Binder1

“Hearsay” evidence is valid in CoIs – Nandlall

P20

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2781 guyanatimesgy.com

February 28, 2016

Key CANU ranks allegedly involved in CJIA drug network Page 7

…says self-confessed drug baron Barry Dataram – CANU Head to probe accusations

Sattaur says narrowly escapes death after vehicle almost run-off road Page 3

– stripped of State protection, left to the mercy of criminals

Teenager killed in Region 1 boat collision Page 11

Man escapes death after Page horrific car accident 10

Curious spectators point to what's left of a white Toyota 212 motor car after its driver managed to escape with his life, after slamming into this container (inset) which was parked on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown on Saturday

UGSS investigating gang rape allegation …urges rape victim to come forward Page 7 …Police say no report made

Rice farmers concerned over aerial spraying ban Page 14

…say crops could be adversely affected

PRICE

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Lindeners highlight issues at Govt outreach

P10

The race to LGE 2016

Albouystown candidate on mission to restore P15 community vibrancy – tax amnesty, sports facilities and better drainage promised

Police probing disappearance of Aurora School materials P17

St Joseph P19 High School joins suicide prevention campaign 26-year-old remanded P3 for robbery underarms Johanna P7 Cecelia residents not pleased with road project

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NEWS

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SunDAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, February 28 – 08:30h-10:00h and Monday, February 29 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, February 28 – 07:10h-08:40h and Monday, February 29 – 07:40h-09:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light rain showers will give way to sunny weather in the morning, while thundery rain showers with sunshine can be expected in the afternoon.

Clear to partly cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 07:41h and 20:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.53 metres and 2.45 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 01:16h and 13:37h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.69 metres respectively.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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Sattaur says narrowly escapes death after vehicle almost run-off road – stripped of State protection, left to the mercy of criminals

By Devina Samaroo

F

ormer Commissioner General of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur believes he narrowly escaped death after a vehicle allegedly driven by a tax-evader nearly ran him off the road Saturday afternoon.

Now no longer protected by security from the State, Sattaur feels he is now at “the mercy of criminals”, who he had aggressively pursued for being in violation of the law whilst he headed the country’s tax body.

During an interview with Guyana Times shortly after the incident, Sattaur related that someone driving a black Lexus SUV attempted to run him off the road as he left his home in Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

He recollected that the vehicle was in front of him but when they passed the traffic light at the Railway Embankment, the driver suddenly pulled into the corner.

Sattaur explained that after he drove ahead, the vehicle accelerated behind him and eventually moved up alongside in an attempt to drive him off the road.

He noted too that all the while, the driver was showing him the middle finger.

“I could have ran off the road and killed myself. I am still shaken from this,” Sattuar declared.

The former Tax boss said he got a fair glimpse of the driver, who he believes

Former Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority Khurshid Sattaur

might have been someone whose vehicle he had ordered seized last year after it was found to be using a fake registration plate and was involved in a remigrant scheme fraud.

“And now this guy seems to want to get back at me.

This man could have killed me,” Sattaur lamented.

He added that he was driving the government’s vehicle and had the car been damaged, he would have been subjected to a significant amount of expense to repair it.

State protection

The former GRA boss was also deeply concerned over the fact he is now without protection from the State.

“I have been going after criminals and whilst I was

on the job, I was protected by the State. I have been unceremoniously terminated and now all my State protection has been removed and I am now left at the mercy of these criminals who I have had caused to run into and I am not happy about it,” Sattaur vented.

In fact, he indicated that he only found out that he is without State protection after the incident occurred and he made a report to his ‘previous’ law enforcement officers and was told that they cannot take action.

“I don’t understand this nonsense… it is scary that all my protection has been removed,” he stressed.

Moreover, Sattaur expressed hope that the man who tried to run him off the road would be arrested and charged for attempting to kill him.

“It is a serious matter.

I am seriously contemplating my safety and wellbeing without security right now,” he stated. Guyana Times understands that the matter was reported to the Sparendaam Police Station and the Police have con-

firmed reciept of the reportand have launched an investigation.

Man, 26, remanded for armed robbery

A

man was on Friday remanded to prison after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with armed robbery.

Andre Dowridge, 26, of Lot 232 Haslington, East Coast Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on February 8 in the vicinity of Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, while being armed with an icepick he robbed Leon Anthony of a gold chain and a laptop.

Police prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to bail due to the nature and gravity of the offence and the matter was adjourned to March 14.

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SunDAY, February 28, 2016

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

Editorial

SOCU mission creep

T

he exit interview with Sam Sittlington, the owner of an Irish “fraud investigation” company brought in by the British High Commission to “train” members of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to executing its remit, raised new questions about that remit, even as the confusion around its funding was highlighted during the Budget Debate.

SOCU was signalled in 2013 to give teeth to the AntiMoney Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill then under consideration in the National Assembly.

In mid-November, Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon delineated its remit quite succinctly: “SOCU is intended to be Guyana’s response to its treaty obligations to investigate suspicious financial transactions that are suggestive of money laundering. SOCU’s creation is in response to nonparliamentary recommendations from Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).”

Luncheon explained that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) – the body statutorily charged with monitoring the financial sector – would compile information on suspicious financial transactions and make it available to the SOCU. “SOCU, armed with the information, will then conduct investigations to establish whether these transactions are indeed money laundering transactions or financing terrorism transactions.” SOCU was constituted as a unit of the Guyana Police Force and when an officer of the Guyana Defence Force, Sydney James, was appointed its head, he was made into an Assistant Police Commissioner.

Within weeks of its launch, SOCU arrested a Bulgarian native at CJIA with US$45,000 he was suspected of “laundering” and the government explained such seizures at ports of entry and exit were permitted. It was assumed the FIU had informed SOCU of the suspected money laundering but the latter’s actual role in executing the seizure highlighted the public’s lack of knowledge of the precise parameters of the unit’s authorised activities. Citizens therefore were flummoxed as to what grounds SOCU conducted the surveillance operation on former NICIL CEO Winston Brassington’s home, which ended tragically in three deaths. This was the paradigmatic “mission creep”.

However when the APNU/AFC government finally passed the AML/CTF Bill in 2015 upon accession to office, Attorney General Basil Williams informed the National Assembly that SOCU was now authorised to “seize and detain cash in excess of $10 million anywhere in Guyana.” This was a most significant further mission creep of SOCU in light of Sittlington’s observation on Guyana’s definition of “currency”: “I think it is the widest definition I have seen, and it would encompass ‘prepaid’ credit cards as well as gold, precious stones and jewellery,” Sittlington emphasised that Guyana’s “cash seizure” powers exceeds those of the United Kingdom, arguable the best in Europe.

This search and seizure of what is the equivalent of just US$50,000 will have a chilling effect on business in an economy where cash is still the preferred medium of exchange for many rural businesses. Even more insidiously was defining jewellery as currency in a society where the former are passed on as heirlooms especially at the marriage of Indian couples. At this time any neighbour with a grouse can “sic” SOCU on the objects of their angst.

While Williams claimed “cogent evidence” are presumably presented by SOCU and FIU before seizures are effectuated, in the latest case last week where SOCU raided a number of properties of a businessman and seized cash, computers and records they have still not indicated what entity passed on the “cogency” of their evidence.

Sittlington also referred to the confusion over the funding of SOCU, which he said should be “sorted out”. As PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira pointed out during the Budget debate, SOCU had been funded by Office of the President as a matter of expediency to make it operational and this should have ended by now.

Evidently alluding to the truism that “he who feeds the dog can also “sic” it,” Sittlington noted: “A number of ministries have a say in the functioning of SOCU and this creates confusion and instability.”

Not to mention, “mission creep”.

Students of St Joseph High School along with some students from Tutorial High School displaying a banner against suicide just before the walk began

KN wants to rewrite history Dear Editor, It is hard to deny the fact that to date over 45 per cent of Guyana’s state forest remains intact contrary to the misinformation stated in Parliament by Minister Trotman that the PPP/C shared out 100 per cent of the productive state forest.

Kaieteur News has joined the bandwagon and is seeking to peddle more misinformation obviously submitted to them by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The indisputable facts remain as follows: 1. At least 45 per cent or five million hectares of productive state forest remains intact and unallocated. I challenge the Ministry and Kaieteur News to seek an independent and international specialist to dispute this figure of unallocated

productive forest in Guyana and to make the results public and not 1800 maps published by the Kaieteur News in their Sunday Edition not even colour copies were available.

2. Out of the large concessions that have been allocated to date over 605 was shared out by the PNC Administration prior to 1992. An example of such concession are the Barama, Toolsie Persaud, Mazaharally, Case Timber (PNC MP), Willem Timbers, Nagasar Sawh, Demerara Woods and Caribbean Resources among others totalling in excess of three million hectares of prime very accessible state forest. These Concessions were shared out without any public advertisements or transpar-

ent process.

Can Minister Trotman and his Kaieteur News dispute this? If they can, let them publish the full names and area size of all the large concessions issued prior to the PPP/C’s entry to office in 1992 versus the concessions allocated under the PPP/C. I challenge the Minister to publish the facts and don’t wait around and make vague assertions about Jagdeo issued concessions to his friends.

How did Hamley Case and his group get three concessions (UNAMCO and Case Timbers)? Was he a PPP friend? No, he was a PNC MP. 3. Under whose government was Barama’s largest concession of 1.5 million hectares issued? Certainly

not the PPP/C. But let the facts speak if Minister Trotman, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Kaieteur News are up to the challenge. Let them bring in an independent expert to do an assessment of the forest and determine how much forest Guyana has, how much is remaining to date, whether it is productive or not, how much was shared out under the PNC and how much forest remains intact and properly managed under the PPP/C. I challenge the Minister to say nothing more. Let him bring an international expert to make it public.

Let him not be like little boo peep.

Yours sincerely, John Scotland

Commodity prices soaring in Region 2

Dear Editor, Kindly publish this letter with the use of my name.

Scores of families in Region 2 who are engaged in the rearing of pigs and poultry now face the threat for survival from an acute shortage of local stock feed with the price of bran having jumped to an all-time high price at $1200 for a 60 pound bag.

Some months ago at the beginning of milling for the last crop when stocks of bran which is a by-product of paddy were

in full supply throughout the district, the price for the same weight was $400 per bag.

It is well known that scarcity increases price but with supplies of bran now available from only one miller in my area of South Essequibo, the price is considered to be a massive exploitation, excessively exorbitant and unaffordable.

The purchase price for a whole bag of 180 pound paddy in many instances was in the vicinity of $1000 or less with con-

cerns being raised as to how come a bag of bran can be so expensive.

While no justifiable reason can be seen for the fantastic price escalation, it is clear as daylight that unless there is an immediate reduction severe losses from starvation resulting in deaths would be inevitable.

The price for broken rice which is also in short supply has been increased by $500 to further aggravate the hardship encountered by families to make an honest living.

Up to Saturday (201602-13) one businessman who buys and sells bran in a mobile vehicle was doing so at $1300 per bag.

Some form of assistance from the Government would be appreciated to bring relief to our unbearable predicament.

With thanks, Baliram Persaud NB: The miller referred to trades under the name of “Dickie’s Rice Mill” at Dryshore, Essequibo Coast.

NEWS

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Leguan residents want phone service returned

R

esidents in Leguan have called on the GTT to restore landline telephone service on the island.

It was stated that some years ago, the telephone company installed its “dish phone” landline service which many residents said was greatly appreciated.

Company workmen had reportedly disclosed that GTT was at the time not benefiting financially from telephone service on the island. In the past, Leguan had scheduled times for electricity which meant that the telephones would

stop working after a few hours when power was cut.

Residents stated that the island has since been

Region 3 REO fires back at Chairman’s threat to sue

T

he controversy in Region Three continues as Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dennis Jaikarran disclosed that he has had consultations with his lawyers and is ready to deal with any legal proceedings that may come his way.

This is in response to the Regional Chairman Julius Faerber’s threat to sue as he claims the REO continues to carry out duties of the Region on his own, adding that he, Faerber, is not being informed of any matter\works and is not being involved in any decisionmaking, etc.

“I’ve consulted with two of my senior counsels and I can say that they are awaiting Faerber’s call to go to the court” Jaikarran disclosed.

In response to this disclosure by Jaikarran, Faerber explained to Guyana Times that Jaikarran is the clerk of the council and he does not carry out the mandate

Dennis Jaikarran

of the council as such he has no other alternative but to take legal action.

“He is not carrying out his duties as the clerk of the council, I have no other option but to take this legal action” Faerber explained.

This entire disagreement spiralled from October of 2015 when Jaikarran slashed Faerber’s fuel allowance in half.

When contacted on numerous occasions by this publication regarding matters in the region, Faeber

continued to say he is unable to comment as he has no information since he is not being informed, and also because he is unable to attend to the needs of the region, as he does not have enough fuel for his vehicle.

“There is no information for me to give as I myself am not being informed of any matters whatsoever pertaining to the region as I continue to face mistreatment from the REO” Faerber had earlier this month disclosed.

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

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

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

receiving 24-hour electricity for over two years. They

rejected the phone company’s alleged explanation that to offer phone service on the island would not be viable for the company.

Since the company stopped installing these types of telephones, residents are of the view that landline telephones should be returned to the island.

Regional Chairman of Region Three (EssequiboIslands-West Demerara), Julius Faerber on Saturday informed Guyana Times that the Regional Democratic Council has already made representation on behalf of the res-

idents to GTT. He noted that Leguan, along with the neighbouring island of Wakenaam, were supposedly slated to have an operational phone service sometime in 2016.

The Chairman however cautioned that the company explained that before it can issue the service, there needs to be an assessment of the amount of telephones it has within its remit.

Though mobile telephone service is available on the island, residents said that it is their desire to have the landline telephone service installed.

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Foundation

Negotiating agency during slavery

Work commence on Georgetown Ferry Stelling

"You can't hold a man down without staying down with him”?

– Booker T Washington

L

Anu Dev

ast week I explored the proposition, from the book "Beyond Massa", that during slavery, the seeds of our Republican values were planted as a two-way negotiated space where the enslaved people on the sugar plantations exercised more ‘agency’ than previous studies had accredited to them. I use "agency" in the sense of people being able to make choices.

I also mentioned three dominant approaches to "slave historiography" none of which gave much, if any, agency to slaves: they were simply objects on whose others inscribed their will at will. First was the European enslaving Africans to "save their souls", followed by the British "humanitarian" impulse to "help" by ameliorating and ending slavery and finally Eric Williams" Marxian exposé of the economic imperative behind Britain's abolition of slavery.

While Williams' approach was subsequently challenged, it became part and parcel of a "vindicationist" approach favoured by West Indian historians in the later 20th Century. In a

strategic move to counter the dominant perspectives on the post-slavery conditions of the descendants of slavery and of the need for the latter to "overcome", this approach stressed the cruelties inflicted on the slaves by the planters and their ruling class that served to ground out the latter's culture a n d sense of self which is necessary f o r

progress.

T h i s a p p r o a c h was integral in the movement for independence (the final "overcoming") in the British colonies and has remained the dominant paradigm in the local history textbooks.

It is primarily this latter account that "Beyond Massa" challenges by attempting to demonstrate the slaves had much more agency than the vindicationist approach claims. One example was the important distinction the study makes between the terms “slaves” and “enslaved people”, since by referring to them as enslaved people acknowledges that they were "people" who were acutely aware of their crucial importance to the plantation system.

Another important shift in perspective by Campbell is to reevaluate the role of the house slaves and the skilled workers as an "elite". This turns on its head the vindicationist perspective which saw these individuals as "betrayers" and "traitors" to the cause of the field slaves’ heroic struggle to free themselves. The "house slave" unfortunately has become a most damming insult in the modern Caribbean, even though the greatest slave rebellion,

if not the greatest rebellion in the world, was led by a house slave, Toussaint L'Overture.

The production of sugar involves not only the agroproduction field labour, but also skilled, technical labour involved in the refining and manufacturing process, such as the tasks of a boilerman. While the manual labour could probably be forced, however tasks requiring the enslaved person to use their judgment could not be forced.

Managers, such as Simon Taylor of Plantation Golden

Grove, recognised they needed to implement incentives to appease these “selected workers and reward them in order to encourage a higher work ethic”. And it is in such accommodations that Campbell discerns elements of the Human Resource Management approach.

Thus, there was the establishment of an “enslaved elite group” as a means of collaborating with the enslaved for higher productivity in the sugar factory and also as a source of “insider information” about the enslaved to suppress potential revolts and rebellions.

By rewarding the enslaved elite with a lighter workload and putting them into positions of power over their fellow enslaved (as “black sub-managers”), the white managers created a channel to gain an insight into the mood of the enslaved people and a means of controlling them through their fellow enslaved.

However, the elite were well aware of their importance to the white managerial class and they used this to the advantage of the enslaved. They “exploited the tension existing between the Crown (the governor) and the plantocracy for their own purposes”. Coming from West Africa with its established system of slavery, the enslaved already had an awareness of the political factors at work within the slavery system and how they might manipulate the system to their advantage. (To be continued)

Georgetown Ferry Stelling By: Kizzy Coleman

R

esidents who use the Georgetown/ Vreed-en-Hoop Ferry Stelling will soon benefit from a renovated facility as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure thru Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) has commenced works to restore the stellings.

This restoration will see the section servicing the water taxis being renovated with the replacement of the rails, platform and stairs all in a deplorable state.

This restoration work that commenced Saturday, is expected to be completed

by Monday so that commuters utilising the water taxis will not be further inconvenienced.

These repairs are being made in light of numerous complaints from commuters of the unsafe condition of the facility.

Previous works were done to the stelling when a section of the structure had collapsed.

Guyana Times was able to speak to some commuters who expressed satisfaction for this action by the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

Ganesh Seecharan a vendor who uses the stelling on a daily basis to transport goods from home to market, related that on one occasion because of the deplorable condition of the stairway, he lost his entire bundle into the river.

“I was trying to get my bundle of goods into the

boat one afternoon as I was going home and I was trying to move my way past one of the step board that was shaking but I slipped, losing everything in the water. So I can honestly commend the ministry for the work that I am seeing today, I am happy about this” Seecharan explained.

Another commuter opined that the entire structure needs to be rehabilitated but added that for the moment the work that has commenced will be significant for all water taxi users.

“I think that this entire structure should be rebuilt but that is just my opinion.

I am happy to see this current work taking place, this will really be convenient for everybody that utilise these boats” the woman identified as Melissa stated.

Yet another commuter explained that he is very grateful that works have commenced, explaining that he did not use the stelling habitually because of the state it is in.

“I was very afraid to use this stelling and use to go round with the harbour bridge which made me late for work on a lot of occasion but now I am grateful for the work being carried out here today, I think I’ll be using the stelling on a more regular basis” he explained.

Efforts to contact the Chief Engineer responsible for the project for information on the amount allotted for the renovation proved futile.

news

Key CANU ranks involved in CJIA drug network …says self-confessed drug baron Barry Dataram – CANU Head to probe accusations illicit substances through official ports of entry and exist locally but few have been caught or tried.

By Edward Layne

A

lleged self-confessed drug baron Barry Dataram is claiming that a major drug network exists at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) which sees key officers at to the Guyana Police Force’s Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) played a role in the smuggling and trafficking of illicit substances in and out of Guyana.

Dataram in an exclusive interview with television Journalist Travis Chase on Saturday ,reportedly confessed to being a drug trafficker, but boasted that he was never convicted.

In a video posted on Chase’s facebook page, he asked Dataram about accusations by authorities that he is a drug trafficker, to which Dataram responded; “yea I do drugs, I won’t say a lie. [But] I never been convicted of nothing… but I know what going on with the streets, I know what going on with CANU.” Dataram also reportedly spoke of a massive drug trafficking network at the CJIA and noted that the same CANU officers who are searching persons for drugs at the port of entry, are the ones allowing less suspicious shipments of the

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SunDAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Not aware

CANU Head James Singh

illicit drugs to pass through the airport and make its way to other destinations.

The self-confessed drug dealer also alleged that there is massive corruption at CANU, with drug lords fueling the luxurious lifestyle of officers at the counter-narcotics unit in exchange for information on raids and protection.

Dataram reportedly said that he decided to go public with this information after CANU officers conducted a raid on his nephew’s house and removed $13 million; however they are only able to account for $10 million.

There has been a long held public perception that ranks attached to key law enforcement agencies were part and parcel of various ploys to traffic and smuggle

When contacted on Saturday evening, Head of CANU James Singh said he was not aware of the interview nor the allegations made by the self-confessed drug baron.

“I have no idea what you are talking about, I understand that Mr Dataram had an interview, I don’t know the contents of that interview so I can’t comment on it,” Singh said.

When asked pointedly if he was aware of the search on Dataram’s nephew’s home and the removal of the money, he declined to comment on “an active investigation”.

“I am not going to discuss an active investigation right now,” Singh said.

When pressed by Guyana Times if the “active investigation” he referred to was in fact the removal of the $13 million as alleged

by Dataram, the CANU Head said; “Mr Dataram as you may know is before the courts charged by CANU, so that’s an active investigation. I am not going to discuss it,” he stated.

When further grilled, he maintained, “I am not go-

Self-confessed drug baron Barry Dataram

ing to discuss anything else about Mr Dataram.”

Probe

The CANU Head noted, however, that any allegation of wrongdoing by any member of CANU will be investigated.

“As I said, I wait to hear what is said and then based on what is said, we would then proceed from there… any allegation made against any member of CANU will obviously be investigated,” Singh concluded.

Dataram gained notoriety in 2007 following the kidnapping of his wife Sheleza and their threeyear-old daughter by two Venezuelans; one of whom was later shot dead in a confrontation with Police.

He was then arrested and detained by Police beyond the 72-hour constitutional detention period expired. His lawyers subsequently approached the court with a Habeas Corpus Writ but the Police asked for an extension to conclude their investigations into the kidnapping, which they said was drug-related. What followed was a series of court appearances during which Dataram was twice set free and rearrested.

He was finally set free in December 2008.

Then, in July 2015, Dataram, his 19-yearold reputed wife Anjanie Boodnarine, as well as Trevor Gouveia and Komal Charan were jointly charged for 129.230kg of cocaine that was found in frozen seafood at Dataram’s Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block X, Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) residence on April 16, 2015.

He was also found to be in possession of a quantity of firearms and ammunition. He subsequently secured $4 million bail by the High Court and another $400,000 for the weapons.

His 19-year-old reputed wife was also granted bail in the High Court in the sum of $1.5 million, along with the two other accused.

UGSS investigating gang-rape allegations

… urges rape victim to come forward … Police say no report made

UGSS President Joshua Griffith

By Devina Samaroo

T

he University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) launched an investigation into the allegation of a gang-rape of a female student on campus on Friday evening.

However, Divisional Commander Marlon Chapman said he is unaware of the allegation, since no official report has been made. The student was allegedly drugged and raped by a group of male students, all of whom are suspected to be her friends.

Up to late Saturday evening, UGSS President Joshua Griffith told Guyana Times that they are still trying to verify the information since they have been getting inconsistent reports on the inturn to page 8 cident.

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SunDAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Man escapes death after horrific car wreck

A

man escaped death after an early morning accident that left him with minor head injuries and an entirely wrecked car.

The accident involving a 212 Toyota corolla motor car bearing registration plates PLL 4642 occurred around 03:00h on Saturday morning on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.

The driver in an attempt to avoid a head on collision with another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, swerved and ended up under a container that was parked on

The entirely wrecked 212 Toyota corolla after the accident on Mandela Avenue (Carl Croker photos)

the southern side of the road. The container report-

edly bore no reflectors to signal the obstruction of

traffic.

According to sources, the man was the only occupant of the car at the time of the accident. He was taken to a private city hospital where a comprehensive medical examination was conducted to determine possible injuries. The man was treated and sent home.

It was also noted that the man was heading home after a visit to his girlfriend’s home when the accident occurred.

A name, however, was not released for the driver.

Investigations are continuing.

26-year-old placed on $10,000 bail for simple larceny

A

26-year-old man was placed on $10,000 bail after he appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for simple larceny and threatening language.

Stephon Archer, a worker of the cleanup campaign, stood before the court to answer to the charge which alleged that on February 10,

he made use of threatening language against his uncle Wesley Cornett at their Lot 58 Garnett Street, Kitty, residence.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and told the court that he will move out of the house to avoid further problems with the Virtual Complainant (VC).

It was also alleged that on February 20, Archer stole from the VC a HP

Larceny accused: Stephon Archer

UGSS investigating gang...

“It is very strange. Things are not adding up. Once we verify the information, we will be issuing a statement because based on all the discussions we’ve had so far, the stories seem not to be adding up,” Griffith stated.

Griffith declined to provide any further comment on the matter until more information becomes available.

However, he emphasised that the incident, factual or fictional, points to the need for better security on campus.

“Security has always been a major concern on campus and we, the students, are always the ones who suffer and are affected more at the end,” he stated.

Moreover, Griffith is en-

couraging the victim to file a report with the Police.

“If this is a factual incident, then we fully support the victim coming out and making a Police report and anyone who may have information on this issue, if it verified, if it is a factual event, they should come forward,” he urged, noting that it would indeed be a tragic

laptop computer valued $32,999.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and related that there are three other occupants in the house and that any one of them could have stolen the computer.

However, he was placed on self bail for the threatening language charge and $10,000 bail for simple larceny charge and the matter was adjourned to March 24.

from page 7

occurrence for the nation’s premier tertiary institution, if proven factual.

According to reports, a student overheard a group of male students explicitly describing how they committed the act. The student stated that he does not know the names of the male students; however, he knows their faces.

Eyew tness Retooling...

E

...governance?

vidently reverting to his military past, President Brigadier (rtd) David Granger conducted a "reconnaissance" of GuySuCo headquarters.

(According to the official release from his office.) In the "recon" (to use the term popularised by his Prime Minister Nagamootoo) the President was accompanied by his old aide de camp Lt Colonel (rtd) Joseph Harmon – now designated as "Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency". One thing your Eyewitness likes with these military types is their love of long-winded names – which then have to be reduced to their acronyms. Joseph Harmon is thus, "MOSITMOTP", thank you.

Anyhow, the recon was on GuySuCo's headquarters at Ogle, which – it was revealed – is being considered for conversion into the "Public Service Staff College" to conduct APNU/AFC's promised training for public servants. Now the question that immediately popped into this Eyewitness' head is why didn't the administration have this College be part of UG – which could certainly use the funding and broadening of its programme?

The administrative structure's already in place and all that'll be needed is specialised staff to teach the specified subjects – International Relations (Foreign Service), Defence, Public Administration and Information Technology. As a matter of fact, UG already has courses on three of the four subjects – Defence being handled by inhouse staff coursed by the GDF. While the president spoke about a "diploma" course that would save the Public Service from the blushes of "people walking off the street into jobs" – having them at UG would also bring into focus, the vexed topic of funding this venture. We could model ourselves after Harvard's Kennedy School of Government – with their graduate programmes on our horizon.

Having a separate "Public Service Staff College" churning out "diploma" graduates, presents the danger of creating a glorified secretarial school since it's expected the entrance requirements will be even lower that the new one just announced by UG: 5 subjects taken at any number of sittings, or a graduate of Critchlow. Not much difference from "walking off the street", if the truth be told.

But another question that popped up was whether this "recon" to hive off the HQ of GuySuCo is a signal that President Granger's reverted to his original position that the entire sugar industry has to be shuttered? And that perchance Wales was just a signal of what's to come?

It's not that GuySuCo wasn't just running a boondoggle at Ogle (30 per cent of all labour costs to those masters of the universe!!!).

But couldn't the HQ be "reconned" for training managers and staff of whatever entity GuySuCo’s gonna be morphed into?

...false equivalence

One interesting development from the Rodney CoI Report is the false equivalence made by some commentators on state violence committed by the Burnhamite regime in the seventies and what went down during the wave of violence unleashed by the PNC after the 1997 elections. This is unfortunate since it sends the wrong signal as to what's needed to return this country on an even keel.

It was conclusively shown by the CoI – by quoting from a book written by none other than President Granger himself – that the GDF had been subverted and deprofessionalised by Burnham. All of the military organs comprising the Disciplined Forces – the GDF, the Police, People's Militia, the National Service and several outside like the YSM and the WRSM – all did the bidding of "The Kabaka". Openly – and without comment.

As President Granger wrote, even the Chief of Staff of the Disciplined Forces had to show up at PNC Congresses in full military regalia, to swear personal fealty to Burnham.

This never occurred under the PPP. As Brigadier (rtd) Granger noted, the state forces were expected to be loyal to the PNC.

...justice

Calls have been made about justice for "Crum-Ewing, Ronald Waddell, 400 African youths etc " who were allegedly killed by "state forces".

How about justice for the dozens of policemen, Indo-Guyanese businessmen and other innocents killed especially on the East Coast?

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

news

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SunDAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Ali roasts Govt on amendments to Income Tax Act PPP/C likely to challenge Bill passed without majority A ...Speaker did not have casting vote

By: Devina Samaroo

T

he Parliamentary Opposition is likely to exercise its right to move to the Courts via a constitutional motion to challenge the passage of the Tax (Amendment) Bill 2016 as declared by the House Speaker Dr Barton Scotland even though the government lacked a majority in the National Assembly.

During the 13th Sitting of the Eleventh Parliament on Friday evening, there were 32 government members present as there were 32 opposition members present. Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnarine was absent at the time.

When the Bill was laid, government members voted in its favour while the opposition members voted against it.

Though there was a stalemate, the House Speaker declared that Bill passed.

This triggered a huge uproar from the Opposition MP’s who protested the decision.

However Dr Scotland maintained: “There was an opportunity to do then what we are doing now, all of us. It is not a question of voting in favour of the government, as we put it, it is a question of making a determination at the time it was made in one way or the other that is what happened.”

Contacted for a comment on the matter, Nandlall said the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has not had the opportunity to decide on a way forward as yet however, being the legal affairs expert in the Party, he will be recommending that the passage of the Bill be challenged in the Courts.

“That Bill is not passed and the President will assent to a

Bill that was not passed and that Bill will not be law,” he posited.

Nandlall explained that the Bill will be challenged on the grounds that it was not passed in accordance with the law.

“The Constitution lays down how Bills are to be passed in the National Assembly and every Bill that is passed in violation of that constitutional procedure would be unconstitutional and unlawful,” he expanded.

He further explained that the Court has the powers to review legislation passed by the Parliament to ensure they are constitutional.

Failed Bill

According to the former Attorney General, had the constitutional procedures been followed, the Bill would have failed as it required a majority vote.

Had the Speaker been an elected Member of Parliament (MP), he could have used his casting vote to determine whether or not the Bill will be passed.

However, Dr Scotland was chosen from civil society and not from the List of Candidates of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), therefore, he does not have a casting vote.

A failed Bill cannot be brought back in the same session of the Parliament.

Therefore, government would have had to wait until the 12th Parliament to retable the Bill.

Reflecting on the events that transpired in the National Assembly on Friday, Nandlall said it appeared as though the

Speaker simply assumed there was a majority vote on the government side because their declaration was louder than the Opposition’s.

“Bills are passed by the number of votes not the decibels of the vote,” Nandlall contended, noting that the Dr Scotland wrongfully assumed that the “ayes” had the majority.

t Friday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Government sought to amend a slew of legislations but not without facing much rejections and objections from the members on the opposite side of the House.

During the consideration of the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2016, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) parliamentarian and Shadow Finance Minister, Irfaan Ali, shred the new measures that the

Coalition Administration eventually used its one seat majority to pass in the National Assembly.

Ali took Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who presented the Bill for second reading, to task pointing out that the amendments to the Income Tax Act would result in a Government Minister having the final say and becoming involved directly in determining the eligibility of persons and what could be granted.

He was referring to the

specific amendment that permits income tax exemption for artistes at various festivities, which are approved by the Ministry of Tourism and the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

He said it would also mean that the minister would still enjoy discretion in defining what a festivity is and laying down the guidelines to ensure that an event is eligible for a tax exemption. turn to page 19

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guyanatimesgy.com

News

Lindeners highlight issues at Govt outreach

T

he Government on Saturday conducted a community outreach programme at Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) which saw participation of a number of Ministers, Members of Parliament and stakeholders.

The outreach which was conducted outside the Linden Enterprise Network building at Mackenzie, was in an effort to extend services to the people of Linden.

Members of the team included Minister within the

Ministry of Communities Valerie Adams-Patterson, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, Regional Members of Parliament Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford, representatives of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), the Regional Health Division, E Division, GT&T, Linden Electricity Company Inc (LECI) and the Linden Utility Services Coop Society Limited (LUSCSL).

During the visit, Greenidge along with Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge interacts with a Linden resident during the outreach

MP Jermaine Figueira interacts with a Linden resident during the outreach

the other members also conducted a tour of the Mackenzie Market wharf and listened to the concerns of stall holders.

A number of residents also came out to have their issues addressed in relation to water, land, infrastructure and business, among others.

Minister Greenidge said the two main issues highlighted by stall holders include the level of business activity and the state of the market's infrastructure.

"A number of the vendors have raised the issues of leaking roofs, poor drainage, no sanitary facilities or limited sanitary facilities...", he said.

Rutherford also stated that a major concern of stallholders included what they described as "poor business". Concerning this issue, he stated they indicated that a regulatory body should intervene.

A follow-up to the outreach is slated for March and is set to include a larger contingent of ministers.

Democracy by decibels

S

atiricus was soooo proud of being Guyanese.

While all the textbooks and pundits waxed about Greece being the "cradle" of democracy, the world was soon going to sit up and take notice of his dear old Guyana and its ADVANCEMENT of democracy. It's all well and good to give birth to beautiful babies, but look how often they develop into some real stinkers.

Didn't Hitler start with democracy in Germany?

And look where that ended: making everyone hate goose stepping in jackboots. And now democracies have to settle for troops standing at attention and then keeling over in the hot sun. Like what happens on Armstice Day. "Well after the world learns of the massive push our Parliament gave to democracy received last week," thought Satiricus, "They won't mind us "gander stepping" much less "goose stepping!"

Here it was... the vote on amending the Taxation Bill was "put" to National Assembly. Satiricus was covering the story as a humble scribe for his newspaper. Now in every other democracy in the world, since three thousand years ago in Greece, they would've counted up the votes, no? And the side that got the most vote would've carried the day, right?

Not any more?!! That was the OLD "democracy"!

APANU and KFC had 33 seats and the PPCEE 32. But on that day, the stalwart bosom buddy of Rod Knee, Roop Na Rain who'd joined up with the Pee an See, came down with a serious case of the runs. Some said unkindly it was the result of having no "guts". But APANU was now reduced to 32 seats - the same as the PPCEE. What to do? This was a situation to challenge even old Solomon, who frequently had to decide between his seven hundred wives and seven hundred concubines as to who'd get the prize in the night.

Satiricus heart swelled with pride when the Talker of the House decided that in a vote of 32 to 32, the APANU/KFC won!! How was that possible? It was all explained by the previous Talker of APANU/KFC, the Trot Man. "The APANU/KFC side won the vote democratically because their "yays" were louder that the PPCEE "nays"," said Trotty.

It was democracy by decibels. The side that made the most noise would win the vote!! Wasn't this simpler that voting with ballots and spending days to count them up and then having to protest in the streets?

Satiricus could just see the world beating a path to Guyana to learn this new form of democracy!

11 Teenager killed in Region 1 boat collision A news

SunDAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

female was tragically killed Saturday after two boats collided head-on in the Moruca River, Region One (Barima-Waini).

The incident occurred sometime around 14:00h in the vicinity of Acquero Landing.

The dead teenager has been identified as Alisha Romanscindo, 15, of Koko Village, located about half mile from where the accident occurred.

Guyana Times understands that Romanscindo was in a small boat along with her sister and two brothers heading to Kabakali when a larger boat approaching from that direction hit them head-on.

According to reports, the water taxi, which usually plies the Port KaitumaCharity route, was speeding around a corner when it collided into the smaller boat.

Alisha Romanscindo moments after she was pulled from the boat

The water in the river was low at the time.

Further reports revealed that upon impact, Romanscindo’s siblings were flung out of the vessel.

However, the teenager was

apparently hit and fell into the boat. When the young girl was pulled from the vessel she was alive but by the time the community health worker arrived and examined her, there was not pulse.

Romanscindo was subsequently taken to the Komaka District Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Her siblings, on the other hand, sustained no injuries.

Guyana Times spoke with Tricia Rodrigues a resident of Acquero Landing, who was in the area at the time of the accident. She did not actually see accident but it was after the impact that she along with others rushed out and assisted the Romanscindo children out of the water.

“We help bring the other sister and the two brothers out of the water and somebody say the other girl in the boat so they went and fetch her… when she come she was choking on her blood and then after some time, she stop breathing and moving,” the woman recalled.

The wreaked boat in which the Romanscindo siblings were travelling

Rodrigues further related that the occupants of the larger boat attempted to flee from the scene but were stopped by residents who had gathered.

There were six occupants in that boat including the driver.

She went on to say that “it look like the boat hit her directly because the big boat run on top of the small boat bow, damaging it. The driver was speeding and like when

Johanna Cecelia residents not pleased with road project malpractices by the Regional Engineer with responsibility for public works.

Ongoing works at King Street, Johanna Cecelia

R

esidents living in the community of Johanna Cecelia, on the Essequibo Coast, in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are dissatisfied with the quality of work being undertaken as part of a road project under the authority of the Annandale/ Riverstown Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

They have explained that proper consultations were not done by NDC officials and opined that the road needed maintenance, not an entire replacement.

Guyana Times understand that the NDC, instead of maintaining the road which was partially damaged, started a new project to replace the road with an entirely new one, which residents described as unnecessary.

One resident, Johnny Lalaman, said that he is concerned that the NDC destroyed a good road at King Street and excavated the area for a new road. The resident related that half of the road was deteriorating and as such, it could have been repaired.

Residents said they raised concerns with Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt and Regional Vice Chairman Nandranie Coonjah over the contentious project.

They alleged that NDC Overseer Danieram Singh allowed the contractor to remove sand and loam from the project site to one of his friend’s yard. This they are contending could have been

used to complete the road.

Residents are very frustrated that staff of the NDC was seen constructing the culvert and suspect that there are malpractices ongoing with the NDC Overseer.

When contact was made with the Regional Chairman, Ramdatt said he met with residents of Johanna Cecilia recently to address the concerns in relation to King Street.

They indicated to Ramdatt that the NDC Overseer and Regional Engineer Latchman Parswattie have not been monitoring the project which already has several defects.

He said that he was very concerned, as such; he indicated that he had mandated the Regional Vice Chairperson who also is the Head of the RDC Works Committee to conduct an inspection. The Regional Chairman mentioned that a report was already submitted to the Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson.

In relation to the nonperformance of the Overseer, Ramdatt said he has been receiving numerous reports of irregularities involving the Overseer and since has requested an investigation.

He further said that the Regional Engineer’s performance requires review since only recently, due to his poor monitoring, most of the materials from the dismantled Aurora Primary School went missing.

In addition, he indicated that several projects are being monitored regarding

The works committee of the RDC has been mandated to do a timely follow up and

make recommendations on the controversial King Street project.

he realise that the other boat in front of he, it was too late so he couldn’t do anything.”

The woman explained that boats coming from Port Kaituma are always speeding around the turn, giving little or no consideration to small boats travelling along the River. She noted that in the past two weeks, two boats also capsized on separate occasions because of speeding boats manoeuvring the turn.

Guyana Times was told that the driver is Osmond Rodrigues of Pomeroon. He has since been taken into police custody and is assisting with investigations.

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14 news

SunDAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Rice farmers concerned over aerial spraying ban … say crops could be adversely affected

By Andrew Carmichael

R

ice farmers are now on the receiving end of a barrage of punches after being given the mandatory eight-count as a result of Government’s slothfulness to address the harsh reality of the El Niño phenomenon.

Now they are wobbling as the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) has issued a ban on a local aircraft company from spraying their crops with pesticides and fertilisers.

This could be the end of rice cultivation in Guyana, one farmer said, as rice farmers in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) will be adversely affected in their operations even as they try to cope with low market prices.

At a press conference held last Thursday at Nand Persaud and Company Limited (NPCL) situated at Number 37 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, and attended by more than 25 rice farmers, the implications of the decisions by the PTCCB were highlighted.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) Haseef Yusuf of NPCL, the company that produces Karibee Rice, told the media that farmers are likely to lose their crop because of the heavy infestation of paddy bug and caterpillars.

He explained that collectively, close to 10,000 acres of rice is cultivated by those farmers.

“If there is no spraying soon, farmers will lose their crop. The denial by the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board for aerial spraying also comes at a time when they were severely affected by a drought and now rainfall,” he said.

In the Black Bush Polder area, rice is under threat as a result of constant recent flooding and prolonged rainfall.

Yusuf said the PTCCB was winding up to throw the knock-out punch as the

PRO of NPCL Haseef Yusuf and CEO Mohain Persaud at the head table at Thursday’s press conference

farmers are already wobbling. The PTCCB took the decision to block Air Services Limited (ASL), from conducting aerial spraying of rice fields followed complaints to the Board from members of the public over the possible harmful effects such spraying could have on communities in close proximity to rice fields which utilise that system to spray their crop.

However, Yusuf argues that the only large farmers utilise the facility offered by ASL and, as a result, most of the fields which are sprayed by means of aerial spraying are not close to residential communities.

The next best option the farmers have to spray their fields is by the use of motor blowers or hand spraying.

According to the farmers, with aerial spraying, they utilise 20 per cent less of the chemical.

They also claim that with aerial spraying, there is only an overlap of about 10 feet while there is an overlap of about 20 to 30 feet if using a motor blower. They also claim that with the hand spraying method, there could be an overlap of up to 70 feet.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has been contacted on the issue and has since met with the PTCCB. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also met with the PTCCB to discuss their position on the aircraft company’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP). At Thursday’s press conference, the farmers noted that using aerial means of spraying is efficient and environmentally careful.

The affected farmers also noted that currently, there is a scarcity of labour with workers refusing to travel 17 miles into the backdam where rice fields are located.

They say the Guyana Sugar Corporation should also be stopped from conducting aerial spraying if a ban is being implemented on them.

“The drugs we use would make persons become impotent when you deal with it for a long time. That is why many people who work in the backdam would get problems at home and it ends up in suicide,” one farmer commented.

He also said that with

daily for several weeks per crop.

Another farmer, Harry Beharry, of Region Six, argued that priority should be given to safety. He said the Pesticide Board is now becoming a pest.

“Look who make up the Pesticide Board, none of them are into farming, they sit in an office and want to make decisions about what goes on in the field. There is a more even distribution with aerial spraying. You use less drugs using aerial spraying,” he said.

Mohammed Rahim of Region Five, who is in the business of rice farming for more than 20 years and currently cultivates in excess of 9000 acres of rice, noted that the current weather conditions are ideal for paddy bugs. He said the Pesticide Board should not be involved in the method used to fertilise and treat the crop but only in the type of chemicals which are being used in the field.

According to Minister Holder, the regulations on aerial spraying stipulate

A motor blower on demonstration on Thursday

aerial spraying, even persons who may be in a residential area and are at risk of being affected, will only be affected for about five minutes for four times annually while someone who works in the field doing manual spraying will be exposed to the chemicals for more than five hours

that the plot of land being sprayed by means of aerial spraying should be one mile away from others. He also noted that in Berbice, there are cattle being raised where rice is being grown.

The Minister says, currently a policy document on aerial spraying is being drafted and in another two months, it should be out.

“What we want is a green Guyana,” he noted.

The farmers are asking the PTCCB to rescind on its decision. Yusuf says currently, the rice crop is greatly infested by paddy bugs and caterpillars and if left untreated, will result in low yield and poor quality paddy and rice.

“Manual spraying is not effective since there is an acute shortage of manual labour and it is impossible to treat the nearly 50,000 acres of rice under cultivation in Region Six alone. The rice farmers are already faced with low prices and high costs of production.

The use of technology in the form of aerial spraying is their only salvation at this time.”

Younge’s Take Burnham, PNC and power

T

here is a sudden wave of silence on the part of those who pledged political and ethnic allegiance to the divisive politics of the People’s National Congress and its leaders following the leakage of the damning findings of the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry into the death of renowned Historian Dr Michael Younge Walter Rodney.

This silence is all but shocking as the truth about those who organised, executed, and were part of the plot to assassinate the political activist was bound to come to the light after decades of political wizardry and gymnastics on the part of the PNC which exiled the truth to a dark hole.

Alas, the impartial Rodney CoI report laid the blame for the death of Dr Rodney where it rightly belonged, at the feet of the infamous Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, his military allies and the PNC. The Rodney report has, more importantly, exposed just how far those who yearn to hold on to political and economic power in Guyana are willing to go.

It shed, some much needed light, on how Executive Presidents and Prime Ministers can use their influence and constitutional power to coerce, manipulate and frustrate state agencies to commit cardinal sins and injustices against the citizens which fund and empower them to protect their rights.

The reported findings also offer Guyanese some insight into the psyche and political embryo of some of the leaders in the PNC (past and present) who are secretly peddling the notion of Black supremacy, racial divisiveness and party paramountcy at various forums and levels of our society.

The truth is, the report and its findings could not have been made public at a more convenient time because the PNC has managed since May to creep its way back to political power as part of a grand coalition of parties interested in national and ethnic unity as well as giving Guyanese the good life while protecting their rights.

More interestingly, the Working People’s Alliance which was founded by Dr Rodney is also part of that coalition of parties but has chosen to remain silent on the explosive findings of the CoI. Recall that the WPA, now under Dr Rupert Roopnaraine’s leadership, spent its entire adult political life fighting for justice for Rodney and countless other Guyanese who met the same fate under the PNC albeit in different ways.

Also, the WPA has said nothing about the Rodney report findings to date but this is understandable because the party lost its political independence and respect when Roopnaraine led it into the arms of the PNC believing that it was now going to start a process of healing, reconciliation and progress for Guyana.

He should be embarrassed because his PNC Boss who is now President David Granger is wasting no time in attempting to discredit the report findings and fault the Commissioners who participated in the process to deliver the truth to Guyanese about Dr Rodney’s death.

Make no mistakes about it, publishing the report is only one step. The PNC leadership must accept its role in Dr Rodney’s death or expose just how the PPP manipulated the Commission and all who testified.

If it fails to do either, there will be no real justice for Rodney.

Therefore the WPA and AFC cannot allow the PNC to skirt them into silence and compliance. They must stand on the side of the people of this country and Rodney lovers all across the world.

These two parties must force President Granger to embark on the implementation of all of the recommendations in the report.

They must also force the President to acknowledge that during the era of terror that the Guyana Defence Force and Guyana Police Force were used as weapons against political opponents.

He must make a commitment that this will never be a feature of the new coalition as Guyanese are already seeing similar signs in both the actions of the security forces and the Burnham-like posture and inklings of the new President.

news

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sunDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

The Race to LGE 2016

Albouystown candidate on mission to restore community vibrancy

– tax amnesty, sports facilities and better drainage promised By: Devina Samaroo

F

or decades the A l b o u y s t o w n Community has been trapped under a negative veneer of piercing stereotypes causing a magnitude of outsiders to shudder even at thought of taking a stroll through the village.

But having grown up and lived in such a suppressing environment, there is a burning desire to influence significant change within.

David Williams was born and raised in the Albouystown area and the announcement of Local Government Elections (LGE) gave him the perfect opportunity to pursue his dream of transforming the community for the better.

Contesting under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Williams has a strong game-plan to restore vibrancy and return an empowering voice to residents with the aim of fostering greater relationships.

“I felt that I can make a difference in my community. This is a community that has always been in a negative light to persons on the outside. I know I have the knowledge and knowhow to enhance my community to make it a better place for the residents,” the LGE candidate declared with devotion.

Williams will be up

Albouystown under water

against three other candidates inclusive of David Allicock from Team Benschop and Malcolm Ferreira from Team Legacy who are all vying for a seat on the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to represent the demands and desires of the residents of constituency 10: Albouystown/ Charlestown.

Nonetheless, Williams is positive he will emerge victorious.

Game-plan

Recognising the dilemma whereby majority of families in the area are unable to pay their taxes and that M&CC is in desperate need of revenue, Williams proposed a tax amnesty programme to address the issue.

His vision includes the implementation of a threemonth amnesty period for residents whereby the

Council will be deducting all the accumulated interests on taxes from homeowners.

“I know there are a lot of delinquent taxpayers here and I know the Mayor and City Council needs revenue… but my plan is not to pressure residents but introduce a system that will benefit both parties,” he explained.

The second most pressing problem is that of crime and Williams’ counter strategy includes dispatching more city police in the vulnerable areas to engage in more aggressive patrols.

He highlighted that criminal activities mainly occurred in the Le Penitence Market area so he posited that more focus needs to be placed there to ensure both shoppers and venders feel safer whilst doing business.

Additionally, he plans

to rehabilitate the market and particularly, to improve the lavatory facilities.

Also top on his agenda is the issue of drainage. Notably, Albouystown is almost always inundated whenever it rains, causing severe damages to property, food and utmost discomfort to residents.

Being a victim himself to these harsh conditions, Williams will ensure there is a systematic approach to dealing with the drainage problem.

He noted that teams will be employed to clean drains and canals in the community on a regular basis so as to avoid constant flooding.

He also pledged to ensure the Sussex Street Koker is functioning at all times.

“We want permanent staff to address the draining. Not to employ people once a year to do “clean out my country” works. And I will also be lobbying for these permanent staff to be residents within the constituency,” he stated.

Williams also wants to develop state-of-the-art sporting facilities in the area to encourage youth to be engaged in meaningful activities.

He lamented the fact that there is only one sporting facility, the St Stephen’s Ground in Charlestown.

Williams intends to

transform the ground into a prime sporting facility over time.

“So we want to rehabilitate that ground, get floodlights installed, etc,” he said.

He also wants to construct a community centre within his constituency, inclusive of a playground and other family-oriented recreational facilities.

In fact, he has already earmarked an area along Independence Boulevard for such a facility.

Positive that his is the master plan for community development, Williams is encouraging residents to vote for betterment by voting for him on March 18.

16 NEWS

SunDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Bill passed to increase vehicular licence fees – Opposition concerned about beneficiaries, those to be affected

G

overnment used its one-seat majority in the National Assembly to amend the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, which will see, among other things, increased fees for drivers’ licences and motor vehicle fitness, despite objections from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan presented the Bill for the second reading at the 34th sitting of the National Assembly on Friday.

According to the Minister, in just nine months in office, his Administration cumulatively increased Old Age Pension by 38.7 per cent, showing its commitment to share the wealth as the country’s economy improves.

“We are trying to find ways of bring [the] good life to all citizens, regardless of their ages, by seeking to bring relief to persons 65 years and older who drive or have intention to drive for first time. They will be not visited with a fee for this pleasurable activity so I don’t believe that this part of the Bill will necessarily attract any negatives from our (Opposition) colleagues; neither do I think the second aspect of the Bill will,” he stated.

As it relates to that sec-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

tion of the amendments; that is, increasing the licence fees for vehicles under this Act, Jordan noted that Government is seeking to improve the cost sharing aspect. He stressed that there was some tardiness in not reviewing the rates in the past 20 plus years.

“We need to have in place a mechanism that will periodically review the rates so that the burden is evenly smoothed out, instead of appearing as a lump sum,” he stated.

However, the amendments to this piece of legislation were not passed without the People’s Progressive Party/C (PPP/C) Opposition raising their concerns.

Opposition parliamentarian Juan Edghill, highlighted the range of Guyanese that will be affect-

ed by the increases in the licensing fees and the manner in which they will be affected. He referred to the 2016 Budget presentation in which the Finance Minister said “Most of the measures, however, are designed to support our thrust of stimulating the economy while rekindling hope and confidence. These are essential ingredients towards attaining the good life.”

However, Edghill outlined that “stimulating” means to create activities, create interests and stir enthusiasm, which he said is missing in the “astronomical increases”. He pointed out that when Government seeks to increase fees, licences or taxes, then more than often ,it is the worker who feel the burden.

“When the licensing fees

for the hire car man increases, it is the travelling public that will pay more. If the licensing fees for the canter truck or goods lorry increase, it is the man who seeking to move his two zinc sheets to repair his roof or the person who’s seeking to move his five sacks of cement to cast his porch or to do some maintenance on his house will pay more.

Everything will be passed onto the worker and passed on in a context where the worker will not have any increases… (because the 2016 Budget) has not brought any benefits for the worker,” he

Opposition MP Juan Edghill

stated.

Meanwhile, PPP front bencher Anil Nandlall in his presentation sought to address the removal of licence fees for senior citizens 65 years and older, which he welcomed. Nandlall noted that while the Opposition will never oppose any measure that brings relief to any grouping of Guyanese, the pool of people who will bene-

PPP/C Parliamentarian Anil Nandlall

fit from this exemption is too narrow.

He reflected on the electricity subsidy programme that his Administration had introduced but was cut by the coalition Government, which claimed that senior citizens from across the length and breathe of Guyana, particularly Amerindians and many on the coastland, did not benefit from it because they had no Guyana Power and Light (GPL) metres in their names.

“This measure which targets drivers who are 65-years and older targets a very narrow compass of persons,” Nandlall stated, while asking how many Amerindians, for example, will benefit from this measure.

“Could (the Finance Minister) say how many Amerindians 65-years and older from Orealla, from Aaishalton, in Waini, in Kaikan, at Kato will benefit?

So, Sir, the point I’m making

is that we cannot be so myopic in our focus. This, Sir, is intended to benefit a few numbers of urban pensioners… we are saying Sir, that these measures must extend right across the board,” the Opposition MP pleaded.

Nandlall went on to outline that not more than 10 persons from D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, where Government Chief Whip Amna Ally hails, will benefit from this measure; while not more than five from Whim, Corentyne, Berbice, where Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is from, will benefit.

The Opposition’s rejection of Government’s approach of targeting “certain special groups” in society and further burdening the “already burdened”, were in vain as the Bill was examined in Committee of Supply, clause by clause before being passed in the National Assembly with the amendments proposed by Government.

NEWS

17

SunDAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

THE

Indigenous women, custodians of our rainforest

BY ANNA CORREIA

T

he advent of policies geared towards the fight against climate change in the ‘90s did not only birth new markets, but also, forced us to rethink development strategies and ways of life. Climate change has become a problematic embroiled in the socioeconomic development of countries, some of which advance faster Anna Correia than others depending on their capacity and willingness to engage in promoting green economies.

In Guyana, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is the first initiative to have set the tone of the country’s commitment to fighting climate change. It is an exemplary stance in a region where the Amazon rainforest remains under threat, due to the immense reserve of natural resources sheathed under its green blanket.

However, policies penned with climate change in mind often exclude the first victims of this global phenomenon who ironically, are the very people to hold a key role in preserving whatever green is left of the continent’s forest: indigenous peoples.

While the LCDS limits the destruction and degradation of Guyana’s forest, mining and logging are still permitted, and the impact on the environment is first felt by Amerindians. Last week, the Toshao of Tasserene, Region 7, called out to the Government of Guyana to intervene in resolving the negative consequences of mining in his community, as it relates to the pollution by miners of his people’s main water source, the Tasserene Creek. The Akawaios of Tasserene are now forced to use insalubrious water for cooking, drinking, washing and bathing. This scenario is replicated in almost every other indigenous community encumbered by mining. But because they are the ones who carry out most of the household chores, indigenous women are forced first-hand to endure the environmental destruction of their habitations.

In addition to having to cope with the pollution which invades their homes, indigenous families must also put strenuous efforts into walling out the decadence which accompanies the establishment of mining camps. The rates of prostitution and Trafficking in Persons (TIP) are as elevated in mining districts as they are in Georgetown, if not higher. In addition to constituting a thriving market for prostitution, mining districts have also become a hub for TIP. The case of Imbaimadai and its “Kaymu” (make-shift brothels generally operated by women from the city) exemplifies the increasing vulnerability of indigenous women, as families living in neighbouring villages cower under worry for the lives of their daughters. Former Toshao Alvin Joseph of Tasserene, in July 2015, had pointed out his concern that the new shops established 20 minutes away from his community, were luring young girls away from their homes. He had described alcoholism to be rampant in the camps.

Alcoholism and substance abuse plague mining camps, and the victims of TIP and prostitution are the first to succumb. A visit to Port Kaituma in Region 1 or Bartica in Region 7 would reveal the same disturbing issues. Yet, the weak policies in place limit the capacity of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to enforce law and order and contain such illegalities in mining districts. Laxity of national institutions in this regard also bars from adequately addressing the issue.

Mining does not only affect the environment, it infiltrates the very social fabric of indigenous societies, irreversibly destroying centuries of accumulated heritage, culture and ways of life, vectored and pillared by women.

In an age where the fight for natural resources accelerates and opposes efforts to contain global warming, neglecting to factor in the importance of indigenous peoples does not only testify of the myopia of national policies, but also, of indifference regarding the empowerment of indigenous women.

Distributing “shoes that grow”, bicycles, buses and other momentary hand-outs for instance, remains a nonsensical concept, if indigenous societies continue to be destroyed by environmental degradation and destruction. What indigenous women need is the preservation of the environment in which their societies are anchored, so that their children may be able to develop and grow in pace with the rest of the country, in this regional race for development.

The indigenous daughters of Guyana are the first custodians of our rainforests, and as such, the policies we craft must alleviate the challenges thrown at them by mining. Such policies which accentuate the importance of women in promoting a green economy, will be the materialisation of the Government’s genuine commitment to fight global warming.

Police probing disappearance of Aurora School materials

R

egion Two (PomeroonS u p e n a a m ) Chairman Devanand Ramdatt has disclosed that Police from G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands) have commenced investigations into the removal of materials from the dismantled school.

The materials went missing immediately after the old Aurora Secondary School was dismantled for construction to commence on a new school.

Thus far, the Regional Engineer has been questioned by the Police about the materials and the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson had asked him to account for all the materials that were dismantled, since it was under his supervision when it went missing.

Ramdatt said he is happy the matter is engaging the attention of the Police.

He further explained that he is concerned that

Construction on the new school has commenced and is ahead of schedule

such a situation occurred, even though he instructed the REO on a process that allowed transparency and accountability regarding the material from the dismantled school that could have been used for several community projects. He added that the project would have positively impacted the lives of the working class people.

"Just neighbouring the project site, residents are living in shacks, students who are displaced due to the construction of the school

are housed under residents' bottom houses that could have been upgraded to create more child-friendly spaces, playgrounds, churches, masjids and mandirs could have used the materials for more community-based projects," Ramdatt related.

The Chairman is however concerned that whenever rain falls, classes are displaced and maybe when the rainy season commences, classes can be further affected.

Meanwhile, the

Chairman explained during an interview with this publication that construction on the new school is in full swing and the contractor, Rakesh Samaroo, is ahead of schedule. Ramdatt said the project is expected to be completed by November 2016.

The Chairman said that he had a meeting with the consultant, contractor and representatives from the regional education department, along with the regional administration in relation to the project.

18 news

SunDAY, februARY 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

A watershed moment for Guyana

By Ryhaan Shah

I

t is no surprise that head of Government and the PNC, President David Granger, vows to challenge the findings of the CoI into the death of WPA Leader Dr Walter Rodney. He undoubtedly has the full support of the party.

Prime Minister and President Forbes Burnham enjoyed the same unswerving party loyalty and, in a country deeply divided by race, it secured him the absolute Ryhaan Shah power he needed for his descent into terrorism.

The PNC is once again in full control of the very same agencies that are named in the CoI’s report as participating in that terrorism, namely the police, the army and the civil service.

Even when the PPP/C formed the government, the PNC never lost that control. The PPP/C might have been able to buy the loyalty of a few top chiefs in order to muster some semblance of authority in those areas, but as to using them as extensions of their party and its ideology – that was always the remit of the PNC. Its failure to professionalise the armed forces is actually a charge that the PPP/C government has to answer especially in the face of the CoI’s recommendations that such professionalism is needed to help prevent a repeat of the country’s sordid past.

Granger and his party might feel confident about mounting a challenge to the CoI’s findings since the unprofessionalism still prevails and the PNC’s institutional knowledge of fraud and forgery, as evidenced by the documents created for trigger man Gregory Smith, is intact given that some of the named conspirators in the terrorism are still around.

The commission’s assessment of the evidence implicates: former PNC leader Robert Corbin; Prime Minister and Vice President in Burnham’s government, Hamilton Green; and GDF Major General (Ret’d) Norman McLean.

It was Granger’s own move to abruptly curtail the commission’s work that prevented some evidence from being heard and, therefore, included in the final report - evidence from Asst Police Commissioner Skip Roberts, for example.

If the PNC does challenge the commission’s findings in court, this could well lead to more damning evidence coming to light. It could be a silver lining.

It is obvious to the public that Granger would have allowed the commission to complete its work if the PNC felt it had nothing to hide. The bluster about cost coming from him is also seen for the bluster it is since government spends lavishly in areas of much less national importance.

What could be more important to the nation than unearthing the truth about a contentious past? The three Caribbean justices who presided over the inquiry were most qualified to assess the evidence given and with impartiality so Granger can never impugn their good name and integrity.

As it stands, this is a watershed moment for the PNC and for Guyana. We have squandered every other watershed moment in our history. Independence, republicanism, the return to democracy in 1992 – these were all opportunities to turn the corner and claim our place as a nation where democratic values matter.

We now have another chance to do the right thing. The PNC can no longer hide its past. The party should accept the CoI’s findings and allow the country, once and for all, to come to terms with that dark period of its history.

The findings provide the clearest picture yet of our own experiences of those times – the beatings, terrorism, debasement and murders, and even though Granger has yet to officially present the report to the nation, it has quite rightly been leaked and the news has travelled.

It cannot be business as usual. The findings are too damning. Many did try, in the run-up to the last general elections, to counter the PNC/APNU/AFC Coalition campaign which was hinged on the reprehensible idea that the past does not matter. But the Coalition pushed through with its message and won.

As a result, Guyana’s future is now in the hands of people stained by a dastardly past and there are signs of creeping authoritarianism under Granger, a clear indication that his presidential style was forged by past PNC ideology.

In choosing to discredit the findings of the Rodney CoI and by proceeding with blithe disregard for public concern, he could well be flexing his muscles and showing us, once again, who holds the power.

Burnham, Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis, and Gregory Smith can never be brought to justice but it is up to us, the people, to make sure that Dr Rodney and the others who perished during that period did not die in vain.

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

news

19

sundAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

St Joseph High School joins suicide prevention campaign

W

ith their banners against suicide flying high, the students of St Joseph High School along with other secondary schools marched as a unit to reinforce their call of ‘stamping out suicide.’

As part of their International Awareness Project, the members of the Interact club decided that since Guyana has been plagued with suicide over the past months, there was a need to play a significant role in curbing the levels

of suicide while sending a strong message to would-be victims that they are “not alone.”

Making their way on Vlissengen Road then onto Carifesta Avenue, the students joined other schools and clubs across Georgetown to strengthen their appeal to persons who might be considering suicide.

President of the St Joseph Interact Club and a Sixth Form student of the school, Sasha Mohan, told Guyana Times that the

club initiated the suicide prevention walk after they saw the high levels of suicides in Guyana, especially among teenagers.

With this march, she said, they are hoping that they reach out to persons who may be contemplating taking their lives and prove to them that there is light at the end of every tunnel.

She informed that if not all, they are hoping to get as many persons as possible to understand that there are other people encountering difficulties like

Ali roasts Govt on amendments...

Moreover, the Opposition front-bencher went onto talk about the adjustment of the Income Tax threshold, ripping the Coalition Government apart on why it could not raise the ceiling to $100,000 as promised on its pre-elections campaign trail. He stressed that all members of the National Assembly have a moral and ethical responsibility as part of their social contract to develop laws that are in keeping with their commitment to the people.

“When we are elected to this house, people elect us based on trust and belief in what we promise to offer them during the elections campaign,” he stated while outlining that Government sought to offer no convincing case that the country cannot afford to set the threshold at $100,000 as promised.

Ali posited that that if the Minister is moving away from that commitment, then the least he could have done

is to present a case to justify the reason why that target cannot be achieved at this time.

“I think the Honourable Minister of Finance owes the nation a responsibility, moreso, his supporters the responsibility to outline why is it this promise cannot be achieved,” the Shadow Finance Minister opined while adding that with all the legislations being implemented to collect revenues, Government is sure to raise the threshold to at least $75,000, which he said is a sustainable rate.

On the other hand, Ali turned his attention to the other amendment to the Income Tax Act that allows for tax refunds to be paid on other amounts owed to GRA before the remaining sums, if any, are paid to the taxpayer.

He explained that while the Opposition is in full support of any measure that will reduce the burden on tax payers, one of which is the effi-

from page 9

cient and reliable processing of tax returns and refunds.

“Any measure the Minister of Finance brings that would see businessmen, for example, getting back their VAT (Value-Added Tax) refunds in a timely manner, we are going to support that measure.

However, we cannot support the argument that the commissioner general is now empower to off-set taxes, the net-off effect. This is in contravention of the FMAA (Fiscal Management and Accountability Act),” he outlined.

According to Ali, the latitude and discretion that is being place on the GRA Commissioner General and Minister of Finance marks a “dangerous road” that government is embarking on, noting that it is more than discretionary. In fact, the Opposition MP said it is absolute power in the letting off of taxes and this can lead to many challenges.

Students of Tutorial High School and St Joseph High School display the banner made by Tutorial High as the students staged a walk against suicide on Saturday

theirs or even worst but they overcame it eventually, due to their strength and determination.

“We want these persons to know that there are people out there who are with you, who are there to help you in any possible way.

We want you to save your life,” Mohan encouraged.

She added that it is important for persons to be alive, especially youngsters who can garner their talents and capabilities, which will contribute to the further progression of Guyana as a nation, which in return will influence the future generations to follow the footsteps of persons

who had fought the battle of resisting the urge to end their life through suicide.

To execute the project, the school joined hands with North Georgetown Secondary School, Tutorial High School and Richard Ishmael’s Secondary School – all coming under the supervision of the Rotary Club of Stabroek; the co-coordinators of the event.

Following the walk, the students assembled at the St Joseph High School auditorium where they engaged in conversation and presentation from members of the Rotary clubs, the headmaster of the school and other special in-

vitees.

Earlier this month, four students of Queens College launched their suicide project, ‘Operation Safe and Sound’ under the slogan ‘I am a survivor’ in an effort to spread awareness of suicide to the public, educate individuals on signs, symptoms and treatment and conduct programmes that will play an integral role in curtailing the level of suicides in society.

Most prominently, the project had been initiated in an effort to encourage other schools to develop similar campaigns and to extend positive energy to youths across Guyana.

20

news

SunDAY, february 28, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

“Hearsay” evidence is valid in CoIs – Nandlall T he universal principle stipulates that the rules of evidence applicable to a court of law in litigation do not apply to Commissions of Inquiry, therefore, the “hearsay” evidence commonly rejected during a court proceeding would be valid in a CoI. This is according to former Attorney General Anil Nandlall in response to President David Granger’s repudiation of the internationally acclaimed CoI Report into the death of Dr Walter Rodney.

President Granger, when drilled by the media February 24 on the report’s damning revelations, argued that the report is badly “flawed” since it was based on “hearsay” evidence.

“The Commission has varied from its mandate, accepted a lot of hearsay evidence and not given the Guyanese people what they deserve – that is to say what were the circumstances under which Dr Rodney acquired a certain device (and)

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

how that device came to be detonated,” the President remarked.

However, Nandlall pointed out that CoIs are fact-finding missions which make them applicable to accept hearsay evidence which is inadmissible in Court.

In further proving his point, Nandlall quoted Canadian Justice William Riddell who had stated, “A Royal Commission is not

for the purpose of trying a case or a charge against any one, any person or any institution – but for the purpose of informing the people concerning the facts of the matter to be inquired into. Information should be sought in every quarter available…

Everyone able to bring relevant facts before the Commission should be encouraged, should be urged,

to do so.

Nor are the strict rules of evidence to be enforced; much that could not be admitted on a trial in Court may be the utmost assistance to the Commission…”

Also, Nandlall expressed is it quite striking that the President, even after cutting short the life of the CoI, would complain about the evidence provided. “(He denied) the opportunity of hearing from witnesses who may have had vital information. Indeed, since it was his inquiry, President Granger had the glorious opportunity of ensuring that every witness whom he believes should have testified, be made available to do so.

Unfortunately, he chose to shut down the inquiry instead. The President cannot approbate and reprobate on this matter,” Nandlall stated.

He explained that since the CoI was established by then President Donald Ramotar who is no longer in Office, the Constitution provides that the Commission will now become President Granger’s.

“This Inquiry was commissioned by His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar under the Commissions of Inquiry Act Ch 19:03. Section 3 of this Act provides that any commission established under the Act may be revoked by the President by a notification to that effect published in the Gazette. Section 4 states: “No commission issued under this Act shall lapse by reason of, or be otherwise affected by the

said.

Moreover, Nandlall lambasted the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leadership for his attempt at discrediting the report.

“It appears that few in Government are the only persons on planet earth who seem to be shocked by the findings of this commission.

To the intelligent mind ap-

President David Granger

death, absence, or removal of the President issuing the same”. When President Granger assumed office, he did not revoke this commission appointed by his predecessor. Therefore, by operation of Section 4, it became his commission,” he posited.

Against this backdrop, Nandlall contended that Granger will go down in history as perhaps the first President to reject the findings of his own CoI. Responding to the President’s concerns about the monies exhausted behind the Inquiry, Nandlall asserted that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition had supported the approval of these monies all along.

“Every cent spent by the PPP/C Government towards this commission was done with the support of an APNU/AFC controlled National Assembly which rejected important Bills and cut national budgets,” he

Dr Walter Rodney

prised of the reality of those times, that Forbes Burnham masterminded a plot to kill Walter Rodney was always a foregone conclusion,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the President had also expressed his intention to challenge the findings of the report.

“We intend to challenge it. We intend to challenge the findings of the Report and the circumstances under which that Report was conducted,” Granger told the media.

To this end, Nandlall pondered how exactly the President plans to do this.

sports

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eorgetown Bears, Upper East Coast Tigers, West Demerara Mavericks and Lower East Bank Lions registered victories in the opening round of the DCB/RSI Over-40 20/20 competition on Friday across Demerara.

Bears captain, Surendra Hiralal, lit up the small DCC ground with a flurry of shots in a match winning unbeaten century (101), decorated with ten boundaries and four handsome sixes. Also enjoying the party was Ron Ramnauth, who hammered a quick 57, which included ten fours. Bears finished on 220-3 off their 20 overs. Radesh Persaud had some success with the ball, capturing 2-25 off three overs.

In reply, West Coast Demerara Seals lost early wickets and eventually folded for 171 in the 16th over. M. Saffee gave his team hope towards the end with a blistering 72 (7x6s, 6x4s). Mark Farreira (2-9), Cladius Gibson (2-18) and Ramnath (2-19) were the leading bowlers.

At Lusignan ground, the match started late and was reduced to 16 overs per side.

Lions took first strike and cricket superstar, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, banged 141 to

Surendra Hiralal

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

see his team to 207-1. Also among the runs was Sahadeo Hardeo with 54.

Lower East Coast Bulls managed 141-4 when their overs expired. Arthur Duke topscored with 60, while Nirmaldeo Sarwan contributed 32.

At Farm ground, West Demerara Mavericks humbled Upper East Bank Colts by seven wickets. Colts made 114-6 in their allotted overs. Captain Rohan Sarjoo hit an unbeaten 45, while Ganesh Persaud grabbed 2-17.

Mavericks reached the target in 11.4 overs with Sham Persaud and Eon Williams scoring 48 not out and 37 respectively. Colts best bowler was David Mohamed with 2-8.

Tigers cruised to an eight-

wicket victory over Georgetown Buffaloes at the Enterprise ground. The visitors batted first and reached 148-5 with Lenny Massiah and Steven Alves led the way with 34 and 24 respectively. Bowling for Tigers, Chatterpaul Singh and Basheer Khan accounted for two wickets each.

Tigers took only 14.4 overs to knock off the required runs.

Latchman Yadram (53*) and Mustaq Shah (51) were the main scorers.

The competition will continue on Friday. Colts will clash with Buffaloes at Everest ground, Tigers will meet Seals at Wales ground, Bears will take on Bulls at Ogle ground, and Lions will square off with Mavericks at Farm ground.

Grasstrack showdown at Ogle today

A

ll systems are in place for a grand showdown today when the Corona Beer Grass Track Championship takes place at the Ogle Community Centre ground.

Chief coordinator Sheik Yaseen told this publication that 15 riders have confirmed participation in the event, with action set to speed off at 11:00h. Apart from the battle among the competitors, fans can also get lucky as Roraima Airways has put up two tickets for a day trip to Arrowpoint Resort.

All spectators need to do is retain their half stub to become eligible.

The event, which promises skills, thrills, spills and daredevilry, will be the first of six days of racing during the year, with other

events planned for Berbice, Enterprise, Linden and Essequibo, before riders return to the Ogle Community Centre for the grand finale.

Yaseen explained that while the top six riders in each category today will be rewarded, all the participants will be given points based on their finish, which will ultimately be tallied on the final day to determine the overall champion of the different divisions.

The coordinator further stated that the aim of the event is to revitalise grass track racing in Guyana, noting that on the first day, there will be two races for persons with “regular bikes.”

In order to be entered into these races, participants would be required to strip their machines of parts that

are deemed to be hazardous.

A total of 10 races are carded for the first day.

Apart from the expected thrilling showdown among the bikers, there will also be the launch of the Guyana Grass Track Hall of Fame, with seven persons set to be honoured for their contribution to the sport.

They are Terrence Clarke, Brian McIntosh, Kevin Jeffrey, Stanley Ming, Mazar Mazarally, Mahesh Premsukh and Victor Pires.

Apart from Corona Beer, the other company’s on board are Air Services Limited, Palm Court, Jags Aviation, Crazy Auto Works, Regal Stationery, Auto Fashion, Steve’s Jewellery, Trophy Stall, Andy’s Auto Electrical and Southern Tropical Timbers.

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

taxi services

Bears, Tigers, Mavericks and Lions win G

Wins for Alpha, Pele in Stag Elite League

services

2-bedroom downstairs apartment.

Fully grilled. Eccles (Preferable a couple) Tel: 233-2607/618-1225.

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Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

orward Dellon Lanferman netted two goals to quell any chances the enthusiastic Georgetown Football Club (GFC) had of defeating Alpha United on Friday night when the Guyana Football Federation’s Stag Elite League continued at the GFC ground, Bourda.

In the evening’s second game, Alpha defeat the home side 3-1 with goals from Lanferman (58th and 88th minutes) and Anthony “Awo” Abrams (13th), while Romario Welcome in the 89th minute scored for GFC. In the first match, goals from Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson and Runnel Gordon allowed Pele to edge Berbice side Monedderlust 2-1.

Richardson and Gordon’s

Dellon Lanferman (left) and Anthony “Awo” Abrams

goals came in the 35th and 64th minutes respectively, while Peirre Joseph scored in the 37th minute for Monedderlust.

The League will con-

tinue today at the same venue with Monedderlust playing Alpha United from 18:00h and Buxton United tackling Pele from 20:00h.

(Akeem Greene)

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sundAY, february 28, 2016

Courts 50-mile cycling DeNobrega wins B&R Investment cycling in Berbice today

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ocal cyclists will be in Berbice today to participate in the Courts annual 50-mile road race, which will pedal from the company’s New Amsterdam branch at Main and St Ann Streets and head to Nand Persaud Rice Mills at Number 37 Village, Corentyne, before returning to the point of origin.

This year the event is being held as part of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. It is being organised by coach of the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC), Randolph Roberts, and is open to cyclist nationally.

The first six riders to cross the finish line will be awarded prizes, while the first three juniors and first

Randolph Roberts

three veterans to cross the finish line will also receive prizes. Prizes will also be given to the first three FACC riders to complete the race.

There will be eight sprint point prizes up for grabs.

Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), David Armogan, is expected to send the riders on their way.

Meanwhile, females and Under-16 cyclists will compete from Fyrish to the finish line outside of Courts New Amsterdam branch, covering a distance of 10 miles. The first three in each category will be rewarded.

Prior to the start of the race, BMX riders will compete in a 1.5 mile race from Marks Bridge to Courts, making it the first time in the past decade that there will be organised competitive cycling riding through the town of New Amsterdam.

The BMX race is scheduled to start at 08:00h, while the 50-miler will start at 10:00h.

Cricket brief

Johnson stars on rain-affected day

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kipper Leon Johnson stroked his fourth First-Class ton as Guyana Jaguars collected an 94-run first innings lead over Windward Islands Volcanoes at stumps on day two of the PCL Four-day match.

Competing in eighth round action, Guyana Jaguars closed on 310-7 in response to the hosts’ 216. The left-handed Johnson

stroked a masterful 107 and in the process passed 4,000 First-Class runs in his 123rd innings.

The in-form Vishaul Singh supported with 58, while opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul made 46. Raymon Reifer and Veerasammy Permaul are the not out batsmen on 27 and 16 respectively.

Windies Women beat South Africa to take series

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est Indies Women defeated South Africa Women to by 57 runs to win the three-match series with a game to spare. Playing in East London, West Indies Women posted 232 in 49.1 overs with Stafanie Taylor scoring 79 and Deandra

Dottin 61.

Shemaine Campbelle chipped in with 24 not out. Anisa Mohammed, Shaquana Quintyne and Hayley Matthews then claimed two wickets apiece, as South Africa Women folded for 175.

India survive scare to beat Pakistan

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ndia survived a top-order collapse to beat rivals Pakistan by five wickets in a low-scoring Asia Cup group match in Mirpur, Bangladesh on Saturday.

Hardik Pandya took 3-8 as Pakistan were skittled for 83 in 17.3 overs - their

third lowest ever Twenty20 total.

India were reeling at 8-3, but Virat Kohli scored a match-winning 49 off 51 balls as they reached their target with 27 balls remaining.

They will meet again in the ICC World Twenty20 in Dharamsala on March 19.

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aul deNobrega of Team Alanis emerged winner of the main event in the B&R Investment/ Dookie Construction 11-race programme at the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday.

DeNobrega outsprinted Team Gillette Evolution’s Marlon Williams to win the 35-lap Schools Boys and Invitational race in a time of one hour, 19 minutes, 32 seconds.

Rounding off the top six were Shaquille Agard, Orville Hinds, Michael Anthony and Silvio Inniss in that order.

Other winners of the day included Shaun Green (Veteran Under-50), Linden Blackman (Veteran Over-50), Wilfred Thom (Veteran Over-60), Romello Crawford (Juveniles), Richard Charles (Mountain Bike), Simeon Chee (BMX 9-12), Adelie Hodge (BMX 12-14) and Jess Mohabir (BMX 6-9).

Organiser Hassan Mohamed congratulated the winners and expressed gratitude to the management of B&R Investment/Dookie Construction of Soesdyke for sponsoring the event for the second year. The first sponsorship was in 2013.

Paul deNobrega

EBFA secures sponsorship for U-11 League

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he East Bank Football Association (EBFA), through its president Franklin Wilson, has secured sponsorship for the association’s Under-11 League, which will kick off next weekend. Guyana based United States Soccer Federation (USSF) D, C and B (College Level), Ralph Green, has agreed to sponsor the league on an annual basis.

Green, who is a founding member and current president of the Camptown Soccer Club of New York, said that he had no hesitation in partnering with the EBFA for this level of football since setting a solid foundation will ultimately see Guyana’s foundation being a solid one.

He commended the EBFA for being very active over the past two years in the area of junior football development, having run off

EBFA president Franklin Wilson (right) receives the lien trophy from Ralph Green recently in New York

multiple competitions at the Under-11, 13, 15, and 17 levels.

“When the proposal was put forward to me by Mr. Wilson, I did not have second thoughts because I am aware of what the association has been doing under

his stewardship and wanted to make my contribution which would be on an annual basis,” Green commented.

Green reminded that through the Camptown Soccer Club of New York, they sponsored the biggest Under-15 tournament in Guyana, which attracted 16 teams with each player receiving a ball and tee shirt.

The EBFA competition will see the teams competing for a 25” lien trophy with the team to win it on three successive occasions able to keep it. That apart, the first, second and third placed teams will receive medals while the fourth placed team will be presented with participatory medals.

There will also be five individual trophies that will go to the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper, Most Promising Player and Most Disciplined Player.

EBFA Wilson said that the association is very grateful to Green for readily agreeing to commit to an annual tournament. He said that this is not the first time Green is contributing to the association having also run off a two-day coach’s seminar in the recent past.

Wilson also informed that the sponsorship agreement has the capacity to be expanded with the benefit of the players at the forefront.

Herstelling Raiders FC are defending champions.

23 Singh returns to helm of Everest for 3rd term sundAY, february 28, 2016

guyanatimesGY.com

club’s newest Life Member after being a financial and active club member for a minimum of 25 consecutive years.

Singh joined the club as a teenager in 1990 and has had many successes both on and off the field.

The year 2015 was a successful one for many players from the Everest Cricket

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ECC president Rajesh Singh (seated second left) with members of the new executive

verest Cricket Club’s (ECC) newest Life Member Rajesh Singh has been elected to the club’s top post for the year 2016-17 following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday.

The AGM, which was well attended in the club’s pavilion, started with matters of the 2015/16 executives, including the adoption of the minutes of the AGM of February 2015 and reports from the Audited Financial statement, Secretary, Club Captain and President.

As is customary, ECC recognises outstanding players and performances of the previous year and these players were presented with trophies.

For his elevation on becoming a West Indies Test player, cricketer Rajendra Chandrika was announced as the club’s Honourary Life Member.

Outgoing president Stephen Lewis thanked the 2015/16 executives and membership for their support in what was described as a challenging year for the club.

However, the club still managed an overall profit and saw

the realisation of many projects, including the “Century Kitchen”, which is bearing the fruits of the club’s investment.

Lewis wished the new executives best of luck in carrying out the plans of the club, including the erection of permanent international floodlights. While Lewis will not be part of the 2016/17 executives, he will remain a committed member of the club and will actively play any role to see the club’s further development.

After the 2015/16 executives were dissolved by Returning Officer, Guyana Coast Guard Commander, Orin Porter, and the floor was opened to nominations for the 101-year-old club’s top post, Lewis immediately rose to nominate the 43-year-old Singh and the nomination was seconded by member Ishwar Singh.

Member Johnny Azeez then begged for nominations to be closed and it was seconded by Avinash Prasad.

After Commander Porter announced that Rajesh Singh will be the new President

for 2016/17, Lewis rose once again to propose that the slate of the new executives be taken in-block. This was also seconded by Azeez.

President Singh then rose to announce the slate of fellow executives that will serve until the next AGM, which is set for February 2017. Johnny Azeez (Senior Vice-president), Kalyan Tiwari (Junior Vicepresident), Carmachand Rambarran (Secretary), Reuel Sumair (Assistant Secretary), Manichan Rai (Treasurer), Anthony Rampersaud (Assistant Treasurer) and Saheed Mohamed (Club Captain).

The Committee Members are Rakesh Balgobin, Bhesham Persaud, Mitchell Ceasar and Dwayne Adams.

John Ramsingh was announced as the club’s Public Relations Officer. This is the first time in the club’s history that such a position has been made available.

Singh, who previously served as the club’s president for the periods 2008-2010 and 2012/13, was earlier in the evening announced as the

Club with the following being awarded within their respective division: Batsmanof-the-Year, First Division - Tagenarine Chanderpaul; Bowler-of-the-Year, First Division - Troy Gonsalves; Batsman-of-the-Year, Second Division – Khemraj Ramdeen; Bowler-of-theYear, Second Division - Javed

Rasheed; Outstanding Youth Cricketer-of-the-Year – Akshaya Persaud; Batsmanof-the-Year, Junior- Yeudistir Persaud; Bowler-of-the-Year, Junior – Zakarias Mootoo; Batsman-of-the-Year, Masters - Sahadeo Hardaiow; Bowlerof-the-Year, Masters – Johnny Azeez; and Cricketer-of-theYear- Rajendra Chandrika.

sundAY, february 28, 2016

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

guyanatimesgy.com

GCB Under-15 Championship…

Demerara mankad way to title over Berbice

The victorious Demerara Under-15 players pose with the winner’s trophy, along with sponsor Dave Narine (far left) and president of GCB Drubahadur (second left)

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emerara defeated Berbice by three runs in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Dave West Indian Imports GY-NY Inter-county Under-15 championship on Saturday.

Playing at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda, Berbice were set 139 to win from 50 overs after Nickeen Noble picked up a five-wicket haul to bowl out Demerara for 138.

However, in the 43rd over, with just four runs need-

ed and one wicket remaining, Daniel Mootoo effected a questionable mankad of the non-striker Noble to seal the win.

Batting for Berbice, the left-handed Seon Glasgow Jnr played some audacious shots in his 22 (26 balls, 2x4s). Opening batsman Jerrone France, who batted smartly throughout the innings, fell for 47 (4x4s) with the score on 106-5 in the 25th over. Captain Jevon Schultz made 22. Left-arm spinner Micheal Pooran

was the chief wicket-taker with 4-14.

Demerara’s total was built on a solid 42 (5x4s) from opener Sachin Singh, who shared a solid 48-run opening partnership with Shoaib Shaw, who made 24 (2x4s).

Yeudistir Persaud (29) and Daniel Paul with 12 were the other notable contributors. Left-arm spinner Noble, who picked up a hat-trick, ended with figures of 5-19 from seven overs, while Leon Swammy collected 2-15.

Grasstrack Christ Church showdown at boys sink Ogle today Carmel 4-0 Milo U-20 Schools football…

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hrist Church Secondary sunk four unanswered goals against Carmel Secondary to walk away with an impressive victory in the Milo Under-20 Schools football tournament on Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Brad Evans was the standout player for the Camp Street school, blasting in a double in the 22nd and 27th minutes, while Waynewright Adams netted in the 30th minute and Shamar Carrington in the 56th.

Bishops’ High also churned out a convincing win, toppling Central High

3-0. Lloyd Anderson opened the scoring in the 12th minute, while Shamar Britton doubled the advantage nine minutes later. Romeo Bradford made it 3-0 in the 58th minute.

School of the Nations and South Ruimveldt played to the only draw of the day, a 1-1 result.

Lyndon Dorway netted first for School of the Nations in the 43rd minute, before Junior Thomas equalised in the 56th minute.

The other game saw Richard Ishmael gaining a walkover from Sir Leon Lessons. Action in the tournament is set to continue today at the same venue.

Some of the riders strike a pose after a practice session on Saturday afternoon at the Ogle ground

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