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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 3066 guyanatimesgy.com

LOOK INSIDE !

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

December 11, 2016

PRICE

Struggling Capital projects

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt rushes to spend $9B in 3 weeks Page 9

Carpenter dies in Houston accident

$120 vat included

Armed bandits beat, rob Corentyne pensioner

Trotman defends Budget 2017 measures as ‘bitter medicine’ P7

Page 3

Page 2

No Cabinet reshuffle in 2017 – President Granger P12 Ending of operations at Wales P15 Estate nears – Agri Minister says land prep for rice cultivation ongoing

Linden seeks large-scale investments with China P12 Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday attended the annual Old Folks Party hosted by the Vryheid's Lust PPP/C Group and the Better Hope Sports Club. The event was held at the Better Hope Community Centre, East Coast Demerara, where he met and interacted with the senior citizens

Not all deportees are “ruthless criminals” – Granger Page 16

Bartica businesses urge Govt to rethink “monster” Budget Page 10

CDB approves US$194M P7 assistance for Guyana Private Sector, Unions petition Parliament over Budget concerns P11

2 news Carpenter dies in Houston accident Correction A G SunDAY, december 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

West Bank Demerara (WBD) man is now dead after he was struck down late Friday evening while crossing the public road at Houston, Greater Georgetown. The accident occurred sometime around 23:00h.

Dead: Ryan Ragubir

Dead is Ryan Ragubir, 42, of Lot 13 Nismes Old Road, WBD. Ragubir worked as a carpenter at the Gafoors Houston Complex.

According to reports, after work on Friday, the father of one along with four other co-workers went to a nearby shop where they consumed alcohol. Later, the men left the shop and attempted to cross over to the other side of the East Bank Highway.

At the same time, a car that was proceeding north on the western carriageway struck Ragubir, who was walking behind two of his co-workers. He was picked up by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in an ambulance and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He reportedly sustained a broken neck.

Speaking with this newspaper, the man’s sister, Nalini, related that she last saw her brother Friday morning before he left for work and that they were only informed about this death Saturday morning after one of his co-workers went to their home with the tragic

uyana Times on Saturday, November 10, 2016, reported that Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced a tax-free bonus for persons earning less than $500,000 per year. This is incorrect, since the $25,000 bonus will be paid to public servants earning less than $500,000 per month.

Guyana Times apologises for any inconvenience caused as a result.

The car at the Ruimveldt Police Station

news.

At the time this newspaper contacted the woman, she was waiting at the Ruimveldt Police Station to talk to the Police and was not sure about what had transpired. However, she noted that based on her conversation with the driver of the car, HB 8532, he noticed the men crossing too late and attempted to swerve from hitting them but struck Ragubir, who was walking at the back.

Meanwhile, one of the coworkers, who was present when the accident occurred, explained that the road was clear when they left the western carriageway to cross over to the eastern side. He re-

called that he and another co-worker were in front talking as they were crossing while Ragubir was right behind.

The co-worker added that he and the other man had already crossed the median and were on the eastern carriageway when he heard the impact and upon turning around, he did not see Ragubir. The man had fallen onto the bonnet of the car and was rendered unconscious.

Ragubir leaves to mourn a six-year-old son, siblings and other family.

The driver of the car has since been arrested and is assisting with the investigations.

3 Armed bandits beat, rob Corentyne pensioner NEWS

SunDAY, DECember 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, December 11 – 14:30h-16:00h with a night retraction at 02:30h (Monday morning) and Monday, December 12 – 14:30h-16:00h with a night retraction at 03:30h (Tuesday morning).

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, December 11 – 13:55h-15:25h and Monday, December 12 – 14:45h-16:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Thundery rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while clear to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to Easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 02:01h and 14:22h reaching maximum heights of 2.55 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:53h and 20:25h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.48 metre respectively.

F

Samantha Williams

our masked men on Saturday morning robbed an overseasbased Corentyne, Berbice, pensioner and his domestic worker at his Salton, Corentyne home.

The men gained entry into the two storied house, owned by Veerasammy Narainasami, also called “Fedi”, by placing a bench on two tables to reach the bedroom window on the upper flat.

The 67-year told Guyana Times that he was in his

the money I get is in the pants, so one of them go and take out the money and they still asking, ‘where is the rest’, and I tell them that I don’t have more,” the pensioner related.

He said the bandit who was carrying the cutlass started lashing him using the flat side of the blade, demanding that he hand over more money.

The pensioner, who displayed marks on his body including a cut to his head, said all of the men were masked.

He related that the ordeal lasted for about 25 minutes, adding that the men placed a gun to his head and threatened to kill him if he did not give them more money.

The former building maintenance engineer, who arrived in Guyana on December 3, said he tried to explain to the thieves that he is in the habit of borrowing money from friends whenever he is in Guyana and repaying when he re-

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The tables and bench used to get to the window

bedroom watching television and at about 12:45h he went to the bathroom and upon returning to his bedroom, he was confronted by the men.

“I spent like about 15 minutes and going back when I open the bedroom door, ah brace up with four men; one with a gun, one with a cutlass and two with nothing. They start to rough me up and asking ‘where is the money, where is the money’. I tell them that all

turns to New York.

After relieving the pensioner, the bandits then turned their attention to his domestic help, Samantha Williams, who was asleep in another room.

“Dem ask me if I know which side this man does put his money and I tell them that is not my business and I don’t mind his business, then the one with the gun ask me, ‘where is me money’, and ah tell him

Veerasammy Narainasami was broadsided with a cutlass

look on the table and then he look and see the light on the phone under the sheet and the pull it away from me and then he put his hand on my breast and then he go out the room,” the woman related.

She said she was too shaken to get out of bed and locked the bedroom door after they exited her room.

Williams was relieved of a cellular phone worth $4500 and $3000 in cash while Narainasami was relieved of US$300, G$5000, two cellphones and two torch lights.

Police arrived about 30 minutes after the incident and dusted the louvres for fingerprints.

An investigation has been launched.

Narainasami, who left Guyana in 1985, has been returning over the last five years to spend the winter period in Guyana.

(Andrew Carmichael)

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guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, december 11, 2016

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 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

Fiscal regime for oil industry (I)

A

fter the last Budget presentation, stakeholders were perplexed at the refusal of the Government to initiate policies that would stimulate Guyana's economic growth rates to levels that would significantly improve the standards of living in the near-term. One explanation for this lassitude was that Government may be depending on revenues from petroleum - projected to be flowing into the national coffers in four or five years - to accomplish that task.

However, the example of countries such as Ghana very similar to us politically - that struck oil a decade ago and began pumping it out by 2010 but did not receive the expected benefits, should alert us to the need to be very careful of placing all our "growth" eggs in the oil basket.

Rather than the 12 per cent growth rate projected, the reality was not even half of that for the last few years. It is more than serendipitous that Ghana literally possesses a mirror image of our oil reserves from the time eons ago when Africa and South America broke apart and gradually drifted apart, but we do not want to mirror their disappointment in oil.

While most commentators have been warning about the dangers of "Dutch Disease" - neglect of, and falling revenues from the traditional economy - Ghana's experience illustrates another even more insidious danger. Fundamentally the terms of the fiscal regime - which is basically the agreement as to how the revenues from the petroleum would be shared between the Government and the oil companies - were neither fully appreciated by government nor shared with the citizens of Ghana. This led to shattered expectations when the expected benefits were not realised from a lower than expected revenue stream.

Last week, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman announced the Government would be introducing by the end of this month, eight pieces of legislation: the National Oil and Gas (Upstream) Policy: the Petroleum Regulatory Commission Bill; the Local Content Policy; the Petroleum; Exploration and Production Legislation and Regulations; the Petroleum Commission Legislation (regulation and oversight); the Petroleum Taxation and Fiscal Legislation; the Sovereign Wealth Fund Legislation; and the Public Communication Framework. But Ghana also passed similar pieces legislation which we now know are necessary but not sufficient. What is necessary is the Government must become much more granular with the actual details of what revenues would accrue to Guyana. In other words, the details of the fiscal regime (the "Petroleum Taxation and Fiscal Legislation" above) applied to projected oil flows within a bounded time line.

But even before the oil began to flow, the Ghanaian Government felt compelled to raise the standard of living of the populace by seeking funds from the projected oil flow. Rather than what had been unrealistically proposed

by Minister Raphael Trotman - to have Exxon pay now for future revenues - Ghana decided to enter the international bond market. Because of the hype in the size of the Jubilee oil field (as with our Stabroek's) Ghana successful floated huge bond offers on the expectations they would be serviced for projected oil revenues. What actually happened was Ghana's debt skyrocketed, inflation rose and their currency depreciated as the projected revenues never materialised.

In terms of what fiscal regime will be instituted in Guyana, there are some ambiguities that can, and should, be cleared up immediately. Since our exploration agreement with Exxon was signed since 1999 why is it the Guyanese people are not privy to the details of the revenue sharing portion now that oil has been struck?

Secondly, since the present APNU/AFC Government has mentioned "renegotiations" with the company on the contract, have any modifications been on the fiscal regime?

At a briefing for selected invitees by the Government, Exxon and other "oil experts", this newspaper understands Guyana will not be receiving a royalty on the oil shipped but rather an undisclosed share of the profits. This is a much less reliable metric since profits fluctuate and the revenue is not taken off the top.

President David Granger on Saturday attended a Christmas party where hundreds of children of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) received toys and goodies at the Anna Regina Multilateral School

PPP supporters want youthful leadership Dear Editor, In my travels throughout Guyana in October to conduct an opinion survey, supporters of the PPP related that they would like to have a “youthful leadership” (Central Committee, Executive Committee, etc) arising out of the party’s Congress that will be held next weekend in Anna Regina, Essequibo. In earlier NACTA surveys, conducted last March, July, and last year, PPP supporters complained about the ineptitude, incompetence, slothfulness, lack of capacity, lackadaisical attitude or “coorheeness” among some, as well as arrogance, desire for personal wealth, and allegations of corruption among some in the leadership that cost the party the Government in May 2015.

The supporters yearn for change towards a younger enlightened leadership who can bring modernity and rapid development to Guyana. They want a leadership team that can build a strong attractive civic alliance.

As found in the surveys, some in PPP leadership are most despised for their lack of human relations skills.

Some of them do not know how to speak with people – an essential requirement of a person desiring to be a leader. People complain

they don’t see PPP MPs or leaders in their communities. Many don’t even bother to go among the supporters, preferring instead to be in “town” for nice time rather than grounding with people in their time of difficulties.

At any rate, people simply don’t want to see or hear some of them – as they turn away support from the PPP, and in fact some of these characters cost the PPP the Government.

Supporters note that some in the leadership are very archaic in their thinking. They are relics of the past who only speak of the greatness of socialism and communism (that collapsed thirty years ago) and advocate for Palestine, Iran, defunct Soviet Union, Cuba, North Korea, etc, that has no relevance to our conditions in Guyana. They don’t understand geo-politics that define which party will govern Guyana because they lack political intellect like those of us who study and are experts in international politics.

Voters complain that some have been paraded before the nation for too long; people are weary of seeing them. They must now excuse themselves from a public presence -- especially those who were given opportunities and failed the people in leadership and in

government positions. How many chances these characters want, supporters ask.

Party supporters want a new generation of leadership that have time for them and with whom they can interact. They want to see new, charming, attractive faces they can relate to. They want more females and will love to see a female head the party. They want smart, modern thinking people in the leadership in whom they see a bright future and hope for the country. In looking around, they don’t see many in the current leadership offering hope for party supporters or the country. As one person rhetorically asked, which employer will give some of them in the PPP leadership a second look for a job?

Outside of politics, most may not find work. But in fairness to them, many gave their entire life fighting the dictatorship for the country’s freedom. They neglected their education and families. They had no or little time to pursue formal tertiary education like others as they worked to better the lives of others. So, they must be recognised and credited for their decades of commitment and dedication in serving the nation.

People have pointed out that a large majority of the party supporters were not

around when the PNC outlawed the consumption of roti, alou, dhal, channa, etc.

So they cannot relate to arguments made by these old timers on banned foods and the various “isms”. But the old timers should not be altogether dumped. They can play an advisory role to the younger generation of would-be leaders.

The party supporters are fulsome in their praise for Bharrat Jagdeo as President. They note he did a lot of improvement for Guyana during his tenure. But he may not be able to contest as President again because of term limits he consented to when he was President. So the party will have to find an effective leader who is likeable.

There are not many choices – Irfaan Ali, Anil Nandlall, Frank Anthony, etc. And in the polls, the ratings were in that order for a successor. But it is a tall order to fill the shoes of Jagdeo as none is universally acceptable like him to win a majority in the next election.

The delegates at the Congress should select the Central Committee wisely and listen to the voice of the supporters – give the younger potential leaders a chance.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, december 11, 2016

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

A ploy to win next election Disappointed with corruption, incompetence of administration Dear Editor, I usually refrain from responding to the utterance of Tacuma Ogunseye since I was advised that he is on the payroll of a Government that today has chosen to bring forth this anti-working class 2017 Budget. If this is the case, then he is no friend of the working class.

Has Tacuma totally divorced himself from the revolutionary street corner politics of Rodneyism in exchange for gold coins?

By way of this 2017 Budget, these political elitists think they can abrogate the power to legislate what is right for the working people without even offering them an opportunity to engage in the process. Clearly if the workers were consulted, they would have never recommended a VAT on water and electricity.

But untruth cannot stand and that is why I chose to engage Tacuma today, which from my perspective will be an exception rather than a norm since I do not deal with rabid propagan-

dist peddling their wicked agenda. For Tacuma’s education, let us bring some truth to the conversation.

First off – I am on record as combatting the PPP since 2008 on the issues when I observed that they were separating from that rich Jaganite political struggle of working class empowerment. So even though Tacuma is trying his very best by way of his covert racism to stitch me to the PPP, the fact remains that I have not visited Freedom House since 2008 or engaged with any PPP executive member in any 1-2-1 conversations since 2011. The last conversation I had with a PPP executive member was with Irfaan Ali, someone who I still call a friend today. At the UG debate, he said to me “Sase, I am very disappointed that you have joined with Ramjattan”. We have not spoken since but know our personal friendship will never be compromised by our politics. Likewise, I shall always call Khemraj Ramjattan my friend but

that does not mean professionally I cannot call him out for the “dotishness” he is engaged in today.

Actually I was told by many that my record of standing up to the PPP with political scientist Dr Euclid Rose during 2010-2015, was a million times more effective at energising the population than what was practiced by the aloft politicians in the then PNC led opposition. Though many kept telling me “Sase look what your change has brought”, my response has always been, “renewal and change in politics is critical and necessary for reawakening of a nation”. Of course we the people are disappointed with the high level of corruption and incompetence under the Granger Administration and their failure to economically transform the nation which would redound to the benefit of the workers of Guyana.

But we must accept we made a mistake since it is clear as day that the Minister of Finance and his cabinet colleagues as a collective are a total disappointment.

I was wrong to have expected any better from the Granger Administration who clearly have a deficit of transformational ideas to expand the wealth of the nation. Rather, what we have in our midst is a cabinet cabal that is focused on friends and family just like the Donald Ramotar Government.

What is shocking is that after only 18 months, we have had some 20 financial scandals in Guyana under President Granger. What kind of a man sits on top of such a ponzi scheme?

Sincerely, Sase Singh Maryland, USA

Dear Editor, The leading party proposed/ presented a budget for 2017 that was more a ploy to win the next election. The budget reflected a tone of low expectations with regard to anaemic economic growth and pending hardship as a result of high taxation on basic commodities and utilities. For these reasons, a ploy is evident to win the next elections because it is effortless to exceed low expectations.

Besides, the promise of cutting taxes in an election year is campaigning 101.

Starting from low expectations allows for the luxury of time and avoidance of disappointment that could lead to resentment (loss votes). As such, the wise folks of the Government are awaiting the much anticipated windfall from oil exploration to boost their popularity by the next election. Meanwhile, they just have to exceed the low expectation that was set by themselves, ie no citizens or opposition need not contribute to consensus. Moreover, levying higher taxes on a nation that do not normal pay their taxes is

laughable. As such, this budget is “meaningless” for a country that the “grey” market is two/ thirds of the GDP and the other third is derived from remittances. Remember politicians are facilitators not entrepreneurs.

The Central Bank is now taking its cue from Cambio dealers.

Lastly, the so-called 2017 Budget is for those city folks, mainly those that live in the capital because folks in the rural areas were always resourceful. Countrymen and women were never fully excited about the delivery of potable water or electrification since these services normally decay over time due to lack of money, theft and irregular maintenance. What the countryfolks depend on is remittances. They also consume copious amounts of scaremongering.

Like us be real, Guyana is a pseudo-independent prodigal nation. The optics of Guyana is wealthy, fat and flourishing budget or no budget!

Sincerely, Keith Bernard

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SunDAY, december 11, 2016

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Anu Dev

M

y Ajee passed away last week in New York City. By sheer coincidence I'd already written my article published last week on my reaction to the death of an elderly patient on my watch - "First Crash", when my father received word that his mother, my Ajee, had to be rushed to the hospital and she was critical. I wrote, "It's impossible, I think, to be in that place and not think about your own loved ones. It's impossible to avoid reflecting on whether you've spent enough time showing the people you love that you love them while you still have them in your life." My Ajee was one of those persons I'd thought about.

Since she lived in New York and I in Guyana, I only met her when we visited each other.

With ten children, twentysix grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren I wondered how she remembered all their

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

names much more their tiniest details, which she did. Of recent, she would faithfully read my articles in the New York edition of the paper and complain bitterly on those weeks when they weren't carried! She was a tad partial!

But while I may not have been as lucky as my cousins and siblings residing in New York, we're a family that's constantly repeating the

and independence since they worked for wages of their own and were out of the home to one where she was "just a housewife".

But it seemed the times were changing and she and her parents were changing with it.

She would gleefully regale us about how she "turned down" the offer from the family of a young goldsmith-to-be for my Aja, who was "tall and good

Whoever could make two ears of corn or two blades of grass to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together – Jonathan Swift, Gulliver’s Travels narratives handed down to us from our parents, and I do believe I knew her so well. As someone interested in history and the role of females in constituting that history, I've always been intrigued as to how she transitioned from her mother's generation where females supposedly had much more "agency"

looking" and who would (by sheer coincidence!) pass by her home every afternoon, just when she was "washing wares" at their outdoor sink.

Her parents went along with her choice.

She was determined to make her life a success and worked together with her husband to make their dreams

a reality. She was a quiet woman but with a will of steel and was not deterred by her economic circumstances. She simply did what she had to do.

She had thirteen children by the time she was thirty five, ten of them who survived.

She scoffed at the "younger generation" of females making a fuss about childbirth!

While she only went to primary school, she was determined that her children would receive an education and made great sacrifices to ensure that was accomplished.

My Cha Cha's and Poowas all recount the effect she had on them about imbibing good

values with h e r stories My Ajee, aged 30 taken from t h e made were wiped out. She Ramayan - but more so from was proud of the success her actions. She was very she and my Aja carved out proud and never saw herself for themselves in New York, as "poor" even though by the as well as the success of her official statistics she and her children and grandchildren. family were so defined. She My Ajee taught me a career would never accept a handout is important to a woman but and made sure her debts were raising a family can also be always paid. fulfilling and merging the two She was very bitter that can be achieved. She was conditions became so difficult a good role model for the during the seventies that most modern woman. of the gains she had painfully

H

undreds of children and adults flocked the Rahaman’s Park Christmas tree light-up on Friday evening to usher in the Christmas season.

The audience was treated to a grand cultural programme as they anxiously awaited the lighting of the 60-foot tree.

Business Minister with responsibility of Tourism, Dominic Gaskin was present at the festive event and was tasked with flicking the switch to illuminate the gigantic Christmas tree.

However, the Minister in his brief address to the audience stated that this time of the year is the time of caring and sharing.

“It is that time of the year again when we have to change our attitudes, behaviour and become kinder and more considerate. We have to become nicer and stop thinking of ourselves only and think of others. We should become more considerate and of course we should make that special effort to bring joy and excitement to the little ones,” said Gaskin.

The brief cultural programme featured performances by the juniors and seniors of creative arts while singing sensation

Charmaine Blackman delivered her Christmas tunes that synchronised with the festive event.

The programme also featured performances by a group of boys who have become known to the stage with their energetic dance moves. The group recently participated in the Spotlight competition and featured in the Courts Christmas tree light up.

Meanwhile, Ray Rahaman proudly told the audience that the Christmas tree light up started 11 years ago as a family event with a 12-foot tree.

Now, he said, he is grateful to see how the 2005 event has transformed into such an anticipated function.

The Christmas tree light up was sponsored by the Rahaman’s family and friends, the Business Ministry, the Guyana Tourism Authority and many other business entities.

news

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sunDAY, december 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Trotman defends Budget 2017 CDB approves US$194M measures as ‘bitter medicine’ assistance for Guyana

“A

Government’s fiveyear term is expected to have a corresponding number of budgets. We cannot look at one budget, which is really a snapshot of a period in time, and expect to be fair in its assessment without juxtaposing the budgets that passed before.”

The Natural Resources and Environment Minister offered this theory for consideration when he rose this past week to give his contribution to the debates on the 2017 National Estimates.

According to Minister Trotman, “The budget therefore must be read in conjunction with those from before – all programmes, policies and resources in these three must be woven together that are taking the country further on a path of realising a green economy.”

It was at this stage Minster Trotman drew the House’s attention to the Chinese proverb, which he said simply states the truism that “good medicine tastes bitter”.

Trotman was adamant the Minister of Finance and his staff didn’t conjure up a budget to harm the country, but to heal it: “We all remember that vaccination we get at an early age of infancy - the closer to birth the better. I refer to the one that made us scream in pain and anger…We all bear the mark on our arms and today thank our parents and healthcare workers who administered it.”

The minister in expanding on his analogy said the vaccination at that time

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

was painful and made little sense then but now, “We realise that it has protected us for the duration of our long lives.”

Drawing reference to the imminent revenue boost to be had from the emerging oil and gas sectors, Minister Trotman told the House: “As we prepare to enter into a new era of plenty we have to bring some discipline to our fiscal arrangements and the best time to do so is now.”

He pointed to neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago as a case in point where some very tough measures had to be adopted not only to ensure survival for now but viability for tomorrow.

In short, according to Trotman, “we can’t put new wine into old wineskins.”

The minister was adamant in his presentation that taking responsibility is not about whimpering in times of transition and uncertainty; it is about taking action and staying in motion.

“I repeat what I said a few nights ago to the ire of some, I invite you to get busy with the Government…It is an invitation, not a command…It is an entreaty not an instruction and we as Government have a duty to prepare the nation and we will do so to the best of our abilities.”

He told those present in the House that the ministry is in receipt on a daily basis, scores of applications and proposals from abroad for activities in the extractive industries sector, adding that, “we would like to see more Guyanese involved and this, this why we have been hosting and hosting seminars and workshops.”

According to Trotman, “I trust that when we bring the suite of initiatives for support and implementation that it will be forthcoming…

Together, we will have to prepare the country for what is to come as these resource are not the preserve of one, but of all.”

Minister Trotman also used the occasion to inform the House that the Natural Resources Ministry has requested the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2017 to revise and update the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Strategic Plan (2013-2018) and Monitoring and Evaluation.

He said since the Government assumed office, the Ministry has undergone significant institutional changes as previously mentioned and as such, “it would be a timely initiative to update the Strategic Plan.”

T

he Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a country strategy for Guyana for the period 2017 to 2021.

According to the CDB, the programme of assistance will drive social and economic development; support environmental sustainability; and promote good governance in Guyana.

The strategy will be supported by a proposed resource envelope of US$194 million which includes Guyana’s allocation of US$65 million from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIPF) and resources from CDB’s Special Development Fund (Unified).

“We are pleased to be supporting the Government of Guyana in accelerating poverty reduction, and inclusive, sustainable economic growth. We look forward to working together with our country stakeholders to

implement this results-focused programme of assistance,” said Dr Justin Ram, Director of Economics, CDB. The country strategy is designed to help Guyana

achieve five key development outcomes: increased competitiveness and productivity; improved quality and access to education and training; strengthened social protection; reduced vulnerability to natural disasters; and improved governance and development

planning.

Each intervention delivered under the country strategy will include gender equality, regional cooperation and integration, as well as energy and citizen security considerations.

The programme of assistance responds to Guyana’s development priorities, and builds on the Government’s “Vision 2020”, which articulates a national goal of “sustainable socioeconomic development, good governance and human safety within a green economy.”

The approved strategy aligns with CDB’s strategic objectives of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development, and promoting good governance.

It also takes into account the Bank’s cross-cutting themes of gender equality, regional cooperation and integration, and energy security.

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news

SunDAY, december 11, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Essequibo Coast accident

Speeding caused doctor’s death – Police

T

he Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) expressed sadness at the death

of Dr Haimant Haimraj who died following a motorcycle accident on the Essequibo Coast.

Region Two Chairman

The good life...

Y Dead: Dr Haimant Haimraj

Devanand Ramdatt told Guyana Times that he recalled how elated Haimraj’s mother, who is a teacher, was at his graduation last year.

At that graduation exercise, the doctor had expressed how thankful he was to his mother for providing

him with the opportunity to study in the field of medicine.

Ramdatt said he is convinced that the short period of service given by the deceased doctor is adequate enough to leave qualities that others can emulate. He said the RDC extend condolences to the family.

Meanwhile, the Police have disclosed that the 26-year-old of Fairfield Village died after he lost control of his bike and crashed into a fence. According to investigations, speeding has been attributed as the cause of the accident which occurred at the Vilvoorden Public Road, on the Essequibo Coast.

Reports are at about 17:45h on Friday, the doctor was riding his motorcycle with licence plates CF 9645 South along the eastern side of the road at a fast rate when he attempted to manoeuvre a left turn. He reportedly lost control and crashed into a chain link fence on the western parapet of the road. He was immediately rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery but died during the process.

Haimraj recently returned from Cuba after his medical studies. He was stationed at the Suddie Public Hospital.

...for workers?

our Eyewitness wonders if there's anything besides "ego" that makes the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition Government insist in traducing hundreds of years of Parliamentary tradition by having PM Nagamootoo AND Finance Minister Jordan wrap up their Budget presentation - after the Opposition Leader Jagdeo speaks? If Parliamentary democracy's about anything, it's that rules and traditions are meant to ensure fairness.

In the summation of arguments from the two sides, it is seen as "fair" for the Opposition Leader to represent his "side" and the Finance Minister to represent the Government's. Where's the "fairness" in "double banking" the Opposition Leader? But your Eyewitness sees the ego of Nagamootoo in this denuding of Parliament of the noted British value of "fair play".

We all know about the neutering of Nagamootoo not only of the powers promised him by the Valentine Day Cummingsburg Accord, but even of those left in the PM's position after Burnham's creation of an Imperial Presidency. Let him go back to the functions of Reid, Hoyte, and Hinds and he'd see they all had substantive powers. What did he get but Larwah squared: the Chronic and a shill?

So Nagamootoo's been fighting an ever increasingly desperate battle to have some relevance in the state of affairs. And seeking to upstage Jagdeo in Parliament is his last gasp. Never mind Parliament's proprieties. But what has pitiful and puerile ploy actually done for the Government? Embarrassed them, that's what! Speaking to empty Opposition benches, a junior reporter accused him of "blundering" the presentation of the first budget.

He was exposed for the fascist he is when he berated the hapless reporter and insisted the Chronic had to toe the Government - not the state's - line!

This year, he once again caused the House to be emptied of the Opposition and his bête noir Jagdeo. Did he get any satisfaction from humiliating the Government benches once again? Some of his colleagues from those benches couldn't take him any longer and walked off.

Who wouldn't?

Nagamootoo once again exposed himself as a person full of only bombast and bluster. What else could you call his support for withdrawing funds for restructuring the sugar industry than a demand (supported only by Ramjattan!) for shutting down the sugar industry?

That he felt compelled to invoke the Public Service workers was such blatant pandering to his erstwhile PNC comrades, it was vomit-inducing. How could he compare the situation of the Government workers - who aren't threatened by "retrenchment" or a freeze on wages but would receive a $25,000 Christmas bonus - with sugar workers?

Nagamootoo added absolutely nothing to the budget debate save adding to global warming with his copious hot air!!

...and VAT

The Government's trying to extricate the foot that's stuck firmly in their collective mouths on VAT. Jordan says it was the Tax Review Commission that recommended reducing VAT to 14 per cent. But he didn't say that should've been done last year and this year should've been reduced to seven per cent!! Then, in a pitiful display of curry-favouring - in addition to supporting his friend Nagamootoo's shameless display - Ramjattan "explained" that if VAT was lowered, then it's base had to be widened!! Really? With the elimination of the "zero rated" exemptions?

After donkey's years in Parliament, doesn't know VAT is regressive - that is, it falls heavier on the poor who spend a greater proportion of their wages on VAT-rated purchases - and the zero-rated basket is to help them to have their staples' cost lowered?

To make up for the loss of revenues from the two per cent% decrease in the VAT rate, why didn't Ramjattan suggest ministers forego their 50 per cent increases?

...and Christmas lights

Now that the Government has thoughtfully imposed a 15 per cent VAT on electricity above $15,000, your Eyewitness wondered what effect this would have on the traditional Christmas "light up"?

And if folks start using diyas to express their sentiments of the Virgin Birth, would there also be a 15 per cent charge?

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

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SunDAY, DECember 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Struggling Capital projects

Govt rushes to spend $9B in 3 weeks

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he Public Infrastructure Ministry was only able to spend $14 billion out of the $23.3 billion it was allocated for capital works in 2016. As such they will have three weeks to spend the remaining $9 billion before the ministry is required to close its financial books and return all unused monies to the Consolidated Fund.

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, made the disclosure this past week and revealed that under the allocations for Capital Works for the Ministry only 60 per cent of its programme was completed as at December 6 last.

Minister Patterson made the disclosure as he was making his contributions to the debates on the 2017 National Estimates and lamented the pace with which the Ministry has been going about with the Public Sector Investment Programme.

According to Patterson, the pace of implementation in 2016 was not as anticipated “but we have improved capacity,” He told the House that the Public Infrastructure Ministry has since been able to put district engineers and

agreement could be finalised on the two revised projects.

clerk of works in each administrative region.

Providing a review of his stewardship of the Public Infrastructure Ministry during the course of the past year, Patterson disclosed that recurrent expenditure by the Government agency was only 80 per cent of what it was allocated for the entire year.

Overall, out of $6.45 billion the Ministry was allocated, $5.345 billion was expended (82.82 per cent), according to Patterson.

Waterfront development

Turning his attention to some of the Ministry’s plans for the upcoming year, Minister Patterson said Government will be looking to vigorously pursue the Georgetown to Ogle Waterfront Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Project.

Patterson recalled for the House that during his Budget 2016 presentation, he had listed a myriad of projects to be funded by the Government of Guyana and the UK – Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (DFID).

Providing an update Patterson told the House that after reviewing the sit-

CORE

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

uation, the preferred option of the Donor is for one large project which would stand out and could be easily visible.

He said in a subsequent discussion that the Ministry had proposed another huge project, with two revised projects, namely the creation and/or restoration of modern Waterfront Recreational Areas between Kingston and Ogle and Stabroek Market and Vreed-en-Hoop, along with improved accessibility between Waterfront Development at Seawall and Stabroek Area.

He told the House that the acquisition of a dredge is also part of this project.

Minister Patterson told the House too of the other project which involves the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Linden to Mabura Road and the construction of a Bridge across the Kurupukari River at Kurupukari Crossing.

He disclosed that it will be the Caribbean Development Bank which will be responsible for overseeing these projects and a team from the Bank will be in Guyana from next week so that formal

Patterson used the occasion to announce too that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will embark on a new initiative in 2017 that will lend to environmentally sustainable communities namely the Community Organised for the Restoration of the Environment (CORE).

According to Patterson, CORE “is a unique initiative that will see the establishment of 20 community groups across all of Guyana’s regions.”

He said each region will have two teams, except Region Two, which will have one team, and Region Four, which will have three teams.

Some of the identified communities are Moruka, Port Kaituma, Number 51 to Moleson Creek, Kato, Mahdia, Bartica, Lethem, and Linden.

According to Patterson, the initiative is designed to supplement the work of the Special Projects Unit of the Ministry in such a manner that it provides for the environmental upgrade, drainage, and sanitation improve-

ment and general aesthetics of the works being undertaken by the Unit.

Speaking of the Ministry’s plans for the upcoming year, Patterson disclosed that works have already commenced on the installation of lights, for the very first time, in Yarrowkabra and “we will be expanding into new areas in 2017.”

He told the House that some 50 areas have been identified and include the 14 Friendship Squatting Area; Rosignol Cultivation Area; Mainstay Housing Scheme; Number 30 Village; and Goodland, Canal Number One. He said too that the ministry will in 2017 invite and establish Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for generation from renewable resources at Anna Regina and Bartica.

The Minister said 2017 will also see the ministry pursuing an aggressive meter upgrade programme using Advanced Metering Infrastructure compatible meters with the 2017 target set at 16,000 meters. (Gary Eleazar)

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SunDAY, DECember 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bartica businesses urge Govt to rethink “monster” Budget

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Sherwyn Downer

he Bartica Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has labelled Budget 2017 as a “monster budget” and has called on Government to rethink some of the burdensome measures entailed therein.

BCCI spokesperson Sherwyn Downer expressed concerns over the attraction of 14 per cent VAT on water and electricity, noting that it will definitely affect those who fall in the low income bracket.

“BCCI demands justification from the government for the poor decision of the proposed implementation of 14 per cent VAT on water and electricity,” he said in a statement to the media on

Saturday.

Noting that Bartica’s economy has been in a coma due to falling gold prices, Downer said the 2017 Budget will only add to the economic misery of the new town.

“Presently, residents and business alike are experiencing financial hardships as Barticians depend solely on mining. The business community is experiencing a slowdown in business. No economic activity is taking place now and with the recent announcement of a possible 14 per cent VAT attraction on water and

will be severely interrupted because the masses expend more than $1500 and $10,000 on water and electricity, respectively.

“They will now be forced to make electrical appliances into home ornaments. For example, if one has a microwave, iron or fan they will avoid using these household comforts out of fear of a monstrous light bill exceeding $10,000 per month. On the other hand, for those residents who do not yet own a microwave, iron or fan they will now think twice about purchasing same,” the

have a long lifespan if driven on good roads but given that the roads miners typically use are in a deplorable state, new tyres would be challenging for all.

“With new tyres on vehicles and bad and unacceptable conditions of roads leading into the interior, the cost of transporting goods and services into the interior will skyrocket. Not forgetting too that taxi fares and public transportation cost will also increase.

Where does that leave the poor?” BCCI noted.

The Chambers also con-

Chambers explained.

Additionally, BCCI urged the Government to consider exempting miners from the ban of used tyres.

According to the Chambers, new tyres will only

tended that the hopes of the poor and entrepreneurs of elevating their economic status and standards of living have been shattered by the proposals made in Budget 2017.

The Bartica Stelling

electricity can only be seen as the Government and the merchants attending the funeral of the poor,” the Chambers expressed.

BCCI highlighted that the living standards of Barticians

Condom medicine S

atiricus was on the back foot once again. He was at the Back Street Bar with the boys, knocking back a few beers and of course the discussion had turned to the conclusion of the budget debate and the delegation of MP's to All Boys Town.

"Budday! All the doctor said was the warehouse was storing medicine," Satiricus said heatedly. "And this was what he proved to everyone who went over to check."

"Me na bin know dat condom a medicine," said Bungi said with a smirk.

"Yes. A 10,000 square foot warehouse full of condoms and jelly!" grinned Hari.

"Let me ask you something, Mr Know it all," Satiricus said heatedly to Hari. "What is a medicine?"

"Well, something that cures an illness," Hari replied promptly.

"Would you go along with a medicine is something that saves lives?" Satiricus challenged his friends.

"Me can live wid da," said Bungi.

"Well, suppose I tell you all those condoms were bought because the government wanted to save lives during the next flood?" said Satiricus.

"Safe sex will save lives during a flood?" asked Hari doubtfully.

"You know that one of the greatest needs in a flood is pure water," said Satiricus. "But did you know you can fill a condom with water and keep it safe for drinking later?"

"I never thought of that!" exclaimed Hari.

"Or you can keep your mobile phone dry so you can make that call that might save your life?"

Satiricus continued.

Both Bungi and Hari looked at Satiricus carefully and mouthed, "Oh!" "Or you can blow up the condoms and use like angel wings to keep you afloat to save you from drowning!" Satiricus was on a roll.

"I never looked at condoms like that," confessed Hari. "If we get cuts during the flood, we can use the condoms like a tourniquet."

"Wha' da?" demanded Bungi.

"You know...to tie off the wound from bleeding," said Satiricus.

"Yes, me can see da," admitted Bungi. "Waan time me foot bin get cut wid me cutlass and if me bin gat wan condom me na woulda bleed suh plenty."

"And in case you don't have any food, you can always make a slingshot with two condoms and shoot some birds!" said Satiricus.

"OK! OK'" said Hari. "We get it!"

"Leh abee drink to condom!" said Bungi as he clinked his bottle to his friends'. "De warehouse bin gat medicine!"

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SunDAY, december 11, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Private Sector, unions petition Parliament over Budget concerns

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PSC Chairman Eddie Boyer

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) and prominent labour union bodies have written to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, pleading for an intervention on the part of the House with a view to addressing their concerns.

The demands were stated in a joint letter addressed to Dr Scotland, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo from Eddie Boyer, president of the PSC, Lincoln Lewis, General

Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and Kenneth Joseph of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).

According to the joint missive to the Speaker and dispatched on Friday last, among the issues of concerns are the new Value Added Tax (VAT) regime, the imposition of new taxes, the further empowering of the Guyana Revenue Authority, the removal of subsidies from pensioners and the new environmental and mining taxes.

On the matter of VAT, the private sector and labour bodies said: “Though it is not lost on us that A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) in its 2015 manifesto committed to the reduction of taxes from 16 per cent to 14 per cent , which is applauded, of concern is the potential to negatively impact direct and indirect business, consumers, workers and citizens.”

As it relates to the new taxes to be applied to electricity, water, healthcare, education and the internet – areas considered vital to the development of Guyana and Guyanese – the methodology being applied may very well turn out to have adverse effects.

GTUC General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis

Also raised with the Speaker, Prime Minister and Opposition Leader was the matter of the amendments to the Income Tax

Act to facilitate garnishments by the GRA. According to the combined letter which has since been released to the public, “the strong view is held, this is unnecessary based on existing powers and rights of collection.”

It was pointed out that this was one of the more contentious issues that will have to be resolved.

As it relates to the imposition of the Environmental Tax across the board with regards locally produced and bottled products, the trio has since called for the tax to be reconsidered.

It was noted too that the “tax measures on the mining industry would reverse the benefits from several concessions and should be removed since the concern is that the additional taxes would be a burden and disincentive to participating and upholding standards required in the sector.

On Friday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan in his rebuttal to arguments to the debates on the 2017

National Estimates in the National Assembly lashed out at the private sector for its vociferous public outcries, accusing them of seemingly being only inter-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

ested in concessions.

“Everybody wants concession but they never tell you how much more jobs will be created,” or taxes to be paid, saying the process is “not a numbers game, this is serious business and everybody knows like prices,

concessions are sticky: once you give them it is difficult to take it back,” Jordan had proclaimed. the Finance Minister recalled: “I told the private sector since last year, don’t come to me for concessions… Don’t come to me for concessions, I don’t believe in concessions.”

According to Jordan, concessions are sought by those only with sectional interest.

Instead he insisted on a “tax code that is uniformed and uniformly applied.”

Repeatedly singling out the PSC for criticism, the minister said there were already provisions in the laws for concessions and still there are demands so, “how can you take such people seriously?”

The minister continued his tirade against the Private Sector Commission and recalled that during a recent function hosted by the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA), he was forced to use as example a foreign investor.

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SunDAY, december 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

No Cabinet reshuffle in 2017 – President Granger

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fter making several changes to the structure of the Ministerial Cabinet at the beginning of this year, President David Granger has announced that there will be no such reshuffling going into 2017.

The Head of State made this announcement during this week’s ‘The Public Interest’ programme, where he said he will be heading into the New Year with the current component of Cabinet Members, saying that this is the best Cabinet that is possible for his Administration.

"They work very hard and I’m very happy to

work with them in the New Year… The team has remained intact, although the functions have modified and I feel very confident going into 2017 with the same team,” he stated.

President Granger reflected on the two main ministerial changes he made at the beginning of this year, which was the establishment of the Natural Resources and Public Telecommunications Ministries. He noted that he is pleased with the work the two Ministries have done over the past year.

“I think everybody is satisfied with

President David Granger and his Cabinet

the performance of (Telecommunications) Minister Cathy Hughes; she has taken a completely new Ministry and she has moved it forward. It is now central to the new agenda,” he posited.

Hughes was previously Tourism Minister – that Ministry has since been merged with the Business Ministry, headed by Minister Dominic Gaskin.

Meanwhile, the Head of State noted that the changes made regarding natural resources will allow the subject Minister Raphael Trotman, to focus primarily on that sector. Previously, Trotman was given the portfolio of Governance Minister with responsibility of Natural Resources and the Environment.

“He is now strictly responsible for natural resources. I’ve created a Department of the Environment so he’s not responsible for both the extraction of minerals and the protection of the environment,” the Guyanese leader posited.

Furthermore, the

President told reporters during the programme that he is satisfied with the performance of his Ministers, noting that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Cabinet is made up of representatives from the six different parties which form the coalition that got it into of-

fice, with each party represented at the ministerial level.

While the Head of State seem to be pleased with the work of his Cabinet, there have been several calls for the dismissal of certain Government Ministers who found themselves marred in controversies.

One such case is the controversial rental of a pharmaceutical bond at Sussex Street in Georgetown.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton had come under mounted criticisms over the facility, which is billing Government in excess of $14 million per month. Only this past week, the matter rose again when an impromptu visit to the facility by a delegation set up by the Speaker of the National Assembly revealed that no

actual drugs or pharmaceuticals were found there.

The items being stored included condoms, lubricants, IUD (intrauterine device) insertion kits, umbilical cord clamps and a CT scanner to be placed at the Bartica Hospital.

Another controversy involving a Government Minister occurred earlier this year when Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence had supported an alleged child molester who had contested, and was elected in his constituency, during the March 2016 Local Government Elections.

This issue sparked much public outrage, particularly among rights groups and activists who staged several protests outside the Ministry calling for Lawrence to be removed from office. (Vanhu

Manikchand)

Linden seeks large-scale investments with China

O

fficials of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) are seeking the possibility of future collaborations with China in a move that supports largescale investments within Linden and other parts of the Region.

In the quest to foster opportunities between the Region and China, Regional Chairman Renis Morian and Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland met with representatives of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, including Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission Yang Chenqi and Comprehensive Office Director Jianguo Mao for discussions at the Watooka Complex, Linden.

During the meeting,

Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy, Yang Chenqi accepts a proposal for a Youth Arts Project from Regional Chairman Renis Morian. Also in photo are Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland and Linden Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindell

Holland and Morian urged the Chinese delegation to support the development of the Linden economy through youth development and employment, large-

scale agriculture (organic farming) and manufacturing, businesses as well as infrastructure. turn to page 15

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SunDAY, december 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

The prophet disavowed extremism

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he most urgent topic today among Muslims and non-Muslims alike is the “Islamic extremism” that threatens the security and safety of the world. The term is an oxymoron when taken in the context of the Holy Quran and the life of The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Islam has always disavowed extremism.

The Prophet’s birthday, Youman Nabi, will be celebrated tomorrow. It is a good time to reflect on Ryhaan Shah the legacy he left behind by founding one of the world’s great religions, Islam, a religion that has been hijacked by terrorists, and whose teachings and texts are conveniently edited and taken out of context to justify barbaric acts.

The critics who try to prove that Islam and the Prophet Mohamed preached and taught terrorism always use carefully edited versions of Quranic texts or quotes from various hadiths whether they are about jihad, holy war, or about medieval beliefs and practices that dictate a low status for women.

Hadiths are anecdotal accounts of the words and actions of the Holy Prophet. There are hundreds of them; all compiled well over 100 years after the death of Mohammed. Just as many can be quoted to justify brutalities, there are as many more that contradict those anecdotes.

The hadiths are always subordinate to Quranic texts, but critics and terrorists alike use them liberally to bolster their arguments and actions. In fact, Islamic scholars have written books and numerous articles that debunk the myths of barbarism attached to Mohamed and Islam, but these persist because there is a ready audience who want to believe the worst about Muslims and their religion.

The continued brutalities of the terrorists also give credence to the anecdotal texts when nothing could be further from the truth if the Quran is read in context and in its entirety as was intended.

The Holy Quran is clear on permitting the use of force only in self-defence which is not dissimilar to the laws of civilised Western countries. Chapter 2 Verse 190 of the Quran states: “You may fight in the cause of God against those who attack you, but do not aggress. God does not like the aggressors.”

In Chapter 17 Verse 33, the Quran states: “You shall not kill any person – for God has made life sacred – except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice.”

In Chapter 4 Verse 90, the Quran states: “ …. If they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then God gives you no excuse to fight them.”

The idea of Islam being a religion that sanctions a holy war to spread the religion is also debunked by the Quran itself.

In Chapter 2 Verse 256, the Quran states: “There shall be no compulsion in religion …” and underlines this statement further in Chapter 18 Verse 29: “Proclaim: ‘This is the truth from your Lord’, then whoever wills let him believe, and whoever wills let him disbelieve.”

The Quran, and the life and sayings of the Holy Prophet himself are the best antidote to any argument for extremism.

Mohammed’s example of compassion, and his support for universal religious freedom and education represents the best possible path to counter the terrorism which is founded on ignorance about Islam and on gross misinterpretations of the Holy Quran.

The Prophet was once heard to declare: “The cure for ignorance is to question.” The extremists do not ever question but follow corrupt clerics blindly. They can actually be viewed as an extreme group of the populism of intolerance and hate that has gripped the US, Britain and other European countries where people willingly follow political leaders who are making over intolerance and divisiveness into a message of righteous patriotism that condones attacks on immigrants, refugees, and non-whites.

In one of the most famous stories that portray the Prophet’s deep respect for the belief of others, he gave his permission for the Christian tribe of Najran, who were visiting him in Medina, to use the mosque to offer their prayers.

This is not the Prophet of extremists and as Muslims the world over celebrate the life of the Prophet Mohammed it is an opportune moment for everyone to pledge to unite against all forms of corruption and extremism and to try and counter these with education and justice, and with respect for each other.

Such a world is the goal not only of Islam but of Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and every other faith that teaches us to be the best of humankind.

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

Catholic Church says nation on wrong path …concerned over increased threats to reconciliation

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he Roman Catholic Church in Guyana has expressed concern over the increased threats to reconciliation at the political level and called on the political leaders to address the situation comprehensively.

Particularly, the Catholic Church called on President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to engage in talks to start the process of healing the nation.

The Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of the Catholic Church in a statement on Friday noted that these growing threats to reconciliation and trust are signs that Guyana continues to suffer from increased levels of injustice and violence as a result of our inability to reconcile from earlier pain, inclusive of political and social pain.

The JPC observed that the nation is on the wrong path, part and parcel because of the Hamilton Green Pension Bill 2016; the D’Urban Park accountability scandal; the controversial rental of the pharmaceutical “bond”; the audit reports for partisan and personal gain; the exorbitant salary

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

increases for ministers; the melting down of GuySuCo; the Baishanlin-gate; and the manner in which the Dr Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry was initiated and concluded.

Also worrying is the tone of the debates in Parliament and the exchanges among the country’s lawmakers.

“As much as the content of the disputes causes worry, more worrying is the tone of those disputes.

Those who have attended Parliament will know of the undignified and unproductive manner in which the people’s business is conducted. While Parliamentarians

are obliged to listen and represent the views of their constituents, the inability to reconcile differences across the aisle serves to further alienate and frustrate the people,” the JPC said.

The body posited that the common wish of the people for peaceful coexistence must not be ignored but rather built on: “Our people are weary of the scandals and growing in scepticism of political processes and our leaders. Given the amount of taxpayer funds being spent on political, justice, security and other public systems, Guyana’s levels of suicide, migration, vio-

lence and corruption suggest a massive failure on the part of our leaders.”

In this regard, the Catholic Church calls on President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to put differences aside in the interest of the nation.

“The onus is squarely on the shoulders of our political leaders to address this situation comprehensively. JPC calls on the President and Leader of the Opposition to engage each other and agree on a programme of healing that will relieve the nation of its pain and lead us to the promised land of trust in each other. JPC believes this programme of healing must include constitutional and political party reform, and improved social cohesion and ethnic relations,” the Church stated.

The JPC is inviting all people of faith to pray for the nation and its leaders and urged every citizen to reject political efforts to further divide the country.

The Commission also encouraged the citizenry to hold the political leaders more accountable for their performance on the country’s behalf.

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SunDAY, DECember 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana’s first Digital Wealth Summit opens next year

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life-changing journey awaits at the upcoming Digital Wealth Summit next year.

With technology rapidly evolving, Guyana will be hosting its first ever Digital Wealth Creation Summit where global and local internet marketing experts and online entrepreneurs will enlighten participants on avenues for capitalising on basic technology to increase revenue generation.

The event will be hosted by the Masterclass Institute on February 4, 2017, at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, at 13:00h.

The Masterclass Institute, founded by Dr Rosh Khan, offers an entrepreneurial programme aimed at changing the way entrepreneurs approach business creation and development by providing aspiring, budding and existing entrepreneurs with the toolkit needed to transform any business venture into a success.

Dr Rosh Khan

According to Dr Khan, the Digital Summit will show attendees exactly how to use technology to make legitimate and life-changing money with the internet.

“This is not a preview seminar that teaches ‘thewhat-without-the-how.’ We are starting a movement and you’ll learn exactly how to create new revenue streams - whether you’re now starting out or whether you’re taking your established business to the next level. One

of our core features is showing you a real-life case study of how to make G$1 million in a single day - through the internet, from Guyana,” he stated.

He underscored that it is imperative for Guyanese to understand all the elements to creating digital profits by tapping into the global demand for virtual service, promising that the knowledge shared at the Summit has the power to change the economic landscape of Guyana.

Speakers will include Dr Khan, renowned Internet Marketer Chris Farrell, and Transformation Coach Seth Larrabee.

Dr Khan has worked in digital media for the last five years, working with global companies such as Starbucks, Armani Exchange, and Ford Motor Company. He has also

served local clients that include News Room, Bounty Supermarkets, Parliament of Guyana, IPED, ANSA McAL, Southland International, and the Ministry of Business.

Meanwhile, topics to be covered at the Summit will include how persons can secure local and international business opportunities online and get paid in Guyana, how to win big with mobile and make money even when you are not around, why websites are dying and what every business owner should have instead, among others.

Given that this is a ticketed event, seats will be limited as complimentary tickets are available. In order to secure a ticket, interested persons can visit www.masterclassinstitute.online/ticket or www.roshkhan.com/ticket.

Younge’s Take An open letter to Uncle Jordan O

n May 11, 2015, thousands of Guyanese supported your A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition Government because throughout the land there was a yearning for more positive socio-economic change and a higher standard of life.

Citizens felt they had had enough of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and its scandals. They felt that that party needed to be punished and taught a valuable lesson that would see it undergoing massive reforms and never taking for granted again the amount of loyalty and trust placed in it by the populace.

In short, they wanted to give a Michael Younge new political party and President a chance at managing the affairs of the country with a mandate to bolster social cohesion and fight against endemic systemic racism. Citizens had hoped that your political party would roll out visionary policies that would inevitably lead to poverty reduction and higher levels of equality. They also hoped that your party could reach a political deal or treaty that would see national unity, healing and reconciliation becoming a reality sometime in the near future.

It is also important to note that citizens believed in your Government’s promise of a better life defined by higher levels of disposable income; meaningful constitutional reforms; better roads, schools, and bridges; improved access to quality and affordable healthcare; an unwavering commitment to high levels of transparency and accountability as a result of better governance and less corruption; lower levels of crime and higher and swifter levels of justice and public order.

Those were the conditions on which the citizenry agreed to change its appetite from the PPP which it was still comfortable with despite the many blunders over the past 23 years.

But today, your Government has failed to deliver many of its promises made during the 2015 elections campaign. Your coalition has also breached the social contract it entered with the populace in May of that very year. It would appear that once you and your colleague Ministers access Governmental power, there was an abandonment of reason, good faith, due process and political conviction.

While the citizenry would have forgiven some of your most egregious missteps over the past year and a half, they cannot do so in the case of Budget 2017.

Uncle Jordan, your budget as crafted could have catastrophic consequences on the poor, the vulnerable, the disabled and the sick if not withdrawn. The Tax measures contained in the estimates are not only unpopular and harsh but inconsistent with the good life you promised.

While the citizenry acknowledges the explanation you offered on Friday for tabling such a brutish budget, it is disappointed that you appear to be blaming your Government’s decision on advice and recommendations from studies. It is also unfortunate that you believe if Government widens its revenue base via higher levels of repressive domestic tax measures that you will be able to grow the economy, create wealth and deliver a better life for citizens.

The truth is, no one in this country believes that your economic formula or vision will amount to the change demanded in May 2015. In fact, it will result in the loss of electoral support, lower levels of domestic and foreign direct investment, a sluggish and uninspired private sector, lower levels of economic growth, higher levels of crime and unprecedented levels of tax evasion.

The citizenry is disappointed that the ministers did not create “fiscal space” by taking pay cuts and living lesser luxurious lives.

It is disappointed too that you did not create “fiscal space” by cutting back on the exorbitant salaries paid to your advisors, exmilitary allies, contract workers and other party loyalists within your coalition Government who are now feeding off of the scarifies made by the poor and law abiding citizens as well as professionals of this country.

It is also shocking that you did not see it fit to scrap all of those controversial procurement contracts that you have entered into since May 2015 with selected business personnel with the worst being the bottom house drug bond that was “urgently” rented for over $100M a year to store medicines and pharmaceuticals but which only stores condoms and lubricants at the moment.

Uncle Jordan, we expected you to deliver on your promise to further lift the threshold to $100,000; to increase Old Age Pension to $30,000; to further reduce the cost of electricity by at least 5% after negotiating with GPL; to operationalize the construction of Amelia Falls; to finance a robust crime fighting plan to further defend us; to pay doctors, nurses and teachers a special salary for their commitment to their trade in troubling times; to roll out a turnaround plan for starving sugar workers and rice farmers; to activate your ministerial code of conduct in order to discipline Aunty Volda, Simona, Amna and Valrie-sharpe. The other Uncles are too many to mention; We wanted more sports facilities, a completely funded youth policy, more community centres and more investments.

Remember Uncle Jordan, stricter the Government wiser the population. Elections coming and I hope you and Uncle Granger are ready not for the press but the people.

Yours truly, Michael the Messenger

15 Ending of operations at Wales Estate nears news

SunDAY, DECember 11, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com

– Agriculture Minister says land prep for rice cultivation ongoing

W

ith just weeks before the end of 2016, sugar workers face an uncertain future as factory operations at Wales Sugar Estate, West Bank Demerara, will indeed come to a halt. This was reaffirmed by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, who told Guyana Times on Saturday that December 31 is in fact the date at which sugar operations at the estate will cease.

“No worker in the factory will be continuing service at Wales; the crop has to finish at Wales by December 31, 2016,” the Agriculture Minister stated.

When asked about a possible extension of operations, Minister Holder indicated that hold-over canes from the shut-off date will be milled the next day, New Year’s Day but stressed that it is intended that the crop would wrap up by the scheduled year-end deadline.

“Whatever is left over [after] 31st December could be milled on the first of January,” he stated. According to Holder, the lands controlled by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) are already being prepared to convert for rice cultivation; an industry which has seen challenges with the collapse of guaranteed markets.

The current land preparation follows the Sugar Corporation’s announcement in September that it intended to convert some 485 acres of its lands at

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

Wales Estate into rice cultivation. Holder further informed this newspaper that plans are in the pipeline for remaining lands to be converted for planting “other crops” when lands for sugarcane cultivation are longer operable.

“Things are happening as we speak... presently there is preparation of lands for rice cultivation ongoing while other lands will be converted into other crops in due course,” Holder stated.

When the Minister was questioned on specific plans for the other crops, he declined to respond to a stipulated timeframe in which cultivation will commence but however expressed that these questions are better suited for the Sugar Corporation.

In February, the Minister had told the National Assembly that the sugar factory would be converted into

Linden seeks large-scale... from page 12

Emphasising the Linden to Lethem road and other opportunities presented through the 2017 Budget, the Regional leaders also sought assistance in securing investments.

During the discourse, Holland stated that there is an opportunity for a railway from Linden to Brazil, while he urged the delegation to seek investors in this regard.

"Because once you have the rail then you have the Brazilians coming through; we'll have more export and so it can be a major investment for the Chinese in Linden," he noted. He highlighted that the Chinese Embassy is the second in recent times to formally engage the community in the area of business cooperation.

Meanwhile, Morian said the meeting speaks volumes in that there is interest in the Region. He noted however that the lack of jobs for young people is one of the main social issues in the Region. As such, he said that in creating initiatives the focus is on job creation, outlining that one of the effects is migration of the Region's youths.

"We talked about the road to Lethem...the air-

strip and so many other developmental activities. Our focus really is to deal with the high unemployment rate of Region 10. We're encouraging investors to come to Region 10...There's security here, we have a large trained workforce...Even the women in Region 10 are willing to work...I'm happy for the visit by the Chinese delegation...Based on the trip we've had in China we would like to replicate what we've seen, in Region 10," he said.

Chenqi said that with a history of bauxite mining, there is a successful story which provides a successful start to future cooperation.

The Chinese team were also assured of security should they invest in the community.

Following the discourse, Morian handed over a proposal for a Youth Arts Project for the Region to Chenqi.

Also present and engaged in the discussion was Deputy Mayor of Linden Waneka Arindell, representatives of Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) and E Division Commander Fazil Karimbaksh. (Utamu Belle)

a business establishment that will see the rearing of poultry and other livestock.

In the interview on Saturday, he reasoned that sugar workers attached to Wales are being “taken care of” since those who selected severance packages have received their payments and remaining sugar workers will be transferred to Uitvlugt Sugar Estate, on the West Coast of Demerara.

“For the workers who opted for severance, they have been paid off. $18 million was paid in October, the rest [workers] are going across to Uitvlugt,” he expressed.

On February 9, 2016, sugar workers had been given a three-day ultimatum to sign an agreement indicating whether they opted to receive a severance package from Government or be transferred to Uitvlugt Sugar Estate. These discussions did not include discussions with the Guyana Agricultural and General

The end of sugar operation at Wales: The final curtains will be drawn on December 31

Workers Union (GAWU); and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). This situation led to a May 6 injunction preventing the payment of severance packages and months-long High Court battle which was recently settled thus paving the way for workers to receive their benefits after discussions with workers was held with union consultations. Many sugar workers had select-

ed this option, having citied their grievances over travelling to Uitvlugt. Workers who reside in communities along the East Bank of Demerara were widely against the transfer as their commute to Wales was noted as convenient.

GAWU maintained over the last 11 months that it has long been in the dark over the Wales conversion plans, noting that GuySuCo has offered little explanation on the future of many

of the workers. GAWU also registered concern over the affected families of over a 1000 workers.

The closure of the estate by yearend has affected some 1700 workers directly and thousands of persons in the Wales and surrounding communities indirectly. The decision to close the entity was confirmed by Government in January 2016 after Guyana Times broke the news earlier that month. (Shemuel Fanfair)

16

news

SunDAY, december 11, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Not all deportees are “ruthless criminals” – Granger

P

resident David Granger has posited that not all deportee Guyanese are criminals, hence many of them have the opportunity of reintegrating into society.

He explained that all deportation cases are different and while there are those who are sent back to the country after serving time for heinous crimes committed abroad, there are some ‘involuntary migrants’ who were probably deported for minor offences such immigration breaches.

“We mustn’t assume that all deportees are ruthless criminals and they don’t have relatives here, some of them will be fully integrated… So it’s a case by case basis, not one size fits all,” the President told reporters during this week’s televised programme – The Public Interest.

The Guyanese Leader noted that there is currently no structured plan in place to help deportees reintegrate into the Guyanese society, there are systems in place whereby these persons are recognised by the Ministry of

President David Granger

Citizenship.

He noted that the ministry ensures that each deportee is interviewed and the circumstances which led to their deportation, once carefully examined, will decide how those cases are treated. The Head of State added too that the Citizenship Ministry is working along with the Police Force and Foreign Affairs Ministry to monitor and assist the involuntary migrants reintegrate.

“But we are concerned… we certainly don’t want any of our citizens to be destitute and we want to make sure

they are integrated back into society so that they can live useful lives,” he explained.

On Tuesday last, United States officials handed over to local law enforcement 20 Guyana nationals who were deported after having served jail time for a range of offences. These involuntary migrants had been convicted for offences including homicide, robberies, possession of illegal firearms, drug trafficking and rape.

The Guyana Police Force is expected to monitor the convicted deportees. In fact, they were informed before being freed that they would have to report to specific police stations on a regular basis as part of the monitoring process.

Caribbean governments have complained bitterly over the years about nationals being deported to their country of birth without much information provided as to their medical and criminal backgrounds and even more importantly, some form of support regarding their smooth integration into their home countries.

In fact, President David Granger last month had expressed some level of concern with regards to Guyana’s ability to handle the influx of Guyanese convicted for serious and violent crimes being deported from the US and other countries.

The President has stated that Government will be looking to work with its US security counterparts with a view to being notified when such persons are being deported to Guyana.

Granger conceded that there is still some degree of narco-trafficking in Guyana in addition to execution-type murders and, “we don’t want to have people coming back here who contribute to that form of criminality.”

“We want to be better prepared,” the President said, as he disclosed that the issue is something the Public Security Ministry is aware of.

According to President Granger: “We will have to put measures in place to ensure deportees do not try to perpetrate crimes when they get back here but it is something we must prepare for.”

Anna's

Even the First Lady is asking for money by

Anna Correia

L

ast week Guyanese were faced with the harsh reality of Budget 2017 which has been imposed upon us by the Government, without consideration for the hardships that accompany our developing society. We watched as the Coalition members and Opposition parliamentarians engaged in a budget debate which, if Anna Correia it weren’t for the expensive fancy suits that most of us cannot afford, was comparable to a melee of pigs. Shame and defeat were perhaps the most stabbing sentiments of disempowerment felt, during a debate which gave the Government another opportunity to barefacedly invent the merits of its anti-poor budget, barricading the Opposition with rhetoric and accusations of failure and deceit.

The deliberations on Amerindian development were unsubstantiated by the absence of sustainable measures to secure generational progress. As we listened to Garrido-Lowe blandly read a policy deprived speech, we were jolted from our ennui at one of the most absurd proposals she has yet advanced in the House: Amerindian Hinterland Scholarship Students are now going to learn to speak English by playing Scrabble and would enhance their knowledge in maths by playing chess!

This is what policy makers of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry and its Projects Department have laid before the nation on December 7, 2016. While Ramjattan plans on doing the job of the Social Protection Ministry by educating some 4000 “troubled youths” through capacity building initiatives and night classes, Amerindians seem to have nothing to look forward to beyond Scrabble and chess in 2017.

Later Allicock endorsed his habitual costume of political marionette and spent a good portion of his venomous speech speaking of “segregation” and “induced servitude” by the previous administration, while usurping the credit of the Public Infrastructure Ministry for apparently building better roads.

He took pride in announcing the extension of the Amerindian Land Titling Project by two full years, which hopefully, will overcome the failures incurred in attaining project objectives under his leadership. However, he cautiously avoided to address the impact of VAT and the increases in prices for goods and services (announced by several companies last week) on Hinterland inhabitants. He also detracted from accounting for the outstanding HEYS payments to beneficiaries in several regions and made no allusion to higher education and job opportunities for young Amerindians.

Neither Ministers presented innovative plans for the future development of their people.

Inevitably, those who will feel the backlash of the aggressive, crack-down measures of Budget 2017 are the poorest of our society, a category in which many Amerindian communities find themselves. And although there might be plans from other Government agencies to develop the Hinterland, MoIPA in itself is reluctant to go beyond short-lived handouts to invest in its people’s future. It doesn’t matter that the massive tax increases will provide extra spending money come 2017, to amply allow for creativity.

But another who feels that taxes aren’t enough to satisfy the whims of the Government is the First Lady herself, Her Excellency Sandra Granger. Mrs Granger has summoned minions to collect Christmas donations of at least US$1000 from each foreign embassy present in Guyana, to assist her husband in funding bicycles (under the many 3-B programme). There was even a ceremony scheduled for 11:30h on December 6 at the Iwokrama Office in Georgetown, to honour these donations.

Never mind that some foreign agencies aren’t authorised to deliver monetary donations, because diplomacy entailed that some Ambassadors find the money anyway, even if it had to come from their pockets! Tax on the diplomatic corps?! Even Guyanese civil society has serious competition now!

The architects of Budget 2017 may envisage great plans for Guyana, but these are disproportionate in comparison to what Guyanese people can afford. The austerity measures announced threaten Guyana with poverty, and the condemnation of this budget by both the people and the Private Sector should have been interpreted by now as a warning for the coalition to review its spending habits. But instead, the APNU/AFC has chosen to ignore the will of the people, and in so doing demonstrated its intolerance for inclusive and participatory governance.

In so doing, it has definitively fallen from grace. Contact sundayarrow@gmail.com

guyanatimesgy.com

sunDAY, december 11, 2016

Regional

Nobel Peace Prize: Santos calls for ‘rethink’ of war on drugs

T

he President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, has used his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech to call for the world to “rethink” the war on drugs.

He said the zero-tolerance policy might be “even more harmful” than all the other wars being fought worldwide.

Santos’ government and the country’s biggest rebel group, the FARC, signed a peace deal last month. The conflict it ends has killed more than 260,000 people and left millions internally displaced.

Accepting the prize for his efforts in the peace pro-

“From my own experience... it is much harder to make peace than to wage war,” Santos said

cess, Santos paid tribute to the families of victims of the conflict. He said the “great paradox” of peacemaking was that “the victims are the

Jamaica calls for strengthened ties, renewal within ACP group

J

amaica’s Foreign Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith has called for greater cohesion among the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), in order to meet the challenges of a changing global environment.

Speaking at the 104th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers in Brussels, Belgium, last week, Minister Johnson Smith noted that the world and context within which the 40-year-old ACP was created has changed considerably, “requiring that the ACP itself undergo its own metamorphosis”.

The Minister urged the group to redouble its efforts to bridge the gap in political, economic, social and cultur-

al cooperation among its 79 member countries in order to strengthen intra-ACP collaboration.

The Council discussed the future of the organisation and its relationship with the European Union when the Cotonou Partnership Agreement expires in 2020.

Jamaica has benefited significantly from EU development assistance over the years under this framework.

Minister Johnson Smith indicated Jamaica’s support for the negotiation of another legally binding agreement between the ACP and the EU, with a focus on sustainable development, peace, security and stability, inclusive development cooperation, and global public goods.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

17

ones who are most willing to forgive, to reconcile and to face the future with a heart free of hate”.

In a deviation from his

prepared remarks, he asked the representatives of the victims present to stand and be recognised for their own efforts in the peace process, to much applause.

He has previously pledged to donate the prize money – eight million Swedish krona (US$925,000) – to help the conflict’s victims. “I have served as a leader in times of war – to defend the freedom and the rights of the Colombian people – and I have served as a leader in times of making peace,” he said. “Allow me to tell you, from my own experience, that it is much harder to make peace than to wage war.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Venezuela seizes 4M toys to distribute to poor children as Christmas gifts

T

he Venezuelan Government has seized nearly four million toys from a private company and says it will hand them out as Christmas gifts for poor children.

The country’s fair pricing authority seized the toys on Friday from three warehouses run by Kreisel, Venezuela’s largest toy distributor. Two company executives were detained on suspicion of promoting price speculation.

Agency director William Contreras alleged that Kreisel under-reported its inventory in order to sell some toys at higher prices.

Contreras said the seizure would teach companies “that you can’t play with the rights of Venezuelans”.

Kreisel has not commented officially beyond responding to Twitter messages of support.

Authorities said local supply committees would be in charge of distributing the toys “fairly”. Venezuela has been racked by a deep economic crisis, accompanied by shortages of goods ranging from food staples to medicine.

In recent days, President Nicolás Maduro ordered stores to lower their prices between 30 per cent and 50 per cent. (The Guardian)

Second suspect in Brazilian soccer team air crash put in jail

B

olivian authorities have jailed the second suspect accused of wrongdoing in the air crash that wiped out Brazil’s Chapacoense soccer team last month, prosecutors said on Saturday.

Gustavo Vargas Villegas, a former official with Bolivia’s aviation authority was arrested and will be held until trial on charges that he misused his influence in authorising the licence of the Bolivian plane that crashed in Colombia while taking the team to Medellin for the Copa Sudamericana.

His father, Gustavo Vargas Gamboa, former Chief Executive of the LaMia charter airline company, was jailed Thursday pending trial on charges including manslaughter over the November 28 crash.

Gustavo Vargas Villegas of the DGAC is arrested by Police Officers, following last month’s crash of charter airline LaMia into the Colombian jungle that killed players from the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense, in La Paz, Bolivia, December 8, 2016

Both have said they are innocent. “I am innocent.

I did not authorise the operating licences,” Vargas

Villegas told reporters on Friday. Vargas Gamboa said on Thursday: “The prosecutors are a bunch of liars.”

The accident killed 71 people after the plane apparently ran out of fuel, shocking the global soccer community and sparking questions about why the aircraft would have tried to make the international flight with what looks to have been less than the required amount of fuel in its tanks.

“The prosecution has collected statements and evidence showing the participation of the accused in the crimes of misusing influence, conduct incompatible with public office and breach of duties,” La Paz District Attorney Edwin Blanco told reporters, referring to the Vargas Villegas. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Venezuela reportedly shipping US$34M IDB loan for B’dos energy security arms to Hezbollah

I

ran and Syria are not the only nations sending missiles and rockets to Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to a reliable source in Panama, who has been monitoring similar shipments from Venezuela.

Iran has been shipping arms, including Shabab 3 missiles, to Venezuela for several years, though most Western Hemisphere governments would prefer that this not become public knowledge, because there might be a call to remove them.

The close relationship between Iran’s rulers, and the late Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s former President, resulted in multiple deliveries of missiles, ostensibly for defence against a feared American invasion, but

in truth as a stockpile of arms for the future.

The Government of Venezuela and Hezbollah have maintained a close relationship for years, and there is a large contingent of Hezbollah agents working inside Venezuela.

When Shi’ite Lebanese civilians needed cash to rebuild the homes that were damaged or destroyed during the Second Lebanon War, it was Venezuela that shipped US dollars into Syria, using civilian business jets. The money was later transported, via surface routes, into Hezbollah-controlled areas of eastern Lebanon, and there after handed out publicly to civilians.

There are regular shipments of civilian goods from Venezuelan ports to Beirut, and hiding arms

B

The Shahab-3 is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Iran

within those freighters, some of which are registered in Lebanon, is most

likely a continuing operation. (Excerpt from Caribbean

News Now)

arbados is moving to improve its energy security and diversify the island’s energy mix with a US$34 million InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) loan.

The project will aid Barbados in transitioning to a cleaner energy future, meeting its current natural gas demands, and contributing to the creation of a regional Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply chain.

The loan will enhance Barbados’ energy security and sustainability by diversifying its energy mix through promoting the use of cleaner fuels for power generation, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and increasing energy efficient applications by Barbados’ Government and Private Sector.

The Barbadian

Government’s priorities in the electricity sector include reducing electricity prices, increasing energy security, using cleaner fuels, and reducing negative environmental impacts. Barbados aims to have renewable energy contribute 65 per cent of total peak electrical demand by 2030 and to achieve a 22 per cent reduction in electricity consumption by 2029.

The project will finance improvements to the island’s existing natural gas infrastructure to ensure natural gas service continuity.

The loan will increase energy efficiency and renewable energy applications within the National Petroleum Corporation’s (NPC) and Barbados National Oil Company Limited’s (BNOCL) operations to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, December 11, 2016

Around the World

Exxon CEO 'may be US Deaths reported in blasts in Turkey's Istanbul Secretary of State'

E

Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson

xxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson has met President-elect Donald Trump amid growing speculation that he is being considered for US secretary of state.

NBC News quotes sources close to Trump as saying that Tillerson is likely to be named next week.

Former UN ambassador

John Bolton will serve as his deputy, NBC adds.

The news comes as Trump's team challenged the accuracy of intelligence reports that Russia intervened to boost his election prospects.

Veteran Republican Mitt Romney is among others who have also also been linked to the role of secre-

tary of state.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani withdrew himself from consideration for the post last week.

Giuliani's foreign business dealings had raised questions over his suitability.

Tillerson, 64, has extensive experience in international negotiations and a business relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has been a critic of the international sanctions against Russia for annexing Crimea.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump's presidential transition team took issue with CIA assessments that said Russia had attempted to assist Trump during the November election by releasing hacked emails harmful to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

T

wo explosions have hit the Turkish city of Istanbul, killing at least 13 people and wounding 20 others, according to news reports.

Police have evacuated the area around the Besiktas football arena following Saturday's explosions, which the interior ministry called a "terrorist" car bomb attack.

A second explosion occurred at a nearby park.

Reuters news agency cited security sources as saying 13 people were killed.

The arena is located across the historic Dolmabahce Palace overlooking the Bosphorus Strait.

Al Jazeera's Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul, said all the roads leading to the arena have been closed to the public.

The blasts occurred two hours after a football match at the Besiktas Vodafone arena

Public transportation were also suspended, she said.

She said the blasts occurred about two hours after a football match attended by thousands of people at the Besiktas Vodafone arena. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. But Fadi Hakura, a security analyst, told Al Jazeera said the attack has all the hallmarks of a PKK operation.

A video posted on Twitter captured the moment of the explosion. The Turkish broadcaster NTV says the blasts targeted police vehicle leaving the arena after fans had already dispersed following a football match.

Turkey has experienced a bloody year of attacks in its two biggest cities that have left dozens dead and put the country on high alert. (Excerpt

from Al Jzaaera)

Swaraj undergoes ‘successful’ Death toll in Bulgarian cargo kidney transplant at AIIMS train explosion climbs to 7

I

ndia’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj underwent a “successful” kidney transplant at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday morning.

“The surgery was successful and there were no complications. The Minister and the donor have been kept under observation,” AIIMS Director, Dr MC

Mishra said.

The 64-year-old minister was admitted to the hospital on November 7 with kidney failure and was undergoing dialysis.

A 50-member team consisting of surgeons, anaesthetists and critical care specialists, performed the nearly six-hour-long surgery. Swaraj and the donor were shifted to the ICU in

the cardiothoracic centre after they recovered from general anaesthesia, AIIMS said.

After the surgery, President Pranab Mukherjee wished the Union Minister a speedy recovery. “You have forever been a fighter and I am sure it is only a matter of time before you are back at the helm..,” he said in a letter to Swaraj. (Excerpt from Hindustantimes)

The Gambia: troops deployed to streets as president rejects election defeat

T

roops have been deployed to the streets of Banjul, the capital of the Gambia, after the autocratic President, Yahya Jammeh, unexpectedly rejected his defeat in an election last week and called for a fresh vote.

Jammeh had initially accepted the result, ceding power after 22 years, to a coalition led by the Opposition Leader

Adama Barrow. But few observers expected Jammeh to give up control of the small West African country.

The election result – and Jammeh’s acceptance of defeat – was widely seen as a moment of democratic hope on the continent and prompted widespread celebration in the Gambia and elsewhere.

But in an announcement on state TV on Friday,

Jammeh said he had changed his mind and wanted “fresh and transparent elections which will be officiated by a god-fearing and independent electoral commission”.

There was immediate speculation that the autocratic leader’s defiant announcement had been prompted by the prospect of prosecution under the new government.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

Firefighters work on the site where a cargo train derailed and exploded in the village of Hitrino, Bulgaria, December 10, 2016

S

even people were killed in a village in northeastern Bulgaria when a cargo train derailed and exploded, demolishing about 50 houses and public buildings, officials said on Saturday.

Several dozens were injured and at least five of the victims remain in critical

condition in hospital, health authorities said.

Bulgaria's Government said it is preparing to announce Monday a day of national mourning following the deadly incident.

Twelve of the private train's tanks, carrying propylene, very volatile and highly flammable gas, de-

railed at the rail station of the village. One of the tanks struck a high-power line and exploded in flames early on Saturday, Police said.

The powerful blast flattened dozens of houses and public buildings, leaving people under the ruins.

Officials ordered a full evacuation of the village so that the propylene can be safely removed. Specialists are conducting an operation to transfer gas from the tanks of the train at the center of the blast.

"The draining of tanks is a very complex and slow process," outgoing Prime Minister Boiko Borisov a few hours after arriving at the village, some 380 km northeast of the capital Sofia and home to around 1000 people, according to a police official.

"It should be done very carefully." The operation is expected to take a day or two to complete. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Kirk Douglas celebrates 100 with a Indonesia quake: Number of homeless soars to 43,000 star-studded birthday part

K

irk Douglas celebrated his 100th birthday with a party attended by some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

His son, Michael Douglas, and daughter-inlaw, Catherine Zeta-Jones, were in attendance, as well as other members from the Douglas clan, including Michael and Catherine’s two children, Dylan Michael and Carys Zeta.

About 135 guests arrived to a private room in the Beverly Hills Hotel on Friday before later gathering at tables named after some of his favourite films. Kirk’s family table was named, “Lonely Are the Brave.”

His son, Michael, kicked

Kirk Douglas celebrated his 100th birthday, with family and friends. In picture, he is kissed by his son, Michael Douglas, and daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta-Jones

off the speeches, saying, “I owe a lot of my career and success to him,” and remembering how his father gave

the reins of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to him when Kirk couldn’t make a deal on it.

Michael also played tribute to his stepmother, Anne, who has been married to Kirk for 62 years.

“She was never the wicked stepmother. My father wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for Anne,” he said.

He also added an emotional message to his father, “He is always asking about what kind of father he was. Dad, you are an amazing, amazing father.”

The party ended at about 5 p.m., but not before Kirk’s cardiologist, Dr. PK Shah, handed him a large glass of vodka that he’d promised Kirk years ago when he’d forbidden the actor from drinking alcohol. (Excerpt from Yahoo!

News)

T

he number of people displaced by a powerful earthquake that hit Indonesia on Wednesday has soared to at least 43,000, emergency officials say.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the scale of the problem was becoming clearer as rescue teams fanned out into the affected areas.

At least 100 people were killed and many more injured when the magnitude 6.5 tremor struck Aceh province. Only on Friday, the number of homeless was still being out at 23,000.

President Joko Widodo visited survivors in hospitals, vowing that communi-

ties would be rebuilt. The agency said humanitarian groups were co-ordinating their efforts from a base in the worst affected district of Pidie Jaya.

"The basic needs of refugees must be met during the evacuation," it said.

About 245 buildings were damaged or destroyed in Pidie Jaya and neighbouring Bireuen district, including homes, shops and mosques.

The powerful quake also cracked roads and disrupted power supplies.

Sniffer dogs were being used again on Saturday to search for bodies and possible survivors in the devastated town of Meureudu.

(BBC News)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2016

19

India v England, 4th Test, Mumbai, 3rd day…

when Root removed Parthiv Patel - who had been critical of the tourists’ spinners in a news conference the previous evening - and Ravichandran Ashwin in quick succession.

However, Kohli’s subsequent reprieve at the hands of Rashid - with India still 85 runs behind proved a turning point as India swiftly regained the initiative.

Rashid did account for Jadeja, who hit one straight up in the air, but Kohli appeared increasingly dominant as the evening session wore on and there was a final kick in the teeth for England when a glove down the leg side from Jayant went unnoticed, with the fielding team having wasted their reviews. (SportsMax)

Virat Kohli roars on reaching his 15th Test hundred © AFP

I

ndia’s skipper benefited from a big break on 68 and went on to rack up 147 as the hosts threatened to inflict maximum damage

turion Murali Vijay (136) after Cheteshwar Pujara had fallen to the second ball of the day, and continued to prosper following a fight-

SCOREBOARD England 1st innings 400 India 1st innings KL Rahul b Ali 24 136 M Vijay c & b Rashid 47 C Pujara b Ball 147 V Kohli* not out K Nair lbw b Ali

13 P Patel† c †Bairstow b Root 15 R Ashwin c Jennings b Root 0 R Jadeja c Buttler b Rashid 25 30 J Yadav not out Extras: (b 5, lb 7, w 2) 14

on England.

Virat Kohli led from the front once again as India opened up a healthy and potentially decisive first-innings lead over England in the fourth Test in Mumbai.

The hosts’ skipper has excelled throughout this fivematch series, which India will win if they avoid defeat at the Wankhede Stadium, and struck 147 not out on Saturday to lift his side to 451-7 in reply to England’s 400.

Kohli put on 116 for the third wicket with fellow cen-

Total : (7 wickets; 142 overs) 451 To bat: B Kumar, UT Yadav Fall of wickets: 1-39 (Rahul, 13.6 ov), 2-146 (Pujara, 52.2 ov), 3-262 (Vijay, 87.4 ov), 4-279 (Nair, 94.1 ov), 5-305 (Patel, 102.4 ov), 6-307 (Ashwin, 104.1 ov), 7-364 (Jadeja, 117.5 ov) Bowling: Anderson 15-5-43-0, Woakes 8-2-34-0, M Ali 45-5-139-2, Rashid 44-5-152-2, Ball 14-5-29-1, Stokes 8-2-24-0, Root 8-2-18-2

back from the tourists in the afternoon session of day three.

Two breakthroughs in as many overs from parttime off-spinner Joe Root left India wobbling at 3076, but the key scalp eluded England as the imperious Kohli moved past 500 runs for the series and 4,000 in Tests.

On a surface continuing to offer plenty of turn, Kohli exhibited some typically glorious strokeplay either side of a scare on 68, when Adil Rashid failed to hold on to a

return chance low to his left.

That missed opportunity provided further frustration for England, who had seen Vijay survive a stumping chance before he had made it to 50 on Friday, and Alastair Cook’s side were left to rue their sloppiness as Kohli shared in respective stands of 57 and 87 with Ravindra Jadeja (25) and Jayant Yadav (30 not out), the latter partnership unbroken at stumps.

Jayant was also dropped, on eight, and survived two reviews either side of India edging ahead.

Although Pujara fell early, bowled by Jake Ball for 47 after shouldering arms to a length delivery that nipped back, there was nothing else for England to celebrate in a morning session that saw Vijay bring up his eighth Test hundred.

The opener successfully reviewed an lbw decision that had gone in favour of Rashid shortly before lunch, but eventually fell to the legspinner - caught and bowled off a full toss with the score on 262.

Karun Nair followed cheaply, lbw to Moeen Ali for 13 following lengthy deliberations from the third umpire, and England had momentum on their side

Digicel Regional four day

Volcanoes, Hurricanes locked in battle

J

amaica Scorpions’ skipper and discarded West Indies spinner Nikita Miller in a stellar bowling performance claimed nine wickets in Trinidad and Tobago Red Force second innings to take his match tally to 12 victims and also became the first bowler to capture 400 wickets in the modern Regional Four Day (1966 onwards) when he dismissed Marlon Richards, his eighth wicket in the Red Force second innings.

Due to Miller’s brilliance the host won the match by 132 runs before the third day was completMan of the match Nikita ed.

Scores in the Miller match reads; Scorpions 1st

innings-314 and 2nd innings 229.

Red Force 1st Innings-206 and 2nd innings 205.

In Dominica, host Windward Volcanoes recovered from 48-7 and further 188-8 to post their highest total of the season 291 all out against Leeward Hurricanes. Skipper Liam Sebastien pave the way with an unbeaten top score of 80, Delorn Johnson, who batted at number ten made 56 while last man Mervin Matthew hit 73.

Gavin Tongue was the pick of the Hurricanes’ bowlers with 5-56 while Alzarri Joseph claimed three wickets.

In reply the visitors closed on 209-9, Montcin Hodge made 76 while Jahmar Hamilton is still at the crease on 77.

Sebastien and Shillingford has so far taken five wickets between them while Matthew took the other wicket to fall.

20

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2016

By Akeem Greene

Beverage Manager Robert Hiscock

T

alks have been swirling about whether the current state of the economy is in an oppressive state but whether the motion is true or not, corporate giant ANSA McAL has invested handsomely in various sport disciplines across Guyana.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport Beverage Manager of the company Robert Hiscock posited that being the financer of events is not solely to market products to but to play a vital role in the development of a wide cross section of sports in the country.

“The company sees investment in sport in Guyana as a huge thing , we see it as a good investment not only from a marketing point of view but a

way of giving back to communities, so it is very beneficial to us”, the Manager stated.

For the year, the company has pledged support for numerous football events, particularly the Stag Elite League; also support has been given for disciplines such as Squash, Cycling, Golf, Horse Racing, Motor Racing, Cricket and Basketball.

Quizzed on whether the company has seen any gains, he responded saying, “Absolutely, for example when it comes to the Elite League football, it continues to develop; even with Squash which we sponsor under the Lucazade brand, the junior teams continues to take home the Caribbean title year after year so definitely sport development is improving through corporate sponsorship but unfortunately a lot of times it is left to corporate sponsors to aid the development of sport in Guyana”.

Hiscock further opinionated that “ from an operational standpoint they are few setbacks so removing the political element from some federations would help having more organised and structured tournaments”.

On that note, the Manager was ques-

Kristian Jeffrey competiting in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships with his Mitsubishi Evolution is a brand ambassador that certainly has created popularity with one of the company’s products

tioned on his view of the impact of the non-participation of Slingerz FC, Alpha United, Pele FC and Georgetown Football Club.

“We think we could have done more in getting the four teams that sat out of the Elite league this year to participate and that is one of our regrets, so next year going forward, we would like to leverage the relationship with teams and the GFF [Guyana Football Federation] to ensure the tournament is competitive as possible”, he stated.

“We see the league as the premier structure of football in Guyana and therefore it should have the best teams and we should as sponsors invest in ensuring that everybody participates for the betterment of the players, teams and fans” Hiscock added.

According to Hiscock, the company which is a public conglomerate based in Trinidad and Tobago,

porations] need as much support from Government going forward so persons can see sport as something as a feasible career path; as it stands now from my understanding to be in sports it takes a huge undertaking of time and invest”.

Currently, companies are empowering sportsmen and women as a way of

the entire sport for it to grow, however, we have brand ambassadors such as Kristian Jeffrey, Team Gillette Evolution and Team Alanis”, he responded.

The year is nearing a close and Hiscock with a look to the future says that their investment should continue to grow in 2017.

“Every year we seem to grow our investment in sport so I don’t see next

The Stag Elite League has certainly been the marquee event supported the company

feels that “there needs to be a shift to focus on the development of individuals to put us [country] in the spot light and also for them to make a name of themselves”.

In addition, “We [cor-

marketing their brand and the manager was quizzed on whether this could come to fruition at ANSA McAL. “Very seldom we look to invest in individuals, we prefer to invest in

year being any different, of course, as things become more organised we see greater opportunities to invest”, he posited.

Regal aiming for year-end double

Flashback! Saheed Mohammed of Regal Masters was all over the Wellman batsmen the last time the teams met at DCC

R

egal cricket teams will head to the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) today with one thing on their minds, to complete the double in the Regal Sport softball tournament. Judging from their respective semifinals, both Regal Masters and Regal All Stars will fancy their chances against their respective opponents.

The day’s activities begin with the masters final between Regal Masters and Wellman Masters at 10:30h which will be followed by the open final between Regal All Stars and Speed Boat Sports Club.

On their way to the final, Regal defeated Herstelling Rangers while Speed Boat powered away from Ariel Xi last Sunday right at DCC. The last time Regal All

Stars and Speed Boat played a final at DCC, the latter prevailed in a thrilling encounter to take the Guyana Softball Cup six title. On that occasion, Wazeer Hussain and Travis Drakes put on 73 runs to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat after they were reduced to 100/5 in the 11th over chasing 172 made by Regal All Stars in their 20 overs. While in the Wolf Challenge cup, Regal All Stars were victorious by 35 runs in a high scoring match.

Patrick Rooplall made 55 while Pritvinath Motielall was impressive with the ball claiming 4-23.

Additionally, lots will be expected of Sarfraz Esau, Richard Latif and Fazal

Rafeek to give Regal the push for another victory.

The Speed Boat hopes will rest on the shoulders of the dangerous Lennox “Assassin” Marks, Shazim Hussein and Beepaul Bandoo with the bat and Kishore Smith with the ball.

In the exciting masters category, Wellman Masters who defeated Ariel Masters in the semifinal will start as the underdogs but will be no pushovers since they have played excellent cricket so far.

The last time they played in a final against Regal Masters, they lost by six wickets

in a one-sided affair. David Harper took three wickets while Raymond Harper and Saheed Mohammed claimed two each to put the skids on Wellman Masters before the Regal Masters knocked off the runs easily. If Regal Masters should go on to win, they will need brilliance from Eric Thomas, Mahesh Chunilall and Mahenda Hardyal. While, Mike “Shane Warne” Singh, Greg de Franca, Latchman Kallicharran, Wayne Jones and Nandram Samlall will be looking to continue their good run for Wellman.

The winning team in each category will get $100,000 and a trophy while the losing finalists will get $25,000 each. The player of the match in each final will get a trophy.

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Smalta Girls’ Pee-Wee Football Championships...

St. Angela’s boot defending champions St. Stephen’s T

he Petra Organised Smalta Girls’s Pee-Wee football Championsips continued on Saturday at the Ministry of Education, ground with four quarter-finals matches, one of which saw the defending champions St. Stephen’s being knockout by St. Angela’s.

Nikosi St. Jules goal in the 24th minute was enough for a thrilling 1-0 win for the Thomas Street based unit progress to the semi-finals.

The other teams making progression to the last four are South Ruimveldt who will face St. Angela’s and West Ruimvelt who clash with St. Pius.

The other quarter-finals saw Enterprise losing 2-0 to South Ruimveldt after Raven Jacobs and Shania Sealy s netted in the 17th and 26th respectively.

St. Pius got the better of North Georgetown by a 2-1 margin after Donna Lowe (5th) and Kerry Boyce (20th) made conversions; Alicia James was North’s scorer in the 26th.

An own goal in the 19th and a netting by Amanda McPherson in the 29th allowed West Ruimveldt to ease to a 2-0 win over St. Agnes.

In the 9-16 section, F.E. Pollard won 2-1 over Redeemer, with Talia Wharton helping herself to a brace in the 5th and 8th while Oldacia Wilson in the 13th gave consolation to Redeemer; the other two matches saw Winfer Gardens and Tucville winning via walkover against St. Gabriel’s and Stella Maris respectively. Smith Memorial also won a walkover against St. Margaret’s.

The event resumes on Monday at the same venue will see, St. Margaret’s and St. Gabriel’s along with Stella Maris against Redeemer both do action from 10:00 hrs in the 13-16 play-offs.

From 10:45 in the 9-12 section, Smith Memorial will clash with Winfer Gardens while Tucville will be pitted against F.E Pollard.

The 5-8 action will commence at 11:30 hrs and Enterprise will oppose Stephen’s while North Georgetown faces St. Agnes; the semi-finals will commence at 12:15 hrs.

Trophies will be award- ed to all 16 teams, while medals will be awarded to the top two finishers. On the individual side, accolades will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player, the Highest Goal Scorer and the Best Goalkeeper.

This St. Angela’s player battles her for possession with the ball in their side’s 1-0 win over St. Stephen’s

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pproximately 200 Pupils and students along with their teachers participated in the Guyana Rugby Football Union’s End of Year Tag Rugby Festival on Friday at the National Park, Rugby field.

With brilliant sunshine, the pupils from the Primary level were introduced to the game of rugby while the secondary exer-

cise their knowledge of the game through competition.

Competing in the boys under 14 category were Covent Garden Secondary, North Georgetown Secondary, Tucville Secondary, St. Georges Secondary, Dolphin Secondary and Campbeville Secondary.

North Georgetown Secondary claim victory over Tucville Secondary in an exciting final. St. John’s

College defeated North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary in the under 16 category bringing the day’s activities in the National Park to an end.

The St John’s outfit defeated North Ruimveldt Secondary in the final five-nil while North Georgetown bettered Tucville Secondary by the same score line.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2016

GCA/ Noble House Seafoods 2nd division semis

Everest a no show

A

collective effort which was spearheaded by all-rounder Devaughn Nandan propelled Transport Sports Club (TSC) to first innings honours against host Police Sports Club on day one of their semifinal battle of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)/ Noble House Seafoods second division two day competition yesterday.

Nandan (2-22) took two wickets and scored 41 runs after the visitors won the toss and chose to field. Police was blown away for a mediocre total of 118 in 28.4 overs as TSC’s off spinner Joshua Wilson, who captured seven wickets in the second innings of his team’s quarterfinal against Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), was once again a major concern to the batsmen as he claimed 4-38. He was well supported

by former national youth player Keon Morris along with the experience of Kevin Ross and Nandan, who collected two wickets apiece.

Clytus Gibson with just 19 was the main contributor to the host’s total while Paul Tyndall, Reginald Rodrigues and Fitzroy Colley scored 18 each. The lone significant partnership for Police was delivered when Mark Rhone and Rocky Hutson were at the crease and they scored 29 runs.

So far TSC has responded with 184-5 from 41overs to chalk up a comfortable 66 runs lead with five wickets remaining. Apart from Nandan’s knock, Rafael Singh (36), Sunil Singh (25) and Adrian Hinds (20) have gotten starts but failed to push on.

At the crease when play ended were Shaun Massiah on 43 not out and with him

G

uyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S has enjoyed another record breaking year during 2016 and for the first time in its remarkable history since being founded in 1990 has successfully completed over 400 programmes/ activities during a calendar year.

The previous record was 305 in 2015 and the Club was able to surpass its initial target of 300 by late September and revised one of 400 on November 29th. With a packet list of activities scheduled for December, the Management of the RHTY&SC is confident of exceeding 450 for the year.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster described 2016 as the best ever in the history of the organisation and noted that every year, the activities of the Club keeps expanding in an effort to make a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate.

The major highlights for the Club during the year were the induction of President David Granger as its fifth Honorary Patron, receiving a National Award – The Medal of Service, hosting the 46th anniversary Celebration of Rose Hall Town, opening of a Family Recreational Playpark, Annual Awards Ceremony and the massive Say NO/Say YES campaign. On the cricket field the Club cricketers continue to excel and during 2016 won the Tenelec Under 15 title (2015), Tenelec First Division 50 overs (2015), Busta Champion of Champions (2015), BCB/New York Business Group Under 19 Tournament (2016). The Under 19 team is also awaiting the playing of the Memorex Under 19 finals versus Tucker Park. The RHTY&SC during 2016 hosted a total of sixteen Cricket Tournaments including the Smartt/King Memorial Female 20/20, Farouk Kudrath Memorial Under 17, Nasir Memorial 5/5, Hand in Hand Insurance 5/5, Food for the Poor 5/5, Beharry Say No/ Say Yes Tournament while the Busta Champion of Champions 2016 and the Ministry of Health Say NO to Suicide Under 19 would be played off by the end of the Year.

The Club also hosted its annual TCL Cricket Academy for over 100 young cricketers and its 26th annual award ceremony in April where

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

over $2.5M worth of prizes were shared out to Club members. The Cricket section also benefitted from a new concrete pitch compliments of Republic Bank, $½M worth of investment in new cricket gears and hosted several members of the West Indies Female Cricket team.

Shemaine Campbelle was also a member of the winning West Indies Female 20/20 World Cup Team and was duly rewarded along with Tremayne Smartt.

Chanderpaul Govindan represented Berbice at the Under 15 level while Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson and Keith Simpson played at the Under 17 level. Brandon Prashad and Sylus Tyndall played for the Berbice Under 19 team while ten Club members played for the different league teams in the Guyana Cricket Board’s 3 days cricket tournament – Collis Butts, Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Rajiv Ivan, Eon Hooper, Clinton Pestano, Shawn Perriera, Keon Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson and Jason Sinclair.

At the national level, seventeen RHTY&SC, M.S members represented Guyana at the different levels and they are Kevlon Anderson, Sheneeta Grimmond, Deborah Vanderstoop, Dian Prahalad, Plaffina Millington, Aleema Arokuim, Shabika Gajnabi, Roshana Lynch, Erva Giddings, Shemaine Campbelle, Meliane Henry, Eon Hooper, Assad Fudadin and Royston Crandon. Hooper made his first class debut after claiming the most wickets in the GCB three days tournament while Fudadin (West Indies A), Erva Giddings and Shemaine Campbelle played for the West Indies. To date, the RHTY&SC, M.S remains the only

TSC’s opener Ryan Hemraj in defence mode during his team GCA/ Noble House Seafoods semifinal clash against Police

is Azeem Azeez unbeaten on four.

Noticeable partnerships during TSC’s innings so far came from Devaughn Nandan and Rafael Singh, who added 57 together while Rafael Singh and Shaun Massiah

scored 45 runs when they were at the crease.

One of the lawmen’s quarterfinal success story, Vishal Jaigobin, led his team’s bowling with figures of 2-62.

In the other semifinal, host Everest Cricket Club failed to

show up for their clash against Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) thus words has started to spread that GNIC gained a walk over and will move on to the final. However, that information has not been confirmed

and calls to the chairman of competition committee of the GCA, Shawn Massiah has gone unanswered.

If GNIC gains the walk over it means they will play the winner of the TSC versus Police clash in the final.

Club in Guyana to have a female cricket team and Foster expressed disappointment that neither the GCB nor the WICB has seen it fit to assist in the development of the girls by offering coaches.

The RHTY&SC, M.S in 2016 was quite active off the cricket field as it strived to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

The off the cricket field activities were held under the sub headings of sports, culture, charity, anticrime, anti-drugs, anti-suicide, educational, youth development, social development, religious, community development, jobs for youths, anniversary celebrations, awards/honours and economic development among others. The hosting of the Edward ‘B’ Beharry Co. Ltd Say NO/YES campaign was the largest of the programme with the distribution of thousands of youth information booklets, posters and banners to schools drawn from across Berbice.

The Club also hosted the Guyana Oil Company Traffic Education Campaign which included posters, brochures, information booklet, car stickers and television commercials and targeted all Primary and Secondary school students in Region 6. Among the numerous programmes hosted by the Club were the Tribute to Retired Head Teachers, Tribute to Outstanding Teachers, Lower Corentyne Outstanding Students Award Ceremony, Ansa Mcal Award of Excellence, Gregory Gaskin Memorial Berbice Sports Award, Republic Bank, Educational Camp for Grade 6 students, DTV-8 Mother and Father of the Year, Annual Youth Review Magazine, Dolphin Award of Excellence, Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, Feeding of the Poor, Hampers for Single parents, Youth Inspiration Forum, Hampers for Single parents, Youth Inspiration Forum, Day of Sports, GBTI Inter Secondary School Tape-ball Competition, Inter Primary school softball tournament, Scotia Bank Anti-Suicide Children Mash Parade, Tribute to Head Teachers, Tribute to Heroes, donation of $1M worth of school bags to less fortunate students, restoration to Club Office, educational scholarships to 60 needy students and put up three Say No/Say Yes billboards. The RHTY&SC also donated $600,000.00 worth of trophies to schools, Clubs,

Churches and NGO’s, $2M worth of sport equipment/gear to Clubs, schools and over $8M in clothing, footwear and food items to less fortunate families during the year.

The Club also co-sponsored a total of twenty nine sporting competition across Berbice in the fields of cricket, softball, domino, football, volleyball, basketball, athletics, chess and scrabble.

The Club also sponsored ten educational competitions – debated, essay, public speaking and spelling bee for students. The RHTY&SC was also mandated by the Rose Hall Town Council to spearhead the 46th anniversary celebration of the small township. The Club and its eight cricket teams in response organised Guyana’s largest Town Week celebration which lasted from 14th to 25th of September.

The programme which included the Opening Ceremony and March Past, Pubic Exhibition, Medical Outreach, Educational Competitions, Curry Yard Fowl Competition, Public Concert, Feeding of the Poor, Honouring of Senior Citizens, Business Fair, Launching of Tourist Poster and a 40 pages booklet on Rose Hall Town, Day of Sports, Steel-band Concert, Dancing Competition, Launching of Television Documentary while the physical appearance of the entire township was upgraded.

The construction and opening of the H.D. Hoyte Memorial Family Play Park was a special gift to the township from the Club. To round off the successful year, the RHTY&SC would be hosting over 40 programmes/activities in December including a Charity Programme and the hosting of the 2nd Annual Christmas Village. The Charity Programme would include a feeding of the Poor for 1000 residents, 200 hampers for less fortunate families worth $10,000.00 each, distribution of 2000 toys to kids, visit to the NA Hospital Children Award and Senior Citizens Homes, Children Christmas Party and an Evening of Music.

Executives of the RHTY&SC, M.S are currently working on a packed schedule for 2017 with an ambitious target of 450 programmes/ activities. Special Emphasis would be placed on expanding the Club’s Charity, Say Yes and No Campaign and also its Cricket development programme. The RHTY&SC, M.S has Guyana’s largest Cricket Nursery

with over 200 registered junior cricketers and the Club is currently working on a plan to host an annual six month Cricket academy every year. The Club would also be hosting a month long celebration in August/ September 2017 to mark the 175th Anniversary of the purchase of Rose Hall Village by 57 freed claves in 1842 from European planter, John Baird.

The RHTY&SC, M.S would like to express gratitude to every donor and member of the media who contributed to the success of the Club during 2016.

The list of donors is too long to mention but special mention must be made of donors like Bakewell, Farfan and Mendes, Metro, DDL, Gizmos and Gadgets, Ansa Mcal, GUYOIL, Edward B. Beharry Co. Ltd, Starr Computers, Goodwood Racing Servicing, Nand Persaud Co. Ltd, Sterling Products, Namilco, Republic Bank, Scotia Bank, GBTI, Demerara Bank, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Social Protection, New GPC INC, Busta, DeSinco Trading, Sueria Manufacturing, Food for the Poor, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Tourism, Len’s Craft, John Lewis Style, HA Snacks Co. Ltd, A. Ally and Sons, Najab’s Trading, Factory

Price, The Gift Centre, Sentinel Security, Ricks and Sari, Digicel, John Fernandes, P+P Insurance, F+H Printery, National Sports Commission, Toucan Industries, Hand in Hand, Fly Jamaica, Wood Pecker Sports, Fitness Express, TCL, Kings Jewellery World, Impressions, Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, GCB, Ministry of Education, Caribbean Container INC, Ming’s, Dr. Karis Munroe, Sonia Leow, Caribbean Airlines, Roraima Airways, Travel Span, Mohammed Raffik, NPG, Poonai Pharmacy, Anamayah Memorial, Region 6 RDC, GWI, Vijai Ramoo, Artie Ricknauth, Toronto PNC/R Group, NBS, Central Corentyne Champers of Commerce, BCCBA, Big ‘B’ Restaurant, DTV-8, LRTVS CH10, Anil Ramnarine among numerous others.

Special thanks are also extended to DTV-8, NCN, LRTVS CH10, TVG, Newsroom, Guyana Chronicle, Guyana Times, Kaieteur News, News Update, Frankie Wilson, Gregory Rambarran, Rajiv Bisnauth, Avenash Ramzan, Sean Devers, Tray Khan, Claude David, Stephan Sookram, Akeem Greene, John Ramsingh, Reaz Mohammed, Tanuja Raikha, Travis Seymour, Micheal Khan and Stacy Ramcharran for assisting the Club to promote its work throughout 2016.

T

he ratification of the appointments of the new Chief Executive Officer and Head Coach; the full review of the commercial strategy and the 2017 schedule are among the major topics up for discussion at the Board of Directors meeting of the West Indies Cricket Board.

The meeting scheduled for December 10 and 11 will also continue the discussions about the release fees for West Indies players who ply their trade in Twenty20 leagues across the world.

Full reports from all committees will be tabled.

The assessment of the Men’s, A and Women’s teams’ performances over the last three months will also be on the agenda; while looking ahead to the third year of the 4-Day Professional Cricket League (PCL) and the 2017 edition of the Super50 will be a focus.

President, Dave Cameron is pleased that “our Women’s team has qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup scheduled for June – July 2017; we also welcome the 20 players who are starting camp for the Under 19 squad this weekend in Grenada as they prepare to defend the championship in 2018.”

The two-day meeting which is the final for this year will be held in the Leeward Island of St Maarten. (WICB)

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2016

23

WICB/ PCL Digicel Regional 4-day…

Shai Hope goes through the off side early in his innings

SCOREBOARD

C

onsistent rain at the National Stadium, Providence on Saturday evening hampered the Guyana Jaguars quest for total control on day two of their day/night match against Barbados Pride in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Digicel Regional 4-day competition.

The match began with Pride chasing the Jaguars first innings total of 311 but the regular down pours meant up to press time the visitors reached 48-2 at tea after 18 overs were bowled.

At the crease were Test player Shai Hope on 20 and Shamarh

Keon Joseph had a good opening spell with the new pink 'Cherry

Chandrapaul Hemraj

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Amir Khan

ricket lovers on the East Coast will have a chance to witness another format of cricket today when Enmore Community Cricket Club host a grand double wicket tournament today from 10:00h at the club community centre ground in Enmore.

They will also get to witness former West Indies youth players Chandrapaul Hemraj and Amir Khan in action among many other top East Coast players during the day of packed action.

The event is sponsored by several business that are based in the village of Enmore and it is expected to be nothing short of excitement.

20 teams/ players will compete for the titles, some of the players set to participate are; Hemraj, Khan, Vishwanauth Ramlakhan, Gavin Boodwah, Imran Hassan, Kamesh Yadram and Harif Habib among other established and emerging players from the East Coast.

There will be rewards in the tune of money and trophies for the winners, runners-up and individual performances.

All proceeds from the event will go to the development of the Enmore Community Development Centre Cricket Club.

Entry in to the venue is free.

For more information contactAnil Persaud-624-6098, Tahal-646-2040 or Bhemraj 6765681.

Brooks on 10. Keon Joseph (113) and Raymon Reifer (1-20) were the men to make inroads into the Pride’s batting.

A late afternoon down pour meant play started 16:30 hrs instead of the usual 15:00 hrs.

When the action began, the medium-pace of Reifer had the in-form Allyene caught by a diving Rajendra Chandrika at point for eight.

The pace of Joseph then brought the demise of captain Kraigg Braithwaite (06) when he played an uncharacteristic pull which he gloved behind to wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble and Pride were now 17-2.

Hope, who struck two boundaries in his innings thus far along with Brooks ensured no more wickets fell, as another downpour came at 18:30 hrs, at which point no play was possible even at 20:30 hrs.

On day one, Jaguars reached their total on the back of an even century by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and supporting knocks by Shimron Hetmyer (60) Vishaul Singh (40), Gudakesh Motie (36 not out) and Reifer (35).

The third’s day play will begin today at 14:30 hrs with Pride still 263 runs away from securing first innings points and eight wickets remaining.

Jaguars 1st Innings 311 Pride 1st innings K Braithwaite* c +Bramble b Joseph 6 A Alleyne c Chandrika b 8 Reifer S Hope not out 20 10 S Brooks not out Extras (nb 4) Total (2 wickets; 19 overs) 48 To bat: R Chase, J Carter, S Dowrich, K Stoute, J Greaves, J Warrican, K Roach FoW: 1-15, 2-17 Bowling: Joseph 5-1-13-1, Reifer 5-0-20-1, Barnwell 5-1-13-0, Permaul 4-3-2-0

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2016

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

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WICB/ PCL Digicel Regional 4-day…

Rain curtails Jaguars' ascendency Page 23

Raymon Reifer celebrates with Jaguars teammates after picking up Anthony Alleyne for 8

Smalta Girls’ Pee-Wee Football Championships...

St. Angela’s boot defending champions St. Stephen’s Page 21

St. Angela’s ( yellow bib) held their nerve to snatch a trilling against the defending champions on Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground

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