Guyana Times Daily - January 1, 2016

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

Issue No. 2725

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, January 1, 2016

PRICE

Guyana roars as fireworks mark

anniversary year

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

2016 is P9 year of renaissance – President Granger

Ophthalmology Centre without P12 medication – Yusuf – Health Minister refutes claims

Thousands of Guyanese converged at the Independence Arch on Brickdam, Georgetown to usher in 2016 as the plans commence to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary with grandeur and honour (see full story in next edition)

Govt using ‘backdoor’ to shut down GuySuCo Page 3

... "we will fight to keep sugar alive" – Opposition Leader, GAWU vow

Page 6

Scott, Broomes transferred in Cabinet reshuffle

– Granger makes Linden MP new Junior Minister

Govt refuses to send embattled GPL CEO on leave – says he will stay on during probe

Page 31

P8 Teen charged for fraudulent conversion

Govt repossesses "cash jet" Pilot’s CJIA P6 hangar

Guyana Times 2015 Year-inReview P13

2

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

3 Govt using ‘backdoor’ to shut down GuySuCo news

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 1 – 10:00h-11:30h and Saturday, January 2 – 11:30h-01:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 1 – 09:10h-10:40h and Saturday, January 2 – 10:20h-11:50h.

... ‘we will fight to keep sugar alive’ – Opposition Leader, GAWU vow

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery to light rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, while heavy rain showers with sunny intervals are expected throughout the afternoon. Cloudy skies and thundery rain showers are expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-Easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:07h and 21:30h reaching maximum heights of 2.28 metres and 2.26 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:36h and 15:01h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metre and 0.97 metre respectively.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

10 13

09

04

19

22

21 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Thursday, December 31, 2015 Daily Millions

09

06

13

18

21

LUCKY 3 6

0

4

Draw De Line 01

05

12

15

17

18 21

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

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government is being accused of using ‘backdoor’ methods to privatise the country’s sugar industry with the aim of eventually shutting it down and removing State liability.

The Government is facing the accusations from several stakeholders following the recent recommendations by a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to privatise the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in three years.

The report of the $52 million CoI into the operations of GuySuCo was tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

It said the prospect of bringing the industry back to profitability was “impractical” in the short term and, therefore, it avoided the mandate given to it to develop a 15-year plan for the industry and limited its attention to privatisation.

Essentially, the recommendations are for there to be significant cost-cutting as preparations are made for the industry to be privatised in three years.

It is important to note that prior to the CoI being launched, its Chairman Vibert Parvatan had expressed these very sentiments.

But Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, responding to these recommendations, questioned whether containment of cost meant depriving sugar workers of better wages and salaries, since sugar workers have not received their pay increases as well as their Annual Production Incentive (API) thus far for 2015.

“We cannot accept that as a method of cost containment… no increase for sugar workers, salary increase or the API, which they earned as an incentive, they can’t even receive, especially in light of the fact you are boasting how well they did this year,” he said.

Jagdeo also remarked that “we will never accept cost containment which will penalise workers in this manner. I can understand if you argue ‘we can’t afford’ if the Union

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

ask for a 20 per cent increase in wages and salaries and the Government say we can’t afford that we will pay five per cent, but not to give anything to the sugar workers, that’s unacceptable”.

He warned that privatisation of the industry will have major systemic impact, not just for stakeholders, but for the entire country because of the sector’s weight in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), foreign currency earning and employment.

“So ... we transfer GuySuCo into private hands and after one year, they don’t make any money and they shut down… then what happens?” Jagdeo questioned.

Sugar was once a pillar for the economy, contributing as much as 20 per cent to total public revenue and as such, Jagdeo is urging that the sector be helped through this “bad patch”.

The Opposition Leader reminded that although the bauxite companies in Linden and Kwakwani were privatised, the State still bears over $2 billion in expenses per annum by taking over community electricity supply which is still being subsidised.

“So is the Government if it shuts GuySuCo, will it do the same thing, will it start subsidise let’s say power to the sugar belt and people will pay $5 per Kilowatt hour rather than $60,” he asked. “We will vigorously oppose any plan to dismantle GuySuCo.”

That aside, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, in a statement following the tabling of the CoI report in the National Assembly, said political interference and unnecessary strikes by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) were among the reasons for the death of the industry.

But Jagdeo said he was disappointed the Minister would use the section of the order paper for policy statements

by Ministers to make disparaging remarks about GAWU, sugar workers and the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, including the competence of some persons, including staff of GuySuCo, knowing that the Opposition did not have a right to reply to what is said under that agenda item.

“So because we don’t have a right of reply, we plan to have a motion be tabled in Parliament to have the CoI report on GuySuCo fully debated, we want a full-fledged debate on the Commission of Inquiry,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo also took to task interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GuySuCo, Errol Hanoman and interim Finance Director Paul Bhim who claimed that upon assuming their roles back in June 2015, they found that the morale of the staff was low and there were lots of problems about political interference at

GuySuCo. He reminded that both Bhim and Hanoman were at the helm of the company between 2009 and 2013.

“Raj Singh only came in 2013. But for most of the years in the last 10 years, the two of them had managed GuySuCo and they speaking about low morale and debts. I remember Paul Bhim himself coming to my office when he was heading the company saying that they need injection because they could pay their bills basically and now making it look like the Interim Management Committee place all the blame on what happened in the last year, political interference in one year etc, that was the downfall of the industry,” he noted.

President David Granger established the Commission in June as part of his Government’s first 100 days in office promises.

The members of the Commission were Vibert Parvatan (Chairman); Professor Clive Thomas (Financial and Economic Analysis); Dr Harold Davis and John Piggott (Agronomists); John Dow and Joseph Alfred (Factory Operations); George James (Sugar Processing); Nowrang Persaud (Industrial Relations); Claude Housty (Marketing); Seepaul Narine, GAWU Representative and Omadatt Chandan.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, january 1, 2016

Views Editor(ag): Michael Younge Tel: 225-8697, 225-6695, 225-5634, 225-8696, 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

New Year: New Opportunities

N

ew Year’s Day should always be a time for reflection; both at the individual and societal level but the process must begin with each one of us first. What is “society”, after all, but a collective noun for “we the people”.

Whatever has happened in our country during the last year, or in the last 50 years, has been the result of decisions the citizens of this country made, and if we believe we could have done better then we have to make some different decisions going forward. Beginning from today. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity, after all.

It is our considered opinion that all Guyanese would agree we need to achieve a greater unity in our nation. A nation divided cannot stand: we have been divided for too long and the debilitating results are there for all to see. The President agrees with this assessment and has chosen the celebration of our 50th Independence Anniversary to help achieve that unity. It is not we disagree that such a celebration is not a worthwhile project but we do feel that it needs to be the successful consummation of a larger effort that will bring all our people together.

Today our nation has unfortunately found itself, through a series of unfortunate events, at a point where the major sectors of our economy is either stagnating or in decline.

The “worthwhile project” to bring us together in a concrete way might be for us to select one of those sectors and let us put our collective shoulders to the wheel to pull it out of its lassitude. We could do worse than select the sugar industry as our national project. “Save Sugar” can be our rallying cry.

Sugar, as we should all know, is the raison d’être of this country and apart from our Amerindian sisters and brothers, we were all brought here to labour in its production. There has been a Commission of Inquiry into the state of the industry with recommendations for its stabilisation and recovery.

The Report has unfortunately been treated rather cavalierly, resulting in the 100,000 Guyanese who directly and indirectly depend on the industry to suspect the sustainability of their livelihood is not important to the rest of Guyana.

The Report must be considered by the government with alacrity and laid before the National Assembly. In this way, the political representatives of all the people of this country can show they are united on doing what it takes to save this crucial sector and are willing to eschew the political gamesmanship that too often characterises their encounters in that institution.

Whether it is part of the original CoI’s recommendations or not, we suggest the National Assembly include initiatives that would include as wide a cross section of our nation as possible. For instance, it has been repeatedly highlighted that labour costs comprise over 60 per cent of production costs, which are too high compared to world market price.

GuySuCo has been unable to deploy a full complement of cane-harvesters at the height of the harvesting period for years – achieving just over 50 per cent at best.

With unemployment rates reportedly at over 40 per cent among youths, the harvesting of cane can become the core of the proposed “National Service” to involve these future lifeblood of our nation during “crop time”. Other citizens can also be exhorted to participate in “Save Sugar” through cane harvesting or other forms of husbandry that can improve cane yields.

By May 26, with the “first crop” successfully under our belt through our common efforts, we would be in a position to not only “feel” united but to “be” united. We would then be able to display that spontaneous feeling of togetherness, joy and abandon that accompanied “crop over” through the centuries. Celebration after hard work.

Our 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations, will then be real.

Happy New Year, Guyana.

A special New Year artwork in Amritsar, India

Beware: The Subversion of Parliament Dear Editor, In the run -up to the 2015 elections, both the APNU and AFC spoke much of democracy, consultations and all the right catch phrases. On assuming office, they abandoned all pretence of those promises.

Deception has now become an important characteristic of the regime, which comprise many former military officers.

Our Parliament is the highest institution in our land and how it functions is a reflection of and determines how society also functions. How it operates also impacts on daily life in the society.

Both parties currently in office spoke glowingly of parliamentary democracy and how smoothly it would function if they were elected to office.

However, their actions thus far have proven that they have abandoned most of their fullfledged promises made before the elections.

Their dictatorial leadership style is leading to a subversion of that high institution.

In the first place, the National Assembly is not meeting as frequently as it used to.

Since the recess, we have had only two sittings. The most recent was held on Thursday, December 30, 2015.

Compare the situation now to when the PPP/C was in office.

Then, the National Assembly met almost weekly and members were allowed to freely express their views. This has been an outstanding feature of the Assembly during the 23 years the PPP/C held office.

Additionally, all members were granted extensions to speak on matters that arose.

Now, we see efforts to curtail debates. PPP/C Members of Parliament are being limited in the amount of time granted to speak on motions and bills.

The recent debate on the increase on ministerial salaries was the latest display of such limitations. Not only was the amount of time cut short, but the number of speakers listed to speak on the topic was not allowed.

The Opposition is being denied the right to speak.

We witnessed also during the budget debates, the actions of the Speaker of the House when he refused to give PPP/C speakers extensions on time to speak. Further, he constantly distracted them by purposely reminding them of the time left to speak. That acted to throw off the speakers from their topic.

Alas, he seemed to have fallen asleep when the Government MPs were speaking. They were granted all the extra time they needed without his intervening in the same manner.

It is also noticeable that the regime’s Ministers have no intention of answering questions put to them by the Opposition MPs. A classic example of this is the failure to respond to the questions posed by the Opposition regarding the expenditure incurred for President Granger’s inauguration ceremony. It was tragic, yet comical to see how they tripped themselves when they attempted to cover up the wast-

age.

Many other questions remain unanswered. And most noticeable is the arrogance displayed when refusing to respond (or in some cases, giving a partial response) to questions asked by the Opposition.

As with the PNC’s former days as a Government, we see that this regime has adopted the old policy of rushing through bills in the National Assembly. They are bulldozing the most important pieces of legislation through the Assembly, many of which need to go to a Special Select Committee so that they (bills) could benefit from a wide input from both the Opposition, other stakeholders and the general public.

A glance at the PPP/C’s record would show that the most complicated bills were sent to Select Committees. This practice is now rapidly fading away.

The regime has abused its one-seat majority by using it to suspend the Standing Orders that govern the work of the National Assembly and pass bills through all three stages at one sitting. This denies the Opposition of having a say in these matters.

They have shown very scant respect for the views/ opinions of important civil society organisations like the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), on many issues that have effects on society as a whole, including where these entities have a direct interest.

They have also created a

conflict of interest in the setting up of Standing Committees in the National Assembly. During an earlier period, it was agreed that placing Ministers of the Government in these bodies would not be correct since the committees were designed to be an oversight of the Executive.

This is an agreed principle all over the world. Ministers cannot provide oversight of themselves.

This violation, like many others, does not bode well for the APNU/AFC regime.

Ministers not only sit on these committees, but also chair some of them. The regime wants to turn these bodies into cover-up committees to hide the Government’s wrongdoings.

Clearly, the objective of the committee system is now compromised by the high-handed action of the regime.

It is obvious that the old mentality is dominant once again. Rules and parliamentary conventions do not matter to this bunch of power-hungry, power-drunk officials.

The name has changed, but their actions now pose a bigger threat than before to our democratic system.

Under Burnham’s PNC, the descent into a dictatorship was gradual. This process was completed in 1973; nine years after the PNC took office.

The current APNU/AFC regime is breaking all records, going in the same direction, but at a breakneck speed.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar

What not to take into 2016

Dear Editor, The issues of rice and sugar and the related payments or lack thereof should no longer be a daily discussion in 2016. In addition, what to do with the Marriott should also be side-barred as well. Those issues should be replaced with laser focus on local government elections as well as crime and criminality. Similarly the protection of women from domestic abuse and human trafficking should hold the same intensity.

The outcome of local elections is the litmus test for how ordinary Guyanese would survive the global economy. For instance, increasing the police force and their salaries is only effective if the local government has the power to sanction corruption and bad behaviour. Police should be answerable to the local people, and not to those who could afford to bribe their way.

It is a misnomer to think that good policing comes from better pay. Citizens corrupt the police by providing bribes. Citizens corrupt police because they have no faith in the judicial systems. As such, within the framework of local government elections judges and magistrates should be elected by the people. Justice should be expedited without the layers upon layers of bureaucracy.

Crime and criminality should be addressed from the point of view that they are becoming institutionalised. Gangs are advertising their violent intentions on social media without the slightest fear of law enforcement. For this reason, the offerings of gated communities are increasing daily.

Next, personal bodyguards or application for refugee status based on discrimination because perpetrators and victims always seem to fall into distinct groups.

Women have become the victims of men that are impotent to protect their women and children from criminals. These men instead of fight the criminals, they cowardly brutalize their women. Trust me, criminals mess their pants when confronted by fearless community policing that is “vigilantes”, which also take the form of get out and vote in local elections for candidates that live in the community, and thus have skin in the game.

So let 2016 be the beginning of good over evil and not sugar and rice, Marriott or the Berbice Bridge. 2016 is also the year of golden Jubilee, educate the youths of what this means. Take stock, are Guyanese still talking about colonialism or its scars?

Sincerely, Keith Bernard

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, january 1, 2016

5

GPL at cross-roads – Government must act now Dear Sir, The Guyana Power and Light now stands on the road to collapsing and this was caused by the Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson’s hasty and inexperienced action in dismissing the CEO Dindyal.

Since the beginning of 2015, it was public knowledge that Dindyal was demitting office as CEO. He had expected to go in April/May and in February, 2015.

Then came the Elections in May 2015 and Dindyal felt it was his duty to stay on until things settled down when he could then hand over and depart. He stayed on after the

Elections and wrote the new Minister e-mail after e-mail indicating his position and saying that he would await handing over to a successor whom the Minister identifies, but the Minister would not reply. Dindyal was left in a quandary where his family and others abroad were patiently awaiting his return but he could not simply irresponsibly walk off the job.

He stayed on still awaiting word from the Minister to whom to hand over when one of his two Deputies at the Corporation, Welch, Head of the Technical Services, unexpectedly visited the GPL’s office in Sheriff Street and

dismissed the two longserving Managers of the Loss Reduction Unit without due process or without any involvement of the Corporation’s Human Resources Section. The managers were able to contact the CEO who had to hurriedly go down to the Sheriff Street office and quite rightly rescinded the unprecedented dismissals which would have opened the corporation to lawsuits.

Welch claimed that he did his administratively unprecedented dismissals at the instance of Minister Patterson.

Patterson later denied this.

All of this was carried in the newspapers.

Eventually, the Minister took it upon himself to suddenly dismiss Dindyal who had long been indicating to him that he wished to leave but had been waiting to properly hand over to the Minister’s nominee. This sudden dismissal was a disaster to the corporation and after some weeks Welch was appointed CEO. Shortly after, it was widely reported in the media that Welch was allegedly involved in serious corruption in an import contract of just short of a billion dollars.

The authorities tried to brush away this serious allegation of corruption but the

Rohee’s baseless allegation Dear Editor, On Monday, December 28, as I scanned the television channels, I was attracted to General Secretary Rohee’s press conference, since he was addressing a matter that I had attended to, in my capacity as Technical Facilitator to the Education Minister. He was reporting that the Government had not involved the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the preparations for the ushering in, and celebrations of, the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence. I was stunned since I was convinced that the allegation was baseless and all that followed from it was uncalled for and could only be regarded as the usual ‘politricking’ that has become a norm in Guyana. To avoid being accused of the said culture, I took some time to verify the following: 1. Matters relating to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Guyana’s Independence are being handled by the recently appointed National

Commemoration Commission.

2. The Cabinet approved composition of the Commission provides for a nominee/representative of the Opposition.

3. The Leader of the Opposition has been written to as recent as November 11, requesting the submission of the name of his nominee. That correspondence was delivered to, and signed for, by one Majeed at Freedom House on November 13, 2015.

4. To date, there has been no acknowledgement and submission of the name of the Opposition nominee.

In the aforementioned circumstances, the Government can hardly be accused of excluding the Opposition (the PPP/C) from participating in the preparations for the jubilee celebrations. It can only be concluded that for reasons only known to the PPP/C, it has not acknowledged, and or availed itself of, the opportunity to participate in those preparations.

Incidentally, this trend has been

manifested in at least two other instances. The PPP/C has failed to nominate a representative to sit on the University’s Council after receiving a request approximately five months ago and at least one subsequent reminder. Similarly, a response is awaited for a nominee to sit on the Commission of Inquiry into the education system.

It is the PPP/C’s prerogative to respond, or not to respond, to such requests.

But it is certainly unacceptable for them to cast blame on others when the fault, whether contrived or otherwise, does not lie at the feet of the Government.

Responsible political behaviour can only be good for Guyana. The contrary will only take us further into the morass from which we need to be extricated.

Yours sincerely, Vincent Alexander Technical Facilitator to the Education Minister

public outcry was too great and Welch was eventually sent on leave.

The corporation is now at the cross-roads, and God forbid, could collapse and this is signalled by the blackouts which have already started and all this could be laid at the door of the spiteful, inept and unjust action taken against Dindyal.

With the threatened collapse, the comfort of the population as well as the econom-

ic setback to the country is in the offing.

The government must immediately begin the process of recruiting a competent CEO from abroad but they will have to pay him far more than Dindyal but the urgent circumstances warrant this.

Immediate action needs to be taken!

Yours sincerely Patrick Dyial

6 NEWS

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Scott, Broomes transferred in Cabinet reshuffle – Granger makes Linden MP new Junior Minister

A

fter a mere seven months in office, President David Granger has announced his first cabinet reshuffle, which has seen the transfer of two ministers and the extension of the cabinet with the appointment of another minister.

Among the notable changes is the transfer of Minister within the Social Protection Ministry Simona Broomes to the newly formed Natural Resources Ministry as the junior Minister, while Minster within the Communities Ministry Keith Scott has been transferred to the Social Protection Ministry as the junior minister there. Member of Parliament and Chief Executive Officer of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), Valerie Sharpe-Patterson is appointed Minister within the Ministry of Communities.

This move now brings cabinet members to 27, making it Guyana’s largest Cabinet.

The Ministry of the Presidency in a statement on Thursday quoted President Granger as saying the changes are as a result of the need for strengthened ministerial attention and those adjustments are to match those national needs with some changes in ministerial responsibility.

The President added that

Simona Broomes

there will also be some nonCabinet movement. While applauding the work that Minister within the Social Protection Ministry, Simona Broomes has done, President Granger said her knowledge of the hinterland makes her a great asset to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“Minister Broomes has tremendous energy and skill and she is going to be functioning from the Ministry of Natural Resources. She has a very good knowledge of the hinterland and we are concerned with the enforcement of certain practices and regulations in that Ministry,” the President said.

However, critics have al-

ready expressed concerns that the decision to move Broomes to the Natural Resources Ministry is a clear conflict of interest considering her lucrative mining operations in Tasserene, an Akawaio community located in Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and her interest in the sector.

On the other hand, party sources have since said the decision to move Broomes may have been more than is being revealed. The source said Broomes have not only been one of the ‘hardest working ministers’ but also one of the most outspoken one against the injustices in the labour industry. This newspaper was told Broomes rubbed shoulders with a number of party donors after she had managed to successfully prosecute several donors for labour violations.

The decision to move her,

Keith Scott

the source said, seems to be a means of pacifying a number of party donors.

Tourism Minister Catherine Hughes will now be named Minister for Public Telecommunications, while maintaining ministerial responsibility for Tourism, President Granger said.

“The reason is that after seven months, we detected a gap that there is no single spokesperson in the National Assembly, a Ministerial spokesperson, dealing with the digital economy [and] dealing with information technology. So we decided that it was necessary to have a Minister responsible for information and communication technology.”

Additionally, the Ministry of Governance and the Protection of the National Patrimony is being renamed the Ministry of Natural Resources. Minister Raphael Trotman will now be named Minister of Natural Resources.

Meanwhile, Minister Keith Scott will move to the Ministry of Social Protection and will be responsible to labour issues.

President Granger iterated that there is no increase in the number of ministries and

Valerie Sharpe-Patterson

added that where gaps are identified, he is prepared to address them.

However, this is clearly contradictory since newly appointed Valerie SharpePatterson as Minister within the Ministry of Communities now increases Cabinet members from 26 to 27.

Govt repossesses "cash jet" Pilot’s CJIA hangar

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) administration has opted not to renew the lease for the operations of Exec Jet Club at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The company is owned by Guyanese businessman and pilot, Khamraj Lall, 47, who was charged in Puerto Rico last year following the discovery of US$620,000 on his private Lear Jet when he stopped in the Latin American country to refuel. He has since been sent back to the United States where he is facing additional charges.

In August 2010, Lall had applied for land at the CJIA to construct a hangar to facilitate his aircraft operations. He had indicated that he wanted to operate an Executive Jet Service and Air Ambulance Service in Guyana, and had presented a sound business plan to push the venture.

Two years later, Cabinet had approved a three-year lease to allow for the construction of the hangar, which up

‘Cash Jet’ Pilot Khamraj Lall

to last year, was not completed.

However, since the arrest of Lall there have been talks of seizing the businessman’s assets in Guyana since it is believed the man’s assets were obtained through money laundering. Minister of State Joseph Harmon had stated back in September that Government may go after the businessman’s local assets, which also includes a gas sta-

tion and limousine service.

On Thursday, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson told reporters the lease for the hangar had expired on October 15, 2015 and government indicated to Exec Jet Club that the lease will not be renewed.

According to Patterson, the company had agreed to remove any movable objects and all its properties from the facility. However, the company has since challenged government’s decision, claiming that they have invested millions in building and constructing the hangar hence government cannot terminate their lease but the Attorney General has advised that there is no case since the lease is up: “It was a three-year lease and at the end of the expiration of the lease, you have to move.”

Asked about the plans for the building at the CJIA, Patterson explained that it is in the care of the airport authority, which will determine what beneficial use it could be

of: “I, for one, don’t see us having any use for the hangar” he stated, while hinting that it can be used for cargo since there is a lot of money in that sector.

“There is a lot of money in cargo – a cargo handling facility – but I don’t see us having an executive hangar in that construction going forward,” the Public Infrastructure Minister noted.

Lall’s illegal operations came to light in November last, when he landed in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico to refuel his private jet, flown by him while he was in company of his father. The men were on their way to Georgetown, Guyana, according to information from the electronic file of the Federal Court.

Lall pleaded guilty to count one of the indictment.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams had stated Lall could be under the radar of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) if he returns to Guyana.

news

7

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

2015 gold target exceeded – Board records 451,590 ounces

T

he Guyana Gold Board (GGB) surpassed the year’s target and recorded 451,490 ounces of declared gold despite a number of challenges in the mining industry last year, particularly with regard to the significant drop in international gold prices.

With the declarations, the GGB recorded export earnings of approximately US$500 million, making the precious metal, once again, the largest earner of foreign currency for Guyana.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, Governance Minister with responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman said the declaration was a significant achievement in a price-declining market environment and all miners, particularly small and medium-scale miners, must be commended.

“The performance of the gold mining sector was very impressive and very encouraging. With better regulation and more opportunities for miners, we expect to do even better in 2016. We are happy that the good life is coming to fruition,” Minister Trotman said.

Trotman said the declaration figures attested to the fact that gold was an important earner in the Guyanese economy and as such, Government would continue to support the sector by providing operational concessions to miners and supporting infrastructural works.

At the start of 2015, the London Fix quoted the price

451,490 ounces of gold declared for 2015

of gold at US$1184. The market prices initially fluctuated around US$1150 before showing increased volatility and declining to a five-year low of below US$1100.

Consequently, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) made representation for concessions and incentives.

In October 2015, the Government granted fuel and equipment tax concessions to small and medium-scale miners. It was anticipated that despite the volatile gold prices, these concessions would energise production thus ensuring the sector’s viability in 2015 and in the future.

With the re-introduction of large-scale gold mining in Guyana, Guyana Goldfields and Troy Resources have contributed to the country’s total declaration, during the last quarter of 2015, increasing gold declaration and contrib-

uting to an overall increase of 16.5 per cent when compared to December 2014.

Minister Trotman commented on Government’s outlook for 2016, noting that the Administration would continue to review mining concessions to ensure that mining interests conform to the Laws and Regulations governing the sector, while the Anti-Gold Smuggling Task Force would continue with its mandate to tighten loopholes to tackle gold smuggling, which has plagued the sector for some time.

8 NEWS

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Teen charged for fraudulent conversion

A

17-year-old who reportedly fled to Berbice with $400,000 from his employer was on Thursday charged for fraudulent conversion.

Charlie Edwards, of Kwakwani Water Front, Linden, denied the allegation when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on December 25 at Georgetown, being solely entrusted by the

Virtual Complainant (VC) Lennox Brown with a sum of $400,000 to purchase a quantity of GTT and Digicel phone cards and return them to him, he fraudulently converted same to his own use and benefit.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the defendant usually did odd jobs for the VC and over a period of time, he gained his employer’s trust.

The Prosecutor said that Brown gave the young man

the sum of cash to purchase the phone cards for him; however, he never returned.

As such, he reported the matter to the Police and subsequently received information that the defendant was staying at a hotel in Berbice.

Having received the information, the Police swooped down on the young man at the hotel and recovered $107,000.

A cellular phone which was reportedly purchased with part of the $400,000 was also confiscated by Police.

In court, the teenager informed the Magistrate that he has enlisted in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to serve the country.

The Magistrate responded: “Dishonesty as a young man is a big thing. If you want to join the Army, how will the nation trust you?” She also referred to the fact that he had given the Police a wrong address. He was released on $100,000 bail.

The case will continue on January 15.

Construction worker slapped with causing death charge

A

construction worker was slapped with a causing death by dangerous driving charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-six-year-old Dwayne Bennons of Lot 189 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara initially pleaded guilty with

explanation to the charge.

However, after being informed that the charge attracts a five-year prison sentence, he denied the allegation. The allegation stated that on November 28, at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he drove minibus BHH 4972 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Joseph Jaipaul.

The Court heard that on the day in question, the defendant was the driver of the minibus which was proceeding east along the East Bank carriageway at a fast pace.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones further informed the Court that the driver lost control of the bus which collided with the now deceased, a pedal cyclist. Jaipaul was tossed 100 feet away and

was subsequently picked up and rushed to the hospital.

He died on December 27, one month later.

Prosecutor Jones objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence and gravity of the charge as well as the penalty it attracts. Bail was refused.

The case will continue on January 18, 2016.

Eyew tness Ringing in the new…

I

… airport

t’s not that your hardworking Eyewitness is a frequent flyer or anything like that… but he’s been keeping his eyes on our friendly skies and wondering when they’ll be attracting more airlines. His interest is purely utilitarian: airlines bring in tourists and tourists means better amenities, better restaurants, better hotels, better taxi service – with the bottom line being mo’ money… mo’ money… mo’ money for one and all.

So he was quite pleased when the government backed off knocking the airport expansion/modernisation plan it inherited from the Jagdeo and Ramotar PPP administrations and started to push for its completion.

What was to complain about? The modernisation centred on a longer runway. For years and years since he was a lad in short pants, your Eyewitness had burned in humiliation when he found out those big Boeing Jumbo Jets couldn’t land in his homeland.

He’d always been an airplane buff – and those snubnosed 747’s occupied a pride of place in his heart.

Obviously those planes brought in more passengers… but the cachet of a plane with a second storey did add to the romance of flying, no? Not to mention in all the plane hijacking movies it was the Big Bird at the centre of the action. Guyana would be joining the big league when the Jumbos started touching down at Timehri.

And to put a fine close to your Eyewitness’ year, the AFC Minister in charge of transportation just announced his government had accepted the PPP’s RATIONALE for the airport expansion: serving as a hub for northern Brazil.

Now this was a very positive development because it meant that the bitterness of the two top AFC leaders in government – Nagamootoo and Ramjattan – towards the PPP in general and Jagdeo in particular was either receding (unlikely) or (more likely) even their own people weren’t paying them no heed.

The AFC in particular had scoffed when Jagdeo had first offered that justification for an airport expansion. But it made sense. While we Guyanese might See the 500,000 arrivals and departures we just hit is a big deal… becoming a hub will increase that by a factor of at least 10. And that means 10 times more landing fees, 10 times more sleepovers, 10 times more refuelling etc, etc. And not so incidentally, 10 times more money.

And worth more than all of that – placing us on the airline map of the world. That’s publicity you just can’t buy for our tourism products. An all-round virtuous circle, no?

But the signalling the PPP’s developmental projects will not be arbitrarily cast aside is the topper. Maybe when the IDB completes the Amaila Hydro feasibility study, they’ll back that too?

Not a bad end to 2015.

…Minister

Another positive announcement was Cathy Hughes being awarded another portfolio – Communications. Now you’d think that might’ve gone to the man who’s in charge of Information, no? That’s Nagamootoo, in case you forgot exactly what onerous responsibility lie on his shoulders.

But since Hughes got the nod, it’s obvious that harassing and haranguing Chronicle reporters – and keeping up with the repairs at his new quarters on Main St - just about fags him out.

Anyhow, the airport expansion is already good news for Hughes wearing her Tourism Minister’s hat. She takes her responsibilities seriously. Not only did she buck the trend by early on uttering the politically incorrect truth that the airport expansion was a good thing for Guyana – she also rapped Ramjattan for flaunting the skin of our national animal – a Jaguar – on his office wall.

Since Ramjattan never took down the poor Jaguar’s skin (…boosting his faltering libido?) maybe Minister of Communications Hughes might be able to communicate how ridiculous he looks?

…commitment to coalition

Pressie just emphasised how the AFC/APNU coalition HAS to work. Not to worry. It’s clear that once Nagamootoo and Ramjattan get a couple of outriders when they’re tooling around in their SUVs, they’ll accept any number of humiliations!

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

news

9

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Opposition Leader 2016 is year of renaissance – President Granger bemoans delayed Police promotions By: Kristen Macklingam

I

n light of the Police Service Commission (PSC) declaring that police promotions for 2015 will be deferred to this year, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is calling for these delayed promotions to be awarded as soon as possible.

This decision resulted in a number of officers being disappointed when it was made public the annual promotions had been deferred until February 2016.

Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo during a media briefing on Thursday stated this move by the PSC should not be seen as one made following recently aired statements by the PPP’s General Secretary Clement Rohee.

Rohee in a media briefing had said the persons who were tipped for promotion earlier 2015 when his Party was in power had been required to participate in “integrity testing”.

He explained that former President Donald Ramotar, in addressing the opening session of the Annual Officers’ Conference of the GPF in April 2015, had announced “integrity testing” as part of efforts to weed out corrupt persons from the law enforcement agency.

However, according to Rohee, since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition gained power, there is no indication as to whether or not it has or intends to “take up the mantle” and proceed in this direction.

The Opposition Leader stated the Party does not want the statements made by Rohee to be used as an excuse for not promoting officers in 2015: “I spoke with Rohee on Monday and Rohee said to me – nothing that I said should be interpreted as not wanting police to be promoted. We want policemen at all categories without exception to be promoted this year.”

He maintained that the

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

PPP is supportive of the promotion of officers in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and is urging the ranks who are up for promotions receive the fruits of their labour.

“Why should they have to wait until 2016? I don’t understand this. And I see in some quarters it is being attributed to what the PPP wants.

So let me make it clear that the PPP and the Members of Parliament and I as Opposition Leader we want policemen to be promoted this year,” the Opposition Leader added.

Guyana Times understands the GPF’s annual promotions are usually announced in December or early January; however, ranks will now have to wait to find out whether they have been elevated or not.

At the Force’s yearin-review media conference on Wednesday, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud disclosed that the PSC communicated to him on Tuesday that promotions will be announced on or before February 23, 2016.

When contacted by Guyana Times to ascertain the reasons behind the delay, PSC Chairman Omesh Satyanand declined to comment on the matter but assured that details would be forthcoming in a scheduled meeting. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

“2016 is a time for national renaissance,” declared President David Granger to scores of Guyanese who gathered at the Independence Arch to usher in the New Year in grand style.

“The New Year – 2016 – is a time for renewal. This is a time for reform,” the President said to shrieks of delight.

He explained that the year 2016 presented an ideal opportunity to hasten Guyana’s economic recovery, to strengthen social integration and to deepen mutual and cultural understanding.

President Granger also looked forward with much anticipation to the upcoming activities planned in observation of Guyana’s Independence Anniversary.

“We, the Guyanese people, shall commemorate the Golden Jubilee of our Independence on May26.

This 50th anniversary of our nation’s Independence – our quinquagenary – is a time for determination, decision-

President David Granger

making and decisive action,” he stated.

He explained that Guyana became independent 50 years ago and “the new nation was born under a state of emergency. The acrid odour of civil conflict, ethnic insecurity and political disunity hung like a pall over the land. We subsisted in a dependent colonial economy.

We languished as a small, servile satrapy ruled over by a colonial governor.”

He highlighted that

when Guyana became independent, the country struggled dauntlessly to build a nation out of a people that had been damaged by disunity and division and to promote peace and national unity. The country endeavoured to “... build our national university, our multilateral schools, our airport, bridges and highways, and repair roads and sea defences; build national institutions: create a credible Foreign Service; introduce our Ombudsman and our own Court of Appeal, and erect municipalities and other institutions; build international alliances, secure our territory from external aggression and to take our place in the international community; and build the first secondary schools in the hinterland, build huge housing schemes and expand public education, health, communications and transportation services”.

Granger said all Guyanese should be proud of the nation’s achievements

over the past 50 years, as he urged them to continue to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Guyana.

Meanwhile, the President said the Government will aspire to strengthen national unity, expand national infrastructure, fortify national institutions, ensure national security and extend public services in the New Year.

With respect to national unity, he said, “We can be one nation only if all sections of our population feel that they share in our country’s development. We must, in 2016, dispel hatred among individuals and groups. We must move forward as a united nation, constantly reaffirming our national motto –“One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.”

Moreover, he remarked that the Year 2016 brings his Government closer to the goal of realising its mission to remake Guyana as the most beautiful, bountiful and greenest country in the Caribbean.

10 news

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

NICIL audit flip-flop

Govt on a path to destroy reputations – Jagdeo

T

he spate of attacks against senior officials who were appointed under the previous Administration led to the conclusion that the audits into the various State agencies are being done solely to destroy reputations rather than achieve a meaningful objective that could contribute to economic development.

This is the position of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who made these proclamations in light of what he deemed baseless allegations of corruption meted out against the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Executive Director Winston Brassington.

Jagdeo, during a press conference at Freedom House on Thursday, used the NICIL saga as an example to support the notion that the current Administration was out to destroy reputations.

“I don’t think the audit is about prosecution, it is about destroying reputations…,” the former President remarked.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Focusing on the NICIL controversy, he contended that Government’s apparent vengeance against Brassington was evident given that prior to the General and Regional Elections, top officials from both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) were very vocal in accusing Brassington of being involved in corrupt practices.

He pointed out too that

the Head of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), Dr Clive Thomas, even before the NICIL audit report was made public, made “unprofessional” declarations that Brassington should be charged.

Jagdeo stated that the Government-aligned Kaieteur News has “beef” with Brassington because of his decision to take legal action against Royal Investments Inc (RII), part-owned by the newspaper’s publisher Glenn Lall and his close friend Tony Yassin after they failed to pay an outstanding balance of US$2 million for Guyana Stores Limited.

“Since, Brassington became the target, because he is the Head of NICIL and had to file an action against the Guyana Stores … So he became very unpopular and the subject to attack,” Jagdeo said.

Furthermore, the former President noted with concern, the unprofessional manner in which the confidential audit report on NICIL was leaked to the media. “…even before it was giv-

Finance Ministry, in response to several questions posed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), referred to the audits as “internal” audits instead of “forensic” audits.

“If it was a forensic audit, then it would go directly to the Police – a forensic audit is designed to find evidence of prosecution. An internal

audit is to look at processes in the agency…,” Jagdeo explained.

Nonetheless, he posited that since the Government apparently changed the nature of the audits from “forensic” to “internal”, the PPP would be subject to scrutiny on all the internal audit reports.

CoI’s report release…

NICIL Executive Director Winston Brassington

en to the staff of NICIL to respond,” Jagdeo asserted, urging the local media entities to practice ethical journalism and report NICIL’s response to the allegations.

Forensic vs internal audits

Meanwhile, Jagdeo expressed some confusion over the nature of the audits being launched into the various State agencies.

According to the Opposition Leader, the

GAWU awaiting Govt’s response on increases – to avoid possible strike in 2016’s first crop BY: Kristen Macklingam

I

n light of government releasing the sugar Commission of Inquiry (COI) report on Wednesday in Parliament, the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) is expectant the administration will soon pronounce on the recommendations.

This is according to President of GAWU Komal Chand who during a media briefing on Thursday, stated that although the report includes a number of proposals, these are not yet final decisions.

When questioned as to the union’s position on a recommendation in the report that wage/salary increases for sugar workers are put on hold for at least one year, he posited that the ball is now in the government’s court to pronounce on this.

“We have to know what the government has accepted because President David Granger did say that they are mere recommendations, they would be studied. Then government would decide what it wants to accept. So that has to be taken into account,” Chand said.

He explained that promises made on the 2015 general elections trail by the APNU/ AFC coalition also need to be taken into account with regards to benefits and salaries for sugar workers.

“We also have to take into account that… made promises and undertaking to workers that they will have increases, reasonable increases, in fact some of them said it would be as much as 20 per cent increases. So one has to see the undertaken against the situation this year where they have offered no increase,” the GAWU president noted.

He emphasised that his union along with others representing sugar workers are now waiting on the administration to make its move in relation to the abovementioned.

“They are legally required to negotiate with us our claim for this year… the Trade Union Recognition Act (TURA) is very clear about that and the constitution mentions the need to engage in collective bargaining,” Chand further explained.

According to him, the most important aspect of this is that the agreement between the union and the Guyana Sugar

Corporation (GuySuCo) requires that any claim must be addressed within two weeks and the discussions and negotiations completed within two months.

As such, the union has not “given up on this question”, and we are looking forward that good sense will prevail with negotiations being successful in relation to GAWU’s claims for 2015.

These wage/salary increases claims have been submitted since March last, Chand noted.

“We are hoping that before the new crop starts by mid-February to have a clear pronouncement on this matter and it will be important to have a good industrial climate rather than to have the crop start with some issues and industrial problems. We are hoping that before the crop starts that we will have a clear position on this question of our claim for 2015,” the GAWU head further explained.

In October 2015 thousands of workers from across the sugar belt downed tools to push for higher wages from GuySuCo with hopes that this latest action would result in their favour.

At that time the sugar entity had just announced that all the sugar estates had exceeded their targets, hence GuySuCo was caught unawares by this industrial action.

These workers ‘retaliated’ after the sugar corporation failed to meet with representatives of GAWU to discuss an increase in wages.

A source close to the union told this newspaper Sunday that GuySuCo had been “avoiding” a meeting with GAWU to have dialogue about proposed increases.

“The sugar corporation is avoiding any meeting with GAWU on proposals for 2015.

Earlier when we had talked to them about it, they told us to wait until the COI, which was on-going, to be concluded before they would have discussions with GAWU on the matter,” the source had stated.

It was reiterated then that while the CoI report is merely recommendations with the final decisions yet to be made, wage increases for sugar workers were not part of the Commission’s mandate. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy. com)

11

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

12 news

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Swine flu detected in Guyana By: Devina Samaroo

T

he deadly H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, has been detected in Guyana, with one person infected.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud made this disclosure at the Public Health Ministry’s year-end media conference on December 31.

He immediately advised there is no need for public panic.

The patient who has the virus is currently seeking medical attention in the United States after being transferred from a private city hospital.

Guyana Times understands the man had travelled from China to Guyana via the United States but had in-transited in Trinidad and Tobago.

After falling ill upon his return to Guyana, he was admitted to a private hospital where he was monitored for two weeks before family members took him to the United States for treatment.

The patient’s blood samples were sent to an overseas

CMO, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

laboratory for testing and on the evening of December 30, the results came back positive.

Measures were immediately put in place to track all the persons who were in contact with the patient for monitoring of symptoms of the virus.

Dr Persaud said it is unlikely there are other cases of the virus in Guyana.

“From the time we had the suspected case, we informed all the staff at the

hospital who had attended to the patient… we have a list of them and they are being monitored. We have also made contact with the family… luckily for us, the patient did not develop any symptom while in travel… while on the aircraft or else we would have to track all of those persons,” Dr Persaud said.

The H1N1 is believed to be transmitted in the same way as the seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing.

Meanwhile, the contagious virus is already rampant in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago. There are 42 confirmed cases and four recorded deaths.

Guyana’s preparations

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton had previously told this newspaper that while government might not be able to keep the virus from reaching Guyana’s soil, it has the ability to detect and control it.

He explained that at both the Cheddi Jagan and Ogle

International Airports, and other Ports of Entries, personnel are mandated to immediately inform the relevant authorities of persons who exhibit symptoms of the disease.

He had also assured that doctors are trained to recognise the symptoms of the virus and to raise a red flag in a timely manner.

The minister had also urged that persons remain healthy to ensure their immune systems are not susceptible to contracting flu-like symptoms.

Medical supplies

The minister had also disclosed that Guyana has available the drugs to treat any infection of the H1N1 virus.

“We do have what is known as a systematic treatment.

You treat the fever, treat the pains, you treat the difficulty breathing. We also have somebody who is in charge of infectious diseases and, as in the case of Ebola where we would have had to isolate, we have such a ward identified,” the Health Minister stated.

Symptoms and getting tested

Meanwhile, persons are urged to seek medical assistance as soon as they begin developing symptoms similar to that of the flu. These can include coughing, fever, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, headaches, chills and fatigue.

More specifically, persons who appear to have the symptoms are urged to use a swab and have a sample of body fluid sent to the National Reference Laboratory, located at Thomas and New Market Streets, which has already

been placed on high alert.

The minister had explained that the National Reference Laboratory will run preliminary tests to determine whether or not there are possibilities that it might be the H1N1 virus. If technicians suspect this is the case, then the sample will be sent to the advanced Caribbean Laboratory for confirmation.

Meanwhile, according to the World Health Organisation, there are approximately 8768 H1N1 related deaths worldwide.

Ophthalmology Centre without medication – Yusuf – Health Minister refutes claims

Dr George Norton By: Kizzy Coleman

C

hairman of Region 6 Health Committee Haseef Yusuf has expressed dismay that months after being without medication at the Ophthalmology Centre, Port Mourant, Berbice, there is still no word as to when this will be rectified.

Yusuf told this newspaper that for months now hundreds of eye care patients of the Diamond Vision Centre, Diamond Hospital, East Bank Demerara, in need of eye care surgeries have been referred to the Ophthalmology Centre, Port Mourant, because of the lack of medical supplies at that facility also.

The Regional Health Committee Chairman noted that the contract, which Guyana had with Cuba, to supply medication to the Ophthalmology Centre has ended, resulting in the lack of supplies.

“The contract with Cuba ended a long time ago and the administrators should have known that and they should’ve sought other sources. Because of that, for months now hundreds of patients have not been getting the necessary treatment,” he explained.

Yusuf posited that the facility did recently receive some supplies but the knives sent by the Materials Management Unit were the wrong type.

They are not for eye surgeries.

He added that after a thorough investigation by himself and team, he found that the ophthalmology hospital has been borrowing drugs from other hospitals, from as far as Linden.

He further stated that

Chairman of the Region 6 Health Committee, Haseef Yusuf

not only is the hospital out of drugs and equipment for eye treatment but the facility is also out of HIV kits.

“Currently the hospital system is being broken down and nothing is being put in place to prevent this” he stated.

According to the chairman, next Thursday there is to be a meeting with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) during which issues affecting all hospitals will be discussed.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton in an invited comment refuted all claims the Port Mourant hospital is in a downward spiral.

He stated that the eye centre suffered a fire, which caused damage to equipment particularly the operating theatre. Because of this, for a while now the theatre at the Ophthalmology Centre has been non-functional, he informed.

According to Dr Norton, for various reasons an ophthalmologist was placed at Diamond Hospital who would refer patients to Port Mourant which might have caused some backlog but he is certain the backlog have not run into hundreds, considering the amount of surgeries being done.

Minister Norton explained that Port Mourant hospital was indeed short of knives used for eye surgeries but this is not the case any longer as the Georgetown Public Hospital has supplied them with those.

He further added that Port Mourant hospital is back up and running and this has been so for a few weeks now.

13

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

January Patient jumps to death from GPHC window

Patricia Sanasie's murder

P

atricia Sanasie, wife of popular city businessman Deokaran Ram Sanasie, was gunned down in front of her home in Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara on January 12. Almost four months after her death, a man was arraigned for her murder. Initially, there were allegations that Sanasie’s husband had contracted someone to kill her, since, on the night of the shooting, the gunman was clear on his target. The couple had been together for the past 28 years and had three daughters. The businessman, when contacted, said that he did not know anything about his wife’s killing. He stressed that he had been in the US since early December and knew nothing of the shooting. In February 2014, the businessman was shot three times about his body while outside his business place on Fourth and Light Streets, Alberttown, Georgetown. He had claimed that his wife and her younger brother were behind the failed attempt on his life, but this was denied by the two siblings.

S

heneza Farouk, 37 years old, jumped to her death from the window of the Female Surgical Ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital, though reportedly in high spirits just two hours before. The woman was hospitalised for several months owing to kidney failure.

Surendra Engineering penalised nearly $1B for breach

S

urendra Engineering Limited was ordered to pay close to $1 billion to the Government of Guyana after failing to honour its obligations under the US$18 million Specialty Hospital contract.

Government had pulled the contract from the Indian firm in 2014 after a series of breaches and alleged fraudulent activities. Subsequently court action was initiated.

GGMC loans CH&PA $3B to develop housing sector

Woman jumps off DHB

P

atricia Lowton of Grove, East Bank Demerara, took the fatal plunge off the Demerara Harbour Bridge on January 28 by climbing onto a section of the bridge, referred to as ‘Retractor 11’. It was reported that bridge officials became aware of the woman’s intentions after seeing her climbing onto the bridge and alerted security officials. However, upon seeing the security guard approaching her, the woman jumped into the Demerara River. Her body was later recovered in the vicinity of the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard Base, at Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

A

n incident that sparked much controversy that lasted several months was the move by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to loan the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) some $3 billion to develop the housing sector.

The Loan Agreement was signed following the submission of an investment proposal by the CH&PA in January 2015, and was for the investment of the sum of three billion dollars to be loaned for a period of one year and to be used for the development of the housing sector.

February Elderly woman brutally Woman survives 52 raped, murdered stab wounds

T

Parliament dissolved!

F

ollowing the prorogation in 2014, the 10th Parliament of Guyana, along with the 10 Regional Democratic Councils was dissolved by President Donald Ramotar on February 28 ahead of the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

4 drown after religious ritual

he village of Richmond on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) was plunged into a state of shock on February 20 following the gruesome discovery of a 73-year-old woman who was allegedly raped then murdered. Dead is Suroogpattie Ramlakhan, called “Aunty Karmin” of Richmond Village.

At the time of her death, she was living alone in a wooden house.

GGMC Engineer executed at Diamond

A

teenage girl, Aszeema Ali, survived after being stabbed 52 times by a man with whom she shared a common-law relationship for the past six years. The stabbing incident reportedly occurred in the wee hours of Sunday, February, 2015 after a Valentine’s Day party at his sister’s home in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The rise and fall of Elisabeth Harper

A

F

our persons are now dead after they drowned while taking a swim at the koker at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, following a religious ritual. Dead are 56-year-old Radhika Persaud and her 15-year-old son Ravin Persaud, a student of Leonora Secondary School, both of Lot 32 Vergenoegen Public Road. Also dead are Persaud’s great niece and nephew; nine-year-old Annatina “Tina” Persaud, a student of Parfaite Harmonie Primary School and 12-yearold Billy “Amit” Narine, of Houston Secondary School, who lived at Lot 2402 Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara.

n engineer attached to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) was on February 27 executed while driving along the Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Trevor Abrams, 31, of Lot 129 Samantha Point, Grove Village, EBD, was shot at least four times by occupants of a Carina 212 motor car in the vicinity of Demerara Distillers Limited. Abrams attempted to escape and accelerated away, but crashed into a utility pole and ended up in a nearby canal.

The other car disappeared.

E

lisabeth Harper resigned from her distinguished post as Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to dedicate her time to being the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People's Progressive Party/Civic political party ahead of the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Subsequent to the narrow defeat, Harper stayed out of the media limelight and declined on numerous occasions to be interviewed. Since, reports have been emanating about the possibility of Harper being appointed an Ambassador of Guyana.

14

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

February Armed man storms Christ Avon ends operations in Guyana APNU, AFC form Church after being robbed von, one of the world’s leada coalition ing beauty and cosmetics by expelled student companies, has announced

A

its decision to cease operations in Guyana and the Caribbean with effect from the end of campaign five 2015, which was February 17.

Burma car accident

S

tudents from Christ Church Secondary School were traumatised on the afternoon February 24 when an armed man stormed into the school in search of someone whom he claimed robbed him moments earlier. Two men were walking along Middle Street, Georgetown, a short distance away from the school, when they were confronted by a young man who relieved them of their belongings.

The perpetrator then ran into the school’s compound but he was pursued by the two men, one of whom was armed.

The armed man also ran into the school’s compound, up the stairs and into a classroom.

Neesa Gopaul’s killers get 202 years imprisonment

T

he sensational murder trial of teenager Neesa Lalita Gopaul came to a dramatic end on March 5 with her killers; Bibi Sharima Gopaul and her lover Jarvis Small being sentenced to a combined 202 years in jail. Jarvis was put away for 96 years and the teenager’s mother, Sharima Gopaul 102. The sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh. The trial, one of the most high profile in recent history here, began on February 2 attracting widespread public attention given the manner in which Neesa, a former student of Queens College was viciously killed and her body placed in a suitcase and dumped in a creek at the Emerald Tower Resort, Madewini Soesdyle/Linden Highway.

S

ix pupils of Augsburg Primary School and a senior teacher were killed when the car they were travelling in entered a nearby trench at Burma, East Coast Demerara The seven occupants reportedly drowned before they could have been rescued. Dead are: 41-year-old Shondell Duke; seven-yearold Martina Persaud; nine-year-old Justin Abel; 10-year-old Asiyah Abel and seven-year-old Raydon Abel along with nineyear old Atisha Woolford and Asaficia Fraser, all of Burma.

M

onths of speculation finally came to an end when the APNU and AFC officially announced on February 14 that they will be teaming up to defeat the PPP/C at the General and Regional Elections. They signed an agreement called the Cummingsburg Accord which outlined several compromises between the two parties.

March Qualfon opens US$12M call centre Dismembered body

Q

of woman found at Annandale

ualfon, one of the leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) providers, on March 26 opened its doors to one of the largest contact centre campuses in the world at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

15-year-old murdered, body dumped at seawall

T

he body of Alicia Ali, age 15, of 6th Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was discovered at the Turkeyen seawall.

Initially, there were some speculations that the teenager might have committed suicide after a note purporting to be one written by the teen was discovered in her bedroom but an autopsy later confirmed that the girl was murdered. To date, her murder remains a mystery.

A

dismembered body of a woman was discovered at the Annandale seawall, East Coast Demerara. She was later identified as 39-year-old Samantha BenjaminMc Ewan of Buxton Backdam, ECD. Subsequently, caretaker Kevin Ramsawack was charged for her murder. It is alleged that the labourer killed Benjamin in the process of trying to rob her and he dismembered the body in order to make it difficult to identify her.

April Bheri Ramsaran fired World-class Marriott Sod turned for new Guyana opens doors Texila University as Health Minister campus at Providence

P

resident Donald Ramotar has officially relieved Dr Behri Ramsaran as Health Minister following mounting concerns from sections of society about his verbal outbursts and insults against activist Sherlina Nageer. A recording had surfaced where Ramsaran during an interaction with Nageer remarked to “slap” and “strip” the woman.

T

he world-class Marriott Hotel Guyana was officially commissioned on April 16 at a gala ribbon cutting ceremony and then an evening reception with top executives of the internationallybranded hotel praising the spirit of Guyana, while underscoring their satisfaction in being able to provide jobs for hundreds of Guyanese. This was even amid a small protest by APNU/AFC supporters which was mounted outside of the hotel.

T

he sod was turned for a new Texila American University (TAU) campus at Providence, East Bank Demerara which is expected to house some 1600 medical students as well as modern learning facilities.

15

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

April Nominations Day: 8 parties Warlock residents hurl bottles at Dr Luncheon in bid to break up meeting to contest elections

I

n the midst of an election campaign season, residents of Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, broke out into a frenzy, breaking bottles and hurling threatening remarks at the speakers, particularly at Dr Roger Luncheon. It was utter confusion in the neighbourhood, as Police Officers tried to ward off residents who were quite vocal in their displeasure at the People's Progressive Party/Civic taking its political campaign there.

Daughter of former APNU parliamentarian publicly urinates on flag

D

O

ut of the 11 parties that initially expressed interest in contesting these elections, the Guyana Elections Commission has counted eight political contenders in the running on Nominations Day, April 7. As usual, amid much fanfare, the event was held at the City Hall.

Jimmy Carter leaves Guyana after falling ill

aughter of former APNU parliamentarian Joan Baveghems took her protest against the People’s Progressive Party Civic a little too far when she hauled off the Party’s flag from a pole and urinated on it in front of a crowd that had assembled at the Party’s public meeting in Warlock, East Ruimveldt.

May Venezuela’s decree

A

Elections Day violence: Sophia unrest

lmost one day after his arrival to Guyana to observe the May 11 General and Regional Elections, Former US President Jimmy Carter departed the country after falling ill.

APNU/AFC wins Elections, forms new government

M

uch tension arose between the neighbouring countries of Guyana and Venezuela surrounding the issuance of Decree 1787 on May 27, which sought to claim most of Guyana’s territorial waters off of the Essequibo Coast. Several months after, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro withdrew the controversial decree and issued a new one that does not have any defining coordinates in its claims to Guyana’s territory. Thereon, both countries engaged in a series of events including intensifying the presence of troops at the border in an apparent preparation for war. Tension grew and resulted in the collapse of the historical Petrocaribe rice deal. Presidents Granger and Maduro finally met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in an effort to resolve the dispute.

R

esidents of C Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, transformed the community into a virtual warzone on the night of May 11. over allegations of electoral impropriety by a political activist. In the ensuing battle, five cars, one minibus and a house, along with a horse stable were burnt. The violence targeted People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member Narine Kooblall.

Granger sworn in as President

Bhena’s Footwear employee abducted

T T

he A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition formed the new Government of Guyana following the May 11 General and Regional Elections. The APNU/AFC is in the lead with a total thus far of 206,817 votes while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has 201,457 out of a total of 410,391 votes cast. The PPP/C has since refused to acknowledge the coalition as a genuine Government due to several discrepancies at the Guyana Elections Commission. The Party later filed an elections petition, challenging the results of the elections.

he Bhena’s Store sales clerk Xanier Waaldijk was abducted as he was about to enter the store, situated at the highly busy on Regent Street location.

He was later released by his abductors on the same day. From all indications, the abduction stemmed from a family issue regarding the disappearance of raw gold.

His abductors were later charged.

S

eventy-year-old David Arther Granger was on May 16 sworn in as Guyana’s Eighth Executive President amid allegations of electoral fraud and rigging from the outgoing Government and People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). Granger’s swearing in ceremony was rushed and came at a time when the PPP/C had made credible allegations that it may have been cheated out of power by the indifferent Guyana Elections Commission and polling agents who were loyal to the People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership of National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition.

16

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

May Confusion reigns over President’s Exxon Mobil declares inauguration ceremony spending significant oil find

O

T

here continues to be confusion over the amount spent and by whom to organise and execute the events preceding the inauguration ceremony of President David Granger who took office in May. Despite public pressure, government remains tightlipped on these disclosures.

Squatters illegally occupy State and private lands

R

esidents of several villages on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara went into frenzy over the weekend, swooping down on empty state lands evidently under the impression that in the new administration all the rules imposed by the PPPC government would be jettisoned.

Bharrat Jagdeo announced as Opposition Leader

W

eeks of suspense finally came to an end when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) announced former President Bharrat Jagdeo as the Opposition Leader. Jagdeo, who served as President of Guyana from 1999-2011, played a prominent role on the 2015 General and Regional Elections campaign trail for the

Govt passes new AML/CFT Bill

T

he new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill 2015 was passed by the APNU/ AFC Government on June 26. However, in November, Government had to return to Parliament to make amendments to the Bill.

il and gas giant ExxonMobil announced significant oil find in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. The United States-based oil company said the Liza-1 well has encountered more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well is the first on the 6.6-million acre Stabroek Block and has been drilled to 17,825 feet.

Pardoning prisoners

S

ince assumption to office, President David Granger has developed a fetish for pardoning prisoners. He released 40 convicts in observance of the Independence Day celebrations and another batch of 11 inmates as an act of compassion for the Christmas holidays. He intends to make this an annual tradition in the years to come despite the immense public criticism about the decision.

June

New Govt rolled 50+ heads in 30 days

S

ince occupying office on May 16, the David Grangerled Administration has sacked more than 50 employees of the Government in less than 30 days, even as it insists that it has not engaged in any “witchhunting”. Within that period, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration fired employees from the Office of the President (now The Ministry of The Presidency), Ministry of Communities, Amerindian Affairs Ministry, and Social Protection Ministry, and sent on leave Regional Executive Officers, Members of State Board of Directors, and recalled diplomats. At least 20 persons listed on the payroll of the National Communications Network, who were stationed at the Office of the President as media monitors, were abruptly fired by the new Administration.

Presidential guards were also dismissed from the Office of the President.

In addition, Press and Publicity Officer attached to the Office of the President, Kwame McCoy, was also sacked. Over at the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall and the former Head of the National Toshaos Council, Yvonne Pearson, were also dismissed.

Former Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry Collin Croal, another PPP/C candidate, was sent on leave after which he was asked to resign.

Additionally, Guyana Water Incorporation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh was

also sent on leave for 72 days; however his contract will expire before that period is over.

The Government also sacked the CEO of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Dr Raj Singh, and forced all of its Board of Directors to resign. Those persons include Geeta Singh-Knight, Shaik Baksh, Badrie Persaud, Keith Burrowes and Dindyal Permaul. In addition, Region Nine’s (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) REO Claire Singh, and political advisor and former Local Government Minister Clinton Collymore were fired.

Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency Ann Greene was sent on leave af-

ter a confrontation with Junior Minister Simona Broomes. And acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba was another professional who was humiliated and thrown out of her office.

The APNU/AFC Government recalled Zulfikar Ally from his post as Director for the Caribbean at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Guyana’s Ambassador to Mexico Bayney Karran and Guyana’s Ambassador to Brazil Merlin Udho were recalled from their posts. Several other professional individuals were either dismissed or forced to render their services at their respective posts.

17

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Petrocaribe deal collapses

July

Giftland Mall opens

Regent St Mall owner gunned down at home

A

T

housands of farmers were expected to be affected as the Venezuelan Government refused to renew the rice trade agreement with Guyana, leading to the virtual collapse of the entire deal which ended November this year.

Despite the fact that is was scheduled to end in November, no trade was done between the two countries since late July owing to the border controversy that was rift between the two nations.

fter years of waiting, the public witnessed the official opening of the Giftland OfficeMax megamall on July 3. Because the project is such an enormous undertaking, the company decided to have the mall opened in phases. The initial opening will only see the public having access to the state-of-the-art movies theatres, four fast food restaurants and the Giftland OfficeMax superstore.

There will also be a Republic Bank ATM machine available for customer convenience.

Thereon, the full-blown entertainment complex will take shape as more restaurants and stores progressively open up.

The video arcade and entertainment strip, comprising fine dining restaurants, sport bars and night pubs, and a supermarket is also on hold for a future opening.

Presidential term limit unconstitutional

T

he presidential term limit which barred an individual from running for presidential office after they would have served two presidential terms was on July 9 deemed unconstitutional by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang. Earlier in the year a private citizen Cedric Richardson had challenged the two-term limit. The APNU/AFC coalition government has since pledged to challenge the ruling made by the CJ.

Jennifer Westford charged for larceny and forgery

2am Curfew

F

ormer Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Officer (PO) Margaret Cummings were on July 29 brought before the court to face larceny and forgery charges respectively, in connection with the alleged illegal transfer of eight vehicles to themselves and friends, which were the property of the Public Service Ministry.

Westford was slapped with four counts of attempting to commit a felony and granted bail in the sum of $800,000.

T

he 2:00am curfew imposed by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan took effect on July 4, much to the condemnation from the general public and the business community. Ramjattan relaxed the curfew for the holiday season but announced that it will take effect once again on January 2.

O

wner of the Regent Street Multiplex Mall Ganesh Ramlall was shot dead allegedly by a group of bicycle bandits moments after returned to his La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara home on July 5.

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall who had put up a $5 million bounty for the capture of the killers of Ramlall, said the money would not be given to the police Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Unit which succeeded in capturing the perpetrator. Lall, a family friend, also maintained that the execution of the businessman was a “plain” robbery and not a “hit”– which is contrary to popular belief.

Granny scales fence to flee bandits

A

large gang of armed bandits early July 1 morning forced an elderly Port Mourant, Berbice woman to scale a fence after they attacked and robbed a Corentyne family and their neighbours, carting off a quantity of jewellery, cash and other valuables in a 45-minute ordeal.

August

77-year-old woman murdered Crum Ewing murderer charged in Montrose home E

T

he body of Carmen Ganesh, of Lot 121 Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was found in a pool of blood in the kitchen area in her Montrose, home on August 1. The Police arrested a suspect who had claimed that was offered $700,000 to get rid of her. He also claimed that the money would have been handed over to him by a relative of the woman with whom she had a land issue. Subsequently, Colin Allin, also known as “Bonus” was arraigned for her murder in late August.

x-soldier Courtney Crum-Ewing was executed in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, while he was urging persons to come out and vote at the May 11 General and Regional Elections. Suspicions were high that his murder was politically motivated. Five months after, Regan “Grey Boy” Rodrigues was arraigned for his murder.

Rodrigues denied the charges, claiming that the Police held him on the basis of the murder weapon that was allegedly found on him. Rodrigues had not been cooperating with Police and had been tight-lipped about his alleged involvement in the murder.

Also, Rodrigues told the court that he was approached to kill Mark Benschop but he had gone to the Police with this information.

18

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

September

Presidents Granger and Sean Hinds confessions Maduro meet on border issue S

T

he highly-anticipated meeting between Guyanese President David Granger and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro amid the ongoing border controversy saw the leaders agreeing to have a United Nations delegation visit the Spanish-speaking nation to investigate its claims to two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass.

During the meeting, the Presidents vowed to restore diplomatic relations.

Gun amnesty

ean Hinds, self-confessed Death Squad member, made explosive revelations and allegations all year round about the involvement of high ranking political personnel in many of the crime incidents in the country. He confessed that he was hired to murder political activist Ronald Waddell and claimed that he saw two Policemen, including Steve Merai while Waddell was being killed back in January 2006. Additionally, Hinds admitted that he bought illegal guns recovered from Police operations, including raids, for local businessmen from serving Policemen on several occasions. He alleged that he guarded former Town Clerk Carol Sooba with a “toy gun” with the aim of dissuading Mayor Hamilton Green and Patricia Chase-Green as well as others from hurting her, and was still owed for two months of service. Hinds also made allegations about the People's National Congress’s involvement in several other killings.

October programme Director of Prison charged with sexual assault

T

T

he Director of Prison Welton Trotz was charged with sexual assault and subsequently stepped down from his position. In the court proceedings, Trotz denied the charge which alleged that he sexually assaulted a female Police rank in his office at the Guyana Prisons Headquarters, Brickdam.

he extended Firearm Amnesty programme would have seen 186 weapons and over 1800 various calibre of ammunition being handed over to the Police. Of the total amount of guns handed in, a whooping 153 were shotguns, 13 pistols, 10 air rifles, nine revolvers and one AK-47 high powered rifle.

Bartica, Lethem, Mabaruma officially towns

G

overnment has moved ahead and officially declared three of the four identified villages as towns. According to the Official Gazette (Extraordinary) published on October 21, Bartica, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Lethem, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Mabaruma, in Region One (Barima-Waini) have been named as towns. The three communities join the existing six towns: the country’s capital Georgetown, in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); New Amsterdam, Corriverton and Rose Hall in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Anna Regina in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). More specifically, the Government announced that it would transform Bartica into a “green” town.

Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) was the other village slated to be a town; however, it was not gazetted.

Diwali date controversy

F

or the first time ever, the Hindu community in Guyana was completely divided as they celebrated Diwali 2015. Some groups observed the religious holiday on November 10 – the official holiday announced by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan while some observed on November 11 – the date maintained by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. The division will continue into 2016 as Government announced October 29 as the public holiday but the Dharmic Sabha is claiming that the right day is October 30.

November Kaieteur Falls Ministerial salary World low fuel prices not passed on to consumers suicides increase confirmed

W

ith the monumentally high fuel prices in the country even amid the prevailingly record-low world market prices for Guyana Oil Company Ltd (Guyoil) crude oil, the Guyana Government and private oil companies continue to hoard millions of dollars at the expense of taxpayers who are forced to pay exorbitant prices for fuel while the Administration enjoys the luxury of purchasing cheaper oil. As would be expected, when crude oil prices slump on the international market, Government would instruct the Stateowned service station Guyoil to considerably lower its prices so that Guyanese can benefit.

In fact, this has been the case for almost every other State worldwide: consumers are paying significantly less as a direct result of the oil industry’s current downturn. Prices in New York are half that of the prices in Guyana, even though both are purchasing old at the same price.

W

ithin a two-month time span, two women plunged to their deaths by jumping off the Kaieteur Falls. On September 1, Gyaneshwarie “Laleta” Sivanand of Durban Backlands, Georgetown jumped to her death off Kaieteur Falls after reportedly encountering marital problems. Then on November 21, Roshinee Pagwah, 21, of Reliance, Canje, Berbice, Region Six ended her life in the same manner. Reports indicate that the young woman was depressed after her former boyfriend had ended his life by ingesting a poisonous substance. These incidents forced the Tourism Ministry to ban visitors from accessing the edge of the Kaieteur Falls.

I

n spite of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) protests while they were in the Opposition benches about “enormous” and “unreasonable” salaries of officials of the then Government, the coalition has now confirmed that it is giving members in its Administration massive salary increases over those of the former People's Progressive Party Administration. When information first surfaced about the pending salary increase in August, the Administration had wholly denied the revelations.

Sachin Ramsuran is UG’s Valedictorian 2015

U

niversity of Guyana’s Valedictorian 2015 is Sachin Ramsuran from the Faculty of Technology. Ramsuran is the only son of a Patentia, West Bank Demerara cane-harvester and a seamstress; neither of whom were afforded the luxury of being educated beyond primary school.

He gained 56 grade ‘A’ passes out of 57 subject areas and earned himself the President’s Medal for the best graduating Bachelor’s Degree student.

19

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

November December Operation Dragnet $15B resort opens in Couple found dead on seawall in suspected suicide launched to combat the Mazaruni River crime, terrorism

T

he bodies of a young couple were on November 2 found dead on the Kingston, seawall, Georgetown, in the vicinity of CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. The female was 19-year-old Kavita Ackloo of South Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, and the young man was 18-year-old Ramesh Beharry, known as "Boy". The two were reportedly involved in a romantic relationship unknowingly to their parents.

Bascom, Dabydeen, top Guyana Prize For Literature awardees

P

rolific playwright Harold Bascom and renowned writer David Dabydeen copped the top awards in drama and fiction as the winners of the Guyana Prize for Literature and the Guyana Prize Caribbean 2014 Awards.

M

embers of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Fire Service are being deployed throughout the country with the aim of enhancing national security through an operation codenamed ‘Dragnet’. With more prowling criminals on the loose during the Christmas season and the threat of terrorism on the rise, the Guyana Government launched a massive anti crime/terrorism operation which will see improved security operations throughout the country.

A

luxurious $15 billion nature getaway resort was opened on an island at the junctions of the Mazaruni and Essequibo River in December. The visionary proprietor is renowned Bartica miner Chunilall Baboolall. The luxury resort contains 38 high-class suites and boasts a fabulous pool; and soon to come are spas; boutique; gift shop and gymnasium.

Vacationers will also enjoy exhilarating boat rides on the Essequibo, Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers and visit wonderful landmarks like Fort Kyk-over-Al and the local mining camps, the breathtaking White Water Waterfalls located right across the river from the resort.

$133M expended on The marijuana movement forensic audits A

A

fter months of dodging questions, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has finally buckled to pressure from the political Opposition and transparency activists and for the first time, broken its silence on the secrecy surrounding the award of the multimillion-dollar contract to several close allies of the coalition to conduct forensic audits into State agencies. The Administration disclosed that approximately $133 million was spent on the forensic audits thus far.

Serious crimes jump by 9%

dvocates capitalised on the opportunity ahead of the May 11 elections to initiate a conversation with policy makings on the need for legislative reforms on the use of marijuana. Both the People's Progressive Party/ Civic and more particularly the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition pledged to review the laws. This movement gained momentum coming on to the end of 2015 with AFC Chairman and Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes preparing a draft legislation to amend the laws regarding the marijuana usage.

Rice crisis

T

he Guyana Police Force announced that serious crimes have increased by nine per cent at the end of November 2015 when compared to the corresponding period in 2014. Among the serious crimes policed by the Force are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

BBCI and Govt signed toll reduction agreement

T

he rice industry barely managed to survive in 2015 despite Government’s refusal to help the suffering industry. After promising that $23 billion would be budgeted for the rice farmers, it was later revealed that this is not so. For the first time ever, rice farmers from across the country assembled in front of the Ministry of the Presidency in protest – desperately calling on Government for help.

Sugar crisis

A

n agreement worth $31 million in subsidy was inked between the Guyana Government and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) to facilitate the reduction of tolls effective January 1. With this new fare adjustment, this means Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which had invested $281 million and would have benefited from $30.9 million annually, with this much lower interest rate it would be receiving an average of $21 million each year instead. Likewise, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union’s investment of $81 million that would have been bringing in $8.9 million per annum, would now be getting an average $6 million yearly. In August, the BBCI had rejected Government’s offer of financial subsidies to cover the loss of tolls that would result from the APNU/ AFC’s election promise being fulfilled, on the grounds that its shareholders were not consulted on the matter.

T

he sugar industry received tremendous blows in 2015, having faced numerous challenges in areas of production, workers’ satisfaction and wages, and Government’s overall outlook for the development of the sector. Sugar workers particularly suffered immensely, having been deprived of their Christmas bonuses and having faced a number of uncertainties regarding the direction of the industry. Arguably, the year 2015 recorded the most protests ever staged by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union-aligned sugar workers.

20

friDAY, january 1, 2016 | guya

E Most Silent Award

(For never saying anything about anything post election)

very year, around this time, Guyana Times Satiricus finds pleasure in handing out prestigious awards to perso There were scores of nominees in each category and our judging panel had a difficult time in coming up with We salute the winners of every category and thank all those Guyanese who made nominations.

Best Dancer of the Year

(For those who have the art of dancing)

David Granger

Kankawah of the Ye (After 2am)

Khemraj Rumj

Mike Mc Cormack &

Best Actor of the Decade (For those who have been acting since slice bread and retired acting)

Ian Chang

Best Diwali Vocalist of the Year Award

Dr Vindya Persaud

Spelling Bee Award o

Irfaan Al

Norman McLean Best Leak Award (For mastering the art of leaking information)

Sooba Award

(For fighting Carol Sooba with all his might and still losing in the end)

Hamilton Green

Best Ship Jumper

Ernie Desmond Ross Anand Goatsarran

Golden Globe Trust Award

Clive Thomas

Best Denial Award (For denying evidence and facts that are available to all human beings)

Wendell Blanhum

Double Aw SUV Award larwah Awar

(for getting some and yet still noth

Moses Nagam

21

y 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

ards to persons in society who have left an indelible impression on the minds of Guyanese from all walks of life. ming up with the winners.

Palm Tree Award

(For those who take green growth so seriously)

Sailing Award

Bharrat Jagdeo

(For the four below who have continued to sail while performing their official duties)

wah of the Year Award (After 2am)

mraj Rumjattan

Most Bitten Man Award

Clement Rohee

Apology of the Year Award (For those who have mastered the art of apologising)

Noel Holder

Joseph Harmon

Bee Award of the Year

Irfaan Ali

uble Award SUV Award larwah Award

getting something d yet still nothing)

s Nagamootoo

Nicolette Henry Best Soup Drinker of the Year (For drinking the most soup and changing the recipe every time)

Clinton Urling

Best Anti-Social Award (For managing to remain anti-social even with her own colleagues)

Amna Ally

Annette Ferguson Best Job Keeper Award (For mastering the art of holding on to a job which will be lost anyways)

Omar Shariff

Miss Opposition 2016 (For being the only modern woman to remain in Opposition so long)

Africo Selman

Dawn Hastings

22

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Renowned Guyanese Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj (79) Died on: October 28, 2015

Margery Kirkpatrick - Caterer, Author and Historian (76) Died on: March 21, 2015

CEO of Professional Guard Services Inc Dougal Kirkpatrick (75) Died on: September 19, 2015

Dr Faith Harding - Former Govt Minister, Educator, and Psychotherapist (67) Died on: January 23, 2015

Raschid Osman - Veteran Journalist (78) Died on: November 21, 2015

Ursulla Ramdayal - Journalist (65) Died on: September 7, 2015

Peter Short –Former WICB President (89) Died on: August 4, 2015

Calvin Roberts – Sport Journalist (43) Died on: April 28, 2015

Ron Legall - Cricket statistician (72) Died on: August 3, 2015

The Venerable Cornell Jerome Moss - Anglican Bishop of Guyana (56) Died on: May 30, 2015

Bobbi Kristina Brown (22) Died on: July 26, 2015

Ellen Albertini Dow - Actress (101) Died on: May 4, 2015

Fred Thompson - Former Senator (73) Died on: November 1, 2015

Andrew Juman - Designer Died on: August 28, 2015

Andrew ‘Six Heads’ Lewis Guyana’s first world boxing champion (43) Died on: May 4, 2015

Zenita Nicholson LGBT activist (37) Died on: October 26, 2015

Year-in-review 23

friDAY, January 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Year-in-review

CPL another success story for Guyana in 2015

By Avenash Ramzan

F

or the third year in succession, Guyanese from all walks of life turned out in their thousands to witness the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), whose title sponsor Hero replaced Limacol for the 2015 edition of the “Biggest Party in Sport”.

The fans, the horns, the Guyana Amazon Warriors

packed to capacity.

The match was a repeat of the 2013 final, which was won by Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs, and it pitted the huge Jamaican globe-trotting T20 star against the magical spin of mystery man Sunil Narine.

Despite none of them taking the field, as the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled, the party in the stands and on

Fans were not afraid to express themselves at Providence

paraphernalia, the tassa drums and the sexy cheerleaders ushered in the CPL in grand style in mid-July, and despite a rained-out first game between home franchise Guyana Amazon Warriors and Jamaica Tallawahs, the National Stadium at Providence was

the East Bank thoroughfare went on way after the team buses had exited the venue and returned the players to the hotel.

Two days later, the disappointment of a washout turned to joy, as the Denesh Ramdin-led Amazon Warriors defeated Darren

Sammy’s St Lucia Zouks by seven wickets in a hardfought contest. The Zouks batted first and posted 1117 with Narine being brilliant on the night, snaring 3-6 from four miserly overs.

South African seamer David Wiese took 2-25, as Henry Davids (25) and Kevin Pietersen (24) were among the runs.

The patience of the fans was severely tested during the run-chase however, as leg-spinner Keron Cottoy cut through the middle-order with a four-wicket haul.

It took a fighting knock of 39 not out from 45 balls, and a fluent 31 from opener Lendl Simmons to take the Amazon Warriors over the line at 112-7 with two overs remaining.

Match three in Guyana in 2015 was a repeat of the 2014 final, which the Barbados Tridents won under controversial circumstances against the Amazon Warriors. Tridents again prevailed, this time by 14 runs.

Batting first, Tridents scraped to 125-9 with Wiese ripping through the middleorder with figures of 5-30, while leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo grabbed 2-23.

Jason Holder and Reyad Emrit made 30 and 21 respectively for the Tridents,

The Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrate a wicket

whose captain, the effervescent Kieron Pollard took 4-30 as the Amazon Warriors were restricted to 111-6 when the overs finished.

Amazon Warriors fans were certainly not too pleased with the outcome of that 2014 final, and they made their feelings known to Pollard and company, but the men in blue had the last laugh, as only Australian Brad Hodge (27) got past 25 for the home franchise.

With the Amazon Warriors boasting as many as three Trinidad and Tobago nationals in the squad, the final game in Guyana against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel was geared to produce fireworks as former team-

mates went head-to-head.

The South African fast bowler Merchant DeLange rocked the Red Steel batting, as they could only muster 117-8 with another Proteas player Cameron Delport topscoring with 44.

DeLange, bowling with pace and venom, collected 4-23, while Bishoo grabbed 2-19.

Fittingly, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s finest batsmen in the format, Lendl Simmons, then pounced on Red Steel bowlers, smashing his way to an unbeaten 65 (5x4s, 3x6s) to lead the Amazon Warriors to a commanding win at 118-3 in 17 overs.

Hodge showed his class in a steady innings of 33 from 25 as the Amazon Warriors ended their cam-

paign at home with a victory that definitely left the fans with huge hope of them lifting the trophy for the first time.

However, that hope turned to despair, as the Red Steel returned the favour in the semi-final, winning by six wickets in the playoff segment of the tournament in the twin-island republic.

Again, Simmons was among the runs, but apart from his 64, no other batsman got going as the Amazon Warriors mustered 108-9.

The Amazon Warriors did manage to take the match deep, but Kamran Akmal’s 49 proved the difference, as Red Steel responded with 109-4 in 18.3 overs.

Dwayne Bravo’s Red Steel, owned by Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan, would go on to lift the trophy for the first time, beating the Tridents by 20 runs in an entertaining final.

It has been reported that Guyana will host the semifinals and final of the Hero CPL 2016, and given the tremendous support over the last three years, one can bet on tickets for the Guyana leg being sold out earlier than usual.

Cricket... Guyana Blossoms

By Akeem Greene

W

hile the regional side struggled to compete at the international level, Guyana’s cricket blossomed at all levels. The senior team dominated all forms of the game especially the 4-day league. Albeit they did not capture any

limited over titles, the performances were certainly outstanding.

The youth teams also produced commendable performances.

Credit has to go to the level of preparation that occurs before teams depart these shores and most importantly, the quality of

the local players.

With an improvement in First Division cricket due to the creation of the Local Franchise League, it would not be wrong to be optimistic about how Guyana will perform come 2016.

G

Demerara, and Essequibo. All of which are assigned professional guest players. Throughout the competition, several young players produced some exceptional performances.

In the final, brilliant hundred from Seon Hetmyer and a superb all-round performance from Royston Crandon spurred Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/Canje to a commanding 121-run win over Upper Corentyne. Both team received cash prizes.

The tournament is set to be an annual fixture and is geared towards creating a more professional system of cricket in Guyana.

Cricket Board Drubahadur contended that the year past was a successful one for the GCB, adding that “this year, we had brought home several regional titles”.

“In the coming year, we want to focus on upgrading those community grounds; and we also want to continually upgrade our LBI facility to ensure that it is top class,” Tramayne Smartt added Drubahadur.

W

V

NAGICO SUPER50

uyana, placed in group A alongside Windward Islands, Barbados and Combined Campuses and Colleges, played unbeaten throughout the group stages and semi-finals until they had a horrific final against hosts Trinidad and Tobago which they lost by 135 runs.

A century from Jason Mohammed a n chored Trinidad & Tobago to a total of 200 for 8, and it proved amply defendable as Sunil Narine ran through Guyana to finish with figures of 6 for 9. Guyana tumbled to 65 all out, their innings lasting only 23.5 overs.

T

Local Franchise League

he inaugural Cricket Guy Inc (CGI) Local Franchise was played in December. The aim of the tournament was to widen the pool of players to select from, and to provide greater opportunities for local players. Eight league teams were set up across the country, namely: Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne/ New Amserdam/Canje, West Berbice, East Coast Georgetown, East Bank/Upper Demerara, West

Royston Crandon

Guyana Cricket Board Awards

est Indies Spinner Veerasammy Permaul and fellow Berbician Tramayne Smartt were crowned male and female cricketers of the year respectively when the Guyana Cricket Board held its annual ceremony Permaul had an outstanding year at the regional level last year playing integral roles in ensuring that Guyana took home various regional titles.

Smartt, who has played 51 One Veerasammy Permaul Day Internationals for the women’s team, has been a consistent player in the side and was a part of the team for the tour by Pakistan.

During the award ceremony, President of the Guyana

“Tiger” dropped from Windies

eteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s illustrious 21-year career appeared all but over after he was dumped from the West Indies Test squad in May. West Indies Chairman of Selectors, Clive Lloyd had said that the 40-yearShivarine Chanderpaul old Chanderpaul had suffered a “rapid” decline in form and as a result, they had decided to look to the future.

Chanderpaul had played 164 Tests – the most by a West Indies player – and had amassed 11,867 at an average of 51.

He is 86 runs short of overtaking Brian Lara (11,953) as the all-time run-getter in West Indies cricket.

24 Cricket...

Year-in-review

friDAY, January 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Motie's standout performances in PCL

A

t the age of 20 years, 273 days, Gudakesh Motie has been rocking the headlines in regional cricket with phenomenal wicket taking ability.

Motie, who made his FirstClass debut in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) FourDay Professional Cricket League, was a standout and undoubtedly a major reason for Guyana sitting comfortably at the top of the points table after winning all their games to date.

In his five First-Class Gudakesh Motie matches, Motie has snared 34 wickets at an astounding average of 11.73; he already has five five-wicket hauls and one match haul of 11-105.

T

Guyana Jaguars top PCL

he Guyana Jaguars swept the inaugural edition of the WICB’s revamped, regional First-Class tournament with 148 points, outscoring second placed Barbados Pride, who managed only 117 points. It meant that Guyana dethroned former champions Barbados Pride The Jaguars have not lost a match in 12 games, drawing one against Trinidad the 2014/2015 competition.

Now in the 2015/2016 edition they are still unbeaten and currently hold a 22-point lead over second placed Barbados Pride heading in the final leg of the tournament which begins on February 11.

Guyana crowned champions of Regional U-19 Tournament

L

ed by a half century opening partnership Guyana defeated Jamaica to retain the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19 50-over tournament.

Openers Tevin Imlach and Shimron Hetmyer produced a 59-run first wicket partnership to help Guyana beat the hosts by four wickets to lift the 2015 championship trophy.

Chasing 246 for victory, Shimron Hetmyer Guyana reached 250 for six off 46 overs with Hetmyer scoring 55 and Sherfane Rutherford and Kassem Khan making 45 and 43 not out respectively.

Guyanese quartet selected for West Indies Under-19 encampment

S

himron Hetmyer, Tevin Imlach, Akshaya Persaud and Keemo Paul were selected to be a part of the West Indies Under-19 encampment in Bangladesh in Decemeber Hetmyer, an opening batsman, is no doubt the most prolific young batsman in the Region. He was the WICB U-19 Cricketer-of-the-Year in 2014 and at this year’s Under-19 tournament; he scored the most runs (355 with one century and two half-centuries).

Keemo Paul He also registered the highest individual score (135 against Leeward Islands).

Left arm spinner Persaud is noted for his economical bowling figures and his ability to withstand pressure. He is also a dependable middle-order batsman All-rounder Paul burst onto the scene last year in the Inter-County Competition and kept progressing rapidly. He is deemed as Guyana’s most dependable youth cricketer as he Akshaya Persaud is noted for pulling his team out of trouble Imlach is an opening wicket-keeper batsman, who hails from the Demerara Cricket Club and can bat and wicket keep. In the Under-19 tournament, he scored 61 against

Trinidad and Tobago. What was significant about that innings was that he batted through the innings, keeping the innings together and taking Guyana to victory.

The World Cup is to be played in Bangladesh from January 22, 2016.

Spin twins combo of Bishoo and Permaul

T

Devendra Bishoo

he power of teamwork and unity has been underscored by members of the Guyana Jaguars team following their remarkable success at the recently-concluded West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day competition.

Albion spin twins Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul combined for a whopping 128 wickets, inclusive of eight five-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket match figures.

Bishoo, the leg-spinner, claimed 61 wickets, the second highest in the tournament. His performance was motivated after being dropped from the West Indies team and subsequently by the Guyana team last year.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Permaul bagged a recordbreaking 67 wickets and credited his performance to the hard work he has been putting in.

Both players were the major reason behind Guyana’s success at the 2014/2015 PCL.

G

F

5 Guyanese played West Indies cricket this year

ive Guyanese p l a y e d International Cricket this year for the West Indies. Leon Johnson batting a number three made a valuable 54 against South Africa in January at Cape Town. He also played three ODIs against the same South Africa team S h i v n a r i n e Chanderpaul played four test matches this year Leon Johnson but only managed one half century.

Opener Rajendra Chandrika made his debut against Australia this year and went unto play three test matches.

Devendra made a comeback into the test team after a three year hiatus. Bishoo played four test matches for regional side and picked 6-80 in top bowling performance against the tour Austraiians.

Bishoo’s wicket of Brad Haddin was touted by many as the ball of the century when it pitched outside leg and spun to hit the top of the off stump.

Rajendra Chandrika V e e r a s a m m y Permaul also returned to the test team after two years where played two test matches, one against England and the other Australia.

Guyana unbeaten in U-15 title defence

uyana, led by Sachin Singh, won the competition to retain their title in July. In the final game played at the Providence National Stadium, Windwards were set 200 to win from their 50 overs. They were restricted to 101 in 38.1 overs after player of the match Umrao’s 5-32 and fast-bowler Haifa Walters (2-5) from six overs helped set up a brilliant win for Guyana.

In attempting the run-chase, Windwards opener DhanRaj Cepal top-scored with 35 from 101 balls with one four.

Guinness in the Street review

T

By Treiston Joseph

he Guinness Greatest of the Streets small goal futsal tournament has turned into a main staple in the community sport realm of Guyana and is probably one of the biggest year round attractions in the nation. For that reason it is only fair to highlight that the sport has helped develop the community landscape of sport in Guyana.

The Guinness Greatest of the Streets tournament is an event that others have tried to replicate and failed to imitate and that type of connection with the community speaks to the success the event has had not just in 2015 but even before that.

In 2015, Sparta Boss emerged as the 2014/2015 National Champions but were unable to make it Sparta Boss Captain, Devon Millington (blue) makes a move with the ball

Sparta Boss lift one of their many trophies in the Guinness Greatest of the Streets tournament

past the quarterfinal round of the Caribbean challenge which was held in Jamaica.

Nevertheless, the sport has helped improved the image of communities such as Tigerbay, Albouystown, Sophia, North Ruimveldt and many more.

The tournament give youths from these communities the opportunity to not only be seen but heard and while persons might call it a “ghetto sport” it is a sport that has transformed the lives of individuals and that by itself is reason to celebrate the success of

the Guinness Greatest of the Streets tournament.

The 2015/2016 season has started, with Sparta Boss winning the Georgetown leg of the tournament in November, and with the dawn of 2016 fast approaching, the future looks bright for a tournament that has truly given back to the communities across Guyana.

Year-in-review 25 friDAY, January 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Tremendous success for football in 2015

By Avenash Ramzan

F

New GFF President Wayne Forde (third right) with some members of Team Integrity

ootball enjoyed tremendous success in 2015, especially at the administrative level. With the tenure of the Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee coming to an end, a new Executive Committee was elected at the November 14 Congress at the Marriott Hotel.

Team Integrity, led by businessman and President of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club, Wayne Forde, won the close election 12-10 against the Nigel Hughes-led Team Unity. All 22 Member Associations of the GFF participated in what has been dubbed in many quarters as one of the most significant elections in the history of the local governing body. Speaking moments after being elected, Forde said he envisaged a “challenging task”, but said he was confident in his slate, which comprises Colonel Bruce Lovell, Rawlston Adams, Thandi McAllister, Dion Inniss, Magzine Stewart, Rayan Farrias and Keith O’Jeer.

“This is a journey that we cannot take alone. We need all hands on deck, and throughout the campaign we’ve expressed at every opportunity, the importance of including all stakeholders…and I believe that that will be the hallmark of this executive for the next four years,” Forde explained. It was also announced that the Normalisation Committee was unanimously voted in as an Honourary Member of the GFF, without voting and decision-making rights.

was adamant the national programme must continue to gain traction to ensure the development of local football does not stagnate.

“For sure, we’re not going to the World Cup, but for sure we have a programme to build, and if you know me, I’m not weak in heart. We have a lot of youngsters on the fringe, we have FIFA dates coming up and I think it’s necessary for us to play on all those FIFA dates, Jamaal Shabazz and not let the football do what it did two and a half years and remain dormant.

Football is to be played, and now we’ve got to build a product,” Shabazz had asserted.

Prior to the installment of the Clinton Urling-led FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee, the national senior Men’s team had become dysfunctional, and it was only in February 2015 when Shabazz was re-appointed for a third stint that the players had re-assembled.

I

The Stag Elite n September, the Guyana League (Genesis) Football Federation was completed launched the Stag in 2015 Elite League, an initiative geared at revolutionalising local football. The Genesis phase was completed in 2015 with West Demerara side Slingerz FC being crowned champions. The Finale will take place in 2016.

Alpha United, Slingerz FC, Buxton United, Monedderlust, Guyana Defence Force, Georgetown Football Club, Pele and Fruta Conquerors are the eight participating teams. Apart from securing one of the two spots to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship and probably the CONCACAF Champions League, a club could pocket as much as $10 million at the completion of the League.

T

he Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in May signed a 30-year lease with the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council for use of the Providence Community Centre Ground, East Bank Demerara.

Chairman of the Normalisation Committee ,Clinton Urling and Eccles/ Ramsburg NDC Chairman Said Khan signed the relevant documents to seal the deal in the presence of the Clinton Urling then General Secretary of the GFF Richard Groden and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry, Abena Moore.

Urling, who divulged that a High Performance Technical Centre will be erected on the 8.5 acres of land, said the signing of the lease was a “monumental occasion” for Guyana.

“This is a blockbuster lease that would change the face of football in Guyana forever,” Urling said. He added that the Normalisation Committee has been in discussion with football’s world governing body FIFA about starting the Goal Project at the East Bank Demerara location, as well as commencing the FIFA’s Challenger Project, under which an artificial pitch will be built.

That investment, which Urling described as “major”, is estimated to be in the vicinity of US$500,000.

Urling said the ultimate aim is to make the GFF a self-sustainable organisation that would not have to rely on FIFA, and other partners such as the Government and corporate entities.

I

n June, Guyana’s senior national Men’s team, the Golden Jaguars were booted at the second round of qualification for the 2018 Russia World Cup, following a high-scoring 4-4 draw against St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The ‘away’ game against the same opponent had ended 2-2 five days earlier, and based on the calculations for points of home and away goals, the Vincentians had a superior record, thereby guaranteeing their spot in the next round.

Despite the misfortune, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz

The Lady Jags have advanced to the next round of the Olympic Qualifier

W

hile the Men’s team suffered an early exit, the Lady Jags have advanced to the next stage of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier tournament, and will play Canada on February 11, 2016, at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Texas.

Guyana was placed in Group B of the tournament, alongside Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, while world champions USA. heads the ‘Group of death’ that also includes rivals Mexico, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica.

By virtue of defeating Jamaica 2-1 in November in Trinidad, the Lady Jags would have qualified for their second CONCACACF tournament, making them the country’s most successful football programme, given the fact that the Men’s team are yet to play in a major confederation championship. The top two finishers will earn Olympic berths.

I

n December, the Executive Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) met and unanimously gave the go-ahead for commencement of work on Guyana’s FIFA Goal Project.

GFF President Wayne Forde highlighted the need for the Federation to have a home, which will aid in the development of the game.

The project will now be sent out for international tender by FIFA and once the world body identifies a supplier of the artificial turf, work is expected to begin and a timeframe of five months for the laying of the artificial turf has been set.

It was pointed out that the project, which will be con-

The conceptual design of the Goal Project that was approved

structed on the plot of land at Providence, will be completed in two phases, with the first being the installation of the artificial turf.

The second phase will see infrastructure such as stands, lights, beach and futsal training pitches, mini pitches and an administrative centre for the headquarters of the GFF being established.

This is Guyana’s second attempt at a Goal Project, which is funded by FIFA under its development initiatives.

Volleyball made gradual progress in 2015

T

By Avenash Ramzan

he discipline of volleyball made gradual progress in 2015, ending the year in a better shape than it started. In February, the incumbent John Flores was re-elected for another term as President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF).

The Demerara Volleyball Association also had its elections in June with Alan Pompey replacing Jagdeshwar Doolchand, while in December, the Berbice Volleyball Association got a John Flores new head in the person of Levi Nedd. Previous President Gregory Rambarran did not seek re-election. In July, the GVF hosted the Premier League competition, with Port Mourant Training Centre copping the Male title, and Vanguard topping the distaff side. The following month, the male national team competed in the Continental Cup Beach tournament in Brazil, while in October, they attended the Indoor Continental Cup in the same country. Although the males failed to win a game, they had put up a spirited challenge against more seasoned countries. In November, four female players participated in the South American Beach Confederation in Uruguay. The pairs of Subrina Munroe and Odile Broomes, and Iambie Cave and Daniella Ian Wills Collier lost all their games in straight sets, failing to score beyond eight points throughout the competition, which employed the 21 points format. In giving a candid assessment of the team’s performance, Coach Ian Wills said it had become glaringly clear that local volleyball needed some sort of restructuring and a properly documented and well-thought-out plan to improve the quality and standard of the game in Guyana.

The GVF also successfully hosted the annual Tradewind Tankers invitational tournament, with Demerara lifting the Male title. It was the first time in the competition’s fiveyear history that a local team had won a category. Yelyco of Suriname made a successful Levi Nedd defence of the Female trophy.

With the blessings of the GVF, there was also a school tournament for the first time in years in Demerara.

It was organised by St Roses High Level A Class.

Throughout 2015, the GVF also made contributions of volleyballs and nets to various schools and communities throughout Guyana, including hinterland areas.

26

Year-in-review

friDAY, January 1, 2016 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Busy year for the sport of cycling

I

By Avenash Ramzan

t was another busy year for the sport of cycling, with national coach Hassan Mohamed conducting over 40 programmes, both on the road and on the inner circuit of the National Park. During the school vacation, he also hosted the 38th annual Teach Them Young programme, sponsored exclusively by the National Sports Commission. Arguably the Hassan Mohamed oldest cyclingnursery in the Caribbean, it was able to once again churn out age group champions, while attracting several newcomers to the sport.

The top performers of the 2015 Independence Three-Stage

I

ndependence Three-Stage: Team Gillette’s Evolution’s Orville Hinds won the 33rd edition of the National Sports Commission’s Independence ThreeStage road race, clocking six hours, 03.2 seconds. Lindener Hinds placed fourth in the first stage from Corriverton to New Amsterdam (46.6 miles); second in the second stage from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue (60.4 miles ); and third on the final stage from Linden to Carifesta Avenue (64.5 miles). Raphael Leung was the overall winner of the junior category in a time of six hours, 58 minutes, 49 seconds, while Ian Jackson won the veterans division in a time of six hours, 57 minutes, five seconds.

T

our of Guyana FiveStage: In 2015, the Ride for Life Five-Stage was rebranded Tour of Guyana by the new administration. The ninth annual event, which touched all three counties of Guyana, was won by Team Gillette’s Evolution’s Raul Leal. Leal finished with an overall time of 10 hours, 03 minutes, 31 seconds (10h: 03m: 31s) to cop his maiden Five-Stage title. Trojan Cycling Club’s Andrew Hicks, who finished 11th overall with a time of 10 hours, 09 minutes, 16 sec- Raul Leal onds (10h: 09m: 16s), was the top junior rider. The respective stage winners were Carlos Ospina (1st stage), Jaime Ramirez (2nd stage), Raynauth Jeffrey (3rd stage), Alanzo Greaves (4th stage) and Jamal Eastmond (5th stage).

D

ope test: By no means discrediting Raul Leal’s success in the Ride for Life FiveStage, his rise to the top podium spot came by default. Team Coco’s Carlos Ospina refused to take a random drug test at the end of the five stages by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) local representatives, leading to him being disqualified and losing the top position on the overall leaderboard. Ospina was among 10 rider, who were identified to be tested by WADA, as mandated by the world governing body for cycling, the UCI. The Columbian refused to

subject himself to the test, thereby forcing the organisers of the race not to acknowledge him as champion.

Ospina’s teammates Darren Matthews, Jaime Ramirez, Raynauth Jeffrey and Hamzah Eastman were also eventually tested, after they initially expressed reservations.

The Guyanese trio Alanzo Greaves (Team Mengoni), Leal and Geron Williams (Continental), along with Marloe Rodman (Heatwave) and Jamal Eastmond (Heatwave) were also tested. The samples were sent to be analysed. An official pronouncement by WADA is yet to be made.

G

u y a n a Cycling News awards: Team Gillette Evolution’s Orville Hinds, and the Team Coco’s pair Jamal John and Junior Niles emerged as the top riders for 2015 in the three major categories.

After the tabulation of points

by Guyana Cycling News, a Facebook forum, Hinds emerged as the leading Senior rider, while John was the top Junior cyclist, and Niles the leading Veteran rider.

Hinds, who recorded a chart-topping seven victories in the Orville Hinds Senior category, finished the season with 203 points, 22 more than Alanzo Greaves (181 points and five wins) of Roraima Bikers Club. Greaves was one of six riders to record five or more wins in 2015.

In the Junior division, John of Team Coco’s was the runaway winner with 190 points, followed by Raphael Leung of WS United on 100 points. John had 25 first place finishes, while Leung had five.

In the Veterans category, Junior Niles of Team Coco’s, who racked up an impressive 24 wins during the season, amassed a whopping 176 points, followed by Jaikaran Sookhai of Carlton Wheelers, way behind in second place on 65 points.

explained that these athletes would have had to compete at the FINA World Championships. Two of the three athletes will be selected and Gaskin and Sanmoogan are the likely candidates.

Gaskin, Persaud set Goodwill records, as Guyana finish 5th at Goodwill Swim Meet

N

ational record-holder Aleka Persaud also became a Goodwill Swim Meet record-holder as well as Guyana’s Hannibal Gaskin, while Team Guyana finished fifth at the Centre of Excellence Swimming Pool, Macoya in Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana finished fifth with 501.5 points, while the event was won by the Trinidad team who successfully defended their title after amassing 1477 points.

In the Boys’ 15-17 catego- Aleka Persaud ry Gaskin’s 1:58.66s in the 200m freestyle was just enough to surpass the 1:59.29s record set by Barbados’ Justin Babb back in 2009

Electronic timing close to becoming a reality at Aquatic Centre

Swimming T

By Akeem Greene

T

he swimming sport continues to develop to stage where we can formidably complete on both the regional and international scene. The facilities are in place and more are scheduled to be added, so the hope will remain that in the near future we can have a Olympic medal in swimming.

he National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown could benefit from an upgrade in the form of an electronic timer which is a prime necessity in this modern era of sport.

The 50m pool is seen as a prime opportunity for young swimmers to practice under the international standards of swimming

North Gtown are Swimming Champions yet again

Warm up pool commissioned

A

fter the Construction of the Guyana’s Olympic size (50m) swimming pool the preceding year they were several calls made to have a warm-up pool installed. The state-of-the-art, 25-metre warm-up/ warm-down pool was commissioned in Feburary. The pool is in the compound of the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal.

Guyana is now in a prime position to host major regional and international competitions, thereby deriving enormous benefits and recognition for the country.

H

annibal Gaskin, Jamila Sanmmogan and Andy Fowler are tipped to be Guyana’s Olympic wild cards at the RIO 2016 Olympics. Coach Sean Baksh

A

result which was not a surprise to many saw North Georgetown/District 11 winning the Swimming Championships of the 55th National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track & Field Championships which were held at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal by compiling a whopping 866 points North Georgetown held off some stiff competition from Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) who accumulated 790 points as the Linden swimmers tested the cream of the crop of Guyana’s swimming team.

Skeete sizzles at National Schools Swimming Championships

N

ational swimmer Jamal Skeete lived up to expectations as he sped away with three gold medals at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal.

Skeete produced a fleet of dominating performances to help his North Georgetown/District 11 team to victory at the GTU/MoE/ Digicel 55th annual National Schools Championships.

Gaskin, Sanmoogan, Fowler tipped to be Guyana’s wildcards at Rio Olympics

Carlos Ospina

GASA President Ivan Persaud (right) with scholarship awardee Jamila Sanmoogan (centre) and Director of Colombia's National School of Sport, Jose Fernando Arroyo Valencia

Hannibal Gaskin,

Jamal Skeete

Year-in-review 27

Table tennis year in review

By Treiston Joseph

T

able Tennis had an on-par 2015, judging by the usual excellent standards the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has depicted in times past.

Hampered by the 2015 General Elections, the sport never fully recovered from some of their missed tournaments and funding that would have probably helped develop the Chelsea Edghill sport.

Nevertheless, table tennis is an ever-improving sport discipline in Guyana and that can be attested to the fact that in 2015 the GTTA signed off on a new sub-association all the way in Essequibo that will only broaden the deep talent pool of players the Association has at its disposal.

In addition, with a Guyanese team doing well in Jamaica in February and another squad performing well at the North American Teams Championship in October, one can say that the GTTA still had some success on the court.

However, one of the major breakthroughs was top table tennis star Chelsea Edghill receiving a scholarship at Lindenwood University in Missouri, USA where she has continually shown improvement with some dominant performances.

In addition, the Association continues to build its nursery of talent hosting a summer camp while developing its officiating with an umpire’s workshop as Shemar Britton well as a teachers' training camp which will do wonders in developing school talent.

With table tennis having an abundance of talent at the junior level such as the Shemar Britton’s, Selenas Jackman’s, Nevaeh Clarkston’s and Kaysan Ninvalle’s of the sport, with the requisite support like athletics, it might blossom into a top sport in the country.

friDAY, January 1, 2016

| guyanatimesGY.com

Athletics year in review I

t has definitely been a tough 2015 for athletics in Guyana with mild international success and a few outstanding local performances.

Nevertheless, the three things that immediately come to mind when looking back at the 2015 year for athletics (and I must put at one) The commissioning of Guyana’s first synthetics facility in April dubbed the National Track and Field Centre which is situated at Leonora.

2) The performance of the entire Special Olympics squad that bagged six medals including one gold medal

by Calvin Thomas, the outstanding Guyanese at the event who was also interviewed by ESPN. The third happening that readily comes to mind is Winston George lowering the national 400 metres record

By Treiston Joseph

twice; one of those times being at the World Championships.

Poor AAG performance

In my estimation, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) hasunderperformed in 2015, making little if any progress from the small amount in 2014.

Why I say this is due to the fact that being unable to field a squad at the Carifta games regardless of the circumstance is totally unacceptable.

Measures must be put in place long in advance in order for such atrocities to not happen.

In addition, the lack of capable personnel is plaguing the AAG and whether they like it or not it is the simple truth.

The inability of a team manager or

coach to make basic decisions such as keeping the passports of all athletes before a flight is simply egregious.

This resulted in another youth team being unable to participate at an international event when one athlete forgot their passport at home in Linden and the team manager/coach chose to have all athletes wait on the athlete that made such a blunder.

If that is not all, the AAG brought in an official from Trinidad for a workshop that deals with the Fully Automatic Time (FAT) system and to date the AAG is still incapable of setting up the system for its full use.

To top it off, the AAG continues to operate without a senior vice-president after Gavin Hope resigned in May due to undisclosed reasons. A dysfunctional bunch indeed.

Bright future ahead

The Special Olympics team is honoured by Digicel after their successful return in August

N

evertheless, as is always the case, Guyana is littered with an abundance of talent and 2015 displayed that very fact.

Kenesha Phillips is definitely the standout youth athlete, breaking long – standing records at the National School Championships while also placing first in the 100, 200 and 400 metres events at the Hampton International Games held in Trinidad.

Compton Caesar also readily comes to mind and is the standout youth athlete of 2015 as well, his leg turnovers coupled with the fact that he ranks among the seniors in both the 100 and 200 metres along with

reaching the final of the 200 metres at the Commonwealth Youth Games is a testament to gems that need polishing in Guyana.

There are also names such as Jevina Sampson, Tirana Mitchell, Avon Samuels, Natricia Hooper, Jason Yaw, Cassey George; all with the potential to be great with the right assistance.

All in all, Guyana had a tough 2015 and 2016 will need better administrators along with financial assistance if the sport is to move forward, because if anything is a fact, it is simply that Guyana has the talent to be a great nation in Athletics.

Rupert Perry wins the first 100 metres at the National Track and Field Centre as part of its commissioning ceremony

28

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

news

29

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

New Year's Messages PPP New PNCR New Government’s New Year's message Year’s message Year’s message

G

uyana stands at the dawn of a New Year, 2016.

This marks Guyana’s Golden Jubilee, a monumental landmark celebrating 50 years as an independent state.

2016 follows a year of political change in Guyana.

But it also came with new challenges, of threats from external forces aimed at compromising our national patrimony. We thank the international community for its unwavering support of our country in defence of our territorial integrity and our sovereignty. As in the past, so shall it be in this New Year and forever more: We will not yield, not even a blade of grass.

As we embark on this historic year of reflection and celebration, as a people, it is incumbent upon us to rally together to make 2016 a year of meaningful change and progress. Over the past seven months the work to transform Guyana started. We can see a new landscape, of a clean and green Guyana, emerging.

However, 2016 must be the year of fundamental reorganisation of the manner in which our nation’s business is administered. There are major priority items which must be advanced – a reorganisation of our productive sectors including sugar, rice and mining; constitutional reform; telecommunications liberalisation; creating a green economy; expansion of national radio and television to all corners of Guyana; attracting major investment; revitalisation and strengthening of our agriculture sector; creating a business friendly environment and repositioning our tourism product.

The issues of constitutional reform and telecommunications liberalisation are especially critical priority items for 2016.

We need to remove all traces of authoritarian powers in our principal law, and to open up Guyana to the new wave of making telecommunications a viable industry. We need to end one-company monopoly in the telecommunications sector.

The archaic

telecommunications framework needs to be demolished and replaced with a forward-thinking system which will allow for low cost connectivity in all forms and across all geographic spaces without the constraints of limited bandwidth, weak signal and slow access. We need e-governance and e-commerce to be our new mode of doing business.

We need to transform Guyana’s ICT sector.

We want our young people, those in the formal education system and those who would have graduated from it, to master new technologies to access jobs and develop careers. Our spectrum is a national asset, and it must be used and protected.

Your Coalition Government is committed to pursuing an agenda which puts Guyana first and which pursues a good life for all in a green economy.

Our Coalition Government has re-established and reinforced the fundamentals of our democracy: observance of the doctrine of separation of powers among the executive and legislature and the judiciary; respect for the rule of law and the rights of citizens; support for a plural, free and open media; and care for our elderly and children and our working people.

This is also the year in which Local Government Elections will return after 18 years.

All citizens are encouraged to participate fully in these elections as you exercise your right to elect the community leaders of your choice and reactivate participatory, grassroots democracy in Guyana.

Our Government urges all citizens to help make our environment better. We all need to join the cleanup campaign. We all need to adopt the fresh approach. We need to reclaim our status as both proud and hospitable Guyanese.

The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana extends to all Guyanese here and in the Diaspora, best wishes for a successful, transformative and peaceful 2016.

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year to all Guyanese at home and abro ad.

2015 has brought significant changes to the political landscape of our country. Those changes took place at a time when our country was pregnant with transformative changes at the economic and social levels with the PPP/C at the helm.

Hundreds of thousands who had already benefitted from the people-centred social programmes and the economic opportunities initiated by the PPP/C administration looked forward to more opportunities but these are yet to come.

It is the hope and expectation of all Guyanese that 2016 will bring opportunities for all.

In 2016, we will celebrate

the 50th anniversary of our country’s independence. The PPP is proud of its significant contribution to the struggle for our country’s independence.

History has recorded Cheddi Jagan as the architect of Guyana’s independence struggle. We in the PPP will be celebrating our country’s independence anniversary at various levels and by different means.

2016 will also be a year of challenges, however, the Party will view every challenge as an opportunity to advance the just struggle of the Guyanese people for free and fair elections in future.

The PPP will exert every effort to ensure that the Guyanese working people are rightfully and justly rewarded with the fruits of their labour.

Happy New Year to all Guyanese

T

he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) extends greetings for a Happy New Year to all Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora. As the Year 2015 fades into history we welcome in 2016, our Jubilee Year: Guyana’s 50th Year as an independent nation.

For the People’s National Congress Reform, May 26, 2016 will indeed be a seminal moment. Following the general elections in 1964 the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the United Force (UF) joined together to form the new government. History would show that it was this coalition government (PNC+UF) that ushered in independence seventeen months later and Forbes Burnham would become Guyana’s first Prime Minister.

As the New Year dawns, the PNCR calls on all Guyanese, regardless of race, ethnicity,

political affiliation or religion, to participate in bringing about the transformation of our country so that Guyana’s vast resources may, at last, be made to serve the imperative for development and social advancement of all the people of Guyana.

On this the first day of the New Year, it is our hope that all of us will realise a measure of prosperity in our personal lives and that each of us, wherever we may be, will endeavour to make some contribution, however small, to the development of our country.

The PNCR, therefore, looks forward to participating, as it has successfully done in the past, in the continuing drive for the peaceful development of this dear land of ours. The Party wishes all Guyanese a very Happy New Year and looks forward to the New Year with optimism and hope.

30

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

News

31

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt refuses to send embattled GPL CEO on leave

– says he will stay on during probe

T

here is no need for interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), Colin Welch, to be sent on leave while he is being investigated, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has announced.

The Ministry is currently conducting internal investigations of alleged misconduct, fraud and corruption that surfaced recently against Welch.

However, at the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s yearend press briefing, Minister Patterson said the acting GPL CEO would not be sent on leave unless the findings of the investigations proved otherwise.

“I have not found it necessary to move him until that investigation is completed… his current status there doesn’t impede the investigations,” Patterson pointed out.

Asked whether it is procedural for someone under investigations to remain on the job, the Public Infrastructure Minister explained that it depended on the nature of the probe.

Welch was elevated from Deputy CEO Technical following former CEO Bharat Dindyal being relieved of his duties in August. At that time, Welch was accused of forging his credentials.

The acting CEO has once again found himself in hot water after allegations surfaced of his alleged involvement in the

tendering process for a multimillion-dollar meter contract.

However, Welch told Guyana Times that the allegations being levelled against him were totally fabricated, and, as such, he saw no “validity” in the accusations.

This newspaper understands that fraud was detected in the tendering process for about 28,000 prepaid meters being supplied to GPL at a cost in excess of US$4 million.

In April last, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) closed the bids with Tesco PLC, a British company that won the contract and undertook to supply the prepaid meters to Guyana.

Tesco was going to procure the meters from Shenzhen Clou Electronics Company Limited of China to supply to GPL. Subsequently, one bidder raised objections about the evaluation and award, claiming that Tesco’s supplier, Shenzhen Clou Electronics Company Limited, does not manufacture the 100amp meters required by GPL. This resulted in the tender board writing both Tesco and Shenzhen, seeking clarifications.

It was during the waiting period for responses that the controversially appointed Welch allegedly contacted the Chinese company, stating that it must lie about having the 100amp prepaid meters available in other countries.

12 organisations awarded with Medal of Service

A

s a part of the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations, President David Granger awarded the Medal of Service Award to 12 organisations.

The groups were awarded at the launch of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary at the Independence Arch on December 31.

The African Cultural and Development Association received the award for its outstanding service over the past 23 years in promoting harmonious race relations, community development and in association with international agencies and countrywide organisations, in advancing the educational, social and economic development of Guyana.

The ER Burrowes School of Art received its award in recognition of its sustained contributions in the development of fine arts.

Guyana Veterans Legion was awarded for its long and dedicated service in promoting harmonious relations, support, counselling and accommodation among veterans of World Wars I and II and the Guyana Defence Force.

The Makushi Research Unit received the MS for its indefatigable efforts in reviving the indigenous culture of the Makushi people of the North Rupununi by the teaching and translation as well as the publication of books in the Makushi language.

Mings Products and Services Limited received MS Award for its 25 years of outstanding service to Guyana in the distribution and servicing of quality products and the development of good business,

customer and community relations.

The National Dance Company received the MS for its long and considerable contribution in the field of dance and its unwavering commitment to develop and promotion of this art form.

Rose Hall Town and Youth Sports Club received their award for outstanding service over the past 25 years in the fields of sports, education and community development.

Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre Inc was also a reciepiant of MS for sustained, dedicated and outstanding service in the field of education and in community and social work.

The South Central Peoples Development Association received the award for the resource management of Wapishana traditional lands and communities in the South Central Rupununi through empowerment of the indigenous peoples, poverty reduction and sustainable use of traditional lands.

Theatre Guild of Guyana received its Medal of Service award for its considerable and meritorious contributions in the form of production and performance in the theatre arts.

Additionally, the Central Assembly of God Church received the award for its outstanding role in providing religious, social and educational leadership in the community.

And the Guyana Islamic Trust received its award for its sustained and outstanding service as a social and religious organisation and its partnership with local communities in which it constructed three schools.

Since the allegations came to light, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) had issued a statement, denouncing the ‘cavalier treatment’ by the APNU/ AFC coalition on the matter.

It stated that as a result of non-action by the Administration, the CEO is being given the chance to “correct himself in future, if not completely absolve him from any consequences of his actions”.

Welch seems never devoid of a controversy. In early August, Welch had clashed with Dindyal at GPL’s Sheriff Street offices after the then CEO overturned a decision to send home two senior staffers.

Prior to that, his actions had landed him under the microscope when he reportedly instructed a metering crew to conduct a search of Freedom House for the purpose of investigating.

Dindyal had acknowledged there was a ‘trend’ or ‘pattern’ being developed which indicated that Welch had been sending GPL crews to properties of persons who were/are affiliated with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

32 news

friday, JANUaRY 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Being (hyphenated) Guyanese

D

efending his ‘plural (cultural) society’ model, against charges it was ‘static’ and not incorporating a mechanism of change, MG Smith pointed out that invariably the different cultural segments were ‘differentially incorporated’ into the power relations of their societies and this fact, in and of itself, initiated change.

I’ve always felt that the political scientists and economists who pontificated on our national policies, ignored MG’s insight at our general peril. As citizens of polities that promised equality (via the state), their lived experiences inevitably would determine how they felt about the attainment (or not) of that egalitarian promise. Their experiences were filtered through their cultural lenses and it should not have surprised any, if the several groups (defined culturally) were differentially into the power structure, political consciousness would cleave along cultural (read ethnic) lines.

After decades of focusing on an economistic notion of equality, there is still not an appreciation of the need for cultural equality also. So much for the politics of ‘identity’ and ‘recognition’ in Guyana. There are some that posited if we had (or have) economic equality among the various ethnic groups, our troubles would be over. I’d like to vehemently disagree. We are not homo economicus… but more like homo culturalicus. Each group in Guyana has an economic elite, but we have not seen these elites making common cause over the past half century.

An indicia of the ‘power relations’ is who gets to define what is the “national culture” – to which all groups have to genuflect. And it is the differential incorporation of the various cultural groups in this equation that our policies on “multiculturalism” have to address.

“Multiculturalism’ demands that society present a full range of prospects, membership, and respect to all its members – regardless of cultural and religious differences – while also creatively accommodating them in a fashion that is both morally persuasive and practically effective for the majority of society.”

It’s positive the “Ministry of Culture” has now been jettisoned. The name itself – Culture – suggests pushing a singular, monolithic, overarching “culture” as a stalking horse for assimilation through the back door. We suggest our motto be changed to “Unity in Diversity through Equality in Diversity”. One definition of ‘multiculturalism’ suggests that it is “a systematic and comprehensive response to cultural and ethnic diversity with educational, linguistic, economic and social components and specific institutional mechanisms”. This suggests areas in which we initially pursue equality.

Now we want to stress that we certainly are not emphasising any ‘separatist ideal’ in which each group live in hermetically sealed enclaves. We are suggesting that the ‘equal treatment in culture’ imperative if implemented and becomes real, will eliminate the barriers of hauteur and exclusion that set off their inevitable reactions of resistance.

We believe when we deal with each other as equals there would be the inevitable cross-cultural fertilisation (in all directions) and not one-way that is seen as top down.

With the state out of ‘culture’ it should focus on promoting a feeling of “Guyaneseness” among our people through the conscious construction of a democratic state – the creation of conditions where we are all treated as one, equally, by the state. Equality of opportunity; human rights, encouragement of diversities, due process; justice and fair play and rule of law may seem dry compared to the warmth of the blood ties of “nation”, but they can engender the unity of public purpose and the recognition of individual worth where we can be proud of our common citizenship.

Citizenship of Guyana has to become something that has concrete meaning to all of us.

For Guyana then, our ethnicities would be defined outside our “Guyaneseness” and to be African-Guyanese or Indian-Guyanese would not be contradictory in any sense.

The first part of our identity would be specific while the latter universalistic. The “national” will now be a space where ethnically imagined communities can live and share. To be Guyanese would be to share moral precepts – norms, values and attitudes – rather than shared cultural experience and practice.

A “good Guyanese” would be one who is loyal to this country and strives to practice the secular universalistic ideological values it extols.

33

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

34 Entertainment friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Jumo Primo shortlisted for

Chutney/Soca Monarch with “Off the Rocks” G

uyanese artiste, Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo has been named one of the contestants shortlisted to perform at the semifinals of the Chutney Soca Monarch in Trinidad and Tobago on January 9, 2016. His tune, “Off the Rocks” was select-

December 28, 2015.

Of the 150 screened, 49 songs were selected from both the Traditional and Chutney Soca formats, and these songs will now move to the Semi Final stage at the FunSplash Water Park in Debe, scheduled for Saturday, January 9, 2016.

ed from a total of 150 songs that were screened by a judging panel.

The song is collaboration between him and Rikki Jai and has been creating some buzz. However, the 2016 leg has seen the largest number of entries for the Chutney Soca Monarch.

More than 150 selections were screened at a closed session on Monday,

This will be the first time in the 21-year history of Chutney Soca Monarch that the semifinal round is being held in Debe, S o u t h Trinidad.

Some notable

new facthe Semi Final round o f

es at

Chutney Soca Monarch, crossing from the soca stages will be Destra, Third Bass, Terry Seales and R Raj Kumar of ‘Chromatics’

fame.

‘Team R a j a ’ , made up of Rikki Jai and Ravi B, winners of last year’s Chutney Soca Monarch competition will not be defending their crown at

Macka Diamond

this year’s competition, however, they have both entered as single acts.

Both Rikki Jai and Ravi B will now be required to compete at all levels to qualify for the Grand Final. The 49 artistes selected in both the Traditional and Chutney Soca formats are:

TRADITIONAL FORMAT

Aaron Jewansingh, Dave Lall, Vanessa Ramoutar, Budram Holass, Rick Ramoutar, Navin Ramnanan, Reshma Ramlal, Sara Ali, Hemlatha Dindial, Kavita Ramkissoon, Drupatee Ramgoonai, Asha Kamachee, Rakesh Yankeran, Shiva Lakhan, Kavita Maharaj, Rt Butkoon,

J

be a night of energetic action. Apart from the live performances, several deejays from some of the best music systems in the country will be hyping the crowd. These include, Deejay Garwin out of the Slingerz Family, Deejay Platinum and Skinny Hype from the Ghost Ride Family.

There will also be Super Ray One Man Band in the place who is known for his unique songs and great vocals. Tickets for the event will be available at the door. Xtra Beer is the main sponsor.

CHUTNEY SOCA FORMAT

Third Bass, Terry Seales and Soca Elvis, Ravi B, Jason Peru, Nishard M, KI Persad,

Hitman, Richard Rajkumar, Vishan Mohammed, Jadel, Amit Sooknanan, O’neil Bhajman, Rikki Jai, Rooplal Girdharrie, Imran Beharry, Rt Butkoon, Rick Ramoutar, Jumo Primo, Reshma Ramlal, Kenneth Supersad, Crazy, Destra and Drupatee, Kenneth Salick, Hunter, Adesh Samaroo, Veekash Sahadeo, and Omardath Maharaj

Reggae on the Beach for January 2

for Club Tajoes A on January 2 amaican Dancehall Artiste Macka Diamond will be performing at the first official Westside Party in the New Year. The party is set for Saturday, January 2 at Club Tajoes, Pouderoyen Public Road, West Bank Demerara.

The event which is promoted by Xtra Beer and Club Tajoes is titled “Brand New Kind of Me” official party will see the dancehall sensation performing like never before.

Known for her vibes, patrons will not be left with disappointment since it will

Rasika Dindial, Rooplal Girdharrie, Adesh Samaroo, Heeralal Rampartap, Omardath Maharaj, and Rawthee Ramroop

s we ring in the New Year, Hits and Jams Entertainment is taking the first jump in promoting one of the most talked-about shows on January 2 at the HJ Water World, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The show titled, Reggae on the Beach features Jamaica’s rising reggae artiste, Romain Virgo and his entire band. He will be accompanied by dance hall star, Dexta Daps and Lloyd Flames who is performing in Guyana for the first time.

All of the artistes are crowd pleasers especially Virgo who has performed in Guyana before. Known for his soothing voice, Virgo is expected to thrill his fans.

Early bird tickets are available at Exclusive Styles, That Look Boutique, Nigel’s Supermarket, and White Castle Fish Shop for just $2000 and $3000 at the gate.

HJ Water World will be opened from 18:00h with some early performances.

Please be advised that all food, fire arms and sharp objects are strictly prohibited from entering HJ Water World.

friday, january 1, 2016

35

Guyanese Shimron UDFA GT Beer final Hetmyer to captain Winners Connection aiming for 3rd straight title Windies U-19 T at World Cup

S

himron Hetmyer has been named captain of the West Indies Team for the International Cricket Council’s Under-19 World Cup 2016.

The top-order batsman will play in the tournament for the second time.

He was a member of the West Indies squad at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2014 in the United Arab Emirates.

He is one of two players in the squad with firstclass experience along with fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.

Hetmyer has played six matches for Guyana Jaguars in the WICB Professional Cricket League.

Joseph made his debut for Leeward Island Hurricanes a year go and

has so far captured 17 wickets in five matches, with best figures of 7-46.

The ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016 will be played in Bangladesh from January 22 to February 14.

Prior to the tournament, the Windies will face Bangladesh in a three-match 50-over series, which will form part of their preparation camp.

“We have put together a group of players we believe will perform for the West Indies. We see them as future Test cricketers for the West Indies and this tour is an opportunity for them to be exposed at the international level against strong opposition,” said chief of selectors Clive Lloyd. (Digicel Sportsmax)

he grand final of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) GT Beer year-end championship is set for tonight when the two-time champions Federal Winners Connection and surprise finalists Silver Shattas clash at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground.

In the history of this three-year-old annual championship, the Winners Connection have owned the field, and are seeking to build on that reputation against a side that hopes to clear a huge hurdle this time around.

Following the semi-finals played on Wednesday night, the Winners Connection, aided by an ‘own goal’ which sliced off the boot of Topp XX defender Ruel Williams into the far corner giving his goalkeeper Tevin Crawford absolutely no chance of completing a save one minute from the end of regulation play, won 1-0 to reach their third straight final.

Meanwhile, two first-half goals from strikers Colwyn

Flashback: Winners Connection celebrate after their win in the 2014 edition of the tournament

Drakes in the 18th and Rawlston Fraser in the 43rd minute were enough to eliminate the Net Rockers 2-0 in order for Silver Shattas to advance.

The losing semi-finalists will be playing the first game tonight at 18:15h and the championship game is set for 20:15h.

Going into this game, Silver Shattas will have Fraser and Drakes being their main goal seekers, and

with former Topp XX player Leon “Woody” Clement in the mid field along with the likes of Dillon Allicock, Rommel Matthews, Michael Wilson, Deon Benjamin, and Kellon Major, the defending champs might be in for a tough battle.

Winners Connection’s third straight win would hinge on their outstanding strikers in veteran Rawle “Boney” Gittens, and 20-year-old Marmalaque

Davidson with their middle men being the efficient Gary Thompson, Keon Sears and Linden Nichols while their defence players will be Marlon Maxius and Derrol Dainty and in goal is Shaquille Frank.

The champions will cart off $800,000, second place get $500,000, third $300,000 and fourth $100,000 along with several trophies and other awards.

36

guyanatimesGY.com

friday, january 1, 2016

Johnson to lead Guyana Jaguars at NAGICO Super50

– Foo misses out on selection

W

est Indies and Guyanese batsman Leon Johnson will lead a strong Guyana Jaguars side in this year’s NAGICO Super50 tournament which is to be played in Trinidad and Tobago and St Kitts and Nevis.

The talented Essequibo opening batsman Kevon Boodie, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and fast bowler Romario Shepherd are the three newcomers in the squad.

Boodie has been a consistent performer on the local circuit and is widely known for his aggressive batting style. Motie’s selection seems straight-

forward due to his outstanding performance in the four-day format.

Shepherd, a tall fast bowler from Berbice, has come through the ranks of the youth team.

The surprising omission is that of Jonathon Foo who was a leading all-rounder in the Local Franchise League which was used as a precursor for selection. Efforts to contact Chairman of Selectors, Rayon Griffith for a comment on Foo’s omission proved futile.

Devendra Bishoo and Rajendra Chandrika are on duty with the West Indies team in Australia.

As soon as they are avail-

able, they will replace two players.

Guyana Jaguars squad reads: 1. Assad Fudadin; 2. Kevon Boodie; 3.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul; 4.

Leon Johnson (Captain); 5.

Vishaul Singh; 6. Christopher Barnwell (Vice Captain); 7. Raymon Reifer; 8.

Anthony Bramble (wicket); 9. Steven Jacobs; 10.

Veerasammy Permaul; 11. Gudakesh Motie; 12.

Paul Wintz; 13. Romario Shepherd and 14. Royston Crandon.

Jaguars play their first game on January 7 against Windward Volcanoes at St Paul’s, St Kitts and Nevis.

YELLOW PAGES friday, january 1, 2016

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 6111018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 6435122

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

Tel: 225-5034

Driving School SHALOM ENTERPRISE 2 CROAL STREET, STABROEK. INQUIRE ABOUT OUR DISCOUNTED DRIVING PACKAGE & INTERNATIONAL DRIVER’S PERMIT (JOIN US ON FACEBOOK. 2273869/622-8162/644-7052

EDUCATION Private Custom’s brokers certificate training course. All importer/ exporters and others who trade is on the increase globally and locally.

Learn how to prepare custom documents. Date :4th August 2015 (for three weeks). Classes from 2:004:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm (optional). For more information call:6948322 or 223-1506. Register early and save$$$

FOR SALE Clean Garden earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 6279977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indenture ship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and at Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel # 226-5053.

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

flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 2273553/225-3315

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

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

Certified Immigration Consultants, 68 Sixth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown (Between Cummings & Lights Sts) Tel: 225-1540, 622-8308, 655-3105.

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

lAND FOR SALE PARFAITE HARMONIE (80FT X 45FT) $1M. EAST COAST (LOWLANDS) $1.8M. PARFAITE HARMONIE (100FT X 50FT FENCED) $3.2M. 6117223, 604-2207 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel # 610-2234

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

spirituality Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719.

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081,337-4510,3374259,337-4583,337-3070,337-5103.

For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now.

Jesus Cares.

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

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 225-7878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

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

WANTED SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg.

(MAIN ENTRANCE 42 WATER st. G/ Town. 231-7101

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

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

Phone: 227-0704,

sports

37

38 GFA/Banks Beer Cup final on tonight at the National Stadium guyanatimesGY.com

friday, january 1, 2016

– Trophy Stall hands over trophies

By Akeem Greene

A

fter starting the competition with 16 teams, it is now down to two who will be in the mega clash for the title of Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/ Banks Beer champions at the National Stadium, Providence tonight.

Western Tigers and Riddim Squad have reached this stage owing to some decisive wins. Both teams had a battling semifinal and are eager to face each other in the final.

Western Tigers Coach Anthony Stanton was pleased with the side’s performance in the semi-final, but highlighted the areas they needed to improve on if they were to lift the crown. “We need to improve on our finishing a lot better, we had some time off and we worked on those areas.”

Western Tigers’ road to the final was a dominant one, as they defeated Hope FC 6-0 on the opening night, inflicted a 4-1 drubbing on Sunburst Campton in the quarter-final and a fighting performance in the semi-final ensured they won 3-0 over a challenging New Amsterdam side. The Georgetown-based team owe many of their victories to winger Randolph Wagner who currently has six goals from three games.

On the other hand, Liliton Ramsey, captain of the Mocha-based Riddim Squad, is in no way daunted by the task at hand and is of the view that if the team enter the game with a positive mindset, they can be the victorious side

on the day.

“Football is played on the day so anything is possible; we know we are coming up against a strong Western Tigers team and we just want to remain positive and go out there and produce some hard work,” Ramsey said.

Meanwhile, widely known for its contribution to sports, Trophy Stall, the leading trophy manufacturers in Guyana, handed over the various winners’ trophies to the officials of the GFA. Proprietor Ramesh Sunich is pleased to be on board with the tournament and made a commitment that he would continue to be in support of the tournament in the future.

GFA President, Commander of A Division Clifton Hicken explained that security for the final would be tight. The President further added that “as you may have known, we have “Beenie Man” for the after game show and I urge all to come out and enjoy football in a relaxing atmosphere”.

Hicken also indicated that the GFA planned to take football to greater heights in 2016.

Santos FC and New Amsterdam United will clash in the third-place playoff.

The January 1 final at the Providence National Stadium will see a top prize of $2 million up for grabs, while second place will pocket $1 million. Third place will walk away with $500,000, while fourth will receive $250,000.

39

friday, january 1, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

friday, January 1, 2015

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

GFA/Banks Beer Cup final on tonight at the National Stadium

Pg 38

– Trophy Stall hands over trophies

Two Western Tigers players play tough defence in their opening match of the tournament

Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer to captain Windies U-19 at World Cup Pg 35

Shimron Hetmyer

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, Tel: 231-8064, 231-0544, 225-8697, 225-6695, 225-5634, 225-8696, 225-6707 - SALES AND MARKETING - sales@guyanatimesgy.com PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.