Monday, March 21, 2016

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2803

Monday, March 21, 2016

PRICE

2 days after historic LGE

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GECOM silent on final results

Phagwah 2016

Essequibo P13 Coast Praant hosts chowtal sammelan

Page 3

Man shot, robbed at city hotel Page 8

$80 vat included

Gun, ammo found at Itaballi;1 in custody Page 11

Observing Palm Sunday

APNU/AFC to control P2 Linden Municipality LGE 2016

Central Govt ready to work with all local authorities P2 – President

Linden Town Week 2016 officially P13 launched Christians around the world marked the beginning of Holy Week as the community commemorated the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, days before he was crucified. In photo, members of the All Saints’ Anglican Church, New Amsterdam, lead a procession into the church. Inset is Anglican Bishop Charles Alexander Davidson along with other priests at St Deny’s Anglican Church to share in the Palm Sunday service

Radio Guyana President Inc licence defends was issued NCN to relinquish use of State

by State

APNU/AFC campaigning

Page 9

Page 10

Page 7

– PPP/C Govt, Jagdeo never issued QAII any radio, TV licences

resources full control of – PPP/C to raise issue in Linden operations National Assembly

No more P8 extra answer sheets during exams – CXC Political will to end racial discrimination under threat P17 – UN

2 news

monDAY, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

LGE 2016

APNU/AFC to control Central Govt ready to work with Linden Municipality all local authorities – President

P

resident David Granger said Central Government was prepared to work with those elected into leadership positions at the recently-concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) in order to combine their energies to provide a better quality of life for all of Guyana.

Granger said the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition was not necessarily seeking victory but it focused more on ensuring that local democracy was restored to the general populace.

At the time, the Head of State was being interviewed by journalists during his weekly telecast “The Public Interest”, which was aired on Friday last.

With the campaigning season concluded, President Granger said it was time for the elected leaders to get down to serious business to

President David Granger

work for the betterment of their various constituencies.

He highlighted five key areas he would like to see advance within all the 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and nine municipalities across the country.

First, he said the Councils should continue to communicate effectively with their constituents.

According to the President, Councillors tend to lose touch with the community once they remain in the position for too long but he does not want this to happen this time around.

Second, Granger wants a lot of focus to be placed on education.

“I would like to see the Council accept responsibility for ensuring that ev-

ery single child in the NDC or municipality gets into school, stays in school during his/her school days,” he stated.

The President would also like the Councils to pay attention to the economic growth of the constituency. He pointed out that every district, particularly in the new townships, has its unique economic potential and Councillors should, therefore, encourage investment in those areas.

Additionally, he wants each local authority area to promote a greener country and engage in environmental friendly practices.

Last but not least, the President wants the Councils to become business enterprises.

He said they should be able to raise enough revenues within their communities rather than depending heavily on subventions from the State.

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition has managed to secure the majority of votes in the Local Government Election (LGE) polls from the 8 constituencies across the Linden Municipality.

Reports are that the coalition has obtained 15 of 16 seats, while the Linden 2025 Group has secured 1. Of a total of 8279 valid votes, the APNU/AFC secured 7084, while the main Opposition Party the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) obtained 361.

Meanwhile, the group Linden Ambassadors For Progress secured 386 votes and Linden 2025 448. The victorious candidates for APNU/AFC for the First-Past-the-Post include Eleze Benjamin (Constituency 1), Lennox Gasper (Constituency 2), Leroy James (Constituency 3), Wainwright Bethune (Constituency 4), Colin Anderson (Constituency 5), Keeran Williams (Constituency 6), Fern Mckoy (Constituency 7) and Neola Rogers (Constituency 8).

APNU/AFC campaign manager Sandra Adams said while voter turnout was generally “low” and disappointing, the coalition was happy for the resounding victory and thanked Lindeners for their support.

On Friday Adams had stated: “In our expectation the turnout was low.

Generally, slow overall. We really expected more with all that would have been done campaign-wise... but we still heard the complains of people not knowing what Local Government Elections is all about and because of that they weren’t inclined to vote. We managed to bring over some of those people to get them to understand but then there was still the younger generation that said things like, ‘I voted last year, there’s no need for me to vote’.”

Adams also opined that the work of the newly elected Council over the next three years will include having persons to vote at the next LGE understand its importance as well as increasing their interest.

She noted that the Kwakwani area also recorded low voter turnout.

news

3

monDAY, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 21 - 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, March 22 - 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 21 – 15:15h-16:45h and Tuesday, March 22 - 15:50h-17:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

2 days after historic LGE

GECOM silent on final results

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions can be expected throughout the day with light rain showers in the mid-morning hours.

Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 03:23h and 15:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.45 metres and 2.52 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:15h and 21:34h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.67 metre respectively.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS N

01 10 17 18 19 20 03 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Daily Millions

10 14 15 26

06

LUCKY 3 8

1

2

Draw De Line 07

09

10 12 13

14 18

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

T

GECOM's PRO Tamara Rodney, Chairman Dr Steve Surujballi and CEO Keith Lowenfield

wo days following the holding of the much-anticipated and historic Local Government Elections (LGE), the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not yet been able to release the official results.

GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Tamara Rodney on Sunday had given media houses the go-ahead to contact Returning Officers (ROs) for the various constituencies to seek out the results from them. She provided the media with the personal cellular phone contact for those ROs, but an hour later the Commission contacted the media asking it to hold on this.

“I know I would have given you the ROs’ numbers to expedite the information flow on LGE, but kindly put a hold on calls to these numbers since I will provide a summary of the results,” the PRO said in an email at 15:53h. However, up to press time, the information was not forthcoming. Contacted again the PRO said it was not possible at the time to provide the information. The results are expected to be released today.

But, while GECOM has not officially announced results, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has already claimed it has won a landslide victory

in the elections.

On Sunday, the Party said votes won in the LGE in Barima-Waini (Region One) are equal to 13 seats as opposed to the 11 seats won by the coalition Government of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC). According to the Party, it has won in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) some 86 seats, while the coalition has won 20. In Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), the Party said it won 182 seats with the coalition trailing with 66.

It claims a 159-seat victory in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) with the coalition Government following with 126 seats. In the MahaicaBerbice (Region Five) area, the Opposition claims a 79seat win over Government’s 69 seats, while in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the PPP/C said it has recorded a victory of 224 seats over the 72 garnered by Government.

However, over in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), the Opposition said it won a mere two seats compared to the coalition’s seats, while in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), the coalition led with seven and the Opposition had three. In Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), the Opposition lost outright, securing no seats,

while Government led the way with 21. In total, the Opposition said it has some 748 seats with nine Regions, while Government has 406.

LGE 2016 came after 22 years, with the current Government taking much pride in being able to bring back local democracy to the general populace.

The local polls were held in 71 Local Authority Areas which comprise 62 NDCs and nine municipalities. Some 507,633 persons were registered to vote and according to GECOM, only 38-39 per cent of eligible voters actually participated.

Already forecasting a massive win, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo issued a statement on Saturday eve-

ning assuring the Party’s supporters that it is now one step closer to reclaiming the country.

“As a Party, we will continue to work hard to improve people’s lives and to prevent democracy from sliding backward. We are on the way to reclaiming our country, saving it from ruin and destruction by the hands of those who have demonstrated their only interest in Government is to be revengeful, spiteful and discriminatory,” the former President expressed.

He noted that the impressive victories scored by his Party were a clear indication that the PPP/C was always prepared to contest LGE and could never be held responsible for its delay.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, march 21, 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

Bottom up Governance?

A

famous saying in American politics is attributed to a long-serving Speaker of their House of Congress, Thomas “Tip” O’Neil: “All politics is local”. O’Neil attributed the advice to his father after he lost an early election in his native Boston when he had neglected his own neighbourhood. Even the persons who knew O’Neil personally did not forgive him for his inattention to their issues.

Even though recently there has been an ongoing debate in the US that the truism might at last be fading there, local politics had long been pushed away from the centre of Guyanese politics in the modern era, ushered in with the introduction of the universal franchise in 1950. Prior to that seismic event, the office holders in the Village Councils were key figures in running the affairs of their communities.

These Village Councils had been formed by the exslaves who had purchased abandoned plantations following the abolition of slavery. The Councillors, in turn played a key intermediary role in “national politics” by supporting parliamentary candidates supportive of their concerns within the limited franchise constituency system, where wealth and education determined enfranchisement.

The elections of 1950 did bring into play the hitherto disenfranchised and ignored lower and poorer classes, but just as significantly, shifted the political discourse from “local” to “national” issues linked to the achievement of independence from Britain.

While in the first two elections of 1950 and 1957 village leaders were still important as mobilisers of the voters, the formation of competing parties after the latter elections proved to be the death knell of local government driving the political agenda.

All politics was now “national” and all mobilisation was now “ethnic”.

With the achievement of independence in 1966, the PNC moved to further peripheralise effective local government even as they ostensibly “decentralised” governance into a “regional” system below the national level. The Regional system in turn was devolved into National Democratic Councils (NDCs) which abolished the Village Councils that had worked effectively for a century to address local concerns.

In this arrangement, several villages were agglomerated into NDCs for which officials were elected. But because of the peculiar nature of our settlement patterns of villages strung linearly along a single public road, there was very little connection between the NDC officials and the villages that formed the base of the communities.

As a result of this idiosyncrasy and also of the Central Government keeping control of the purse strings and appointment of the Overseer, who served as the executive officer of the NDCs, local government remained atrophied.

While the Local Government Elections (LGE) held on Friday was subsequent to changes in the Local Government legislation to address the shortcomings that vitiated their early influence, they did not go far enough to return the vitality of the early Village Councils.

We will have to see whether the compromise, in which villages were divided into “constituencies” from which firstpast-the-post candidates were elected to the NDCs, will permit the return of democratic decision-making to the grassroots.

Much will depend on whether the two major political parties, which fielded almost all of the winning candidates, will empower their village “constituency” candidates by facilitating their efforts to address local issues regardless of who benefit, based on party affiliations. The two parties can also benefit by going along this route.

The neglect of effective local government percolating all the way to the village level has stymied the rise of leaders from that stratum. While both the PPP and the PNC had introduced “party groups” at the village level, the destruction of the Village Councils closed that avenue for these grassroots leaders to develop executive and management skills.

The parties now have the opportunity to reverse that process by offering training to their candidates in the village constituencies, whether they won or not. And most importantly to take their views under consideration when “national” policies are crafted for bottom-up governance.

Easter Bunny’s helper! This lucky little girl got help from the Easter Bunny’s helper to craft her very own Easter bracelet at the Bunny Fun Day at the Promenade Gardens on Sunday afternoon

Same measure used to pay Cabinet, MPs must apply to remaining workers Dear Editor, Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s position that he is guided by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) position on the issue of wages and salaries for public sector workers cannot be allowed to go unnoticed. The IMF is a regulatory body and advises a country.

The IMF does not dictate for any country. To take an advice as a mandate is to abrogate the responsibility to work with stakeholders in chartering a direction indigenous to the people’s needs.

The minister can well learn from history.

In 1999 at the conclusion of the 57-day strike by public sector workers, the PPP/C administration conceded to go to arbitration.

At the conclusion of this exercise the arbiters led

by Dr Aubrey Armstrong awarded a 30 per cent wage increase, which was far in excess of what was recommended by the IMF. The PPP/C administration went to the IMF and advised of the need to pay

based on an agreement between the government and workers. This was accepted by the IMF, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and World Bank, and the workers were paid.

The APNU/AFC administration is on record saying it is pursuing a Green Economy, which according to international standards is measured on the Human Development Index (HDI). The IMF is measuring growth and development by using Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Since this administration has been elected to manage the country, it is instructive to note that while it is pursuing development along the lines of the Green Economy it is allowing itself to be dictated by an external agency using a different instrument to measure growth and development.

When this administration paid Cabinet and Members of Parliament increases in 2015, such were justified based on the HDI. The government and its

spokespersons in justifying the increases did not make an argument on the strength of the economy to pay.

The argument they made was premised on the social factors in society. In fact, what the government did is used the factor in the HDI to pay themselves, but now the government is conveniently using the GDP as the instrument to determine how rank and file workers will be paid increase in wages and salaries.

These double standards must not be allowed to permeate the society. Conscious of what the government’s argument was as it relates to the increases in 2015, when the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) met with the Minister of Finance on the issue of budget consultation for 2016, GTUC deliberately structured its presentation based on the Green Economy and not the GDP. The minister commended the GTUC and referred to the presentation as “thinking outside of the box.”

GTUC is an organisation of national character and the

presentation was made conscious of our role in shaping and influencing the national policies, programmes and laws that would redound to the benefit of workers, past, present and potential.

The process of collective bargaining is constitutional and legal. Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act speaks to the responsibility of the employer to negotiate in good faith with the workers’ representatives.

In this case, more than ever the Government is called upon to respect the law and the workers’ rights and negotiate with the public sector unions in good faith.

The HDI index that was used to determine salary increases for Cabinet and Members of Parliament who are government workers, must also be used as the barometer in determining wages and salaries for the remaining government workers.

Lincoln Lewis General Secretary GTUC

GECOM defends LGE public awareness campaign Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been focused and resolute in preparations for the Local Government Elections. The Local Authorities (Elections) Law stipulates clearly what GECOM is responsible for, that is, the conduct of elections.

This encompasses Voter Registration, the compilation of the Official Voters’ List, the procurement, production and management of Ballot Sheets and other sensitive and

non- sensitive material for Elections, the management of Polls and E- day staff and the declaration of results.

Notwithstanding the above and its legally based mandate, GECOM has proactively and actively engaged itself in Civic Voter Education undertakings since the last quarter, shortly after the May 2015 General and Regional Elections. Yet we are daily confronted by the accusations of those who will not recognize our efforts,

but even unabashedly posture that they are doing GECOM’s work. The fact is that we are doing their work, since many of the candidates seem to have abrogated their responsibilities. After all, those who are making the negative and deleterious comments about GECOM, are the ones who want to be elected.

If the turnout was lower than expected, it is not because GECOM did not offer education to the voting public, but it may be because

the candidates did not do enough work on their own behalf. Or it could be that the voters are sick and tired of the posturing and the blame throwing, not lastly at one another.

There are surely several other elements and considerations which can be factored into the debate about the level of turnout.

Below, you will find a synopsis of GECOM’s activities pertaining to Civic and Voter Education: continued on page 5

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, march 21, 2016

5

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Russia’s withdrawal from Syria – why?

Dear Editor, The announcement that Russia would be withdrawing its main forces from Syria in the coming week came as a great surprise to many persons who have been following events unfolding in the Middle East.

The question being raised is why now? What are the real issues that have led to this withdrawal at such a crucial time?

The official announcement is that Russia’s objective has been achieved.

Sounds good, but what we don’t know is what was the objective that was initially made?

What the world heard

is that they were fighting terrorism. Well, that is not defeated; it is still a strong threat. So that reason sounds vague.

What we do know is that Russia has been coming under enormous pressure regarding the situations in Syria and Ukraine.

A lot of sanctions have been placed on that country by the United States and Europe and they are surely having an impact.

We also know that Russia’s economy, which is heavily dependent on oil, is facing hardship and great challenges to its survival.

It is even felt that the

low price for oil is a deliberate manipulation by the West to hit Russia’s economy and push her government to retreat from their positions.

The demands that are being made include the future of President Assad of Syria. The US and Europe are digging in their heels that Assad must go. Russia has been resisting these forces/demands.

Indeed, Russia’s interventions helped to stop this action when the USfinanced forces, together with ISIS, had advanced and was in control of large areas of Syria.

The US and their al-

lies have been using Saudi Arabia and Turkey to keep the pressure on Russia.

The Saudis, in a recent statement, said they were sending troops and planes to assist in the fight against the Assad government. The danger of the Syrian war escalating is also very real.

Moreover, it is clear that part of the plan if Assad is not moved is to balkanize Syria, with Turkey taking a part and the Kurds seizing a section as well.

It is possible that Russia has been placed in a tight position to give up support to Assad. However, it will lose face and even respect

if this is done. Therefore, Russia, while seeking compromise, must also save face.

The face-saving scheme could include letting Assad go, but not immediately. A transition period must be granted to Assad.

Maybe Russia might also be pushing for some sort of autonomy for the Donbass district in the Ukraine. That, too, will allow it to walk away from Syria without appearing to have abandoned the Assad government.

It is also clear that Russia does not want to be caught in an unending war.

This is the prospect they

faced with Saudi Arabia and Turkey being used as proxies to counter their efforts in Syria.

So another compromise could be Russia’s withdrawal from Syria for no Saudi intervention and not to balkanize Syria.

These may have been some of the issues that led to Russia’s sudden withdrawal.

If that is so, let us hope that those who made the deals (US and Europe) will stick by them. Otherwise, it could be seen as an abandonment of Syria.

Regards, Donald Ramotar

can put our IDB should investigate its Guyana office Massy small manufacturers

Dear Editor, I refer to Carl Lucas’s letter in the Guyana Times of Wednesday, March 16, 2016 captioned “Apparent lack of transparency in IDB procurement for forensic auditors.”

I wish to express my disappointment in the IDB’s involvement in this process. Previous letter writers have also expressed concerns of the UNDP’s handling and involvement in the Amerindian land titling project. I wish to join Lucas in requesting the IDB to make public the process that was employed for hiring of these firms to conduct the forensic audits and the cost.

International financial Institutions like the IDB & UNDP have a duty to be impartial and maintain a high degree of integrity beyond reasonable doubt.

Regrettably this is what is unfolding at the IDB’s local office.

I am informed as well that the IDB bypassed transparent procurement processes for the hiring and payment of current staff at the Office of Climate Change (OCC) from proceeds of the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) for which the IDB is managing.

I am also asking IDB to make public the names of the staff at OCC that was

hired post-May 2015 and are currently being paid by the GRIF funds and the process that was used to hire these personnel.

Note, I am not asking for their salary so this should not be confidential data but rather an opportunity for IDB to come clean on its procurement process.

Again, I have not seen one public advertisement for any of these posts so let’s get the information from IDB. I was shocked to hear in the Budget debate that one of IDB’s former staff Jonell Christain Leich is now head of OCC and is one of four top paid persons at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The question in one’s mind is that there seems to be some cohort relationship between IDB and the Government with the IDB facilitating dubious financial payments to the Government like the forensic audit payments.

I am calling on the IDB board to investigate the handling of these matters by the local office and it’s Head Ms McKonnon. I am also calling on Transparency International (Guyana) to investigate these matters at the IDB Guyana Office.

Yours faithfully, James Conellius

GECOM defends LGE public...

1. Public Announcement messages on the various aspects of the Electoral Process were conceptualized, produced and disseminated. Nine skit types and nine narratives, with the sign language component on Television, for the benefit of the hearing impaired, were produced and aired on radio and television stations.

2. One hundred thousand Flyers and brochures on Local Government Elections were produced and distributed at grass root levels via all Registration Offices, Political Parties and Stakeholders..

3. Interactive public engagements were held within all of the 71 Local Authority Areas.

The schedules for these meetings were publicized in the print media and via Public Address systems and fliers were distributed within the respective communities.

4. Public engagements were held with potential contestants in the run-up to the deadline for the submission of application, for approval of symbols and requirements for lists submission on Nomination

Day, etc.

5. Weekly panel discussion on Local Government Elections, with a call-in feature on NCN. Copies of this programme were shown on television stations in Regions where NCN broadcasts do not reach.

6. Production and distribution of a 100,000 copies of Fliers about “No Contest Areas” and the three different types of ballots.

7. Weekly full page, half page and quarter page advertisements were offered to the public in the four daily Newspapers with information on the Local Government Elections process. These advertisements included information on Proxy Applications, illustrations of the Voting Process, Voting requirements, etc.

8. Invitations to discussions on LGE facilitated by GECOM were dispatched to 96 Civil Society Organizations across the coastland. These organizations were required to invite their respective constituencies to these forums for interactions.

9. Meetings were ar-

ranged in Local Authority Areas & Constituencies where there were to be no elections, in order to advise electors that particular process.

10. Hotlines had been established and are adequately publicized.

11. Pertinent information is published continuously on the GECOM website.

12. GECOM participated meaningfully at Public Events e.g.

Essequibo Night & Business Expo.

13.

Ballot Officers Meeting were conducted with ranks at strategic Disciplined Forces locations, including the Mazaruni Prison.

14.

“ASK GECOM STREET MARKETING CAMPAIGN”, which included Pop Up Booths around the country and a mini caravan sharing information on LGE, were executed.

15. Numerous appearances on TV talk shows.

16.

Installation of LAA and Constituency Billboards.

17. “Below the Line Text Messaging” on LGE via GTT and Digicel.

from page 4

18.

Scroll Advertisements and messages on Television Stations.

GECOM also acknowledges the organisations that were actively involved in the awareness and the dissemination of information on the Local Government Elections.

These include Merundoi Inc. Guyana, The Guyana National Youth Council and Youth Challenge Guyana.

Never in the history of Civic and Voter Education in Guyana, has so much positive, result- yielding effort been made. We therefore, demand to know, instead of nattering negativities, what the complainers would have done more and better. GECOM carried the Voters to the proverbial water; it was up to the candidates to encourage them to drink.

Sincerely, Tamara Rodney Public Relations Officer (PRO) Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

out of business

Dear Editor I always check out what your Eyewitness has to say and always agree with his humorous takes on the news of the day. I say “his” because he is obviously male. If he were a woman and had to do the family’s shopping he would welcome a super supermarket with six choices of ketchup.

Currently I hunt and gather from six different supermarkets, groceries and from Bourda market to get my family’s grocery supplies so if I can get it done under one roof that is welcome. And sweet potatoes and cassava that are washed clean – yes, please!

And those wide aisles! No bumping and maneuvering of shopping carts that often require a driver’s licence.

Another thing, the developed world is moving away from packaged and fast foods to slow foods, i.e., food grown and prepared in an area close to supermarkets and restaurants. Guyana has many small manufacturers making plantain and cassava chips, channa, potato balls and puri fresh every day.

Somebody as big as

Massy Stores manufacturing packaged foods with preservatives would not be progress for our nation’s health and it would put our small manufacturers out of business. Anyway, manufacturing in Leguan or wherever still comes up with fuel and transportation costs and it is probably not cost effective.

However, Massy does have ready supermarket shelves around the Caribbean. Uncle Ben’s rice, grown and packaged in the US, is just rice with different herbs and spices added.

I think this would be a more lucrative way to go. It would give rice farmers a market for their rice and there can be unique Caribbean flavours to the packaged rice.

Perhaps, the Massy investors can look at this kind of value-added product that uses our rice.

As for the “can” and the “canned”, that is purely local.

The Massy employees who gave the list to the sign makers are most probably magna cum laude graduates in English Language from UG. Yours truly, Shanie Jagessar

6

monday, march 21, 2016

Page

Foundation

How to discuss Internet safety with your teen

A

re you a parent? If you are, have you already had the Internet safety talk with your child? If you have yet to do so, this is a discussion that you will want to have. Since many teenagers like using social networking websites, online message boards, Internet chat rooms, and instant messaging programmes, Internet safety is a subject that must be discussed.

As nice as it is to hear that you should talk about Internet safety and Internet use in general with your child, you may be curious as to why it is important that you do so. For your convenience, just a few of the many reasons why you should have the Internet safety talk with your child are outlined below.

1. They may not know how old is your child?

If they are just starting to use the Internet, they may be unaware of the dangers that lurk on many popular websites, including online chat rooms and social networking websites. If your child has just started using the Internet to research school projects, be sure you discuss Internet safety with them, as it won’t be long before they realize that they can communicate with and make new friends online.

2. It is your job, as the parent perhaps, the greatest reason why you should talk to your child about Internet use and Internet safety is because it is your job to do so. As a parent, it is your reasonability to guide and protect your

guyanatimesgy.com

child. Parents need to set some rules and guidelines with their children and the Internet shouldn’t be any different. You don’t have to completely outlaw

chat rooms, online message boards, or social networking websites, but be sure that you set clear cut rules that your child will understand concerning their use.

3. It will help to keep them safe. As much as we would all like to believe that the world is filled with nice, happy people, it isn’t.

Unfortunately, many of those people, who may be child predators, are finding it easy to target children online. Why? Because the Internet enables anyone to create their own identity.

While most Internet users that you meet online are truthful, all it takes is one online predator to cause serious harm or damage to a family. When you talk to your child about the dangers of the Internet, you are keeping them well aware, which can help to keep them safe.

4. You can teach them what to do. As for teaching your child what to do online, there are a number of different aspects that should be examined. For

starters, teach your child how to properly use the Internet, especially chat rooms and social networking websites.

Let them know that they cannot discuss personal information or share pictures or videos with strangers. You should also let your child know what to do if they are targeted or harassed by someone online. This should involve coming to you immediately or saving all information, as opposed to erasing it from the computer, until you or the police can examine it.

5. They can feel more comfortable talking to you. If your child is in high school or junior high school, they may automatically get defensive when you try to talk to them about Internet safety. This is because most kids believe that they already know all

that is needed to know and others just assume that you are being an overbearing parent. Despite this, discussing Internet safety with your child in a calm and cool manner is likely to make your teenager feel comfortable about the issue. This increases the chances of them approaching you when they run into trouble online. As you can see, there are a number of reasons why you should talk to your child about Internet safety. Although this piece focused on discussing Internet safety with teenagers, remember that Internet safety is a lesson that can and should be started as soon as your child turns a computer on.

Are you the parent of a teenager who uses the Internet? If you are, have you already had the Internet safety talk with your teenager?

If you haven’t, it is time for that talk to occur. As nice as it is to be able to use the Internet for school research projects or to communicate with friends online, it is important to remember that the Internet can also be a danger to children and teenagers.

As nice as it is to hear that you should talk to your teenager about Internet safety, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so. Brining up the subject can be hard, as your teen may automatically become defensive. The good news is that you do have a number of different options. One of those options is to just go for it. (child-

Internet parental controls:

Why you should use them (Continued from Saturday)

Internet safety tools that can protect your child

What is nice about Internet safety tools that are designed for parents is that you have so many options. Typically, you will find that most of these tools fall under the heading of parental controls. For information on ways that you can protect your child with the use of Internet safety tools, please continue reading on.

The ability to rate w e b sites and

the website address and hit the block option. Internet Explorer also gives you the option to let a list of approved websites.

Keyword trackers can also be used; however, there are some individuals, including other parents, who consider them to be an invasion of privacy. That is why it is important for you to use your best judgment and make the decision as a parent. Keyword trackers work by recording each word that is typed by your child.

M a n y p a r e n t s find

keyw o r d tracker p r o -

developmentinfo.com)

To be continued

set levels for what you want your child to view online is an option that you have. This often is featured in the safety tools that are provided by Internet Explorer, as well as other similar Internet browsers. What you do is decide what type of content your want your child to view. Would you like to keep your child away from Internet websites that use crude or violent language?

If you do, set your website level ratings to say so and the websites should automatically be blocked.

In addition to blocking websites through the use of website rating tools, you also have the ability to outright block websites.

This is another option that Internet Explorer gives you. For example, if you would like to block social networking websites, like MySpace and Facebook, all you need to do is enter in

grammes a great way to catch their child if they think that they are communicating with someone older or a sexual predator online. Keyword tracker programmes are a nice option to have, but they do need to be purchased, as they aren’t free like many other parental controls.

There are also Internet safety tool programmes out there that work to keep your personal information safe. This is a great way to make sure that your child doesn’t share personal information about themselves with strangers online. Although these programmes do vary, you can usually enter in information that you want to prevent your child from sharing online, like your phone number, email address, or home address.

The programme, if it works properly, should catch the information before it is sent. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

news

7

monDay, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Radio Guyana Inc licence was issued by State

– PPP/C Govt, Jagdeo never issued QAII any radio, TV licences Government was not only unlawful, but significantly restricted VCT and the people of Guyana in their ability to receive and to communicate ideas and information without interference.

The Court also ruled that VCT was entitled to compensation for damages resulting from violations of its rights.

It also ordered Government to pay VCT’s costs in the sum of $500,000.

Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop hands then VCT owner Anthony Vieira the cheque for the purchase of VCT (now TVG) (file photo)

R

adio Guyana Incorporated (RGI) was awarded its licences by the State as a result of a court ruling back in 2009 in favour of Vieira Communications Limited (VCT) owned by Anthony Vieira, a former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) parliamentarian and businessman.

This clarification came in the face of recent statements by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo regarding the possible revocation of radio and television licences issued under the former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) recently stated that Nagamootoo supported the re-examination and reversal of all licences issued under the PPP/C Administration, deeming them illegally issued.

While the Prime Minister did not single out any particular radio or TV station, tabloid Kaieteur News continued to name RGI’s as one of the licences issued by former President Bharrat Jagdeo back in 2011.

However, a senior official at RGI said that the newspaper was continuing to pedal its usual lies and distortions about RGI and its owner, Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop, and clarified that Dr Ramroop nor his company Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) was never awarded a radio or TV licence by any Government.

The official explained that the company in 2008 bought the television station from Vieira in an open and public transaction for which it was heavily criticised because of Vieira’s association with the PNCR. Details of that sale were highly publicised and Vieira himself conceded that it was the best offer he had received.

“As businessmen we enter into specific business ventures with objectives, whilst at the same time, seeking to conclude the best alternative or deal, and I believe, having considered all my years of hard work and investments in the television industry, the offer I got for VCT from the Ramroop group was acceptable,” Vieira had said.

The sale also included all

pending legal issues related to the broadcasting entity VCT.

Radio licence The Court of Appeal, on October 14, 2009, ruled that Government had an unlawful monopoly on the airwaves and the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) was not doing its job with respect to considering radio licence applications. It was ruled that the NFMU had been procrastinating over the years.

VCT had applied for a radio licence in 1993 and had asked that the Court order the NFMU to issue it with a radio licence forthwith, but the Court said there were technicalities involved in making such a decision and it lacked the expertise to make such an evaluation.

It eventually ruled that the NFMU was the entity which was well-placed to make such an evaluation. The Court directed the NFMU to consider and determine VCT’s application for a radio broadcast licence.

The Court ruled that the monopoly enjoyed by

Ramjattan hailed ruling The then Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan (now Vice President and Minister of Public Security), who was present in court for the ruling at the time, hailed the decision, saying it was a milestone in the constitutional history of Guyana. He said the Court of Appeal was “bold and brave in relation to its tending of freedom and liberties at the judicial level”. Ramjattan added that the decision was consistent with what was happening in more profound democracies.

Government officially paid $500,000 to Television Guyana Inc (TVG), as successor to VCT after the sale to QAII, for damages after it was sued for breaching the company’s fundamental rights to a radio broadcast licence. The cheque was paid in March 2013, originally to TVG, which had purchased all of the properties and assets of VCT. A decision was taken by Dr Ramroop to pay the monies over to Vieira as the final obligations and commitment to him following the sale of VCT and all related properties.

Vieira received the cheque and promptly cashed it.

As successor to all rights of VCT, Dr Ramroop received the radio licence consequent to the judgment. With the judgment also breaking the radio monopoly, other radio licences have been issued.

Campaign financing laws for 2020 national elections – President

President David Granger

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

odern campaign financing laws governing the soliciting and spending of monies by political parties is likely to be enacted in time for the next General and Regional Elections in Guyana.

Appropriate campaign financing legislation will proscribe the acquisition of money from illegitimate sources, the spending of “dirty money” for campaign purposes, and will limit the amount of contribution that can be accumulated by parties contesting an election.

The current law is antiquated and there have been mounting calls for its amendment. For one reason, it stipulates that each contesting party is expected to expend no more that $25,000 on a single candidate.

President David Granger during his most recent broadcast of ‘The Public Interest’ committed the APNU/AFC administration to take the necessary steps to ensure updated campaign financing legislation comes into effect by 2020.

“I am convinced that over the next four years, we’ll be able to pass something through the National Assembly…I am not sure it will be in time for the next Local Government Elections (2019) but certainly in time for the next General and Regional Elections,” the Head

of State guaranteed, despite having no related material before Cabinet.

For quite some time, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally has been advocating on behalf of the Commission for the archaic legislation to be amended.

GECOM’s Legal Officer Wanita Barker had deemed the existing legislation as having no value. She explained that the law does not stipulate when campaigning for elections should commence; therefore it would be a complicated task for parties to submit financial records for any campaigning period.

Additionally, the Organisation of American States (OAS) since 2009 has implored the Government of Guyana to introduce campaign financing laws - not just to capture the quantum of funding to political parties, but also the nature of the source of funding.

Both administrations have only given lip service to the introduction of such laws – one of which was ironically introduced since 2011 by the AFC – but they have studiously avoided making the law operational.

Both sides have stubbornly blamed the other for failing to make advancements towards effecting the legislation.

M

turn to page 9

8 news Man shot, robbed at city hotel A monDAY, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

man was shot and robbed while having drinks at the bar at Kanuku Suites Hotel on Saturday.

According to reports, two bandits pounced on Rondell Orlando at the Kanuku Suites Hotel, Campbellville, Georgetown, and escaped with some $640,000.

This newspaper was told that about 23:45h on Saturday, two men entered the Kanuku Suites Hotel under the pretext of being customers. They then reportedly went to the bar and approached Orlando, 31, who was seated with two

other men.

One of the bandits subsequently pulled out a firearm, and relieved Orlando of US$3000, which amounts to $600,000 in local currency, and G$40,000. He was also relieved of two cellular phones.

During the ordeal, Orlando was shot to his left side.

The bandits made good their escape in a waiting motor car. The injured Orlando was rushed to a city hospital where he is currently receiving medical treatment. An investigation into the incident is under way.

No more extra answer sheets during exams – CXC

T

he Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), which administers secondary school-leaving exams in several territories across the Region, is holding out on limiting answer sheets that will be available to candidates sitting any of its exams.

CXC recently came under fire for limiting the number of answer sheets provided per question paper for each examination, with stakeholders expressing concerns about the impact this restriction would have on the performance of candidates.

According to reports, the refusal to grant students extra paper will reduce the number of papers that have to be scanned when using the E-Marking system and will apply to the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams as well as the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

Responding to the number of concerns regarding this development, the examinations body in a press release pointed out that the issue of extra answer sheets for candidates whose responses to questions may exceed the norm only applied to the booklet in which

candidates were required to write their answers to the questions.

CXC explained that the ‘new design’ booklets provide space for a response after each question and the space allocated for each response was determined based on a careful review of the space used by candidates in responding to similar questions over the years, plus an extra allocation for above-average responses.

In an effort to ensure that no candidate was disadvantaged, CXC ensured that the new answer booklets also provide a general area at the back to facilitate the candidate who, for a particular response, writes significantly more than the typical candidate.

Moreover, CXC pointed out that on the five previous occasions when these booklets were used, CXC did not receive any complaints about candidates requesting or needing additional answer sheets for any of the subjects offered at CSEC and CAPE. CXC maintained it was confident that the space provided for the response to each question was more than adequate for the expected response, and as such, advised all stakeholders that all steps have been taken to ensure that candidates were not disadvantaged by the use of these booklets.

Eyew tness Two-edged sword...

L

...of LGE

ooks like there will be more analyses and commentaries on our long-awaited LGE than the folks who actually turned out to vote. There was a lovely little cat fight between the GECOM Chairman (GC) and Commissioner Shaddick as to who was responsible for the abysmally low turnout. It went like this: Shaddick: “It’s GECOM’s fault!”; GC: “No! It’s the politicians’ fault!”; Shaddick: “Not so!”; GC: “Is too!” Loop and run this exchange about ten times and you’ll get an idea of the scintillating “call and response” routine.

Funny thing is - they were both right. (Your Eyewitness feels “Solomonic” this morning! Oh! For just half of the old codger’s wives!) GECOM did wait until it was too late in the day. And as was said before in this space, placed all its “voters’ education” eggs in the print media basket. We just don’t have a massive reading public. TV shows explaining what local government is all about... demonstrating what the voting form looked like...how to place the X’s and what happens when there are no “second half” of the form, might’ve been a better bet.

But once the political parties decided to enter the fray, they too should’ve gone out and done all of the above...but on the ground. No, so incidentally they could’ve also gotten in their licks. They waited until it was too late since, as the GC said, it was no secret LGE have notoriously low turnout rates.

Well, your Eyewitness hopes all this analysis doesn’t lead to paralysis in realising the great promise of Local Government in practice. And what’s this promise you ask, Dear Reader? Well that each of one us become masters of our fates and captains of our destiny in our neighbourhoods, thank you. Your garbage not getting picked up? Talk to your Constituency Rep. Ditto if that dead donkey’s been rotting at the head of the street and is about to explode.

So the more pertinent question is now we’ve gotten what we asked for (we did ask for LGE, didn’t we?)... who’s going to educate us, the hoi polloi, as to the implications of our new dawn? If we leave it to the political parties, they’ll simply be using the opportunity to build cadres and support for 2020. And intensifying our political divide.

GECOM should undertake this task and hopefully for the 2019 LGE, the exercise might finally end national politics dictating even whether our drains will be cleaned - and us not protesting even though we’re paying rates and taxes.

LGE might’ve delivered “victories” to the parties, but they can yet deliver victory to the people. It’s a two-edged sword.

...in the municipalities

Now that APNU’s won all the big municipalities, all eyes will be on them to put their money where their mouth is. Which is – to keep on improving Georgetown; move Bartica from its frontier “Wild West” anythinggoes state, bring on Mahdia, etc. But as they “put” that money...they’ll have to do better than what they’ve been doing in Georgetown.

Even Stevie Wonder would admit Georgetown’s a much cleaner city today. But even he also would wonder (yes...yes...pun intended!) as to where all that money for the clean-up coming from, where’s it going and how about nailing all those rumours of friends and families of the Town Clerk and town Councillors using wheelbarrows to rake in their takings? Towns, after all, shouldn’t be excused from accountability and transparency and all the other excesses the PPP was accused of by APNU when THEY were in office, should they?

Ah well... It’s the dawning of a whole new age...and we’ll find out soon what’s it all about, won’t we, Alfie?

...and shopping

So how do we weigh the cachet of shopping like “foreign” at Massy versus throwing thousands of our neighbourhood shopkeepers and their help out of work and into the streets?

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

monDay, march 21, 2016

NCN to relinquish full control of Linden operations – interest in Channel 13

T

he full operation and control of the stateowned National Communications Network (NCN) in Linden is expected to cease, once a television station Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) comes into fruition.

The community presently has two television stations - 8 and 13 - apart from the additional Guyana Learning Channel which is broadcasted on Channel 10.

Press Secretary to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo Imran Khan told the media that while the NCN will continue broadcast of its national feed on Channel 8, it has already expressed interest in relinquishing rights to Channel 13.

Also expected Khan stated, is a name-change and the incorporation of staff under the new regional station.

He said it is hoped the staff will not be adversely affected, but will continue with their roles under the new administration. The NCN’s Linden branch currently employs producers, cameramen, transmission operators, editors, among other staff.

“NCN’s Linden operation will not continue alongside Linden TV. The intention is for the Linden NCN operation to be transferred. How that is done is to be decided. It will not discontinue… the staff will still be required to work… they will have to have re-negotiated employment contracts with the new managers. It will no longer be NCN Linden...”, Khan stated.

He added: “The intention is very clear with regard to NCN Linden: that is, NCN will continue to broadcast its national feed on Channel 8, which is currently the case, and NCN Board has already written to the GNBA indicating relinquishing their interests and rights in Channel 13 which is the channel that will be allocated, based on advice from the National Frequency Management Unit. All of this has already taken place, which will be allocated to the Linden community. “ Asked about the alloca-

NCN Linden

tion of technical equipment, including a dish which was assigned years ago by Green Construction, Khan only stated that there was passing discussion about the equipment at a stakeholders meeting on Monday, adding that while there were suggestions, no specific detail was outlined nor no decision taken regarding what will happen with those equipment. “…but historically we know that there’s an issue of Green Construction having given equipment to the Linden community and that equipment having gone into the hands of NCN and some of that equipment apparently still in the hands of NCN, but no decision was taken at this meeting today with regard to that equipment and how it would be transferred”, he said.

Meanwhile Regional Chairman Renis Morian following a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in the community last Monday said the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will seek to have elected members of the Council sit on a Board of Trustees which was initiated by former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon in setting up the station for the Region.

“Based on his (Prime Minister) recommendation and looking at the document, the licence will not be issued.

It was suggested that the licence to operate commence today at this meeting, but based on the new truths that has emerged, the RDC who is the legal representation of the people, will champion the cause of going forward. We want the people of Region 10 to have this television station, hence they voted or elected persons from the RDC, the Council and the Kwakwani NDC should be part of this”, he said.

Morian added that after reviewing the necessary documents, a core group will analyse those documents and come up with suggestions on moving forward. There was some worry that elected members of the people were not sitting on the Trust. Morian said while there were suggestions to remove persons of the already existing Trust, the administration will not move in that direction. However, he said the possibility of expanding and including members of the RDC as well as the business community will be sought after.

“It’s a done deal in the sense that the station would be handed back to the people of Region 10 via their elected representatives… so whether the Chairman come or go at the RDC it means that the entity remains an entity of the people,” he said.

news

| guyanatimesGY.com

Campaign financing laws...

In January 2015, when asked about the lapse in not pushing through the legislation even when the combined Opposition held the majority in Parliament, the AFC blamed former Attorney General Anil Nandlall for them not doing so.

AFC General Secretary David Patterson said then that the party had always been concerned about campaign financing. “The question of campaign financing is something I must admit that we have always wanted to table… we have a draft and things like that but circumstances have overtaken us on that,” Patterson explained.

He however did not detail what those circumstances were that led to the AFC missing out on the opportunity to address this foundational issue.

Likewise, Chief Whip of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Gail Teixeira said previously that the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) had downplayed the proposal by the OAS for a model regarding campaign financing for the 2011 elections.

Teixeira had said then the party had stated that it was not necessary for the elections of that year. It was in that same year APNU announced ahead of the 2011 elections that it had secured some US$6 million campaign funds, but failed to disclose from where the money was secured.

Notably, the APNU/AFC coalition had committed to taking the first step towards engaging transparent and accountable practices and had promised to release crucial data on their campaigning finances by the first week in August 2015 but to date, no substantial information has been released regarding campaign financing.

The AFC arm of the coalition did disclose that it contributed an incredible $400 million towards the campaigning expenses.

The signed Cummingsburg Accord between the two parties said APNU would provide 60 per cent of the funding of the coalition with the AFC, therefore if calcula-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

tions are

c o r rect, APNU would have contributed at least $1 billion.

APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon had clearly stated that the Party is willing to reveal the amount of money it utilised for campaign purposes but will not disclose where the money came from.

“You don’t ever do that…

9

from page 7

people like to be private and they are aware sometimes that there might be consequences in a small country like this if it is public,” Harmon had noted.

Harmon also adopted the position that despite concerns raised by sections of the society that several big businesspeople pumped millions of dollars into the then opposition campaign with the understanding that they would get big contracts, kickbacks and other gains if it won the elections.

In fact, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman during a post-cabinet press briefing told the media that businessmen generally donate monies to political parties as their way of making an investment.

“At the end of the day, the Private Sector in every country weighs its options when it comes to elections and most, as we know, support the major political parties… In a sense, they are saying that we are not going to get involved, but you’ve come to us for assistance so we’ll give both (political parties), some they give more to, some they give less to and in a sense, it is their way of making an investment and that is the way it is done throughout the world,” he pronounced.

10

guyanatimesgy.com

monDay, march 21, 2016

News

Mackenzie vendors petition President defends use for removal of washroom of State resources in front of market APNU/AFC campaigning

– PPP/C to raise issue in National Assembly – cite health hazard

The washroom facility under construction at the market

By Utamu Belle

APNU/AFC and PPP/C spar over abuse of State resources

P

resident David Granger said it is practically impossible for him to not use State resources whilst conducting activities on behalf of his political party – the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

“I don’t see how it is possible for me to not use State resources. I couldn’t refuse to go without my security, I couldn’t refuse to go without official transport,” he explained as he responded to numerous concerns mounted by sections of society regarding the administration’s usage of taxpayers’ money for campaigning purposes.

This is despite the fact that the APNU/AFC had complained in the past of the usage of State-assigned vehicles to take government ministers to political

rallies.

Nevertheless, President Granger maintained that there is no “widespread abuse” of State resources for political purposes at the behest of his government and indicated that it is rather petty to consider the usage of State-assigned vehicles to transport government ministers to political meetings as an “abuse”.

“There is a difficulty in expecting the ministers to leave their security behind, to leave their official vehicles behind and just go walking about without protection. So I think that the use of official support has been minimal and I have not seen any evidence of abuse of state resources,” he stated.

The APNU and AFC whilst in Opposition had raised concerns about the People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) access to public financing for its political campaigns. The PPP/C had denied the allegations.

Now in Opposition, the PPP/C is accusing the APNU/AFC government of same.

In the run-up to the Local Government Elections, the PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee had expressed concerns about the government’s alleged blatant utilisation of State funds for electioneering purposes.

Of recent, the Party expressed its intention of raising the matter in the National Assembly. In a statement, the PPP/C demanded a full-scale investigation into the allegations.

The Party also called on the international community to take note of this “troublesome development”.

V

endors of the Mackenzie Market at Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have moved to petition for the shifting of a washroom facility, currently under construction, at the front of the municipal building. The washroom is currently being built in the same area where garbage was previously stored, which had caused concerns for years and complaints by vendors.

Vendors are upset that the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) has turned a deaf ear to their concerns.

Shoemakers are the ones who appear to be mostly adversely affected and have cited concerns for their health, since their stalls are situated in close proximity to the area of concern. Speaking with this newspaper, others noted that people who expressed interest in erecting stalls at the area were also denied the privilege.

“They move a garbage heap to put a toilet. It’s like they telling you, you got a choice between a garbage heap and a toilet. That is no choice at all, because when they ready to remove the faeces from inside there it gonna be a problem for we.

Everybody gon gotta clear out from here. They done get toilet at the back of the market, they could have upgraded it.

There was no need for a toilet at the front of the market. I ain’t see what sense that making. It’s a park, they should have put some recreational facility…you see these old Councillors leaving, so they ain’t got time with what happen,” a vendor stated.

Yet another stated that there was no consultation and alleged that because of money, a “private” individual was granted permission to construct the washroom at the location while they “suffer the consequences”. Another vendor also indicated that numerous people have signed

the petition against the construction.

“They ain’t even consult we nor nothing to say well they gon build this thing to see what we think. They just come and put it up. If you doing something concerning people health, you must consult with them, but they never come,” another affected vendor stated.

Meanwhile, Interim Management Committee Chairman Orrin Gordon said the issue of washroom facilities for vendors at the market arena, including the wharf area, has been an ongoing one. He stated, however, that the issue lay with the main washroom area being situated at the back of the market to which it is difficult for cleaning agencies to gain access.

According to him, there were complaints that hoses could not reach the location given how it is situated. Added to that, Gordon said based on the demand for stalls, the Council would have given permission for some to be erected at the location which vendors presently have an issue with, and subsequently for the construction of the washroom facility. However, he said it was agreed that the facility would be up to standard and health, sanitary and environmental guidelines would be followed.

“Vendors and customers would complain about washroom facility at the back, so we decided to upgrade it.

However, when the facility filled, we couldn’t get to empty it because the hose couldn’t meet. We had the same issue on the wharf where people cried out for lack of washroom facility, but we were concerned that the waterways would become polluted.

In this case, we had to make a decision given the circumstances”, Gordon related.

He said other issues have arisen since members of the electricity company have complained that the newly erected stalls also pose problems in accessing electricity poles. Gordon said the issues would have to be looked into by the future Council, noting that his Council always got “the bitter end of the stick”.

news

11

monday, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Gun, ammo found at Itaballi; 1 in custody A

man is now in custody pending an investigation into the discovery of an unlicensed firearm and matching ammunition in his possession on Sunday at Itaballi, Mazaruni, Region Seven(Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

According to reports,

about 11:00h on Sunday, Police ranks conducted a search on a man at the Itaballi Checkpoint, during which an unlicensed 9mm pistol with seven rounds was found.

He was arrested and an investigation was launched.

Charges are expected to be

laid shortly.

In the past two months, a number of persons have been arrested with illegal guns and ammunition in Region Seven. Just last month, on February 4, three men were arrested at Turtle Creek, Mazaruni, after they were found to be in posses-

sion of illegal guns and ammunition.

Police ranks in the area acted on information and went to a location at Turtle Creek, where an unlicensed .32 pistol with three matching rounds was found in possession of one of the men.

In addition, another of

the men was carrying an unlicensed .38 revolver with three matching rounds of ammunition.

They were placed before the courts. Similarly, on February 11, a miner was arrested when an illegal firearm was found in a mining camp he was occupying.

Then, last week, Police conducted a search at Honey Camp, Issano, Region Seven during which they found an unlicensed shotgun along with two cartridges.

The miner was taken into custody and charged, and is currently before the courts

12

monday, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

news

13

monDAY, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Phagwah 2016

Essequibo Coast Praant hosts chowtal sammelan

Anna Regina Mandir members performing chowtal

A section of the gathering during the chowtal sammelan

By Indrawattie Natram

T

he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Essequibo Coast Praant on Sunday hosted its annual chowtal sammelan at the Colombia Mandir setting the tone for Phagwah celebrations on Wednesday.

The chowtal sammelan was spearheaded by Praant members and attracted several chowtal groups from

various mandirs. During the sammelan, Holi songs were sung in Hindi reflecting the spirit of the spring festival – the loveliest of all festivals in Hinduism.

Attired in brightly coloured Indian wear, chowtal groups sung gracefully from their hearts Phagwah renditions and Holi songs to commemorate the festival.

Essequibo Coast Praant President, Pandit Kaydar Persaud expressed grat-

itude to the Colombia Mandir members for hosting the sammelan. The Pandit pointed out that Phagwah was a joyous season and he was happy that many persons from various mandirs showed up in their numbers to set the pace for the observances. He further explained that Phagwah, “the Festival of Colours”, was a season for togetherness, unity and a time when goodness prevailed over

Linden Town Week 2016 officially launched

Vybz Chairman Devin Sears (left) and performers

U

nder the theme, “Reflection, resilience, rediscover Linden.

Celebrating who we are,” the Linden Town Week (LTW) 2016 was officially launched Saturday. A special ceremony held at the LindenGeorgetown minibus park marked the occasion for the annual observance, slated for May 15-25.

Minister within the Communities Ministry Valerie Sharpe-Patterson featured as main speaker, declared the official launch of this year’s event. Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira and Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) Community Relations Officer Vanessa Mitchell Davis ceremoniously cut yellow and white balloons in honour of the official launch.

Minister SharpePatterson during her address described the event as being a “very profound one. It means

that we have to go back to where we once were. It means that we were there some time ago, and we have lost our way... Reflection allows us to analyse our experiences and make changes based on our mistakes. Reflection keeps doing what is successful and build upon or modify past knowledge, based on our new knowledge. Reflection also allows us to make connections with people, in and out of our town, in and out of our country. Reflection appeals to our self-interest as a people.”

The evening was also marked by performances from local artistes out of Linden, including Diana Chapman, Lil’ Colwyn and others.

Vybz Entertainment Incorporated (Vybz Ent Inc) in association with the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) will be hosting a second year of the LTW, under the present three-year franchise. Vybz Ent Inc Chairman Devin Sears has

dubbed the launch “successful”. The Linden Town Week is an annual celebration of the town’s birth anniversary.

This year it will be celebrating 46 years; however according to Vybz Ent Inc, unorthodoxly it has been shifted to the period of Guyana’s 50th Independence celebration for accommodation purposes.

This marks a significant year in history as the town will observe 20 years of the LTW observances and 100 years of bauxite, all of which have contributed to the socio and economic development of the town.

Vybz Ent Inc said it expects that the scale of economic stimulation, marketing, advertising and sale of products, in estimation will double due to the large influx of tourist and visitors.

It is on this basis that the organising body has collaborated with major sponsors and stakeholders to launch LTW 2016.

evil.

By the middle of the programme, the atmosphere was joyous and jubilant as persons were all in the mood for the grand celebration.

Participating this year were chowtal groups from the Cotton Field, Anna Regina, Reliance, Aurora, Adventure, Airy Hall, Golden Fleece, Spring Garden, Richmond and Colombia mandirs among

others.

Chowtal or Taal is a Hindustani tradition that complements Phagwah. It is a form of folk singing that reflects the festival and is performed by mandir members during the Phagwah (Holi) festival. In chowtal, two rows of singers face each other (semi-circle), with a “dholak” drummer at one end, and sing lines of Hindi text antiphonally. While the melodies are

relatively simple, the song undergoes various modulations of rhythm and tempo, alternating between subdued passages and exciting climaxes.

Chowtal comprises various subgenres including chowtal proper, jhumar, ulara, lej, baiswara, dhamar, rasiya, kabir, jogira, and others. They are sung throughout the Festival period and even on the day at the “sampuran”.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

mondAY, march 21, 2016

Regional

Obama on historic Fired Minister under Police visit as Cuba rolls investigation in Trinidad T out red carpet

U

S President Barack Obama embarked on Sunday on a historic trip to Cuba where a Communist Government that vilified the United States for decades prepared a red-carpet welcome.

Lifting off from Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, Obama headed for Havana where the sight of Air Force One, America's iconic presidential jet, touching down on Cuban soil would have been unimaginable not long ago.

The three-day trip, the first by a US President in 88 years, is the culmination of a diplomatic opening announced by Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro in December 2014, ending a Cold War-era estrangement that began when the Cuban revolution ousted a pro-American government in 1959.

Obama, who abandoned a long-time US policy of trying to isolate Cuba, now wants to make his shift irreversible. But major obstacles remain to full normalisation of ties, and Obama's critics at home say the visit is premature.

US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, approach Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez (left) as they arrive at Havana’s international airport

Underscoring the ideological divide that persists between Washington and Havana, Cuban Police, backed by hundreds of proGovernment demonstrators, broke up the regular march of a leading dissident group, the Ladies in White, detaining about 50 people just hours before Obama was due to arrive.

Plainclothes Police blanketed the capital with security while public works crews

busily laid down asphalt in a city. Welcome signs with images of Obama alongside Castro popped up in colonial Old Havana, where the President and his family were scheduled to tour later on Sunday. Since rapprochement, the two sides have restored diplomatic ties, signed commercial deals on telecommunications and scheduled airline service. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he Cabinet Minister who last week lost her position over breach of Parliament rules is now the subject of a Police investigation.

Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams made the disclosure Saturday without giving details about the probe into Marlene McDonald, the Member of Parliament for Port of Spain South and former Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

McDonald was replaced as Health Minister

by Randall Mitchell, following reports that she employed her common-law husband, Michael Carew, and his brother, Lennox Carew, at her constituency office, in breach of Parliament rules.

Head of the activist group Fixin T&T, Kirk Waithe, had raised the issue about the Carews’ employment and had also written to Commissioner Williams requesting that a criminal investigation be launched into the Calabar Foundation – of which the brothers were directors – which received payments from the Ministry of

Marlene McDonald was sacked last week

Community Development in 2010 when McDonald headed that ministry.

McDonald had also been accused of misusing her ministerial power, back in 2008, to get a Housing Development Corporation house for Carew.

Meantime, the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has dismissed calls from the Opposition for McDonald to step down as the parliamentary representative for Port of Spain South.

Following a meeting of the Party’s gener-

al council Saturday, PNM Chairman Franklin Khan said McDonald would stay on as an MP and deputy political leader.

But the PNM called on Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to step down after it surfaced that she also hired two relatives at her constituency office.

Persad-Bissessar claimed Saturday that her hiring did not breach any law, but said she has written to the Clerk of the House to seek clarification on the matter.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

St Lucian diplomat appointed Secretary General of regional body

S

t Lucian diplomat, Dr June Soomer has been appointed Secretary General of the Trinidadbased regional body – the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

Soomer’s position was confirmed at the recent inter-sessional summit of Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders in Belize.

Soomer, who was selected by the Ministerial Council for a four-year term on the basis of rotation, replaces Secretary General Alfonso Múnera Cavadía.

The St Lucian diplomat, who will be the first woman to head the regional body, currently serves as St Lucia’s Ambassador to Caricom and

Diaspora issues.

St Lucian diplomat, Dr June Soomer

the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and has responsibility for

Soomer received her PhD in History from the University of the West Indies in 1994 and since then has lectured at the University of the West Indies, the University of North Carolina (Wilmington), the University of North Carolina Central and was a visiting lecturer at the University of San Francisco.

She also served at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank from 1996-2006 in the area of Human Resource Development and Strategic Planning and served as Advisor, Organisation Development and Strategic Planning. (CMC)

Brazil's Rousseff lacks Senate votes to defeat impeachment – Senator

B

razil's ruling coalition lacks the votes in the Senate to defeat a request to remove left-leaning President Dilma Rousseff from office if it is approved by the Lower House, a senior Senator in the coalition's largest party said on Sunday.

The leading member of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), who asked not to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the issue, told Reuters the coalition could not rally the one-third of votes needed in the 81-seat Senate to stop Rousseff be-

ing dismissed.

On Sunday, Estadao newspaper quoted sources close to Senate Speaker Renan Calheiros, also a member of the PMDB, as saying he believed that if the Lower House approved the ongoing impeachment process it would create an unstoppable wave of support for removing Rousseff.

A spokesman for Calheiros was not immediately available for comment.

Congress' Lower House opened impeachment proceedings last week against the unpopular Rousseff based on Opposition allega-

tions that she deliberately manipulated Government accounts to boost her chances of re-election to a second term in 2014.

Rousseff, a former Marxist guerrilla who is Brazil's first female President, has vigorously denied any wrongdoing.

The impeachment process only adds to the crisis that has hit Brazil, shaken to the core by its biggest ever corruption scandal –- an investigation into political kickbacks to the ruling coalition from contractors working for State oil company Petrobras. (Excerpt from Reuters)

monDAY, march 21, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Voters in Benin, Cape Verde, Syrian peace talks grind Congo, Niger, Senegal and toward pivotal Assad question Zanzibar go to polls S

E

lections are taking place in five African countries, while Senegal is holding a referendum on reducing presidential terms.

A presidential run-off is going ahead in Niger even though the Opposition candidate is in a French hospital.

Congo-Brazzaville has cut all telecommunications for two days to prevent "illegal publication of results" of its presidential election.

Elections are also being held in Benin, Cape Verde and Zanzibar.

Congolese Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou has ordered telephone operators to cut all communications – telephone, text messages and the internet.

Only a few official numbers have been excluded from the ban.

The Government also outlawed the use of motor

President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been in power since 1979, except for a five-year period

vehicles nationwide during the vote, except for those with special permits.

The Opposition has condemned the communications blackout, saying it will prevent election monitors from doing their job, and warned of rigging.

General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko is seen as the strongest challenger

to President Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Sassou Nguesso has been in power since 1979, except for a five-year period after losing elections in 1992.

The constitution was changed after an October referendum to remove term and age limits which would have prevented the 72-yearold from standing again.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Spanish Erasmus student bus crash kills 13

A

All of those who died were female, officials say

t least 13 people have been killed after a bus carrying foreign students crashed on a Spanish motorway between the cities of Barcelona and Valencia.

Most of the 57 people on board the bus were students on the Erasmus programme who were returning to Barcelona after a trip to a fireworks festival.

Footage from the scene shows a white-roofed coach lying on its side, surrounded by emergency vehicles.

The accident occurred near Freginals, 150 kilometres (93 miles) south of Barcelona.

All of those who died were female, officials say.

Their nationalities have not been made public while the process of identification continues.

Those on board the bus included students from the UK, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Italy, Peru, Bulgaria, Poland, Ireland, the Palestinian territories, Japan and Ukraine, local Spanish officials said.

The bus overturned after hitting a car travelling in the opposite direction Of the 43 people injured, 28 were taken to hospital.

Catalonia's Regional

Interior Minister, Jordi Jane, said the driver of the coach "hit the railing on the right and swerved to the left so violently that the bus veered onto the other side of the highway".

The bus then hit a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, injuring two people inside.

The location is a known accident black spot.

"There were students on board, many of them foreign students studying in Catalonia and in Barcelona who had travelled to Valencia for the Fallas and were returning," Jane added. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

Bomb attacks kill 24 Iraqi troops

A

t least two dozen Iraqi security forces were killed in suicide attacks on Sunday in restive Anbar province, the scene of near-daily violence.

The news comes as the United States announced the deployment of more US Marines on the ground to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIS. An Iraqi military source told Al Jazeera at least 24 Iraqi forces were killed, while 12 others were wound-

ed in the blasts in the municipality of Haqlaniyah, southwest of Hadeetha city.

Fighters with explosive vests snuck into Haqlaniyah and at least three entered a municipal building and detonated their explosives.

Clashes were ongoing between ISIL and Iraqi soldiers backed by popular mobilisation forces, said the source on condition of anonymity.

Last week, at least 47 Iraqi soldiers were killed in a series of attacks by ISIL

fighters near Anbar's strategic city of Ramadi.

Residents of Anbar account for more than a third of the 3.2 million people displaced by fighting in Iraq since the start of 2014, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

The US military said on Sunday troops from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will add to the American forces already in Iraq battling ISIL. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

yrian Government negotiators at Geneva peace talks are coming under unaccustomed pressure to discuss something far outside their comfort zone: the fate of President Bashar al-Assad. And they are doing their best to avoid it.

United Nations mediator Staffan de Mistura describes Syria's political transition as "the mother of all issues" and, emboldened by the Russian and US muscle that brought the participants to the negotiating table, he refuses to drop the subject.

After a week of talks in Geneva, he praised the Opposition for the depth of their ideas, but criticised the veteran diplomats on the Government side for getting bogged down.

"The Government is currently focusing very much on principles, which are necessary in any type of common ground on the transition," he said. "But I hope next week, and I have been saying so to them, that we will get their opinion, their details on how they see the political transition taking place."

Arguments over Assad's

fate were a major cause of the failure of previous UN peace efforts in 2012 and 2014 to end a civil war that has now lasted five years, killed more than 250,000 people and caused a refugee crisis.

The main Opposition, along with the United States and other Western nations, has long insisted any peace deal must include his departure from power, while the Syrian Government and Russia have said there is no such clause in the international agreements that underwrite the peace process.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

China reveals deadly vaccine sales ring, hunts 300 suspects

C

hinese authorities are hunting 300 people suspected of illegally selling deadly, spoiled vaccines, in what could be the country's biggest case of its kind.

Late on Friday authorities issued a public notice of the identities of the suspects, who are thought to have been involved a vaccine trading ring worth as much as 570 million yuan (US$88 million), state media reported.

The authorities called on the public to help track down the dealers involved, the reports said.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the suspects sold compromised vaccines, which were neither adequately refrigerated for storage nor transported in approved conditions, to hospitals and disease control centres in at least 24 prov-

The vaccines had the potential to cause disability or death, Xinhua reported

inces and municipalities, including Beijing, where they were used over a number of years The vaccines had the potential to cause disability or death, Xinhua reported.

The reports said that although the case was not made public until Friday, the illegal operation was first discovered in April

2015.

Since then, the police had made over 20 raids across the country to confiscate unsafe products and had arrested a former doctor only identified by her surname, Pang, as well as her daughter, a medical school graduate, in eastern China's Shandong Province, the reports said. (Excerpt from CNBC)

Kazakhstan's ruling party set for easy election victory

V

oting is under way in the oil-rich former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan in an early parliamentary election expected to provide a commanding majority for longserving President Nursultan Nazarbayev as the economy struggles.

Sunday's vote is set to renew a grip of power in the 107-seat Parliament for the ruling Nur Otan party as it faces no genuine opposition force – five parties that mostly support the postSoviet country's Russiaaligned leader.

“We always take part in elections because we always support our Government and our President. And we always vote with the hope that things will get better and better," said retiree Lyubov Gabaidullina after voting at Astana's School No 37.

About 10 million voters are eligible to cast votes in a ballot held early at the wish

Public demonstrations of discontent are extremely rare in the vast landlocked republic of 17 million people [Yuri Kochetkov/EPA]

of the President due to the economic crisis prompted by the falling price for oil – its main export commodity.

The Government announced in February that it expects economic growth to slow to 0.5 per cent this year, a huge drop from the buoyant expansion it has enjoyed over the past 15 years.

Inflation is spiralling, up to 15 per cent early this

year, and the currency has lost about 30 per cent of its value since last year.

The 75-year-old Nazarbayev, who has ruled Kazakhstan virtually unopposed since before its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, was elected to a new five-year term last year with 98 per cent of the vote. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

16 NEWS

monDAY, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

In observance of International Day of Happiness, March 20, Guyanese comment on their “happiness” Wendell Lewis (Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice)

Parmeshwar Balbadar Private Sector employee (Essequibo Coast)

"I am happy because I am serving a mighty God. The Bible has so many promises that we can cling to in order to be happy, even though things may look as though we are not getting through we could cling to the hope of the Bible; so that is one of the things that makes me happy.

People who commit suicide are not happy because happy people don’t commit suicide, so I would like to encourage young people and even adults to seek counselling and the Lord whenever you are not happy. And I happy to be a Christian living for the Lord; Christ gives happiness."

"Happiness is that sense of feeling from within, once you are at peace with yourself then you can be able to attain that state of mind of happiness, yes I am happy because I have a loving family and I am alive to be around them."

Shanice Prince (Georgetown)

"In my opinion, my happiness is due mainly to the presence and involvement of my family and of course those others who have my best interests at heart. Because of their continuous support during the early stages of my life, it has encouraged me to strive to my full potential. Although I haven’t gotten there as yet and despite my setbacks, the presence of these people remains as consistent as their encouragement. Happiness is safety, love, encouragement, gratefulness and humility. Family and friends have taught me to do this and to them I’m grateful and because of them, I am happy. "

Hema Dhanpaul – Self-employed (Essequibo Coast)

"I am thankful for life every day, to live is to be happy, I have wonderful family and I love being around them, I am actively involved in my mandir and being around the members makes me happy. Happiness is a state of mind."

Leslie Joseph – Businessman (New Amsterdam, Berbice)

"I am happy. The reason that I am happy is because I am a child of the Lord and being a child of the Lord one of the benefits I experience is peace. I am not saying that I am not having challenges and difficult times, but I have found peace in the arms of the Lord; he always provides for me. By depending on him, things are working out for me.

I would like to encourage individuals to trust in the Lord and if we do so with all our heart, I am absolutely certain that we will be happy amidst the trials and temptations, ups and downs that we have to go through."

Casseya Das – Student (Essequibo Coast)

"I am happy, happy every day that I have life to get up and go to school, I have a beautiful life that I am thankful for, have goals in my life and am working in achieve same. You have to make yourself happy; if you don’t no one else will, so make a wise choice."

Kevin Williams (Georgetown)

O’deya Watts (Linden)

"Well, basically I’m a high-spirited person; I appreciate everyone regardless of skin colour, etc. I like being around my friends especially those that are close to me such as school friends and friends from work. My family also makes me happy; every morning I wake it’s a blessing to see them all good and healthy, but what really makes me happy is seeing others helping those that are below them, example, an average person helping a homeless person but you don’t have to be an average person to help someone that is in need of your help. Seeing others happy makes me happy, helping those that are in need makes me happy, seeing others help others makes me happy."

Tramani Croal (Linden)

"Yes, I’m happy, mainly for three reasons. Firstly, I have the most precious thing in the world, which is life.

Secondly, some loving family and friends that be at my side each moment of my life. And thirdly, health that gives me the ability to do the things that make me happy. Life is too short to be stressful, so be happy, thank you."

"Am I happy or not? That’s a question I ask myself most times. But what is happiness? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, happiness is a state of well-being and contentment or a pleasurable or satisfying experience. I’m not dead, I have no illness, I have a family who loves and provides for me and I’m educated. I’m contented with these things in my life. Every now and then I have some pleasurable or satisfying experiences. So to answer this question: yes, I am happy. Happy International Day of Happiness."

Osafo Timmerman (Georgetown)

"I’m happy and my wife and daughter contribute to this. My wife supports me and my daughter shows me a lot of love. It gives me joy to be around them and to spend time with them. The love they give to me is what makes me happy."

Azetta Julian (New Amsterdam, Berbice):

"I am happy. First of all because I have God at the centre of my life; I have health, I have strength and I am numbered among the living. I am contented.

Many people don’t have health, people have to do things for them but I can do things for myself and also be of assistance to others, so that is why I am happy."

17

news

monDAY, march 21, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Region 3 road safety initiative Political will to end racial discrimination under threat – UN being taken to schools

F

Traffic ranks from D Division and members of the WDRSA

By Kizzy Coleman

D

Division of the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department which has collaborated with the West Demerara Road Safety Association (WDRSA) has moved their road safety initiative, themed ‘The time is now, don’t drink and drive, stay attentive, drive defensive’ to schools in Region Three. This road safety initiative launched last February at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), is aimed at sensitising the public on the safe use of the roadways and to reducing road fatalities in the region and countrywide.

Shahab Hack Public Relations Officer of WDRSA disclosed to Guyana Times that so far the association has talked to ten schools in the region to have the issue addressed. Students are being educated mainly on the five Cs of road safety – care, caution, courtesy, commonsense and consideration – for road

users. Hack revealed that the images being used in the education programme are to appeal to students and to affect their conscience which will see them paying keener attention to what they are doing on the roadways.

“They are listening to us and I think we are making sense because when we speak with them, we are showing them that it makes a difference when you use the roadways in a proper manner. We are using images to appeal to them, we use photographs of accidents which will directly affect their conscience, so to speak. We speak to them on the safe use of the roads, and we ask them to obey and exercise the curb drill.”

Hack disclosed that the students are told of how road fatalities can affect people’s lives: “It impoverishes people’s lives, it robs children of a bright future they could have had especially when they lose parents; this is a very seri-

ous issue and we decided that we will take a stand to provide education not only to students but to the public at large”.

He added that the association along with the police force is meeting with people, talking with groups and different individuals and also speaking with leaders that can make an impact.

“We are calling on the government to provide us with more support in this regard, we need them on board with us because, this is not a oneman business” Hack related.

He stated that monthly meetings are held at the Leonora Police Station where persons come forward to share their views on the issue; this is manned by Deputy Superintendent Stevens.

“If we educate the nation, then we will have a safer nation” Hack noted. The next awareness campaign is schedule for next Tuesday in front of Stabroek Market.

International Day of Forests

UN highlights importance of forests

E

Celebrating "forests and waters"

very year on the International Day of Forests, the global community celebrates the ways in which forests and trees sustain and protect mankind.

This year, the International Day of Forests seeks to raise awareness of how forests are important to the planet’s supply of freshwater, which is essential for life.

Forests cover one third of the Earth’s land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people – including more than 2000 indigenous cultures – depend on forests for their livelihood.

Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems

on land, home to more than 80 per cent of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. They also provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities.

Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate – 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually.

Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Guyana has made significant strides in complying with international best practices to preserve and conserve its forest land-

mass through various projects, one notably being the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The LCDS, which was launched by former President Bharrat Jagdeo in June 2009, outlines Guyana’s vision to promoting economic development, while combating climate change.

It is scientifically conclusive that one of the major contributors to global warming is tropical deforestation, and with Guyana making strides to curb this issue, it is contributing immensely to the fight against climate change, all of which is consistent with the global agenda.

International Day of Forests, March 21, was established by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012. Each year, various events celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations.

Countries are encouraged to undertake efforts to organise local, national, and international activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns, on International Day of Forests.

ifteen years have elapsed since a landmark document to combat racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia was adopted in Durban, South Africa, yet today the United Nations is still greatly concerned that the political will needed to address these issues is under threat.

During a meeting of the UN General Assembly to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon warned that the collective determination that enabled such a far-reaching agreement is being undermined by political expediency.

In observance of this day, the global community is commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The document is said to be the most comprehensive framework for international, regional and national actions against racial discrimination.

The UN chief noted that the world has “undoubtedly come a long way” in ensuring equal rights and non-discrimination. Nonetheless, he remained deeply alarmed by a surge of intolerance, racist views and hate-driven violence around the world.

“Racial profiling and violence against certain communities is on the rise. Economic hardship and political opportunism are triggering increased hostility towards minorities.

This is being manifested most directly in anti-refugee, anti-migrant and, in particular, anti-Muslim bigotry, attacks and violence,” he said. The Secretary General said extreme right-wing political parties “are fomenting divisiveness and dangerous myths.”

In his speech, the UN chief also reminded member states that by implementing the Durban agreements, “we can uplift not only those who suffer most profoundly but humanity as a whole.”

Guyana’s history comprises of a long line of tumultuous events, which circle the very concerns still plaguing the international society.

Much of the country’s history surrounds problems arising from the differences of the various ethnicities and the power imbalance

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

among the various groups.

Even today, concerns of racial discrimination tied with political discrimination are alive and well. The Parliamentary Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is strongly of the view that the present government is guilty of implementing anti-cohesive activities with the aim of further segregating the country for political purposes. The blame game stands strong with the government accusing the opposition of same.

The concern of the media in spewing racism and hate messages to the public is another major problem many have highlighted in the past. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21.

On that day in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws.

This year, the International Day is devoted to challenges and achievements of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

It contains a broad range of measures aimed at combating racism in all its manifestations, and underscores the human rights of all groups suffering from racial discrimination, emphasising their right to participate freely and equally in political, social, economic and cultural life.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, march 21, 2016

ARCHIE

let emotionDon’t al issues cloud your vision.

(March 21- Concentrate on what’s imporApril 19) tant and what you are supposed to accomplish. Stay on track and you’ll stay on top.

ARIES

Home improvements will TAURUS make your life easier and more (April 20- comfortable. Participating in May 20) activities with family or friends will help you develop more intimate relationships and gain a better understanding of how to please the ones you love.

dilbert

Taking on nearly impossiGEMINI (May 21- ble responsibilities will cause disputes with people who have June 20) come to expect too much from you. Don’t give in to demands.

Stop making promises that are overly difficult to keep.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Plan to enjoy what life has to offer with someone you love spending time with. A relaxing day filled with good conversation and shared dreams will lead to good times ahead.

Take on a challenge that LEO will test your skills and (July 23knowledge. You will discover Aug. 22) the changes you need to implement in order to achieve a personal or professional goal.

Think matters through VIRGO and head in a direction that (Aug. 23will please everyone, includSept. 22) ing yourself. Balance and moderation will be a must if you plan to be successful.

Calvin and Hobbes

If you make certain adjustLIBRA (Sept. 23- ments, you will avoid an emoOct. 23) tional confrontation. Once you have taken into account the needs of those affected by your choices, you’ll be able to move forward.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – PROMISSORY

Average mark 19 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 33 or more words in PROMISSORY? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – DISHONOR

shoo shorn snood soon hind honor hood horn

odor orison nosh rind rondo rood rosin

that others possess will bring unexpected compensation and help you explore your creative skills.

Romance is highlighted.

Don’t fold under pressure.

SAGITTARIUS Make it clear what you will (Nov. 23- and will not do. Walk away Dec. 21) from any situation or person that might jeopardize your reputation or future progress.

(PROMISSORY: PROM-ih-sor-ee: Conveying or implying a promise.)

dish donor door indoor indoors iron shin shod

Socialise with people who SCORPIO have something unique to offer.

(Oct. 24Your ability to mirror the talents Nov. 22)

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Share your feelings in CAPRICORN order to find solutions. If (Dec. 22- you explore a certain relaJan. 19) tionship, you will find common ground that will lead to promising results.

Pick up an old project AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- and revamp it to suit current Feb. 19) trends. Your originality will help you bring about change that will make a difference.

Set a goal and follow through.

Use your imagination to PISCES (Feb. 20- guide you to creative people March 20) and projects that will inspire you to develop your own ideas and pursuits. Emphasize kindness and compassion in order to avoid disputes.

monDAY, march 21, 2016

19

Gayle: The meticulous World Boss H

e is one of the last to walk into the ground. A photographer, who has been waiting patiently at one corner, goes "Gayle. Gayle. Gayle."

No response. "Chris. Chris‌ Chrisss." Nothing again.

The photographer tries one last time. "Boss. Boss, Boss."

A shrug of his shoulders and a shake of the head. No meant no. Chris Gayle is not being mean. He is just not in the mood now to get distracted.

Bench presses, stomach crunches, some other customised stretches, and then, Gayle leans on the heavy medicine ball as the rest of squad enjoys warm-up soccer. Phil Simmons, the West Indies coach, shows Gayle the whiteboard listing the order of batting. He is first.

Jerome Taylor, Carlos Braithwaite and another net bowler are ready and waiting. Gayle faces six balls and edges twice before swapping with Johnson Charles, his opening partner from the Super 10 match against England. Charles seems uncomfortable against all three bowlers.

Gayle is back for his second turn. It is amazing to watch him from close proximity, right behind the nets.

He stays so still. It seems

Through his immense experience, Chris Gayle has managed to marry power with precision (AFP photo)

to be his default position.

Taylor is steaming in, but the only movement Gayle indulges in is with his eyes.

The ball is angled across him, Gayle moves inside the line and steers the ball past backward point.

Power is something you usually associate with Gayle, but his game play has a lot to do with timing too.

Unlike batsmen who keep tapping the pitch, hitting their pads, strapping and unstrapping their gloves

and steadfastly sticking to their habits, Gayle is no busybody. The only thing he does is arch his back as if it is some spring before uncoiling into the batting position.

He waits till the very last second and simply reacts.

Not once has he been beaten in the second set of six balls. Meanwhile, Charles' agony carries on.

Finally, on the 18th delivery, Gayle makes his intent clear as he dismisses a long hop from the net bowler, a

left-arm spinner, over midoff. A straight, length delivery from Braithwaite is smashed for a straight six.

Gayle has worked out the pitch, the bounce, the bowler.

But the focus remains.

He has moved into the spinners' nets now. Bowling to him is the man who asked Gayle to entertain him against England - his drinking partner, Sulieman Benn. There are no words exchanged between them.

Gayle does not rush into his shots. He pays respect to Benn, who is turning the ball nicely. But, when one is floated it up, Gayle takes the invitation, uses his feet for the first time, and clubs him over the imaginary deep midwicket.

Soon, Gayle has moved out of the nets, and is taking throwdowns from assistant coach Stuart Williams.

Out in the open, you sense that Gayle wants to free his arms. Behind the sweatstained singlet, you can see the muscles on his broad back stretching. But he is surprised by the bounce off the turf as the ball takes the edge on its way to third man. Both player and coach tap down the area where the ball pitched.

In the next few deliveries, Gayle has a hit and a miss. Then, he is surprised by a beamer that zips towards his face. Taking a quick backward step, Gayle raises his right hand to softly dab the ball down into the turf. Williams raises a hand in apology but Gayle is already taking guard for the next ball.

He starts hitting yorkers for sixes. He is whipping low full-tosses into the deep.

He favours the arc between wide long-on and wide long-

off and it is all clean hitting. No slogs. Elsewhere, Benn is toying with Charles, and having a loud chuckle.

Charles is frustrated and hits his lap in frustration.

He has the most centuries in T20 cricket. He has the most ODI centuries for a West Indies batsman. He ranks third in the Test centuries list among West Indian openers, behind only Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. At times, it is easy to forget Gayle's legend amid the Gayle that the fans love: the World Boss, which he sells via social media.

Watch him train and you realise how serious he is about his cricket. A member of the support staff, who has seen Gayle for more than a decade, says, once he enters the field, he is dead serious. The jokes and the cackling can wait for the dressing room, team bus and the bars.

Through his immense experience, Gayle has managed to marry power with precision. Gayle does not use his feet against spinners. He simply trusts his reach and power. A Gayle six is rarely ever gives the fielders a chance. A Gayle six stays a huge six. (Cricinfo)

Buffon sets record as Juve win again, Higuain boosts Napoli

J

uventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon set a record for the longest run without conceding a goal as the Serie A leaders won 4-1 at neighbours Torino on Sunday.

Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain continued his prolific season by scoring twice, the second a majestic effort, to help earn a 3-1 win over Genoa which kept them three points off the top.

The Argentine has scored 29 goals in his side's 30 league matches this season to lead the scoring charts by 15.

Juve's Buffon overtook Sebastiano Rossi's previous record of not conceding in 929 minutes for AC Milan, set in the 1993-94 season, in the fourth minute of Turin's Derby della Mole.

Having kept 10 successive clean sheets, Buffon was finally beaten early in the second half when Andrea Belotti converted a penalty for Torino to end his run at 974 minutes.

Juventus were already 2-0 ahead by then thanks to a free kick by Paul Pogba and an individual goal by Sami Khedira, who collected the ball near the halfway line and ran through the heart of the Torino midfield before scoring.

Torino were denied an equaliser when Maxi Lopez had a goal ruled out by a hairline offside decision and Juve took full advantage as Alvaro Morata, who replaced the injured Paulo Dybala in the first half, added two more.

Khedira was sent off late in the game although it was not immediately clear what the German had done wrong.

Juventus, knocked out of the Champions League

by Bayern Munich on Wednesday after squandering a two-goal lead, moved on to 70 points after the 19th win in their last 20 league games, with Napoli on 67.

EXTRAORDINARY KEEPER

"He deserved the record, he is an extraordinary goalkeeper and an extraordinary lad," Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri said of Buffon.

Asked about Torino's disallowed goal, he added: "I didn't talk about the referee when we suffered in the Champions League and I won't do so now."

Juventus looked as if they might have a chance to go six points clear when Tomas Rincon gave Genoa a shock lead after 10 minutes at Napoli, the Venezuelan firing an unstoppable effort just under the bar.

Seecond-placed Napoli penned Genoa back into their penalty area and finally broke through six minutes into the second half when Higuain latched on to Elseid Hysaj's pass and slotted the ball past Perrin.

Napoli enjoyed let-offs as Alessio Cerci twice caught them out on the break before Higuain brought the house

down with a superb effort which came from nowhere.

Marek Hamsik threaded the ball through the packed Genoa midfield and Higuain, despite being marked by three defenders, managed to collect the ball, turn and curl his shot in off the far post.

Substitute Omar El Kaddouri added a third in stoppage time.

Fiorentina's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League took a knock when they were held 0-0 at Frosinone, leaving them in fourth place with 55 points, five behind thirdplaced AS Roma.

Carpi, playing in Serie A for the first time, moved out of the relegation zone when Kevin Lasagna's free kick gave them a 2-1 win at bottom side Verona.

The win took them ahead of Palermo on goal difference, with the two sides level on the head-to-head record.

Sampdoria are four

Gianluigi Buffon

points clear of the danger zone after a 1-0 home defeat

by Chievo, with Riccardo Meggiorini scoring the

only goal midway through the first half for the Flying Donkeys who also missed a penalty. (Reuters Sport)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

monDAY, march 21, 2016

New York Business Group U-19 2-innings cricket…

Action set to bowl off on Tuesday T

he recently launched New York Business Group Under-19 OneDay, Two-innings Cricket Competition sponsored by a group of overseas Guyanese businessmen of New York, USA and jointly organised by Albion Community Centre and the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) gets cracking on Tuesday with first round matches.

The group was first approached by Albion, one of the leading cricket clubs in Berbice and Guyana, who convinced them to assist in having young cricketers being involved in two-innings matches to develop their cricket more than just playing limited Overs games all the time.

The businessmen raised one million Guyana dollars ($1 000 000.00) among them and recently presented the cheque to the Albion Club who involved the BCB to organise and run the competition with the vast experience that it has in running competitions successfully.

The winning team will receive the first prize of $100,000 and trophy; the Runner-up $50,000 and a trophy.

The Man of the Match, two Best Batsman and Best Bowler of the final will be awarded $15,000, $10,000 and $10,000 respectively as well as trophies.

Also receiving trophies will be the cricketers adjudged as Best Bowler, best batsman, best all-rounder and best wicket-keeper in the competition.

The preliminary matches will be of one day’s duration and to ensure that each match has a result, the first innings for both teams in all the matches will be limited to fifty (50) Overs. The Quarter-finals, Semi-finals

and Final with no-limitation to the first innings will be two-day matches with a third day set aside for the quarters and semis to ensure that there will at least be first innings decisions.

Thirty (30) teams have been registered to play this competition and as such Berbice has been divided up into six (6) geographical zones to ease on excessive travelling costs.

Tuesday’s first round fixtures: Zone A (West Coast Berbice): Achievers vs Weldaad at Lovely Lass and Bush Lot United Sports Club vs Bush Lot United New Generation at Bush Lot. Zone B (West Coast/West Bank Berbice): Cotton Tree Die Hard s Monedderlust at Cotton Tree and Blairmont

Community Centre B vs Hawaiion Arctic a at Blairmont; Blairmont Community Centre A drew a Bye. Zone C (East Bank/New Amsterdam/Canje); Young Warriors vs Tucber Park at Cumberland and Sisters vs East Bank at Sisters.

D (Lower Zone Corentyne): Kendall’s Union vs Albion

Community Centre at No. 19; Toopoo Rising Star vs Chesney/United Warriors at Toopoo and Rose Hall Town Pepsi A vs Rose Hall Town Pepsi B at Area “H”.

Zone E (Lower/Central Corentyne) Albion Community Centre B vs Rose Hall Town Metro Females at Albion; Port Mourant vs Big Star at Port Mourant and Whim National vs Guysuco Training Centre at Whim.

F (Upper Zone Corentyne) Bomb Squad vs Scotsburg United at Crabwood Creek and No. 72 Cut and Load vs No. 72 All Stars at No. 72; Skeldon Community Centre drew a Bye. The names of group ponsors in this businessmen/ entities who are partaking in this venture are: Bhola Ramsundar - Proprietor of Bhola Travel Service, Queens New York; Dave Narine - Manager of Dave’s West Indian Imports, New York; Jameel Mohamed- General Manager of City Bias & Binding New York; Insaf AliOwner of 2’A Mechanical Corporation, New York; Ralph Tamesh - Manager of Information Technology at Coffee Distributing Corporation and Ajit Mootoo - Ardent Supporter of Cricket in New York.

Young Warriors Mash Cup on today

– Massy Industries provides huge gate prize

M

assy Industries has provided one table model two burner gas stove will a filled gas bottle as gate prize for the Young Warriors Cricket Club annual fundraiser, Mash Cup 2016. The tournament which was slated for Mash Day, Tuesday February 23, 2016 but was postponed is now set for today at the Cumberland Ground.

At the presentation held recently, David Sookram, Senior Clerk of the New Amsterdam Branch said that his company is please to be associated with this mega event once more. His company is also happy to know that proceeds from this event will go towards the further improvement of the lovely game of cricket.

Sookram took the opportunity to congratulate the club for producing the first World Cup under-19 winning captain in young batting sensation Shimron Hetmyer who successfully led West Indies under 19

Former national senior cricketer and club coach Hubern Evans, left, collects the items from David Sookram, employee of the New Amsterdam Branch

team to World Cup glory in Bangladesh.

Collecting the sponsorship cheque on behalf of the club, club coach Hubern Evans thanked Massy Industries for coming on board once again. Special mention was made of branch manager Mark Roopnarine.

This event will form part of Guyana's 50th Independence Anniversary celebration with proceeds going towards further improvements to the club's facilities and day to day running. In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the No 19 to Gangaram area.

The draw for the first round was done and is as follows: Canefield vs Gangaram, YWCC vs Seawell, Buski vs Canje Pathfinders, No 19 'A' vs No 19 'B', Betsy Ground vs Goed Bananen Land, Rose Hall Estate vs No 7.

Incentives with the value of over $100,000.00 will be up for grabs with lots of gate prizes.

Guyana’s football development hinges on the evolution of the Elite League Says Treiston Joseph

A

fter years of being in the doldrums, Guyana’s football is finally on the rise and while the forward mobility is hopefully translated into success for Golden Jaguars national squads, the question still remains of moving the level of play beyond what it currently is.

The Stag Elite League has been great for Guyana’s football, it has brought Treiston Joseph competition and a unique league to the nation that was starved of consistent on field play.

With eight teams being a part of the League; namely Slingerz Fc, Pele FC, Alpha United, Fruta Conquerors, Guyana Defence Force, Buxton United, Monedderlust and the Georgetown Football Club a few things come to mind when looking at the development of the game.

First off I must say that I believe the Elite League teams should be allowed to play other tournaments around the nation and not just be tied to the League.

I say this because I believe that if the cream of the crop is segregated from the rest of the pack, then I believe you are hampering the improvement of all for the improvement of a few.

Simply put, the eight clubs will continue to improve while the rest still languish in mediocrity and the only way to help this issue is to have the Elite League teams participate in some of the well-known knockout tournaments.

If we should take a page out of the Barclay’s Premier League (BPL), the 20 teams are still allowed to participate in other Cup tournament and Leagues around the world once they co-exist with the schedule of the BPL. Hence the reason why Leicester City currently leads the points standing of the BPL with 66 points after only being promoted to the BPL in 2014 after a decade long absence.

This simply shows that their ability to hang with teams in the BPL during some of the Cup tournaments such as the Capital One Cup played a role in helping develop the on field play of the squad.

In addition, the relegation process is not known as yet for the Elite League but even with a relegation process, quantify the quality of a team moving into the Elite League when zonal teams hardly ever stack up against Elite League teams. Hence the gap between, Elite squads and promoted squads might be as clear as day when they the latter steps into the big leagues.

Further, I believe that an Elite League two should be formulated to give clubs with a lesser status to face each other in matches across the country similar to the Elite League and not have non-elite squads just be a part of their zonal leagues.

That I believe will also contribute to the development of the game while giving the powers that be a look at squads that can be promoted and the ability to relegate teams to a league they can continue to compete rather relegate teams and then forget about them until a new season of the Elite League is set to start.

Teams should be able to play in the other knockout cups, remember Guyana Jags made history in their pursuit to a World Cup berth when teams were playing football among themselves and not the segregation.

Nevertheless, the Stag Elite League is a budding league and with the evolution of the League hopefully it brings betterment for the development of the sport.

The Stag Elite League in my estimation will only get better of the logistics of the League is ironed out with time.

But the only way to develop the sport is to let the sport play, more football better results.

21

YELLOW PAGES monDAY, MARCH 21, 2016

CAR RENTALS Need a car to rent? Then call 611-1018 for the best cars at great prices.

Progressive Auto Rental: Cars from $4000 and up. Tel: 219-3900, 643-5122

health

Healthworld Clinic – Providing professional psychological therapy for all mental and behavioral health problems. Call (592)-690-1824 Mondays-Saturdays 9am-3pm.

Email; healthworldhc@gmail.com

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

Tel: 225-5034

Driving School Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek. You can obtain an International Drivers Permit Covering 131 Countries. Tel: 2273869, 644-7052, 659-3381

EDUCATION Music 2016!! Register - learn to play the recorder, drums, guitar, keyboard, saxophone, violin, steel pan and train your voice at Foundation 7 Music School. Call 225-1151/657-8404

FOR SALE Clean Garden Earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 627-9977 Road to Belwasa and A Dip at the Sangam, Indentureship Novels at Austin’s Book Store and at Lachmansingh Drug Store. Tel: 226-5053.

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

One 6 inch dredge, one 4-cylinder MWM, one 3-cylinder MWM engine in working condition with all other complete equipment in good working condition. 679-3655 PLANT SALE 25 7-FEET PALMS, 15 ROSES, 20 SAFARI PALMS, CONTACT: 673-5546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 6790987

flowers Available: Fresh long-stemmed roses, fresh dried and silk floral arrangements, gift items, bridal boutiques and wreaths. Nesha’s Flowerland. 78 Church Street (opposite St George’s Cathedral). Tel: 227-3553/225-3315

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

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

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

Email: balwantpersaud@yahoo.ca

KEY CUTTing Professional Key Shop, 125 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

Phone: 225-3923, mobile: 621-3249.

We cut any type of key, service and repair all types of locks. Get your extra key today.

lAND FOR SALE Land at La Grange Public Road, Size 4 Acre, could be used for commercial or housing scheme. Tel#: 6251514 Formerly Globe Cinema, Corner lot, Church and Waterloo Street Size 125 ft x 133 ft Tel: 610-2234 One land 100/50 at Good Hope Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara for sale. Priced six million dollars. For more information, kindly call 623-0156 or 695-3150 (serious inquires only)

property for sale GOOD HOPE, OGLE AND ANNA CATHERINA. CONTACT: 673-5546, 222-3066, 682-7257, 679-0987 Bargain! One 3-bedroom wooden building in Georgetown. Solid greenheart beams, columns & boards. $1.3M Negotiable. Call 227-4285

WANTED Help Wanted. Fast growing food importers seeking experience salesperson with driving license, vehicle and police clearance. Tel 231-8529 SALESGIRLS WITH EXPERIENCE PLEASE BRING WRITTEN APPLICATION AND CV TO TRISTAR ELECTRICAL BRASSONIC Bldg.

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

– Jaguars face Anguilla on Tuesday at Providence

F

our members of the Executive Committee of the Guyana Football Union (GFF), including President Wayne Forde, met, interacted and had dinner with members of the Golden Jaguars on Friday at the commencement of the Golden Jaguars’ camp in preparation of the ScotiaBank 2016 Men’s Caribbean Cup Championship.

In giving brief remarks, the president emphasized the importance of team work. “You are your brother’s keeper. Each and every one of you should have the trust of the other guy that’s beside you and have the confidence that that guy has

brand, he expects more sponsorship and funding of the national programmes. In closing, he thanked the players for the hard work and commitment and indicated the executive body’s continuous support of the team.

In response, Head Coach Jamal Shabazz expressed his gratitude for the visit of the team and the interaction between the executives and players.

He underscored the importance of a unified football fraternity which puts country first. “What we have seen so far from the new executive is that willingness to communicate, to interact and to reach out…we saw Mr Lovell talked to us (last

Meanwhile, in an invited comment about the team’s preparations for the ScotiaBank 2016 Men’s Caribbean Cup Championship on Tuesday, Shabazz said despite challenges to get a proper venue for training, he is a happy man. “I am pleased with the spirit and camaraderie within the team. Guys are helping each other and working hard for the team. Guys are helping each other and working hard for the team… when you have everyone eagerly competing, but senior guys like Richardson, Nurse and Mills still helping teammates, it’s a good vibe.”

Noting the perennial problem of good training

Vacancy exists for one fulltime Pharmacist to work on the West Coast of Demerara in Metenmeerzorg. Telephone #: 2750733

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

spirituality Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc.

Call 223-6834/600-7719.

GFF President Wayne Forde (left) and Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz interacting with the players

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997

your interest.”

In so doing, he expressed the support of the GFF’s Executive Committee and the Guyanese public to the team and called for their involvement. “You are the ultimate football ambassador.

Every benchmark we’d like to reach over the next few years, you’ll be the pioneers of that. So it’s important we forge a partnership.”

The president indicated that despite the challenges, the GFF will pursue the national football programme.

He said with the steps made to date and increase in the

HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081, 322-5738, 322-5788, 337-4510, 337-4259, 337-3070, 3375103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

Ifa Temple – Are you having serious problems and urgently need spiritual help? Call 621-0552 now. Email: anew-life@live.com SICKNESS, EVIL, SPIRIT, RELATIONSHIP, IMPOTENT, REUNITE, LOVERS, PREGNANCY, JOBS, BUSINESS, BLOCKAGE ETC. 612-1975, 683 5228

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

One 2-Bedroom Apartment in Kitty.

Fully grilled. Contact: 621-4620 Leonora New Housing Scheme, W.C.D. Garage, Kitchen & Shower.

Tel: 675-5998/268-2277.

NO CHILDREN. Working Persons Only

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

VEHICLES FOR SALE For Sale: One Massey Ferguson Tractor (175) & Trailer. Call 255-0343 1 TOYOTA IPSUM (7-SEATER) IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION WITH MUSIC (5800 W): CONTACT 653-1003

Interactional Friendly)… and it was the last thing we discussed before we went on the pitch and that type of interaction is necessary.”

He added that it’s the country which advances in football and not a national team and extended an invitation to the executive for continuous visits to the team.

The other executives at the dinner were First Vice President, Bruce Lovell; Second Vice President Rawlston Adams and Third Vice President, Thandi Mc Allister.

facilities, Shabazz stated, “Having a proper training pitch is the one thing I pray for Guyana to acquire. It’s a huge challenge but total credit to the players for still giving of their best under these challenging circumstances.”

Looking ahead to the next two training sessions, the veteran Trinidadian coach is looking forward to three more overseas-based players joining the team today .They are going to meet a very disciplined squad focused on achieving our objective.

Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema strike in Real win, Barca held

TO let

optician

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

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

A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

GFF meets Golden Jags ahead of CFU

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word Call: 226-9921

R

eal Madrid forwards Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo were all on target in a 4-0 win over Sevilla that took Zinedine Zidane’s side within one point of second-placed city rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.

Earlier, leaders Barcelona squandered the chance to go 11 points clear after blowing a two-goal lead in the space of six minutes in a 2-2 draw at Villarreal.

After 30 matches, Barca have 76 points, with Atletico on 67 ahead of Real on 66.

Real Madrid striker Benzema returned after

three weeks out with a hamstring injury and opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a brilliant half-volley while Keylor Navas preserved the lead by saving Kevin Gameiro’s penalty before the bereak.

ADVERTISING

Ronaldo also missed a spot kick in the second half before Gameiro had an effort harshly ruled out for offside.

Ronaldo pounced from close range after 64 minutes to wrap up the points and made a gesture of apology to the home fans, while

Cristiano Ronaldo

Bale netted two minutes later and substitute Jese added a late fourth for a scoreline that somewhat flattered the home side. (Reuters Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

monDAY, march 21, 2016

ICC T20 World Cup…

Fletcher, Badree set up easy win for Windies

Samuel Badree is jubilant after taking a wicket (AFP photo)

A

ndre Fletcher plundered a career-best unbeaten half-century as West Indies extended their imperious form by beating reigning champions Sri Lanka by seven wickets, in their Group 1 game of the Twenty20 World Cup here Sunday.

For the second time in five days, the Caribbean side produced a successful run chase, this time overhauling a paltry 123 with ten balls to spare at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Fletcher, included in the side at the expense of seamer Jerome Taylor and then promoted to the opening spot following a hamstring injury to superstar opener Chris Gayle, unfurled a superb unbeaten 84 off 64 deliveries to underpin the Windies run chase.

The right-hander clobbered six fours and five six-

es, dominating a 39-run first wicket stand with Johnson Charles (10) before adding a further 55 in an unbroken fourth wicket stand with Andre Russell, whose unbeaten 20 required just eight balls.

Left-arm spinner Milinda Siriwardana, who finished with two for 33 from his over four overs, knocked over Marlon Samuels (3) and Denesh Ramdin (5) cheaply to create some nervousness for West Indies during the middle overs, but Manof-the-Match Fletcher and Russell stayed calm to see their side to their second win.

West Indies top Group 1 with four points as the only unbeaten team but are just ahead of South Africa, Sri Lanka and England – all of whom have two points.

Sent in, Sri Lanka struggled from the outset and it was left to Thisara Perera,

batting at number seven, to rescue the innings with a cameo 40 from 29 deliveries.

With his side tottering on 47 for five in the ninth over, he and captain Angelo Mathews, who made 20, propped up the innings in a 44-run, sixth wicket partnership.

Mathews, who faced 32 balls and failed to find the boundary once, top-edged a high full toss from medium pacer Dwayne Bravo to wicketkeeper Ramdin in the 17th over and Sri Lanka could only gather 31 runs from the last four overs.

The damage, however, was done up front by legspinner Samuel Badree who claimed three for 12 while Bravo finished with two for 20.

Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn went wicket-less but conceded just 12 runs from his four overs,

to create massive pressure throughout the innings.

Sri Lanka seemed to be getting away to a flier when Tillakaratne Dilshan (12) struck Russell for a leg-side six and a four, as the first over leaked 13 runs.

But seamer Carlos Brathwaite trapped him lbw with the first delivery of his spell in the fourth over and in the next over, Dinesh Chandimal (16) was run out after hitting Badree to cover, ill-advisedly taking off for a run and then failing to beat Charles’ throw to Ramdin.

Badree then hurt the innings with three wickets in two successive overs. He got Lahiru Thirimanne (5) to carve a catch to Fletcher at point in the seventh over and then knocked over Chamara Kapugedera (6) and Siriwardana (0) within the space of four balls in the ninth over.

Perera then struck five fours and a six – a clean blow over mid-wicket off Brathwaite – as he tried to keep the innings afloat before falling off the penultimate ball of the innings, when he picked out Russell at long on off Bravo.

With Gayle unable to open the innings after spending much of the Sri Lanka innings off the field, Fletcher stepped up to give West Indies a flying start.

He thumped the first ball of the innings from seamer Mathews to the mid-wicket boundary and followed up with a clean strike for six down the ground as the over went for 13 runs.

Fletcher kept up the momentum in the following over by classically lifting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath over deep extra cov-

DCB U-19 Inter-Association 2016…

West Demerara romp to title with 6-wicket win – Georgetown thrash East Bank

W

est Demerara trounced East Coast by six wickets to retain their title in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-19 InterAssociation Competition 2016.

Playing East Coast at home at the Enterprise Busta Sports Club ground was a challenge for the boys from the West but they held their nerves and come out victorious.

Batting first, West Demerara managed 183 all out from 47.5 overs. Their innings was built on the back of Ronaldo Renee who crafted 108. No other batsman got going as the East Coast bowlers bowled tightly. Pradesh Balkishun was the pick of the bowlers with 3/40.

East Coast reply came close to the target; they kept the game open to the end

ly.

The victorious West Demerara team

and were eventually bowled out for 177 in the 49th over.

VishwanauthRamlakan and BhaskarYadram were the main scorers with

46 and 39 respectively.

RishieLooknauth and Neal Mclean were the most successful bowers with three and two wickets respective-

Over at DCC, national player, Ronaldo Alimohamed, slammed 128 while Joshua Persaud and Raymond Perez made 98 and 57 respectively to pile up 399 for Georgetown against East Bank, as the home team thrashed East Bank by 249 runs.

Christian Husband and SagarHatheramani reaped some success with three and two wickets respectively.

Chasing such a mammoth total, East Bank who didn’t win a match in the first two rounds, did not pose any threat to Georgetown bowlers.

They folded for 150 with SagarHatheramani being the only batsman to make a decent score (30). Timothy McAlmont was the destroyer with the ball; he grabbed four wickets while Darshan Persaud captured three.

er for six and then slogging the fifth delivery to the ropes at mid-wicket.

Charles, dropped on six at long on by Kapugedera off leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay in the fourth over, never really got going and chopped on in the bowler’s next over.

Samuels lasted 12 balls before missing a wild charge at Siriwardana to be stumped at 54 for two in the ninth over and Ramdin followed soon afterward with the score on 72 for three in the 13th over, bowled essaying a desperate swing after scratching around for 13 deliveries.

With the Windies requiring 51 runs from 42 deliveries at 72 for three at the end of the 13th, Sri Lanka

scented a way back only for Fletcher and Russell to dash their hopes Fletcher raised his fifth half-century in T20s off 37 balls in the 13th over and with West Indies in need of a lift, twice cleared the ropes down the ground off successive balls from Siriwardana in the 15th over.

He was given out caught at the wicket in the following over from seamer Dushmantha Chameera but replays showed the ball had bounced before it was taken by wicketkeeper Chandimal.

The chance was one of three given by Sri Lanka – with Russell also reprieved on nine in the 18th over – as West Indies rode their luck well en route to another win.

(Windies Cricket)

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA +D Chandimal run out 16 T Dilshan lbw b Brathwaite 12 L Thirimanne c Fletcher b Badree 5 C Kapugedera st Ramdin b Badree 6 *A Mathews c wkp Ramdin b Bravo 20 M Siriwardana c Gayle b Badree 0 T Perera c Russell b Bravo 40 N Kulasekara b Russell 7 R Herath run out 3 J Vandersay not out 0 D Chameera not out 0 Extras (lb7, w 5, nb 1) 13 TOTAL (9 wkts, 20 overs) 122 Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Dilshan, 3.1 overs), 2-32 (Chandimal, 5), 3-41 (Thirimanne, 6.1), 4-47 (Kapugedera, 8.1), 5-47 (Siriwardana, 8.4), 6-91 (Mathews, 16.1), 7-116 (Kulasekara, 18.5), 8-121 (Herath, 19.4), 9-121 (Perera, 19.5)

WEST INDIES A Fletcher not out 84 J Charles b Vandersay 10 M Samuels st Chandimal b Siriwardana 3 +D Ramdin b Siriwardana 5 A Russell not out 20 Extras (w5) 5 TOTAL (3 wkts, 18.2 overs) 127 To bat: C Gayle, DJ Bravo, *D Sammy, C Brathwaite, S Badree, S Benn.

Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Charles, 5.2 overs), 2-54 (Samuels, 8.3), 3-72 (Ramdin, 12.5) Bowling: Mathews 1-0-13-0, Herath 4-0-27-0, Kulasekara 2-0-17-0 (w1), Vandersay 4-111-1, Siriwardana 4-0-332, Chameera 3-0-15-0 (w2), Perera 0.2-0-11-0 (w1).

Berbice name players for Under-17 trials

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) junior selection panel led by Leslie Solomon has shortlisted 35 players to take part in two trials matches to select the Berbice Under-17 team to participate in the upcoming inter county tournament.

The matches will be 50-overs aside and will be played at the Albion Sports Complex on Monday and Tuesday March 21 and 22 respectively.

According to the release, performances of last weekend’s matches of the 2016 Memorex under 17 inter club cricket competition will also be taken into consideration.

The shortlisted players are: Junior Sinclair; Kevin Sinclair; Brandon Mangal; Malcolm Mickle; Javid Karim; Garfield Benjamin; G. Chatterpaul; Emanuel Seecharran ; Steve Deonarine; Antonio February; Andre Bissoondial; Kevlon

Anderson; Kameshwar Chatterpaul; Sylvester Bacchus; Deimanauth Persaud; Ezekiel Kempadoo; Ramesh Kassinauth; Nivendra Persaud; Joshua Bacchus; Nigel Deodat; Trevon Stanislaus; Kelvin Omroa; Kris Ramnarine; Antonio Kempadoo; Chandradat Veerasammy; Brandon Stewart; Cheddie Boodhoo; Steven Kamaladin;

Harfic Walters; Dominique Durant; Keon Gangoo; Ravishkar Budhu; Karran Rajpaul; Davendra Somra and Alex Algoo.

The BCB takes the opportunity to say thanks to Anthony Ameerally for sponsoring inter club under-17 cricket competition in the county.

Mention was also made of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, NCN and Tenelec Inc All of the players are products of these competitions.

guyanatimesGY.com

monDAY, march 21, 2016

23

Road to Mecca III…

Indiscipline, poor officiating end final in ignominious fashion – no champions crowned

By Treiston Joseph

N

o champions were crowned on Saturday evening after the final of the Road to Mecca III National Club Basketball Championships ended in players walking off the court of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The poor officiating during the night’s final between Linden’s Retrieve Raiders and Georgetown’s Bounty Colts reached its tipping point in the fourth quarter when the Raiders’ Omally Sampson and Abdulla Hamid were give technical fouls with 9:18 to play in the game.

Raider players continued to query the call by officials which resulted in the ejection of Raiders star player Dwayne Roberts.

The ejection added fuel to an already burning fire as the Raiders disgusted, exited the playing area while clearly showing their frustrations.

With the game nicely poised at 54-51 in favour of

the Colts, President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds intervened by viewing footage that showed no clear indication of the initial foul called by the referee.

Nevertheless, after 40 minutes of deliberations and Hinds advocating to a change in the call, the Colts decided to walk-off due to the behaviour of the Raiders which ended the final with the score on 54-51.

After all the drama, Roberts related to the media that his Raiders squad walked off in protest of the poor officiating for the duration of the tournament but were prepared to play after a talk with Hinds albeit under protest.

However, Singh was disgusted with the action of the Raiders and Roberts and highlighted that indiscipline such as was depicted cannot be condoned and shows a bad face to sponsors and fans; even going as far to say that the Raiders stunt will set the sport back further than it

Sunburst continues sponsorship of Ramdhani

Avalon Jagnandan, Marketing and Sales Manager for Continental Group of Companies, hands over the sponsorship cheque to Narayan Ramdhani in the presence of Gokarn Ramdhani, father and Coach of Narayan, who is also the President of the Guyana Badminton Association

C

ontinental Agencies Ltd through its lead brand Sunburst Juice renewed their commitment to badminton star Narayan Ramdhani as its brand ambassadors.

At the presentation ceremony that was held recently a sponsorship cheque was handed over to Ramdhani to assist with his training and international participation at upcoming badminton tournaments.

Ramdhani recently won Bronze at the Peru Junior International tournament that concluded on March 12 and is now preparing for the Suriname Easter Junior International which will be held March 25-27.

Ramdhani is ranked 53 in the world in singles competition and number one is the Caribbean.

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) thanked Continental Group of Companies for playing

a major role in making Ramdhani’s s success a reality.

Marketing and Sales Manager of Continental Group of Companies, Avalon Jagnandan pointed out that Continental is very happy to continue its engagements with the talented under-19 player since he has represented the Sunburst Brand well and has embraced the slogan of Sunburst which is “Juice of Champions”.

Jagnandan noted that over the years Continental Group of Companies through its Sunburst Brand has supported sports in Guyana in a wide array of areas, these being Motor Racing, Badminton, Football, Table Tennis, Karate, Hockey, Golf, Horse Racing just to name a few. He added that Sunburst Juice remains fully committed towards the growth and development of youths and sports in Guyana.

already is.

Meanwhile, the game itself was physical and intense as expected as both teams traded buckets and exchanged the lead for brief periods.

At the point of abandonment Shelroy Thomas led all scorers with10 points while Shane Webster and Dave Causway scored three points each. Jason Alonzo was leading the scoring for the Raiders with six points.

The third place game saw last year’s champs Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters being victorious over the Dynas

Dave Causway takes a lay-up during the final

Ravens 78-75.

Hinds could

not

be

reached for a comment to ascertain the course of ac-

tion the GABF will take to resolve issue.

monDAY, march 21, 2016

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

Jaguars top Fletcher, Badree set up Scorpions easy win for Windies to retain 4-day title ICC T20 World Cup…

Pg 22

Andre Fletcher and Andre Russell celebrate West Indies' win (AFP photo) Jaguars celebrate after winning the game

Road to Mecca III…

Indiscipline, poor officiating end final in ignominious fashion Pg 23

– no champions crowned

SCOREBOARD JAGUARS 1st Innings 420 SCORPIONS 1st Innings (overnight 171 for five) J Campbell c Permaul b Reifer 1 S Thomas c wkp Bramble b Motie 32 J Blackwood lbw b Reifer 62 A McCarthy lbw b Motie 3 *P Palmer lbw b Motie 6 D Thomas b Motie 43 +A Thomas lbw b Permaul 45 D Jacobs b Barnwell 19 J Dawes not out 8 D Bulli c Barnwell b Permaul 2 G Brown c (sub) Keemo Paul b Bishoo 4 Extras: (lb2, b4) 6 TOTAL: (all out, 91.3 overs) 231 Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-70, 3-74, 5-88, 6-120, 7-205, 8-219, 9-226, 10-231.

Bowling: Reifer 16-6-47-2 (nb2), Barnwell 13-4-39-1, Motie 28.3-8-55-4, Permaul 227-43-2, Bishoo 12-3-45-1 (nb2).

SCORPIONS 2nd Innings (following on) S Thomas c Permaul b Barnwell 12 J Campbell c wkp Bramble b Permaul 10 J Blackwood c Barnwell b Reifer 16 A McCarthy c wkp Bramble b Permaul 21 *P Palmer lbw b Bishoo 4 D Thomas c Chanderpaul b Bishoo 17 +A Thomas st Bramble b Permaul 7 D Jacobs b Bishoo 17 D Bulli c Motie b Permaul 15 J Dawes lbw b Permaul 6 G Brown not out 6 08 06 0 1 Extras: (lb2, nb1) 3 TOTAL: (all out, 50 overs) 134 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-32, 3-49, 4-66, 5-66 6-73 7-98 8-113 9-127, 10-134.

Bowling: Reifer 6-0-161 (nb1), Barnwell 2-1-6-1, Motie 7-1-31-0, Permaul 197-36-5, Bishoo 16-2-43-3.

Result: Jaguars won by an innings and 54 runs.

Points: Jaguars 19, Scorpions 3.

Man-of-the-Match: Shimron Hetmyer.

Toss: Jaguars.

Umpires: Shannon Crawford, Leslie Reifer Jr

The Retrieve Raiders (in grey) walk off the court while the Bounty Colts look on in bewilderment

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 SALES AND MARKETING - sales@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.