyana story.

Absent from the above list is any museum dedicated to the history of the Indian-Guyanese people. Premier Cheddi Jagan was urged by Indian leaders in the early 1960s to use the monies remaining in the Indentureship Fund to build Indian cultural and research centres in the three main regions. He refused.

When Forbes Burnham came to power, he used those very funds – earmarked for the return passage of Indian labourers to India - to help finance the construction of the National Cultural Centre.

A good friend of mine approached a PPP parliamentarian at the turn of the century with a query about the PPP/C Government establishing an Indian Museum and Research Centre. He was rebuffed by the curt response: “If you-all want a museum, you’ll have to build it yourself!”

One hundred years after the end of Indentureship, there is, as yet, no national repository of Indian Guyanese artefacts and records and it is unlikely that any of the Granger Government’s cultural policies will note the lack and make the establishment of an Indian Museum and Research Centre a national priority.

It does appear that any such an institution will have to be built through private efforts and from funding from the Indian-Guyanese community since governments here are yet to acknowledge the essential role of museums in fostering national development.

The Granger Government’s shoddy behaviour over plans to move the Walter Roth Museum proves it as does the absence of any state funded museum dedicated to the history and heritage of the Indian-Guyanese people.

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Govt spent nil on Sanata Complex after selling to QAII

… Kaieteur News peddling that lie since 2008 – Dr Ramroop “

I

want to state categorically that after the lease, the Government of Guyana did not spend a single cent on the clean-up or any other expense that went into rehabilitating or reconstruction of any of the buildings (in the Sanata Complex at Industrial Site Ruimveldt).”

This was the reaction of Chairman of the Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII), Dr Ranjisinghi Ramproop, who over the weekend responded to the continued spate of “inaccuracies and false” assertions that have been peddled by the Kaieteur News ever since 2008 when Guyana Times was launched.

He noted that Kaieteur News has repeatedly published the accusation that Government had in fact spent millions of dollars on the Sanata Complex before it was sold to QAII – a notion that has been repeatedly debunked

by QAII and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Government’s holding company that executed the privatising of the Sanata Complex.

QAII paid in excess of half a billion dollars for the complex which has since proven to be one of the more successful privatisation ventures in recent times.

In a news article published recently, the Kaieteur News said, that the Government had utilised some US$5 million (GY$1 billion) to rehabilitate the Sanata Textiles Complex before it was sold to QAII at a cost of US$3.4 million.

According to Dr Ramroop’s QAII in a recent missive to once and for all clear the air; “the fact is all repairs, rehabilitation and other works were done by the QAII Group to the tune of millions of dollars, after acquisition of the lease as the complex at the time of privatisation was in a state of disrepair.”

Over the years, Kaieteur News has repeatedly published a number of blatant lies in relation to the privatisation of the Sanata Complex and its principal.

In a recent attempt to malign the Sanata Complex privatisation deal, the Glenn Lall-owned Kaieteur News published the litany of lies and libellous accusations under a front-page banner headline "Govt spent US$5 million to rehab Sanata, then sold it to Ramroop for US$3.4 million – Audit report reveals".

That article had relied on an audit conducted by former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, but this too did not substantiate the claims made by the publication since it t is a matter of public record that the clean-up of the Sanata Textiles Complex, inclusive of asbestos removal, was done during the lease and after the purchase when QAII took possession of the complex and was totally funded by QAII. The reporter, who wrote the article at the time, did not adhere to even the scantiest standard of responsible journalism.

In fact, the entire audit said about the Sanata purchase, which Kaieteur ironically published, was: "By Order No. 40/2010 dated November 29, 2010, NICIL sold 18.891 acres of land and buildings and erections at the Plantation Ruimveldt (Sanata Textiles) to Queens Atlantic Investments Inc (QAII) for $689 million (US$3.4 million). The note on NICIL’s publication reads: After being advertised for sale but no proposals was received, in mid2007, a proposal was received from QAII for the development of the compound with a US$27 million investment plan.

It has also been pointed out that the recent repetition of the falsehoods

by Kaieteur News coincidentally appeared in an article which suggested that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had launched an investigation in a well belonging to QAII in the

State of the Complex on acquisition -

At the time of acquisition, the entire Complex was in a state of disrepair: fences had fallen apart; drains were blocked; roads were inaccessible; vegetation was overgrown; garbage was prevalent; equipment and installations were vandalised beyond repair; the buildings were infested with termites and unfit for occupation; there was also flooding in some sections despite it being the dry season.

Sanata Complex. The newspaper suggested too that millions had been owed to the utility company. This has since proved to be completely unfounded.

QAII owns the well that is located in the compound and according to QAII’s Dr Ramroop,

the water utility company has never owned the piece of infrastructure which also supplies scores of nearby residents with potable water – free of cost.

The investigation reported on by Kaieteur News, was in fact initiated by GWI on the very

day that Guyana Times reported that Atlantic Fuels Inc – a company which has as one of its Directors in the person of the GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles – obtaining a fuel licence under controversial circumstances.

14 NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Banks DIH honours NGSA top students

B

anks DIH Limited has honoured 24 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) students, whose parents are employees and shareholders with the company. The simple ceremony was held at the sports club of Thirst Park, Georgetown on Saturday.

The children were all seated with their faces agleam with excitement and their proud parents besides them.

Banks DIH communications manager Troy Peters disclosed during the ceremony that the bursary awards are an important event on the company’s calendar of activities since it demon-

Younge’s Take

Race relations G

The bursary awardees along with Banks DIH Ltd officals at the Award ceremony

strates the commitment to the educational development of their shareholders and employees children.

Peters told the children that they are being rewarded for the sacrifices they

have made but also pointed out that this is just another stage of their educational pursuit. He encouraged them to keep climbing the ladder of success.

He further added that

Banks DIH recognises the sacrifices and dedication of parents and guardians, teachers and all the other persons who have contributed to the success of the awardees. TURN TO PAGE 18

uyana is a great country. It is blessed with people from all walks of life. It is a melting pot of different cultures, races and ethnicities. It is also a country which offers countless opportunities and chances for its citizens to develop and achieve their maximum potential in various regards.

The country is a place where people can enjoy varying degrees of tranquillity and peace depending on where they visit or reside. It is also important to note that Guyana is one of the few countries in this hemisphere that is characterised by high levels of religious and social tolerance despite the diversity of the ethnic enclaves occupying its land mass.

The country’s history as far as slavery and indentureship are concerned has shaped its sociopolitical as well as economic Michael Younge ideology and outlook. This history is responsible, in part, for the popular culture that results in the creation of new forms of subcultures and norms that challenge existing stereotypes about how free men and women must live, achieve wealth and status, and procreate.

Now more than ever, Guyana is on the verge of realising its true development potential after years of good and prudent economic as well as fiscal management and austerity when necessary under the tenure of the now opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic.

The PPP also somehow managed to unite Guyanese with competing and different interests in order to tap into their collective abilities while temporarily removing the deep-rooted and ingrained things that threaten to undermine progress, reconciliation and national unity.

One of those things is racism and racial disharmony. Since the early 1950s this phenomenon has threatened to destabilise the prevailing levels of cohesiveness and unity in our society. At times, it succeeded and citizens were forced as well as educated to believe that the colour of their skin was either a passport or a signal of their status or a deportation notice which confirmed that they were not wanted or legit in certain parts of the country.

Despite the rhetoric and semantics of former Prime Minister and President Forbes Burnham, under his watch the People’s National Congress perused an agenda of systemic racism and discrimination against those who opposed its policies and rule including middle class blacks and Guyanese of mixed heritage.

The party continued to pursue this agenda despite the protestations of the PPP and has offered no apologies for the mass killings, political disorder and continued racism which occurred under its watch. Instead all of its leaders have offered tales of deniability and rationalisation of particular events to justify both the mood and response of the PNC Government at various times in this country’s history.

It is also important to note that the PNC did nothing to widened its appeal to other groups until consecutive Population Censuses begun recording the decline and increase in its core support bases over a number of years.

The PPP also have done its share of wrongs as far as encouraging a phenomenon which nurtures as well as encourages racial divisiveness and marginalisation. Though not deliberately, the party erred by not doing much more to educate its support base and Guyanese in general about the need for racial harmony which is the only prerequisite for national unity.

By not making this feature more than a popular talking point and thematic expression, the PPP missed countless opportunities to achieve ethnic harmony and solidarity during its 23-year rule.

But the PPP is not as half as bad or arrogant as the PNC of the 1970s and 1980s.

In fact, it did way more to achieve a legislative and legal foundation that protects all Guyanese and promotes racial equality during its tenure even if some feel differently.

Unfortunately, Guyana is facing a new test that threatens to reintroduce and reopen its scars of race hate, race-oriented politics and racial animosity.

Since the elections of 2015, the levels of racial insecurity have risen and there is much ethnic discord at the community levels.

The new government and its harsh, untempered and brutish rhetoric are partially responsible for that discord. Also its policies and politics have confirmed that there is a genuine disinterest in creating both a modern platform and environment for higher levels of respect, reforms and tolerance aimed at improving race relations. It would appear that Guyanese of East Indian and Amerindian heritage have found themselves in a bind and at a larger disadvantage when pursuing opportunities, social justice and the protection of their private as well as human rights. In order to change course, a properly functioning Ethnic Relations Commission must be made functional along with a parliamentary committee on improving race relations.

In addition, the government needs to disabuse its mind of the fallacy that it is achieving national unity and social cohesion. It is not!

Anyone could attest to the fact that race relations are not improving and it’s because of a lack of vision and leadership on the part of those who wield political power.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Selector Keston wins Digicel’s “Bring the Beat” deejay competition

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By: Lorraine Ince-Carvalhal

Social media: Friend or Foe?

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he internet has opened up a whole new world of learning and has advanced the nation in many ways; connecting families and friends around the globe, allowing businesses to flourish, instantaneous availability of breaking news across continents and giving millions of people access to a host of information which would otherwise have been unreachable.

As usual though, with the benefits come downfalls and when we look at the effects social media is having on our young it is difficult to discern whether the costs are worth it.

The area of education has most certainly been enhanced, allowing teachers to collaborate with students and use a diverse range of teaching tools and information. It allows students access to valuable online resources and revision aids. Anything we want to know about, study or understand is at the tip of our fingers. Learning is no longer confined to the classrooms or libraries; your living room can now be your university.

However, for many students, time that should be spent on homework and assignments is often shortened as they become distracted and focus on other online activity, failing to re-engage with school work once enticed into one of the sites.

Several studies highlight the amount of time taken out from studying to attend to messages and posts. There is also the concern of the opportunities for plagiarism or cheating as students can easily steal material from the internet and try to pass it off as their own work without understanding the lesson or content.

Access to medical sites also has their advantages and disadvantages. Whilst young people have a route to confidential advice and information regarding adolescence, development and mental health anxieties, freedom to publish on the internet or on social media sites means that information is not vetted and inaccuracies are frequently accepted as sound information.

This encourages amateur medical advisors and self-diagnosis of health problems, which can be dangerous and life-threatening.

People, especially the young, are often too open and public with personal information when online. Identity theft is a huge criminal industry that despite evolving security measures, matches advances step by step. Also resultant of failure to guard personal information is perhaps the most worrying to us all; the sexual predators that frequent the internet and find, stalk, groom and assault victims using social media sites. Despite the cautions regularly reiterated to our young people, the gullibility or naivety which exists can expose them to real dangers and has regrettably too often ended in terrible circumstances.

Cyber-bullying is commonplace online. The ease with which bullies can access, negatively communicate and spread rumours about a person causes emotional trauma, and sometimes even leads to suicide. There are huge numbers of young people who make poor judgement posts, whether a private message to perceived friends or pictures of a sexual nature to a boyfriend/ girlfriend, which leave an electronic footprint forever available.

Once these pictures or messages are shared they are irretrievable and the repercussions of such events have led vulnerable youths to mental health worries and even suicide.

Disturbingly, a term coined “Facebook depression” has been evident in many people and is as real as any other mental health challenge. Not only are suffers affected by emotional difficulties such as low self-esteem reflective of the number of “likes” they receive and the amount of “Friends” they have, but also by the detrimental effects of use of the internet has on their interpersonal skills.

It is not uncommon to see a group of young people together on their phones and discover that they are in fact texting or messaging each other when they are close enough to reach out and touch each other.

Young people’s often limited capacity for self-regulation has developed into over-use and over-reliance on the internet, leading to sleep deprivation and all its associated problems.

Data from studies show that shockingly, some people spend more time online than they do sleeping!

Although the internet has undoubtedly opened the world for us all and offers untold benefits, the price our young people are paying is high. Are we as a society becoming more concerned with Facebook "friends" than we are with the real people we should be interacting with face-to-face?

Are we giving young people access to some of the terrors of society we need to be shielding them from? Will we damage the relational capacity that is human nature if we do not find a way to limit this preferred way of communication?

he inaugural Digicel Amateur Disc Jockey (DJ) competition ended in the wee hours of Saturday morning at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tarmac, with Selector Keston juggling all the popular hits to win the crowd and the judges hearts as the best DJ. Keston Tyrell, popularly known as “Selector Keston” outplayed Travis Hart (DJ Vybz) and Cletus Smith (DJ Smidjit) who secured the second and third spots respectively.

Tyrell walked away with $200,000, a Pioneer console, a pair of Beats headphones, hard drives and one year free credit from Digicel, while DJ Vybz received $150,000 and the same accessories and DJ Smidjit took home $100,000 as well as the other prizes.

The other DJs that made it through to the final were Jefferson Meusa (DJ Spotlight), Shequille Sparman (Selector Shaqq) and Brian Joseph (DJ Bentley). DJ Smidjit made

Digicel’s Averstising Manager Ramesh Roopchand hands over the Pioneer console and the Beats headphones to the winner of the competition, Selector Keston

it to the final after he won a wildcard sound-off against Dwain Bowen (Mix Master Toney).

The DJs were judged on their style and ability to play across the various genres; a change in the final – they were given flash drives which contained varying genres of music which they had to incorporate into their own track list.

Speaking after the announcement of the results,

the winner felt his success was due to him being unique from the other competitors while adding that overall the competition was a great learning experience.

“I felt I was more creative than the others, I played songs that they did not expect, the competition taught me a lot, different crowds you have to play different music, and you need to learn how to adapt quickly,” he said.

Tyrell further stated that the prizes won will ultimately help him improve on his endeavours going forward in the entertainment sector.

Meanwhile, Digicel’s Advertising Manager Ramesh Roopchand disclosed that a second edition is on the cards and promises it to be “bigger and better”.

“As you can see, the amount of people that came to support these DJs, it has been overwhelming; this was just a pilot project and it came out excellent and I can guarantee you come next year, it will be bigger and better”, Roopchand said.

His advice for those desirous of competing next year is to get in as much practice now, adding, “We want DJs to be more versatile, you must be able to mix all genres of music and apart from that, they should be able to mix music on the spot”.

The competition lasted six weeks and featured over 100 participants from across the country.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Serious crimes dip by 15% – Ramnarine

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he Guyana Police Force has reported a 15 per cent comparative decline in serious crimes thus far in the year and boasted about this spiking ‘clear-up’ rate.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Commissioner of Police (Ag) David Ramnarine disclosed that from January 1 to August 23, the Police Force has recorded a 15 per cent reduction in serious crimes compared to the same period last year.

However, the acting Top Cop posited that the decrease came with challenges, hence it was even more encouraging to know that within recent times the Force’s clear-up percentage, which used to be 20 to 25 per cent, has now moved to some 58 per cent: “I recall this, it was a serious matter. Our clear up percent in terms of us being able to solve the crime, prepare a file, send it for advice and have a charge placed in the court was about 20 to 25 per cent but now is 58 per cent; that’s very encouraging.”

According to Ramnarine, some 91 murders were recorded thus far this year, reflecting an 11 per cent decrease over the 101 cases recorded in 2015.

Of the 101 cases last year, disorderly accounted for 40 murders, robbery/

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

murder for 15, domestic related for 12, execution-type for six and 26 murders were categorised as unknown; while so far this year, there were four execution-type murders, 19 robbery/murders, 16 domestic-related and 30 disorderly murders.

As it relates to robbery, the acting Top Cop noted that the ‘levelling-off’ of robbery under arms involving firearms over the comparative period is of concern. He noted at the Force’s performance group meeting a few days ago with the Divisional Commanders, they renewed commitment to ensure that these figures do not increase, given the fact that robbery under arms where firearms are

used saw 473 cases recorded during the corresponding period last year. “This is not a good sign at all,” the acting Commissioner posited.

Moreover, there were 32 cases of simple robberies last year compared to 28 this year and armed robberies with other instruments saw 232 cases last year compared to 206 this year, representing an 11 per cent decrease.

In addition, break and enter and larceny recorded a 21 per cent decrease with 1029 cases in the corresponding period last year and only 814 this year.

Meanwhile, a total of 46 firearms were seized from January to August 20, that is, 23 pistols, 13 revolvers and 10 shotguns.

The highest number of seizures was recorded in ‘A’ Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) with 20 seizures, while ‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) followed with 12.

On the other hand, in relation to traffic, the acting Top Cop disclosed that there has been an increase in the number of fatal accidents as well as road deaths.

He disclosed that fatal accidents saw a 25 per cent increase for this year, when compared to the entire 2015. Last year, there were 106 fatal accidents

compared to some 81 fatal accidents already recorded for 2016.

In terms of road deaths, in 2015, there were 126 for the entire year while so far this year some 86 deaths have been recorded.

“So comparatively, we have a 25 per cent increase in fatal accidents and a nine per cent increase in deaths,” Ramnarine stated.

He went on to outline that the categories of road users mostly affected by accidents are: pedestrians, 42 during the course of last year and 25 occupants/passengers. In 2016, pedestrians remain on top with 27 while motorcyclists ranked at 19.

According to the acting Commissioner, reports revealed that most of the fatal accidents occur on weekends, around the time of 12:00h to midnight, which was the same pattern recorded last year.

Additionally, last year some 2626 cases were made out against drunk drivers; while so far this year some 1139 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases have been made out, with a 65 per cent conviction rate.

On this note, Ramnarine lauded the campaign where the photos of drunk drivers are published, stating that “it’s all intended to be a deterrent, not to embarrass people but to drive the mes-

sage home.”

Furthermore, in 2015 a total of 23,934 speeding cases were recorded while in 2016, some 17,508 were recorded, along with a 40 per cent conviction.

The acting Top Cop acknowledged that the Force’s Traffic Department needs additional manpower based on the distribution of the ranks in that department countrywide. He informed that this will be addressed in the near future.

He pointed out that there is currently a CCTV

domain at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, where some 123 cameras in and around the city are being monitored.

He further stated that since the establishment of the domain, some 746 cases have been made out; however while most of the cases are largely related to traffic offences, there were 10 cases involving robbery under arm, two for murders and one for abduction that were made out. (Vahnu Manickchand)

Banks DIH Limited...

Delivering the feature address was engineering executive of Banks DIH Gavin Todd, who was once an awardee himself and a recipient of a D’ Aguiar scholarship in 1989. He urged the students to continue striving for success: “Today Banks DIH Limited is joining with your loved ones saying thanks to you for showing us your potential strengths and potentials. We honour you with bursaries which will, among other things, assist you in secondary school over the next five years. We assemble so that we can reflect on your performances and importantly encourage you to think or even dream of much more successes.”

FROM PAGE 14

He challenged the students who felt they could have got more out of their efforts but did not, to prove themselves and when the next opportunity presents itself. He noted that the success will be “sweeter”.

“All of your next big date five years from now will go a far way towards shaping your future and that is why I am telling you today that the start is now. Go into that mould from which you will emerge with more success.”

Todd encouraged.

He further explained that Secondary School life will be a mixture of much fun and lasting memories but it must be punctuated with very serious work.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ANNA'S

President Granger’s speech devoid of vision

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ast week the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference was graced with the presence of His Excellency President David Granger, who delivered a speech which left many perplexed.

Perplexed, because it was unsubstantiated by the absence of visionary and strategic planning for Amerindians.

More importantly, it confirmed his troubling penchant for Commissions of Inquiry, military men and bureaucracy in Government, none of which have proven their worth to the people and the advancement of this country, and all of which are exorbitances on the backs of taxpayers.

President Granger proposed Anna Correia that an authority comprised of five individuals, be established to report and act on policies designed for indigenous peoples, as well as to support the NTC. The President’s ambition is a clear insinuation that both the Indigenous Affairs Ministry and the NTC are incompetent in the assumption of their functions.

This is despite the coalition equipping itself with two Indigenous Affairs Ministers, and a technical team of at least three ministerial advisors (instead of one), a Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) and an Acting DPS. It is therefore natural that the people question the logic behind the President’s new prerogative. It also invites corruption, interference in autonomous institutions and political machinations.

Unsurprisingly, Granger minutely avoided the underlying issues affecting Amerindian development, most of which can be acted upon immediately by his Government. The most important remains indigenous land rights for which the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project was specifically designed, in response to the indigenous rights provisions of Jagdeo’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The President failed to provide answers as to why this administration fired the staff of the ALT which delivered six Absolute Grants in the space of six months of consultative investigation while being unable after thirteen months in office, to produce a single land title.

The President also denied the NTC an explanation as to why the Natural Resources Minister, who is a prime stakeholder to the Amerindian Land Titling Project, is still allowed to mine on Tasserene’s proposed title land, despite the breach of contractual obligations of both the ALT project document and the LCDS Agreement. The said Minister, who was found boisterously applauding the President’s shallow discourse, holds three medium-scale blocks in Tasserene, encumbering on the community’s land titling process. Ironically, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) held an interactive session with the NTC on mining issues during the conference.

The Rupununi petition was also cautiously avoided by the President although he was personally solicited by twelve hundred Amerindians who accused the Region 9 REO, Carl Parker, of fourteen accounts of rights violation including political, sexual and ethic discrimination. Four months later, the people of the Rupununi remain without an answer. This is exceedingly shameful considering that the Indigenous Affairs Minister himself is a Rupununian.

President Granger didn’t even enlighten the audience on a sustainable development plan for Amerindian communities, or on the commitments of his Government to guarantee cultural preservation. Yet, the fragile village economies of Amerindian communities remain dependent on the country’s wider economic context, which is currently in terrible shape as the working and poorer classes suffer the blow of mediocre policy making across sectors.

This Government’s avarice for resources to fortify State institutions via additions of layers of bureaucracy dictated by military style leadership, while enriching partisans of the PNC-dominated APNU who are strategically placed to govern these new outlets, do not compensate for the attacks on the socioeconomic and human rights of Guyanese. Amerindians have seen 6000 solar panels procured under the former administration for their homes, appropriated by the Harmon administration for the refurbishing of the Ministry of the Presidency and the President’s residence.

Shortly after, they witnessed the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology – a centre for archaeological findings, indigenous history and cultural preservation – become the victim of this Administration’s insatiable gluttony and selfishness. All of this without the free, prior and informed consent of Amerindians, to support the comfort of the Ministry of the Presidency, in a Government which to date has demonstrated its immeasurable incompetency in managing the affairs of this country.

If President Granger has nothing to offer but his disturbing obsession with bureaucracy, then one must conclude that he is no visionary, and is therefore the prime reason behind the inaptitude of the Cabinet he heads. The unpardonable practices and corruption of this coalition merely reflect the President’s tolerance for mediocrity in governance, detrimental to the development of Guyana and its First Peoples.

Zika virus

Don’t wait on an epidemic to take action – Ramsammy urges … condemns Govt’s nonchalant response to threat

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ika is not just another mosquito-borne disease but Government surely is treating it as one, according to former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.

Its nonchalant approach is evident in its lackluster educational awareness campaign, inability to utilise available resources, and slothfulness in the formulation of key policies to control the spread of the infection.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton recently disclosed that there are 35 confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Guyana, a significant leap from the initial seven confirmed cases.

Ramsammy indicated that this drastic increase in the number of affected persons can be attributed to Government’s poor response to the threat when it first hit the shores of Guyana.

With the threat becoming greater, the former Health

Minister is urging once again that Government snap into action before an epidemic breaks loose.

“Every day, we are learning more and more frightening facts about Zika. This is not the time for Guyana to wait for an epidemic to hit us before we act. As a Minister of Health, I always responded as if there is a worst case scenario.

While sometimes people were critical of the way I responded to threats, I believed that prevention is better than cure. The Ministry of Public Health is not serving the interest of the people of Guyana when it comes to Zika,” Ramsammy stated in a statement to the media.

He went on to express utter disappointment in Government’s timid response.

“It is not in keeping with the seriousness of the threat that Zika poses,” he underscored.

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

According to Ramsammy, the Zika education and awareness programme from the Public Health Ministry is “at best anemic”. “It is virtually non-existent in Guyana. An announcement here and there and an occasional statement do not represent a robust education and awareness programme,” he commented.

He noted that while

the Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) has a good educational programme, the Public Health Ministry must get its act together if it intends on avoiding another health catastrophe in the country.

Ramsammy lamented too that the Ministry has not developed a robust testing capacity for Zika. “I suspect that many cases of Zika are not diagnosed and reported,” he stated. Indeed, reports indicate that many people who exhibit symptoms of Zika are unaware if they are infected.

Authorities had indicated that they simply use medication to treat the symptoms.

Ramsammy said there is a lot of resource available from PAHO/WHO as well as CARPHA (the Caribbean Public Health Agency), and Government needs to make greater use through these agencies.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

CDC educates children on disaster preparedness

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he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) held a disaster preparedness camp on Saturday for children ranging between the ages of five and eleven.

The camp aimed at teaching children the basics in what to do in the event of a disaster. They were taught first-aid, fire safety, water

sanitation and hygiene, and solid waste management.

The one-day camp was held at Camp Ayanganna, the Guyana Defence Force Headquarters, Georgetown, under the theme “Planting the Seed for Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness”.

The camp is the first of

its kind and was sponsored

by Digicel (Guyana) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Head of CDC, Retired Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup said that the aim of the camp is to ensure that children are aware and equipped to handle disasters. The Retired Colonel pointed out that

Some of the children participating in a fire drill

many times children lose their lives because they do not know what to do when a disaster such as a fire, occurs.

“I hope we can manage them and ensure that the seeds are really planted on

fertile soil so that they can go home, teach their parents, brothers and sisters and schoolmates,” Colonel Ramsarup stated.

“We are hoping to do it every August. We don’t just want to do it in Georgetown,

we also want to go out in other regions,” he added.

UNICEF representative for disaster risk management Ian Jones said that it is important for children to be participating in such camps. Jones noted that UNICEF continues to play a major role in the lives of children.

“We are very much involved in making sure that children are fully involved in disaster management,” Jones stated.

During the camp, the children were formed into groups and given small prizes after completion of each task.

The CDC continues to implement Disaster Risk Management Systems (RDRMS) across all 10 administrative regions of Guyana.

Don’t wait on an epidemic...

He noted also that the off and on vector control response is a major disappointment.

“We need an aggressive vector control programme to fight against Zika, malaria, chikungunya, engue and filariasis.

The time has now come for a national bednet programme to protect pregnant women and children. I had introduced this programme, but evidence is that it is now at a standstill,” he observed.

Moreover, he is urging the Ministry include Zika screening as part of the blood safety protocols for the National Blood Transfusion Service in Guyana.

He also urged that Zika be recognised as a formal part of the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) programme in Guyana.

There is now ample evidence that Zika is also a STI, transmitted from one person to the next through sexual intercourse, and there is further evidence that Zika can be transmitted via blood transfusion.

Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, such as microcephaly, and is associated with other pregnancy problems.

Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly.

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can also lead to other severe foetal brain defects and has been linked to prob-

FROM PAGE 17

lems in infants, including eye defects, hearing loss, and impaired growth. Scientists are studying the full range of other potential health problems that Zika virus infection during pregnancy may cause.

Several countries that have experienced Zika outbreaks recently have reported increases in people who have Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). GBS is an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person's own immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, and sometimes, paralysis. Additionally, increasing evidence is being accumulated showing an association between Zika and neurological problems in both men and women and children infected with Zika.

SunDAY, august 28, 2016

19

England vs Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Lord’s...

Root the talisman as England take control of series E ngland were grateful to a familiar talisman as they took command of the ODI series with Pakistan at Lord’s.

Joe Root produced another wonderful performance to score 89 as England eased into a 2-0 lead over Pakistan with a comfortable four-wicket win at Lord’s.

Having won the first one-day international by 44 runs on the DuckworthLewis method, England delivered another impressive showing with bat and ball on Saturday to take command of the five-match series.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat but promptly lost three wickets in the first four overs and, though Sarfraz Ahmed (105) aided the recovery with his second 50-over ton, the tourists were bowled out for 251.

In response, England lost Jason Roy for a duck with just the second delivery of the innings and Alex Hales (14) also went cheaply.

But the target of 252

always looked in reach, the classy Root receiving plenty of support as Eoin Morgan’s (68) 30th ODI halfcentury and Ben Stokes’ 30ball 42 helped provide the platform for England to triumph with 15 balls to spare.

Sami Aslam (1) was adjudged to have gloved Chris Woakes (3-42) behind on review and, after Mark Wood (3-46) flattened Sharjeel Khan’s (0) off stump, Woakes struck again with a stunning delivery that drew an edge from Azhar Ali (0).

Sarfraz counter-attacked for a punchy 50, stringing together stands of 64 and 59 with Babar Azam (30) and Shoaib Malik (28), but it was his partnership of 77 with Imad Wasim (63 not out) that proved particularly tough for England to dislodge.

Right-hander Sarfraz brought up his century by nudging a Liam Plunkett delivery for four, but, after successfully reviewing an lbw decision, fell to Adil Rashid (1-51) in the next over.

Imad hit 15 runs in the 46th over to bring up his 50, but he found little in the way of assistance from the tail, which was accounted for by Woakes and Wood in relatively short order.

A strong performance from Imad (2-38) continued when he removed Hales after Roy edged Mohammad Amir (1-39) onto his stumps, but any hope Pakistan had of an England collapse was eroded by Root and Morgan.

Morgan did the heavier lifting in their stand of 112 before seeing an innings in which he hit nine fours ended by Imam.

Six boundaries and a maximum followed from the typically aggressive Stokes as England cantered towards victory, though they reached the target in somewhat disjointed fashion.

Jos Buttler (4) was run out and Root fell 11 runs short of a ton, mowing Wahab Riaz (1-46) to Shoaib Malik, but Woakes cut a shot to the point boundary to wrap things up. (SportsMax)

20 Bettencourt’s stand out as top Karate family of Guyana S guyana-times.com

sundAY, august 28, 2016

ensei Aubrey S t a n i s l a u s Bettencourt began his involvement in the martial art of Karate-do at the age of 14, training at the residence Archbishop of Guyana Benedict Singh in Kingston in 1971. Training for Sensei Betten court was extremely rigorous, training every day, twice each day including Sundays and holidays under the watchful eye of the legendary Master Frank Woona-Tai. So gruelling was the examination for a black belt in those days that he had to undertake the examinations thrice before being successful the third time and obtaining his Sho Dan rank or black belt at the age of 18 in 1975.

Three years he underwent examinations to be promoted to the Ni Dan rank, this time however he was able to receive his second degree black belt after two tries.

Sensei Bettencourt currently holds the rank of Go Dan or fifth degree black belt, and is an internationally accredited instructor, referee and judge.

Additionally he was the second Vice-President for the Guyana Karate Federation (GKF), for two years and is a part of the Parent Sensei Committee (PSC) and a Trustee and Instructor of the Guyana Karate College.

Sensei Aubrey as he is popularly known is a solid fighter with well-rounded skills that has experienced his share of success. For tournaments, he participates and represents Guyana in the Masters’ Division. In the first International Karate Daigaku World Karate Tournament that was held in Toronto, Canada in 2012 he received a bronze medal for team kata; whilst later that year whilst participating in the Guyana Karate Federation tournament he received a silver for team kata. In Barbados 2013 at the Caribbean Karate

Frank Woon-a-tai. In total she already has 14 medals, including gold, silver and bronze medals which she obtained from participating in the Guyana Karate Federation and Caribbean Karate Championships, and the International Karate Daigaku Federation South American and World tournaments in kata, kumite and team events.

Additional she obtained gold and silver medals in tournaments other that those sanctioned by the International Karate Daigaku and the Caribbean Karate College including a gold medal in female kata division for the LFS Burnham S.C O.E. Memorial Karate Tournament 2015 and a silver medal in Battle in the Amazon Karate tournament 2016 in a unisex kata event held by the Global Korean

Britney, Aubrey and Emily Bettencourt

Championships he received a gold and two bronze medals for the enbu, team kata and team bunkai respectively. Later that year in September participated and received a silver medal in team kata for a Guyana Karate Federation tournament. In 2014, at the International Karate Daigaku South American tournament he received one gold and two silvers in team bunkai, team kata and team enbu respectively; whilst later that year received silver medal for team kata in the Guyana Karate Federation tournament.

He then went to Caribbean Karate Championships in Trinidad where he received one silver and two bronze medals for team events.

In 2015 for the second International Karate Daigaku Karate Championships he received

a gold medal for team enbu and bronze medal for team bunkai; later he received gold medal for individual kata and silver medal for team kata for GKF tournament. In all, his medal cabinet contains a total of 17 medals, a most remarkable achievement.

A firm believer that karate must return to its original source and be a true reflection of Budo, Sensei Bettencourt trains with the constant goal of perfecting his technical skill.

His daughter, Britney Bettencourt, joined the Guyana Karate College in August 2012, at the age of 13 and two years later she received her Sho Dan rank or first degree black belt in August 2014. She presently holds the rank of Nidan or 2nd degree black belt which she was tested for in December 2015 by Master

NSC, Bond supports National Chess team

T

he Guyana delegation scheduled to depart for the 42nd chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan received a considerable donation on Sunday from the National Sports Commission, compliments of Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Attorney-at-law James Bond.

The duo came on board with sponsorship, giving a sizable amount to assist the team with their travel expenditure. Jones commended the team for their efforts to gain corporate sponsorship, and was heartened by the generous response from

Director of Sport Christopher Jones (fourth from right), Attorney at Law James Bond (second from right) with President of the GCF Irshad Mohamad (centre) and other team members

such efforts from companies such as Somwaru Travel Service, Kings Jewellery World, Dr Sengupta and Associates, Hardware Depot, Jumbo Jet Auto

Sales and William Walker of Oasis Café.

The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to thank all the sponsors who made this trip possible.

Martial Arts Federation.

She is a well- rounded student of the prestigious Marian Academy, having considerable academic and athletic achievements, including excelling recently at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations. She enjoys running and became the female champion for the Marian Academy Run 2015.

In CSEC PE 2016 she did karate as her main sport.

She was a prefect at Marian Academy and has graduated as part of the Class of 2016 and is now looking toward the Sixth Form or advanced level.

Britney is a good, young fighter with the right attitude. She has succeeded in defeating solid opponents and clearly there is likely much more to come from her.

The youngest daughter, Emily Bettencourt , a high performing student of the highly ranked Bishops High School, joined the Guyana Karate College in August 2012 , just before she turned 12; and two years later in August 2014 received her Sho Dan or first degree black belt. In 2016, she received her Nidan rank or second degree black belt.

Over the years she has received two medals in the 2014 International Karate Daigaku South American tournament for kata and kumite, respectively. More recently whilst participating in the second International Karate Daigaku Tournament received bronze for team bunkai.The Bettencourts will certainly leave their mark in the annals of Guyana’s Karate History

YELLOW PAGES sunDAY, august 28, 2016 | www.guyana-times.com

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21

Jaguars Franchise League 3-day....

Georgetown, East Bank locked in intriguing battle - Foo leads Lower Corentyne thrashing of Essequibo

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars Franchise League 3-Day tourney continued on Saturday with some teams recording thumping wins while others are engaged in a close battle for an outright victory. At Everest, Georgetown and East Bank are locked in an intriguing battle heading into today’s play. East Bank, who were bowled out for 192 on the first day, still managed to secure first inning points, as they tumbled out Georgetown for 183. Dexter Solomon led the charges with a splendid innings of 62 not out while Christopher Barnwell 31 and Kwame Crosse 36 provided support. Off-spinner Steven Jacobs picked up three wickets in a well-rounded effort with the ball by his team.

In East Bank second innings, they are 68-5, securing a lead of 77; Sherfene Rutherford on 12 and Jacobs

Jonathan Foo

on two are the men at the crease when play resumes today. Over at the Tuschen ground, a sterling batting effort headlined by Jonathan Foo's 152 and another career 10-wicket haul for skipper Veerasammy Permaul helped Lower Corentyne surge to an innings and 122-run win over Essequibo with an entire day's play remaining.

After being rattled for 101 in their first innings, Essequibo then folded for a paltry 159-

Veerasammy Permaul

10 from 36 odd overs chasing a mountainous 281 to make Lower Corentyne who racked up 382 in their first innings, bat again. Permaul opened the season with returns of 10-80 after claiming 5-23 in the first innings but was a bit more expensive in the second with figures of 5-57. Foo’s best 3-Day score saw him hit 13 fours and 12 towering sixes which was a blend of power and sheer timing.

GHB/Lucozade Indoor Hockey Tournament

Hikers and Pizza Hut women register convincing wins

W

ith just one week to go until the finals of the Guyana Hockey Board/Lucozade Indoor Hockey Tournament, on Friday all teams are tightening loose ends but after four high profile matches at the National Gymnasium, Hikers and Pizza Hut emerged winners in the women matches while Guyana Cricket Club (GCC) Vinatge and Bounty GCC won in the two male matches.

In the first game of the night, Hikers played to a comfortable 6-1 victory over GCC Spartans.

Charlyn Elliot started off Hikers in familiar fashion, scoring the first goal of the night in the fourth minute of action. Mickelly Rahaman responded well for Spartans, displacing the Hikers goal keeper in the eight minute.

However, Tikeisha DeLeon made sure Hikers would not allow Spartans to get the lead, registering the second goal for Hikers in the 11th minute. Three minutes later it was Maryann Murry in the 14th minute that produced the third goal for Hikers, ending the first half comfortably in the lead at 3-1. The second half was dominated by the Hikers Women as Latacia Chung found the back of the net in the 27th minute followed by Marisha Rodriques in the 32nd minute. Kenisha Wills closed off the match in the final minute of play with a superb penalty goal, making it six goals to Spartans’ one.

The action did not stop there as Pizza Hut emulated the Hikers ladies by drubbing Old Fort women, 5-1. Aliyah Gordon led the

Action between GCC Bounty (blue ) and GCC Pitbulls

Pizza Hut ladies well in the first half, having pierced the Old Fort Goal Keeper twice. In the second minute of play, Gordon displayed remarkable skill to maneuver her way down the field and score while scoring a penalty goal in the 17th minute.

Gabriella Xavier complimented Gordon well, scoring the third Pizza Hut goal one minute later as the first half closed at 3-1, in favour of Pizza Hut. Tricia Woodroffe scored the fourth goal for Pizza Hut in the 24th minute while Xavier returned to mark her second in the 35th minute.

Both goals were scored as penalty goals.

Mona Glen scored a consolation goal for Old Fort in the 36th minute as the game ended with Pizza Hut winning 5-1.

In the men’s category, Saints looked to continue their winning ways but were stopped by GCC Vintage.

At the end of the first half it seemed as anyone’s game with the scored leveled 1-1.

Hilton Chester scored on the 10th minute for Saints while Eric Hing replied with Vintage’s first in the 16th minute.

In the second half,

Chester, once again found the net early, scoring in the 22nd minute. However, the tides would turn for Saints as Dwayne Scott produced two penalty goals in the 24th and 26th minutes to squeeze in a 3-2 victory for vintage.

The best was saved for last as Bounty GCC trounced their counterparts, GCC Pitbulls 8-1 in the final match of the night.

One minute into the match Kevin Spencer produced Bounty’s first goal while scoring the second five minutes later. Kareem McKenzie scored the third goal for Bounty in the eighth minute while Michael Craig scored in the 11th and 13th minutes respectively to put Bounty in the lead five-nil by half time.

In the second half, Daniel Hooper picked up where the Bounty men left off, scoring in the 22nd minute. Keon McKenzie marked the first and only goal for Pitbulls in the 25th minute, but by then the match was already far gone. Hooper scored his second in the 30th minute while Spencer Completed his hat trick in the 37th minute as the score read 8-1 at the end of the match.

22

guyana-times.com

sundAY, august 28, 2016

Windies snatch last ball thriller in Florida runs feast − Lewis, Rahul smack maiden T20 centuries

BY JOHN RAMSINGH AT CENTRAL BROWARD RECREATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA

M

arlon Samuels dropped Mahendra Singh Dhoni off the first ball of the final over with India still 8 runs away from an improbable victory,then held on to another easy chance with two needed off the last ball to give West Indies a one-run victory over India in the first Paytm T20 International at the Central Broward Recreational Park in Florida on Saturday.

Set 246 to win in perfect conditions for cricket at the only international cricket venue in the United States of America, India were on course with useful knocks from opener Rohit Sharma, captain MS Dhoni and a maiden century from KL Rahul however, they fell short by one run ending on 244/4 when Dwayne Bravo defended seven runs from the final six balls.

The victory seemed a formality after India took 16 runs from the 19th over which was bowled by Andre Russell however West Indies death bowling specialist Bravo had other ideas. With eight needed for victory; the first ball flew off the top edge, Samuels at short third-man settled while Dhoni almost gave up but when the ball came crashing to the ground the batsmen scampered for a single to bring the equation to seven runs needed to win from five balls. Next ball Rahul took a single to deep extra cover then Dhoni got a leg bye followed by a Rahul single to long on and then Dhoni took a double to long off. With two needed to win from the final ball or one to send the game to a super over, Bravo produced a slower back of the length delivery to which Dhoni got a thick outside edge and found Samuels’ safe hands this time to silence the crowd of mainly Indian supporters. Dhoni (43 25 balls; 2x4; 2x6) and Rahul put on 107 runs for the fourth wicket after India were 137/3 in the 12th over when Rohit Sharma who played a gem of an innings departed for 62. Sharma started with AjinkaRahane but lost his

Evin Lewis

partner for a run-a-ball seven in the third over to a brilliant running catch from Bravo at third man off Andre Russell at 31/1. ViratKohli came and thrilled briefly with three fours before he was caught down the leg side by wicket keeper Andre Fletcher off the lively Bravo.

India were always in the hunt but Sharma and Rahul crashed 89 in just over seven overs to consolidate their team’s position. Sharma got to 50 from 22 balls when he hit Kieron Pollard over long on for his third six. He didn’t last long after when he was caught by Johnson Charles at long on to give Pollard sweet revenge. Sharma hit four fours and a similar number of sixes from 28 balls but Rahul found another good ally in captain Dhoni.

Rahul was growing in confidence with every stroke and got to his first 50 from 26 balls with seven fours and one six but his second 50 came off just 20 balls with four more fours and four more sixes. In all his maiden T20 century came off 46 balls to go down as the second fastest in history missing Richard Levi’s 45-ball knock by just one ball. Rahul faced just six balls after reaching his land mark including two in the final over and watched Marlon Samuels taking the match winning catch from the non-strikers end on 110 not out from 51 balls.

Bravo had two wickets while Russell who hit Rahane on

the helmet in the third over and fellow medium pacer Pollard claimed one each as spinners Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree went wicket-less as did new captain Carols Brathwaite who lost his first toss in charge. In steaming hot mid-morning conditions Dhoni invited the West Indies to bat on a track that looked full of runs and an outfield that was as fast as a billiards table and the men in maroon entertained the packed house with an array of shots on their way to 245/6 the third highest T20 score. After Chris Gayle failed a fitness test on the morning of the match Evin Lewis was asked to partner Johnson Charles at the top of the order. Lewis only other innings was a seven-ball duck against Afghanistan in the recent World T20 in India but he looked ready for the role with a Man-of-the Match maiden century.

Johnson Charles played a typically aggressive innings for 79 from 33 balls (6x4; 7x6) by hitting every bowler who came his way. He got to his fourth half century at this level from just 20 balls with five fours and four sixes before he walked across his stumps and was bowled behind his legs by Mohammed Shami in the 10th over. The 126-run partnership with Lewis is the third highest by West Indies for the opening wicket and when it was ended Lewis was on 46.

After being outscored by

Charles in the first half of the innings Lewis, opened up to blitz his way to his maiden 50 from 25 balls with four sweetly stroked foursto go with three powerful sixes. Andre Russell came in at number three and smashed a four and two sixes from 12 balls while adding 78 for the second wicket with Lewis before left arm spinner RavindraJadeja took two wickets in the 16th over to put a check on the scoring rate in the death overs. Russell was first to go when he was adjudged leg before wicket at 204/2 then two balls later Lewis gave Ravichandran Ashwin an easy catch at mid-wicket for an even hundred. Lewis’ maiden ton came from 48 balls in total with five fours and nine sixes and was the fifth fastest T20 hundred until Rahul pushed it down to sixth an innings later.

Kieron Pollard 22 (15 balls; 2x6), Brathwaite 14 (10 balls; 1x4; 1x6) and Lendl Simmons 0 (1 ball) all perished looking for quick runs as West Indies stutter in the end as they were well on course at one point for a score of more than 260.

Dhoni called on six bowlers with only right am seamers JaspritBumrah (2-47) and Shami (1-48) getting in the wickets column. Stuart Binny had a forgettable one over spell to Lewis.

Given the ball in the 11th over, he went for 32 runs with 5 sixes, a wide and a single.

Only Yuvraj Singh’s 36 runs from Stuart Broad over in the 2007 World T20 is more expensive. In total there were 32 sixes in this match.

The number of sixes in the match, which is the highest in any T20I, going past the previous record of 30 in an Ireland versus Netherlands game in the 2014 World T20. The record in any T20 game is 33, in a match between Colombo Cricket Club and Colts Cricket Club earlier this year. Twenty-one of those sixes were from the West Indian batsmen, which equals the most in any T20 innings: Royal Challengers Bangalore also hit 21 in the IPL game against Pune Warriors when Chris Gayle scored 175. In a T20I, the next best is 19, by

KL Rahul

Netherlands against Ireland in the 2014 World T20. West Indies also walloped 178 runs in boundaries (21 sixes and 13 fours), the joint third best in a T20I innings.

The match aggregate, 489 is the highest in any T20 game, going past the previous best of 469 in an IPL game between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2010. In T20Is, the previous best was 467, in a South Africa-West Indies game in Johannesburg in

2015. The two totals of 245 and 244 are third and fourth in the list of highest totals in T20Is, while India's score is the most in a run-chase by any team in all T20 matches. The teams meet again today at the same venue at 10:00h with victory not only giving the West Indies a 2-0 series win but also an overall world ranking of number two, while victory for India will see a share of the series and an overall slip to number three in the rankings.

SCOREBOARD West Indies innings (20 overs maximum) J Charles b Mohammed Sha mi 79 E Lewis c Ashwin b Jadeja 100 AD Russell lbw b Jadeja 22 KA Pollard b Bumrah 22 CR Brathwaite* run out (Bumrah) 14 DJ Bravo not out 1 LMP Simmons b Bumrah 0 MN Samuelsnot out1 Extras: (w-4, nb-2 ) 6 Total: (6 wickets; 20 overs)245 Did not bat; ADS Fletcher†, SP Narine, S Badree Fall of wickets: 1-126 (Charles, 9.3 ov), 2-204 (Russell, 15.3 ov), 3-205 (Lewis, 15.5 ov), 4-236 (Brathwaite, 19.0 ov), 5-244 (Pollard, 19.4 ov), 6-244 (Simmons, 19.5 ov) Bowling: Mohammed Shami40-48-1(w-2), B Kumar4-0-430(w-1), JJ Bumrah4-0-47-2

(nb-2), R Ashwin4-0-36-0, RA Jadeja3-0-39-2, STR Binny1-0-32-0 (w-1) India innings (target: 246 runs from 20 overs) RG Sharmac Charles b Pollard 62 AM Rahanec Bravo b Russell 7 V Kohlic †Fletcher b Bravo 16 KL Rahul not out 110 MS Dhoni*†c Samuels b 43 Bravo Extras:( lb-2, w-4)6 Total:(4 wickets; 20 overs)244 Did not bat; STR Binny, R Ashwin, RA Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, JJ Bumrah, B Kumar Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Rahane, 2.6 ov), 2-48 (Kohli, 4.4 ov), 3-137 (Sharma, 11.5 ov), 4-244 (Dhoni, 19.6 ov) Bowling: AD Russell4-0-531(w-2), S Badree2-0-25-0, DJ Bravo4-0-37-2, SP Narine3-0-500(w-1), CR Brathwaite4-0-47-0, KA Pollard3-0-30-1

Boyce and Jefford Classic off to an exciting start

T

he 7th annual Boyce and Jefford Track and Field meet is off to an exciting start in Linden. On Saturday, the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground came alive as the first day of the two-day event which features both local and international athletes was staged.

As a prelude to the official opening of the meet today, numerous events were hosted which included 12 finals, inclusive of the men and women's international long jump and 200 meter finals as well as the men's 5000 and women's 3000 meter discus throwing competitions, among others.

A total of 30 events have been planned for the weekend meet. Joint coordinator of the event, Edison Jefford said a lot of work was put into preparing the facility for the event which came to be known as the "mini Olympics". Over the span of the two days, he said patrons can expect intense competition packed with loads of excitement. Unlike last year, the first day of the meet was carried out under excellent weather.

"All very exciting events and we expect great competition. The weather is in our favour, we have great sunshine today, great weather for athletics and I think

most of the athletes from Jamaica, Trinidad, the US based Guyanese, Grenadathey're ready to go. I expect very keen competition here today", Jefford said on Saturday.

The spirit of athletics, he noted is high, with the recently completed Olympics.

Athletes, Jefford said have shown enthusiasm to perform on the local arena.

"Coming off of the Rio Olympic Games, a lot of athletes are emotional about this meet. They would have seen what happened in the Olympic Games and they want an opportunity, a stage to perform and I think we have provided that stage

here. The athletes are basically pumped up because of what happened in Rio, Brazil over the last three weeks", Jefford added.

Today’s event will see 28 meets, including a 150 metre under- 14. Eight international events have been planned which carry a total purse of US$500 each with US$250 for the winner, US$150 for second place and US$100 for third place.

The champion male and female athletes will take home $50,000 each, with the Media and masters races taking home a similar $50,000 prize.

Trophies will be given

Part of the action in the Women’s 100M

to the top four clubs, while medals will be awarded to all athletes placing 1st through 3rd. The total prize

money for the clubs amount to $2 million with the winner taking home $1 million (Utamu Belle)

guyana-times.com

sundAY, august 28, 2016

23

Nobrega spectacular in unceasing moments of thrills S

ome unceasing moments of thrills, speed and power to the spectators delight was on offer yesterday at the Aruwai Dirt Track as scores of spectators gathered to witness Summer Regatta at the said venue.

And if the races itself with the atmosphere it provided and the MC Irwin Washington, who was brought all the way from the USA was not enough to entertain the spectators then Steven Nobrega did. At age 20 he dominated all of the races finishing first by several bike lengths.

The day’s proceedings was off to a late start but it was definitely worth the wait as the atmosphere was conducive for entertainment, relaxation, a bath at the nearby waterfall and most importantly the races.

At approximately 13:00hours the first race went off, it was the 125-450cc open which was sponsored

by Courts. Nobrega won the first prize of $60,000.00 followed by Keiton Dougan and Ravin Ramcoomar in second and third respectively. They took home prize money of $30,000.00 and $20,000.00.

All other races fall in the 125-450 cc categories.

Nobrega dominated the second race which was sponsored by the office of the Prime Minister while Conroy Cox and Dougan came in second and third in that order. The purse for that event was $30,000.00, $20,000.00 and $10,000.00.

The third race which was sponsored by Digicel was probably the most exciting of the first three as Cox led Nobrega for one and a half laps, the first time Nobrega actually was challenge.

However, Nobrega held his posture and overtook Cox as they approached the second lap. It finished with Nobrega, Cox and Jardine as the top three.

The first three races were three laps but the fourth was a one lap sprint sponsored by Aruwai and Nobrega did not come up short as he won once more to complete his fourth win while Dougan and Jardine finished second and third respectively.

The next three races finished in identical order with Nobrega leading the way followed by Dougan and Jardine in that order.

These races were sponsored

by Prakash and sons general store, Pandit Service Station and Imam and

Rose Hall cricket teams planning massive career and business fair

T

he eight cricket teams of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S as part of their Youth Development Campaign would be hosting a Massive Career and Business Fair on Thursday 22nd of September.

The event would be organised in conjunction with the RHTY&SC partner, the ‘B’ Division of the Guyana Police Force and would be held on the Public Road of Guyana’s smallest township The main objectives of the Career and Business Fair are to assist youths to understand the qualifications needed for youths, to guide youths to career choices, to inspire youths to get involved in business, to allow youths to meet and be inspired by role models, to promote businesses around Guyana, to promote Rose Hall Town as an investment centre and to promote the Club’s highly successful Say No and Yes Campaign. Club Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Cricket teams and the Management of the RHTYSC, M.S are working overtime to make sure that the event is properly organised and achieves everyone one of its objectives. The organisers are aiming to have at-least 6080 Government Agencies,

NGO’s, Businesses, Government Ministries and Educational institutions. The experienced administrator who have successfully completed over 6000 projects/activities at the RHTYSC, M.S, stated that several companies and agencies have already indicated that they would be part of the Career and Business Fair. They include the Guyana Forestry Commission, Comfort Sleep, Guyana Post Office Corporation, Guyana Bank for Industry and Trade, Habitat for Humanity, Guyana Tourism Authority, National Library, Bank of Nova Scotia, Republic Bank, Guyana Revenue Authority, Regional Health Services, UNICEF, ST. Francis Community Developers, Ministry of Social Protection, Bakewell and J’s Printery among others. Foster is urging sports organisations around Guyana to be involved in the Career Fair as part of an effort to promote sports as a career for youths.

He is urging the Guyana Cricket Board, Football Federation, Guyana Olympic Committee, Guyana Karate Federation, Guyana Basketball Association among others to promote their sports in Berbice by sending up booths.

The day’s champion, Steven Nobrega, receives one of his many awards from event representative Elizabeth Fraser-Moonsammy

Dickie Yassin. All first to third place finishers in all the events received cash and trophies immediately after each race.

It was no surprised Nobrega dominated the day’s event with skill and aggression because he was the first rider testing the track from as early as 10:30 hours while most of the other riders went into their races with just a few test rides.

Prior to the races owner of Aruwai Resort Chunilall Baboolall expressed his gratitude to all who collaborated to make this event possible and he promised to make this a bigger venture by the time of the next edition. There was also a prayer and a lap of honour.

Also in attendance were Bartica’s Mayor Gifford Marshall and Regional Chairman Mr. Gordon Bradford.

Bradford praised the or-

ganizing committee while stating he would be supportive of anything that positively showcase region seven and is good for the country’s development.

In addition there were sufficient police to provide security and ambulance in case of any accident or incidents.

The two day activity will continue today with the power boat races at the Aruwai Resort where 12 races will be featured in the 225 horse power (hp), 200 hp, 75 hp and 40 hp categories.

Some of the top contenders expected to participate are team Jaguars, Cyze Boys from Pomeroon, Flash, Quicksilver and 316.

If you missed the first day then you would not want to let this lifetime opportunity elapse without getting to witness, so the place to be from 09:30 hours in the morning is Aruwai Resort.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2016

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

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