Guyana Times Daily

President talks up economic independence, national unity ….in third address to 11th Parliament

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

Issue No. 2737

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, January 15, 2016

PRICE

Shocking revelations on controversial NICIL probe

LGE preparations P3 GECOM

gets $8.3M from India

Page 3

Central High School student critical after suicide attempt

Page 18

Page 7

Godbrother, friend charged for British teen’s murder

Zika Virus detected in Guyana

Aaron Hing, the Godbrother of Dominic Bernard (top photo), and friend, Staymon George were on Thursday charged for his murder

APNU/AFC Govt accused of copying T&T’s Coroner’s Bill Page 10

Page 11

Medical P14 supplies, drugs shortage hits Essequibo Mining activities cause hardships for Karrau residents

P10

– complain of polluted water

Page 8

All in a day's work! After their vehicle experienced mechanical failure, Police Officers decided to push it on Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown on Thursday

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Top Cop “unaware” of SOCU’s surveillance activity Father of 2 commits suicide

P15

P16 Credit Reporting (Amendment) Bill 2015 passed Former President warns of threat to P13 national security – demands “real reason” for military operation on NICIL

Mandela Avenue teen charged P14 with robbery under arms

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news

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BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 15 –09:00-10:30h and Saturday, January 16 – 09:30h-11:00h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 15 – 07:55h-09:25h and Saturday, January 16 – 08:40h-10:10h.

Shocking revelations on controversial NICIL probe

Top Cop “unaware” of SOCU’s surveillance activity

– URP accuses Govt of “spying, eavesdropping” on citizens

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Cloudy conditions are expected in the early morning hours followed by light rain showers , which will prevail throughout the day.

Cloudy skies can be expected in the evening.

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

Winds: North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.91 metres per second.

High Tide: 08:23h and 20:49h reaching maximum heights of 2.57 metres and 2.54 metres.

Low Tide: 14:19h reaching a minimum height of 0.68 metre.

P

olice Commissioner Seelall Persaud said he was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the probe by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) into the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), including the identity of the persons under Police surveillance and who gave the order for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to get involved.

This is despite the fact that the Police Commissioner is the only statutory authority to initiate the call for assistance from the GDF in civilian activities.

During an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on the sidelines of the sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday, the Top Cop made it clear that he dealt only with policy-making matters and not with operational affairs.

Asked specifically if he made the request for GDF Sergeant Robert Pyle to engage in SOCU’s stakeout operation, the Police Commissioner said, “Those are operational things; the Unit (SOCU) deals with that.

I deal with policies.”

The GDF Sergeant died tragically following a highspeed chase, which ensued during a covert surveillance activity purportedly targeting NICIL Head Winston Brassington. However, re-

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

ports eventually confirmed that the Army Officer and his special team targeted the wrong people in a case of mistaken identity. The chase ended with a resounding collision on Carifesta Avenue which claimed the lives of the GDF rank; his wife, Stacy and Canter driver Linden Eastman.

Since then, controversy has shrouded the entire exercise and the relevant authorities have remained resolutely tight-lipped on the incident.

The operation has also generated much public disquiet; however, when asked to respond to the public’s concerns on the matter, Persaud simply said, “That has been a culture of our society. Everybody called on everybody else for everything.”

He also indicated that he was unaware of the identity of the other persons, if any,

under Police surveillance as it related to the NICIL probe.

Reports recently surfaced that NICIL Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) Maria Nadir-Sharma filed a Police report of being shadowed by tinted vehicles, suspected to be those of SOCU officials. But the Police Commissioner explained that the NICIL investigation involved “a volume of matter” and he did not get into every detail.

He also posited that the SOCU Head Sydney James would have more details on the operation, since his task was to simply ensure SOCU operated within the law.

Moreover, Persaud revealed that an investigation has been launched into the incident and the files would soon go to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Persaud is arguably the first public official to break the silence on this matter of national importance.

The GDF had released a statement amid public pressure to disclose that the operation was “legitimate”.

This prolonged deafening silence has generated much uneasiness within the public domain, resulting in the relevant authorities coming in for stern criticism from civil society groups, including the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA); the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI); Red Thread and the Private

Sector Commission (PSC).

Sections of society have already expressed that this particular incident resembled several exercises that were conducted during the Burnham regime when the misuse of the security and intelligence community for political purposes was rampant.

A political lightweight, the United Republic Party (URP) also weighed in on the situation, trenchantly condemning the Government for using the country’s Army intelligence to weaken national security and to spy on civilians.

“So the APNU (PNC)-AFC Government, which came to power only last May (2015), has been spying on citizens as it did between 1965 and 1992.

One can only assume that it is also eavesdropping on conversations. This is a complete repeat of what occurred between 1965 and 1992 when the PNC (now APNU) assumed total control of the society establishing an ethnic dictatorship,” the Party said in a statement.

Meanwhile, a multitude of questions still remain unanswered including: Why was Brassington’s private residence under surveillance?

Who authorised the GDF rank to conduct surveillance?

Who gave the political direction to SOCU to conduct surveillance? Who instructed the GDF to assist SOCU in the investigation? and Why was Sergeant Pyle’s wife with him on a legitimate operation?

LGE preparations

GECOM gets $8.3M from India

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

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

Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam hands over the cheque to GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield in the presence of GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

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he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday received over $8 million from the Government of India as it prepares for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE), slated for March 18 this year.

The Indian High Commission presented the cheque valued $8.32 million to Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.

The money was handed over by Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam in the presence of GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally.

According to the High Commissioner, the money is to assist GECOM in its preparations for the upcoming LGE.

He pointed out that his Government recognised that elections were an important part of any democratic system, hence its support.

“India being the largest democracy, in terms of its size, we thought that we should show solidarity with the Government of Guyana while conducting elections,” Mahalingam stated.

The Chief Elections Officer expressed his gratitude for India’s timely contribution, which will aid the Elections Commission in the efficient delivery of Local Government polls. After receiving the cheque, Lowenfield disclosed that the money would be used to purchase an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV).

“This contribution, as planned, will be utilised for

the acquisition of an ATV for one of our municipalities in the North West District (NWD) – the Mabaruma Municipality – so that our officers on the ground could be more efficient in their delivery of the service we provide to the residents of that community,” the Chief Elections Officer stated.

This is not the first time the Government of India has given financial support to Guyana for hosting elections. Last year, the Indian

High Commission presented a cheque to the elections body to the tune of $10.25 million leading up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

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friday, january 15, 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

What are we doing as a nation?

O

ver the past three weeks, it has been most worrisome to read the local dailies, as each day the frightening head of the most disastrous, ugly monster of suicide has been continuously rearing.

Of recent, almost all of the suicides in Guyana have been committed by ingesting poisons, especially agrobased poisons – and by hanging. They are the results of dysfunctional relationships; an inability to deal with problems, and/or unbearable pain – physical or emotional – which generally give rise to awful agony and depression and feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, powerlessness and loneliness. Suicidal persons are prone to copycatting, a practice referred to as the Werther Effect, which is catalysed by alcoholism, lack of empathetic communication and low levels of self-acceptance and/or feelings of inadequacy.

The recent spate of suicides, which started late last year, indicates a suicide contagion, which has gone beyond copycatting. It would seem that suicide has been normalised, not only as an answer to challenges and problems, but also as an option to deal with those challenges and problems. In effect, suicide is now appearing to be a normal and regular part of the behavioural landscape.

As a nation – Government, Opposition and citizens – we have failed those who are challenged with life’s problems and see them as being beyond repair and without solution.

The sudden spike in suicides on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, coupled with those in Regions Six and Four, has forced President David Granger to convene an emergency meeting with the aim of charting a course to address the prevailing epidemic. It is unfortunate that as a nation we are now grappling to develop an action plan, to get all stakeholders involved to have a centralised approach to suicide prevention.

For a number of years, Guyana has been ranked first by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in suicides per capita worldwide. What have we been doing to get this monster under control for all these years?

It is obvious that barriers such as a lack of public education and the absence of enforcement of pesticide laws are among the contributing factors that have led to this mounting phenomenon.

As observed, inadequately trained human resources, insufficient statistical information about suicidal behaviour, poor inter-sectoral collaboration and commitment, and stigma and discrimination towards people who display suicidal behaviour are also contributing factors that have led to an inability to properly address this surge.

Moving forward, there is urgent need to reduce and control the availability, accessibility and attractiveness of pesticides. We must as a responsible society improve the quality and timeliness of national data on suicide and suicide attempts, and support the establishment of an integrated data collection system. Our schools and churches must be used as a tool to promote awareness and sensitisation in a prevention campaign, as well as a healthy lifestyle and increased culturally-sensitive approaches.

Only recently, The Caribbean Voice (TCV), a NonGovernmental Organisation, renewed its calls for Government to bring back the Gatekeepers Programme and use it as a mechanism to train first responders in every community. This programme, which was implemented some years ago, was able to put a dent in the scourge, but has since been abandoned. That programme broadened the suicide prevention approach beyond the counselling centres, which were established on the premise that the potential victim would reach out and seek help.

It entailed training of Gatekeepers in each community to recognise the signs and signals in a person’s life that they were at risk of taking their own lives. Again, we echo calls to have the programme return. We cannot continue as a society to accept each death as just another person who could not deal with life’s stresses and challenges. We must act now – Government, Opposition and citizens – to initiate a plan to focus on the critical actions that should be implemented immediately to prevent this surge.

Fierce waves battered the Kitty Seawall on Thursday as overtopping occurred as a result of unusually high tide

Seeking answers and clarifications Dear Editor, In relation to an article published on Page 21 of the Kaieteur News of Saturday 9 January 2016, under the caption ‘More Medical Equipment Missing’. In the interest of the public, I hereby seek answers and/or clarifications.

Paragraph 1, the missing Electro Cardiograph Machine which went missing since October last has now been brought to the attention of the Police and a probe of the matter has begun.

Paragraph 2, no one has been held accountable since the administrative body of the Suddie Public Hospital was informed of the missing equipment.

Now if the concepts of Paragraphs 1 and 2 are accurate then the administrator of that hospital must say why only now the Police is informed, and who if any

Senior Health Ministry Officials, or Regional Administration Officials was told, and if not the reason or reasons for not reporting to those persons.

Here is a case where an equipment to do critical medical investigations or examinations went missing and it was not reported immediately after the discovery was made. It has now become the norm or acceptable that when such similar incidents occur, the person with the onus or responsibility for reporting, is not certain to whom the report must be made, and by procrastinating, the solving of the crime becomes more difficult, or more of a distant prospect.

Here I am saying again that if what is reported in Kaieteur News on 9 January is true, then person or persons must face the consequences of their action or

inactions; and on a related issue mentioned in the said article about a piece of dental equipment missing from the Anna Regina Health Centre, as alluded to by the Alliance for Change Councillor Hardat Narine, here again a lot of questions must be answered.

(1) When this occurred (2) Who it was reported to (3) When the report was made If reported, (4) what action was taken?

As regards this, it is my considered opinion that any administration whether new or old must be able to secure state property, including equipment, machinery, vehicles, money, etc. From day one you have to get the job done.

I am sure that in the context of which we are referring, seven months can be

considered new if this administration is still new in crime fighting, we will have to wonder if it will be old enough by 2020.

The back end is, there is a case where this invaluable piece of equipment cannot be accounted for, and for the better part of two months, again I have to say, as reported in Kaieteur News date and page mentioned, the Police was not informed.

With all of the above being said, I am confident that the Police in Essequibo G Division under the Command of Kevin Adonis is capable of investigating and solving this crime and any other that may be more serious in nature.

Sincerely, Archie Cordis Former AFC Councillor Region 2

Drugs, violent crime and youths in rural areas Dear Editor, Violent crimes, brutal murders, large-scale suicides coupled with massive corruption are a bugbear to the country’s development since the police and other law enforcement agencies are unable to deal with the volume of crime now taking over the country.

Pastor Wendel P Jeffrey, Practical Christianity wrote a letter in Guyana Times that a set of young addicts whose minds are being altered by the imbibing of the abundance of “narcotic substances available in Guyana’. He added “ I would guarantee you that a great percent-

age of the loot carried away by these savaged minded brutes are ploughed right back into the drug trade”... “it is a known fact that alcohol, ganja, and cocaine are the drugs of choice that inoculate the consciences of these youths before and after the crimes” These gruesome murders are now prevalent in rural areas, West Berbice, Corentyne, West Demerara, East Bank. Last weekend murders at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, where the victims were a quiet businessman, 81, and his young wife rocked the village since the killers butchered them... and from reports the killers

were very young men who are known to the police.

The bound and burnt to death of another woman not far away is another sadistic type of murder.

It seems as if the consumption of drugs transforms humans to beasts.

This is a sad state of affairs which need quick attention by the authorities.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has an office in Georgetown, but that body concentrates on largescale drug trafficking and not consumption by individuals. The high suicide rate in the country also needs to be looked at very closely. A large number of cases are

linked to alcohol and drugs.

The deportation of 104 Guyanese from the United States might also pose a problem to law enforcement in the country because some of them might not be law-abiding citizens.

The Guyana Government is busy dealing with corruption and does not have the personnel to tackle dayto-day crime. However the authorities are doing a reasonable job in the circumstances. However I feel that there is need to approach international agencies for assistance.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, january 15, 2016

Are we paying taxes for services to protect municipal officials?

Dear Editor, It bothers me significantly that the officials of the Georgetown City Council seem more concerned about their own safety and security and less about it for the business community and citizenry.

On Wednesday, having been invited to attend a meeting at City Hall, I attempted to enter the compound as I usually do through the Charlotte Street entrance and then again through the Avenue of the Republic entrance but was rebuffed on both attempts by Constables who advised that there were new stringent security mechanisms in place that prevented citizens from entering this public space with the exception of the Regent Street entrance. However when I attempted at the Regent Street access point, before I could do so, I had to be interviewed and frisked by another constable who was posted there. Whilst awaiting the start of the meeting which was held under a tent in the forecourt of City Hall I observed both the Town Clerk and Mayor moving around in the company of bodyguards, some-

thing that is only otherwise accorded to the President and Prime Minister of this country. I am aware that their residences are like mini fortresses with high fences and armed guards patrolling inside and would like to know why all of this protection paid for by the citizenry is necessary? Â In the meantime, the municipal markets are largely left unprotected with break and entry and losses being encountered on a frequent basis; citizens are being robbed constantly in the shopping areas particularly after normal business hours; three-card men are fleecing unsuspecting victims on the pavements; touts are hassling minibus passengers; a lot of illegal activity occurs right at the entrance of the Stabroek Market; music carts move around the city with music blaring all to which the Council turns a blind eye.

Are we paying taxes to receive services or protect municipal officials?

Sincerely, Sean Moniz

Abnormally high suicide rate Dear Editor, The abnormally high suicide rate is unlikely to drop and will continue to climb bearing the fact that we ignore addressing the root to this problem. Guyana catalogues a catastrophic dynamic fuelling this scourge that includes: widespread illiteracy, a murder rate three times that of the USA, inadequate health care, soaring joblessness, deep poverty, dysfunctional politics, bloated corruption, protracted alcoholism, high prevalence of mental health issues, abuse, turbulent ethnic/race relations, marginalization and a succession of dysfunctional governments.

Obstacles (stimulus) such as these create unbearable stressful life events, triggering the onset of mental health related issues including - sadness, hopelessness, despair, low self-worth and mental disorders (depression, anxiety among a slew of others) which ultimately drive substance abuse (alcoholism) and or suicide.

Abrogating the suicide rate would require radically reversing this catastrophic dynamic but nothing is being done. Instead, we take a Band-Aid approach. We hide pesticides and ropes, among a string of others.

However, this results in temporary solutions only leaving victims in an environment conducive to relapse.

To make matters worse, the Indo-Guyanese population is largely affected and this requires professionals with an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of this subculture to which there is a glaring lack at the Ministry of Social Protection (Ministry of Human Services), spurring serious concerns over its ability to tackle problems in a multi-ethnic society. Clearly we lack effective approaches fighting this scourge.

Harnessing this problem would require us to utilise appropriate interventions (Gatekeepers programme, hiding pesticides, talk therapies, drug therapies and engaging the right professionals, among a slew of others) in conjunction with aggressively reversing the catastrophic dynamic that consume this country.

Sincerely, Dr Cecil Dilip Kumar

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Is Minister Trotman the right man for the job?

Dear Editor, I wish to congratulate the Granger-led administration for re-establishing the Ministry of Natural Resources. In the first place this ministry should have never been renamed but instead, the positive changes established under the PPP should have been endorsed and embraced positively.

It has been almost one year since Minister Trotman was assigned the Natural Resources responsibilities and to date no substantial achievements or developments within that sector have been made other than what was started by the PPP. Minister Trotman is noted for making sporadic responses and statements only to withdraw them after being confronted like he was with ExxonMobil, Bai Shan Lin, the Norway agreement and also mak-

ing unsubstantiated statements such as the 15,000 ounces of gold being smuggled per week.

The mining sector is in a terrible state. But just what is Minister Trotman doing in terms of programmes and progress to advance the work of the sector?

What he is doing is busy filling up the ministry with staff. He now has a Minister within the Ministry, an adviser in Clayton Hall and I understand he also has a technical assistant.

Minister Trotman also has two legal assistants and some other staff. Under the previous government it was Minister Persaud and his agencies.

So let the people be the judge, is Minister Trotman the right man for the job?

Yours sincerely, Carl Lucas

6 Feature Suicide deaths climbing in Guyana friday, january 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

– as national cry mounts for swift action to reduce scourge

By Tusika Martin and Alexis Rodney

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he most recent attempt at suicide – by a secondary school student in Georgetown on Thursday – has pushed growing concerns of the public a notch higher and has increased calls for Government to quickly realise an emergency plan to tackle the issue, which seems to be getting out of hand.

Just 14 days into the new year, there have already been close to 10 deaths and more persons seem to be taking tragic steps daily in this direction.

While the Third Form student of the secondary school in Georgetown only slit her wrist, a 13-yearold on the East Bank of Essequibo was unfortunately successful in taking her life two days prior. Her guardian saw her tiny body hanging from the ceiling in her bedroom.

Guyanese thought that might have been the last to occur in a long time, but were shocked to discover on Thursday that a 43-year-old mother of four was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital on the Essequibo Coast, after she consumed half a glass of gramoxone, following a heated argument with her husband. Doctors at the institution say her condition is deteriorating, but they are battling to save her life.

Dead: Kavita Akloo

The statistics in Essequibo are rising, and have seen a stark increase over the last couple of days.

Only on Monday, four persons in that area attempted to end their lives by consuming poisonous substances within a mere 24 hours.

Two days prior in the same region, two persons, Akel Shurland, 23, of Adventure Village and Kaimwattie Persaud, 27, of Anna Regina were successful in ending their lives after consuming poisonous substances.

And last week, a 15-yearold also attempted suicide in the same manner. She too has been hospitalised.

Additionally, a 21-year old of Windsor Castle and a 42-year-old of Golden Fleece hung themselves.

The former hung himself on Christmas morning, while the latter committed the act on Old Year’s Night.

Meanwhile, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), a young couple committed sui-

Dead: Akel Shurland

cide at Lonsdale, East Bank Berbice (EBB).

The 14-year-old female of Brothers Village and her paramour Deeraj Persaud, 20, of Lonsdale were discovered in a bedroom at

for all health and social care practitioners in the country as well as the general public and persons affected at large.

Suicide has always been touted as a mental health issue, but more rigorous work needs to be done to address it.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Guyana is ranked first in suicides per capita worldwide, suffering 44.2 suicides per 100,000 persons per year.

Over the last decade, a person ended his or her life every 1.8 to 2.4 days in Guyana. In the United States of America, there was a suicide every 13 minutes and, sadly, there was a sui-

In Guyana, almost all suicides are committed by ingesting poisons, especially agro-based, and by hanging.

Persaud’s home hanging by the neck from ropes.

Reports are the minor was two months pregnant and authorities tried to separate the couple.

Government, through the Public Health Ministry, had begun placing particular emphasis on mental health in Guyana through the National Mental Health Action Plan: Health Vision 2020.

But even as this is taking place, many social activists are calling for the Government to revert to the widely-regarded Gatekeepers Programme initiated by former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, which, during its existence, was able to put a dent in the scourge.

The Gatekeepers Programme broadened the suicide prevention approach beyond the counselling centres, which were established on the premise that the potential victim would reach out and seek help.

It entailed training of Gatekeepers who were taught to recognise the signs and signals in a person’s life that they were at risk of taking their own lives.

However, although the Programme was launched, it was not followed through by the former Administration.

Under the stewardship of former Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsarran, the Programme was not fully developed although there was much discussion about tackling the societal scourge by boosting mental health capacity.

Dr Ramsarran had committed to bringing professionals to conduct training sessions so that there was a diffusion of the best mental health practices to the public.

The present Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton has been reported as saying that the mental health and wellbeing of all people in Guyana remain an important project

cide every 30 seconds somewhere in the world. Suicide accounted for 1.4 per cent of all deaths worldwide in 2012, making it the 15th

Dead: Deeraj Persaud

leading cause of death, almost as impactful as HIV and AIDS. Among the age group 15 to 30, anywhere in the world, suicide is among the top three causes of deaths.

In Guyana’s case, in the 1980s, suicides numbered about 200 to 250 per year. In the last decade, it has been between 150 and 200 cases per year. While Guyana can improve on data collection,

Dead: Roshinee Pagwah

we do have a relatively accurate count of the number of suicide deaths, although we may not have maintained a good record of the number of suicide attempts.

It is estimated that there are 1500 to 2000 attempted suicides each year, or about one attempt every five hours in Guyana. Around the

world, it is estimated that there are 10 million to 20 million attempted suicides per year, or one suicide at-

Dead: Sherriann Ali

tempt almost every second.

Rich and poor are affected; the unknown villager and the popular movie star.

The truth is that outside of wars, people are more likely to kill themselves than each other. There are more suicide deaths each year than there are murders. Of the approximately 33,000 Americans who die of gunshot injuries, almost 30,000 die from self-inflicted gunshots.

In Guyana, almost all suicides are committed by ingesting poisons, especially agro-based, and by hanging. They are the results of abusive and dysfunctional relationships; teenage affairs and pregnancy; rape and incest; an inability to deal with problems (lack of coping skills) and/or unbearable pain – physical or emotional - which generally give rise to depression and feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, powerlessness and loneliness.

The situation has taken so severe a grip on communities that Regional Chairmen across the country said if Government did not intervene with a robust plan to deal with the issue, lives would continue to be lost.

The Caribbean Voice (TCV), a Non-Governmental Organisation, is one of the voices of suicide prevention that have been calling for proper handling of this most sensitive issue in Guyana.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, TCV representative Annan Boodram said as a nation Guyana should be heartbroken by the upsurge of suicide.

“It has gone beyond an epidemic. All we have is a lot of talk, but with no action and this is very troubling.

We have called for strategies that call for very little funding, but none were implemented,” Boodram said.

He added that his organisation has been lobbying for counsellors to be placed in high schools for quite some time now.

“When President [David] Granger suggested that the Government could not afford this, he might not have considered strategies that have been publicly presented by TCV and others to identify teachers with social work training and use their knowl-

edge and skills as well as to employ social work graduates from UG [University of Guyana]. Additionally, the Government may want to consider the one-year diploma in counselling that was in place in the 70s and 80s, with classes held on Saturdays.”

He is also calling for the return of the Gatekeepers Programme or the instituting of a similar programme in order to train first responders within every community, not only with respect to suicide prevention but related issues such as domestic violence and child abuse.

The time has come, he noted, for a programme to address ‘pesticide suicide’ to be implemented.

“My appeal to all those people is simply because our theme has always been “suicide prevention is everybody’s business” and we all need to really do make it our business. For far too long, too many of us wait until suicide walks through our doors before we become concerned and by then it’s far too late. Had we been concerned much earlier, maybe, the lost lives we lament may have been saved,” Boodram declared.

Outcry

Across the regions in Guyana, there have been cries for help as the suicide rate climbs.

Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley, told the Guyana Times that Government could do more at the grassroots level, even

Dead: Laleta Sivanand

offering services to persons who have suicidal tendencies.

He listed three important elements as being critical to helping to curb this issue: homes with parents, the community, and the Government. He said unless these three work together coherently, there would always be a recurrence of these incidents.

In Region Two, Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said the current rate of suicide within the Region was quite worrying and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) needed to do more to address the issue.

Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber said the Social Protection Ministry needed to have unified programmes to target the youth, particularly special programmes that would arrest the attention of those

who suffer the most in this regard.

“I think since [the present] Government came on board, there have not been any programmes to deal with these issues. These need to come into play. The Government can, at the regional level, have programmes put together to assist the youth in various areas.” he said.

Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal said the Social Protection Ministry needed to play an important role in curbing this issue.

Dead: Kaimwattie Persaud

“They need to be more proactive and have an ever presence in the communities to educate the youth.

Whenever they are in a situation they cannot handle, they must have somewhere where they can access help and the Ministry needs to play a major role in that.”

He said it was proven that whenever there was an economic depression, coupled with high rates in criminal activities, it was found that the suicide rate would also go up. Much more can still be done by the Ministry, he opined.

Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman David Armogan told Guyana Times, Government should consider banning gramoxone, which was proven to be the number one poison used by persons.

He said the poison did not have to be used by farmers as other alternatives could be utilised. He related that even the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was not using the substance and Government could very well ban its use.

Revamping

Governments across the globe have shown a tepid response, complacency, and sometimes downright neglect in coming to grips with the suicide crisis. In Guyana, even as the outcry continues for a national approach to deal with the rise in suicides, social activists are also calling for all hospitals to be upgraded to deal with the phenomenon.

More respirators and poison antidotes to deal with incidents of attempted suicide are needed at these facilities. Additionally, more funding is needed for a phased integration of mental healthcare into the general healthcare system.

news

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friday, january 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Workers privately contracted Central High School student for city clean-up critical after suicide attempt

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Privately contracted workers on the job

he administration and maintenance of solid waste disposal and cleanliness of the capital city are the responsibility of the Georgetown Mayor & City Council. However, it has not been made clear when the Council will assume full financial responsibility for the city-wide cleanup campaign.

Guyana Times understands that contracted workmen near City Hall’s environs are not being paid by the Council. On Thursday, a stretch of the Avenue of the Republic, near Regent Street, was being beautified as a precursor to Guyana’s golden anniversary in May. The 50th Anniversary

celebrations were launched at an Old Year’s Night ceremony at Brickdam’s Independence Arch.

Workmen were seen clearing drains, trimming grass and painting trees.

One workman was all smiles as he assisted in clearing the area near the bridge at the intersection of Avenue of the Republic and Regent Street.

Areas such as La Penitence and Main Street are reportedly being covered by the same contractor. Last Saturday, this publication reported that North East La Penitence residents were weary of grass being burnt in the “discontinued” Le Repentir Cemetery dump-

site.

City Council Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis stressed on Tuesday that the “Council is not aware of any burning in the area”. It was admitted, however, that contractors were possibly operating outside regulations.

There were conflicting reports in the media about who was responsible for the trimming of trees on Brickdam.

Calls on Thursday for clarification on these matters to Mayor Hamilton Green, Town Clerk Royston King and the Public Relations Officer were all to no avail.

Man on bail for burglary

C

hristopher Macy was on Thursday released on bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts when he was brought before her on a charge of break and enter and larceny.

Macy denied the charge which read that on May 28, 2015 at Lot 6 Albouystown, Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Michael Davidson and stole a quantity of kitchen wares,

a quantity of clothes and a 22-inch Sharp television, a total value of $160,000 property of Davidson.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers did not divulge the particulars surrounding the charges and made no objections to bail being granted.

As there was nothing known against the accused and no objections were raised, the Magistrate released him on $50,000 bail and transferred the matter to Court Ten for February 5.

Accused burglar Christopher Macy

nother suicide attempt, on Thursday, has landed a Third Form student of the Central High School in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Guyana Times understands that the 14-year-old had mutilated her wrist in an attempt to take her life, sometime Thursday morning.

This publication spoke to a woman who vended outside the school who reportedly talked to the girl moments before the incident occurred.

“She came to me this morning asking if I have razor blades to sell. I told her no and I tried to find out why she wanted them, but she said it was nothing,” the vendor said.

According to the woman, the girl is a regular customer of hers, but she had not seen her for the two previous days. She indicated that she

suspected something must be wrong with the girl.

Students who spoke with Guyana Times said the girl had been encountering problems with her mother and had threatened to take her life.

However, from reports reaching this publication, the girl’s family has revealed that she has been facing problems at school and not at home.

One student recounted that she saw a large crowd at the washroom and decided to take a look.

“I went to the washroom and saw her crying and blood was on her hands. I told her to come to the pipe with me to wash off the blood, but she said no, she didn’t want anyone to see her.”

The student related that she had turned to speak to another student and by the time she turned back to the

troubled girl, she had begun to cut her wrist violently.

“When I turned around to her, she was cutting her hands real deep with a passion. That’s when I hold her hand, but she was still trying to cut it,” the student stated.

The girl was held down by two other students, but was still able to conceal the razor blade in her right hand, squeezing hard enough to slash her palm.

Teachers were alerted and the child was taken to the office and subsequently to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The girl is said to have ruptured two veins and sustained seven deep gashes.

Just Tuesday, another teenager, a 13-year-old was found hanging in her bedroom. In a suicide note, she had disclosed that she was in love with a 17-year-old boy and was “lost in darkness”.

New Mines Union wants Govt to address concerns

A

newly formed Mines Workers Union has called on government to speedily address the issues facing all sections of miners in Guyana.

The body is said to be the first national mining union in Guyana, which seeks to bring a voice to all categories of mining workers.

At a press conference Thursday, president of the union Sherwayn Downer said the mining industry is marred with labour-related issues and exploitation of the country’s resources.

He said the union is hoping to become the solution to all these problems.

“Labour-related issues in the mining industry have been dominating and it tells a story about what is taking place in the industry”, he told journalists.

Downer said at this

point, the union is seeking government’s full intervention for it to make tangible investments in the mining sector.

“We believe that if the government consider investing directly in mining, they could provide thousands of jobs for Guyanese.

We also want government to move to establishing an industrial court in our country and labour issues in every category of mining remain a challenge in getting these issues addressed”.

The union boss noted there is a wide range of companies operating in the mining sector and he was not sure if any are signatories to the International Cyanide Code (ICC), which falls under the International Labor Organization (ILO).

According to him, an-

swers must be given in the interest of the 500 workers the union currently represents.

He spoke too of the 2005 amendment regulation on mining which was intended to stop bad mining practices. According to him, there are still too many unanswered questions.

“Over the months we have been seeing pits have been caving in the industry, lives have been lost and a lot of questions remain unanswered for workers and their families. What we want to know is if those pits that were caving in, were they illegal mining and was it hidden from the public”.

He said the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission is the “custodian” of mining in Guyana and must be made to answer.

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Godbrother, friend charged for British teen’s murder

By Ahreefa Bacchus

T

he two men who allegedly murdered British teenager Dominic Bernard were on Thursday arraigned for murder before Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Aaron Hing, 22, also known as “Neutral” of Kildonan, Corentyne, Berbice, and Staymon George, 23, known as Sherwin and “Stayey”, were not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on October 14 at Kildonan, they murdered Dominic Bernard.

The men were represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes who stated that the selective release of information in relation to the investigation to the press by those in charge of the investigation may impair the chances of his clients to have a fair trial. The Attorney further alleged that the critical information that was released painted a biased and inaccurate picture of the events. The defence counsel further questioned the purpose behind the manner in which certain aspects of the investigation found themselves in the public domain.

Hughes expressed that he was confident that he could robustly defend the accused. He further urged that those persons involved in the divulging of information desist as they were impacting his clients’ chances of having a fair trial. He requested the full disclosure of all statements that the prosecution would be relying on. Additionally, he requested access to the scientific data to enable the defence to have an independent investigation by an independent laboratory.

Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte explained that the case file was incomplete pending the application of the advice received from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The two murder accused were remanded to prison, and the matter was transferred to Court One before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for a January 15 hearing.

According to reports, the British teenager arrived in Guyana on the evening of October 14, and was expected to stay with Hing, but was not seen since. Hing became a person of inter-

Dumbing down…

A

Aaron Hing, the Godbrother of Dominic Bernard, was on Thursday charged for his murder

est after he disappeared when Police attempted to contact him. As law enforcement continued to dig for information, George was added to the list of suspects. Wanted bulletins were issued for the two men as suspicions grew about their involvement in the teen’s disappearance.

Police later captured them both: Hing at a city hotel and George at a house in Tucville, Georgetown. They were arrested after the decomposed body of a male believed to be that of the missing teenager was discovered a few villages from Kildonan. The young men later confessed to beating and burying the teen. They reportedly took some £2000 and the teen’s camera and video-making equipment, some of which they allegedly sold while they disposed of other pieces.

They later admitted that they had collected the teen from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on October 14, 2015 and on their way to Berbice, they stopped along Sheriff Street where they ate and drank a few beers.

They have also reportedly implicated a third person, Jameel Sinclair who has not yet been charged. Sinclair took law enforcement to an area behind Nurney Village and pointed out where

Staymon George was also charged for the teen’s murder

he buried the teen’s camera and its components. He admitted that he was promised payment to hide the teen’s belongings on the night he was fatally beaten. Later on Sunday evening, the said suspect led ranks to another area where the laptop that belonged to the teenager was reportedly hidden.

Meanwhile, one week after investigators dug up partially decomposed human remains, believed to be those of Bernard, samples are yet to be sent abroad for DNA testing.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum, told reporters on Thursday that the Police were currently arranging for the samples to be taken overseas for testing.

“We are currently making arrangements to have those samples sent overseas… At this point in time, we are still to decide which country those samples will be forwarded to,” he stated.

According to the Crime Chief, the body is still with the Police and will be handed over to the family only when it is confirmed to be that of young Bernard. “We are trying our utmost best to have DNA testing conducted and, based on the results, then we would be able to hand over the remains to the relatives,” he noted.

Alleged truck Narcotics accused freed thief remanded C

A

Eyew tness

Lindener slapped with three counts of robbery under arms was denied bail when he appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Twenty-six-year-old Murphy Scotland, an unemployed resident of Lot 153 One Mile, Wismar, Linden, is accused of robbing Marlon Bissoon of a motor lorry valued $12 million; 34,000 gallons of diesel hydraulic oil valued $164,720; 25 gallons of radiator coolant valued $94,480; a quantity of beverages worth $103,700 and two ladders valued $120,000.

It is alleged that on December 8, 2015, while being armed with a gun at Mabura access road, he stole the items, property of Ryan Ferreira.

The second charge stated that the defendant, while being armed with a gun on the same date and at the same place, robbed Bissoon of a cellular phone valued $37,000 and $35,000 in cash.

The third charge stated that the defendant, along with others, while being armed with a gun on October 3, 2015, robbed Shawn Kishan of a TM 6×6 Bedford truck valued $12 million and 16,500 litres of fuel valued $2 million, both being the property of Julius Ferreira. The incident is also said to have occurred along the Mabura access road, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The Court heard that Scotland has had previous brushes with the law, so bail was denied.

The case will continue on February 16.

arla Seon walked out of the Linden Magistrate’s Court a free woman on Wednesday after having a trafficking in narcotics charge against her dismissed.

Seon, of Lot 47 Old England Mines, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was accused of having 58 grams of cannabis sativa in her possession for the purpose of trafficking on January 15, 2015.

She was arrested and charged for the offence after the illegal substance, which included a quantity of leaves, stems and seeds, was allegedly discovered in a fowl pen near her home and shop at Old England Mines.

The cannabis was discovered by

a Police patrol who was conducting a search of the area on the said date.

When the case was called before presiding Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday, it was noted that the prosecution failed to establish that Seon was the only person who resided at the premises and to account for the fact that the particular area was frequented by others.

The Court heard that the fowl pen where the drug was found was situated approximately 20 feet from the defendant’s home. The presiding Magistrate ruled that the defendant was not guilty owing to a lack of sufficient evidence.

Assault accused on $75,000 bail

A

resident of Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden was placed on $75,000 bail on Wednesday after the charge of unlawful and malicious wounding was read to him at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The Court heard that the

defendant, 24-year-old Robert Beckles, of Lot 24 Victory Valley, unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Nelon Brummel on January 11 at Moblissa, LindenSoesdyke Highway. The case will continue on February 16 before Magistrate Clive Nurse.

…UG

standing joke in the business community is after hiring graduates from UG, the poor slobs can’t even write a basic letter. The question arises as to who wrote their letter of application. The problem actually goes back to the biblical challenge of turning sows’ ears into silk purses. The Good Book says it just can’t be done… but you have to keep trying, no?

But not blindly. When one looks at the CSEC passes in English and Maths after a decade of concerted effort to raise them - we’re still below 60 per cent. We know something’s rotten with the state of our education system.

Cause these are the same youths that’ll go on UG and line up to enrol in the Social Work or International Relations courses - expecting to rake in the big bucks when they graduate.

In the meantime, the majority of students avoid the technical skills – the STEM – subjects that the country actually needs like the plague. They do so for the simple reason that they just can’t deal with the rigor of those courses and slide through with the “softer” ones. Yet we have all sorts of well meaning types – especially in the new government – that see “education” as the panacea of all that ails the country and society. Never mind the “education” imparted at UG – primarily because of the abysmal preparation of the incoming students – ensure that very few of them are “employable”.

So you’d think we’d all agree on the need to improve the quality of the latter cohort – and simultaneously produce the skilled human resources for our developmental needs.

Sadly, once again, the government’s motto seems to be “if you can’t raise the bridge, lower the river”. Or more specifically in this case, if you can’t raise the quality of the students entering UG, just lower the standards for those students. And ensure we produce even more mediocre graduates with non-usable skill sets. But with $ signs in their eyes.

Out of the door went the plan from the last administration to launch a special 6th Form School that’d act as a conduit for the better students to move into tertiary education. No Siree Bob!... lets just ignore that we’ll just be creating more disaffected and alienated graduates who’re being set up for a life of disappointment. Or resentment.

Let’s just look at one industry that’ll be employing skilled personnel – petroleum. Are the folks being facilitated to get into UG under all sorts of lowering of standards be able to earn engineering degrees?

Not in this life! But why worry? We’re improving “education”!!

…job appreciation

Your humble Eyewitness doesn’t like saying “I told you so!” But sometimes he just can’t avoid doing so… like with the recent “revelations” on the wages some canecutters rake in. Years before as soon as he’d heard the wailing Jeremiahs bemoan a 40% unemployment rate among youths, he’d pointed out some canecutters were earning in excess of $100,000/weekly!

If the law of supply and demand meant anything you’d expect all those lounging youth-men to invade the cane fields. But it never happened. And yet, you have a situation where at the very best, GuySuCo can only attract 60 per cent of the optimum work force during the crop.

Why? For the simple reason that their leaders reinforce the idea that they need “education” to be qualified for desk jobs that don’t even pay $50,000 PER MONTH! Isn’t this plain stupid? What’s going on? Is the colour of the money different when it comes from the canefields? It all goes back to old ways of thinking that must be discarded ASAP. Guyana’s comparative advantage lies in agriculture and then ramping up Agri-processing. $100,000/week will be like chicken feed!

…intelligence-led policing

The police announced, with great fanfare, they were going after the bad guys by focusing on “intelligence” gathered in identified communities.

And they couldn’t find out the address of the CEO of NICIL? Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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friday, january 15, 2016

News

Mining activities cause hardships for Karrau residents

– complain of polluted water

By Devina Samaroo

I

n the little Amerindian Village of Karrau, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni), residents are suffering tremendously as their only source of potable water is heavily polluted as a result of mining activities in the area.

Compounded by the drought-like weather patterns in the region, residents are finding it most challenging to access pure water.

The alternative source of water in the community, the Mazaruni River, is also greatly contaminated by chemicals released from mining in the area.

Life has become burdensome for the villagers who now have to go the extra mile just to obtain water for drinking, cooking and washing.

“Sometimes we have to take a boat and go buy water and bring it back. And that’s expensive. We need our own

supply of water here,” a resident vented.

“Our waterways are polluted and we need help. Our children have rashes breaking out on their skin. We can’t bathe properly, eat or drink or live like we used to,” another resident exasperatedly exclaimed.

Mining

Residents contend that the centre of the problem is caused by mining activities in the upper region of

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford meets with residents

Karrau.

Guyana Times understands that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) granted permission for mining to commence in the area sometime in 2013.

In late 2015, residents began to notice that their only source of water which is a creek running through the village began to exhibit signs of impurity.

Residents said the water gradually became discoloured until eventually the cloudiness was distinctly visible.

Guyana Times understands that contact was made with the miner and efforts are being made to work out a solution to the problem.

The

Other cases matter

is

cur-

rently engaging the attention of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, Natural Resources Ministry, Communities Ministry, GGMC, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Regional Chairman’s office.

According to reports, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Alicock said there are similar reports from other indigenous communities across the country where residents are affected by various types of pollution allegedly due to mining operations within their districts.

Indeed, the majority of Amerindian communities have little or no access to potable water and this is due to the fact that the traditional sources of pure water, creeks and rivers, are increasingly being polluted by the mining

industries that have been established through the years.

Contacted for a comment on the matter, Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford said he is aware of the issue and efforts are being done to address the situation.

He said he recently visited the community where residents expressed their deepest frustration over the discomfort they now have to live with.

Bradford disclosed that the only feasible solution to the problem appears to be to develop a well in the village to supply clean potable water for the residents.

Only recently, a similar situation had erupted in Isseneru Village, Region Seven, where residents complained bitterly of the excessive water-and-noise pollution in the area.

Govt accused of copying T&T’s Coroner’s Bill

By Edward Layne

T

empers flared periodically during a more than three-hour debate on the highly-controversial Coroner’s Amendment Bill 2015, which was passed in the National Assembly Thursday night, despite the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) voting against the bill, which it described as “racist” and “colonialist”, because of its reference to Asianic (Asians) and plantations (making reference to colonial rule).

The amendment to the 1887 Coroners’ Act is aimed at increasing the number of Coroners in the counties of Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo.

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, in whose name the bill was tabled, said there is nothing partisan about the Bill, adding that it will allow for answers to be provided to the hundreds of families who lost their loved ones, especially, during the 2002/2003 crime wave.

“This is nothing partisan, I don’t know why any-

one would have an objection to finding the truth... a promise was made to the families of those died in the crime wave… Families are still grieving and it is under these circumstances we have proposed the amendment to this act,” Minister Williams said.

The PPP/C requested that the bill be sent to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee, but the AG objected on the basis that the amendments were merely dealing with one section of the Principal Act He also dismissed the notion that the appointees will be political, noting that the Judicial Service Commission is tasked with appointing fit and proper persons to be Coroners.

Meanwhile, PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Adrian Anamayah said the amendment is insignificant since there are adequate Coroners already in place, pointing to Magistrates who are already mandated by the Principal Act to perform the functions of Coroners in their respective Magisterial Districts.

“In Berbice we have a full complement of Magistrates

and I don’t know anything is stopping them from being coroners, he noted.

Anamayah in a bid to convince government to ensure there is a comprehensive review of the Principal Act which is said to be rooted in the colonial era, making it outdated, questioned, “why is it are we doing a piecemeal amendment?”

He said that a closer examination of the government’s amendments reveal that it was a “cut and paste” of the Trinidad and Tobago legislation.

“It is a cut and paste operation and we can do much better in this House... the persons who elected us need better in this house,” Anamayah said.

He also noted that it was necessary for the qualifications of the Coroners to be legislated. Former Home Affairs Minister and PPP/C MP Clement Rohee said the amendments are “politically motivated” “The intent of the Bill goes against both the letter and the spirit of the Disciplined Services Commission,” Rohee said. turn to page 18

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News

Zika Virus detected in Guyana T

he mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has already invaded several Central American territories, has been detected in Guyana with one confirmed case and this has authorities cautioning the public to be on the alert.

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton on Thursday made the disclosure whilst addressing the National Assembly.

He explained that blood samples from a Guyanese patient were sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency Laboratory in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and on January 12 the results came back confirming that the virus is in Guyana.

He disclosed that the infected patient is a female, 27, who resided both at Rose Hall, Berbice and Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara.

This is an indication the mosquito carrying the virus

are likely present in those areas.

The Health Ministry a few months ago began monitoring all ports of entries, warning Guyanese to take the necessary precautions

potentially be a mosquitobreeding ground.

The Zika virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and its symptoms include severe fever, joint and muscle pains, head-

Zika Virus in Guyana

including advising them to keep their surroundings clean by cleaning their drains, getting rid of stagnant water, tyres and any other elements that could

aches, conjunctivitis rashes.

and

Regional outbreak

Meanwhile, the virus has been identified in 15

Tackle suicide as a national priority - IAC

T

he Indian Action Committee (formerly Arrival) (IAC) on Thursday repeated its call for suicide to be declared a national priority in Guyana.

The IAC in a release stated that the organisation has noted that over the past five days there were four reported deaths by suicide and five attempts.

“These heart-wrenching incidents once again highlight the tragic consequences of this social scourge that continues to plague our society”, the IAC said.

It explained that if more emphasis is placed on suicide prevention by making the social ill a priority to be tackled, then there is need for the provision of crucial human, technical and financial resources to educate and

mitigate the circumstances that propel people to end their lives.

“We are heartened by the recent emergency meeting convened by HE President David Granger with some members of his Cabinet to discuss the suicide spate.

While this is commendable, we believe that there is an urgent need for the necessary infrastructure to be established”, the entity explained.

The IAC said it remains cognisant of the related challenges, including the inadequate number of Psychologists available, the government and related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) face in trying to mitigate incidents of suicides.

“Given the continual and

seemingly growing impact suicide has on families, communities and the country as a whole, we believe that Guyana can ill afford such losses in its human resources” the organisation related.

“This further underscores our request for a swift declaration and calls on civil society to lend support to this call”.

The IAC also called on all social and religious organisations to intensify their efforts to provide guidance and counselling where necessary to aid in the mitigation of this social ill. The group said they remain ready to work with the Administration and civil society through meaningful engagements in helping to derive useful mechanisms with regard to suicide.

countries and territories in the Americas since it was identified in March 2015 on Easter Island, Chile.

Several Caricom coun-

tries, including Barbados and Jamaica, and Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname, neighbouring countries, have diagnosed

Zika cases.

There is currently panic in Brazil as Zika infection surges past 1.5 million cases.

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Former President warns of threat to national security – demands “real reason” for military operation on NICIL

W

ith the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) under fire for a bungled operation, which resulted in the death of three persons, former President Donald Ramotar agreed that the situation was cause for much concern and sounded the alarm about a possible threat to the country’s national security.

In an invited comment, Ramotar demanded to know why civilians were being subjected to this kind of harassment and the real reason for the military operation.

“What national security risk is NICIL Head Winston Brassington and his family, have to this country to have them followed by a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) intelligence officer?” Ramotar asked.

He explained that even if the surveillance operation was related to the forensic audit report, there still was no need for the Army to hunt down Brassington and his family.

“It is difficult to comprehend how NICIL’s audit has national security implications and even anything for the Police to pursue,” Ramotar stated.

He contended that the entire exercise was clearly a misuse of the Army’s resources, and pointed to ominous signs that the “rulers of today have once more picked

using the security services not to protect our people from the escalating crime, but as a political tool to harass political opponents.

Today, it is mainly PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/

Former President Donald Ramotar

up on the cudgels from the Burnham era”.

On that note, the former President reminded that it was President David Granger, who stated that the Army should not get involved in Police work.

Moreover, Ramotar pointed out that the audit report confirmed that the auditors had the full cooperation of Brassington; therefore, there was “no justified” reason for him to become a target of the military.

“They never complained that they were not getting documents they requested.

Everything was there for them to examine. So, what then is the real reason for this military operation? Is this covering their embarrassment or creating the atmosphere for wholesale attacks. The audit has so far shown that it has been a colossal waste of money and time. Nothing of substance

was revealed,” Ramotar said.

He also raised questions about “the seizure of documents and the use of the Army – what are they for? Is it to try now to ‘manufacture’ evidence to frame people? Is this what our security forces are being forced to do during a period of escalating crime?”

Additionally, the former President wanted to know the reason for calling in former Ministers, Presidential Advisers and Permanent Secretaries for questioning in relation to NICIL. “It is another sign as to where we are heading – the blatant disregard of the law and even procedure,” Ramotar posited.

He reiterated that SOCU was established to investigate money laundering and to fight against terrorism not to be misused as an instrument of harassment to achieve political objectives.

“Clearly, the regime is

CID now equipped to monitor activities at DHB

I

A CID rank pointing out the areas they can now monitor via the wireless link

n efforts to boost the investigative capacity of ranks in the Guyana Police Force, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company has equipped the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Eve Leary, with a wireless link, giving it access to live surveillance feed from bridge and its environs.

The wireless link was officially handed over to Head of the CID, Wendell Blanhum in the presence of DHB General Manager Rawlston Adams, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Junior Minister Annette Ferguson.

The transfer of the feed cost the Demerara Harbour

Bridge, through the Public Infrastructure Ministry, approximately $3 million and allows police to view live footage from cameras on the bridge and at the entrances.

According to the CID Head, having access to the surveillance footage will go a long way in assisting Police in their investigations.

“We’ve already been utilising the feed (and) we have had a number of successes,” he stated. One such case the Crime Chief made reference to was the Boxing Day murder where a man was shot in a minibus travelling on the bridge. Blanhum noted that they were able to quickly access and extract the image. However, the police are still pursuing the

suspect.

Additionally, the Crime Chief outlined that whenever there is traffic buildup at the bridge, the CID will alert the respective Commanders (A Division – East Bank Demerara and D Division – West Bank Demerara) who will deploy ranks to the area.

“We have been utilising this initiative to its optimal,” Blanhum said.

M e a n w h i l e , Commissioner Persaud commented that having the link at CID headquarters will allow his ranks to work on cases without having to go to the DHB Office in Peters Hall, EBD, and disrupt operations there. turn to page 18

Civic] members and former Government officials.

Tomorrow, it will be targeting all our people,” Ramotar said.

To this end, he renewed calls for a Commission of

Inquiry (CoI) to be mounted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the GDF Sergeant Robert Pyle, his wife and the civilian Canter driver Linden Eastman.

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Medical supplies, drugs shortage hits Essequibo

H

ealth woes have now hit county Essequibo as many patients who visit the Suddie Public and Oscar Joseph Cottage hospitals are forced to purchase their medicines from private facilities and pharmacies.

This is as a result of the two hospitals experiencing shortages of medical supplies especially of those needed on a daily basis.

Reports are that patients who have to frequent the hospitals are more often than not given prescriptions to purchase their medications since the two medical institutions are without the necessary medicines.

Guyana Times was told by a patient who visited the hospital Monday that she was diagnosed with fever and sinus.

However, she was given a prescription by the doctor to purchase medication at a nearby pharmacy.

The sick woman stated that when she raised the question why the hospital is not providing or supplying the

medications to ‘outpatients’ she was told by the medical officer on duty that there is presently “drugs shortage” within the region.

She explained to this newspaper that with her inability to afford private healthcare she had no choice but to seek medical attention at the public hospital but was shocked they could not provide her with the prescribed medicine.

“I can’t afford to purchase these tablets, right now my husband out of a job and we have children to send to school. I came here for help but there is no help,” the woman related.

Meanwhile, other patients echoed similar sentiments and related that this has become an extremely frustrating situation for them.

Co-chair of the Health and Sanitation Committee and Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Councillor, Arnold Adam confirmed that there is indeed a shortage of medical supplies at the Suddie Public

The Suddie Hospital

Hospital.

Adam stated that many persons are suffering currently but basic medications are not available.

He told this publication that during the first RDC meeting this year in his report it was explained that the hospital last received medicinal drugs on October 16, 2015 but to date no other supply was made.

Adam said when he enquired about the reason for the lack of supplies, he was told that shortage of drugs “is a country-wide issue” for the

Public Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, another Councillor, Dr Ranjeev Singh had informed the RDC that it is not a case where the pharmacists are not making requests for these badly needed drugs but that it is a case where there is no supply.

Singh said that often only “emergency drugs” are sent to the hospital and when this occurs the outpatients cannot be given any.

Guyana Times understands there was no supply of drugs in December due to the lack of a driver.

Commenting on the issue, Region Two Chairman

Daveanand Ramdatt said that “communication is key and it is wrong for persons to be deprived from medical services due to the unavailability of a driver.”

He deemed this as being very “petty” and posited that better arrangements should have been made by the Region Two Administration to have the drugs supplied in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, the Regional Health Services (RHS) Director in addressing the issues faced at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital in Region 6 (East Berbice- Corentyne) asserted that there is no “true” shortage of medical supplies.

“The Materials Management Unit (MMU) had experienced some difficulties in the timely filling of Combined Requisition and Issue Vouchers (Crivs), which consisted of drugs and medical supplies. This should not be considered a “true” shortage, but a delay in delivery of these important items,” she stated.

A press release from the

Public Health Ministry on Wednesday said Dr Shako spoke with the Director of MMU who said the Crivs were due in December, but due to an emergency request from Region One, same were delayed.

“Some Crivs for the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital will be finished packing today and can be uplifted.

More supplies are still outstanding and will be given on a monthly basis to Region 6,” the RHS director explained.

She posited that the MMU did not have Reagents and Insulin Syringes, which both had to be outsourced and that the MMU is still to procure X-Ray films, not only for New Amsterdam Hospital, but nationally.

“Dr Shako noted that if there is an urgent need for medical supplies, authorities in that region could have made contact with the RHS Department at the Ministry, where there is a bond in which those items could be procured,” the release added. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Mandela Avenue teen charged with robbery under arms

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young man was on Thursday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared before her charged with robbery under arms.

Anthony Simpson, 18, of 101 Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable allegation which read that on December 31, 2015 at North East La Penitence, Georgetown, while in the company of others and armed with a gun he robbed Nigel Marks, the virtual complainant (VC), of a cellular phone valued $6000 and a quantity of gold

Anthony Simpson, 18, was remanded for robbing a man of $500,000 in gold jewellery at gunpoint

jewellery valued $500,000.

The Administration of Justice Act was applied and the accused denied the charge.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the Court that the articles have not been recovered.

He objected to bail on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence and stressed that a gun was used in the perpetration of the act.

It was also revealed that the VC was shot twice during the robbery. Bail was refused and the Magistrate remanded the accused to prison before adjourning the matter until February 4.

4 wanted for armed robbery

Devon Stephen Alias: Water Dog/Water Cat

Jevon Scott

he Guyana Police Force on Thursday issued wanted bulletins for Devon Stephen called ‘Water Dog’ or ‘Water Cat’; Jevon Scott; Ronald Rodney and Alex Croal for questioning in relation to an armed robbery committed on Antonio Jardine and Trevor Jardine on November 21, 2015, at Mabura, Linden Highway.

The men are all from the mining town of Linden.

Stephen and Scott’s last

known address is given as Lot 721, One Mile, while that of Rodney is Lot 265, One Mile and Croal’s is Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the four men are asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 444-3406, 444-3274, 444-3512, 226-9941, 2256411, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with strict confidence.

T

Ronald Rodney Alias: ‘Agla’

Alex Croal

friday, January 15, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

News

GECOM ups pre-elections preparations

- says “poor” attendance at voters' education meetings

W

ith just over two months left before Local Government Elections (LGE) is held across the country, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is looking to amplify its preparations for the upcoming polls.

After much speculation, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan had announced last October that the much anticipated Local Government Elections will be held on March 18, 2016.

Many, including the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition, have criticise the elections body for not doing enough ground work to prepare the population for the upcoming polls.

However, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield rejected those assertions, pointing out that the Commission has been up in arms with preparations for the conduct of LGE. He disclosed to the media Thursday that the Commission has approved a plan which it is using to ready itself: “We are on track for the delivery of those elections.

All the major subsets of that plan are basically in place.”

According to Lowenfield, the official List of Voters, that is, those electors who are on the list in their respective constituencies, has been finalised and approved by the Commission.

Furthermore, he outlined that GECOM has started the acquisition of some of the materials needed for the elections, revealing that some of these materials is being procured from

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

India.

“So as far as the acquisition of sensitive and nonsensitive materials, we have gone ahead to initiate the process for acquisition,” the CEO stated.

As to ballots papers, Lowenfield added that the elections body is engaging an overseas company to acquire the documents. He noted that they are working on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the ballots will be produced and delivered to GECOM so that they can be distributed in a timely manner to facilitate the Discipline Force’s balloting Day (known as D-Day) and subsequently, general voting in the 71 local authority areas.

In addition, the Chief Elections Officer further stated that the Commission has commenced training of staff to be placed at polling stations. “As you may be aware, we have already concluded the employment of 71

returning officers in the 71 local authority areas where these elections will be held.

We are working out the details as far as supervision of these elections,” he said.

Given the fact that each local authority will be having elections for their own councillors, Lowenfield explained that GECOM is presently working out the details as to the method of supervision to be employed upon receipt of the Statement of Polls on to declaration of results.

“So our plan is very advanced and we are confident in this point in time that we are on track for efficient delivery of these elections to this nation,” he stated confidently.

“Poor attendance” Asked about the many persons who are still unfamiliar with the process of Local Government polls, the Chief Elections Officer quoted “you can take the horse to the water but you can’t make the horse drink”.

According to Lowenfield, since September last year, GECOM has been inviting the general public and stakeholders to attend meetings in their respective communities but the turn-out continues to be poor.

“I can say to you that the turnout at those locations, in the main, were very low.

So while the agency has provided the opportunity in communities to have all persons (educated), their response was at best, pretty poor. We did not receive the kind of turn-out we would have wanted,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Elections Officer said the Commission will continue

these activities in order to ensure that voters’ education is being carried out to its fullest.

“We are ready and prepared to continue to engage the entire citizenship as to the processes to be undergone for the conduct of elections,” he stated.

Based on statutory requirements, the date for the submission of symbols for individuals and parties was closed on January 5, and GECOM have since received some 103 submissions from individuals, voluntary groups and political parties.

With the completion of this stage Lowenfield said,

it is evident that general interests have been boosted as persons have confirmed their participation in the upcoming local government race.

Moreover, the Elections Officer said that come Nomination’s Day, January 26, they will be able to better assess and examine the indicators from the political parties and other groups to determine the age groups, among other factors, of those persons who are contesting the elections. However, he noted that about 50 per cent of those who have already indicated their interests to participate in the upcoming elections, are young people.

Meanwhile, Chairman of GECOM Dr Steve Surujbally briefly commented that he believes the Commission is on the “right path” in its preparations for the upcoming polls despite a few glitches.

“The little hiccups that we might be having, the Chief (Elections Officer) and his staff are quite competent of allaying the affairs and getting the things right,” he stated.

Come January 26, Nominations Day will be held at the 71 local authority areas across Guyana, while the Discipline Forces will be casting their votes on March 10.

16 news

friday, january 15, 2016| guyanatimesGY.com

Credit Reporting (Amendment) Bill 2015 passed

“

Credit bureau or no credit bureau, our financial system remains a "strong one" – Jagdeo

A

fter more than an hour and a half of enlightening debate, which intermittently flared, the National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed the Credit Reporting Amendment Bill 2015, paving the way for an improved credit reporting framework in Guyana.

The Bill, tabled by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, enjoyed the full support of the House.

The Bill amended the principal act, based on the experiences of Guyana’s lone credit bureau, Creditinfo Guyana, and drew upon the best practices of other jurisdictions as well as those developed by the International Financial Corporation.

The amendments are expected to contribute to an improved credit reporting framework.

Under the amended act,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

credit information providers are required to have consent from consumers prior to submitting a request to the credit bureau with a view of obtaining credit information. They are authorised to upload credit information to a licensed credit

bureau without the consent of the consumer.

Prior to the passage, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali said that while his Party supported a strengthened credit reporting system, making credit reports mandatory would pose difficulties.

“I don’t think a mandatory credit report is the answer to the issue, perhaps at this stage of our development it might complicate the issue more .... we must settle and correct the institutional and infrastructural basis on which this legislation will depend...we need to have balance when we are bringing the legislative amendments…,” Ali told the House.

He added that it was necessary to have the enabling legislative framework that would allow Guyana to compete and function at an effective level.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

“For the credit bureau to function in an effective and efficient manner ... we must ensure that the infrastructure that is needed to make good the recommendation is in place and functioning regularly,” Ali said.

In his contribution, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin lamented the need for a strong credit reporting system in Guyana, pointing out that the country’s current credit bureau coverage was 2.4 per cent compared to a regional average of 40 per cent.

“Guyana’s one of the hardest countries to get credit in the world,” Gaskin declared.

“Our 2.4 per cent coverage is not enough to score a single point in the Doing Business Index ... it is of critical importance that we improve our rankings,” Gaskin said, adding that the credit reporting system in Guyana was not working. “We are in danger of having our first credit bureau

(Creditinfo Guyana) close shop and go home.”

He assured that with the Bill, the consumer’s information would not be shared “willy nilly all over the place”.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, in his presentation, also expressed his Party’s support for the Bill, but expressed dissatisfaction with what he termed as “loose statements” by some Ministers while debating the Bill.

“We support any legislation that will see a properly functioning credit bureau in Guyana, and we recognised that the purpose of the credit bureau is to improve the quality of credit in the country and to make our financial system more resilient. However, I could not leave unanswered some statements made in the National Assembly, and I do believe that we do ourselves a disservice when we make loose statements, particularly about our financial system, given the importance of the financial system,” Jagdeo said.

He cautioned the House not to get too carried away with these indices being published, since many of them did not reflect the realities in Guyana, arguing that despite the Doing Business Index rating Guyana poorly, credit and business here continuously grew over the past decade.

“We should not have a slavish following of these indices; we must look at the realities of our country … we have a strong resilient financial system,” Jagdeo declared.

He added that there were even more important issues

PPP/C Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali

that were detrimental and inimical to the state of the local financial system than the credit reporting bill.

“Credit bureau or no credit bureau, the financial system in Guyana is a strong one,” Jagdeo said.

There were also questions as to who would bear the cost for the provision of the credit information.

In his remarks, the Finance Minister said that since the credit reporting law was passed in 2010, there has been no movement.

“There is almost zero performance post implementation of the Credit Reporting Act when it was passed … the credit reporting system we tried to put in place didn’t work,” Jordan stated. He said it was this failure that gave birth to the current amendments.

Minister Jordan also promised a rigorous public information campaign on the credit reporting architecture.

Man and son on bail for assault

A

father and son who were placed before the courts to answer to the offence of unlawful assault were granted bail on Wednesday by Magistrate Clive Nurse when they appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

The accused, 29-year-old Travis Caesar and 56-year-old Nicholas Caesar, both of Lot 292 Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, were jointly charged with unlawfully and maliciously assaulting Janet Caesar, the Virtual Complainant.

The Court heard that on

January 8, the accused maliciously and unlawfully assaulted Janet Caesar so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

Nicholas Caesar, who pleaded guilty to the charge, told the Court that on the day in question, he was speaking to the VC, who is his daughter, when she became annoyed and started to use indecent language. An argument then ensued and he admitted to slapping her several times in the process. The matter was reported and the older Caesar was subsequently arrested and

charged for the offence.

However, Magistrate Nurse told the defendant that the injuries sustained by the VC could not have been caused by him slapping her.

As such, he proceeded to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

The younger Caesar pleaded not guilty to the charge. Both of the accused were granted bail in the sum of $30,000. They are scheduled to return to the Linden Magistrate’s Court on February 16.

Zika Virus may be linked to birth defects

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surge in underdeveloped brains in Brazilian infants born to women infected with the mosquito-borne Zika Virus has public health authorities and doctors taking note.

According to a report on CBS News, the infections are mild, but emerging evidence of a link to birth defects is a jawdropper.

Experts at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention found evidence of the Virus in the placentas of two women who miscarried and the brains of two newborns who died. The newborns had small heads, a rare condition known as microcephaly.

Even as this is being revealed on the international arena, local authorities are yet to release any extensive information about the Virus to the populace. Unlike other territories’, the Guyanese public health au-

thorities are yet to embark on sensitisation campaigns to educate the populace about the dangers of the virus.

In Brazil, the incidence of microcephaly increased 20-fold in the past few months compared with last year. Brazil’s Health Ministry says 3530 babies have been born with microcephaly in the country since October, compared with less than 150 in 2014.

Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethseda, and his colleague Dr David Morens wrote a perspective on Zika Virus that appeared in Wednesday’s New England Journal of Medicine.

“Despite the lack of definitive proof of any causal relationship, some health authorities in afflicted regions are recommending that pregnant women take meticulous precautions to avoid mosquito bites and even

to delay pregnancy. It is critically important to confirm or dispel a causal link between Zika infection of pregnant women and the occurrence of microcephaly by doing intensive investigative research,” they wrote.

There has been some evidence that suggests Zika Virus may be the cause of microcephaly, said Dr Kamran Khan, an infectious disease physician and scientist at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, who is studying the spread of the Virus, CBS News reported.

“This is not 100 per cent conclusive, but it is quite concerning and compelling,” Khan said. To try to prove the link, scientists could infect animals with Zika Virus under controlled conditions to see if they give birth to offspring with the birth defect.

Such experiments will take time as health authorities face a rapidly emerging threat.

17

news

friday, january 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

President talks up economic independence, national unity ...in third address to 11th Parliament

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mid the current economic crisis embattling the traditional agriculture sectors in Guyana, President David Granger announced to the National Assembly that there is a desperate need to restructure the agricultural productive sectors and to develop new ones.

“An agricultural diversification plan has to be launched… the plan is to diversify into new crops and to open up new areas of cultivation, particularly away from the flood-prone coastal plane,” President Granger said during his third address to the House where he disclosed the coalition government’s vision for 2016.

He said rice cultivation needs expanding and there needs to be an establishment of a stabilisation fund for the export prices of rice.

He also pledged that his government will move to improve the drainage and irrigation systems; strengthen the regulatory framework governing the fisheries sector and promote large-scale agriculture in the intermediate savannahs.

The President emphasised that the Finance Ministry’s

role will be integral in the process and over the next decade, will work to develop policies and provide incentives to encourage greater value-added activities in the productive sectors.

“This will ensure that our economy can be better insulated from external shocks.

It will ensure that our young people benefit from the increased employment generated by greater value-added activities.

The President also stated that the Business Ministry will do its part in this movement by continuing to improve the ease of doing business; attract increased foreign and local investment; support the development and export of value-added industries and products; support industrial development through the establishment of industrial estates; encourage small- and micro-enterprises and revitalise our village economies.

It will continue to support the traditional sectors of the economy and create favourable conditions for investors.

Meanwhile, during his speech the President focused on the goals and aims of each of his Ministry for the year ahead.

President David Granger

For the Citizenship Ministry the President said it will continue to implement systems to ensure greater control over illegal foreigners and will work in collaboration with the other ministries to confront the challenges of terrorism, migration and trafficking in persons.

The Communities Ministry for its part will move progressively towards reaffirming the primacy of the local government and creating a green economy.

The Education Ministry will commit to realigning the educational system so that it

Drought continues in Region 9 − farmers begging for Govt to intervene

By Shemuel Fanfair

R

upununi is an agriculture-based area and most of its people engage in farming as a means of existence – which is to have enough money to maintain self and family.

However, the drought situation in the savannahs has shown little or no signs of let-up. Terrence Boston, a farmer in Lethem told Guyana Times that the current weather patterns have caused adverse effects to the farming industry.

This, the farmer stressed, in under threat. “Cattle have to move very far distances to get water… [to get to] the swamp areas. The constant movement, he said, “is not commercial.”

“Most people who have cattle farms are affected as the savannah plains have remained dry due to inconsistent rainfall.”

“I’ve been farming for over 30 years… cattle rearing, sheep… . The long rainy periods that we were accustomed to in the Rupununi have changed into short rainy periods,” stressed the farmer.

Producers of cassava bread have also complained about the excessively dry weather conditions that are altering the quality of the base product. However, it has been reported that the prevailing conditions yield a higher quality of farine (a type of food consumed by First Nation).

These weather patterns have been continuing since last year. Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock

told this publication that a team is stationed in North Rupununi. They were said to be, “looking at the water pumps.”

He also related that black tanks have been carried to the area, along with gasoline pumps to pump water which will be distributed to affected residents.

ed that the regional authorities engaged in outreach visits to the communities to assess their concerns and work out the best ways to deal with them.

In responding to concerns about water-borne diseases, such as the gastroenteritis outbreak in Region 1, Aktan emphasised that

“Of recent we had some rain up north… so the river came up but it didn’t do anything much to bring back the water at level so people could use it,” the chairman said.

It was also stated that tanks were also sent around to other locations in South and Central Rupununi as they also are affected.

Deputy REO Mildred Aktan shared her concerns on the drought situation: “Because of this El Nino effect, we have this drought issue but the Guyana Water Incorporated is on top of their game with effect to working in our community and to more or less address any concerns of water in communities in the region.”

The deputy official relat-

there were no reported cases of sicknesses or deaths in Region 9.

Chairman Allicock is requesting that excavators be sent in so they can dig new ponds to cater to animals and residents. “We don’t have [much] funding at the moment. We are hoping that we get support from Central Government.”

Allicock also indicated that the Civil Defence Commission and Ministry of the Presidency are actively involved with regional officials. He stressed that updated reports will be passed on to the requisite stakeholders.

Meanwhile, farmers and residents alike are ‘waiting on the rain.’

produces the necessary skills for economic transformation and ensure that every child across the country has access to transportation to get to school.

The Social Cohesion Ministry, the President said, will continue to reinforce national unity.

The Social Protection Ministry will embark on restoring dignity of vulnerable groups, reduce gender disparities and protect the disabled.

“It will reduce major social ills such as child and elderly abuse, violence and sexual abuse, labour violations, suicide, trafficking in persons, youth crime and youth unemployment,” the President said.

The Legal Affairs Ministry will commit to the independence of the judiciary and the autonomy of constitutional of-

fices.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry will work to provide greater access to the resources of the hinterland.

Particularly, government intends to place emphasis on greater connectivity between the coastland and the hinterland.

Additionally, the Ministry will set out to lead Guyana’s drive towards cheaper and cleaner forms of energy.

The Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry will play its pivotal role in protecting the livelihood of the indigenous population and promote development of their respective communities by ensuring improved access to education; reduction of poverty through skills training and entrepreneurship; promotion of sustainable agriculture, among others.

The Public Health Ministry will work on improving the equity and quality in the delivery of primary healthcare. It will also intensify its efforts to determine the underlying personal and social causes of suicide.

The Natural Resources Ministry will oversee the sustainable exploitation of the country’s natural resources.

The Public Security Ministry will implement policies to secure citizens from the threat of national and transnational crime, violence and disorder.

Lastly, the newly established Public Telecommunications Ministry will work towards taking Guyana into the digital age where information and communication technologies will become the drivers of economic growth.

18 news

friday, january 15, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Father of 2 commits suicide

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21-year-old man was discovered hanging in his living room on Wednesday evening in an apparent suicide.

Michael Stoby, a father of two, was discovered hanging from the roof by his father around 20:00h at his Lot 659 Section D, South Sophia, Greater Georgetown residence.

Guyana Times on Thursday evening visited the family at their home where they were leaning on each other for emotional support, completely distressed about the loss of their loved one.

Stoby’s mother and sister both expressed complete disbelief that the young

man was depressed to the point that he wanted to end his life, noting that if they only knew, they would have intervened.

Family members said the young father did not display any signs of suicidal tendencies even though he was going through a rough patch with his children’s mother.

His sister, Nicola Johnson said she was at a loss as to what prompted her younger brother’s actions, but hinted that it might have been as a result of a conflict with his children’s mother and her mother.

She explained that her brother’s partner of four

Michael Stoby

years had given birth to a third child, which she claimed was his; however, he refused to believe the child was indeed his, since he had suspected that the

woman was having an affair.

Meanwhile, his distressed mother told this newspaper that she was also aware of the growing conflict between her son and the mother of his children, but she never thought that it would escalate to this situation.

“He was a loving boy.

He was so respectful and helpful. Ask anybody and they would say good things about him,” the mother said, weeping uncontrollably and noting that her son was full of life and had a bright future ahead.

The young man leaves to mourn his parents, sister, and two children.

58-year-old woman on bail for break and enter and larceny

A

woman, who hails from Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden, was granted bail by Magistrate Clive Nurse when she made an appearance on Wednesday at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on a break and enter and larceny charge.

The defendant, Pauline Hinds, of Lot 173 Wismar Housing Scheme, is accused of breaking and entering the home of Dennis Henry at Wismar Housing Scheme, on December 28, 2015.

It is alleged that she stole 10 yards of curtain material

valued $10,000, a quantity of bed sheets valued $16,000, an electric iron valued $9000, and a pressure cooker valued $5000. The items, which have a total value of $40,000, are the property of Henry. The Court heard that this was not the first time

the 58-year-old mother of four was charged with the offence of break and enter and larceny.

The defendant was granted bail in the sum of $40,000 by the presiding Magistrate.

The matter was adjourned until February 10.

Govt accused of copying T&T’s...

He added that while the Coroners Act is indeed a matter of importance to the nation, there must be proper consultations with all stakeholders.

“But if as heavens forbid, the Executive chooses to continue with the absence of consultation of members from this side of the house, they are threading on dangerous grounds,” he said.

Responding to the concerns raised by Anamayah and Rohee, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan declared that nothing is wrong with “cut and paste” legislation, providing it meets the needs of the nation.

“What is wrong with cut and paste if it is going to reach the requirements if it meets the needs,” he said, adding “piecemeal is better than nil-meal… when they were in government they did not seek to do anything with the recommendations

of the Disciplined Services Commission.”

He also refuted claims by the Opposition that the Bill was aimed at creating mischief.

Ramjattan said: “We do not have any political mischief, it is the Judicial Service Commission, not the AG that will appoint those persons… they are so loaded with work, they might not be in a position to do this work.”

Former AG Anil Nandlall in lamenting the need for the Bill to be sent to a Special Parliamentary Select Committee urged that there be a “holistic review” of the Principal Act in keeping with recommendations in the Disciplined Services Commission Report, of which President David Granger was a member.

“We would like the implementation of the disciplined forces report which

essentially requests that a holistic review be done to this bill… that commission’s report should not be wasted… we are basing our request for an overhaul on that recommendation and that recommendation came as a result of a review of the entire act…” Nandlall said.

Nandlall said the review is necessary since the Act, passed 129 years ago, speaks to Asianic and plantations, thus making it out of touch with the current realities.

“In my humble and respectful opinion this bill is an abysmal failure in an attempt to amend the law,” Nandlall said.

In his rebuttal, Williams said the opposition seems to want to dictate what the government should do, a position which runs contrary to the spirit of democracy.

“For the Opposition to say to the government... we not concerned with what

from page 10

you brought, you must take this… democracy does not work that way... they are confused by the democracy that they haven’t practiced in the last 23 years” He added that there is no political will in the Opposition to get the inquests off the ground.

“Some people just don’t want these inquests to get off the ground, they just don’t want closure, people have a right to know what happened to their families and this government will ensure that they know” In rejecting the opposition’s request for the Bill to go to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee, Williams said the Opposition has to take the Bill as it is, since cabinet did not decide there should be anything else.

The government used its slim one-seat majority to defeat the opposition’s ‘no’ vote and had the Bill passed.

CID now equipped to monitor...

He noted that previously, whenever the police needed access to surveillance footage from DHB, the General Manager would have to redirect and commit his staff to conduct the search, which took away from their daily operations. “(Wireless link) helps us tremendously. Now, it’s our own staff on a fulltime basis and we don’t have to bother Mr Adams to redirect staff, and our ranks can spend extended hours reviewing the footage to monitor vehicles and who are in the vehicles,” the Commissioner pointed out.

However, Persaud noted that they will have to

work on the storage system so that if the police get a breakthrough on a crime that occurred months back, they will have access to the surveillance footage from then.

“So storing data retroactively is one of the projects we would have to work on,” the Commissioner added.

On the other hand, Minister Patterson said the initiative was undertaken to give the police access to the surveillance feed since it was recognised the role it played in solving crimes.

“A lot of people are not aware of the role the Demerara Harbour Bridge played previously in solving

crime. It wasn’t highlighted or brought to the fore earlier because obviously you don’t want to jeopardised the staff of the Harbour Bridge,” he remarked.

The Security Minister went on to say that installing cameras not only on the Bridge but its environs, is part of a holistic plan – the Smart City Project – that will see most streets in Georgetown and along East Bank Demerara being under CCTV surveillance that would be monitored by the Police.

“It is time that we the country move forward in technology advancement,” Patterson stated.

from page 13

The establishment of the wireless link with the Police has been in the works for more than a year and according to Adams he was approached by the Police in 2014 to extend the Harbour Bridge’s feed. This initiative was undertaken last year as works began on the project and by early December it was completed.

The project saw the erection of a 100ft tower at Eve Leary which links the bodies. The tower was installed in November 2015.

Back in 2014, the DBH had given the Brickdam Police Station wireless access to 18 of the 26 cameras that cover the bridge.

For caucuses in parties

R

ecently President David Granger claimed that his coalition government is very much “representative” of Guyana’s multiracial reality, given the presence of the Alliance for Change. Even if the claim is contested (and it certainly should be) it is a sign of progress.

For most of the modern period, the major parties insisted that “class” rather than “race/ethnicity” was the cleavage that needed to be bridged. They attempted to sidestep the contradictions between the norm and reality of the “multiracialism” they preached by creating “multiracial parties” and more recently “multiracial coalitions”.

But what is a “multi-racial” party? Is it one in which the leaders are drawn from all or most of the various racial/ethnic blocs that constitute our polity? Is it one that has members drawn from all the various groups? Do the proportions have to roughly mirror the population or will any assorted agglomeration do? Or does it mean that the interests of all the groups must be expressly articulated and represented? Should those interests be subsumed under some notion of a “national” interest? Then who defines that “national” interest? And so on.

In Guyana the parties always took special pains to have individuals from all the major race groups in their executive and courted votes from across the spectrum.

They constructed “national” manifestos. Yet when it came to elections, the majority of the people invariably voted for one of the two major parties which were firmly identified with a specific ethnic bloc – the PPP with Indians and the PNC with Africans.

The “multiracial” question harks back to the roots of what constitutes “representation” in our “representative democracy”. The favoured approach, from both the old Liberal and Marxist ideologies was the “representation of ideas”. That is, once the interests of the group are articulated then anyone could “speak” for the group.

By constructing “national” platforms in personnel and content, both the PPP and the PNC claimed to be capable of speaking for “all”. Yet, based on the results of election after election, it is obvious that there was some way the people were getting signals as to which party better represented their interests – which turned out to be racial/ethnic every time.

These ethnic signals were encapsulated in the ethnic identity of the top leader of the party and conveyed during the “bottom house” meetings and by the use of code words that the people understood.

While there was a genuine germ of a real multiracial agglomeration with the WPA of the ‘70’s, with the collapse of the Rodneyite approach after his assassination, and especially the return of “free and fair” elections, the electorate returned to looking to protecting their racial/ ethnic interests. Most people have forgotten that even after the severe hardships that all Guyanese experienced by 1992, the PNC retained the forty-two per cent of the votes that had characterised its constituency since the sixties. The same ethnic divide could not have been clearer in 2015.

But the distaste for acknowledging that one has an “ethnic” party goes deeper than mere opportunism in some leaders. A multiracial/multiethnic party WILL HAVE TO explicitly articulate the interests of the several constituent groups it purports to represent.

There is a good model in the US where the Democratic Party has specific “caucuses” to articulate its various “ethnic interests” – there, African and Hispanic voters.

There is no shame in this or apologies to be made.

It is now conceded that in addition to the old “representation of ideas” there is the need for “representation by presence” especially for those who have been excluded or have experienced unique situations.

In Guyana, the major ethnic groups each have their perspectives on their interests to be represented.

“Representation by presence” by its operation, has its own liberating potential. There are some who sincerely want to belong to “non-racial” parties (where one individual can speak for all) but I do not think we can create this unicorn soon in Guyana – or anywhere else.

We have to work with the material we have: politics has to be pragmatic, in the philosophical sense of the word. Let’s hear it for ethnic caucuses.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, January 15, 2016

19

Meet upcoming artiste

T

wenty-two-yearold Muneshwar Andre Spencer, also called “Exodus”, was born to Frederick and Geeta Spencer and is the last of three siblings.

The talented young man with a passion for music grew up in Patentia Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara in a humble home with his father working as a cane harvester and mother, a housewife.

Although finances were a challenge, his parents ensured that he and his siblings received a sound secondary education, with him attending the Institute of Professional Education.

Music was his comfort and he honed his talent in school, engaging in sound clashes with his school mates on various songs performed by well-known artistes such as Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killa, Mavado, Aidonia and Buju Banton.

In most cases, he would emerge triumphant.

In 2009, he started to write his own songs, which he would sing to his friends and family members. He made his first recording in 2014 of one of his tunes titled “Dem A Hype”, which was received as a great first try. He was encouraged by those who heard it to keep pushing and to believe in himself. While he knew he was blessed with great vocals, he did not have the financial backing to take that

“N

o Permission” was granted to Vanilla on January 1, 2016 when she released her first song for the Mash 2016 celebrations on Boom FM with

for January 23 @ Club 704 Andre Spencer

leap to the next level, but he never gave up.

His latest song, “Tic Toc”, is a dancehall-soca “party song”. The song, which was recorded at the Ruff Kutt Studio, can be heard on YouTube and on “GT Riddim”.

As a young man growing up, he took pleasure in drawing close to the music of Vybz Kartel, who is a motivational figure for him. He thinks that one day he can become a “Kartel” or even greater, and intends to promote his own swag.

The biggest challenge for upcoming artistes in Guyana, he noted, is the lack of promotion. He point-

Stan.

After coming off of the Christmas season with the song “Rock de Night”, released on Kross Kolor’s Christmas album, VANiLLA decided to have

ed out that the local DJs on some of the “big” music systems are more inclined to promote foreign artistes than local singers. Another challenge is getting signed to a label. He sees local artistes spending a lot of money to get their music recorded, but there is nothing to gain in the long run.

“Exodus”, who will be working on his vocals and energy as it relates to getting the right attitude as a dancehall artiste, sees himself one day performing at “STING”— one of the biggest dancehall concerts in the Caribbean which is usually held in Jamaica.

some fun with her fans and release this hot new tune that has been creating some vibes.

“No Permission” talks about partying and persons not needing any permission to do so with her. When asked if she planned to hit the clubs for the Mash season, she grinned and said, “My next song for the season will answer the question.”

Although being involved in the creative industries can sometimes prove to be difficult, VANiLLA is one of those who have stayed in the fight and have continued to release song after song that have become hits.

VANiLLA says 2016 will see quite a few releases coming from her, including some supervise genres.

I

n the new year, Club 704 intends to do more for its supporters, whether Guyanese or non-Guyanese.

Come January 23, the entertainment hub will be hosting its first event, “Havana Night” in which it will bring Cuba to Guyana. The evening will feature the best in Cuban cuisine, beverages and music that will blow

A

s the West Side kicks off its entertainment activities for the new year, the place to be on January 30 is the New Road Big Lime.

The event will be held at the Canon Wash Bay, New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara and it is promoted by Westsiderz Entertainment.

your minds away.

For this special event, the party spot will be flying in one of the best Cuban DJs to rock the house with his special touches and selections. DJ Yabo, from information gathered, is one of the most dynamic DJs and is not only good at rocking the house but can also get his grooves on.

Patrons will enjoy the specials all night on Cuba Libres and Daiquiris – drinks that were created in Cuba as well as Margaritas.

Admission to the event is $2000 and tickets will be available at the gate on the night of the event.

Remember it is “Havana Night” at Club 704 on January 23.

As usual, the event is “hype” and draws a large crowd who rock to the vibes of Big Life Sound and TRS Music Systems. Come and enjoy scrumptious barbeque and the best deals on Stag beers. Everyone will be admitted free at the event as a way of saying thanks for the support received in 2015.

There will also be tons of giveaways all night. The event will be sponsored by Noel Barber Shop; Shell Gas Station (Vreed-enHoop); Shopper’s Choice; Top Notch Taxi Service; Vick and Sons Wash Bay; Westsiderz Electronics and others. Be sure not to miss the biggest lime on the West Side on January 30.

20

friday, january 15, 2016

Honours even as South Africa waste starts

E

ngland showed commendable resistance to keep South Africa in check on the opening day of the third Test at The Wanderers. A day in the field at The Bullring was an onerous demand for a squad stricken by a stomach ailment since the end of the Cape Town Test, but they recovered from an uncomfortable morning to take four wickets in the final session and leave the Test nicely balanced.

AB de Villiers was skippering South Africa for the first time and, such is the inspirational nature of his cricket,

England would have been wary of the consequences as they defended a 1-0 lead in the series with two to play: another reason for queasy stomachs.

“They are climbing out of their death beds to play,” Alastair Cook, England’s captain, had said upon losing the toss, before swiftly backtracking and suggesting that “a few are not quite feeling 100%.” He has never been one for hyperbole.

Steven Finn was the sharpest component of England’s attack. A hasty addition to England’s South Africa tour party after shaking off his foot

injury on a Lions tour, he spearheaded their challenge in what must have ranked as one of his most impressive days in an England shirt, his efforts supplemented by the tendency of a succession of South Africa batsmen to get out carelessly when well set.

Only Hashim Amla escaped such a charge. The ball that Finn unearthed to dismiss him for 40 leaving him peremptorily from around off stump - was a key wicket, the maker of a double hundred in Cape Town unpicked when he was looking ominous. Even Cook

Steven Finn removed Hashim Amla in a magnificent spell (Getty Images)

would admit it was hard to exaggerate the value of that.

There was less fortune for England’s seasoned new-ball pairing.

James Anderson went wicketless, much in keeping with a record at The Wanderers which had brought him only two wickets in two previous Tests and Stuart Broad, one of those most affected by the stomach bug that had ravaged the England camp - media troupe included - did well to sustain as much threat as he did.

The decision by de Villiers’ to bat first after winning a tricky toss was vindicated by the batsmen’s composure in that first session. As tosses go, it was one of the more interesting decisions. The pitch was a little greener than normal and the skies were overcast, but as Dean Elgar, in particular, proved a bugbear, England’s attack failed to build prolonged pressure.

South Africa will anticipate that the pitch will quicken on the second and third day when the pitch dries out and their quartet of pace bowlers - three drawn from the Highveld Lions who were so impressive on this ground in winning the domestic trophy - take the field with aggressive intent.

The manner in which

England’s attack became more threatening as the day wore on encouraged that expectation. Every batsman got a start without any of them making a half-century.

De Villiers’ first morning as captain was not without disruption. Dane Vilas caught a morning flight to Johannesburg - he arrived midway through the first session - in response to an emergency call-up as wicketkeeper - the result of a knee injury to Quinton de Kock, suffered when he slipped while walking the dogs the previous day.

Batting first at least spared de Villiers from having to take the gloves again until his keeper turned up - and so experiencing a fate known to club captains worldwide.

With South Africa needing an opener, JP

Duminy was dropped - others can consider whether this represented a relaxation of the transformation policy: guidelines that seem to exist or not exist depending on who you speak to and what day of the week it is.

That de Villiers’ accession to the captaincy had come at a time when he is openly musing over how best to balance the demands of international cricket and franchise T20 was hardly the most encouraging sign for cricket.

For all the predictions that 90,000 spectators were expected over five days, the crowd was thin and it will take big crowds over the weekend to lighten the belief that if the ICC fails to manage the game with enough conviction it will be left to market forces to determine the future. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD South Africa 1st innings D Elgar c †Bairstow b Ali 46 S van Zyl c †Bairstow b Stokes 21 HM Amla c †Bairstow b Finn 40 AB de Villiers* c †Bairstow b Stokes 36 F du Plessis c Hales b Finn 16 T Bavuma run out (sub [CR 23 Woakes]/†Bairstow) DJ Vilas† c Ali b Broad 26 CH Morris not out 26 K Rabada not out 20 Extras (lb 10, w 1, nb 2) 13

Total (7 wickets; 89 overs) 267 To bat: GC Viljoen, M Morkel Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-117, 3-127, 4-161, 5-185, 6-212, 7-225 Bowling: JM Anderson 20-5-460, SCJ Broad 17-4-58-1, ST Finn 18-4-50-2, MM Ali 16-4-50-1, BA Stokes 18-1-53-2 England team: AN Cook*, AD Hales, NRD Compton, JE Root, JWA Taylor, BA Stokes, JM Bairstow†, MM Ali, SCJ Broad, JM Anderson, ST Finn

sports

YELLOW PAGES

Government open to having High Performance Centre built in Guyana

friday, january 15, 2016

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− greater accountability needed for Associations accessing funds

By Akeem Greene

T

he Government of Guyana is mulling the idea to have a High Performance Centre built for young sports men/women in Guyana.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones in speaking to the Guyana Times Sport revealed that “Government is opened to having such a facility erected; Government is ready and willing once the National Sports Commission can submit to Government its Strategic Development Plan as it relates to the establishment of such a facility, government is prepared to fund it”.

A High Performance Centre allows for young athletes to be engaged in optimum training while still allowing time for academic concentration. The aim of most of these centres is to mold well rounded athletes.

Quizzed as to the model the centre would take once it becomes a reality, the Director said “the view is that it should not be specifically to one discipline it should cater for multiple disciplines”.

If this facility is built it will be one of the regions first multi-discipline sport facilities. Jamaica currently has an International Association of Athletics Federations

Christopher Jones

(IAAF) High Performance Training Center (HPTC) but as noted in its name, the emphasis is on athletics.

The West Indies Cricket Board instituted the Sagicor High Performance Centre in Barbados located at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Campus but that focus was primarily on developing cricketers.

Accessing Government funding

The National Sports Commission is by all means willing to support the various associations financially but there must have pellucid Strategic Development Plans (SDPs) if there will succeed in receiving this funding.

Guyana Times Sport understands that the SDPs need to go beyond a mere plan of showing that athletes will participate in numerous competitions as that

only includes participation but it should go to the extent that it shows how these athletes will developed.

Director of Sports, Christopher Jones said on Wednesday the National Sports Commission (NSC) is committed to providing grants to all sports associations once they are properly structured and possess a long-term developmental plan for their respective disciplines.

Jones said “the NSC has a responsibility to award grants to associations, clubs etc., but of course, the awarding of such grants have to be based on something, we cannot just allocate government resources and tax payers funds to associations just on the basis of them being an association”.

He further added, “That is why you hear me overtime speaking about their own Strategic Development Plans (SDP) for their respective disciplines. Of course it has to speak to the long term development of, not only the discipline, but the athletes themselves”.

The Director is pushing these plans to be long term and should see more than one athlete being the beneficiary. “If they can tell us two-three years after they would have initiated their Strategic Development Plan, they can say that 10

or 15 of their respective athletes would have received scholarships that is what we want to see,” he said.

An unfortunate occurrence with some sporting associations is the need for independent intervention to deal with the various idiosyncrasies that plague these organisations. Jones is adamant that greater accountability will be needed from these associations and that their respective leaders must be legitimately elected. “Of course, you must speak about accountability, they must be accountability.

We also want to see the process that was used to identify their leaders, how were they elected…and of course we have to ensure that all other associations are above board and that their membership supports their executive. That their membership sees their executive as being legally elected...”, Jones explained.

If the associations satisfy these requirements, the Director is willing to embrace any venture in providing support and stated that the “NSC and the Government of Guyana will have no reservation with making grants of significant amounts available to these associations based on their Strategic Development Plan”. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

DDL outfit Pepsi Hornets with fresh uniforms L ocal beverage giant Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) continued their long standing relation with rugby club Pepsi Hornets by outfitting the squad with fresh uniforms on Thursday.

At a simple ceremony held at the headquarters of DDL, the Pepsi Hornets Rugby Football Club were the recipients of the much needed uniforms.

DDL’s Pepsi Brand Manager, Larry Wills noted that, “Demerara Distillers Limited under its Pepsi brand is very happy to renew our long standing partnership with the Pepsi Hornets RFC. Pepsi has been sponsoring the Hornets Rugby Team for over 10 years and we real-

From left to right, Blaize Bailey, Larry Wills (DDL Brand Manager), Ryan Gonsalves and Kenneth Grant Stuart pose with outfits

ly like the commitment and professionalism that is dis-

played by the team. We will continue to give as much

support as possible to the Pepsi Hornets Rugby football team in 2016 as they strive to succeed in all competitions.”

Captain of the Pepsi Hornets and national player Ryan Gonsalves expressed his delight and heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Club towards sponsors DDL and pledged to continue to upkeep the strong winning tradition as well as confidence placed in the club by its sponsors.

The Rugby season commences January 23 with the opening North vs South fifteens match as well as two women’s ten a side matches.

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) 15’s league immediately follows on the January 30.

Pele recovering well from hip surgery in New York P ele is recovering well from a small operation to repair his replacement hip, an official who works with the former Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos great said on Thursday.

The 75-year-old triple World Cup winner had the preparatory operation

at the Special Surgery hospital in New York on Dec. 3, Pepito, his longtime press officer, told Reuters. “(Pele) took advantage of his holidays to spend time in New York with his daughters and granddaughters and he had this small reparatory proce-

dure,” Pepito said.

He is currently undergoing physiotherapy and “everything is under control,” Pepito added.

Pele had a new hip fitted in 2012 and has had several other health issues since. He spent two weeks in hospital for a urinary infection in 2014

and last May had prostate surgery.

With more than 1,280 career goals, and a record three World Cup titles, Pele, whose given name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is considered by many to be the greatest football player of all time. (Reuters Sport)

22 Rodrigues – Lady Jags ready for GFF names CFU futsal team CONCACAF Championships guyanatimesGY.com

friday, january 15, 2016

By Treiston Joseph

C

aptain of the women’s national squad better known as the ‘Lady Jags’ Ashley Rodrigues believes that the team is ready for their upcoming Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Championships set to take place next month in Houston, Texas.

While Rodrigues admitted that the squad is “proud” to be in their second CONCACAF Championships, the captain also noted that squad is ready for the challenge ahead.

“I’m so proud of our team and what we have accomplished thus far, and I’m excited to get to Texas to continue to put our hard work into play.

“I feel that our team is very ready for the challenge. There’s an excitement among our squad, and a true sense of determination and will to give this our all.”

With training ongoing in Canada, Rodrigues also belief that the encampment

Ashley Rodrigues

has help the team develop as a unit.

“We’ve responded well to team training and preparations. We know that the time we have to train together leading up to competition is crucial and everyone puts a large emphasis on using the time as efficiently as possible.

“In addition, we talk a lot about lifestyle, and committing ourselves to the right changes, i.e. nutrition, conditioning, mental preparedness, especially when we

are unable to be together in training camp. Everyone has taken on the responsibility to be prepared in the best way for Texas, and that makes us stronger and tougher,” Rodrigues noted.

Nevertheless, Rodrigues highlighted that Guyana’s ‘underdog’ status motivates the squad to kep the Golden Arrow Head flying high.

“We’ve always been an underdog in these competitions, and that hasn’t changed. The great part is, we like it that way. We know we’ve earned the right to be where we are, nothing has ever been handed to us, or been easy for us. It’s because of these things, that six years later, we’re determined to earn better outcomes this time around.

We’ve come a long way since 2010, and we’re ready to show just how much we belong,” she mentioned.

In addition, Rodrigues shared some advice to aspiring females of the game in Guyana, “grab a ball and play football. If you can dribble, pass, kick a football everyday- you are doing something positive for yourself and for female football in

Guyana. You can improve and impact this game with hard work and determination. You can be a part of setting higher standards in Guyana for female football, you can create history.”

Rodrigues also thanked the Guyanese fans for their support, “thank you to the fans who have supported us, and continue to support us.

We don’t play for the personal recognition; we play for you, for Guyana.”

Meanwhile Head Coach of the team named his final squad for the championships as the team now stands at 20 excluding staff members.

The team is as follows: GK: Chante Sandiford, Simone Busby, Ruth George Defenders: Julia Gonsalves, Kelly Pelz-Butler, Justine Rodrigues, Briana DeSouza, Bria Williams, Leah- Marie Ramalho, Kayla DeSouza Midfielders: Mariam ElMasri, Alison Heydorn, Ashley Rodrigues (C), Kailey Leila, Ashlee Savona, Dana Bally, Olivia Gonsalves, Brittany Persaud Forwards: Calaigh Copland, Otesha Charles.

Staff: Head Coach - Mark Rodrigues; Asst Coach Clement Brown; GK Coach Richard Reynolds; Manager - Sheron Abrams; Physio - David Lawrence; Team Doctor – TBA.

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Thursday named its national futsal squad to take part in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) futsal qualifying tournament slated for Havana, Cuba later this month.

The men’s national futsal Head Coach and Technical Director of the GFF Claude Bolton noted that, “It is a significant moment in our football development. The assembly of this National Team demonstrates our commitment to grow the game of futsal. This venture, regardless of results, can be the catalyst for the new Futsal Association to organise the game across the country and deliver it to a new breed of players.

“It is a talented group that at first glance seems excited and anxious to see what the tournament will hold. They genuinely look eager to get to know each other on field. However, they do understand where we are right now and that this is a starting point.

Importantly it is a group that is most proud to dawn the colours of Guyana,” Bolton highlighted.

The Officials of the team are as follows: Staff:

Claude Bolton (Head Coach), Joseph (Bill) Wilson (Assistant Coach), Denzel Thompson (GK Coach), Mark Young (Manager).

Team Members Selected to Squad are: Travis Bess, Konata Mannings, Eusi Phillips, Daniel Favourite, Austin Solomon, Jerome Richardson, Travis Grant, Daniel Wilson, Sherwin Skeete and Richard Reynolds.

GFF’s President, Wayne Forde noted “this is an opportunity to bring prominence to this version of football. Guyana has a rich tradition in the smallsided format but have, yet, to reach its full potential.

We hope this experience to now inspire a new generation of young players.”

The group qualifiers round is scheduled for the January 22-24. The three Teams in the Group I, which Guyana will be competing is Antigua & Barbuda, Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago.

The winners of the group stage will then move onto the qualifiers final round which is scheduled to be played from January 24-26. The team will be encamped from today to January 18 in Georgetown.

guyanatimesGY.com

friday, january 15, 2016

Essequibo 10/10 cricket Challenge Cup bowls off Saturday

T

he Guyana Softball League (GSL) in collaboration with the Essequibo Softball League will launch the Essequibo Challenge Cup on January 16 under lights.

The tournament is part of the 10/10 format which the GSL will take around the country and will be known as the Challenge Series.

The six matches that are slated for Essequibo will see two females’ teams clashing in the first encounter while two maters teams’ will battle in the second match.

The evening will have four of Essequibo’s top teams playing against each other in the open category for a grand prize and trophy.

The last match of the evening will see West Coast taking on a strong Essequibo team for a monetary prize.

The two female teams will be from the Pomeroon area and both teams have

a history of grudge matches played with the series tied at 3-3 and this will break that deadlock.

The master teams will have the players that have represented Essequibo in the past battling for pride as

both teams which have players of great talent will look to be in the winning row.

The one ball “manto” will be introduced to Essequibians and the spectators will have a chance to compete against each other

in the action packed day and night. There will also be ring games, trampoline and merry-go- around for the family and other attractions.

Additionally, there will be more entertainment by top local artistes in Guyana The trophies for this event are beautifully carved specially for this series and will be on display at each event. There will be added prizes for the spectators to win.

Meanwhile the area that brings out the biggest crowd will be rewarded with the quarter finals after all the areas have been completed.

The buzz around Essequibo has been heartening and all are asked to support the event.

The next stop in the 10/10 Challenge series will be East Coast and they are asked to prepare for this as the show moves from area to area.

Jaguars looking to bounce back today against Hurricanes

Bonner returns to battle against a team he had success with before

By Akeem Greene

T

he Guyana Jaguars will desperately need to pull off a win in their penultimate round match in the WICB/NAGICO Super50 against the Leeward Island Hurricanes today at the St Paul’s Sport Complex, St Kitts.

The Jaguars have suffered two close defeats at the hands of the Windward Islands Volcanoes and another loss today would make it a tricky road towards the semi-final.

However, they will be buoyed by their late order batting performance by man of match Royston Crandon and Paul Wintz which propelled them to a total in excess of 200.

All-rounder Crandon stuck well composed 68 to bring up his second half-century in List A while Wintz brought up his highest score in List A cricket of 38 not out and then returned with the ball to take 2-16 to take his tally to seven wickets now.

The top order has found it difficult to formulate

huge partnerships to post challenging totals. Assad Fudadin and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are the only top order batsmen to have scored half-centuries.

Leeward Islands Volcanoes will be high in confidence with their 14 run win over Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners on Wednesday.

The Hurricanes were led by half-centuries from Nkrumah Bonner and Montcin Hodge to help post their highest total in this year’s competition.

Offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall and medium pacer Daron Cruickshank snared seven wickets between.

Four points separate the Hurricanes from the Jaguars and a win today can go a long way in securing a semi-final spot.

The St Paul’s ground has been a victim of numerous rain interruptions in the matches to be played to date but the hope will be for clearer skies to allow a full days play. The Match starts at 09:00h.

Guyana Jaguars (from):

Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Kevon Boodie, Anthony Bramble, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Steven Jacobs, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh, Romario Shepherd, Paul Wintz.

LEEWARD ISLANDS HURRICANES (from): Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Quinton Boatswain, Nkrumah Bonner, Odean Brown, Rahkeem Cornwall, Daron Cruickshank, Montcin Hodge, Chesney Hughes, Shane Jeffers, Jeremiah Louis, Sherwin Peters, Orlando Peters, Jacques Taylor, Gavin Tonge The other games to be played are Barbados Pride v Jamaica Scorpions at the National Cricket Centre, Trinidad from 09:00h.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force v ICC Americas at Queen’s Park Oval from 13:30h. Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners v Windward Volcanoes at Warner Park from 13:30h.

23

Jason Holder to play in Unity Cricket − tickets to go on sale Monday

C

urrent West Indie Test and One Day International Captain Jason Holder will feature in the highly anticipated “Unity Cricket” at the Providence National Stadium under lights on January 30.

The West Indies Captain, who has played 13 Tests, 35 ODIs and four T20 Internationals, will replace Jamaican left-arm pacer Krishmar Santokie in the all star line-up which includes the world’s number one T20 batsman Chris Gayle.

Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Sulieman Benn, Samuel Badree, Darren Sammy, Rayed Emrit, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Refier, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Chris Barnwell, Jonathon

Jason Holder

Foo, Rajendra Chandrika, Ronsford Beaton and Anthony Bramble and others will also be involved in the event which has been organsied by Legacy and 007 Promotions.

According to PRO Sean Devers, ‘Early Bird’ tickets will go on sale from Monday and will cost $2,000 if bought before January 26 and $3,000 after then.

Tickets will be sold at locations in Georgetown, West Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice. Gates open at 10:00h and a fun day will be held during the day on the tarmac for the children while five softball matches involving Guyana’s top softball cricketers from Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara in both male and female categories will be contested before the feature match is played.

Fans can win US $500 if they take one-handed catches in the stands and there will be music from the Party Stand.

Demerara has already announced their teams to compete in the Masters and Female matches and the female squad began practice sessions from last Monday at the Police ground.

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

friday, January 15, 2016

WICB/NAGICO Super50

Jaguars looking to bounce back today against Hurricanes

Pg 23

Jaguars will hope Crandon can continue his good all-round performances

Jaguars will be looking to get a win today to help secure a semi-final spot

Jason Holder to play in Unity Cricket

Pg 23

GFF names CFU futsal team

– tickets to go on sale Monday

Pg 22

Futsal squad going through some early paces earlier this month Jason Holder

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