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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3177

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturay, April 8, 2017

PRICE

VAT on private education

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Stakeholders storm out of public meeting

Gratuity to pension

Guyana may lose doctors – Opposition MP

…Public Health Ministry extends olive branch P2

Page 3

…as PM announces tax cannot be removed this year

Another Guyanese murdered in T&T Page 10

$80 vat included

Jagdeo calls for sustainable re-opening of wildlife trade

Page 7

Farmers nabbed with illegal gun, P13 ammo VAT on health care

GRA’s P11 exemptions limited

Guyana P9 welcomes CLICO again

$1B hotel opens in Corriverton

Page 5

Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, now sports a billion-dollar four-storey international Classic Hotel and Suites; a building which boasts a whopping 32 rooms and four extravagant suites overlooking the Corentyne River

GuySuCo seeks to sell lands Page 9

…as Corporation’s committee completes deliberations

UG tuition hike

Jordan snubs students’ concerns

…says quality education must be paid for Page 7

Enmore P16 NDC denies plot to sell computers Bureau of P10 Statistics gets $160M refurbished office

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news

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gratuity to pension

Guyana may lose doctors – Opposition MP …Public Health Ministry extends olive branch

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he country’s health care system will face further difficulties with the administration’s decision to switch doctors to the pension scheme, as many doctors are likely to migrate in search of better opportunities.

This is the firm view of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) the outspoken Dr Vindhya Persaud, who told Guyana Times that she is disappointed by Government’s move. She said that doctors are very important and many of them work above and beyond the call of duty. Taking them off contract would lead to a reduction in their earnings, and they do not deserve to be so treated; they neither desire nor deserve to be placed in a pension scheme.

Doctors employed by the Public Health Ministry earn less than some other doctors, and if they were to be transferred to the pension scheme, it would mean their losing not only their gratuity, but their on-call earnings.

“They have families to raise and have expenses like everyone. They are working long hours and have been part of the pub-

Dr Vindhya Persaud

lic health system. I know what those hours can do to you. And now you are telling them that this is an imposition, and you are just severing them with no severance pay and you are not giving them the percentage back on their salaries. So they are losing all the way round,” Dr Persaud said.

According to her, doctors at most major public hospitals have complained about the sudden imposition of this new policy. “They feel it’s an attack on them because they are working, they are giving back and contributing, and yet they are being penalised.

The opposition MP raised

concerns that some doctors, particularly those who have completed their first degree in medicine at the University of Guyana, may opt to find employment overseas.

“The conditions (overseas) and the salary are much better. So, if they have an opportunity to stay (overseas), they will. So, we will lose resources from Guyana.

Those who have contracts or were under contracts, they have no choice, but the others will opt for a better salary,” she reasoned.

This change, according to Dr Persaud, does not auger well for the country’s health care system, which is currently under-resourced, especially in specialist areas.

“The problem of shortages will just get worse because, if you lose key resource people, then you are creating a burden on the economy in terms of health care. What we want is the doctors who have earned their first-degree, we want to encourage them to stay and specialise and expand the delivery of health care by delivery of specialist services,” Dr. Persaud told Guyana Times.

Temporary and contract workers whose emol-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

uments fall within the GS3 to GS14 salary scales will be affected by the change that Government plans to implement through the Public Service Commission.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has also criticised Government, stating that by forcing doctors to accept the unpopular pension scheme, doctors who joined with expectations of gratuity will exit the public service as soon as their contract comes up for renewal.

Olive branch Meanwhile, following much criticism for the decision, the Public Health

Ministry has extended the olive branch to local doctors.

A notice originating from the Public Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Collette Adams, was sent out inviting all contracted medical doctors in the Government’s employ to a meeting with Ministry officials.

According to the stated agenda in the notice, the doctors would be meeting to discuss the removal of the doctors from their gratuity arrangement. The meeting is set for April 10 at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) from 09:00hrs.

But while the Ministry’s conciliatory approach will be a welcome sign to the disaffected doctors, Guyana Times understands that the notice was sent out only after some disaffected doctors procured the services of an attorney-at-law. A letter was then dispatched warning of legal action. According to sources, the letter had demanded that an explanation

for the switch be made to the doctors, whom this publication understands were not consulted in the first place.

The lawyer’s letter was sent to the MoPH on March 31, and had also included a seven day deadline for a response from the Ministry, failing which legal proceedings would be initiated.

Guyana Times first broke the story, revealing that as of March 24, temporary and contract workers within the GS3 and GS14 salary scales (including doctors) would be switched from gratuity benefits to pension. The Ministry of Public Health and Government officials have since maintained a carefully guarded silence on the matter, despite outcries from the Guyana Medical Association (GMA) and other groups.

The GMA had also joined the voices calling on the Government to reverse the measures it had taken against benefits medical doctors formerly enjoyed.

Contractor, security guard slapped with fraud charges

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Contractor Claudius Peters

laudius Peters, a contractor of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, appeared on Friday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to two counts of fraud.

The first charge alleged that, in July of 2015, the 33-year-old contractor was entrusted with $250,000 to begin construction work on the bottom flat of a dwelling house belonging to Demaly Wilson, but converted the money to his own use and benefit.

The second charge stated that, on a later occasion in 2016, he was entrusted with some $288,000 to continue work on the said premises, but he again fraudulently converting the money to his own use and benefit.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore made no objection to bail, since the defendant has commenced repaying the money to the virtual complainant. Thus the defendant was placed on$50,000 bail, and the case is set for recall on April 24.

Security on fraud charge

And Charles Monter, an alleged fraudster of NorthEast Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate on a charge detailing that, between February 25 and February 29, 2016, in the Georgetown Magisterial District, being entrusted by one Donella Schwiers with $190,000 in order that he may purchase a motor vehicle, he fraudulently converted the cash to his own use and benefit.

Monter has denied the charge, and in a bail application, Attorney-at-Law Patrice Henry related that Monter is a security guard by profession and is the father of four children conceived in a common-law relationship with the virtual complainant. In his request for reasonable bail, Henry contended that his client had always been cooperative with Police, and poses no risk of flight, thereby guaranteeing his presence throughout the trial.

Monter was released on $20,000 bail, and the case will be recalled on April 19.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, April 8 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, April 9 – a night retraction at 04:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, April 8 – 14:40h-16:10h and Sunday, April 9 – 15:20h-16:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Early morning sunny intervals can be expected to be interrupted by light rain showers, while sunny weather is expected to prevail in the afternoon.

Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North Easterly to East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 02:46h and 15:05h reaching maximum heights of 2.43 metres and 2.49 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:40h and 21:00h reaching minimum heights of 0.77 metres and 0.69 metre respectively.

VAT on private education

Stakeholders storm out of public meeting … as PM announces tax cannot be removed this year

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ozens of stakeholders stormed out of a nearly threehour long meeting with Government officials after Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo announced that the Administration will most likely not remove the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on private education as is being heavily demanded by all sections of society.

After listening to the concerns of parents, students, operators of private schools and other stakeholders; Nagamootoo attempted to convince the disgruntled audience that his Government cares about education by alluding to the 3Bs initiative where Government donates buses, boats and bicycles.

He also cited the continuation of the national school feeding programme and the rehabilitation of schools to prove that Government cares highly about education.

But frustration grew among stakeholders when the Prime Minister began

One of the students who pleaded with the Government for the removal of VAT on private education

place by reminding those gathered they had their time to speak and it was now his turn to make his contribution.

Notwithstanding, Nagamootoo sent the roomful of stakeholders through the roof when he made an announcement which shattered their hopes instanta-

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Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine addressing the concerns of some students after the meeting

to stray away from the issue and talked about unrelated topics including the sugar industry and his days with the People’s Progressive Party.

When the gathering objected to this, Nagamootoo sought to put them in their

neously.

“Incrementally, the 14 per cent VAT will be removed, as well as other taxes. But whether it will be removed for 2017, I cannot say that definitively. I can tell

you for sure, that 2018, it is a possibility,” he stated.

Following weeks of protests and a submission of a petition with over 14,000 signatories, Government finally decided to hold a “consultation” with stakeholders to discuss the imposition of VAT on education.

The session was held at the National Cultural Centre on Friday where the Prime Minister; Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine; and Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes addressed the gathering.

During his opening remarks, Dr Roopnaraine argued that records show that private institutions should be able to absorb the taxes.

“The records from the Ministry of Finance demonstrate that the schools are able to absorb the Value Added Tax (VAT),” he stated, noting that only 57 per cent of private schools operating in Guyana are registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

But the President of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar explained that such logic is flawed.

“VAT is not a business tax, it is a consumer tax. It is passed from the hands of businesses to consumers,” he explained, noting that it would technically be against the law for private institutions to absorb the 14 per cent tax.

Prominent lawyer and accountant, Christopher Ram, explained that it is unfair to ask private institutions to absorb the VAT. “You’re asking the private schools to take a cut of 12.28 per cent in their revenue but the Government is not prepared to accept less than a quarter per cent of a cut in its tax revenues,” he stated.

Another student at the meeting voicing his concerns

President of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), Dr Melissa Ifill, in her capacity as a parent, outlined how private institutions actually remove a burden from the State, as she heavily criticised the Administration for charging taxes on a service which can be used to develop the nation.

She also outlined that major countries in the Caribbean which have a public/private educational structure, rather than imposing taxes on schools, they were in fact exempted from paying tax because of the recognition that they are aiding the State in providing education.

“I find it completely incomprehensible how a Government that says it cares about education, could impose this tax. We are dealing with parents, lots of parents who are struggling to pay for these fees… I find it incomprehensible that a Government could think this is justifiable,” she stated.

Turn to page 11

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, april 8, 2017

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

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

Demographic change in the Caribbean over time

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any immigrants, including those from Guyana and other Caricom countries, residing in the United States are still trying to fully understand the hardline position taken by the US Government on immigration issues. For many of these immigrants, there is some degree of uncertainty regarding their future as they are unsure as to what are the next steps of the Administration.

It is well known that the present Administration campaigned on American nationalistic agenda and it was bought by a majority of American voters. It, therefore, came as no surprise when President Donald Trump, earlier this year, signed a sweeping executive order on immigration, expansively defining the “criminal aliens” he intends to target.

Caribbean nationals, including Guyanese, are among the millions of illegal immigrants living in the US and they were anxiously waiting for the time when they could have their status regularised. Many were hoping that the next US President would have created a path to citizenship for them once they meet certain criteria. However, from what we are witnessing, this might now be in the near future.

For many, there are still a lot of uncertainties as they fear their immigration status could be affected overnight, or the immigration laws which apply to them for certain categories of sponsorship could be changed with very short notice.

Previous US Administrations had focused on removing immigrants with criminal convictions, regardless of whether they have legal residency. However, Trump immigration policies prioritise anyone who has been charged with a crime, whether that person is convicted or not. This includes anyone who has committed “acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offence”, whether or not the person has been convicted, charged or even arrested.

What is of more concern is that the Administration intends to rely much more heavily on state and local law enforcement for making such enforcement determinations.

As expected, this has raised some level of concern among immigrant communities.

Just a few days ago, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that a number of Caribbean nationals, including Trinidadians, Haitians and Guyanese, were nabbed in a three-day immigration sweep. The unidentified Caribbean nationals were among 31 foreigners arrested during the operation “targeting atlarge criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and immigration fugitives”. These immigrants will be deported either after serving jail sentences or after an immigration judge hearing.

Also, a number of advocates have reported that they are seeing and hearing about an increasing number of ICE agents in courtrooms, waiting to deport immigrants who might have fallen afoul of the law. The recent actions by immigration authorities have caused many immigrant rights groups and political representatives to speak out. However, the Administration has paid no heed and is moving ahead with its plans to target certain categories of persons for deportation.

In addition to “criminal aliens”, there are other individuals who generally fall outside of this priority deportation category; these include immigrants who arrived as children, immigrant parents of Americans, workers and recent arrivals.

Legal experts have suggested that some undocumented parents of US citizens might qualify for residency through their children. However, they will still face certain barriers to legalisation. For example, wait times for these family visas number many years. Then there is the issue of cost for legal counsel to assist in the process.

Additionally, there are millions of persons who do not have criminal records, but are currently working in the country illegally. These individuals could still be vulnerable if the Administration continues its high-profile workplace raids.

It is still left to be seen the kind of impact President Trump’s immigration policies will have on the Region; however, there is need for Governments to put the necessary systems in place to cater for returning nationals and other migrants, since the present philosophies and policies could lead to a demographic change in the Caribbean over time.

The Public Health Ministry held a fair on the tarmac on the National Cultural Centre to raise awareness of how mental depression affects persons and families. This is part of the efforts to address the high rate of suicide and attempted suicide in Guyana (Carl Croker photo)

It is not too late to save sugar Dear Editor, A recent report from Jamaica has shown that the administration of that island is taking a totally different position in relation to its sugar industry than the one adopted by the APNU regime.

The Jamaican Government had earlier privatised part of the industry. Estates were bought by a Chinese company, COMPLAN, which seems to have encountered problems and made a decision to give back the estates to that Government.

Instead of closing the sugar industry, as is being done here, the Jamaica Government has decided to work towards reviving the industry and making it more viable. In so doing, Jamaica is looking to increase sales in the Caribbean market.

The reason why the Jamaica Government is working to save the industry is because it recognises the very serious consequences that closure of the industry would have on the social, economic and political life of

the country.

The re-capitalisation of the industry is not as difficult as is being portrayed by the regime. I have had cause to mention before that, in January of 2015, I had an understanding with the Indian Government to help us to re-capitalise. On my return from India in 2015, I instructed the then Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo to prepare a detailed needs list, so that we can get credit to carry out the job. In the meantime, important measures were being put in place to cut costs. We were moving to first import, and then produce, liquid fertilisers. That would have saved millions per year. This can still be done.

We were tightening management of field operators and getting results. Recall that, in 2015, the industry achieved its targets. It was so successful that the APNU/AFC regime claimed credit. Other measures to cut costs were being put in place.

At the same time,

GuySuCo was looking to add value, to create more revenue streams. Already, we had begun with establishing a co-generation facility at Skeldon. This could be done also at the Albion and at Enmore estates.

We had already begun compressing the bagasse to act as fuel that would save the industry millions in fire wood costs; and also, if burnt efficiently, would have been available to GuySuCo all year round to generate electricity. GuySuCo was also planning to pursue joint ventures with private sector companies.

Among those ventures planned was the establishment of a refinery. We were also pursuing a joint venture in a distillery -- to sell raw alcohol to the rum industry in the Caribbean, and to pharmaceutical companies in the region and further afield. Production of packaged sugar was to be increased as well to compensate for the low price of sugar on the world market. At Albion estate, we had done successful experiments with

producing ethanol. The next step was to move to commercial production.

The plans that we were implementing would have seen the industry developing into a modern complex.

It would have been creating more jobs, high-paying technical jobs.

The APNU regime seem oblivious to the dangers ahead. Scaling down the industry would deprive this country of one of its main sources of foreign exchange.

In ditching sugar, they are depriving the country of one of its greatest assets, one capable of making a tremendous contribution to the future prosperity of Guyana.

The industry can be saved; that is clear. It can make an even bigger contribution to our country. We can be spared the worst that could occur if the industry is closed.

It is not too late. All it calls for is vision, good management and the willpower to succeed.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar

Freddie Kissoon’s vitriolic vituperations against Swami Dear Editor, I find it increasingly difficult to understand or accept Freddie Kissoon’s vitriolic vituperations against the venerable Swami Aksharananda. Such ad hominem attacks unnecessarily detract from the many serious core issues affecting our small society.

Freddie Kissoon takes umbrage at Swami Ji’s rightful admonition of the Principal of Central High School for allowing Pastor Anderson to sermonise the ‘innocent minds of young students attending a pub-

lic school in Guyana, which is legally a secular state, and of which our current Government has formally acknowledged social cohesion as a major pillar of its governance.

In this context, I vividly recall, ironically, in the then colonial British Guiana, when as the Head Teacher of the Hindu College at Cove & John, a secondary school run under the auspices of a Hindu religious order, we catered for the separate religious needs of the various students, so much so that in

the absence of a Muslim teacher, I, a staunch Hindu, assumed the role of a Muslim teacher in leading the daily prayers for the few Muslim students.

How can any right-minded Guyanese tolerate the reported Pastor Andersontype of Christian proselytising in a public school in our secular and independent Guyana, let alone someone of the stature of Professor Kissoon?

Freddie’s column elaborates on a series of racial and political occurrences over the years in a man-

ner that appears to suggest that he equates racism with religiosity. With all due respect, I wish to suggest that he and our fellow Guyanese desist from this; we have far too many cases of Indo-Guyanese being Christians, Muslims and Hindus while similarly being of varying political persuasions to indulge in stereo-typing. Please, please let’s deal with substantive issues without being personally abusive!

Sincerely, Nowrang Persaud

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saturDAY, april 8, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

$1B hotel opens in Corriverton G

uyana’s easternmost town, Corriverton in East Berbice/ Corentyne, now sports a billion-dollar investment in the establishment of the Classic International Hotel and Suites − a four-storey building which has 32 rooms and four extravagant suites overlooking the Corentyne River.

Considered a high-end hotel by the owner, the facility is equipped with all modern amenities, including a swimming pool and pool house with garden, and five bars, including a poolside bar.

The hotel is owned by business magnate Harishnarine Sugrim, commonly known as ‘Chinee’, and is part of the

GUYTRAC conglomerate -an importer of heavy duty agricultural machinery for infrastructure development, logging and gold mining which has been in existence for over 40 years.

This posh lodging entity was officially declared open on Thursday by Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who in remarks said the local tourism industry has great potential but is plagued with many challenges. “We try to kickstart an industry that we have not traditionally prioritised as yet. We have not as yet integrated ourselves into the international tourism industry in a way that puts us on the map as a serious tourism destination.

Therefore, we find our-

The newly opened Classic International Hotel and Suites

selves without that strategic link between the markets and the airlines and the accommodation and the

activities that other competing destinations have long since established,” he stated.

The Minister warned against those who invest in the industry but are not serious about upholding quality standards. He said their actions can kill tourism in Guyana. He underscored the need for players in the tourism industry to be service-oriented and provide training for the staff they employ.

In his remarks, Businessman Sugrim said more than forty persons are employed at the new facility, and they have all undergone one month of intense training. He said a further $600 million will be invested in the building, as he has plans to develop a waterfront resort which will include two yachts and dozens of water jet skis.

The resort is expected to occupy one hundred feet of space in the Corentyne River.

Corriverton Mayor Krishnand Jaichand, who also delivered remarks, noted that Classic Hotel, during its construction phase, provided meaningful jobs for dozens of persons. He added that the hotel would continue to serve as a source of employment and will significantly impact positively on unemployment on the Upper Corentyne. “Its impact on the prosperity of the town cannot be underestimated, and it shines like a beacon of hope for people worrying about prevailing economic uncertainties,” the Mayor stated.

‘Do as I say and not as I do’? Idling at M&CC

Dear Editor, The City Council has declared that businesses have no authority to erect ‘no-parking signs’ in front or surrounding their operations, and must first ask for permission from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

The M&CC had made it clear in the past that busi-

nesses and private citizens must first obtain permission in writing if they propose to erect signs on the City Council’s roads, pavements, parapets and other thoroughfares.

But what about the parking lots and meters that City Hall marked out and placed on ‘declared urban roads’?

Did they get permission from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure? No, they did not. So are they saying ‘do as I say and not as I do’?

Noam Chomsky, in his book ‘Imperial Ambitions: Conversations on the Post9/11 World’, said: “For the powerful, crimes are those that others commit.”

Laughable attitude Dear Editor, Over the years, I have, as a Hindu, seen in Freddie Kissoon a level of divinity that many will find laughable. After all, the same man who defends the down trodden swiftly with his pen shreds to pieces anyone who disagrees with him. The

one whose opinion is a light in the dark world of the oppressed can also dispel his own brand of vitriol, protected by a newspaper (that is) liberal with facts, and a legal system that has no regard for expedient application of libel and slander laws. Therefore Kissoon “gets away with it”.

Kissoon’s “Aksharananda gets a taste of his own medicine” can be challenging to read, especially because he equates a man who preaches God in all, even Freddie, to a Christian Missionary who sees the devil in Hindus.

Swami Aksharanada and others mentioned in the ref-

Well, Madam Mayor, in Guyana we say, ‘What goes for Peter must go for Paul’. If you want citizens and business to obey your municipal laws, then you must first obey the Laws of Guyana.

Sincerely, Nadine Jerrick

erenced piece − Hindu Ravi Dev, Muslim Rihaan Shah and others − who also speak for the oppressed, should be evaluated the same way: Is it the truth? Is it the Eternal Truth? Sanathan Dharma is Hinduism which has survived all eras known to man, even the time of Freddie Kissoon.

Sincerely, S Persaud

Dear Editor, It would seem as though the Mayor of Georgetown has had an epiphany whilst on her most recent junket overseas. Since returning, she has discovered the performance and work ethics of the City Engineer’s and City Treasurer’s departments to be unacceptable.

She has said it was high time that some officers from those departments go home, because they were at work doing absolutely nothing, and are in the yard liming all day long.

She also lamented the fact that despite their behaviour, the municipality has to find money to pay their hefty salaries every month.

The question I would like to ask is whether she was deaf and blind for the last 22 years whilst she was a Councillor and Deputy Mayor. It is the same attitude those and other departments had all along.

But what is really needed by her is to first have a look at her very own office, where persons can be seen doing nothing all day also, but instead could just be seen walking up and down on very high heeled shoes, and being on their cell phones texting, chatting and idling.

Sincerely, Amber Valentine

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aise your hand if you’ve sent an embarrassing text message — the message that neither you nor your friend can understand because it looks like gibberish, or the one that’s accidently sent to someone who shouldn’t have read it.

Did you ever think that your nighttime pings, rings, and vibrates could be the reason why?

Lack of sleep can cause you to send embarrassing texts. But more important, sending and receiving messages late at night can disrupt your sleep and leave you tired and unfocused when it’s time for school.

Studies show that lack of sleep, or interrupted sleep, can affect everything from your mood to your sports performance.

Sure, you want to stay connected with your friends, but how useful can you be when you’re exhausted? Give your “tech” (texts, emails, calls) a rest from bedtime until your alarm clock rings so you can rest.

How can you ease out of being accessible — but sluggish — all the time to unplugging at bedtime? Here are some tips to follow at night that will help boost your energy and focus in the morning:

Log off your instant messenger, Facebook, and email

guyanatimesgy.com

Pings in the middle of the night can interrupt your sleep — even if you don’t get up to answer them.

And, more than likely, if your friends see that you’re logged out, they’ll log out too.

Turn off your cell phone (don’t just set it on vibrate) when it’s time for bed

Buzzes can be just as loud as beeps or rings, especially late at night when everything else is quiet. Plus, if your friends have no one to talk to, maybe they’ll be inspired to turn off their cell and catch some Zzzs, too.

Get in the habit of powering off your computer — especially if it’s in your room

Sometimes just logging off your instant messenger or Facebook is not enough. Blinking lights and glowing screens can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

Get your cell phone out of your room completely

Try charging your phone overnight in a separate room. While your cell battery is restoring, you can get the sleep you need to recharge your

own battery. Having your cell in another room can reduce the chance that you’ll use it during and after bedtime.

Make getting enough sleep your way to look and feel good

Getting sleep is a great way to look and feel refreshed and focused in the morning. To get the sleep you need, tell your friends you will receive your last text, email, or phone call an hour before bedtime. This way, they’ll know their beeps or buzzes will have to wait.

It can be quite a challenge to go from being constantly accessible to powering down at a certain time. But sticking to a cut-off curfew for your gadgets and gizmos will help you ease into bedtime and give your brain some techfree downtime. And if you need an excuse, just say your parents are making you do it. (Kidshealth)

BY KEVIN DWYER

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continued from friday

ost teachers use problem solving steps and data to improve resilience in their classrooms. Some call this “data-based decision making.” What does the pre-intervention data in our classrooms look like and what positive data are we hoping will result from our greater efforts, what we change and our added interventions to build resilience? What do we need to look for?

Here are some constructs what resilience experts focus upon: Academic efficacy: Programming academic instruction that is challenging and consciously supporting student efficacy to master those challenges. This requires both reinforcement and instructional supports to magnify that learner’s academic efficacy.

This requires classroom prompts and timely feedback about efficacy so that students are supporting each other’s skills. Teachers can graph progress of individuals to help each see his/her progress. Students can be encouraged to share mastery techniques and strategies with their peers.

Behavioural self-control: Individual student’s self-control as a learner is critical to effective teaching, peer learning and classroom management. Resilient students are attentive, active learners who thrive in classrooms that enable them to know what’s coming, know what’s expected of them in the present activity and know if their behaviour is working well for them and the class. Classroom climate fosters this process of student’s thinking ahead, evaluating their present behaviour and knowing how to evaluate their participation in the learning. So focusing on routines increases prediction; immediate feedback increases active learning and; connecting behaviours to learning stresses the positive in the evaluation of behaviours. Selfcontrol can be improved for both individuals and groups by using functional analysis of, say distracting talking-out, so that student(s) can see a viable alternative, practice it (role playing) and even self reward their progress in reducing that disruptive talking out. Again, graphing progress helps students see their progress and the progress of their classmates.

Academic self-determination: Resilience advocates stress the importance of students developing autonomy as learners. Autonomy is a process that progressively develops and emerges through the grades. An autonomous learner has her own goals and can figure out what facilitates those learning goals and what may need to be addressed as a barrier to those goals. Doll reports that autonomous learners work hard “because they want to not because they have to.” Teachers can support autonomy by making sure that the focus is upon mastery for each student rather than on comparing that student to others in a competitive way. Curriculum standards may seem antagonistic to the concept of self-determination but the benchmarks for those system standards, when understood by the students can become each learners own goal.

Effective teacher-student relationships: Activities that enhance teacher-student connectedness are very likely to improve learning and mastery of academic and social skills needed throughout life.

Frequent specific praise for learning challenging materials directed to individual students, student teams and the class has been shown to be a good measure of teacher effectiveness. Conversely, a lack of caring and reinforcement as well as support for struggling students results in poor academic and behavioural student outcomes. Methods for building this effective student relationship in today’s classroom may be difficult but some simple self-regulation of teachers to use positives and connect those specific functional comments to desired learning and behaviours (i.e. persistence, problem solving and attention) can improve this relationship. We all know about “catching students being good.” Doing it is another issue in a classroom of 25 or more students. One recommendation is to encourage students to “sign-up” for a short conversation with the teacher. Another is to provide individual positive constructive feedback regarding a modification that will improve learning or behaviour. Valuing the student’s feedback (“…how are my suggestions working?). Students do best when they feel supported, respected (trust and fairness) and valued, taken seriously for their ideas and learning. Teachers can get a general tone of connectedness by using prompts for students to write in their journals and then using that feedback with them in a valued manner.

Effective peer relationships: When students are encouraged to work together as teams and when they are familiar with problem solving and conflict resolution they are more likely to develop positive peer relationships and friendships. Providing time to discuss classroom issues in class meetings (discussed in a previous article) helps students recognise each other’s strengths and common feelings and concerns, thus enhancing effective peer relationships. Teachers can “monitor” peer relationships to best insure an inclusive resilient approach to peer relationships.

Effective home-school relationships: It is nearly universal that the closer the home-school relationships the better each student functions.

The home is the foundation for supporting resilience. I have never met a parent that did not want their child to succeed both academically and socially in school. Just as students thrive on respect and caring so do families. Equally they want their ideas to be valued. And they want positive ongoing feedback about their child and guidance as to what they can do to support learning. Keeping that connection strong has been shown to improve academics, social skills and attendance. Mechanisms to increase these connections might include periodic positive personal notes, short fact sheets about the resilient classroom/school efforts and ideas for supporting resilience. (www.cmhnetwork.org)

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo calls for ‘sustainable’ UG tuition hike re-opening of wildlife trade Jordan snubs students’ concerns

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ome six months after President David Granger assented to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2016, the commercial trading of wildlife is yet to begin, and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is calling for efforts to be taken to change this.

In a statement from the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Friday, Jagdeo urged the Government to immediately attend to its administrative responsibilities to enable the re-opening of the wildlife trade, while simultaneously ensuring that this is done in a renewable and sustainable manner.

“We urge the Government to act expeditiously to facilitate resumption of the wildlife trade, while concurrently synchronising the creation of an environment of a smooth and efficient wildlife conservation and management framework, with the capacity for adequate enforcement,” the release outlined.

According to the Opposition Leader, the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2016, which was assented to by President David Granger on October 5, 2016, envisages the incorporation of the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission and demands the establishment of the Wildlife Scientific Committee.

The statement further outlined that this Act was intended to satisfy international conventions pertaining to the import and export of wildlife, and provide a regulatory framework to bring Guyana into compliance with international standards and best practices; not to bring the trade to a precipitous halt.

To this end, Jagdeo said in the statement, “As of today, Friday April 7, almost six months after the passage of this Legislation, there has been no notice or announcement of the re-opening of

… says quality education must be paid for

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Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

this commercial activity: This inaction has negatively affected the livelihood of exporters, trappers, many Amerindians in Guyana’s hinterland regions, and others engaged in this business.”

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill was passed six months ago, allowing Guyana to fulfil its requirements as a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), thus guaranteeing the protection of the nation’s flora and fauna.

The CITES membership process revolves around certain responsibilities, including having appropriate laws and regulations to curb illegal trade of wildlife, and to provide for the safe and regulated breeding, movement and trading of wildlife without and within state parties.

The lengthy Bill is divided into 85 parts. Its key objectives are to create a supportive mechanism cognisant of the national goals of wildlife protection, conservation management and sustainable use; and to create a national framework and mechanisms governing the local and international trade in all species of Guyana’s wildlife.

It will lead to the imple-

President David Granger

mentation of the primary provisions of the CITES convention, and also to provide a framework of licensing and decisions which support core principles of transparency, certainty, natural justice and fairness. The bill also makes provisions for captive breeding and wildlife-ranching.

One week after passage, President Granger announced that Government was looking to introduce a group of rangers to enforce the new laws aimed at curbing the illegal trade of wildlife. He noted that this corps of wardens will be placed in the hinterland regions to protect not only the mining areas, but forestry and the areas of wildlife and tourism.

Granger had outlined that, too often, there are sightings of persons on the streets of Guyana with a string of iguanas, or there are stories of people smuggling towa-towas in their curlers, or photographs of people going into protected areas with huge freezers or fridges, catching fishes that are quite rare.

President Granger elaborated that the Wildlife Bill is very critical, since there has been excessive smuggling and excessive endangerment of some species. He recalled years ago when someone actually exported dolphins.

inance Minister Winston Jordan on Friday reacted to the announcement by the University of Guyana (UG) that it has decided to increase tuition for the new school year, noting that in order for one to receive quality education, he must pay.

Jordan said while the situation might not be a favourable one for students at this time, the fact is, if quality education is being sought, then they must be able to pay.

“At the end of the day, you have to appreciate. If you want quality education, we have to pay for it. There is nowhere in the world I believe, people are paying for education, can they pay what they are paying at the University of Guyana.

The Minister said it is irrelevant what one’s per capita income or the amount of money being earned is. In the end, he said if a university wants to attract quality people, it must pay to draw such.

The University of Guyana on Thursday officially announced that it had begun the process of seeing an overall 35 per cent increase in tuition fees at the institution, with its first round of 15 per cent. Beginning at the new 2017/2018 school year, students will be required to pay this increase.

The UG council also decided to incrementally increase the tuition fee by 10 per cent for the 2018-2019 academic year for all students, and a further 10 per cent for all students for the 2019-2020.

The decision, it said, came following an examination of the University’s projected budget deficit, the pressing needs of the University, and pro-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

jected alternative income streams.

According to UG, the council’s decision will be applied to tuition fees for all programmes and for both continuing students and new students for the 2017-2018 academic years.

However, it said, input from the Student Society was considered, leading to an incremental roll out, where continuing students will now pay an increase of 15 per cent, and new students will be required to pay 18 per cent more.

At the same meeting also, the council reportedly decided to incrementally increase the tuition fee by 10 per cent for 20182019 academic year for all students, and a further 10 per cent for all students for 2019-2020.

At the same meeting, the council also authorised the UG Administration to commence negotiations with the two University unions for remuneration packages based on what the University could afford.

Salary increases Meanwhile, speaking on the demands for salary in-

creases by staff members of the institution, Jordan said Government has done its part and it is now for the University to find ways to satisfy that and other demands.

“There will always be demands for wages, salaries, utilities and other things. This has to come from some place, if to meet those demands,” Jordan said.

According to him, the University is largely financed by Government.

He said when the new Administration took office; it increased the subvention to the University by some 63 per cent to allow them to pay a substantial increase in salary for lecturers and other staff. He said while the fund was substantial, it did not match the amount that is usually paid to lecturers even in Guyana at some other places. He said this year, staff is seeking a 15 per cent, however Government was only able to give what it can, at this time afford. As such, the University has to look for other sources of income to pay lecturers, he said.

8 news

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Berbice “weeder” remanded for narco possession

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n alleged drug supplier of Haslington, East Berbice, Corentyne, who was nabbed during a Police chase in his failed attempt to scale a neighbour’s fence and busted with a sizable portion of cannabis, was on Friday charged with narcotics trafficking and brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

According to the Police case, Andrew Reidley on April 6 at Third Street Haslington, Berbice, was in possession of 3.332 kilograms of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The court was told on Friday that Reidley is a 46-year-old weeder by trade and lives in the Haslington area, Berbice.

Reidley denied the allegations and related to the court that on the day of the incident, he in company of his brothers and several other acquain-

tances in the area, were engaged in imbibing alcohol when Police officials swooped down on them and began to conduct a search. He contended that after coming up empty handed, they then proceeded to raid the premises which turned out unfruitful as well.

The Police, he claimed, upon finding no illegal items then kick down the door of an abandoned dwelling house

nearby, returning with a bag, the contents of which he had no knowledge of.

However, Prosecutor Moore in disclosing the Police’s version of the incident told the court that the man who was acting in a suspicious manner was spotted by a Policeman running away after he was seen. The fleeing man was chased by the ranks, who in his attempt to evade the officers, threw a bag over the fence of a neighbouring property and was captured as he tried to jump over same.

The bag was retrieved by the Police, which revealed several bulky plastic packages containing the substance suspected to be the illicit drug. The matter was transferred to be heard at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on April 26, and Reidley will remain in remand until then.

GPL employee jailed for narco trafficking

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conscience-stricken employee of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) was on Friday morning slapped with a three-year jail sentence, following a recent drug bust at the Square of the Revolution, Georgetown, after he chose not to waste the court’s time and admitted to the offence.

Quacy Maurie’s relatives could not contain their emotions as they sobbed loudly as they witnessed the sentencing of their family member.

The 34-year-old Field Assistant was charged

Quacy Maurie

with having 3.143 kilograms of cannabis in his possession for trafficking

purposes on April 5.

The accused amidst tears told Magistrate Leron Daly that he was driven to commit the offence in light of the current financial situation in the country. He noted that he committed the act to take care of his family, stating he has hit “rock-bottom” and was left with no alternative.

The unrepresented man also revealed his suspicion of being set up by one of his associates.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru related that Police ranks, acting on information, intercepted Maurie’s vehicle and conducted a

search; leading to the discovery of the substance contained in a haversack.

The accused also reportedly wrote his own caution statement in which he confessed to the felony.

A regretful Maurie apologised to the Magistrate for his actions; begging her to be lenient in dispensing the penalty.

Magistrate Daly in her address to the accused stated that an offence of such nature attracts a jail term of at least three years.

Before sentencing him, the Magistrate caution him to not to be led astray in the future.

Handyman on bail for beating man with steel rod

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47-year-old old handyman of Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown,

was granted $15,000 bail for inflicting grievous bodily harm on Sigbert Fraser.

Narine was previously charged for murder and released from the Camp Street

Jaipaul Narine

Penitentiary in 2013.

Jaipaul Narine during a New Year’s ordeal at Stabroek Square, Georgetown, unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on the Virtual Complainant.

The prosecution’s case alleged that the accused on the day in question hit the victim with a steel rod to varying parts of his body, which according to doctors’ reports, are potentially life threatening.

As a condition for bail, Narine is required to report to the Criminal Investigation Headquarters every day at 09:00h pending trial, which stands adjourned to April 19.

In 2013, Narine was released from prison after serving 30 years on a murder charge.

Let’s talk…

Y

…about (sugar) depression esterday was World Health Day – commemorated under the theme “Let’s talk” as one way to deal with depression. Your Eyewitness was struck by the studied refusal by Government officials to deal with concrete drivers of depression. And more to the point what they could do about it. The way the new Minister of Health carried on in her ad in the newspapers, you’d think she was “talking” about a problem on Mars!

For instance, how can she ignore the depression into which the closing of the Wales Sugar Estate has plunged the entire West Bank of Demerara?? Does she know what losing a job means to one person who has no transferrable skill – and in an economy that’s already in a depression? Try 1700 persons. Try the four persons in each of those 1700 families. Try the 60,000 persons the spill-off from the Wales economic input into the local economy will affect. Does she know why even humourless fellas like economists talks about an economy being in a “depression”??

It’s human beings we’re talking about. So, can we talk? Well, if a tree falls in the middle of the forest, but there’s no one there to hear the sound of the crash, did it fall? So sure, WE can talk – but not those folks from the West Bank. Have you noticed the amount of coverage the parking meter protests brought out in Georgetown? Have you noticed the VAT on education coverage in the media – in Georgetown? That’s a clue as to why Wales can’t talk – there’s no one to listen.

In any other country in the world, the news of 1700 persons thrown into the streets with no jobs in sight and no safety net to tide them over – would’ve been big news. But not when it concerns sugar workers. They are still doing slave and indentured work – so of course they don’t matter. And we return to their depression – and depression it will be.

Expect alcohol consumption to skyrocket as folks who were already socialised to “drown their sorrows” in liquor, now have sorrows multiplied a hundredfold.

Expect domestic violence to explode and jobless men take out their frustrations on their spouses and their children – who still expect to eat. Expect crime to rise as those men and children use whatever means necessary to survive. Expect their depression to precipitate more suicides as those who can’t externalise their frustration take it out on themselves.

Let’s talk, all right. But not about the depression that’s washing over Wales like a tsunami. …about the warehouse The Minister of Health mentioned above got her job because her predecessor messed up big time on the (in) famous rental of that pharma warehouse in Albouystown. And it seems that arrangement just keeps popping up like the proverbial bad penny. Excepting, of course, it’s actually costing the nation a pretty penny! $150 million annually, to be exact!

The latest episode in the sordid tale came out of a tour the warehouse’s officials arranged for reporters. Now, as background, you have to remember the reason our Prime Minister offered when asked why a warehouse was needed in the city – when the Government already had one at Diamond. He said when the GPHC runs out of drugs, they could be rushed right over and avoid the traffic jam on the East Bank Highway. Fair enough.

Well, we now discover from the warehouse supervisor when GPHC needs drugs, she has to ship them to the Diamond warehouse and then they’re dispatched from there!!!

It’s enough to make you depressed!! …about a fishy story The CEO of GuySuCo said fish (tilapia to be exact) will be substituted for sugar on its lands. The 300-acre pilot hasn’t even been launched, but diversification head Tony Vieira says US$5.2 billion is expected from GuySuCo 120,000 acres!!

Counting our fingerlings before they’re hatched, eh Tony? Remember, that’s why you went bankrupt.

Twice!

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

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GuySuCo seeks to sell lands …as Corporation’s committee completes deliberations

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n a bid to raise much-needed funds, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is preparing to submit to the Government a proposal aimed at obtaining its no-objection to sell off some of its land to private bid-

“We are desperately short of cash, so as soon as we can get the sales concluded, the better it will be.” − CEO ders.

This is according to GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer, Errol Hanoman, in an interview with Guyana Times on Friday. Hanoman confirmed that the sugar company’s land sub-com-

mittee had reviewed the applications which individuals had sent in after it first tendered for expressions of interest.

Hanoman disclosed that quite a few persons had responded to the tenders, though he did not state the exact number of applicants who had vied for the chance to buy the tracts of land. He was hopeful the situation would quickly be resolved, considering that the corporation is in a cash-strapped state.

“The applications have been considered by the lands committee of the board,” he said, “and we are now about to send the board’s position to Government for its approval. There were quite a few applicants. Obviously, the bids were evaluated and recommendations made to the lands commit-

GuySuCo CEO Errol Hanoman

tee of the board, who considered the recommendations. So the board having now approved the recommendations, it is now going to go to Government for Government’s approval before we actually proceed with the transaction,” he told his publication.

“We’re hoping that it

Guyana welcomes CLICO again

T

aking the stance that Guyana is open for business, Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Friday said Government is prepared to accept the proposals of the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) Chairman, Lawrence Duprey, once he is able to settle his debt here.

The chairman of this insurance company which left thousands of Guyanese reeling from a major financial blow after it collapsed in 2008, met with Jordan late last month and offered some proposals that could see him re-entering Guyana’s business arena.

Among those proposals are investments in housing, providing solar energy at competitive prices, as well as introducing a financial model that would generate savings and alleviate poverty.

But that was not before he offered his apology for the damage done and a promise to settle the debt owed here.

Speaking to the media, Finance Minister Jordan said Guyana remains a space that is open for business. “It does not mean that we are open to business to rogues and so on, but the guy made some overtures to us and he is willing to repay the money, he’s willing to apologise. He asked for the evidence for what is outstanding and he also said he is interested in doing business in Guyana.”

On that basis, the Minister said, he gave the thumbs up to the proposals.

However, this will not be done until Guyanese receive the sums of money they are owed.

“We are open to any suggestions of investment. This

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

CLF majority shareholder, Lawrence Duprey

time around, unlike in past administration, the investment will go through scrutiny and we would be able to say ‘yea’ or ‘nay’, ” he said.

According to Jordan, Duprey has already begun

an investment of $5.2 billion by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

Over the years, the NIS would have also been experiencing a situation wherein its annual expenses be-

“It does not mean that we are opened to business to rogues and so on, but the guy made some overtures to us, and he is willing to repay the money, he’s willing to apologise. He asked for the evidence for what is outstanding, and he also said he is interested in doing business in Guyana.” − Finance Minister the process of reconciliation as CLICO has already contacted Bank of Guyana Governor and liquidator Dr Gobind Ganga to gather the necessary information that would provide the outstanding figures.

CLICO Guyana had approximately $6.9 billion invested in the regional insurance company when it collapsed in 2009. Among the local investments was

gan outstripping its revenue – a situation compounded by the billions it had invested in CLICO for a number of years.

To this end, Government in September last year announced that it would be absorbing the $5.2 billion NIS loss incurred when CLICO Guyana crumbled. This “lifeline” money is to be paid in tranches over a 20-year period.

would be done as soon as possible, because, as you know, we are strapped for cash; we are desperately short of cash. So as soon as we can get the sales concluded the better it will be.”

GuySuCo had, in 2016, advertised for sale several acres of land, inclusive of vacant properties at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) where its headquarters are situated.

In its tender, GuySuCo said it was looking to sell portions of its transported freehold lands situated at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, Liliendaal and Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Professor Clive Thomas, had revealed prior to the tender that a review was ongoing to see how best the company could utilise its considerable land holdings, a significant portion of which is unused. To give

GuySuCo is noted for its large land holdings

an idea of GuySuCo’s cash shortfall, Thomas had earlier alluded to the fact that the entity had asked for a sum of $12 billion for 2016 and had received $9 billion.

He was quoted in sections of the media as saying, “What we are trying to do is to use land sales as an important means of financing over the next four to five years… We are looking at our land holdings to see what is possible, then we will decide on how to structure the sales.”

Back in 2015, the sug-

ar company had sold to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) some 3000 acres of cane field between Sophia and Ogle.

A number of decisions, such as the decision to close Wales estate on the West Bank of Demerara and to merge La Bonne Intention (LBI) operations with Enmore, have not gone down well with the employees of the company.

There have been a number of protests against the decisions.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, april 8, 2017

News

of Statistics gets Another Guyanese Bureau $160M refurbished office murdered in T&T G

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nother Guyanese was murdered in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, taking the toll now to three for the year.

Raphael Collins, 23, formerly of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was gunned down on Thursday evening at a house of a female friend at Laventille, Trinidad.

Based on information received, the young man was having his hair braided when a gunman barged into the yard and shot him multiple times.

Reports reaching this newspaper revealed that after the shooting, the gunman left, but after realising that Collins was still alive, he returned and shot him to the head at close range.

The female friend with him at the time of the shooting was left unharmed.

The killing is being treated as an execution.

Friends of the dead man are left in a state of shock and have many unanswered questions. Trinidad law enforcement officers are hunting for the suspect.

Dead: Raphael Collins

However, in Guyana, his uncle, Frederick Collins, told Guyana Times that the young man called three days ago and informed them that he was coming to Guyana for the Easter weekend. He noted that his nephew was all excited about the visit. He has not return to Guyana since 2016 when he left for Trinidad. While in the foreign country, the young man worked with an aunt.

The now dead man’s uncle related that they received a telephone call about 22:00h from a rela-

tive in Trinidad informing them that Collins was shot.

“After we received the news, we start call around and it was then, other relatives confirmed that he was shot and killed… they told us that he was at a neighbour’s house when the man walked into the yard, pushed the gun through the window and shot him,” the man stated.

He also confirmed that the friend who was with his nephew at the time of the shooting was arrested and is being interrogated. The family, the elderly man stated, is making the necessary arrangements to have the body brought back to Guyana.

Before leaving the country, Collins was taking care of his grandmother after his mother passed away 18 years ago. He attended the Ann’s Grove Primary and Secondary Schools and was described as a peaceful person who never got into arguments, much less a fight. He leaves to mourn his only brother, Kevin Collins of Plaisance, ECD, his grandmother and other relatives.

uyana’s main statistical authority now has a permanent structure to carry out its constitutional mandate.

The new $160 million refurbished office of the Bureau of Statistics stands at the corner of Main and Hope Streets in Cummingsburg -- the former office of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Outgoing Chief Statistician, Lennox Benjamin, said Guyana has been without a central statistics office for decades, and activities were highly dispersed.

“The conduct of the population and housing census today, (which) is synonymous with the work of the bureau, was the

The new Bureau of Statistics

to the Office of the Prime Minister, to the then Ministry of Economic Development, and upon the dissolution of that ministry, to the Ministry of Planning, before it went back to the Ministry of Finance, where it has since remained.

He said although the enti-

President David Granger assists in the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the new office

responsibility of the General Registrar Office.”

He said the transformation over the years from a dispersed statistical system to a central entity was not without its institutional problems. Research has shown, he related, that in the very early years, ministerial responsibility for the bureau shifted from the Trade Ministry to the Finance Ministry, then

ty had gone through so many changes, it has never had an office to call its own.

Delivering remarks made also at the event, President David Granger reemphasised the important role the unit has to play in Guyana. According to the Head of State, good governance requires good statistics.

Statistics, he said, are closely

associated with accountability and transparency in policy-making.

“These in turn rely on accurate and timely statistics.

Government agencies, the private sector and civil society need accurate, reliable and timely statistics in order to be able to make informed decisions. It takes the guesswork out of decision making”.

Continuing on the critical role of the Bureau of Statistics, the Head of State said the availability of stats is also important for local and international investments, assisting international organisations to identify challenges, and to design the responses to those challenges. “Statistics are therefore essential to government in the delivery of services to its citizens.

According to the President Granger, the bureau is charged with producing statistics that would remove “anecdotal and emotive influences” from the decision-making process. He said his government is committed to the charge of the collection, compilation and dissemination of reliable and relevant statistics at all levels.

SATURDAY, april 8, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

11

News

VAT on health care

GRA’s exemptions limited

Granger greeted with protest in Essequibo Coast

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hough the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced some exemptions on private medical services, there are still a significant number of private healthcare services which attract the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT).

Syringes, needles, bandages and hundreds of other items of this nature still attract the burdensome tax.

Over the counter drugs and other health supplements of these kind as well as vitamins also charge VAT. The exemptions announced by the tax body do not cover diagnostic products used in hospitals and laboratories such as test strips, swabs, X-rays, blood tests, physician fees, among others.

Hospital fees are also still subjected to VAT, including surgery fees.

Notably, disinfectants and cleaning agents which are a must for private medical institutions also attract VAT. The GRA had argued in a letter published on March 18, that there is no VAT on medical, dental, hospital, optical or paramedical services in accordance with Paragraph 8 of Schedule II of the Value-Added Tax Act, Chapter 81:05.

According to the GRA, zero-rated items in this regard include (a) A supply of medicines and drugs of a kind available only by prescrip-

Guyana Revenue Authority

tion; (b) Any of the following medicines for human use (i) Analgesics in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules, or other solid dosage forms for oral or rectal use; (ii) Cough and cold preparations in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules or other solid dosage forms for oral and nasal use; (iii) Antacids and anti-flatulents in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules and other solid dosage forms for oral use; (iv) Laxatives in the form of liquids, tablets, capsules or other solid dosage forms for oral or rectal use; (v) Anthelmintics in the form of liquids, tablets or capsules for oral use; (vi) Oral rehydration preparations in the form of salts or solution of WHO/Pharmacopoeia standards. Diabetic – (i) Glucometers (glucose blood test machines) and glucose blood strips made for

use with such machines; (ii) Insulin syringes with needles and devices for the administration of insulin; (d) Spectacles prescribed by an optometrist in the treatment of the human eye and visual system; and (e) crutches.

Many persons including the Private Sector and the parliamentary Opposition had decried Government’s decision to impose tax on private health care.

Moreover, society was appalled by Government’s position, that persons who opt to use private facilities and outlets have money to pay.

Minister within the Communities Ministry, Valerie Patterson had declared in the National Assembly that persons who choose to go private, have money and therefore can afford to pay VAT.

Stakeholders storm out...

A hinterland resident highlighted how VAT on private education goes contrary to Government’s mantra about entrepreneurship.

“We have heard in the political arena that entrepreneurship is our future; that we should enable and create an environment for entrepreneurship.

Where do our entrepreneurs gain their skills? For the vast majority, for people who are trying to start small businesses, it is the private educational sector that is providing those services,” she explained.

Director of Nations University, Dr Brian O’Toole urged the Government to desist from punishing private institutions which pay taxes simply because others do not.

To give the Ministers a taste of reality, Dr O’Toole disclosed that 12 per cent of students have already dropped out of the prominent ABE programme, presumably because of the extra expenses.

Furthermore, in clarifying the misconceptions that only affluent persons attend private institutions, several students, including foreign

nationals, shared how their lives have become more challenging due to the imposition of VAT on their education.

“Here I am, in a private school, doing a graduates degree and here you are, my Government, that says it’s a good life for all, you have just increased my fees by 14 per cent…the only way I can get an increase in my salary is by promoting my own personal advancement.

At my level, the company is not going to give me a raise in pay just because they love me. I have to earn it and I am trying to earn it by getting a graduate degree and my Government is putting a huge stumbling block in my way,” said Jarvin Yearwood, who after years of finishing high school, decided to go back to school.

Yearwood, in detailing his plight and how the VAT will lessen his disposable income significantly, implored the Government to revoke the tax on education immediately.

“I am asking you, from the bottom of my heart. In fact, I’m not asking you, I am begging you, and I don’t beg for anything, I am beg-

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ging you… Guyana’s government, see fit to remove this tax,” he urged. A student, who is studying aeronautical engineering, highlighted that there is no other institution in Guyana offering the programme; therefore it makes no sense in making it more difficult for persons to pursue that course.

He outlined the struggles of his life and the sacrifices he and his mother made to finally afford to send him to study and how the 14 per cent VAT takes away from money which could have been used otherwise for transportation and meals.

“The Minister said that children can’t focus on school if they’re hungry.

Well, you’re starving me, you’re starving me,” he stated with much distress.

Though Government committed to reviewing their concerns, majority of the stakeholders left dissatisfied.

As the Ministers were leaving, several students staged a mini protest to express their disappointment with the outcome of the meeting.

Some of the protesters

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cores of residents, including contractors, parents and trench cleaners, on Friday hosted a picketing exercise shortly after President David Granger landed at the Kayman Sankar Airstrip at Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast.

Visiting Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) for the opening of a business expo at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground, the President was greeted by protesters standing in front of the airstrip demanding his

attention.

Headed by Member of Parliament Cornel Damon, the picketing exercise saw disgruntled persons expressing concerns about the state of the economy, the removal of water and electricity subsidies, the removal of the students’ cash grant, and the lack of assistance to the rice industry, among other issues.

Some of their placards read: “Granger APNU/ AFC incompetent economy SHRINK”, “Restore

Pensioners yearly Subsidies for GWI and GPL”, and “Restore school children’s $10,000 Grant”.

Damon said the protest was organised at a time when the region’s economy has slowed and many vendors are complaining of the economy being sluggish. He explained that parents are complaining on a daily basis about the increase in expenses in all sectors, including education. The protest was nevertheless peaceful, and lasted for an hour.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Enmore NDC denies “plot President says ‘High Court drama’ will be resolved soon to sell” computers H V ice Chairman of the Enmore Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has rejected contentions that “a plot was discovered to sell” the computer systems that were seized by the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) on Thursday afternoon.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition had revealed in a statement on Thursday that a group of SARU official went to the NDC and took away 15 complete desktop computers and eight backup power-packs, without the permission of the NDC or the community resource centre.

However, when contacted later that evening, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SARU, Major (Rtd) Aubrey Heath-Retemyer explained to Guyana Times his agency had merely gone to render assistance to the E-governance Department, which was going to retrieve the computer systems after it was informed

by SARU that the NDC wanted to “get rid” of them.

“We got information that these computers were there and that they were not in use and that some people on the NDC were about to get rid of them; whatever get rid of means – selling them or giving them away – I don’t know,” he stated.

Retemyer went on to say that, “We simply alerted E-governance who asked for us to accompany them so some people went from my unit with E-governance, collect the computers and give them to E-governance, who has them.”

According to the SARU Head, the systems were taken by E-governance so that

in the future the people of Enmore can access them.

However, Vice Chairman of the Enmore NDC, Iqbal Dawud, in a statement on Friday said, “There was no such plot and nothing clandestine or unlawful was intended.”He went on to explain that the computers, which are the property of the NDC, are outdated and most of them were malfunctioning; as such, a decision was taken by the Council to have the computers sold, if possible, and replaced with a new compliment so that the community can continue to benefit from their use.“This decision was made at a public statutory meeting of the NDC and recorded in the Minutes.

Therefore, there was nothing sinister, secretive or illegal about it as has been suggested by the Government,” Dawud pointed out. The Vice Chairman further posited that the Enmore NDC is an autonomous, legally elected body that is independent of the Government and is legally authorised to make its own decision.

“SARU and the Government have no author-

ity to interfere with decisions of the NDC. Therefore, we reject the Government’s attempt at justifying SARU’s illegal actions of trespass and unlawful deprivation of the property of the NDC,” he added. Dawud continued that the NDC maintains that officers of SARU and the Ministry of the Presidency “acted unlawfully, excessively and abused their authority” when they unlawfully entered upon the NDC’s premises and seized the NDC’s property.

He further added that this is nothing short of “executive lawlessness.”The PPP on Thursday said it has advised the Enmore NDC to launch civil proceedings against the State claiming monetary compensation for trespass, constitutional violations and deprivation of private property. The Opposition also called upon the Police Commissioner to immediately launch a full investigation into this matter. The Party wants the Police “…to institute criminal charges forthwith against those who were engaged in this clandestine, unconstitutional, authoritarian and criminal enterprise.”

ead of State, President David Granger, is confident that the recent confrontation between Attorney General Basil Williams and High Court Judge Justice Franklin Holder will be resolved soon.

“I’m satisfied that the matter would be resolved very soon,” he told reporters during the weekly televised programme ‘The Public Interest’, aired on Friday evening on the State-owned National Communications Network (NCN).

During the programme,

President David Granger

Attorney General Basil Williams

the President was asked whether he had gotten a formal response from the Attorney General about the incident, and he responded in the positive, but noted that it was not a written response.

The Head of State added that he had received “formal questions” from acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, and had asked Williams to respond.

“I spoke with him and… he explained what occurred, which is quite different from what some elements

Justice Franklin Holder

of the media reported,” the President stated.

The March 23 issue between the Attorney General and Justice Holder stemmed from an exchange which caused the judge to storm out of the courtroom without adjourning the proceedings that were before him.

The following day, Justice Holder formally informed the Chancellor of the Judiciary that he had abruptly walked out of the courtroom last Thursday because of statements made by the Attorney General.

COTINUED ON PAGE 16

NEWS

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Students confident ahead EDO, GNBS host hazard control of NGSA in coming week training for offshore operations

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Grade Six pupils of the Eccles Primary School during a class session on the last day of the school term

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s students prepare to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) next week, Guyana Times on Friday visited local primary schools, during which both pupils and teachers expressed confidence in their preparations.

With less than a week remaining until the annual examination, classes were in session despite it being the last day of the school term.

‘Ready’, ‘excited’ and a bit ‘nervous’ were some of the words used by the pupils of Peters Hall Primary and Eccles Primary when describing their feelings towards the upcoming examinations.

“I’ve been taking extra lessons from my teacher which helps me to prepare more, also by studying late at night and asking questions when I do not understand. And I feel like this exam, I will be confident and I will pass,” relayed Shekina Elliott of Peters Hall Primary, who also indicated that the preparations were initially challeng-

ing. Moreover, Akin Sanya Mwanza of Eccles Primary told this newspaper that, “Our teacher is giving us lessons, she’s working with us and I am ready. The schools I would like to go to would either be Queen’s, Bishops’ or St Joseph.”

Also speaking to Guyana Times were the Grade Six teachers of two schools, who were confident in the efforts made to take the pupils to the finish line. However, they did indicate that it was no easy task.

“It is tedious teaching Grade Six because you’re always at it, working consistently,” expressed Fazia John, level teacher at the Eccles Primary. On the other hand, Miss Karen Austin of Peters Hall Primary indicated that efforts are made to adapt new strategies to care for the weak pupils, especially in challenging subjects such as Mathematics.

Move over, the teachers also addressed the changes made to the NGSA in the past year, while at the same time highlighting the contributions made by the Education Ministry. Austin

noted that the Education Ministry aided in the preparation by sending mock examinations to be used as practice as well as giving the pupils a fair idea of what to except.

John however commented on the new development of involving the regional entity, Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) in the marking of the examination scripts. Her thoughts on the recent change were, “In regards to CXC taking over NGSA, I don’t have a problem with that. It forces the child to be able to apply reasoning skills more, in terms of how they go about setting the questions.”

With that, both of the teachers extended well wishes to their students and pointed out that they are confident that successful results are impending.

The annual secondary school placement examinations is set for Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13, throughout the 10 region of Guyana. Over 20,000 pupils are expected to sit the assessment this year.

l Dorado Offshore (EDO) in partnership with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) hosted a three-day forum focusing on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

The training, which commenced on Wednesday and concluded on Friday, was designed to provide participants with the required knowledge to implement quality assurance in safe food preparation for human consumption.

The three-day programme provided an understanding of the HACCP System in controlling food safety hazards on offshore vessels. This system allows employees to implement measures to effectively monitor and control food safety hazards from the beginning to the end of their operations at sea.

The sessions were conducted by Al Fraser, Technical Officer within the Conformity Assessment Department of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, a Global Certified Quality

Management System Auditor. It targeted cooks, recruited by El Dorado Offshore who will be attached to the Chouest vessels, leaving shores in the following week.

EDO is currently recruiting Guyanese to work in the looming local oil and gas sector. These recruits will be trained and certified

by EDO who remains committed to identifying locals, building capacities and ensuring the right opportunities are afforded to the best suited candidates.

In October 2016, fourteen Guyanese were selected, medically certified,

trained and inducted to the post of Ordinary Seaman/ Riggers with the support of ExxonMobil, Edison Chouest and the Guyana Government. Ever since, these locals have worked on board Chouest vessels in support of the ExxonMobil drilling campaign in Guyana. Give that the recruits have already projected outstanding performance EDO and Chouest intend on doubling the number of Guyanese on board Chouest vessels by April 2017.

This therefore provides another avenue of employment for Guyanese within impending oil industry.

stands that the Police, acting on information, went to the crossing, where they conducted a search on a wooden boat which the duo, aged 30 and 54, were occupying. The search unearthed a twelve-gauge single-barrel

shotgun and two matching cartridges.

The men were arrested and are being processed for court. For the year thus far, police in ‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) have recovered 15 illegal firearms.

Farmers nabbed with illegal gun, ammo

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wo farmers from Fair View Kurupukari were on Friday morning nabbed with an unlicensed shotgun and two cartridges at Kurupukari Crossing, Region Nine.

Guyana Times under-

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturdAY, april 8, 2017

Regional

Venezuela Opposition Leader Capriles ‘banned from politics’ A

leading Venezuelan Opposition Leader, Henrique Capriles, says he has been formally banned for 15 years from political activity. Capriles has been at the forefront of efforts calling for a recall referendum on President Nicolás Maduro.

There was no immediate comment from the Government.

The ban comes after a week of several large Opposition-led protests in the capital Caracas. They accuse the Government of stifling dissent.

On Thursday a man was shot dead during the demonstrations. Over the last few days, authorities have accused Capriles of inciting violence and bloodshed by leading pro-

Capriles has stood twice as presidential candidate

tests against the unpopular president.

The protesters were demonstrating against a decision by the Venezuelan Supreme Court to assume control of the Opposition-

led congress.

Although the court’s decision was quickly overturned, the street protests continued.

Capriles, who is a former presidential candidate

and the governor of the state of Miranda wrote on social media: “URGENT: I inform the country and international public opinion that I am being notified at this very moment of a BAN for 15 years.”

He accused the Government of running a smear campaign against him.

In 2015 another prominent Opposition Leader, Leopoldo Lopez was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison on charges of inciting violence during anti-government protests in 2014.

Lopez was himself barred from office in 2008 when he was the popular Mayor of a Caracas district. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Europe willing to work with Caribbean region

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ead of the Europe D e l e g a t i o n in Barbados, Ambassador Daniela Tramacere, has said that Europe stands ready to assist Barbados and other Caribbean countries at a time when they are being graduated from soft loans.

Ambassador Tramacere gave this assurance during a courtesy call she made

to The Barbados Advocate, during which time she said that Europe wants to step up its political relationship with the Caribbean, without forfeiting its cooperation relationship.

She said that while Europe’s cooperation with regional countries at the bilateral level has gone down, it remains strong at the regional level, and that

the latter more than compensates for the decline.

She recalled, for example, that grants to the Caribbean under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) were approximately 146 million euros; those under the 11th EDF went up to 346 million euros.

Ambassador Tramacere explained that by far the

11th EDF outweighed the decrease in bilateral co-operation. Ambassador Tramacere, who took up her appointment in Barbados last year, was based previously in Trinidad and Tobago. She is responsible for Barbados and the countries making the OECS. She met with Senior staff of The Barbados Advocate, headed by Executive Editor, Gillian Marshall, during which time they discussed a number of issues.

Those issues included Europe’s future relations with the Caribbean, Brexit, Economic Partnership Agreement, migration in Europe, the changing world environment, governance, and climate change.

Both sides have pledged to cooperate more. (Excerpt from

OAS SG calls on Venezuelan regime to halt repression immediately

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OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro

he Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, on Friday urged the Government of Venezuela to halt the use of violence and other tools of repression against Opposition demonstrators who are peacefully protesting in defence of democracy and the rule of law in the country.

One demonstrator killed and dozens wounded and detained is the initial tally from the repression on Thursday, which seeks to quiet the clamour for free elections, the only way out for a country devastated by political crisis and looting.

The protests on Thursday led to more people injured and detained, “in a completely arbitrary and indiscriminate

fashion, as another show of authoritarianism,” as well as the killing of 19-year-old Jairo Ortiz. “This crime must call for democracy in the country, for justice, and for overcoming the shame of the cowardice of his murderers,” said the secretary general.

Almagro also made reference to the responsibility of the military at this time. In his most recent report to the Permanent Council on the situation in Venezuela, the Secretary General revealed the systematic repression and criminalisation of opposition voices and civil society groups, as well as the arbitrary detention and excessive use of force against peaceful protests by the Venezuelan authoritarian regime. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Uruguay to sell cannabis in pharmacies from July

Barbados Advocate)

Uruguayans can already legally grow cannabis in their homes or through special clubs

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ruguay will begin selling cannabis in pharmacies from July, the final stage in the country’s pioneering regularisation of the drug. The South American country will be the first in the world to legally sell the drug over the counter for recreational use.

The move was set in motion in 2013 with a law that fully legalised the cannabis trade.

However, it has been a slow process to put the law into practice.

The law requires buyers to sign up to a national registry, which presidential aide Juan Andres Roballo said would be up and running by May 2. The price will be US$1.30 (£1) per gram.

Registrants – who must be Uruguayan citizens or permanent residents – can purchase up to a maximum of 40 grams (1.4 ounces) per month. The marijuana sold will come from state-supervised fields. The law also allows users to grow their own at home, or join cooperative clubs that farm it.

Many pharmacists have doubted the financial benefits of selling a cost-controlled product. Some Uruguayan buyers were also reluctant to sign up to a national registry, complaining of the invasion of their privacy and of having to keep to the monthly limits.

The Government has now done a deal with 16 pharmacies, but it hopes to sign up more. (Excerpt from BBC News)

saturDAY, april 8, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Truck drives into crowd in Trump lauds ‘outstanding’ Stockholm, killing 4 people relationship with Chinese leader

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Police Officers stand guard in central Stockholm after the truck attack on Friday. To the right is a photo issued by Swedish Police of a man they want to trace in connection with Friday’s attack

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our people died and 15 were injured after a truck drove into pedestrians on Stockholm’s busiest shopping street and crashed into a department store, in what Police were treating as an act of terrorism.

“Sweden has been attacked. Everything points to a terrorist act,” the Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan Löfven, said shortly after the tragedy on Friday afternoon.

Stockholm was swiftly locked down as armed Police cleared the area and

launched a manhunt for the suspected driver. Central streets and railway stations were evacuated and warnings were broadcast urging people to flee.

A man was arrested on Friday night after a Police operation in Märsta, a suburb of Stockholm near Arlanda airport. However Police could not confirm that the arrested man was suspected of involvement in the attack. They said he resembled the man they were looking for, and he had acted suspiciously.

However, the driver of

the truck that killed four and injured 15 is still at large, they said. Officers had also questioned two others, but they were not suspected of any crime.

Swedish police had earlier issued a picture of a person they said was of interest in connection with the attack. Mats Löfving, the head of the national operations department, said the image, which appeared to be from CCTV footage, was taken close to the time of the incident in the vicinity of the attack. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

Russia warns of serious consequences from US strike in Syria

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ussia warned on Friday that US cruise missile strikes on a Syrian air base could have “extremely serious” consequences, as President Donald Trump’s first major foray into a foreign conflict opened up a rift between Moscow and Washington.

The warships USS Porter and USS Ross in the Mediterranean Sea launched dozens of Tomahawk missiles at the Shayrat air base, which the Pentagon says was involved in a chemical weapons attack this week.

It was Trump’s biggest foreign policy deci-

sion since taking office in January and the kind of direct intervention in Syria’s six-year-old civil war his predecessor Barack Obama avoided.

The strikes were in reaction to what Washington says was a poison gas attack by the Government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that killed at least 70 people in rebel-held territory.

They catapulted Washington into confrontation with Russia, which has advisers on the ground aiding its close ally Assad.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev charged that the US strikes were

one step away from clashing with Russia’s military. US officials informed Russian forces ahead of the missile strikes and avoided hitting Russian personnel.

Satellite imagery suggests the base houses Russian special forces and helicopters, part of the Kremlin’s effort to help Assad fight Islamic State and other militant groups.

Trump has frequently urged improved relations with Russia, strained under Obama over Syria, Ukraine and other issues, but in launching the attacks on Thursday night he said action had to be taken against Assad. (Excerpt from Reuters)

resident Donald Trump said Friday he has developed an “outstanding” relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping after meeting with the leader of a nation Trump has criticised as a menace to the United States.

The widely anticipated meeting of the leaders of the world’s two largest economies was largely overshadowed by the US missile strikes at Syria. Those strikes added weight to Trump’s threat last week to act unilaterally against North Korea’s weapons programme.

Trump said in a brief appearance before reporters that he and Xi made “tremendous progress” in their first face-to-face talks and that he believe “lots of very potentially bad problems will be going away.”

He did not elaborate on the progress or the problems. But the two days of talks at Trump’s private es-

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are seen at Mar-a-Lago on Friday in Palm Beach, Florida

tate in Florida were expected to focus on what Trump has described as China’s unfair trade practices and inadequate efforts to halt North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile program. Xi said the delegations covered important topics and have established a good friendship and working relationship.

He said he believes the US and China can continue to develop the relationship, noting that it’s the his-

toric responsibility of both countries to work toward peace and stability. The US announced the missile barrage shortly after Trump and Xi wrapped up dinner Thursday.

On Friday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China opposed the use of chemical weapons by any party under any circumstances but didn’t comment on the US attack. (Excerpt from MSN)

Thousands march in South Africa to demand Zuma resign

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ens of thousands of people marched through South African cities on Friday in largely peaceful protests to demand President Jacob Zuma’s resignation.

In the biggest political protests in years, large

ti-apartheid leader Desmond Tutu, 85, and frail in health, made a rare public appearance to support the protests outside Cape Town. Several thousand people attended the Johannesburg protest organised by the opposition Democratic Alliance party,

President Jacob Zuma has been battered by a number of corruption allegations since taking office in 2009

crowds gathered in the capital Pretoria, the economic hub Johannesburg, and coastal cities of Durban and Cape Town.

Nobel laureate and an-

which hopes to make gains in 2019 elections.

“We want Zuma to fall.

He is too corrupt. Real people are struggling,” protester Vanessa Michael, 54, told

AFP news agency.

Mabefw Malega, a 38-year-old undertaker who had travelled three hours from Limpopo province to march said “people just want Zuma gone”.

Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller, reporting from Pretoria, said the demonstrations are significant because “it’s just the beginning of protests and marches by a large sector of South Africans calling for the president to resign”.

She added protesters say there are more demonstrations to come. While Friday’s marches remained largely peaceful, groups of protesters scuffled outside the Johannesburg family mansion of the wealthy Gupta family.

The relationship between Zuma and the Guptas has been an issue for years, amid allegations they have undue influence on the president. Both families have denied any wrongdoing. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Islamic State kills dozens of civilians Air India revokes ban on MP who beat employee trying to flee Mosul: witnesses

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slamic State militants have killed dozens of civilians attempting to flee Mosul in recent days, hanging several dead bodies from electricity poles as Iraqi forces fight to retake the city, witnesses said.

Troops are meeting fierce resistance as militants retreat into the Old City, where street fighting is expected in the narrow alleyways and around the mosque where Islamic State declared its caliphate nearly three years ago.

A man who spoke to Reuters via telephone said he had found the mutilated body of a relative strung up from an electricity pole in the Tenek district along with three other young men caught trying to flee by the militants.

“Their appearance was shocking. We weren’t able to get them down and they have been there for two days,” said the relative on condition of anonymity.

The Kurdistan Region security council said the

number of people killed by the militants on Monday and Tuesday was as high as 140. In the Old City, more than 40 civilians were killed when the militants caught them trying to escape, said a resident of the Farouq district where the symbolic Nuri mosque is located.

Another resident of the Old City’s Shahwan district said a family of six, including an elderly woman, had also been killed for the same reason. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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ir India has revoked a flight ban on a lawmaker who beat one of its employees, after Government intervention. The move came shortly after the airline cancelled tickets booked by Ravindra Gaikwad, from the Hindu hard-line Shiv Sena party, on Friday.

Gaikwad wrote to the Civil Aviation Minister to express “regret”, but had refused to apologise to Air India. The ban made headlines around India and on social media.

Most people have sided with the airline and expressed

shock at the MP’s behaviour.

Before the ban was revoked on Friday, Gaikwad is reported to have tried to buy tickets several times without success.

According to Indian media, the Air India chief told Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju that the ban would continue until Gaikwad apologised to airline staff.

However, they had to lift the ban after Raju wrote to the Chairman of the airline on Friday, asking that the ban be revoked with immediate effect.

The row erupted in March when Gaikwad admitted hitting a 60-year-old Air India employee “25 times with my sandal” for “arrogance” after failing to get a business class seat on an all-economy flight.

The altercation happened when the duty manager was called after the plane landed in Delhi and the MP refused to get off.He was subsequently banned by Air India and several other domestic airlines. A pilot federation also refused to fly any plane on which he is a passenger. (Excerpt from BBC News)

16 News

saturDAY, april 8, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Accountability Act contravenes Fraud charge dismissed against “sledgehammer hero” Constitution – Nandlall

…says PPP was absent when Act was debated, passed

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urore continues over the change to the funding process for the judiciary, and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall is now contending that the Financial Management and Accountability (FMAA) Amendment Act of 2015 is unconstitutional.

Nandlall pointed to recent comments from Finance Minister Winston Jordan that section three, 80B (7) of the amendment makes it necessary for alterations to the budget of constitutional agencies to be approved by the National Assembly.

According to Nandlall in a statement on Friday, this contravenes Article 122A of the constitution.

“This emphatic assertion by the Minister as well as (the) Section of the FMA (Amendment) Act 2015 upon which he relies are in palpable contravention of the clear and expressed language of Article 122A (2) of the Constitution.”

Nandlall said that Article 122 provides that: “all Courts shall be administratively autonomous, and shall be funded by a direct charge upon the Consolidated Fund…”

According to Nandlall, Article 122 sets out that no parliamentary approval is required for financing the judiciary.

“Therefore, Section 3 (b) of the FMA Amendment Act 2015 is unconstitutional and void to the extent of its inconsistency with the Constitution by virtue of Article 8 of the Constitution.”

He quoted Article

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

8, which states: “This Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana, and if any other law is inconsistent with it, that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.”

“It is instructive that I reiterate that prior to May 2015, the fiscal, constitutional and procedural architecture under which the Judiciary was financed remained virtually unchanged since our Independence Constitution (was) promulgated on May 26, 1966. That architecture was cast in that mould (and) gifted to us by Her Majesty’s Government and patterned against a model conceived and designed by the constitutional experts at Westminster, which was promulgated in the newly created independent States throughout Her Majesty’s Commonwealth.”

According to the former Attorney General, this architecture still remains unchanged in many of the 52 States of the Commonwealth. “From all

accounts, it has functioned satisfactorily and has become a fundamental component of that network of mechanisms designed to guarantee judicial independence in these territories,” he explained.

Nandlall noted that the change is captured in the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Act of 2015, No. 4 of 2015. He observed that the Act was assented to

by President David Granger on the 5th August 2015.

“It is instructive to note that this Act was debated and passed in the National Assembly during the period that the PPP was absent from the House. From all indications, our presence and objections would not have mattered,” Nandlall contended.

The FMAA was passed in 2015, but its provisions have been opposed by the Opposition. In response to a recent statement from Nandlall on the matter, Jordan had stated in a missive that the new system would allow greater transparency.

“What obtains now, therefore, is a more transparent system, where both the request made and the proposed recommendations are shared with the National Assembly,” Jordan had said.

He had added: “It is the National Assembly, not the Minister of Finance, which approves the final allocation to constitutional agencies, and has the power to vary these proposals up or down before approval.”

UNDP to plug $300M into making Fyrish “bread basket” of Guyana

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he United Nations D e v e l o p m e n t Programme (UNDP) is investing some $300 million towards making Fyrish village, Lower Corentyne Coast in East Berbice/ Corentyne the bread basket of Guyana.

The Fyrish/Gibraltar Farmers Association, which was formed in February, has already gotten the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and UNDP on board in its drive to make the villages of Gibraltar, Courtland, Number One and Fyrish the main agriculture-producing area in the country. Before Black Bush Polder was developed in 1951, Fyrish was considered the food basket of the country.

The Association, which has 30 members, including six women, aiming to have the area reclaim its title as the country’s bread basket,

has approached the NDIA to assist with the re-digging of canals. That project is more than fifty per cent completed. The NDIA has approached the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in an effort to provide the area with an adequate supply of water all year round, and is soon to complete re-digging of the canals.

And the UNDP has come on board as part of a pilot project to establish resilience towards a sustainable livelihood in farming communities. The project is a joint effort with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in partnership with the Agriculture Ministry.

On Wednesday, a team from the UNDP and NDIA visited the project. UNDP’s Programme Analyst Chika Ohashi explained that the organisation is trying to allow farming communities to have all available informa-

tion on climate change and warning messages issued by the Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. This, she said, should result in better planning for farmers in accordance with climate information.

The project at Fyrish is being considered a pilot project.

Meanwhile, Committee Member of the Association, Derrick Hector, noted that even though some farmers have continued to cultivate the land, there is need for NDIA’s intervention.

Among the things that the UNDP will be funding, is fencing the close to 200 acres of land which will be utilised by the farmers.

This, they say, will prevent animals from entering the farm lands. The community is also equipped with cattle pastures, but those are not segregated from the housing community.

A

popular activist against the parking meter project had a fraud charge dismissed against him by the Chief Magistrate at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday morning.

Guyana Times previously reported on April 1 that Mikhail Rodrigues, a businessman of Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, was hauled before the courts and slapped with a charge of fraudulent conversion, dating back to August 2015.

Rodrigues had initially denied the charge, which stated that he on the said date, when entrusted with a motor Canter by Raghubeer Paul in

Mikhail Rodrigues

order that he may use the vehicle and return same to the Virtual Complainant, fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefit, allegedly selling the vehicle and fail-

ing to hand over the proceeds of the sale to Paul.

On Friday, the matter was dismissed, since the VC reported to the court that he did not wish to offer further evidence in the matter.

Rodrigues was ordered to pay a court cost of $8000 and the VC was issued a document in order that he may retrieve his vehicle from the Brickdam Police Station.

Based on reports reaching this newspaper, Rodrigues will soon return to court to face charges of damage to property in relation to a viral Facebook video, which saw him “Thor handling” a vehicle clamping device with a sledgehammer a few weeks ago.

Insurance Association of Guyana opens first office

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he Insurance Association of Guyana (IAG) at a simple ceremony on Friday opened its first office at Lot 35 King Street and North Road, Georgetown.

The institution has been in existence for almost 50 years and was previously housed at the home of the company’s secretary.

The function of the IAG as a regulatory body is to meet and make decisions on the way forward for issues that affect the industry.

There is a Regulatory Body, Executive Body, Broker, Fire Section Committee, Light Section Committee, Accident Committee and of recent an Anti-Money Laundering Committee all under the IAG. All of the insurance companies in Guyana are under the IAG which sums up to a total of 15 companies along with six brokers.

President of IAG, Yogendra Arjune, said he is happy to finally have a fixed office where their work could be carried out effectively.

He added that the realisation of an office could not have

President of IAG, Yogendra Arjune and Regulator of IAG Tracey Gibson cuts the ribbon to declare the new office open

been possible without the cooperation from the entire industry, all of the brokers as well as the insurance companies.

“So this will be a continued existence of this office as we will be able to do many different things here now. A lot needs to be done in the insurance industry and this is just the start, our collective ideas and we will come together to move the industry forward,” Arjune said.

Regulator of IAG, Tracey

Gibson, in her remarks congratulated IAG on the significant accomplishment which according to her “has been a long time coming”.

Gibson said it is important for the IAG as a body to have such an office in place with respect to the accumulation of industry statistics which would not only help them but the public will also benefit.

Following the brief remarks from the heads, the ribbon was cut thus officially opening the new office.

President says ‘High Court...

He quoted the AG as saying, “I could say what I want to say and however I want to say it, I have always been like that… The last Magistrate who did that to me was later found dead.”

The Judge said in his complaint -- which has since been leaked to the public -- that after hearing the AG utter these words, “I rose from the Bench and went into my Chambers.

I did not adjourn the matter, nor did I give any instructions to the parties. I recognise Mr. Williams’ behaviour as I have related to be insulting, disrespectful, and calculated to scandalise and lower the authority of the Court in the face of the Court. Mr Williams’ behaviour was highly contemptuous and deserving of him being cited for contempt in the face of the Court. Instead

of doing so at the moment, I chose to leave the Bench.”

Despite the Judge clearly stating that the Attorney General’s behaviour had caused him to walk off the Bench, Williams is holding out that he is not to be blamed for what had happened. In fact, the Attorney General has even defended his actions and his statements. He believes that the Judge fell prey to “transferred frustration” as a result of defence attorney in the matter, Anil Nandlall’s, “barracking” of nearly three hours during the proceedings.

Williams is also insisting that his comment was not a threat, and he has refused to apologise to the Judge, saying to reporters at a subsequent press conference, “I don’t know about apology” and that “… the Judge and I will resolve

from page 12

the issue.” He has, moreover, threatened to sue.

However, the High Court judge has said in his complaint that he felt disrespected by the Attorney General’s behaviour and has called for an apology in open court. “I am not prepared to sit and hear Mr Williams as an attorney-at-law in any matter whatsoever, unless he makes a genuine and meaningful apology to my satisfaction, in open court, both to me and to members of the Bar, since they, too, were scandalised by his despicable conduct,” the High Court judge outlined in his complaint, which has since been made public. Acting Chancellor Cummings-Edwards told reporters earlier last week that she is in receipt of information about the matter and is it is being “addressed”.

news

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saturDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

New management system for medical drugs and supplies

T

he Public Health Ministry is expected to implement countrywide a new management system for medical drugs and supplies. This will allow pharmacists and other officials responsible for the distribution of medical supplies to reflect a more accountable monitoring system.

Subject Minister Volda Lawrence told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that there would be more stringent monitoring and record keeping of supplies received and distributed, as stricter monitoring of these supplies can contribute to fewer instances of drug shortages throughout the country.

“We are also almost 99 percent complete (with) the new structure that we will put in place to monitor the receipt and issue and transfer and write-off of drugs and gifts received. So I am hoping that somewhere by the end of this month, I will be able to present that to cabinet,” Lawrence said.

The minister noted that the system would be rolled out in the various regions, to ensure that there is monitoring and that the Ministry can capture data on con-

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

sumption patterns. “So when we’re ordering, we’re ordering based on needs, and not just ordering based on some other figures pulled from here or there,” Lawrence explained.

The training and employment of pharmacists will complement the newly implemented drugs and materials management system.

“We are also looking at putting some more pharmacists into the system, and we believe that is going to help to alleviate the strain, because a lot of the issues have to do with persons doing multiple jobs, and so you have cross-cutting,” Minister

Lawrence explained.

According to Lawrence, a shortage of staff is affecting the proper monitoring of the medical supplies system. “So we are trying to ensure that we close those gaps and continue to work with the staff,” she said.

The management system which will be put in place will provide detailed data and guidance on drugs and medical supplies, from the stage of tendering to the final stages of distribution and consumption.

Last Thursday, the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services visited the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and discovered shortages of drugs and medical supplies, along with a host of many other serious issues. The team included Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Dr Vindhya Persaud and Dr Vishawa Mahadeo.

The Public Health Ministry has said it is seeking to train and deploy more pharmacists countrywide to complement the new management system. In the interim, the ministry is exploring other options of addressing drug shortages in the shortest possible time.

First Lady celebrates with 24 graduates of ‘Care of the Elderly’ Workshop

First Lady Sandra Granger celebrates with the graduates, who are pictured standing along with facilitators of the workshop on Friday

F

irst Lady Mrs Sandra Granger has encouraged the 24 graduates of the second ‘Care for the Elderly’ Workshop to keep pressing on and to complete the other component of the programme, even as she celebrated their achievements thus far at a graduation ceremony held in the Boardroom of the Social Protection Ministry.

“I hope that you would not only have enjoyed this week, but learnt skills and techniques to carry you forward… What you have been trained in reflects the [scope]…of the Ministry of Social Protection, and it is hoped that with your certificates, you will be able to move on in your professional

life in caring for the elderly in one of our senior homes, or in any other criteria,” she said.

The First Lady reminded the participants that they must complete the First Aid component of the Workshop in order to complete the programme. The five-day workshop, which was organised by the Office of the First Lady, will see the graduates participating in a weeklong First Aid course which will be conducted by the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS), and will see them becoming certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid. In the meantime, she encouraged them to “use what you have learnt here [and] take it

with you.”

During the interactive part of the exercise, which was led by Ismay Griffith, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Facilitator, the participants demonstrated both positive and negative scenarios that they were likely to encounter while treating their clients, and the best practices to correct them. Several of them said they were very impressed with the compact programme, which was held over five days and held firmly to the mantra taught by Griffith: “Show some love”.

At the close of the programme, the graduates presented the First Lady with tokens of appreciation.

President visits GDF’s Coastal Battalion Base in Anna Regina

P

resident David Granger has visited the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Coastal Battalion Base in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to get a first-hand look at its state of readiness to conduct operations along the coast, in the Pomeroon River, and in Indigenous communities.

Accompanied by GDF Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Patrick West on Friday’s visit, the President was given a report assuring him that the Battalion has been carrying out its duties in accordance with its mandate and mission. The Head of State urged the ranks stationed at that location to go out to every single community and get acquainted with local leaders. “You have to continue to show your state of readiness and your preparedness to ensure national defence of our country,” the President said.

Apart from their own operations and patrols, the Battalion has also been involved in joint operations with the Police, and the President urged that the GDF ranks conduct training exercises with the Joint Services from time to time, to strengthen the Region’s overall security mechanism.

Speaking of the donation of equipment that the GDF recently received from the

President David Granger being briefed on the Battalion’s operations by Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Patrick West and Interim Base Commander Captain Archer, while the Army’s Second in Command, Colonel Nazrul Hussain looks on

People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, President Granger explained that over the course of the next three years, the Army will be undergoing a process of transition, whereby emphasis will be placed heavily on scientific surveys and engineering.

“This means that we are opening the window of opportunities to soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers who have an interest or background in engineering, so that you transition into that field.

The focus for the next three years will be to develop a strong, technical corps especially in the field of engineering,” the Head of State said.

Brigadier West, in remarks, said: “The Coastal Battalion will achieve

greater effectiveness once it is adequately resourced and receives further training in keeping with the Force’s role. As I indicated, we are yet to build the Third Company, and I envisage that the Third Company may have within it elements of anti-aircraft and engineering.”

The GDF’s Coastal Battalion Base was established as a Company in October 2009, and was subsequently upgraded to a Battalion in March 2011.

Its main role is to conduct internal security operations, or coastal and civil operations as are required.

A Battalion is made up of three companies, one Base is located at Anna Regina and the other is on the Corentyne. The third will be built in 2018.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, April 8, 2017

ARCHIE

Personal progress should be your priority. Check online (March 21- job sites and adjust your reApril 19) sume to fit the requirements needed to get you where you want to go. Nurture important relationships.

ARIES

Take on a challenge with TAURUS gusto and play to win. Utilize (April 20- your time wisely, and push to May 20) be more productive and get good results. Don’t get angry, get moving.

dilbert

Someone will challenge GEMINI you at your weakest moment.

(May 21Don’t go out of your way to acJune 20) commodate others. Get your own house in order before you venture into someone else’s territory.

Share your concerns or plans with someone you live or (June 21- work with. The suggestions he July 22) or she makes will help you figure out how to move forward without taking on too much physically or financially.

CANCER

Peanuts

Aim to please and avoid LEO complaints. You may crave (July 23change, but sticking to familiar Aug. 22) surroundings will be in your best interest. Tidy up loose ends before you start something new.

Calvin and Hobbes

Do some research or take VIRGO a course that could help you (Aug. 23Sept. 22) make money doing something you enjoy. You are responsible for your own happiness. Do not undermine a possibility that could set you free.

Take an interest in self-imLIBRA provement and healthy life(Sept. 23styles.

Question anyone who Oct. 23) has been a poor influence in the past. It’s up to you to say no to bad habits.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Call in favors. Put love and SCORPIO romance at the top of your list.

(Oct. 24Celebrate and discuss plans to Nov. 22) move forward personally and professionally. A child or elder will offer interesting advice.

Emotional problems will SAGITTARIUS crop up if you deal with insti(Nov. 23- tutions, authority figures or Dec. 21) someone who doesn’t like the choices you are making. Don’t believe everything you hear.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Walk away from anyone CAPRICORN behaving erratically or ex(Dec. 22travagantly.

Offer advice, but Jan. 19) don’t feel guilty or compelled to take charge. Put your money, energy and time into personal gains.

Rely on people who have AQUARIUS helped you in the past. Share (Jan. 20information that will encourFeb. 19) age insight and greater opportunity to tidy up unfinished business. Don’t settle for less than what you want.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Make love and romance PISCES (Feb. 20- priorities. Look for common March 20) interests with a loved one and discuss ways to improve your relationship by working together to reach your shared long-term goals.

saturDAY, aPRIL 7, 2017

19

Impressive Signs joins –Exciting 1st division games begin today YWCC Mash Cup Wood Pecker Products, Farfan & Mendes team up for Hockey League

T

he Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has teamed up with title sponsors of the men’s division, Farfan and Mendes and title sponsors of the women’s division, WoodPecker Products to host the 1st division outdoor league which kicks off today at St. Stanislaus College Ground, Carifesta Avenue..

This tournament comes on the heels of the conclusion of the GHB’s Under 18 and Second Division (outdoor) Hockey tournaments and will see the commencement of four weeks of non-stop action of first division outdoor hockey.

This signals a comeback of the tournament after an absence of two years.

On the Men’s side, Farfan and Mendes is the proud sponsor as this year marks the 30th year they have sponsored the First Division Men’s Outdoor Hockey League.

This year will see four teams; Bounty GCC, Pepsi

Hikers, Old Fort and first timers Saints Hockey Club compete for the championship title, starting with a faceoff between Pepsi Hikers and Old Fort at St. Stanislaus College Ground.

Wood Pecker Products First Division is set for its second run of the Women’s league with the first match on Saturday afternoon bringing together Pizza Hut GCC and Old Fort at St Stanislaus Ground.

This year’s participants include Pizza Hut GCC, GCC Spartans, Woodpecker Hikers and Old Fort Shooting Stars.

Games will have (4) four 15-minute quarters for both the Men and Women leagues. After two rounds, the teams on top of the points standings will be declared the winners of the respective categories. Games will be played on Monday and Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will take place GCC and St Stanislaus ground.

GABBFF Novice Championships set for April 22

T

he first event of the newly elected governing body of the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF), led by President Coel Marks is slated for April 22 at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Kingston.

The country’s up and coming muscle men and women outfitted with rippling abdominals, well defined quadriceps, sculpted arms, stilettos and bikinis will be on display as they battle for supremacy when the action starts at 19:00h.

According to Marks, the Novice Championship promises to be great representation of bodybuilding where we’ll see adequate representation from all outlying areas of Guyana most notably Berbice and Linden.

This comes in light of the GABBFF making organised visits to these areas to which they gathered much information and received positive support for their plans ahead of the novice championship.

The categories that will be contested include the usual categories: Junior Under-21years, Flyweight (Under-132lbs), Bantamweight (Under143lbs), Lightweight (144-154lbs), Welterweight (155166lbs), Light Middleweight (166-176lbs), Heavyweight (177lbs and over), the Men’s Physique segment will be contested along with the customary bodybuilding categories, Ms. Bikini and Ms. Body Fitness categories.

According to General Secretary of the GABBFF, Lisa Ahmad, there has been overwhelming interest in the Men’s Physique category and encouraged the females to come out and participate, noting that there are a lot of talent just waiting to be displayed.

She also pointed out that there will be no entrance fee for the athletes but reminded that the closing date for registration is set for April 18.

Admission to the venue will cost $1,500 and is available at Fitness Express, Space Gym, Buddy’s gym and Fitness 53. To date the tournament has received sponsorship from the likes of Handin-Hand Insurance, Windjammer Hotel and Bar, Fitness Express and the Giftland Mall.

GABBFF President Coel Marks

Ray Ali right, treasurer of YWCC collects sponsoring cheque from Dave Rampersaud, Managing Director of Impressive Signs

B

ased in Church Street, New Amsterdam, Impressive Signs has become the latest sponsor to come on board with the Young Warriors Cricket Club’s (YWCC) fund raising activity, the Mash Cup 2017.

The event which is in its fourth instalment is booked for April 30 at the picturesque Cumberland Cricket Ground, East Canje, Berbice.

A release from the Cumberland based Cricket Club said that the tournament was originally fixed for the traditional Mash day but due to the rainy season, it was postponed to April 9. However, that date would have clashed with the Pakistan tour to Guyana and therefore signalled a further move to the date now set.

The organisers have indicated that everything is in place for this mega event which has been the major fund raiser for the club over the years.

Proceeds from this event assists to take care of its cricket programs. Over the years, funds from this event were also donated for religious and educational purposes as part of the club's policy towards community development. Betsy Ground Triple Stars are the defending champions.

It is expected that a number of teams from the East Canje area will compete in the action packed five overs aside cricket competition for prize monies of over $100,000.00. Two top Masters softball teams in Guyana are expected to do battle in a 15 overs aside feature game. There will be added attractions for the kids and the entire family. Live musical entertainment and a well-stocked bar will be there.

At the simple presentation ceremony held recently, Dave Rampersaud, Managing Director of Impressive Signs, said he was delighted to be part of this event. He emphasized the role sports play in the development of young people and the communities in which they live. He promised continued support. In response, Ray Ali, treasurer of the club was thankful for the support and promised that the event will be well run and provide fun and entertainment for the entire family. He encouraged the general public to support the business entity that produces top quality products such as banners, number plates, signs and tinting. Recently, the company opened a printery providing service like invitations, cards etc, Ali went on to say.

Mash Cup 2016 raised close to $500,000.00 and the club would like to thank all the sponsors for their continued support while encouraging them to come out and witness the action on the scheduled date.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, april 8, 2017

GCA/ Carib Beer T20 Tournament 2017

Teams’ fate to be decided today – USAGCA commences tour

I

t is a packed weekend for Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) with several junior and senior matches taking place across various venues in the City.

Starting today there will be action Carib Beer T20 First Division Competition while on Sunday the tournament will take a break to facilitate the start of the United States of America Global Cricket Academy (USAGCA) tour to Guyana with their U-14s and U-17s clashing with GCA member teams Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Everest Cricket Club respectively.

In the Carib fixture for today, Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) will meet at Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) ground while Guyana Defence Force will visit Everest. Both matches are scheduled to

Rajendra Chandrika

start at 13:30h.

GNIC and TSC are both without a win. The former have lost to DCC and Police while TSC lost to Police in their only match to date.

With DCC the only team in group A that has played unbeaten so far, TSC and GNIC still have an out-

side chance of qualifying if they at least win two of their remaining matches and capture sufficient bonus points. The other teams in the group Police won two of their four matches while University of Guyana (UG) have one win from two matches.

Meanwhile, Everest finds themselves in a must win situation after losing to MSC last weekend. They are currently placed on 43 points from three matches and must at least gain 17 points from this clash to boost their chances of qualifying for a semifinal spot.

The other contenders for semifinal spots from group B are MSC with 60 points from four games and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) with 47 from three matches.

GCC last match is against Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) next weekend.

The following are points standings in the Carib Beer T/20.

ZONE A

Clubs. Points. Played DCC. 56 3 PSC. 51 4 UG. 23 2 GNIC. 13 2 TSC. 2 1 MSC. GCC. ECC. GDF. GYO.

ZONE. B 60.

47.

43.

28.

18.

4 3 3 3 3

A total of 10 points are awarded for a win. Teams can earn a maximum of 5 batting bonus points if they score 150 runs. For every 30 runs score is 1 point up to 150.

Teams can earn 5 bowling bonus points for taking all 10 wickets. Every 2 wickets taken is 1 point up to all out.

Teams chasing a small score e.g

Ashkaya Persaud

90 runs can earn 5 batting bonus points by scoring that runs and win the game by having at least 4 wickets in hand. For every 2 wickets in hand when chasing a target below 150 is 1 point up until you can get to 5 points or 4, 3, 2 or 1.

Digicel Player Empowerment targets U-17 cricketers today – West Indies players set to play their part

T

oday several local aspiring cricketers will engage with West Indies players led by skipper Jason Holder and Digicel officials in a special programme organized by the telephone giant called Digicel Player Empowerment. The exercise is set for the National Stadium at 11:00h.

Members of Georgetown U-17 team along with 10 other cricket hopefuls will be involved in the event. The format of the occasion is yet to be finalized but all the players are asked to assemble at Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Pavilion for 10:15h.

The U-17 players are; Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh, Alphius Bookie, Yudister Persaud, Dwayne Dick, Qumar Torrington, Dequan Bamfield, Juspice Jones, Adrian Hinds, Joel Spooner, Osapho Greene, NKosi Beaton, Wayne Bollers, Daniel Paul, Devon Allen and Ghamshan Premsham.

The Xercise too much for DCC

I

n commemoration of International Day of Sport for development and peace local sports organization, The Xercise, hosted a day of activities on Thursday in Georgetown. However, none was more exciting than a T20 match including some of the country’s top players at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.

The match was filled with excitement up to the final over where The Xercise XI required 19 runs against Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) with their skipper, West Indies batsman Leon Johnson and Renaldo Ali Mohamed at the crease. That over was bowled by West Indies T20 player Christopher Barnwell, who was greeted savagely by his counterpart,

Johnson.

The first ball was driven back past him for four, the next was helped past the short fine leg fielder for four, followed by a thunderous hit over long on and out of the ground for six, before Johnson was bowled off the fourth delivery.

With five to get from two deliveries, Joshua Wade hammered his first delivery over the straight boundary for six to seal the deal. It meant that The Xercise successfully reached 1734 in 19.5 overs in reply to 171-7 made

by DCC. In a very mature and entertaining knock, Johnson top scored with 85 inclusive of five sixes and seven fours while Raymond Perez played well for

Members of The Xercise with sport personnel after the gripping celebratory match at DCC. Founder of The Xercise, Royston Alkins is at extreme right

43. The pair added 101 for the second wicket, taking the score from 9-1 to 110-2.

Off spinner Cohen Ismond got the initial breakthrough in his first over when he bowled Sachin Singh for two.

Leg spinner Steven Sankar bowled Perez while Barnwell claimed the other two wickets for DCC. Earlier, DCC won the task and opted to bat. They lost the early wicket of Brian Sattaur for 8, caught off the bowling of Bernard Bailey. Kevon Bookie was next out for a cameo of 25 which included three fours and two sixes, followed by West Indies U-19 star Tevin Imlach for 12.

Kemo Paul 39 and Christopher Barnwell 65 then set the tone with a formidable partnership that propelled DCC to 171-7 from their allotment of 20overs.

Bailey and Torrington captured two wickets apiece while Anthony Adams and Ali Mohammed bagged a scalp each.

At the post match presentation several sport personnel were honoured for their contribution to the various sports, including Hilbert Foster, Lavern Fraser, Gordon Bratwaite, Faizul Khan, Paula Sampson and Stanley Ming were the individuals, who were rewarded.

Uttamkumar Isurdeen (left) takes a photo opportunity with another competitor after their training session in the National Park

T

he second annual Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day slated for April 30 at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary has been boosted with the addition of a wheelchair race for differently abled athletes.

The race was included to facilitate Uttamkumar Isurdeen and other athletes, who indicated to the organisation that they are pushing to one day, compete in the Paralympics Games. “I want to take part (in the Boyce/ Jefford Relay Festival) and I will train hard too,” Isurdeen stated in a message to the Organisers.

He informed that he and other athletes push around The National Park with the hope of one day qualifying for the Paralympics. The Boyce/ Jefford Committee has indicated that a 60m race will be accommodated for athletes in wheelchair at the event.

Chairman of the Boyce/ Jefford Committee, Colin

Boyce also indicated that they will also push to include a race for amputees so that the event becomes more inclusive to represent the differently able athletes; he said that these efforts are all aimed to continue to demonstrate the organisation’s passion for the holistic development of sports.

The relays this year include the 4x100 (Male and Female); 4x400 (Male and Female); 4x200m Mixed Relay; 4x400m Mixed Relay; Sprint Medley Females (100m,100m, 200m, 400m); Sprint Medley Males (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m); Distance Medley Females (2400m) (400m, 600m, 600m, 800m) and the Distance Medley Males (2800m) (400m, 600m, 600m, 1200m).

Cash Prizes of $25,000; $15,000 and $10,000 will be awarded to teams finishing first to third in the relay events for total prize money of $500,000 to be handed out in 10 races.

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sports

Inaugural Circuit Ville Track & Ball gets Petra’s blessings

21

Troy Mendonca (front row right) hands over the ball and trophy to Circuit Ville Youth & Sports Club President Owan Wills in the presence of players on Thursday at the Parade ground

R

emaining consistent with its mission to assist in the development of sport within communities, Petra Organisation’s latest effort came on Thursday when Co-Director Troy Mendonca handed over the winning trophy and balls for the Circuit Ville Jaguars Youth & Sports Club upcoming Track & Ball Competition.

The Launch which was conducted at the Parade ground, Carmichael Street also saw in attendance President of the Club Owan Wills and players from the participating teams.

Mendonca presented the trophy and balls to Wills in the presence of players, noting that the gesture was another extension of his entity’s desire to see youths in the various communities gainfully engaged in activities that will benefit their lives and not those that could negatively impact their young lives.

Wills in response thanked the Organisation for its support and promised that it will be utilised to the benefit of the youths.

The new concept is a combination of running and football and according to Wills the sport has been catching on very fast and is an original product of Guyana and is quickly being embraced by the communities.

T h e partic-

ipating communities which are located along the Linden / Soesdyke Highway and Upper East Bank are: Timehri, Swan, Kuru Kururu, Hararuni, Laluni, Soesdyke, St. Cuthbert’s Mission and Circuit Ville/ Yarrowkabra.

The tournament will be staged tomorrow, at the Timehri Red Ground.

What is Track & Ball?

Track & ball is a combination of Athletics and Football.

The key factor of the game is base on speed, fitness and endurance.

It enables teams to use their running speed and fitness at an advantage to core goals and points against another.

The game allows Sporting fans to see how fast is one team against another. The team who acquire the most running points in a league or tournament will be given the top prize and also be crowned the fastest team in that league or tournament.

How Track & Ball is played?

The game is judge by goals and points; the teams that accumulate the most goals and points win the game.

Teams are required to run a relay race before a football match.

The team that wins the race stands a better chance of winning the game since the race accumulates the first goal.

22

saturdAY, april 8, 2017

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Scenes from the first ODI

Photos by Marciano narine

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, april 8, 2017

23

West Indies vs Pakistan Brighto Paints presents Q Mobile ODI Series…

Mohammed powers West Indies to historic win – New Providence pitch produces 617 runs

By Akeem Greene

W

hen Ashley Nurse drove Wahab Riaz to deep point and scampered the two runs required by West Indies to clinch a fascinating four-wicket over Pakistan at Providence, himself and Jason Mohammed were mobbed by teammates as the sound system began blasting David Rudder’s ‘Rally Round the West Indies song’ while the thousands in the stands began the celebration.

The victory on Friday gave the hosts first blood in the three-match One Day International series and some confidence to push for a series win and international ranking points to their automatic world cup 2019 bid.

The historic victory was orchestrated by a brilliant career best and unbeaten 91 from 58 balls by Jason Mohammed which helped the Caribbean side for the second time in history successfully chase a score of 300 plus and this time to record the highest total at the venue since its inception in 2007.

Mohammed’s masterpiece began when he walked to the middle with the West Indies steering down the barrel again at 156-3 in the 33rd still 153 runs away from a rare victory. However, the Trinidadian held the innings together with some vital partnerships, none most influential that the unbroken 50-run stand for the seventh wicket with Nurse which came off just 28 balls to seal the win in fading light on an otherwise bright day in Guyana.

The right-handed batsman who scored his third 50-plus score in four matches took toll on the daunting Pakistan bowling unit, smashing 11 fours and three maximums while Nurse who took four wickets earlier in the day hit five four and one six in his 15-ball 34.

Chadwick Walton (07) got the innings going with a sumptuous drive through cover off the bowling of Mohammed Amir while at the other end the destructive Evin Lewis took Hasan Ali for consecutive boundaries.

What looked to be a

promising stand, soon came to an end when Walton lofted the ball into the hands of Wahab Riaz at mid-off, falling for seven and the team 23-1.

Keiran Powell and Lewis, batted smartly, returning some of the pressure to Pakistan with a stable 68-run stand for

with batsman swatting the Pakistani bowlers to all corners of the venue. His control and decisive batting was shown particular with 70-run partnership with Jonathon Carter (14) for the 5th wicket which set the tone for the late order rally by the men in maroon; Mohammad Amir

part-time off-spinner Jason Mohammed with Pakistan 28 without loss in the sixth over seemed to be strange decision since it allowed the opening to become even more forceful with their scoring.

Akamal continued his aggression, smashing a flighted Mohammed deliv-

Man of the Match, Jason Mohammed is all smiles collecting the cheque from Colin Stuart. (WICB/ Randy Brooks Media Photo)

the second wicket despite soaking up 107 deliveries.

Lewis continued to look a serious threat, consistently clearing the ropes. He seemed to overconfident, as after swatting the offspin of Shoaib Malik into the middle of the south west stand, next ball he attempted a cut shot and his stumps disturbed for a well-played 47 (3x4s;2x6s).

Powell and Shai Hope then then took up the mantle in guiding the men in maroon towards the challenging total with a solid 65-run stand for the third wicket.

The left-lander who seemed not to have his usual fluency began opening his shoulders to reach his eight ODI half-century, and his first since his return to international cricket in February.

Riaz’s second spell immediately paid virtue as he deceived Powell with a slower-ball and West Indies were now 156-3; his 61 came off 85 balls and included five fours.

That set the stage for the beginning of the Mohammed show, as for brief moment it seem to be a highlights package,

(2-59) and Shadab Khan (2-52) claimed two wickets apiece Earlier, Jason Holder won the toss and opted to bowl on the re-laid pitch, which had an appreciable amount of bounce and carry but new ball bowlers Alazari Joseph and Shannon Gabriel strayed in line and lengths and were dealt with.

The first four came when Kamran Akmal played an exquisite square drive right out of the top drawer off the bowling off Gabriel.

While himself and opening partner Ahmed Shehzad were guilty of not rotating the strike often enough they managed to find the boundaries on a consistent basis.

Akamal in particular was severe on Gabriel, dispatching him over the deep mid-wicket boundary for six, with an imperious pull.

An opportunity came for an early breakthrough in the third over but Ashley Nurse floored Shehzad the high chance jumping at second slip off the bowing of pacey Joseph.

The introduction of

ery into the players’ pavilion end sight screen and the right-hander was beginning to look in ominous form.

The 50-run partnership was achieved in the ninth over when Shehzad flicked the erratic Joseph behind square for four; at the end of ten overs the score had progressed to 59.

The 85-run stand was broken in the 15th over when Akamal hit a short and wide delivery to Walton at cover, falling for 48-ball 47 (5x4s;3x6s).

New batsman Mohammed Hafeez and Shehzad kept the momentum with Pakistan due to constant rotation of the strike and constant. Shehzad reached his 14th ODI half-century with thick edge pass diving wicket keeper Hope.

The right-hander had faced 68 balls for his landmark, stroking six fours and the men in green had progressed to 122-1 in the 23rd over.

Frustration began stepping in for Shehzad as he attempted a heave over mid-wicket but swung far too early and was bowled

by Nurse for 67, which brought the end to the Barbar Azam who, was came lower than his usual number three position failed to showcase the imperious form he did when these two sides played in the United Arab Emirates last year, where he scored three consecutive centuries.

Azam fell for 13, when he swept Nurse to Joseph at square leg, reducing his team to 177-3 in the 36th over.

Hafeez reached his 30th half-century in the format, with an elegant latecut late through backward point off the bowling Nurse.

Next ball he steered the bowler through third-man for four and two balls later foxed downed the track, hitting him over long-off; his fifty took 67 balls, inclusive of two fours and one six.

Shoaib Malik and Hafeez began showing more intent and the home side had a chance to send Malik back in the hut however, Gabriel floored simple chance at chest height; at that point Pakistan were 204-3 in the 40th over.

As if Holder did not had enough injustice done off his bowling due to the drop catch, Malik in the same over lofted him over midon for six. From there on,

there a nearly a boundary every over until Hafeez fell for 88 (6x4s; 3x6s) in the 46th; the duo had added 89 runs in 9.2 overs.

The right-handed Malik then went into over-drive, slicing the medium-pace of Holder over short thirdman for four, then disdainfully pulling him through mid-wicket, after which he clubbed a full toss into the south east stand.

The party ended for the batsman when one of his slogs reached into the hands the long-off field but his 38-ball 53 (6x4s; 2x6s) helped Pakistan reach 284-5 in the 48th over after which Captain Safraz Ahemd (20*) and Imad Wasim (6*) took them the eventual total with just five down.

Two teams will now return to the venue on Sunday where a capacity is crowd is expected.

With automatic qualification for the ICC World Cup set at eight teams, the win represents a boost for West Indies - currently ranked in ninth place.

If the West Indies win all three ODIs, they will leapfrog their visitors to eighth position less than six months before the September 30 cut-off date for automatic World Cup qualification.

SCOREBOARD Pakistan innings (50 overs maximum) Ahmed Shehzad b Nurse 67 View dismissal Kamran Akmal c Walton b Holder 47 Mohammad Hafeez c Walton b Nurse 88 Babar Azam c Joseph b Nurse 13 Shoaib Malik c Holder b Nur se 53 Sarfraz Ahmed*† not out 20 Imad Wasim not out 6 Extras (b 3, lb 3, w 7, nb 1) 14 Total (5 wickets; 50 overs) 308 Did not bat: Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz Fall of wickets: 1-85 (Kamran Akmal, 14.6 ov), 2-149 (Ahmed Shehzad, 27.5 ov), 3-177 (Babar Azam, 35.5 ov), 4-266 (Mohammad Hafeez, 45.1 ov), 5-284 (Shoaib Malik, 47.1 ov) Bowling: Joseph 10-1-49-0, Gabriel 10-0-69-0 (1nb, 1w), Mohammed 4-1-28-0, Holder 10-0-58-1 (4w), Nurse 10-0-624 (1w), Bishoo 6-0-36-0 (1w) West Indies innings (target: 309 runs from 50 overs) E Lewis b Mohammad

Hafeez 47 C Walton c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Amir 7 K Powell c Kamran Akmal b Wahab Riaz 61 S Hope† st †Sarfraz Ahmed b Shadab Khan 24 J Mohammed not out 91 J Carter c Wahab Riaz b Mohammad Amir 14 J Holder* c Babar Azam b Shadab Khan 11 A Nurse not out 34 Extras (lb 6, w 13, nb 1)20 Total (6 wickets; 49 overs)309 Did not bat: D Bishoo, ST Gabriel, AS Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Walton, 4.3 ov), 2-91 (Lewis, 21.4 ov), 3-156 (Powell, 32.1 ov), 4-158 (Hope, 33.4 ov), 5-228 (Carter, 41.3 ov), 6-259 (Holder, 44.3 ov) Bowling: Mohammad Amir 9-0-59-2 (4w), Hasan Ali 5-0-430, Mohammad Hafeez 8-0-351 (1w), Shoaib Malik 6-0-240 (1w), Wahab Riaz9-0-69-1 (1nb, 3w), Shadab Khan 9-052-2, Imad Wasim3-0-21-0

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

West Indies vs Pakistan Brighto Paints presents Q Mobile ODI Series…

Mohammed powers West Indies to historic win – New Providence pitch produces 617 runs Pg 23

Ashley Nurse is mobbed after picking up four wickets in a match winning spell of bowling for the West Indies at Providence (WICB/Randy Brooks Media Photo)

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