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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2986

Friday, September 23, 2016

PRICE

GECOM audit

Procurement files went missing – Commissioner alleges Page 3

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Parking meter controversy P12 continues

Cush denies knowledge of new Director

Page 3

…DCEO says he is not aware of this Mother of injured infant contemplating legal action Page 2 against GPHC …medical personnel should have been prepared before third stage of delivery – says CMO

East Canje cane harvester found hanging Page 12

15-year-old murders man who allegedly abused his P2 sister P16 Sunken “Draga” not hampering vessels along the Mazaruni − MARAD ... bypass channels available

Guyana was among 60 countries to have ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change. In photo, President David Granger is congratulated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Guyana’s ratification of the Agreement

Stone suppliers protest CHEC Surinamese imports Page 9

… as GMSA calls on Govt to protect local content

Guyana among 60 countries to have ratified Paris Agreement on climate Page change 13

Constitutional Court a white elephant since Chang’s retirement Page 9

…if left unchecked will logically degenerate into loss of independence – Ramotar

NCN saga continues

News Anchor blames controversy for early P10 labour

Linden teen succumbs to injuries sustained P11 on the job − Dept of Labour investigating

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Mother of injured infant contemplating legal action against GPHC

...medical personnel should have been prepared before third stage of delivery – says CMO

N

yesha Hamilton was dilating quickly; one moment she could almost feel the baby pushing its way out of her birth canal and the other moment she was picking up a newborn that just cracked his skull on the Georgetown Public Hospital floor after falling out of her.

This incident which occurred on August 21, sparked renewed concerns about the prenatal and postnatal care at the hospital.

Coupled with this, Hamilton recalled that the nurses were rude to her when she asked for assistance.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Hamilton said she arrived at the hospital around 22:00h. She said she was examined by two doctors and both of them gave conflicting responses about how fast she was dilating.

“One doctor said I was four cm apart and other doctor said I was five cm apart,” she said, recalling that she was taken into the prenatal room. Minutes later, her

contractions grew stronger and she started to call for the nurses to re-examine her because “I felt like the baby was coming down”.

Unfortunately, her pleas fell on deaf ears and she said the nurse responded by stating that she was just checked and would have to wait four hours before another examination.

However, the baby would not wait and soon after she was bleeding and the labour pains were becoming stronger and the contractions more frequent.

“I called on the midwife and I told her that the baby is coming and she told me that there aren’t any wheelchairs to take me to the labour room so we had to walk there. While I was walking I started to feel like I can’t go any further and I stoop down and before I could catch him, the baby fall through my underwear and onto the ground,” she recounted, noting that it was then she was placed in a wheelchair.

“When the bay fall, the

Nyesha Hamilton

nurses panicked and they didn’t want to pick him up and they tell me to,” she said.

Hamilton said medical personnel working that night did nothing to ensure that the baby was unhurt.

“They pretended that it was a normal delivery and send me to the Maternity Ward but the next day his head started to swell and then they decided to carry him for a CAT scan,” she lamented.

The young mother stated that it was then she found

out that her baby’s skull was fractured and that there was external bleeding above the skull.

However, the specialist who examined the baby said he would not have any longterm effects from the fall and that he would heal as he grew. Contrarily, the baby started to vomit and was removed from the maternity unit to the Paediatric Unit for 13 days. He is scheduled for a visit with a neuro-surgeon on October 3.

“I am thinking about going and find a lawyer to help

me because I don’t know what to do. One time they are telling me Ricardo has internal bleeding and the next they are saying it is external,” the mother said.

Hamilton said she would seek legal advice to ensure that all medical expenses are covered by the hospital.

“I don’t know what is going to happen to my son later in life. If he would be okay or he wouldn’t. But things like this shouldn’t be allowed to happen at a hospital,” she argued.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton has stated that it was a common practice to have pregnant women walk in order to widen the birth canal in the third stage of delivery.

However, he said there was mismanagement and that wheelchairs were available but one was not given to Hamilton in time.

Addressing the issue, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud stated that all trained personnel should have been prepared before the woman reached the third stage of delivery.

Persaud confirmed that he has received the preliminary report which indicated that the mother went into the hospital and was examined. It noted that she went into the third stage of labour and before she could have been taken to the labour room, she delivered.

The final report, he said, has not yet been released.

“I still have to get the final assessment of why she went into labour and was not in the labour room because usually at that time, we expect that they are well prepared and ready to deliver… By the time the third stage is ready, she should

have been in the right position and the equipment should be in place, sterility observed and a trained personnel to deliver the baby,” he pointed out.

On November 3, 2015, the Georgetown Public Hospital was placed in the spot light after a newborn fell off a cot and fractured his skull. It was just an hour after he was born.

The infant’s parents sued the hospital for $20 million for the error. The Minister had reportedly stated that the newborn baby rolled off the cot. That matter is still pending.

When questioned as to why the hospital is always in the “bad light” for maternal mortality, or infant mortality and injures during labour, Persaud stated that it is a “human resource problem”.

“We are facing a human resource problem and definitely there are shortages of midwives. We have tried to encourage some of the midwives who are in primary healthcare, especially those at health centres, to provide relief. This may be the largest challenge; however, we are working on it,” he responded.

He stated that they have been working with the Obstetrics Unit, especially the specialists to look back at the protocol and revise them to ensure that they are up-to-date with the challenges of delivery.

So far, the Public Health Ministry has announced that infant mortality in Guyana has been cut in half within the last eight months. However, Persaud stated that maternal and infant mortality would peak in September and October.

15-year-old murders man who allegedly abused his sister

A

boy, 15, has been charged with murder of a man who allegedly abused his nine-year-old sister.

It is alleged that the little girl was being sexually abused by the victim, who she was living with for approximately one year in Port Kaituma, Region 1 (BarimaWaini).

Reports indicate that her parents, who also reside in the mining community, agreed to their daughter living with the man in exchange for food supplies.

The Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO), which is now providing support to the family, expressed suspicions that the little girl was being raped by the now dead man.

According to other sections of the media, the GWMO claimed that this is the reason the girl’s brother decided to kill him.

The Police indicated that

the man was fatally beaten to death by the child.

In a statement, the Guyana Police Force explained that a thorough investigation has been launched into the matter and legal advice was sought on how to proceed.

During the probe, the Police said there was no evidence to validate the claims that the girl was sexually abused.

“The alleged victim was medically examined and found not to be sexually active,” the statement noted.

The little girl is said to have two other brothers, both under the age of 16.

They are currently under the care of the GWMO, according to media reports.

It is unclear if any charges will be brought against their parents.

Their mother speaks a little English while their father only speaks his native tongue of Carib.

news

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FRIDAY, september 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 23 – 10:30h-12:00h and Friday, September 24 – 12:00h-13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 23 – 09:35h-11:05h and Friday, September 24 – 11:05h-12:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to heavy rain showers with instances of sunshine can be expected throughout the day while clear skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 09:29h and 21:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.27 metres and 2.29 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:54h and 15:20h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 1.01 metres respectively.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

08 14 17 18 21 27 11

FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Daily Millions

05 07 15 25

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LUCKY 3 2

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Draw De Line 02 05 12 13 15

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Evening Draw

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GECOM audit

Procurement files went missing – Commissioner alleges …DCEO says he is not aware of this

A

s the probe intensifies into the nearly $100 million procurement of defective radios by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which is mired in allegations, reports have now surfaced that several procurement files have allegedly disappeared.

State auditors earlier this month began perusing the books of GECOM after the Audit Office of Guyana reportedly noticed some discrepancies in the purchase of 50 obsolete VHF radios by the Commission prior to the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections, for a whopping $100 million, way

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

above the average market price.

Speaking at a Thursday morning news conference at Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown, Robeson Benn, one of the three People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Commissioners on GECOM said that he was informed that several procurement files were missing.

“I have been informed that 20 files relating to procurement information went missing from GECOM last week. That is the information I have; I don’t know the veracity of it. But these are the things you are hearing from people who ought to know,” Benn told reporters.

Continued efforts to contact GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally proved fu-

PPP/C Commissioner Bibi Shaddick addressing Thursday’s news conference

tile, as calls to his mobile are answered by a female who kept saying “he is in the clinic”. However, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Vishnu Persaud said he was not aware of any files missing from the Commission.

Benn also alleged that there were significant questions regarding the procurement of ballot papers for the 2016 Local Government Elections and numerous requests for an investigation have been refused by the Commission’s Chairman.

“Both sides of the Commission (Government and Opposition) are aware of these issues, both sides have raised issues, questions on these matters and concerns about these matters before,” he stated.

Evidence tampering

Meanwhile, Bibi Shaddick, another PPP/C Commissioner at GECOM, said she was concerned that despite being on annual leave, the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, who is also the accounting officer of the Commission, was frequenting his office at a time when a probe into alleged financial irregularities was taking place.

This could lead to suspicions of evidence tampering and, as such, the Commissioners requested that there be a “lock down”

on all files and documentation relating to procurement so as to avoid any tampering; however, the CEO has refused “point-blank”.

Shaddick said that should the probe go beyond the CEO’s vacation, she would be proposing that he be sent on administrative leave.

It is important to note that during a series of forensic audits initiated by the Government at a number of State agencies, the accounting officers were either sent on annual or administrative leave to facilitate the probes.

Worst-run organisation

Commissioner Benn believes that the corruption at the electoral body is deep-rooted, with key players at many levels of the organisation. He went on to describe the management of the organisation as “a national disgrace”.

“GECOM is indeed the worst-run organisation I have associated with and the rot starts at the top and that is where the problem is and I don’t think if there is proper investigations conducted, there will be any room to hide for those who are involved in the various

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

procurements and the ongoing allowance at various levels of that commission of runnings,” Benn stated, adding that not every manager at the organisation was involved.

Moving forward

In moving forward, the PPP/C Commissioner stated, there needed to be some house cleaning and some heads must roll, the first being Dr Surujbally.

“I don’t think that the Chairman has any locus standi at GECOM and [as such] I think he should go now.” turn to page 13

4

guyana-times.com

friday, september 23, 2016

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 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

Missing GTT shares money

M

onths have passed and it appears as though the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has no intention of releasing the findings of a report on the missing US$5 million GTT shares. NICIL had sold the Government’s shares in GTT for US$30 million of which US$25 million was received at the signing of the agreement. The outstanding balance, which should have been paid by the end of December 2015, has not been discovered.

Over the past two weeks, a number of media reports have highlighted the fact that the report on the findings of the probe into the missing money is with NICIL. However, as has become the ostensible norm in Guyana, officials use the bureaucracy of the system to withhold answers that the public demands. This was evident last week when the media sought answers about what really happened to the missing US$5 million but the responsibility for such a disclosure shifted from one agency to another. This supports Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo’s comments that it is “clear as day” that NICIL does not want to release the findings on the issue.

The chronicle of events on the missing US$5 million started earlier this year when Government announced that it recovered documents, which revealed that the monies were paid. However, controversy erupted shortly thereafter when NICIL shut down the Government’s claims by announcing that Guyana’s former Ambassador to China David Dabydeen had facilitated the US$5 million debt waiver with Datang, the Chinese company, on the grounds that it was not granted the same minority protection rights enjoyed by NICIL (that is, two, instead of one, representatives on the GTT Board of Directors).

What is, however, baffling is the fact that when the US$25 million was paid, it was made by international wire transfer, from one bank to another. In this information technology driven world, such a payment can be easily traced. Then what is the hold-up? Why this cannot be done rather than shirking the public?

In one instance Chairman of NICIL Board, Dr Maurice Odle said that he cannot furnish a response to the media but rather that was the responsibility of the Government.

However the Government, through Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, made it pellucid that it was NICIL’s responsibility to release any findings on the issue.

It was only then that Dr Odle asked the media to furnish an official letter to NICIL requesting information which he will present to the Board.

All of this is being done at a time when there is much criticism about the accountability or transparency of the Administration. The public genuinely deserves an answer about the US$5 million and further delays will only add to the fire of the lack of transparency on major decisions for the nation.

There is no doubt that the creation of public trust in the accountability and transparency of any administration will foster goodwill for the nation. As such, Guyana should move towards a more effective, robust, answerable system to safeguard taxpayers’ money. We can start by revealing to taxpayers exactly what happened to the US$5 million.

NICIL must come clean on its affairs and cease to argue in its defence that it is a Private Company registered under the Companies Act and as such, is under no obligation to make any disclosure.

NICIL is but one of the guardians of public affairs and public monies and were the David Granger Administration to attempt to display some modicum of its commitment to its promise of transparency and accountability, then a good place to start would be to reveal exactly what happened to US$5 Million—G$1 Billion, monies that could have gone towards putting measures in place to begin paying its employees a liveable wage and not the pittance it has made in its ‘final offer.’

Model Paris Hilton (centre) presents a creation at the Philipp Plein fashion show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2017 in Milan, Italy, September 21, 2016 (Reuters/Alessandro Garofalo)

APNU/AFC Regime: The most antinational administration in Guyana’s history Dear Editor, The PNC-led APNU/ AFC Administration has accused PPP/C Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, of being antinational. That accusation has come in the light of Teixeira’s letter to the Norwegian government seeking the involvement of the Opposition in the review of the Amalia Falls Hydro Project, which is being conducted.

Teixeira was forced to take this action because of the lack of transparency by the regime in its dealing with these matters. It is also true that the Opposition is deeply suspicious of the regime’s real intentions.

Recall that the Minister of Finance Winston Jordan is on record of saying that it would be criminal to proceed with the project. What one may ask is the need for a review when the two parties in government have all the documents, including the studies testifying to its viability? Now that they are in government, they hold every piece of information.

It appears, therefore, that the regime is ‘fishing’ for an excuse/s they can hang onto to stop this project.

Clearly, the Opposition has grounds to believe that the regime’s intention is to sabotage the project. For this reason, Teixeira is being accused of being antinational. Using their own criteria then, we can safely say that this APNU/AFC Regime is composed of the most antinational persons in the history of our country.

In the first place, no other person than one of the Vice-Presidents of this country, Khemraj

Ramjattan, had written to the Norwegian Government seeking their intervention to stop the Amaila Falls project, making, as usual, wild accusations against the then PPP/C Administration.

However, that is only the tip of their antinational iceberg.

In 2012, the APNU/AFC members of the National Assembly, which included most of the present members of the government, including President David Granger, Moses Nagamootoo, Ramjattan, etc, voted to cut the complete capital budget of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. They also cut the budget for the Ministry of Public Works, which included funds for the construction of airstrips in all hinterland communities. This was to ensure that the rapid development in the interior was halted.

Those very members, who today comprise the government, also cut the monies allocated to pay contract workers. At that time, they said they were against hiring workers on contract to work in the public service.

Although the PPP/C ministers gave them rational explanations, they continued, unhindered, with baseless accusations. They clearly intended to disrupt the work of the public service. Lo and behold! This regime has now doubled the amount of workers hired on contract!

Their antinationalism became more evident every year, as they sought to stymie projects designed to promote economic and social development in the society. It was these very people that voted against the build-

ing of a Specialty Hospital in our country. They attempted to deprive Guyanese of important services which only the rich can pay to go abroad to obtain. Clearly, their main aim was to stop progress since this project would benefit every single Guyanese (and not only PPP supporters). This antinational behaviour of the APNU/AFC affected the lives of all Guyanese. These parties (in Government today) also unleashed one of the worst slander attacks against the Marriott Hotel project.

David Granger had promised to turn it into a hospital if he won the elections. The same attitude was displayed towards the CJIA expansion project and the construction of the national stadium. Those projects have the potential of growing our tourism sector and opening up new streams of revenue.

The present government, when in Opposition, tried to destroy the implementation of these developmental projects, which is clear evidence of their antinational stance.

By their own criteria, their attitude to the AntiMoney Laundering legislation was another gross display of anti-nationalism.

The members of the APNU and AFC were fully aware of the consequences of not passing that bill. They knew it could have put Guyana on a blacklist, where it would have been almost impossible to conduct international business. This would have led to capital flight and the decimation of our private sector.

The PPP/Civic Administration even in-

vited officials from CFATF to come and explain to the then Opposition the consequences of their not voting in favour of this very important Bill. But this was to no avail. They stubbornly refused to act in the interests of the people of this country.

They deliberately set out to put the welfare of our people in jeopardy. They placed their own narrow interests ahead of our country.

It was only because of good governance on the part of the PPP/C Administration that saw us fulfilling all the non-legislative requirements that saved this country from being put on a blacklist. Now after 16 months in power, they seem incapable of correcting their folly. That is why it is so time-consuming to do business with the banks here.

Their incompetence is over bearing. This was one of the most disgraceful acts of the APNU/AFC in Opposition.

This was the most antinational action of a power hungry cabal.

Teixeira’s action is, therefore, not antinational as the regime is attempting to make it seem. Instead, Teixeira is most patriotic since it was trying to ensure that the Guyanese people get the benefits from cheap, renewable power. This was an attempt to prevent government sabotage of an important project which is in the interest of all our people. It is the actions of the members of the regime that have, time and time again, in and out of government, proven to be most antinational.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar

guyana-times.com

FRIday, september 23, 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

The Bank of Guyana needs to be revitalised to meet current demands

Dear Editor, There is tremendous public pressure on the current administration to deliver more jobs, and higher wages in the public sector.

The public sector wage issue has its roots buried in the late 1980s to early 1990s with the implementation of the Economic Recovery Programme under the aegis of the International Monetary Fund, and subsequent IMF/World Bank Structural Adjustment Programmes, and it is an absolute certainty that both this and job creation will continue to dog this and subsequent administrations until properly addressed.

Both issues are sore points in the media which need no further address.

Both have simple remedies which need to be worked out within a larger policy framework to facilitate dialogue and agreement as a national proposal.

I remember President David A Granger, addressing senior ranks across the ministries on the need to strengthen their technical skills to deliver on the mandate he envisages for his government. He is not off

his mark. A hallmark of the former administration was its strategy of underdeveloping the public sector.

Another instance of institutional weakness in delivering on solutions for our economic problems falls directly within the portfolio of President Granger himself.

The Bank of Guyana is tasked with advising government on economic policy matters, and the problems that have beset the Bank are exactly those which straddle the government ministries, namely a paucity of technical resources and individuals dedicated to policy formulation and development.

Again, this was all part of the former administration’s plan, since policy, more particularly decisions on expenditure, was developed directly at, or above the Office of the President at the time under the able eye of Jagdeo. There was no need for professionals to be engaged in policy development in the ministries or the Bank below the most senior level of these institutions, save contracted cronies.

I have already summarily addressed some of the more pertinent issues with-

in the Bank of Guyana: Just two months prior to this article the Minister of Finance, who was already familiar with the Bank’s issues, was fortunate to secure the services of Dr Terrence Smith, who has in excess of twenty years of service at the United States Federal Reserve.

Both his qualifications and experience immediately qualify Dr Smith for the post of Governor of the Bank of Guyana, and this is definitely one of the avenues the President should be exploring in strengthening his administration to deliver on the promises made by his government leading up to the elections.

One of the important points the President would not miss, and should not be overly concerned about regarding his actions in respect of the current governor and the Bank, is that the current governor’s installation and rise through the Bank was purely political.

He was appointed by the former administration, served the interests of that administration, and will continue to do so, should

he remain at the Bank of Guyana. Given that the previous administration’s agenda centred on corruption, cronyism and self-enrichment schemes, retaining this gentleman will leave more than a few questions unanswered.

It is standard practice globally that political appointments are squashed with a change in government, and the current governor’s appointment should be treated no differently.

While this may appear to infringe on the Bank’s independence, replacing the Bank’s current political appointee in the present circumstances will in fact restore that independence.

The Bank has suffered enough with the current governor in authority. To negotiate the kinds of solutions needed to address our current problems, there needs to be a changing of the guard, and the longer this is drawn out, the more time is lost, something which is evidently becoming a festering issue almost with each passing day.

Dear Editor, On Saturday 3 September 2016, I was a passenger on the 06:00 am ferry from Supenaam to Parika when shortly before departure time, a posse of policemen from ‘G’ Division, some in plain clothes and others in uniform, boarded the Ferry and conducted a search for a wanted man. I did not know like most other passengers that there was a robbery at Henrietta on the Essequibo Cost earlier the said morning where the victim was shot in this heinous crime. The suspect on seeing ranks break into a run only to end up in the arms of a waiting cop. He was swiftly taken away.

The passengers were very happy to know that the Police had gotten their

man.

But that was not all: a passenger saw when the person, shortly before his arrest, hid a bag in an area.

The captain and crew were informed and my understanding is that on searching the bag a handgun and some jewellery were found. It must have been after some intense interrogation and investigation that caused more ranks to be at Parika Ferry Stelling awaiting the arrival of the Ferry where another arrest was made of another person said to be an accomplice in the crime.

I would now say that this swift action by the Police can be described as both efficient and intelligent Police work, for which praise and commendation

must be given to them.

There are times when negative criticisms are directed towards the Police; yes there are times it may be justifiable but many times it is not. We quickly and conveniently forget the many times our Policemen and women put their lives on the line, in order to effect arrest of dangerous criminals, and in so doing, sometimes recover valuable stolen property.

We must say good things loudly about our Police Force, when there is

need to do so, as to encourage and motivate our Police ranks and in so doing we are sending a message to the criminals or those with criminal intent about the length and strength of the law, and taking a line from the late Ben E King song, there is no place to hide.

Not only to the Commander of ‘G’ Division and his ranks but to the entire Police Force, I say thank you, and keep up the good work you are doing.

Regards, Craig Sylvester

GPF ranks ought to be commended when necessary

Archie Cordis

Granger fooled the people, got our votes then disappeared

Dear Editor, In Lethem, we voted for President David Granger because we felt that he was a righteous man; we liked what he told us at the meetings he had in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo).

But I feel that he has fooled us. The region is still full of corrupt officers. He said he would clean out the place, but every day we look at the same officers that had oppressed us. May people tell me that they have problems with these same officers. It is hard to get paid.

Then we had our heritage the other night. That was no heritage; that was a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) meeting. The former Regional Executive Officer was there, the Member of Parliament was there, other PPP members were there, all at the head table. No A

Partnership for National Unity (APNU) or Alliance For Change (AFC) people were there. The Heritage turned out to be a ‘coastlander’ party, with all the vulgar music and no Amerindian songs. The APNU/AFC people are not coming to tell us anything. We are right next door and we do not see them anymore. The President has to let our APNU politicians come and visit us; we need them to tell us what the party is doing. We know what the Government is doing but not the party.

I want to let the President know that there are many people talking of leaving the party and joining AFC because they don’t like what APNU is doing.

Dear Editor, Upper Hadfield Street, between Vlissingen Road and Mandela Avenue, was recently repaired and resurfaced after being in a deplorable state for several months. The road had deteriorated rapidly due to its overuse, particularly by heavy-duty equipment and machinery that were employed for construction of Jubilee (former D’Urban) Park. Credibly, the Minister of Works kept his promise to fix the road after the grand 50th Independence anniversary celebrations.

The road’s upgrade is a welcome relief to Hadfield Street residents and other users who access other nearby communities using it as a route. Hadfield Street’s upgrade, however, has been attracting a frightening nuance. Several route 41 and 48 minibuses have opted, out of

their prescribed Road Service itinerary, to make Hadfield Street their new race course.

Invariably minibuses from those zones can be seen filled with passengers accelerating along this undesignated carriageway at alarming speed.

This seems to be a spin-off to the practice by many route 41 and 47 minibus operators who violate the route 46 zone by traversing and collecting passengers at liberty along Joseph Pollydore Street, creating unfair competition for the hapless Lodge minibus operators. I trust that Dion Moore and someone from the East La Penitence Police Traffic unit will take cognizance of this article and deploy the relevant units in an effort to curb this growing malpractice.

Sincerely, Patricia Camildo

The violation of Hadfield Street by minibuses

Sincerely, Orette Cutting

6

friDAY, september 23, 2016

Page

Foundation

Confidence – Helping your child through early adolescence How can I help my child to become more confident?

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oung teens often feel inadequate. They have new bodies and developing minds and their relationships with friends and family members are in flux.

They understand for the first time that they aren’t good at everything. The changes in their lives may take place more rapidly than their ability to adjust to them.

Poor self-esteem often peaks in early adolescence, then improves during the middle and late teen years as identities gain strength and focus. At any age, however, a lack of confidence can be a serious problem. Young teens with poor self-esteem can be lonely, awkward with others and sensitive to criticism and with what they see as their shortcomings. Young teens with low confidence are less likely to join in activities and form friendships. This isolates them further and slows their ability to develop a better self-image. When they do make friends, they are more vulnerable to negative peer pressure.

Some young adolescents who lack confidence hold back in class. Others act out to gain attention. At its worst, a lack of confidence is often linked with self-destructive behaviour and habits – smoking or drug or alcohol use, for example.

Girls often experience deeper self-doubts than do boys (although there are many exceptions). This can be for many reasons: * Society sends girls the message that it is important for them to get along with others and to be very, very thin and pretty. Life can be just as hard, however, for a boy who thinks he has to meet society’s expectations that boys have to be good at sports and other physical activities.

guyana-times.com

* Girls mature physically about two years earlier than do boys, which requires girls to deal with issues of how they look, popularity and sexuality before they are emotionally mature enough to do so. * Girls may receive confusing messages about the importance of achievement.

Although girls are told that

has developed a theory of self-esteem that considers both a child’s sense of confidence in an area of activity and how important that area is to the child. For example, adolescents may think about a number of situations: competing on the track team, studying Maths, dating, taking care of younger brothers or sisters and so on. An

achievement is important, some also fear that they won’t be liked, especially by boys, if they come across as too smart or too capable, especially in the areas of math, science and technology.

If your young adolescent suffers from a severe lack of confidence over long period, she may benefit from seeing a counsellor or other professional. This is especially true if she also has a drug or alcohol problem, a learning disability, an eating disorder or severe depression. (See the Problems section, for information that can help you to decide whether your child fits into one of these categories.)

Most young adolescents will get through the rough spots with adequate time and support.

Most psychologists now believe that self-esteem and self-confidence represent a range of feelings that a child has about himself in many different situations.

Psychologist Susan Harter

adolescent is likely to feel more confident doing some of these things than others.

She may feel very good about her athletic ability and skill at math, but feel bad about her dating life. She may also have mixed feelings about how good a sister she is to her baby brother. How good this teenager feels about herself ties to how important each of these area is to her.

If having a very active dating life is the most important area of her life, this girl will feel bad about herself. If being a scholar-athlete is most important area, then she will feel very good about herself.

Based on this theory, the best ways to help your child to develop confidence include the following: Provide opportunities for your child to succeed. As teacher Diane Crim points out, “The best way to instil confidence in someone is to give them successful experiences. You need to set them up to succeed – give

them experiences where they can see how powerful they are. Children can engineer those experiences. Part of confidence is knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do.”

Help your child to build confidence in his abilities by encouraging him to take an art class, act in a play, join a soccer or baseball team, participate in science fairs or computer clubs or play a musical instrument – whatever he likes to do that brings out the best in him. Don’t push a particular activity on your child. Most children, whether they are three or 13 years old, resist efforts to get them to do things that they don’t enjoy. Pushing children to participate in activities they haven’t chosen for themselves can lead to frustration. Try to balance your child’s experiences between activities that he is already good at doing with new activities or with activities that he is not so good at doing.

You can also help your child to build confidence by assigning him family responsibilities at which he can succeed – unloading the dishwasher, cleaning his room or mowing the lawn.

Help young teens feel safe and trust in themselves. The ability of adolescents to trust in themselves comes from receiving unconditional love that helps them to feel safe and to develop the ability to solve their own problems. Your child, like all children, will encounter situations that require her to lean on you and others.

But always relying on you to bail her out of tough situations can stunt her emotional growth. “We have to teach our children how to cope with the things they encounter, instead of easing the path,” says teacher Anne Jolly. (www.2.ed.gov)

TO BE CONTINUED

The strengths of the oppositional defiant child

BY KIM ABRAHAM AND MARNEY STUDAKERCORDNER (Continued from Thursday)

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railblazers.

ODD children seem to live by the slogan, “I took the path less travelled.”

Without them, just think of what we’d be missing in the entertainment world alone; many actors and vocalists have expressed childhoods that include skipping or dropping out of school, arguing with authority figures, stubbornness and even jail time. We love the James Deans, Jim Morrisons and Robert Downey Juniors of the world for the cultural icons they’ve become. The road they took was rough, but they didn’t get to icon status by being afraid to challenge norms.

In her autobiography, environmental rights activist Erin Brockovich describes her “inner strength” as often the only thing she had going for her. The same strengths that got her through an adolescence filled with school struggles and a love for “the wild life,” empowered her to fight for the rights of others when many would have kept her quiet. Just because your teen isn’t well-known or famous doesn’t mean he or she isn’t a trailblazer. In fact, all oppositional and defiant children are trailblazers, taking the path less travelled with a willingness to go against societal norms.

Promoters of personal growth. Twelve-year-old Candace’s mom was a teacher in a prestigious school district. She was horrified when Candace began wearing clothes to school that she had literally picked up off her floor from the dirty laundry pile. One day Mom groaned in frustration, “The dog slept on her jeans the night before, and she wore them anyway!” If mom put a basket of neatly folded, clean clothes on the bed, Candace would simply wear the clothes she had on the day before, stains and all.

Mom tried bribing Candace with expensive name-

brand clothes. She begged her daughter, “Please wear clean clothes. You have no idea how embarrassing this is to me. People will think I’m a terrible mother. I teach in that school!” But Candace still rebelled.

After months of daily arguing and shamefully avoiding the teacher’s lounge, mom finally gave up. “I just decided there was nothing I could do and that Candace’s choices were not a reflection of me. I can only dress myself in the morning.”

Miraculously, the next week Candace began wearing clean clothes. Mom was astonished by her reply: “You always told me it doesn’t matter what people think of you and that your true friends will love you for who you are, not what you have or how you dress. You’re always saying that I shouldn’t judge others. I wanted to show you what a hypocrite you are.”

Years later, Candace’s mom remembers how her daughter’s behaviour really did lead her to personal growth. “She was right.

I cared a lot – too much – about what others thought of us, and I did judge others.

It’s a lesson I never forgot.”

Why are we telling you these stories and asking you to see the strengths in your child’s challenging personality? It’s because the bottom line in living with an ODD child is always fear and often insecurity. Whether it’s worrying about what others will think of him (or us), fear for that child’s safety or well-being, fear drives us to try and change the personality. In a meeting of multiple adults (teachers, social workers, parents and counsellors), 15-yearold Billy shared, “I feel like you’re trying to change me.

Not just my behaviour – but me. Can’t you just accept me for who I am?” For parents of ODD children, one of the hardest tasks we face can be accepting our child for who he is. It’s a constant lesson in learning to let go of trying to control someone we would give our lives to protect. (empow-

eringparents.com)

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friday, september 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

No difference in “deflowering” and “rape” – Lawrence

Local Zika cases climb to 37

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C

... tells reporters, critics to crack a dictionary esponding to growing concerns and public outrage over her choice of words, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence is contending that the words “rape” and “deflowering” share the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

Rights activists have been accusing the minister, who is supposed to be the champion of protecting victims of abuse, of failing to recognise the severity of desensitising the issue of rape.

However, during an interview with the media on Thursday, Lawrence maintained that the word, in the context in which it was used, is appropriate.

She posited that there is really no issue at hand and that persons who cannot comprehend the use of the word “deflowering” should refer to a dictionary.

“When persons use a word we are not au fait with, the normal thing your teacher would have told you is go to the dictionary,” she told reporters when approached for a comment on the mounting criticisms against her.

Further prompted to differentiate between rape and deflowering, the Social Protection Minister told the media to consult a dictionary.

“Go to the dictionary and it will tell you. And I am sure you would look at its context in terms of the press release,” she said.

Lawrence also referred the media to her Facebook page where she posted her understanding of the meaning of the word “deflowering”.

According to the minister’s social media post, “deflowering is the act of taking the virginity of a girl”.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence

However, Rights activists have pointed out that Lawrence has failed to realise that rape encompasses more than just taking a girl’s virginity.

Rape is defined as “unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will usually of a female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent” by the Merriam Webster Dictionary.

Moreover, former Human Service Minister Priya Manickchand, had more clearly highlighted the issue with the Social Protection Minister’s choice of word, pointing out that a person can be “raped” without being “deflowered”.

“A child can be raped and not “deflowered” by being made to put into his/her mouth a penis. A boy child can be raped without being deflowered by being anally penetrated. Don’t we know these things by now?” she outlined in a social media post on the issue.

In addition to the apparent incompetency within the ministry, critics have also expressed grave concerns over the repercussions of the softening of this brutal crime by the agency responsible for the protection of rape victims.

Manickchand asserted that by using a softer word to describe rape, the Ministry is making the issue a taboo topic and ultimately contributing to the rape culture.

This is the second time that Lawrence’s competency to manage the affairs of the Social Protection Ministry is being questioned.

Earlier this year, she came in for much criticism after she made some unfortunate remarks and had a casual approach in defence of a man who was charged for sexual molestation.

In her defence, the minister was quoted by another section of the media as saying, “This is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason, I can’t tell you, because if I had a brother, even if there was an accusation, this is not how I would go about helping him.”

Additionally, it is alleged that the molester’s sister further alleged that she told the minister that her brother needed to be jailed for his involvement, but Lawrence asked her not to pursue such actions.

Organisations along with Rights activists have persistently picketed for her resignation.

There are no indications of her being reprimanded in any way by the government or the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) party, to which she is affiliated.

−“It is unfortunate that we are depending solely on CARPHA for testing” – Dr Shamdeo Persaud hief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud has announced that there are 37 confirmed cases of Zika in Guyana, while the country continues to depend on the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing.

Persaud said he received the results from the Agency and they have confirmed two other cases. He stated that the Public Health Ministry has adopted a vector management approach as opposed to vector control approach when dealing with the spread of the mosquito that carries the virus.

The CMO noted that it is unfortunate that the blood samples are still being sent to the Trinidad and Tobago company for testing, when Guyana has its own National Reference Laboratory. When questioned on when the local

by the Pan-American Health Organisation.

Several weeks ago, Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton had stated that there are 35 confirmed cases of Zika virus in Guyana, which was a noteworthy climb from the original seven.

The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aides Aegypti mosquito, known to be aggressive daytime biters but also bite at night. Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rash and sometimes swelling of the limbs. In rare cases, persons may experience vomiting, abdominal pains and diarrhoea.

The virus can be passed on from a pregnant woman to her foetus, possibly resulting in certain birth and brain defects. The virus has been linked specifically to a brain deformity called mi-

laboratory would commence testing for traces of the virus, or other types of vector borne diseases, Persaud stated that the Ministry is awaiting reagents procured

crocephaly, which results in the abnormal smallness of the infants’ head. This disorder results in incomplete brain development.

Thus, the Public Health

Chief Medical Officer, Shamdeo Persaud

Dr

Ministry has advocated that persons avoid getting pregnant during this time. And if they do, they do it at their own risk. The Ministry had advised that all pregnant women attend each of the antenatal clinic dates and use mosquito nets.

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy had chided the Ministry for its approach to the virus. He stated that while Zika is not just another mosquito-borne disease, Government surely is treating it as one.

He said it is evident in its jaded educational awareness campaign, its inability to utilise available resources, and its slothfulness in the formulation of key policies to control the spread of the infection.

Ramsammy indicated that this drastic increase in the number of affected persons can be attributed to Government’s poor response to the threat when it first hit the shores of Guyana.

8 news

fridAY, september 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

IN THE COURTS

Dryshore teacher charged with break and enter

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teacher from Dryshore Village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Thursday made his first appearance before magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court charged

with break and enter with intent to commit felony.

Shazam Hussain, 26, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on September 14, 2016 he broke into the dwelling house of Saleena Hussain of

Dry Shore Village with intent to steal.

Hussain was represented by attorney Yannsin, who told the court that her client has a permanent place of abode at Dry Shore and he is a teacher by profession.

There was no objection to bail from police prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack so bail was granted at the sum of $40,000 by magistrate Sunil Scarce, and the case will be called again on October 6.

Couple remanded on firearm charges

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Berbice couple, Bibi Amerullia, 57, and Ram Nermal, 47, of Lot 141 Number 79 Village, Corentyne, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on joint charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charges that stated on September 16, 2016 at Duck Creek, Corentyne, they were in possession of seven shotgun cartridges without being the holder of a firearm licence.

It was further alleged that on the same day and place, they were in possession of a shotgun without a valid firearm licence.

Police Prosecutor Sophia

Bibi Amerullia

Ram Nermal

Sardina stated that on the day in question, Police ranks were acting upon a tip-off about another crime when they kicked down the defendant’s door and saw the fire-

arm and ammunition.

Defence Attorney Mark Conway challenged the prosecution’s case, claiming that the firearm and ammunition were found on

the defendant’s farm where four workers were present daily. He further stated that the defendants were in Georgetown at the time of the discovery.

Conway made an application for bail on behalf of his clients on the grounds that his clients had a large farm of orange, cassava, watermelon and livestock, noting that his client’s farm was currently abandoned.

The Prosecutor objected to bail based on the nature of the matter; as such, the defendants were refused bail.

The matter was transferred to Springlands Magistrates’ Court for September 28, 2016.

Essequibo duo granted bail for unlawful wounding

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endry Mohammed aka Spanish, 17, of Pomona Housing Scheme and Navindra Persaud, 23, of Huis Diren, Essequibo Coast, was on Thursday granted bail for unlawful wounding.

The duo made their first appearance before magistrate Sunil Scarce on Thursday, at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. After the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was ap-

plied by police prosecutor Haimraj Ramsewack for the case to be tried in the magistrate’s court, the application was granted by Scarce and the duo pleaded not guilty to the indictable charge.

Representing them was attorney Yassin who asked for reasonable bail. She told the court that both have a permanent place of abode and assured the court they would return for their trial.

She however mentioned that

‘Spanish’ is currently unemployed and is living with his parents.

The facts of the matter state that on September 17, 2016 at Pomona Village, Essequibo Coast, the accused unlawfully and maliciously wounded Andrew Mohanlall.

Bail was granted in the sum of $60,000 and the case will be called again on October 6, 2016.

Linden duo on bail for assault

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wo Linden residents were granted $10,000 bail by Magistrate Clive Nurse on Wednesday when they appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on charges of assault.

Leroy and Anita Major, both of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, pleaded not guilty to the alleged assault offences committed against each other.

The charge against Leroy Major, the defendant, alleges that he committed the act against Anita Major on Sunday, September 18.

The Prosecution’s facts state that Leroy allegedly slapped the Anita to her face and cuffed her about the body. She later reported the incident to the Wismar Police Station which led to the defendant’s arrest.

The defendant however refuted claims that he slapped and cuffed the VC about her body and was placed on a bond to keep the peace by Magistrate Nurse.

Meanwhile, Anita Major was co-charged with assault committed against Leroy Major.

The duo are scheduled to return to court on November 30.

Eyew tness Whistleblowers...

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...in Government

he Government’s started running ads in all the dailies inviting John and Jane Q Public to a “Public Consultation” on a Whistleblowers’ Bill, come this Oct 10. The fact that Parliament’s due to begin its “fall session” (well, the Govt announced its “summer holiday” after their earlier 45- day hiatus, didn’t they?) isn’t the only reason your humble (but sceptical) Eyewitness thinks this is just a red herring.

C’mon now! Do you, Dear Readers, think this Administration really wants to have the tens of thousands of Government employees to have immunity if they fink on the officials who’re daily bilking the treasury of billions and billions? And that’s the bottom line, isn’t it?

“Whistleblowing” is simply exposing behaviour or acts that one believes are ETHICALLY or MORALLY wrong – but which may be protected by the rules of the organisation.

So, if you out and tell your superior about pilfering by a colleague, he may just fire your tail!

In fact, in the news today is the story of Wells Fargo Bank, which actually encourages whistleblowing on enumerated, sharp mortgages practices. But when some employees picked them up on their offer and finked, they were summarily thrown out on their ears! The point of the story is managers may feel they’re guided by some “higher” morality (read they’re in on the hustle!) on behalf of their organisation. Look how the US Government, for all its vaunted “openness”, treated Snowden and Assange.

Of course, they’ve cited “national security” concerns – but that’s a slippery slope, ain’t it? The term could cover a multitude of sins – and the whistleblower could just as easily be labelled a “snitch” or “informer”. That’s especially true when the corporation (private whistleblowing) or government (public whistleblowing) is “corrupt” as is the case in the Third World in general and Guyana in particular.

Let’s take the case of what went down with the now infamous Albouystown bottom house warehouse. There has to’ve been dozens of employees in the Ministry of Health who knew what was going down. And it doesn’t matter they might NOT have been guided by some higher moral voice booming from on high. It could be that they just didn’t get a cut of that $450 million and wanted to fink out of spite.

What the legislation has to guarantee isn’t to just fire the miscreant now caught with their hand in the cookie jar...the challenge is to protect the whistleblower for all time. Once he/she is known – which is all too easy in our personalised record keeping – no other person will hire him.

Why? Because every official – especially the big ones – want a piece of the action!! Explaining why nothing’s gonna be done!

...in broadcasting

And right on cue on this need to find ways to get a grip on corruption and graft via spilling the beans... comes news that two members of the GNBA – including a former TV fella – have been accused of hustling some poor broadcaster slob over in Essequibo. Seems the Essequibo guy’s been squatting on a piece of the cable broadcasting spectrum and it’s alleged that Mr TV suggested he vacate the jurisdiction for some locale out in the boons.

Now you may say what’s wrong about this bit of fatherly advice to someone who’s breaking the law? Well, as usual, there’s more to the story. It’s alleged the cable market would’ve been offered to a big one on the Coast!

And we can read between the (spectrum) lines, nuh? What makes it more suspicious is Mr TV’s peeved the Chair of GNBA blew the whistle. Mr TV wanted the ENTIRE board to agree.

Thing is, he’s a member of the board!! Uh! Uh!

...on nursing negligence

The nurses don’t move a mother about to deliver on the available chair but insists she walks. Baby plunks out, falls on the floor and fractures skull.

Mother’s now told “not to worry”...it’ll heal!! Really?

What about brain damage? Blow the whistle!!

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

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friday, september 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Stone suppliers protest CHEC Surinamese imports – as GMSA calls on Govt to protect local content

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overnment must do more to ensure that there is greater protection or consideration for local content when it comes to the implementation of foreign funded, or foreign executed contracts.

This is the view held by President of the Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association (GMSA), Eon Caesar, who during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, confirmed that at least two local stone suppliers have lodged complaints given the news that a Suriname-based quarrying company has been awarded a mega contract to supply stones for a local project.

Caesar was at the time making reference to the reported US$7.5 million contract awarded to Suriname’s State-owned mining company Grassalco, to supply some 300,000 tonnes of crushed stone over a 12-month period for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion project – currently being undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

Caesar told Guyana Times that while CHEC was a private company that would have to make its own decisions with regard to completing its project within the stipulated timeframe and specifications, the project was being funded by taxpayers and as such, it was imperative for Government to do more to protect local products.

GMSA President Eon Caesar

Speaking to the complaints lodged by at least two local suppliers, Caesar said even if it was a case that one of the companies could not meet the demand in terms of the amount of stones requested, at least both companies together could have met the quota.

“Even if one could not supply all, both could have fulfilled the order,” Caesar said.

According to international reports, Surinamese Grassalco and Zhong Da International Engineering Company will deliver the material in partnership to CHEC in Guyana.

The contracts were reportedly signed by Grassalco’s Chief Executive Officer, Sergio Akiemboto; Zhong Da International Engineering Company General Manager Wu Qiong, and CHEC Project Manager Sun Wei. The Guyana CHEC Contract is reportedly the largest contract the Stateowned company has signed with a foreign contractor.

The issue of protecting local labour and businesses was catapulted into the limelight during the construction of the US$58 million Marriott Hotel where Guyanese labour and supplies were largely not used by the Chinese contractor.

The matter was also recently raised again by representatives of the local Private Sector Commission (PSC) following the discovery of oil offshore Guyana by ExxonMobil. Local content in that case has been defined as the quantum/percentage of locally produced materials, personnel, financing, goods and services rendered to the oil industry and which can be measured in monetary terms.

Presidential Adviser Eric Phillips recently called for the necessary legislation to be put in place to protect local content.

Phillips said if managed strategically and if good governance became the norm in Government and the Private Sector, exponential growth in Guyana’s economy was a real possibility with the discovery of oil.

He had called for a Local Content Bill, which he argued was “an absolute necessity at this time during the early days of oil exploration… Exxon and other multinational entities who occupy the value chain of oil production and associated industries should know from day one that Guyanese must be involved in the initial spend to produce oil and later as oil is produced.”

Constitutional Court a white elephant since Chang’s retirement …if left unchecked will logically degenerate into loss of independence – Ramotar

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ver since the retirement of Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, hardly any cases are being heard in Guyana’s Constitutional Court and it has now taken on the appearance of a white elephant.

This is the view held by former President Donald Ramotar, who in a recent missive to the media, called on regional jurists currently in Guyana to make a contribution to halt the decline of the state of affairs in the local judiciary.

His view has come in wake of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Conference being held locally.

“It is clear that the independence of the judiciary is important to national development,” Ramotar noted.

According to the former President, it is well known that during the 23 years that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was in office, judicial independence was greatly enhanced.

Ramotar – a longstanding member of the PPP/C – said, “Those actions sprung from the deep conviction of the PPP/C that the independence of the judiciary was indispensable to the establishment of a national democratic state.”

According to Ramotar, “our nation’s experience during the 28 years of PNC (People’s National Congress) dictatorship (1964-1992) proved that”. He said as the PNC moved to control the judiciary, freedom shrunk

Former President Donald Ramotar

Former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang

and the quality of life of Guyanese deteriorated at a fast rate.

The former President has since sought to make the case that there are currently many cases where people’s rights are allegedly violated and are not being heard.

“Farmers who had their lands taken away by this regime have applied to the courts for justice, but their cases are not being called…

Many persons who were granted core homes under the PPP/C Government had their properties repossessed by the regime, but their cases are not being heard.”

He reminded too that hundreds of workers and managers have been dismissed by the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) regime.

“Many felt they were wrongfully dismissed, racially discriminated against, yet their cases cannot even be heard, see the light of day.”

“We also have the case where the Court of Appeal set aside the decision of former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, who had ruled that Winston Felix and Keith Scott were unconstitutionally seated in the National Assembly, because they were not technocrats…One cannot help, but wonder if that decision to set aside that ruling by Justice Chang was a case of anticipating what the Government wanted and delivered.”

According to Ramotar, “since Justice Chang retired, hardly any cases are being heard in the Constitutional Court…It is taking on the appearance of a white elephant.”

The former President said: “The new PNC-led APNU/AFC regime is only 16 months old, but we are beginning to see clear signs of deterioration in the quality of the judiciary, which, if left unchecked, will logically degenerate into loss of indepen-

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news

FRIday, september 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

NCN saga continues

News Anchor blames controversy for early labour − blasts State broadcaster in social media post

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a t i o n a l Communications Network (NCN) News Anchor Natasha Smith has taken to social media to voice blistering criticisms against the State-owned National Communications Network (NCN) and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lennox Cornette for several wrongs meted out to her over time. Smith vented her frustrations on Thursday, while she acknowledged that going public may get her fired; she affirmed that she will not stand back and remain silent.

“I know that I have a 50/50 chance that’s why this is no time to shut up about [this]… I won’t be surprised [if] I’m fired for this,” the anchor stated. Smith reasoned that the ongoing situation is responsible for her going into early labour.

“I am in labour. My baby is four weeks premature thanks to all this crap,” Smith barked via a Thursday morning social media post. The anchor’s public frustrations came one day after a preliminary report conducted by the State channel found there was “no gender bias” found at the Network’s operations.

But Smith’s comments are in

sharp contrast to the “camaraderie” that Communications Specialist Abraham Poole, contracted by NCN, found is his on-going investigation.

Smith alleged that NCN never provided her with wardrobe for presenting the news, even though the CEO promised her that this situation would change. She added her displeasure over Cornette removing her from air for wearing “tight clothing”.

“For eight years, I have been hearing about wardrobe from since the new CEO came… when I had a meeting with him, he could not guarantee that the wardrobe issue will be fixed within the three months of my maternity leave... I know this because I asked him... on the issue of me wearing tight clothes which is displeasing to him... as a pregnant woman, I don’t know what (apart from wearing a sheet) would not look tight,” Smith queried.

She claimed that her employer is attempting to “drag her down”, adding that the $2000 per week presenter’s fee was insufficient to fund her attire. “NCN has never provided any attire, wardrobe, or clothes or a piece of a flour bag for me to go on

News Anchor Natasha Smith

NCN CEO Lennox Cornette

air... now [they are] trying to drag me down because of what I choose to wear... I earn an honest living working at NCN. I do not prostitute or suck up to the powers that be,” Smith stated.

The NCN probe sought to examine management’s interactions with Smith and Sport Editor Jocelle ArchibaldHawke to determine whether “charges of gender bias and accusations of discrimination are justified” and to prevent future incidents. Only Smith turned up at the meeting with NCN’s top management.

The communications spe-

cialist, whose probe is yet to be completed, noted that although “camaraderie”, or togetherness was observed; he however found that there are difficulties in the communications chain, which he stated are “correctable and preventable”.

Meanwhile, NCN’s management continues to deny that Smith was removed due to her pregnancy, despite reports of the Chief Executive Officer Lennox Cornette alleged expression that the anchor’s pregnant state did not represent the image of the news.

On the issue surrounding Archibald-Hawke, who had been suspended without pay for criticising a younger male colleague, Poole noted that NCN did not reveal details of management’s decision to discipline the Sport Editor.

“NCN is constrained by trust and expected confidentiality from disclosing an employee’s details even if such disclosures would patently justify its managerial actions,” the NCN statement noted.

It was recently announced that Archibald-Hawke will now receive her full month’s pay but she however remains off the job until her expected return on September 29.

The State-owned entity’s Board Chairman Bish Panday responded to the preliminary report and said that he is not interested in leading an organisation that was guilty of any inhumane practices.

GPA weighs in

Meanwhile, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) is a strongly worded statement issued Thursday, pointed out that it is disturbed by what is said were “ludicrous, inhumane and degrading positions and actions that have been

taken by NCN against Smith and Archibald-Hawke.

The GPA pointed out was that Smith was asked “if she would be willing to retract her statement”, in addition to being asked to reveal the names of managers who informed her of the decision of the CEO. “We salute Ms Smith for refusing to withdraw her statement of the events that followed August 8, 2016 board meeting. The GPA is disgusted that Ms Smith continues to be subjected to this sort of harassment and stress over an issue we thought was over with,” the Association added.

GPA said it supports Archibald-Hawke’s decision not to attend the meeting without her union representative.

“The GPA maintains that the management of NCN is instituting willy-nilly sanctions against employees that are not grounded in any stated directive or policy,” the body observed. Earlier this month, rights activists and the media fraternity staged a protestin front of the company’s Homestretch Avenue Head Office, where management was urged to reverse its decision in both Smith’s and Archibald-Hawke’s cases.

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friday, september 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

Linden teen succumbs Govt considering to injuries paternity leave - Dept of Labour investigating I R amesh Rajbally, 19, of Blueberry Hill, Linden, earlier this week succumbed to his injuries at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Georgetown Public Hospital.

Rajbally suffered a fractured neck, spine and jaw during an accident while offloading logs at his place of work in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Information reaching this publication revealed that the accident occurred on Friday, at Grenville’s Sawmill, Blueberry Hill (back road), Linden.

The distraught mother Donna Albert, speaking to this newspaper disclosed that the autopsy revealed her son suffered from internal bleeding and multiple fractures about his body, mainly to his ribs which punctured his lungs.

Albert explained the former employer of her son has been cooperative with her and has already handed over monies towards her son’s funeral. He had also given monies towards the family travelling expenses between Linden and the City.

This publication was informed that the matter is being investigated by the Ministry of Labour and actions will be determined upon the findings of the investigations.

The family is still contemplating their next move.

In earlier reports, the man’s aunt, Sammantha Williams, disclosed that the mother received a phone call from Clive Grenville, the sawmill owner, on Friday shortly before noon, inform-

Ramesh Rajbally

ing her of an accident involving her son. She was told that her son was already taken to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) by a co-worker.

It was only after the family visited the hospital that the young man’s condition was known. Williams said several x-rays and ultrasounds indicated multiple fractures, including injuries to the spine.

“When we get to the hospital, we see Ramesh with blood gushing from he mouth and blood coming through he nose. Blood was all over his face, his hands swell up fat and we was helpless. He just look like he

collapsing all of the time,” Williams related.

After several exchanges with attendants at the Accident and Emergency department, the attending physician informed the family that the Hospital could no longer handle the matter since the teen was facing possible permanent paralysis.

“The doctor come and tell we that he sorry to give we bad news now, but he is paralysed and would not be able to walk,” the distraught woman related.

Rajbally was subsequently transferred to Georgetown that same day where he was placed in the ICU.

n light of the proposed increase of six months maternity leave, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence has revealed that government is also considering implementing paternity leave.

“The Government through the Ministry of Social Protection [is] pushing families and as a result we are going to look at it holistically and paternity leave will [be looked at] certainly,” Lawrence noted.

She was responding to questions pertaining to a bill that will be tabled in the National Assembly to raise maternity leave from three to six months in early 2017. She however stressed that stakeholders, including the private sector, have to be consulted before the policy is introduced: “The best practice is six months but we have to have our deliberations, not only with government entities but the private sector to ensure that Guyana is ready for six months.”

It was in July that Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton, bemoaned mothers only being able to breastfeed their babies for three months. It was observed that the World Health Organisation rec-

Public Health George Norton

Minister,

Dr

ommends six months for breastfeeding.

In Canada, a mother could take 20 weeks and a father the remaining 15, totalling 35 weeks parental leave while Chile is the only country in the Americas which grants six months paid leave for new mothers.

In 2015, Pan American Health Organisation had called for more employers to support breastfeeding mothers in the Caribbean and the Americas, stressing the need for women to be supported in balancing work and family.

The organisation had stated that promoting

Social Protection Volda Lawrence

Minister

breastfeeding in the workplace increases benefits for employers, including employee loyalty to companies as a result of gratitude and satisfaction, and reduced absenteeism because breastfeeding employees’ babies get sick less often and less severely. It had also been recommended that employers employ policies, specifically paid maternity leave, paid breaks for breastfeeding, a dedicated room for breastfeeding in the workplace that is private and hygienic, and flexible or reduced working hours for breastfeeding mothers.

12 News

friDay, september 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

East Canje cane harvester found hanging − threatened wife before taking life

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cane harvester was on Wednesday afternoon found hanging from a rafter of his Cumberland, East Canje home. The discovery was made by his wife who he had threatened to kill before taking his life.

Bodnarine Mohamed, 51, a Rose Hall Sugar Estate employee, was discovered in front of his door hanging by the neck with a rope attached to a rafter. His wife, Chandrawattie Kumar told this publication that she was at the house situated at the front of the yard, and made the discovery when she returned home.

Over the 31 years of the marriage, it was revealed Mohamed had been threatening to kill himself after killing her. She said on several occasions he threatened her with a cutlass, but each time she was rescued.

The mother of three related that Mohamed was a frequent user of alcohol and on many occasions when he was under the influence, he would make threats. For this reason,

she said most of her days were spent in the front house.

Mohamed, over the past few days, had been telling friends that he was leaving and was going to kill himself.

On Wednesday, the man was said to have been in a restless mood. At the time, three surveyors were working in the yard and may have prevented him from carrying out his plan.

The suicide comes on the heels of a massive awareness programme to reduce the scourge in Guyana. In East Canje, two vigils were held in observance of World Suicide Day on September 10.

While it is repeatedly said that Guyana has the highest suicide rate in the world with 44 per 100,000 persons, Medical Superintendent, Dr Vishalya Sharma says those figures mean nothing if they are not compared with other countries.

Comparing Guyana’s suicide rate with those of other countries in the hemisphere, Sharma said in Suriname the ratio is 27 per 100,000 persons

Dead: Bodnarine Mohamed

whereas in Venezuela, it is 3 per 100,000 and Barbados, 7 per 100,000. Worldwide, the rate is 11 per 100,000 persons.

It has been reported that for every person who successfully attempts self-harm, ten others fail in their attempts.

Annually, about 200 persons die as a result of suicide in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Region Six (East Canje-Berbice) Chairman David Armogan said suicide was a serious social and public health problem, which was not being addressed the way it should be.

“The thing with Guyana

is that we are worse than the rest of the world, because in Guyana our figure is four times higher than the rest of the world and per capita, we are the highest in the world which mean we have a very serious problem with a population of just under 700,000 persons. It is a very serious social health problem, as well as a public health problem. I say it is a public health problem, because once people are dying from a particular phenomenon, it becomes a public health problem. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in our country,” Armogan said.

Mohamed’s body is currently at the Arokium Funeral Home awaiting an autopsy.

If you or anyone you know is feeling depressed and possibly contemplating suicide, please call the Guyana Interagency Suicide Helpline which operates 24 hours, and is organised by the Guyana Police Force. Telephone: 2230001, 223-0009, 223-0818; Cellphone: 600-7896, 6234444.

Parking meter controversy continues

Cush denies knowledge of new Director

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n light of the announcement of a new Director to spearhead the controversial Parking Meter Project, the man who identified himself as the Managing Director of Smart City Solutions (SCS), the company contracted to execute the project, Ifa Kamau Cush, is claiming that he is not aware of the change.

Public Relations Consultant for Smart City Solutions (SCS), Kit Nascimento, has indicated that Amir Oren, who is an International Director of

Business Development, is now the major investor representing a consortium that has taken over SCS and would be spearheading the project.

However, when contacted on Thursday, Cush indicated that he is not aware of this development, directing Guyana Times to seek further clarification on the matter from the person who divulged the information.

But Nascimento explained that late last year, the Council formalised an agreement with National Parking Systems

Consultant Kit Nascimento

(NPS), which was operated by Cush. He noted that NPS introduced the Council an “international consortium with extensive experience, finances and the know-how”.

The consortium, the company consultant added, includes several companies from Mexico, Peru and Panama and that the Council entered into an expanded contract allowing the consortium to establish a special purpose company, which is Smart City Solutions Inc in Guyana to take over the project. SCS in turn absorbed NPS. However, up until recently, Cush was presented as the Director of SCS and the public was not aware of a second contract being signed by the Council concerning the parking meter system.

But Nascimento explained that the initial contract was “very old” and has been taken over by the SCS. Notably, he dodged questions about whether Cush has been replaced or whether it was Cush who approached Oren to set up the company.

“Cush is a shareholder.

His position is not operational,” he said.

When the Mayor of Georgetown Patricia ChaseGreen was contacted to provide clarity on the issue, she refused to comment, only saying that all questions should be directed to Nascimento.

Over the past few months, the parking meter contract has come under fire from all ends but the Government has assured that they have found nothing illegal in the contract which was signed with Smart City Solutions Inc. continue on PAGE 13

India and the end of Indentureship

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t’s an interesting footnote that the end of Indian Indentureship had its genesis in the politics of India rather than any struggle in the countries to which Indians had been shipped since 1834.

The governments of those colonies were all heavily influenced by their sugar planters who desperately wanted an uninterrupted supply of indentureds to Ravi Dev continue depressing wages.

In fact, after immigration ended in Guyana in 1917, the government and planters sent a delegation of Guyanese-Indian leaders to India to solicit support for a new scheme to supply cheap labour.

In India, the Indian National Congress (INC) had been formed in 1885 by British and Indian members of the Theosophical Society to encourage “dialogue” between “educated” Indians and the Indian Government. According to an 1832 policy enunciated by Macaulay, the “education” promised to create “brown Englishmen”. The graduates assumed they would be treated like white Englishmen individually; and collectively, as members of the British Empire. Consequently, they soon argued for “Swaraj” for India along the lines accorded to Australia and South Africa.

The gap between the promise and the reality, however, precipitated a split of the INC in 1905 between “Moderates”, led by Gokhale - who continued to “believe” and “Extremists” led by Tilak who didn’t. Indentured Indians entered the picture through the backdoor when Gandhi, who had gone as a lawyer to South Africa in 1893 in the employ of some Gujrati merchants, was unceremoniously kicked off a train for believing he could travel first class like whites.

It was only gradually after indentureds spontaneously joined Gandhi’s protest that the latter’s eyes opened up to the plight of the former: rather not being treated like whites, their very humanity was denied. As racism was exposed through its extreme “apartheid” form a hundred years later, South Africa helped to make more “educated” Indians in India aware of their naïveté in aspiring to be “British”, through information supplied by Gandhi, who was in touch with Gokhale.

Ironically, Gandhi accepted a system in which white British persons were seen as being “better” than Indians, who were to be loyal “helpers”.

Gokhale initially saw Indentureship as hindering Indians being accepted as British because the “coolies” were not distinguished from “other” (read “educated”) Indians. He sought amelioration of the conditions under which the coolie laboured and only called for the abolition of Indentureship to Natal as a tactical measure after the government of Natal imposed restrictions on the movement of “free” Indians.

Abolition there was achieved in 1911.

In 1912 Gokhale extended his call to the entire system of Indentureship and other members of the Congress, such as Madan Mohan Malaviya took up the cause. By this time, the harsh conditions in other colonies, especially in Fiji, were made known in India, and the “ban on Indentureship” became a nationwide cause célèbre.

In fact, it was the one issue that brought together the two factions of Congress and also the Muslim League, under Mohamed Ali Jinnah, which had also withdrawn. For one brief historical moment, Indian Indentured labour brought modern Indians in India together.

On March 20, 1916, after Gokhale had passed away and Gandhi returned to India (both in 1915), Malaviya introduced a motion in the Indian Legislature for the cessation of Indentureship. Governor General Hardinge agreed in principle but the India Office back in Britain, under Chamberlain balked. He insisted that a new method of supplying labour to the colonies had to be found. By this time, however, most ships ferrying indentureds had been commandeered to the (WWI) war effort and the recruitment was also competing with enlistment efforts of the Indian army. Already under fire for a bungled campaign by that Indian dominated army in Mesopotamia, Chamberlain did not want to face further attacks from the Government of India. On March 12, 1917, he authorised the Government of India to issue orders under the Defence of India Act to stop recruitment and the same day an order was made in the Legislative Council. Two weeks earlier, the last ship, the SS Ganges had sailed to British Guiana and Trinidad. On Jan 1, 1920, the system was abolished completely.

NEWS

Guyana among 60 countries to have ratified Paris Agreement on climate change

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resident David Granger was the first Head of State to be congratulated on Thursday

by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at a special “High-Level Event on Entry into Force of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change”.

The event was convened to specially recognise the deposit of the instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession to the Paris Agreement on climate change by those countries that have already completed that process, a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated.

Sixty of the 197 parties to the Convention have ratified that Agreement, which was signed on April 22 this year. With more than 55 countries having formally joined the Paris Agreement, the first of the two required thresholds to bring it into effect has now been crossed.

The second threshold will be met when countries representing a total of 55 per cent of global emissions officially sign on. So far, that percentage stands at 47.5 per cent.

President Granger has

President David Granger being congratulated by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Guyana’s ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change

indicated that Guyana’s ‘green agenda’ is consistent with the Paris Agreement and the country has demonstrated that it was a reliable partner in the fight against the effects of climate change. “Our forests actually help the Earth to breathe and in that regard, Guyana is an asset to Mother Earth,” he said.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged countries that have not yet ratified the Agreement to accelerate their domestic processes.

He said, “I am confident that

by the time I leave office, the Paris Agreement will have entered into force.”

At COP 21 in Paris, held from November 30 to December 11, 2015, a landmark agreement to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low- carbon future was reached. One hundred and seventy five countries signed on to that Agreement on April 22 at a signing ceremony in New York.

4th suspect in Berbice triple murder arraigned

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he fourth suspect held in the gruesome Berbice triple murder, Rakesh Karamchand, 27, of Sheet Anchor, Corentyne, was on Thursday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

In a packed courtroom Karamchand was not allowed to plead to the indictable charge of murder.

It is alleged that between July 21 and 22, 2016, he murdered Pawan Chandradeo, Jaikarran Chandradeo and Narish Rooplall at Mibikuri, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne.

While in court, the unrepresented defendant shouted and proclaimed his innocence.

Karamchand, also known as ‘Rocky’ was remanded and the matter was transferred to Mibikuri Magistrate’s Court where the case will be called on October 4, 2016.

The accomplices facing

Rakesh Karamchand

charges for the triple murder are Carlton Chaitram, 37, Jairam Chaitram, 17 and Tameshwar Jagmohan, 26; all of Mibikuri South, Black Bush Polder.

Karamchand was recently arrested by the Major Crimes Unit. Police spokesman Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan related in a re-

port that following a tipoff, ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters conducted a covert operation in the backlands of the Corentyne, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

An unlicensed shotgun and seven cartridges were also found, Ramlakhan revealed.

He said that two other males were also in custody assisting with investigations in respect to the firearm used in the triple murder.

On Friday, July 23, 2016, the bodies of Chandradeo Senior and Junior, and brother-in-law, Rooplall, of Number 73 Village, Corentyne, were discovered lying next to each other on a dam at Cookrite Savannah, Black Bush Polder, with gunshot wounds.

Police in a release said each body bore a single gunshot wound. The discovery of the bodies was made by a rice farmer, shortly after daybreak.

Cush denies knowledge...

F R O M PAGE 12

When the contract was signed in June for its implementation throughout Georgetown, many persons were alarmed about the lack of transparency in the deal, with some saying that it appears to be a shady one aimed at exploiting the local populace.

Despite this, Smart City Solutions Inc had gone ahead and conducted demonstration exercises on how the parking meter works throughout the city. Persons were also seen conducting assessments on various streets in the city.

Government had ordered a review of the contract be-

tween Smart City Solutions and the Georgetown Mayor and Council (M&CC) following rising apprehension about the project’s transparency.

The review was conducted

by Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams and it was later disclosed that there were no illegalities found.

The sum total of the finding was that (a) there was nothing illegal about the contract and it appeared that from a review of the documents that the terms and conditions of the contract were onerous and heavily in

favour of the concessionaire,” Minister of State Joseph Harmon had indicated.

He assured that recommendations were made to ensure that Guyanese are not ripped off.

The project was slated for roll out this month.

However, Transparency Guyana (TIGI) has opined that the deal is shrouded in unaccountability and ambiguity. TIGI contended that there was no open tendering for the project while there was “handpicking” of a contractor and Councillors to conduct due diligence in Mexico.

13

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 | GUYANA-TIMES.COM

Police arrest prime suspect in Tucville mechanic’s murder

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lmost four months after 29-year-old Orrette West was stabbed to death at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, over an old grievance, Police ranks arrested the main suspect on Thursday.

West, a mechanic of Tucville Terrace, East La Penitence, was stabbed once to his chest and once to his abdomen on the morning of June 4, while hanging out at the Plaisance Railway Embankment.

His attacker, who hails from Guyhoc Park, Greater Georgetown, had fled the scene immediately after injuring the mechanic and had been in hiding since.

However, Guyana Times was informed by sources that on Thursday morning the Police received information about his whereabouts and went to Albouystown,

Dead: Orrette West

Georgetown, where they arrested the suspect.

The Police source further indicated the suspect was interrogated about the incident and subsequently confessed to killing the 29-year-old mechanic. He is expected to be charged and brought before the courts as early as today.

Eyewitnesses had told this publication that West was dancing with a woman when the suspect walked towards him, hugged him and inflicted the wounds.

West collapsed and was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Relatives of the dead man had revealed that the postmortem confirmed that he died as a result of a single stab wound to his chest.

Guyana Times was told that the stabbing might have stemmed from a December 2015 incident involving the two men.

However, on the day of the stabbing, the dead man’s mother told this newspaper, her son did not have any issue with anyone, and refuted the claims that he was involved in a fight with the suspect.

Procurement files allegedly...

“We have to clean it up, to pare it and to make it work and function in the interest of the people of the country. GECOM cannot be relied on to carry out its function if the perceived level of corruption is allowed to continue into the organisation,” Benn declared.

GECOM earlier this month was caught in a web of corruption allegations surrounding the purchase of the radios from Mobile Authority, a company owned by a Water Street, Georgetown businessman, while sidelining Barrett Communications, the manufacturer of the said radio sets.

Barrett subsequently distanced itself from the radio sets and highlighted that it had ceased production of that particular equipment since 2009, six years before they were pur-

chased by GECOM. Subsequently, reports surfaced that the Commission doled out close to $100 million to M-Tech Business Solutions, another company owned by the same Water Street businessman, this time for the supply of toners used for photocopiers and printers, office furniture and equipment, photo paper and scanners, printing accessories, and even Duracell batteries.

Additionally, the Commission is accused of purchasing a whopping $14 million in nippers from another relative of the same businessman.

GECOM officials, including the Chairman and CEO, have refused to comment on the allegations.

Dr Surujbally, when con-

FROM PAGE 3

tacted by Guyana Times on Monday, stated that he preferred to await the findings of State auditors.

“We are awaiting the result of the audit; let the auditors tell us that has happened or that has not happened. Let us be clear on a matter. I cannot pronounce on a matter that is still being investigated,” he said.

He also distanced himself from the allegations of corruption, making it clear he was not responsible for the financial affairs of the Commission, but rather the CEO. “In 2015, when we had the elections, the accounting officer is the Chief Elections Officer,” Dr Surujbally highlighted.

In March 2014, Lowenfield was appointed CEO and continued to serve in that capacity.

14 NEWS

friday, september 23, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Protection of human, legal rights needed to end gender-based violence – EU Ambassador

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he right of women and children to live free of violence depends on the protection of their human and legal rights, remarked the Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Guyana Jernej Videtiĉ.

He made these comments at a civil society forum on gender-based violence hosted by the EU at the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday evening.

The event was attended by a wide cross-section of civil society stakeholders working in areas of human and gender rights.

The Ambassador noted that the EU strongly supports to cause to rid society of any forms of violence and he highlighted how Guyana has benefited from these efforts.

“The EU has supported a number of initiatives in Guyana to tackle gender-based violence in recent years, including providing financial support to organisations dealing with domestic abuse such as Help and Shelter, Merundoi, ChildLink, the Child Care and Protection Agency, and others,” he stated.

In this regard, the Ambassador charged that it is time all stakeholders combine their efforts to eradicate the scourge of violence in society.

“Violence against women and girls is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality and systemic gender-based discrimination…

In this year, the fiftieth year

DHB health and safety handbook launched - efforts underway to reduce workrelated accidents, fatalities

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Actors from Merundoi Inc perform “Leave Before It’s Too Late”

of Guyana’s independence, it is time to finally remove the scourge of gender-based violence,” he stated.

Representing the Social Protection Ministry, Gender Specialist Adel Lilly pointed out that, “awareness raising campaigns are critical to prevent gender-based violence, not only by raising awareness of what constitutes violence and its unacceptability, but also to challenge the underlying attitudes and behaviours which support it.”

Gender-based violence is one of the most pervasive violations of human rights in the world, one of the least prosecuted crimes, and one of the greatest threats to lasting peace and development. This violence against women and children has tremendous costs to communities, nations and societies. If left unaddressed, these hu-

man rights violations pose serious consequences for current and future generations and for efforts to ensure peace and security, to achieve long-term development. The effects of violence can remain with women and children for a lifetime, and can pass from one generation to another. Studies show that children who have witnessed, or been subjected to violence are more likely to become victims or abusers themselves.

Meanwhile, the civil society forum on gender-based violence took the form of a skit on domestic abuse

by Merundoi Incorporated called ‘Leave Before It’s Too Late’, and an excerpt from a documentary film called Six Days, which deals with the work of women’s rights activists in difficult and dangerous circumstances.

n an effort to reduce work place accidents and fatalities, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHB) in collaboration with the Social Protection Ministry launched its health and safety handbook at the Herdmanston Lodge on Thursday. This followed five months of extensive consultations among key stakeholders.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence noted that too many Guyanese workers are often unaware of safety practices, noting that many fatal accidents can be avoided. She pointed out that the hand book will include details on occupational health and safety practices, what is expected of workers and management in the working environment.

“This official document stipulates the best practices in occupational health and safety and the requirements that both management and the working staff must satisfy to ensure that the workplace is a safe environment,” the Social Protection Minister explained.

Lawrence added that the handbook will likely prevent the laid back attitude that many workers currently exhibit. Minister with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott, noted the timely intervention of this book to prevent fatal accidents which he stressed is costing the country money and time.

He noted that there were

The three-day Decent Work Programme Workshop concludes today

1200 lost time accidents in 2015 and 24 work place fatalities. Scott also updated the gathering on this year’s statistics.

“This year so far, we have had 500 lost time accidents and nine fatal accidents,” Scott pointed out. He stated that all of the accidents have been investigated.”

Meanwhile, Demerara Harbour Bridge General Manager Rawlston Adams stated that many sections of the handbook are already being implemented, noting that bridge operators work under dangerous conditions.

“We work in very treacherous conditions in terms of working over water and confined spaces… we want to make sure that our employees understand what are the do’s and don’ts [of occupational health and safety],” Adams expressed.

The General Manager

added that the DHB found that there were no concise materials that they could have used to make available to all of the employees; but this will now change with the handbook.

Meanwhile, International Labour Organisation (ILO) representative Claudia Coenjearts stated that occupational health and safety should be seen a shared priority.

This handbook is a manifestation of how we want to avoid accidents. We want to come to a place where we can avoid the loss of life. It is more important to have the prevention than to address the issue,” Coenjearts posited. Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle said the project is indeed “a commendable act” and noted that other regulations on health and safety practices will be implemented “shortly”.

Bartica’s Green Recreation Park on track for October completion T

he municipality of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) is moving apace with works on the much-anticipated Green Recreational Park in an effort to improve the general aesthetics of the community, provide a source of revenue generation and improve community relations among residents.

Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall said that the Park, which was being constructed at the West Indian Housing Scheme, would be managed by a financial committee in order to ensure its sustainability and maintenance.

Marshall disclosed that the Park would be completely powered by solar energy in keeping with the community’s thrust to be a model town in Guyana’s push to create a green environment.

“This entire area was a swamp and at first, persons were critical of the project.

They were questioning our reasoning behind such an initiative, but now many persons are beginning to see

what we have in mind,” the Mayor said.

The Park will feature a three-tiered fountain and there will also be a playground with walkways, benches, benabs, arched (kissing) bridges and green spaces.

The water for the fountain will be sourced from a natural freshwater spring in the backlands to create a waterfall concept.

“There will also be a kids’ playpark with swings and slides and so that area will be cordoned off by a fence.

Adjoining the playpark will be a walkway where we will have benches and benabs,” an engineer attached to the project said.

He noted that the intention was to have children who may want to ride their bicycles and families who are looking to have picnics and outings under the benabs.

The Park will also allow for spaces where residents can hold barbeques, receptions, weddings, anniver-

CIIP Project Coordinator Karen Roopchand speaking to site engineers at the Green Park in Bartica

sary celebrations as well as other public events.

Project Coordinator of the Community Infrastructural Improvement Project (CIIP), Karen Roopchand said that the intention was to create a space where people could exercise, relax and participate in other recreational purposes.

“We want to ensure that there are green spaces, so we will factor in the landscaping with trees, flowers and

plants,” Roopchand said.

She disclosed that the Park would increase the value of properties in the area and would also serve the purpose of beautifying the environment, creating a green space, improving the aesthetics and providing an income stream.

Councillor Mark Ambrose explained that the site was an ideal spot for any type of celebration and would be open to the public.

“From my viewpoint, it gives families a place to relax and it also provides a quiet spot where children can play. Nothing of this nature has ever been attempted in the community and so it is a new concept,” Ambrose pointed out.

He too is of the opinion that the green park would tremendously improve relations, revive community spirit among residents and provide a means of income

for the Council.

“It will generate revenue for the Council since it can be rented for various events.

This money can then be used to finance other development projects within the Region.”

The project is being undertaken by S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services at a cost of $31 million and is expected to be completed by the end of October.

A representative of the company said that works were severely hampered by bad weather and the scope of works required transforming the area from a bushy swamp to its present state.

He explained that the company was forced to fill the area with six feet of sand and also re-direct the channel of the water flowing from the swamp.

“We are now in the process of constructing the fence and concrete walkway and installing the benabs and benches,” the representative said.

friday, september 23, 2016

guyana-times.com

Around the World

Syria conflict: Overnight airstrikes on rebel-held Aleppo kill dozens

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leppo has suffered its worst bombardment in months with dozens of civilians killed overnight, hours before talks between the US and Russia talks in New York attempted to restore Syria’s shattered ceasefire.

Residents of eastern Aleppo said airstrikes continued through the night and into late Thursday afternoon. Doctors and activists said they had not yet updated the death toll, which stood at 49 for Wednesday, because the dead and wounded were too numerous and hospitals were under pressure.

Rescue operations were also still ongoing throughout

A wounded man is rescued after airstrikes on Aleppo

the rebel-held parts of the city. “The pressure on the hospitals is very dire,” said one doctor. The UN resumed its attempts to deliver humanitarian relief to trapped populations in towns around Syria for the first time since

one of its convoys was attacked on Monday. A convoy reached Moadamiyeh, on the rural outskirts of Damascus on Thursday with food for 40,000 people, according to Jan Egeland, the humanitarian adviser to the UN en-

voy for Syria.

He said other convoys would set out today and Saturday. Other UN officials, however, said they could not confirm that all of the lorries in Thursday’s convoy had reached their destinations safely and been unloaded.

On Thursday, the Syrian American Medical Society, which operates and supports several hospitals in the country, said one of its facilities in Aleppo had been targeted overnight with cluster munitions. The UN said a clinic had been destroyed in Khan Tuman district, killing medical staff and with civilians still reportedly trapped under the rubble. (Excerpt from The

Guardian)

Puerto Rico goes dark: Fire triggers power outage that affects 1.5M

Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames but the damage has still not been repaired, leaving millions without power

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lmost a third of Puerto Rico’s population remained without electricity ON Thursday morning after a fire at a

power station yesterday caused a blackout.

Nearly 1.5 million customers of the state-run electric company were affected,

and by this morning, power had only been restored to about 131,000 customers.

“This is a very serious event,” Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla said, noting that the outage also shut off water service for about 340,000 people.

“The system is not designed to withstand a failure of this magnitude. I assume complete responsibility. Everyone knows that the company’s maintenance problems began decades ago.”

He added that it was expected power would be back on for most people sometime

this afternoon, but made it clear that should not be interpreted as a promise.

“I don’t want to give false expectations. Lots of setbacks may occur,” the Governor said. Wednesday’s power outage forced businesses, schools and Government offices to shut early. And today, schools all across the Caribbean island remained closed.

The Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport continues to operate, but Garcia Padilla said passengers are being checked in manually to preserve power.

(Caribbean360)

Canada, China agree to tighten trade ties, mull extradition pact

C

anada and China on Thursday settled a trade dispute and said they would start exploratory talks on a free trade pact, but gave few details about a possible extradition treaty for Chinese fugitives which has triggered criticism in Canada.

Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, elected last year, is trying to improve ties and increase trade with the world’s second-largest economy after a decade of rocky relations under his Conservative predecessor.

Trudeau and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who had already met in Beijing

earlier this month, agreed to solve a drawn-out dispute over exports of Canadian canola, worth C$2 billion a year.

“Our progress on this file goes to show how two countries willing to collaborate can solve difficult challenges together,” Trudeau told a joint news conference. Li said the deal reflected China’s goodwill to Canadian canola farmers.

For all the friendly talk, Trudeau is under pressure from domestic critics who charge he is too willing to make concessions in return for more trade with China.

Both nations are now talking about an extradi-

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United States amid what she calls an “emergency situation” on California’s border with Mexico.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Sarah Saldana said Thursday in Washington that the estimate came from other governments during

Yahoo says at least 500M accounts hacked in 2014

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ahoo Inc said on Thursday information associated with at least 500 million user accounts was stolen from its network in 2014 by what it believed was a “Statesponsored actor.”

The data stolen may have included names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and hashed passwords but may not have included unprotected passwords, payment card data or bank account information, the company said.

“The investigation has found no evidence that the

state-sponsored actor is currently in Yahoo’s network,” the company said. Yahoo said it was working with law enforcement on the matter.

It was not clear how this disclosure might affect Yahoo’s plan to sell its email service and other core internet properties to Verizon Communications Inc. Verizon said in July it would buy Yahoo’s core internet properties for $4.83 billion. Verizon said on Thursday it was notified of the breach in the last two days. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chibok girls: Nigeria’s Buhari calls for UN mediation

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igeria’s President has called for the UN to mediate with militant Islamist group Boko Haram to secure the release of schoolgirls it is holding captive.

Muhammadu Buhari said he was prepared to swap militants who are in custody for the girls.

The more than 200 girls were seized during a raid on a school in the north-eastern town of Chibok in 2014.

Previous efforts by neighbouring Chad to broker a deal with Boko Haram to secure the girls’ release failed.

Speaking on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York, Mr Buhari said that splits within the ranks of Boko Haram, which is affiliated to the Islamic State (IS) group, made it difficult

to hold talks with them.

“Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders.

We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in,” Buhari said. The UN has not yet commented on his request.

In August, IS said that Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau had been replaced by the younger Abu Musab al-Barnawi. Shekau denied this, insisting he was still the leader.

The abduction of the schoolgirls led to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, that was supported

by US First Lady Michelle Obama and Pakistani Nobel Peace laureate Malala Yousafzai. So far only one schoolgirl, Amina Ali Nkeki, has been found. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

India to renew labour law overhaul drive to boost jobs

Labourers work at the construction site of a metro rail station in Kolkata, India August 31, 2016

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, September 22, 2016

tion treaty, which China has long wanted so it can press for the return of what it says are corrupt officials who fled

to Canada. Human rights advocates oppose this, citing what they say is a flawed Chinese justice system. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

US official says 40,000 Haitians may be going to US he Latest on US efforts to resume regular deportations of Haitians amid a surge of new arrivals at California border crossings with Mexico: A top US immigration official says 40,000 Haitians may be on their way to the

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a recent trip she made to Central America.

Saldana told the House Judiciary Committee that word of the new arrivals contributed to the Homeland Security Department’s announcement on Thursday that it was lifting special protections shielding

Haitians from deportation that were put in place after their country’s 2010 earthquake. She says changing conditions in Haiti also played a part.

The Haitians are coming from Brazil and travelling through Central America and Mexico. (Jamaica Observer)

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ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government is to make a renewed drive to overhaul labour laws, hoping to create millions of new jobs by making it easier to hire and fire, the Labour Ministry’s top bureaucrat said on Thursday.

Modi made a shake-up of India’s labour market a part of his reform agenda after coming into office in 2014, but opposition from unions and a bruising battle to pass other crucial pieces of economic legislation have stalled those efforts. Shankar Aggarwal, the Ministry Secretary, told Reuters that the government felt the time was right to prioritise labour reform again after Parliament in August passed India’s biggest over-

haul of indirect taxes, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a victory for Modi’s bid to boost the economy.

“We have to tweak the law.

Employers want flexibility in hiring,” Aggarwal said in an interview. Two key bills, covering industrial relations and wages, would be sent to the Cabinet this month, he said.

Subject to Cabinet approval, the bills would be presented in Parliament’s next session, beginning in November. A rule requiring firms to seek rarely granted Government permission for laying off large numbers of workers, which employers say has discouraged permanent hiring and kept factories small, are among restrictions to be loosened. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

16 News UG setting the stage for programmes in energy sector friDay, september 23, 2016 | guyana-times.com

– in talks with Natural Resources, Agriculture Ministries

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he University of Guyana (UG) is still to commence programmes that could supplement Guyana’s newfound oil and gas sector, but Vice Chancellor, Dr Ivelaw Griffith said the institution was still in the process of making the platform available.

Following an announcement by Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine earlier this year that a Petroleum Engineer Programme was to be introduced to the University by the new school year, officials at the country’s premier tertiary institution disclosed that the University was nowhere close to offering such programme.

Asked about the progress thus far, Dr Griffith told Guyana Times recently that the University

UG Vice Chancellor Dr Ivelaw Griffith

was still in talks with the Ministries with responsibility for the oil and gas sector. He informed that a few weeks ago he had met with the Registrar and UG’s Chemistry Department Head to look at what was currently offered on energy at the University.

“We are not comfortable that we do not have

the whole package yet. I’d like to know what we have, not only offering as classes, but what we have by way of research, because the enterprise of energy has to be researched and so we had a second effort to put one package together to understand where we are,” the VC told Guyana Times.

He said the University held talks with the Natural Resources and Agriculture Ministries on a “lot of energy aspects on what is it Government anticipates needing, what it is we have and what gaps need to be filled”. He said the conversation with the respective Ministries was ongoing.

“We agreed that there is a game plan and before we sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University and the Ministry, we want to be

comfortable to know what we have and what gaps are to be filled. That is where we are at the moment. I expect to have a meeting with the Minister in November with the Natural Resources Ministry and to discuss the crossovers and commonalities are,” he informed.

The recent discovery of oil in Guyana’s waters by US oil and gas giant ExxonMobil has evoked a new level of hope for Guyana’s ailing economy.

And while questions have been raised about whether the country’s top tertiary institution would be able to galvanise itself to help realise the promised profits to the economy, critics say the response was a far cry from what was really needed to take hold of the emerging industry.

University Chancellor,

Dr Nigel Harris had said earlier that the institution had better be prepared for the oil and gas sector, which promised economic growth for Guyana.

“We had better be able to address that area,” the Chancellor told Guyana Times when asked on Wednesday. He was at the time addressing Journalists at a forum where he disclosed the plans the fairly new administration had for the institution.

He said the US oil company has already approached the University and has been making inquiries about its current arrangement for an industry that is likely to place the country’s economy on another level.

While the University is already offering programmes related to the industry, others are in the

pipeline, the Professor said.

However, much more needs to be done, he noted, stating that he will be arranging with the University of the West Indies (UWI), where he recently served as Vice Chancellor and international agencies, assistance for the institution.

According to Harris, UWI has been training petroleum engineers and other persons in the industry for the past four decades.

“It may be that the UG may not be able to provide all the staff they need. So, we are planning to link the University of Guyana with international institutions.

I will be pushing for links with UWI…. It does not make sense that we have the next-door neighbours and not take advantage of the programmes,” he told Guyana Times.

Areas on Essequibo Coast in dire need of street lights

− conditions at Hampton Court Airstrip a major concern

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everal Councillors attached to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are calling for the installation of street lights at strategic areas on the Essequibo Coast especially at the Hampton Court Airstrip.

The Councillors made this call during the last RDC statutory meeting for the month of September.

Regional Vice Chairman Nandranie Coonjah ex-

plained that the area is currently dark and porters are finding it difficult to transport patients from the ambulance to the aircraft during cases of emergency evacuation.

Alluding to the gravity of the situation, she revealed that at on one occasion, the fire tender’s lights had to be used to assist while evacuating an accident patient.

The Vice Chairman is therefore calling for the immediate installation of

PPP/C Councillor Brian Basil

Region Two RDC's statutory meeting in progress

lights at the airstrip.

People’s Progressive

Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor, Brian Basil, informed the RDC that many of the street lights along the Essequibo Coast are non functional and urged Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson to send a maintenance crew to the Essequibo Coast.

Basil added that taxi drivers and other road users are finding it difficult at nights to traverse the roadways due to darkness.

Another PPP/C Councillor, Arnold Adams, who resides in the Supenaam area, also described a similar situation

which exists around the Good Hope Stelling, which is also in need of street lighting.

Adams said the area can be compared to that of a little “ghost” town during the night, adding that the lives of persons who travel late at night are at risk.

He pointed to the recent robbery where the accused tried to flee the area by boarding the ferry.

He said the installation of the street lights will ensure better security as well as assist the Police in their work. The Councillor urged the RDC members to write the subject Minister in relation to recommendations made.

Sunken “Draga” not hampering vessels along the Mazaruni − MARAD

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ollowing continued concerns over the sunken dredge in the Mazaruni River, a team from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) visited the site to ensure navigation was safe for passenger and cargo vessels; a professional salvager who was acquired by Crown Mining, also assessed the site to see which measures could be taken to have the dredge salvaged.

Officials from MARAD met with the Crown Mining on Monday, September 19, 2016 to discuss efforts to remove the sunken dredge at Perimap Falls in the Mazaruni River, a release from the said.

It was confirmed by MARAD that passenger and cargo vessels can traverse the area where the dredge is located, using bypass channels available for the smooth manoeuvring of vessels.

According to the release, Crown Mining will contin-

ue with efforts to remove the dredge with the use of excavators and operators.

Over the past few months, Crown Mining assiduously tried to remove the dredge from its current position, unfortunately high tide and the location of the dredge, between rocks in the waterfalls, made it impossible to manoeuvre special equipment to the site, the release noted. MARAD and Crown Mining have been severely criticised over the failure to remove the sunken dredge at Perimap Falls in the Mazaruni.

Residents have also complained about the sunken dredge and the government’s failure to have it moved. The channel in which the partially submerged dredge is lodged is the only avenue for transportation to the upper and middle Mazaruni.

Only a few days ago, the Ministry of Natural Resources in a statement, assured that between the responsible mining operator and the MARAD, there will be an intensified effort to remove the dredge ‘Draga’ from its location in the Mazaruni River.

guyana-times.com

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Gowns of Miss Universe Guyana

he Miss Universe Guyana 2016 would have seen some elegant gowns that obviously left the audience spellbound. Some of these gowns were designed by Guyanese designers while some were imported from overseas and were designed by well known designers.

Whether imported or designed by local talents, the delegates displayed them with grace, poise and sophistication. At the end of the competition however, it was Ashley John who copped the prize for elegance with a gown that was imported.

Nevertheless, the gown worn by the newly crowned queen, Soyini Fraser was also designed by the same designer who worked on the gown worn by Miss Universe Guyana, 2015; Shauna Ramdyhan, when she copped the title.

Here are the top 10 gowns and the designers in the Miss Universe Guyana 2016 contest.

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guyana-times.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Miss Universe Guyana 2016, Soyini Fraser

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ndigenous designers will be making their debut during Guyana’s most celebrated fashion designer Sonia Noel’s Fashion Weekend extravaganza from November 6-13.

Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie GarridoLowe, who has direct responsibility for women development, met Noel, fellow international designer Richard Young, Indigenous designers and cousins Vanda and Abigail Buckley, (See photo) in her office last week to discuss the undertaking.

“It is definitely going to bring a special element... because the world actually is looking at Indigenous influence and it’s not just the clothing, it is the medicine it is everything else and there is something special about it and people definitely like to feel special. I can imagine one of Miss Allicock’s design on the red carpet,” Noel stated.

The Allicock’s have been operating almost silently in the business for a number of years and Noel feels that the time has come for them to share with Guyana and the rest of the world the unique-

ness of the Indigenous peoples and their culture.

Minister Garrido-Lowe during last week’s Heritage celebrations at Castellani House proposed the inclusion of an Indigenous line for next year’s celebrations; an idea Noel fully endorsed.

The Minister said this added feature will serve as the impetus for the much touted November Fashion Week, adding “we are doing it right,” while Noel said “I am super, super excited

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about this. There is a freshness that will come to the party.”

Fellow designer Vanda said she too is “excited to be with Sonia. I have always admired her work and I am happy to be a part of this... very excited.”

The recently launched Rupununi Essence Line has also received positive reviews from Minister Garrido-Lowe and Noel, who noted that the world is turning to alternative medicine

– a culture the Indigenous peoples are a part of from time immemorial.

Noel however, called on the persons responsible for marketing this line of product to ensure it graces the shelves of stores and supermarkets, among other businesses all across Guyana.

The world’s “Indigenous Fashion weekend,” is an initiative that has been endorsed by the United Nations.

t will be a display of Guyanese talent when “Coco Splash” is held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on October 22.

The event will be one of a kind and will feature some of the best local artistes in the music industry.

It will definitely be a fusion of sound and high-class performance by those who are slated to perform. Those in attendance will not only be entertained by the melodious voices of the local artistes but will also be treated to the best dance moves and the best in comedy.

Those slated to hit the stage on the night of the event are Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts; Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo; Charmaine Blackman; Michelle “Big Red” King; Gavin Mendonca; Alabama; Rajesh Dubraj; Sandella; Steven Ramphall and others.

Tickets for the event cost $1000 and children under that age of 12 years will be admitted free.

The event is promoted by the Coconut Festival.

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ewly crowned Miss Universe Guyana, Soyini Fraser, will soon wing out to the United States of America where she will start training leading up to the Miss Universe pageant. She intends to work assiduously with the new organisers to make sure Guyana makes it to the top 15 in the competition.

Under the new franchise holder, Jyoti Hardat, the crowned queen will undergo several training programmes while in the US. She also has a lot of international contacts that are willing to assist in making the path to the Miss Universe pageant much easier with their support and encouragement.

Reminiscing on the pageant, Fraser noted that each of the delegates brought their “A” game from the inception but on the night of the pageant, she had one goal at the back of her head – that was to win. When asked about her fiercest competitor, Fraser related that she had to look out for all the delegates, admitting that this year; the array of delegates was of a different calibre.

“They were all gracious and wanted the same thing – to win the title. All I did was put my heart and soul into everything I did with the hope of it paying off”, she added.

After answering the first question, Fraser started to walk off the stage but was called back by the emcee, Sherod Duncan, for a second question. She however, recomposed herself, listened to the question and delivered.

As the Guyanese ambassador prepares to leave local shores, she is all prepared to participate in the World Fashion Show which is billed for New York in two week’s time.

As she bid farewell to the sisterhood, she walks away with great memories and more so, new friendships.

“It was indeed a pleasure meeting all the delegates… Everyone has an amazing personality, everyone had a different platform that they were passionate about... growing with them, sharing with them, learning from them is what I will take away from the pageant,” Fraser stated.

Meanwhile, she is urging the other delegates to work together to promote pageants of high calibre as was witnessed on Saturday last.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

guyana-times.com

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The Melikhovs are also the drivuyanese fashion icon Sonia The Melikhovs are entrepreneurs ing forces behind many other philNoel was recently appointed as and global philanthropists.

The duo devoted their lives to mak- anthropic ventures, including Bright Global Ambassador for Unite4: ing their communities a better place. Future International (BFI); DoMore4: Good Ambassador Network.

She was invited to attend an? in- Together, t h e y now focus Good (DM4G); BFI Curriculum for the Children of Quebrada tense training programme in their efNegra; BFI Chicago hosted forts on and Brighton buildby the foundBallet Theatre ers Anthony ing a globC o m p a n y and Natalie a l (BBT) Junior Melikhov.

Ambassador T h r o u g h culProgram, and the a unique platChildren Affected form, U4G makes By HIV/AIDS it easy for their (CHABHA) After members to conSchool Program. nect with organThrough their isations, influencvarious endeavers and like-minded ours, they also host people to engage in numerous charitaboth virtual and reble events to highal-world opportunilight the heroes ties in a positive envis with Noel and m oel pose es embers of of the social good ronment where they Sonia N in z a th e U4G mag the U4G movement, such as are rewarded for their Unite4:Humanity, good work, allowing Day of Unity Miami, them to truly enjoy the Variety’s Power of experience of giving.

Women and Unite4: U4G’s ultimate goal is to motivate peoture that emGood.

N o e l , who recently received ple to integrate doing bodies the values of kindness and coma Caribbean Philanthropic award, is good into their lives on a sustainable passion.

Utilising networks of social influ- elated to be introducing Unite4: Good basis, creating a lifelong habit of kindness that is both life-changing and encers, Governments, world leaders, to Guyana and the Caribbean, because world-changing. It is a social platform and businesses, the Melikhovs are this can create a major paradigm shift? for a new generation, whose mission is working to change the signal of our en- in society. She will be recruiting amto encourage people to live meaningful tire culture and economy from nega- bassadors and encouraging businesses to be socially conscious. lives. tive to positive.

9

About

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for Scotty’s Creek on October 2

us Excursion All roads will lead to Scotty’s Creek, Soesyke/Linden Highway, for the first ever “All White” Bus Excursion on October 2. The event which is promoted by Teesha and Scotty, alongside Black Stone Higher Level Entertainment, is expected to be filled with “maddddd fun”.

Buses will leave from three locations and head to the Soesdyke/Linden Highway for one of the wildest black water beach parties ever. The buses leave at 11:00h from the No 43 Minibus Park, Parliament Square, Georgetown; Patsy’s Food Court, Soesdyke/Linden Highway Junction; and Chicken’s Stag Bar in Linden.

Music will be provided by Blackstone, Gully Ras and Selection Diamond from Boom FM and Super Ray One Man Band. Also adding some vibes will be Stereo Sonics.

Tickets for the excursion cost $1500 and are available at Patsy’s Food Court, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway Junction; Rozsan Boutique, New Vendor’s Mall; Shaunna Beauty World, New Vendor’s Mall; Stag Bar, Linden; and the organisers.

The event is sponsored by HJ TV; Library 3; Deals Unlimited and others.

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fter a successful run of the theatrical spectacular “Nothing to Laugh about 9”, the cast will be creating some vibes across the country.

On Saturday, September 24, the show will be held at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School; it then moves to the Blairmont Estate Ground on September 25 and the Line Path Community Centre Ground on September 30.

The show continues on October 1 at the Rose Hall Primary School Ground, with one show at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground on November 5 and the finale at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground on November 26.

As always this year, the show will straddle all the divides – politics, race or religion. Some of the skits are satirical in nature and do not spare caricaturing anyone, but there is no vindictiveness but just humour.

As the cast prepares for the big day, a team of scriptwriters, including Lyndon Jones, Maria Benschop, Sonia Yarde, Leza Singh, Michael Ignatius and Clemencio Goddette, as well as Mark Kazim, Rochelle Christie, Clinton Duncan, Odessa Primus and Kwasi Edmondson are working around the clock to get the final product ready for the public.

This year’s cast includes Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, Michael Ignatius, Kirwyn Mars, Chris Gopaul, Clemencio Goddette, Leza “Radika” Singh, Mark “Chiney Man” Kazim, Leslyn BobbSemple, Gerard Gilkes, Simone Persaud, Alana Craigen, Leon Cummings, Johann David, Mark Luke Edwards and Brian Goodman. The Stage Manager is Sonia Yarde.

Tickets will be available at the various locations on the day of the production.

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GUYANA-TIMES.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Scotiabank Men’s Caribbean Cup Round 3...

Golden Jaguars hungry for success, says Coach Dover

BY AKEEM GREENE

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uyana’s National Football team, the Golden Jaguars are attempting to create history by qualifying for the Gold Cup but their first two hurdles will be overcoming nemesis Suriname and the formidable Jamaica Reggae Boyz in round three of the 2016 Scotia Bank Men’s Caribbean Cup. Though it seems a daunting task, Assistant Head Coach Wayne Dover in speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Thursday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) revealed that the team is hungry to succeed.

“We see a level of seriousness from the guys over time; we see a really hungry group in search of victory, who will go out there fight to the bitterly to the end, do or die and try to get this result that is needed to qualify Guyana for the Gold Cup” , Dover disclosed.

Though for the venue for the matches which are slated on October 8 (Suriname) and October 11 (Jamaica) are uncertain since the Track and Field Facility at

Wayne Dover

Leonora is seeking to pass fitness from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), the coach said that the team is focused on doing their job by inputting the necessary training.

Dover explained that “The early ground work has been good, most of the players are in pre-season with their respective the Elite League teams so there is a base they came at and we are trying to build; it’s a collective effort needed to improve, and once we get that we will be at full strength” In round two of the tour-

nament, the Jaguars would have lost 5-2 to Curacao but rebounded by scolding US Virgin Islands 7-0.

Commenting on how the players plan to deal with the pressure of playing their formidable opponents, Dover said that they need to remain focus on the mission at hand.

“In playing against Jamaica, once we focus as a group, and play discipline throughout the game, we can hold them probably to draw or win; we know Jamaica and those teams who are noted to be top teams in the region they could become cocky at times and think Guyana is a simple push over and we can ketch them a little bit over confident and complacent just like we did with Trinidad a few years ago and came out on top of that game” the Assistant Coach disclosed.

He went unto say, “With regards to Suriname they are our old nemesis and we have played them a few times over the years and we have been on the winning side most times and we want to continue that trend.”

The local contingent over

Some of the Golden Jaguars players engaged in the “beep test”

the next few days are expected to be engaged in rigorous fitness drills while they await the arrival of the overseas based players before the final squad is announced.

Guyana Provisional Squad; Guyana based players – Andrew Murray (Alpha United FC), King Solomon Austin (Alpha United FC), Richie Richards (Alpha United FC), Kester Jacobs (Slingerz FC), Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors FC), Vernon Mills (Slingerz FC), Gregory Richardson (Pele FC), Devon Millington

(Slingerz FC), Daniel Wilson (Alpha United FC), Dwight Peters (Alpha United FC), Quincy Adams (Slingerz FC), Trayon Bobb (Slingerz FC), Dellon Lanferman (Alpha United FC), Colin Nelson (Alpha United FC), Dwain Jacobs (Alpha United FC), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC), Pernell Schultz (Alpha United FC) and Hubert Pedro (GFC).

Overseas based players – Akel Clarke (Central Couva FC), Walter Moore (FF Jaro FC), Samuel Cox (Wealdstone FC), Christopher Nurse (Puerto

Rico FC), Sheldon Hiolder (Caledonia AIA FC), Neil Danns (Bury FC), Brandon Beresford (Rhoster Rhinos), Anthony Whyte (Sigma FC), Kadel Daniels (Dulwich Hamlet), Marcel Barrington (Margate FC), Jake Newton (Walton and Hersham FC), Shaquille Agard (Durham United FC), Julien Edwards, Adrian Butters (York Region Shooters), Amos Ramsay (Caledonia AIA FC), Kai Mc Kenzie-Lyle (Barnet FC), Warren Creavalle (Philadelphia Union FC), Sherif El-Masri and Corey Thomas.

India v New Zealand, 1st Test, Kanpur

Santner, Boult give NZ hard-earned edge I

ndia seemed to have made the ideal start to their 500th Test.

They had won the toss on a pitch full of cracks that were ex-

e t l e s s with the first new ball, but swung t h e

Cheteshwar Pujara unleashes a cut off the back foot on his way to 62

pected to widen and offer lots of help for the spinners from the third day onwards.

Their top order had made a confident start, and halfway through the first day they were 154 for 1.

New Zealand, though, had come to India with the belief that they had the tools they needed to compete hard.

Over the second half of the day, their five-man attack showed what it was capable of, and left India 291 for 9 at stumps.

By then, each of the New Zealand bowlers - two left-arm quicks of differing methods, an offspinner, a left-arm orthodox spinner, and a legspinner - had struck at least one vital blow. Mitchell Santner, attacking the stumps with his left-arm spin and varying his pace well, chipped out three wickets. Ish Sodhi took out the set M Vijay in the last over before tea. Mark Craig dismissed Ajinkya Rahane in a testing post-tea spell of flight and drift.

Trent Boult went wick-

deafening noise. He had begun confidently, slapping Santner to the cover point boundary and then stepping across to hook a good short ball from Wagner to the backward square leg boundary, with a bit of help from a Sodhi fumble on the boundary.

Two balls later, he tried the same shot, but this time Wagner had switched from left-arm around to left-arm over. Kohli had to work against the angle, and only managed a top-edge that set-

bowlers, permitting himself only one indulgence - the late cut. This shot, played off balls that were barely short or wide, had fetched him boundaries against Wagner, Santner, and Trent Boult, but in the last over before tea, batting on 65, he tried it against Ish Sodhi’s legspin and nicked to the keeper BJ Watling.

Four down at tea, India were quickly five down as Rahane, reaching out to defend Craig’s offspin, failed to get near the pitch of the ball,

over the top consumed him, against the run of play.

Trying to hit Santner down the ground, he only managed to loop a simple catch to midon.

The dismissal exposed India’s lower order to a ball that was only three overs old. Boult, fast and accurate, swerved one back in from over the wicket to sneak between Wriddhiman Saha’s bat and pad. Then he went around the wicket to Ashwin - who had just become India’s highest run-getter in 2016 - and snaked an offcutter away from him. Rooted to the crease, he nicked to gully. Then another full, swinging left-arm classic to bowl Mohammed Shami. India were 277 for 9.

How different it had all been, not all that long ago.

India had begun brightly, with KL Rahul going after Boult, who frequently overpitched while trying to find the right length with the new ball. Having rushed to 26 off 35 balls against the seamers, he greeted the introduction of spin with a slog-swept

and inside-edged to short leg.

Rohit Sharma had looked edgy against Craig, outsideedging him past slip, insideedging him wide of short leg, and surviving a close lbw appeal when he tried to sweep him off the stumps, but grew more comfortable as his sixth-wicket stand with R Ashwin neared and passed the half-century mark. But not for the first time in his Test career, the itch to hit

India 291/9 (90.0 overs) Stumps - Day 1 India 1st innings KL Rahul c †Watling Santner 32 M Vijay c †Watling b Sodhi 65 CA Pujara c & b Santner 62 V Kohli* c Sodhi b Wagner 9 AM Rahane c Latham b Craig 18 RG Sharma c Sodhi b Santner 35 R Ashwin c Taylor b Boult 40 WP Saha† b Boult 0 RA Jadeja not out 16 Mohammed Shami b Boult 0

Trent Boult’s late strikes gave New Zealand the edge

second one devastatingly to rip through India’s lower order. The biggest wicket, though, went to Neil Wagner, who turned the mood of the match with the wicket of Virat Kohli.

It was the definitive hinge moment. New Zealand had just broken a century stand between M Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara, and the opposition’s captain and best batsman had walked in to

tled nicely in Sodhi’s hands.

Green Park went quiet.

Unlike Kohli, Vijay hadn’t taken on Wagner’s short balls, and through both his spells - one with the new ball and another, spanning seven overs, in the afternoon session - he had swayed out of the way, dropped his wrists, and simply watched balls go through to the keeper. He had been similarly watchful against the other

six off Santner’s second ball.

But two balls later, he stayed back when he should have been forward, playing the trajectory of a flatter, quicker ball rather than its length, and feathered an edge to the keeper.

Thereafter, Vijay and Pujara settled in and brought up their third century partnership - and 12th over 50 - looking at ease on a typically subcontinental firstday pitch, with the abundant cracks on its surface not yet wide enough to affect its behavior. Coming off scores of 166 and 256* in the Duleep Trophy, Pujara had batted with positive footwork against the spinners, stepping out to the pitch or rocking right back, and was looking set for another massive score. But against the run of play, he spooned a drive back into Santner’s hands, with the ball possibly holding up on the pitch. It was a small opening, but an opening nonetheless, and New Zealand showed they had the bowling to break right through it. (ESPN cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD UT Yadav not out 8 Extras (b 5, lb 1) 6 Total (9 wickets; 90 overs) 291 Fall of wickets 1-42 (Rahul, 10.6 ov), 2-154 (Pujara, 48.4 ov), 3-167 (Kohli, 51.3 ov), 4-185 (Vijay, 58.1 ov), 5-209 (Rahane, 63.6 ov), 6-261 (Sharma, 82.6 ov), 7-262 (Saha, 83.5 ov), 8-273 (Ashwin, 85.5 ov), 9-277 (Mohammed Shami, 87.1 ov) Bowling: TA Boult 17-2-57-3, N Wagner 14-3-42-1, MJ Santner 20-2-77-3, MD Craig 24-6-59-1, IS Sodhi 15-3-50-1

YELLOW PAGES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 | WWW.GUYANA-TIMES.COM

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Jaguars Franchise League

Keen contest expected in Lower Corentyne, East Coast clash

E

ast Coast has surpassed West Demerara to take up second position heading into the fifth round of the Jaguars Franchise League and the former will face leaders Lower Corentyne at Albion Community Centre ground in the top of the table clash.Both teams are yet to lose a match, but the Lower Corentyne team has been more fortunate not to be hampered by rain as was the case with East Coast team, that lost two days of play due to wet outfield in their Georgetown clash.

Veerasammy Permaul will be absent from the leaders set up while Rajendra Chandrika will be badly missed by East Coast.

However, in the previous round both teams manage outright victories without those players.

In the previous round despite a scintillating knock

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21

SPORTS

Corentyne hammered his team Upper Demerara/ East Bank by an innings and 38 runs on the second day of their.

Kassim Khan took 12 wickets in that match to take his tally to 33 in four matches while Devon Clements hit a top score of 92 and Seon Hetmyer supported with 71. The leading batsman in the tournament, Jonathan Foo stroked 42 while the consistent

Jonathan Foo

Gajanand Singh also was in the mix with 43.

Meanwhile, East Coast recorded a comprehensive victory over West Berbice on the final day of their fourth round encounter at the Enterprise Community Development Centre ground. East Coast won the match by an innings and 19 runs to record their third win in four matches.

It is all up to discarded national players, Chanderpaul Hemraj and Amir Khan to lead from the

Kassim Khan

front with bat and ball respectively while others like Steven Sankar, Paul Wintz and the Yadram brothers Kamesh and Bhaskar to bring their best performance to overhaul the leaders.

Cricket lovers could catch the match from 09:30h across the four venues.

In the other matches, Upper Corentyne will tackle Essequibo at the Port Mourant Community Centre ground, Upper Demerara/ East Bank will take on West Berbice at the Enterprise Community Centre ground and Georgetown will take on third placed West Demerara at the Lusignan Community Centre.

Lower Corentyne continues to enjoy a handsome lead in the Jaguars Franchise League with 70.8 points, 16.8 points clear of the second placed team, East Coast who has 54 points.

The Jaguars Franchise League Points Table after Round Four:

Manner of awarding points Bwl. Fast Wkts Bonus Bowling

Total Points

-

9

12

.8

70.8

3

-

4

10

1

54

-

3

1

7

9

2.2

45.2

12

-

6

1

-

9

.2

27.2

4

-

-

9

1

1

1

.8

20.8

Upper Corentyne

4

-

-

6

2

1

11

.7

18.7

West Berbice

4

-

-

3

3

1

12

.5

17.5

Upper Demerara/ East Bank4

4

-

-

6

2

-

9

1

16

Mat O.Win

No O.Winner

Lose

Lower Corentyne

4

48

-

-

East Coast Demerara

4

36

-

West Demerara

4

24

Essequibo

4

Georgetown

Teams

Bat. Bonus

PS: Other ways in which points may be awarded are, Abandon match (without any play taking play), Abandon match due to dangerous pitch conditions, and Referee awarding match.

“My bet is on West Indies” - King

F

ormer West Indies and Guyana fast bowler Reon King is very optimistic the West Indies team will prevail over Pakistan in their three match T20 series starting today in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Though King expects a good showing from the Pakistanis, he does not believe it will be enough to top the Caribbean side even with the absence of three of their key players, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons.

“I think it is two unpredictable teams, West Indies a bit more formidable and consistent in the T20 and they are World Champions in this format. Meanwhile, Pakistan also without some key players namely Shahid Afridi would want to put out a good showing in their “home” Dubai……

It will be a good series but my bet is on West Indies, the

Reon King

more dominant of the two teams”, the former fast bowler said in an interview with Guyana Times Sport.

He is quite confident that in the absence of the marquee players, the emerging players selected will step up to do the goods.

In relation to Marlon Samuels, the most experience player in the camp, King is hopeful he would take his limited over form into the other

versions to set an example for the other members in the side.

King who represented West Indies 69 times also would like to see exemplary leadership from the captain of the side Carlos Braithwaite. With that the former Guyanese player believe there would be a better atmosphere within the camp. As a former fast bowler he shared his perspective on the factor of fast bowling in the Caribbean, which he says is resurrecting and with good governance he believes, could rise again to be among the dominant aspect of the West Indies performance.

West Indies is set to tackle Pakistan in a T20 series starting today and ending on September 27. There are consider favourites to win the series and move to the top of the T20 rankings. However, unpredictable Pakistan stands in their way.

22

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

Green Machine adds Argentine scrum coach to artillery G

BY AKEEM GREENE

uyana’s National Rugby team, the Green Machine has acquired the services of an Argentine Scrum coach Diego Giannantoni ahead of their clash against Mexico in the Ruby Americas North (RAN) final on October 1.

Giannantonio, who was introduced at a welcome reception hosted by the Argentina Embassy in Georgetown has already, began working with the team after his arrival on Tuesday is seen as cure to sore point of the constant falling scrum line.

The Argentine via his translator Nicholas Fraser explained that he is very excited to work with the team since “they are good but can get better”.

He further explained that “Developing players from a young age and also

training persons who can instill the correcting teachings upon the players is critical; and that having a ground and balls in good condition are needed minimally if one is to expect exemplary results on a consistent basis.

Current head coach, Lawrence Adonis is grateful for the support of the Argentine since his international experience will undoubtedly bring an improvement in the team’s tactics.

Adonis revealed that “It has been a pleasure really having Diego with us, the guys and he hit off and I think he brings a lot of international blend of ruby to our society”.

The head coach added, “He really and truly is helping us out in our weak areas such as scrums, mauls, the line-outs, the rocks and even with a total restricting with the things that we do because with his internation-

Director of Sport Christopher Jones hands over the cheque to GRFU President Peter Green

al blend he understands a lot more of this level of ruby than us” President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), Peter Green explained that the rugby has

Malone replaces Dowlin for Floodlights T20 clash – Barnwell to light up DCC

Romeo Deonarain

Ramo Malone

ompact and accomplished veteran batsman Ramo Malone will replace Travis Dowlin in the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) team for their feature T20 clash against G-Square Cavaliers this evening at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown Georgetown.

Dowlin, the former international cricketer was forced to withdraw following another pressing engagement.

Malone who has been enjoying a good run of form on the local softball circuit is seemed as the perfect replacement.

The match was originally scheduled for last Saturday evening but was postponed due to persistent rain that

left the venue water logged.

The more established hardball cricket team, G-Square Cavaliers from Wakenaam will be looking to their experience at this level to take them through while Floodlights will use home advantage and Christopher Barnwell as their trump.

Barnwell who wore West Indies colours and is currently plying his trade at the first class level across all formats is in line for a debut for the softball masters champions.

Captain of the Floodlights team will be joined on the field by his 10 year old son Romeo who plays his club cricket also at DCC. The young off spinner has been among the wickets in similar encounters and will once again be a threat for

C

the opposition.

Admission is free to this friendly encounter which is slated to be a 20 overs a-side affair from 18:00h. The host, GFSCA is promising musical entertainment all evening while food and drink will be on sale.

G-Square Cavaliers team reads; Heera Sukhram (Captain), Chandrika Ragnauth, Jagarnauth Manbode (wicketkeeper), Kamal Khan, Satnarine Sahadeo, Bheesham Bhagpattie, Lokram Narine, Ghansham Samwaru, Mahendra Dindial, Tulsie Sahadeo, Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon, Tamesh Persaud and Tameshwar Persaud Floodlights team reads; Ricky Deonarain (Captain), Reyaz Hussein, Khalid Baksh, Anil Beharry, Dharam Persaud, Rakesh Arjune, Patrick Khan, Ramo Malone, Surendra Nauth, Lloyd Rooplall, Christopher Barnwell, Lalta Gainda, Yusuf Unos and Romeo Deonarain.

This match is sponsored

by Tulsie Sahadeo, proprietor of Factory Price on King Street, Georgetown.

Jaguars lift Kelly Dan-Jou championship

S

ans Souci Jaguars defeated G Square Cavaliers Sports Club by 17 runs to win the Kelly Dan-Jou T20 tournament on Sunday at the Wakenaam Community Centre (WCC) ground.

Led by an attacking half century by Zameer Zaman, Sans Souci Jaguars posted 172-8, batting first. Zaman struck eight fours and three sixes in a top score of 61. He shared in an opening stand of 75 with Safraz Mohamed who scored 30 with five fours while all-rounder Nokta Moses slammed three fours and four maximums in a rapid 46. Dayawant Shiwnandan picked up 3-22.

G Square Cavaliers re-

Newly crowned champions Sans Souci Jaguars with WCC secretary Nazeer Mohamed (left)

sponded with 155-9 with Kamal Khan making 45 (3x4,6x4) while Jaggernauth Manbodh got 28; Moses returned to take 3-18 and pacer Olwin Paton 3-19.

Jaguars pocketed a trophy and $50,000 while Cavaliers took home a trophy

and $20,000; Moses received $10,000 for being the man-ofthe-match.

In his brief remarks at the presentation ceremony, secretary of the Wakenaam Cricket Committee Nazeer Mohamed congratulated the winners and thanked the sponsor.

over the years continued to move up the rankings and now currently ranked 47in the world, they need the international expertise if they will begin to conqueror top teams.

Green posited, “The only we can go forward is playing higher level of opponents and no disrespect to our coach but having people who have played higher and having people coming in to correct our outdated Caribbean styles which is good enough to beat the people in the Caribbean but we need to move up and this is why need to go through South America”.

Argentine Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Alberta Marino explained that “the partnership is a three tier agreement, with the hope of getting ruby into schools”.

Director of Sport Christopher Jones ensured that the good fortunes of the team continued when he presented a cheque in excess of $2M to the Rugby union.

Giannantoni, who will be conducting training sessions with the team at the National Park, will travel

with the team next Tuesday after which he will return to his home land.

Mexico and Guyana earned their way into the Rugby Americas North Final by winning the North and South Zone qualifiers respectively.

Las Serpientes completed a comfortable 39-3 and 75-10 wins over the Bahamas and Bermuda before being challenged by Cayman Islands but still managed to win 34-24.

Guyana also had two convincing wins out of three; they started off by defeating Barbados 49-17 which was followed by a 23-5 win over Jamaica.

They then snatched a 23-18 win against Trinidad and Tobago and should they defeat Mexico they will face the South American B Championship winner in November.

Pakistan vs West Indies T20 Series

West Indies are favourites over patchy hosts

W

Umar Akmal

Dwayne Bravo

Carlos Braithwaite

orld T20 Champions West Indies will be looking to continue their dominance as they prepare to face Pakistan from today in a three-match T20 series in the United Arab Emirates.

And even with the absence of their marquee players, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons, the team in the maroon colours are expected to prevail in the series.

According to West Indies skipper both teams are considered as unpredictable units so cricket lovers could expect three unpredictable games.

He also promise quality matches once the pitch is suitable for such.

Pakistan’s stellar run in Test cricket culminated with their rise to Number one in the ICC’s rankings for the first time. In limited-overs cricket, however, they are way behind the pack: ninth in ODIs and seventh in T20Is. Their outdated style, based on a safety-first approach, has largely been responsible for their sharp nosedive.

West Indies are way behind the pack in Test

cricket, but their attackfirst approach in limitedovers cricket, especially in T20Is, has made them the heartthrobs of the shortest format. It resurfaced when they secured their second World T20 earlier this year in India.

Their MVPs - Andre Russell and Chris Gayle aren’t in either squad, but they still have the luxury of depth. Opener Evin Lewis shellacked a 48-ball ton against India in Lauderhill last month, the sixth fastest in T20Is. The uncapped players - Rovman Powell and Nicholas Pooran, who hit 143 out of West Indies Under-19s’ 208 at this venue two years ago at the World Cup - overcame a top-order flutter in the warm-up game against Emirates Cricket Board XI on Tuesday. Fast bowler Kesrick Williams, who bowled a sensational triple-wicket maiden in the CPL, is also in the mix.

Pakistan don’t have enough firepower, but Sarfraz Ahmed’s calmness in a team filled with mercurial batsmen stands out.

They also welcome back their highest run-getter in

T20Is - Umar Akmal (1689 runs at a strike rate of 122.92). They showed some late sparks on the trip to the UK, but it remains to be seen if they can they convert it into a proper white-ball revival.

Former Pakistan coach Waqar Younis was all for Umar regaining his berth in the national side following the World T20 if he showed domestic form.

Umar has done just that, finishing as the leading run-getter in the National T20 Cup with 363 runs, including 34 in an over off Yasir Arafat, at an average and strike rate of 72.60 and 183.33.

His cousin, Babar Azam, who was among those to receive glowing appraisals from coach Mickey Arthur after the England tour, seems a good investment.

Finisher with bat, finisher with the ball.

Excellent situational awareness. Dwayne Bravo is probably the most sought-after T20 player.

Pakistan will have to be wary of the big dipping offcutter on sluggish surfaces the sides are likely to encounter in this series.

GUYANA-TIMES.COM

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

23

AAG shortlists athletes for Goodwill Games 2016 A

s Guyana prepares to host the 2016 edition Inter- Guiana Games (IGG), referred to as the ‘Goodwill Games’ this year, due to the exclusion of French Guiana, the selection committee of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) shortlisted the squad on Tuesday.

After trials on Sunday at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, the selection committee sat on Tuesday to discuss performances and derived a team of 28 athletes; 14 males and 14 females.

The Guyanese contingent will be represented by Tyrell Peters and Compton Caesar in the male 100M and 200M while Kenisha Phillips and Onosha

Rogers will go up against Surinamese runners in the 100M while Phillips will pair with Deshawna Skeete for the 200M. In the trials, Caesar won the boys 200M in a time of 21.57s) while finishing second to Tyrell Peters, who ran 10.57s in the 100M after running 10.61s.

Laurindo Prince and Stayon Wilson will be looking to cop the top honours in the 400M while 400M female winner, Avon Samuels and DeshawnaSkeete will be aiming for the same in the female division.

In the 800M the female division will have Joanna Archer and Kezra Murray while Anfernee Headecker, who won the event in the trials as well as the 1500M

Compton Caesar

and Laurindo Prince will represent the males.

Headecker will team up with Odwin Tudor, in the 1500M and Archer will pair with Shaka Tyrell for the females.

Regal Sports Softball Tournament

Tyrell will also run the 3000M alongside Tbitha Bowman and Tudor as well as Delroy Leitch will run the 5000M. Guyana will be represented in the Shot Put, Javelin and Discus by Jamaica Scott and Andriska Mickle in the female division while Alvin George and Jermine Simmons will take the responsibility for the males in the Shot Put and Discus as Tramaine Beckles and Lloyd McCurdy take up the job in the Javelin.

With the events moving onto jumping, High jumpers, Daniel Williams and Osafa Profit will go up for the males and the pair of Irie Cadogan and Tatyanna Blair will be the female division competitors in the High

Jump.

For the female long jump and triple jump, Chantoba Bright and Klahni Griffith were selected for as the two jumpers while McCurdy will also jump for the males in the two events, teaming up with Tramaine Browne.

President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson has expressed his satisfaction of the members selected, noting that all of the athletes were selected based on them excelling at the trials, noting that while some athletes would have performed better earlier in the year, it was the trials that was used as the yard stick to select the team.

He added that it was in the trials that the athletes basically selected them-

selves by being the top performers.

“Based on the team, I think we have a strong enough team and there I don’t think there is anything stopping us from beating Suriname,” the AAG President said.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones had earlier indicated that there will be seven different sporting disciplines in which Suriname and Guyana will compete which includes swimming, basketball, table tennis, track and field, badminton, volleyball and for the first time, futsal.

The Games will be played from October 20 to 24 in Guyana.

Venture Credit Union 5K

12 high-profile matches Kenyan pips “Little Kenyan” slated for Sunday – Missingher finished 3rd as Guyana dominate podium

– Regal looking to continue dominance

R

More explosive action is expected in the Masters Category

egal Sports Softball Tournament gathers momentum heading into week three of the excitement with 12 high profile matches slated for Sunday.

At the Everest Cricket Club ground, Camp Road and Carifesta Avenue, the action will begin at 9:00h with three pitches being used concurrently. The tournament is divided into two categories, Masters and Open. The Masters, over 45 years old play 20 overs per side matches while the Open play 15 overs a side contests.

On Pitch One, Regal Masters open against Mike’s Wellman while Wolf Warriors battle Speedboat

XI on pitch two at the same time. Also a spectacular Success XI is looking to stop an explosive Herstelling XI on Pitch three at the same time.

The second round of games will begin at 11:00h where Savage Masters play HS Masters on Pitch one, Superior Woods v Fisherman on Pitch two and Success square up against Ariel on Pitch three.

At 14:00h, the third round is expected to get underway with Savage Masters going up against Berbice’s power house, Albion Masters on Pitch one.

Pitch two will see Superior Woods in action again when

the face Wolf Masters and on Pitch three, Regal will go to war against Ariel and to close off the games at that venue, Wolf Warriors will look to walk away victorious when the play Herstelling on Pitch three at 15:00H. The action does not stop there, as the matches then move over to the GNIC ground, Woolford Avenue where Tropical Springs XI go head on against Albion Masters from 10:00h. In the second and final match, Tropical Springs XI will want to end the day on a high while H.S. Masters will also want to take home a victory when the two powerhouses clash.

The tournament is an open tournament which does not attract an entrance fee however, the only cost to team are for the balls of their innings and a share of the umpires’ fees.

The Organizers of the tournament thought it best not to have an entrance fee for participating teams in an effort to attract more teams in the tournament rather than turning teams away.

In winners row; (from left) Curtis Cox, Pamentos Ballentyne, Winston Missingher and Cleveland Forde at the presentation ceremony in Trinidad and Tobago

G

uyana’s top distance runners, Cleveland Forde and Winston Missingher both finished in the top three as the pair represented Guyana well at the 17th annual Venture 5K run and fun walk held in Couva in southern Trinidad last weekend.

With over 2000 participants for the 5k race, Forde, popularly known in the racing fraternity as ‘Lil Kenyan’ was second to Kenyan runner, 24 year old Kenneth Rotich who ran a time of 14 minutes, 34 seconds (14m34s) while Forde

clocked in 15m28s.

Missingher completed the podium just nine seconds behind Forde in a time of 15m37s. Pamenos Ballantyne of St. Vincent and the Grenadines came in fourth position while Trinidadian Curtis Cox managed to win fifth place with times of 15m44s and 15m56s respectively.

The event which was hosted by Venture Credit Union Co-operative Society Limited in Collaboration with Cuna Caribbean Insurance, under the theme “Bringing People

Together”, began in front of the Venture building located at 32 Southern Main Road, Couva.

In the other 17 categories, stand outs include 25 year old Tonya Nero of Trinidad and Tobago, running at a time of 17m 05s to win the female open, Kade Sobers and Christine Regis, winning the male and female over 50-yaers old category respectively. Kester Joseph won the Physically Challenged category while 11 year old Atiya Croal copped the under 15 category.

Victor Macedo Memorial cycling slated for Sunday

A

s the cycling season continues across Guyana, the country’s top wheelsmen will be turning out in their numbers for top honours in the various categories of the 14th Annual Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Road Race set for Sunday, September 25.

All the big names in local cycling will be gathering at the starting line for 07:30h for a rolling start from 224 Peter Rose Street, Queenstown to Homestretch Avenue for the official start.

The last time this race was held Jamaul John copped the open and Junior title with Warren McKay collecting the top veteran prize. Team Coco’s Jaleel Jackson won the Juveniles and Keon ‘Duracell’ Thomas won the mountain bike category, however, a new mountain bike champion will definitely be crowned as Duracell will be riding in St. Marteen for the Caribbean Mountain Bike race 2016 alongside Jude Bentley.

The race will see all

Flashback! Jamaul John (left) edges Raphael Leung to the line to win the 13th annual Victor Macedo Memorial 70-mile cycle road race

riders proceeding from the starting point, along Homestretch Avenue onto Mandela Avenue and into the East Bank Demerara Highway where it will be divided into two junction points.

The Seniors and Juniors will be riding up to Long Creek Bus Shed while Veterans, Juveniles and mountain bikers will ride to the first hill past Splashmin’s Fun Park. All riders will turn back and head along the route back to Homestretch Avenue for

the finish.

Prizes will be awarded to the first eight overall finishers, first four juniors and first three Veterans, Juveniles and Mountain cyclists.

The Flying Stars Cycling Club organized race which is sponsored by Macedo Transportation Services and Floyd Macedo.

Victor Macedo is a former cycling enthusiast who had contributed immensely to the sport while his son, Floyd is a former champion cyclist on the local scene.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

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