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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3116

Monday, February 6, 2017

PRICE

GuySuCo takeover

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

No time for social, economic assessments – Agri Minister

Residents assist in P7 capturing suspect in Perseverance robberies

Page 3

... GAWU says Govt irresponsible in not conducting assessment

Several injured Peacemaker in separate stabbed to death accidents outside nightclub

See stories on pages 8 and 12

Understaffing at Region P17 6 nursing school a major challenge – Senior Tutor ... as 76 nurses receive certification

Demerara Bank Rose Hall branch

Senior citizens feted for 13th anniversary Region 3 P13 residents to benefit from improved water – GWI

Faster internet for Essequibo

by June – GTT P12 CEO Page 13 Elderly persons living in Rose Hall, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were recently gifted food hampers, umbrellas and clocks, compliments of Demerara Bank.

The exercise was part of the Rose Hall branch’s 13th anniversary, with it opening in February 2004

VAT increases Sleepin Hotel denies will not deter favouritism in gaining investors concessions ― Business ... says business underwent “elaborate” qualification process Minister GO-Invest audit report

Page 9

Page 7

Banks DIH P9 Berbice records $2.6B in sales

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MonDAY, february 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

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monDAY, february 6, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, February 6 – 13:00h-14:30h and Tuesday, February 7 – 02:30h and 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, February 6 – 12:05h-13:35h and Tuesday, February 7 – 13:10h-14:40h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

GuySuCo takeover

No time for social, economic assessment – Agri Minister ... GAWU says Govt irresponsible in not conducting assessment

Light to heavy rain showers are expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies will give way to light rain showers in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 12:34h reaching a maximum height of 2.36 metres.

Low Tide: 06:00h and 18:46h reaching minimum heights of 0.97 metre and 0.83 metre respectively.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

SATURDAY, febrUARY 4, 2017

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 2 12 14 15 25 LUCKY 3 8 4 6 Afternoon Draw

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Due to time constraints and the need to resolve the operating expenses at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Government could not conduct a social and economic impact assessment before closing estates.

This is according to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, when asked about the study on Sunday during a telephone interview.

Questioning why one wasn’t done under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, Holder noted that such a comprehensive assessment would take too long to complete.

“Why wasn’t it done for twenty years? The PPP government knew that sugar could not continue the way it was going. The selling price (was low) and operating costs were too great.”

“So the Government came in and realised that the bailouts couldn’t continue. A study like that would take a long time. It’s not something you can do overnight.”

During a consultation on Saturday between the Government and the Parliamentary Opposition, Opposition Member of

Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali had enquired about a study.

However, he was informed that one was not done.

According to Holder, however, it was apparent that the PPP was using tactics in order to delay a decision. He stated that Government would not acquiesce to the Opposition’s calls for an assessment, observing that the delaying tactics might alternate.

Holder said that an impact assessment would take between nine months to a year to be completed.

The Minister stated that Government and the economy could not afford to maintain the system and the

going to finance GuySuCo during that time? We had to make a decision.”

Irresponsible

President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, had also been present at the consultation. Referring to the lack of an assessment, he had stated that the Government was irresponsible in not conducting any assessment before making such a far reaching decision on the sugar industry.

Chand had explained that the closure of GuySuCo will have far reaching implications, not only for the

A copy of the letter from the Indian firm

bailouts.

“So if the PPP wants to do an (assessment), they can go ahead and do it. But we don’t have the time, at this stage. We’re at crunch time now. It would take nine months to a year to do a proper study. So who is

thousands of workers who will be displaced, but because of those who depend on the workers’ income as the breadwinner.

He pointed out that the spin-off effect of the workers distributing their income and the effects it has

GAWU President Komal Chand

on the economy, is something that Government seemed not to be bothered about. Otherwise, he said, the assessment would have been done to garner critical information about the social and economic consequences.

In addition, Chand had expressed the view that the assessment would have highlighted what other sector or industry the displaced workers can possibly turn to.

An Indian company, Shrinath Ispat Limited, has presented a proposal dated January 27, 2017, to Minister Holder. In the proposal, the company said that it wanted to take over the management and operations of the entire Skeldon Estate, including sugar manufacturing and co-generation of power divisions.

“We intend to put our equity as investment required for modernisation of the plant to operate smoothly and profitably and also for the working capital, whereas the existing assets, including plant and machinery, would be as equity of GuySuCo,” the corporate entity outlined in the letter. turn to page 10

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monday, February 6, 2017

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

The new indentured servants

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s promised, US President Donald Trump embarked on a flurry of activities to limit immigration into the USA. He has done so through the issuance of “Executive Orders”. Executive Orders are issued by the President as Head of the Executive Branch of government.

They have the full force of law, providing they are in consonance with the Constitution and the law. For Guyanese who have been well educated by current events here, this means Executive Orders are subject to Judicial Review.

While he has not done so as yet, it is widely expected President Trump will issue an Executive Order on a special visa that has precipitated wide debate over the last decade in the US - the H-1B visa. Introduced in 1990 by then President Bush, it permitted US firms to sponsor foreign individuals, either studying in US Universities or residing in their countries of origin, for jobs in the US that needed specialised technical skills. President Bush justified the programme, through which 80,000 visas would be issued annually to allow the US to keep pace with technological changes driving industries, since the US educational institutions were not keeping up with demand. Following the introduction of the programme, some one million individuals with “expert’ skills have been allowed into the US and presently occupy quite senior positions in US corporations, especially in Silicon Valley. Interestingly, Melania Trump, the new US First Lady, obtained an H-1B visa in 1996 for modelling, in which she averred she was an “expert”.

In the last decade, however, there has been sustained criticism of the programme, which introduced a new term to most Americans, but one that most Guyanese would be quite familiar with: indentured labourers. With the 100th Anniversary of the end of Indentureship in Guyana about to be commemorated on March 12 of this year, the present debate rehearsed many of the arguments that were floated during our experience with indentured labourers here.

The irony, of course, is that the majority of Americans are descended from Indentured Immigrants that were shipped in from Europe in the beginning of the 17th century.

The essence of the indentured labour relationship is the labourer is “bound” to the employer for a specific period of time, and paid at specified rates.

In the modern US H-1B variant, the individual is recruited by the American firm - typically by recruitment firms that specialise in this area - and applies for the visa for the worker, which is valid for three years. It is important to note that like the indentured immigrant of yore, the H-1B immigrant could not change employers without the express consent of the original employer, to whom the visa is actually issued. The immobilisation of the H-1B workers is important as it was in the sugar industry, since the workers are needed for specific periods - in the former for projects, and in the latter for quickly processing the sugar cane.

While it is acknowledged that the H-1B visa winners (there is an annual lottery) have given an invaluable shot in the arm to American high-tech industries, the gravamen of local concerns, incorporated in three Bills in front of the US Congress, is by paying them lower salaries than those of Americans, they have displaced some of the latter from jobs and more pertinently, have made qualifying themselves for such jobs not worth it. This is an argument that resonates with the Guyanese experience circa 1838.

The underpayment is acknowledged by employers and employees - and confirmed by two Congressionallycommissioned reports - but it is legal: the Labour Department’s “prevailing wage” of US$60,000 is way above present day entre level salaries in the high-tech industries.

Another inducement for the “new indentured labours” to work at below what Americans would accept is the H-1B visa holders can apply to become “Permanent Residents” and remain in the US - but only if their employers approve.

This requirement ensures that H-1B workers toe the line at all times.

These young men displaying their athleticism at the recently staged National School’s Physical Display Competition which was held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, as part of the annual Mashramani activities

ExxonMobil briefing on oil & gas development Dear Editor, It was reported in the news media on February 2, that Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had arranged for Jeff Simons, country manager for ExxonMobil development of its oil and gas sectors to address Ministers, Heads of Departments and others regarding production preparation and the methodology which will be deployed to produce oil by 2020 from the recently discovered Liza field, off Guyana’s northern coast.

It appears that the oil will be pumped and temporarily stored in containers anchored on the ocean bed, before it is loaded onto tankers for world markets/refineries. The gas produced will be separated from the oil

and apparently flared and/ or returned under pressure into the oil bearing sands/ rocks to increase flows.

Therefore, no crude oil will be pumped to onshore facilities for storage and/or be refined for local consumption and export, nor will the natural gas be liquefied for export or generation for electricity to feed the national grid, having regard to the fact that its marginal cost of production is nearly zero.

Hence, Guyana will just be a producer of natural resources (oil & gas) with no refinement of the primary products and hence few job opportunities being created for Guyanese, as has been the case with sugar and bauxite production, with no value added components installed locally by them to

generate jobs.

The APNU/AFC Government should not delude itself and conclude that it has the capability, knowhow, nor financial resources necessary to build the infrastructure necessary to get the crude oil onshore and refine it into its various components for export. This also applies to get the natural gas produced to onshore facilities for power generation and liquefy it for export. Therefore, it should negotiate with interested investors and the oil partners who will be extracting the crude oil/gas to build these facilities in Guyana by offering attractive incentives, such as land and lavish tax breaks.

Lastly, the Government should start developing the

means and methods which should be used to measure and account for the oil being loaded onto vessels for export. Expertise and guidance to do so should be sought from the Norwegian and British governments (North Sea oil), as well as from Petrobras, which has been extracting oil from its Atlantic Ocean basins for export to world markets. If not properly accounted for, a lot of the crude oil pumped from the Liza wells could easily disappear through collusion by corrupt employees, thus depriving the country and its people from the expected financial windfall produced from oil that they so badly need.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

Global convention on Indentureship Dear Editor, Indian Diaspora Council International (USA) and partners in Guyana and Trinidad will host a global convention in Trinidad from March 17 to 20 at various sites on that island to commemorate the centenary of the end of girmitya (indentured) labour from India. There will also be symposiums and cultural melas in Guyana to commemorate same at various locations on different dates. Presenters are attending from various parts of the globe at the Trinidad convention.

Presenters are coming from around the region and India for the series of symposiums in Guyana. The theme of the convention is “Aspirations and Interest; Reflecting on the Past and Planning for the Future”. The aim of the convention and symposiums is to strengthen the associ-

ation of diaspora with each other and with Mother India, connect the diaspora youths with their roots and each other around the globe, and cement cultural relations with Mother India.

Location: The mini conference will be held in Guyana over several days beginning on March 3 (separate memo to follow). The Dharmic Sabha is hosting a symposium on March 10 at the Kendra and there will be others on March 11 on the Corentyne and in Georgetown, and the following week in Anna Regina.

Other activities are also planned post-Phagwah.

In Trinidad, a dinner reception will be hosted by the High Commissioner on March 18. This is preceded by an opening ceremony from a Minister of Government from India, as well as a banquet on the evening of March

19 and unveiling of a monument on March 20 to memorialise those girmityas who sacrificed their lives for the survival of Indian communities. This will be followed by luncheon hosted by a government official and visits to historic sites.

It is an open conference with a call for presentation of papers by scholars on varied topics pertaining to the diaspora. Scholars from around the globe have confirmed their attendance. Guyanese are invited to attend the convention as guests or as presenters. There is no registration fee and all meals and local transport are free. Some limited complimentary or minimal cost accommodation is also available. The public is invited and participation is not restricted.

Heads of State and governments have been invit-

ed, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been asked to deliver the keynote address. Prime Minister Aneerood Jugnauth has been invited as a Special Guest of Honour. In addition, the former President of Singapore and Governor General of New Zealand, as well as the former PMs of Trinidad and former Presidents of Guyana and Suriname have been invited as Guests of Honour.

The PMs and Ministers of several Caribbean girmitya countries have also been invited.

Many hundreds, if not thousands of attendees from around the Caribbean region plus Trinidad. For further info, email: pgoopta@ hotmail.com or dmahabir@ gmail.com.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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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

Why humiliate illegal immigrants?

Dear Editor, Recently I read a story of a Venezuelan woman who was caught overstaying her time in Guyana and the horrible treatment she was forced to endure. She was rounded up like cattle and dragged before a court, bare feet, fined, then sent on her way back to her homeland. And this would have been the case of others of our neighbours in recent months, including Cubans, Haitians and Dominicans alike. Now this is the newest approach by the coalition Government in its disgraceful, and out of place regard for illegals. Since assuming Office, they have been treating their fellow Third World

citizens with scant regard.

The dehumanising way illegals have been treated by this government is appalling, to say the least, as it goes on a rampage to belittle others less fortunate than themselves.

Like that Venezuelan woman who said in court that the economic situation in her country was bad, so she decided to come to our shores to look for work and a better life. An economic refugee, like most of us Guyanese who were fortunate to run out of Guyana, this lady tried that route also, only to be corralled into a jail cell and treated in the most inhumane way. It is a situation

whereby Guyanese were at one time economic, as well as political refugees, forced to migrate out of Guyana to every known country on the planet. Incidentally, the party that governed Guyana at that time was the PNC, who notably are the major partners in this new coalition Government. Except for a few incidences of inhumane treatment, by and large most Guyanese were accommodated by other countries.

So, why this rush to cast others out of our country?

Have they forgotten the way we were, in the not so distant past, aliens and strangers in other people’s countries? And I dare say this

situation might very well repeat itself judging from the way The PNC-led Coalition is governing our country? So, let me caution the Guyana Government to be extra careful in the way you treat those less fortunate in your midst.

Treat them with utmost care as you would like your people to be treated in return.

The point that I would like to make clear in our minds is, why should Guyana treat anyone this way? Of all the countries on God’s Green Earth, Guyana should be the least to treat aliens in this manner. There is documented proof that there are more Guyanese living out of Guyana than in it. A country

that has gained notoriety in the exportation of its nationals to other countries more than any other Caricom nation. If those nations so affected should in turn reciprocate and treat Guyanese in kind, I shudder to think what would be the fate of thousands living abroad, or even right here in the Caribbean.

It means that there will be plane loads or boatloads of Guyanese shipped back to Guyana.

Guyanese are ranked high on the charts of illegals in other people’s countries, so I am dumbfounded as to this new policy of the Coalition to round up strangers and sending them back to their respec-

tive territories.

Then, I am forced to ask the question, where is the Human Rights Association of Guyana? Have we such an organisation? What has become of them? Have they lost their voice, or have they been bullied into silence? Why can’t they come out and say something on this matter? But it all goes to show how far the democratic process has been eroded in our country, that these and other organisations have conveniently lost their voice to speak out on such issues. Am I permitted to say that Guyana is doomed?

Respectfully, Neil Adams

The GGDMA has done nothing to help Dear Editor, The gold mining industry has been the subject of many articles recently. I have been paying keen attention to the call of GGDMA to small miners to protest against the new tax measures imposed by the Government.

It is so funny to me that GGDMA will call on the miners that they have never supported. It is a known fact that the members of GGDMA are the "Big Boys" in mining and are all guilty of criminal acts towards small miners, known contributors of their lands.

The trend is that these claim holders would give you oral permission to work a land, most small miners accept that because of desperation, with promise of permission to operate. As soon as a significant gold is discovered they will remove you with brute force and ignorance.

Over the past two years I have heard countless stories of this happening. Our dredge was shot up with 36 gunshots and caught on camera by the

claim holder as we had an injunction from the high court giving us permission to work.

The gunmen who were security personnel attached to the claim holders mining firm came with their uniform and was heard saying on camera that they don't care about paperwork they get orders from the said claim holder to shoot up.

These men were basically treated like celebrities by the now retired commander of F Division. Who told us the men would turn themselves in because they cannot leave their work ground. These men are free as birds today. Instead of the DPP laying attempted murder charges because my husband was seen on camera jumping in front of a shotgun to save his workers, they were slapped with malicious damage to property. The excavator operator who was shot in his head has since appeared in court and withdrew the charges . We have since found out that he is now employed with the said claim hold-

er. Again we see the claim holders influence all around.

Until now nothing has come out of this and we are forced to fight in the courts for damages. We now have to find a way to recoup our losses and start over. We then started hearing all these horror stories coming out of the same area committed by the same said claim holder. Further, we hear stories of this happening to small miners working on lands belonging to current executive members of the GGDMA. The GGDMA has done nothing over the past two years to help us. As members we approached them first after the shooting to help us and offer support, we were told abruptly by the founder that he cannot get involved.

He then referred us to someone Mr. Woolford who advised that I had a strong case but never offered any further help. We quickly realized that the said claim hold-

er had a lot of friends in that association and it was a lost cause.

There are so many families that are in ruins right now contemplating their next move , some trying to find the will to live after losing it all.

Some still have debts to repay which in turn have them fearful for their lives.

We would like to thank Minister Trotman, Minister Broomes and the newly appointed closed area committee for hearing our cries and doing their best to help us small miners. We have since been able to secure our own gold bearing land of which we are still awaiting paperwork.

This gives us hope that we are not at the mercy of claim holders.

The call by GGDMA for small miners to join in solidarity with them to protest is totally insane. This confirms to me that the GGDMA is in their “own world" and really out of touch with the reality

of the small miner. I would like the GGDMA to state one instance recently where they assisted a small miner. They even insulted the newly started Konawaruk small miners association who attended a meeting with them and the government recently. Why does GGDMA think they are the only ones with rights to represent miners, who gives them the right to insult and demean this group of hard working miners.

Has the GGDMA ever given back to the communities have they done any outreach programmes. Have they ever represented a miner that was not a " OLD BOY " in mining.

We all know who these " Big Dogs" in mining are and we are watching them closely. It is a fact they have so much money combined it's hard for us to even fathom and point-

less to fight. So small miners feel it's either put up or shut up.

However, we have new representation now in the form of the Ministry of Natural Resources and we will not be treated like second class citizens.

I say the time has come for small miners to rise up.

They cannot call themselves the representative of the entire mining body in Guyana when their interest is only for a few. Small miners please do not play into the political ploy of the GGDMA, they do not represent the real gold miners. Visit our Facebook page Justice for Figaro Mining and let us know if you need help.

Sincerely , Alisha Figueira Figaro Mining

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Foundation

Teaching your kids 5 dos and don’ts about alcohol:

How old were you when you had your first drink? 21? 17? 12?

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ome people start as early as middle school; they sneak a bottle of alcohol and experiment with a couple of friends. Then they upgrade to the partying, vomiting, fights, embarrassing actions, and escaping before the cops get there...

Paints a thrilling picture, doesn’t it? Maybe from a teen’s foggy perspective.

But teenagers need a different perspective on alcohol, and parents are the best people to tell them the truth about alcohol.

Talk. They hear you Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently launched Talk. They hear you, a programme designed to encourage parents to talk to their children about alcohol. With summer just a few months away, the season in which first time alcohol use doubles for teens, take the effort to teach your kids how to drink – appropriately.

5 dos and don’ts Here are some helpful tips for teaching your kids about alcohol: Disapprove of underage drinking Your kids are less likely to drink if they know that you strongly disapprove of them drinking. Let your kids know why: * It’s illegal * It’s unhealthy and damages their still-developing brain * It exposes them to highrisk situations – rape, drunk driving, alcohol poisoning * Your kids will be more likely to struggle with alcohol problems in the future * It will negatively affect

their athletics and academics Let them go to parties with alcohol * Teens who aren’t drinking at an underage drinking party can still get into trouble legally * It’s inconsistent. Letting teens go to a drinking party expecting them not to drink is like letting them go to a dance expecting them not to dance. * It’s too much pressure.

It’s harder to say no when everyone else around you is drinking and there’s a cup within reach.

Encourage healthy outlets * Encourage your kids to get involved in the things they enjoy. It will teach them healthy ways to have fun and cope with stress. Schools and communities have many extra-curricular activities – language, art, drama, business, and service clubs; youth groups; music; sports.

Offer your kids alcohol at home * Some parents think their child will drink no matter what, so it’s safer to let them drink at home.

However, doing so actually opens the door to a child continuing to drink. Studies show that if children know their parents allow drinking, they will be more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs.

Have small, frequent conversations * Take advantage of everyday opportunities, like dinner or TV time, to talk about alcohol. Keep the information at a level your kids will understand – what you say to them at nine will be different from what you will say when they are 14.

Talking to your children every day builds a strong, trusting relationship, which will make talking about serious topics, like alcohol, easier.

Lecture or have a “BIG TALK” * When parents go into this mode, kids usually half listen – perhaps they are too intimidated to fully listen, they zone out, or they are listening, but with an attitude of rebelling inwardly. Also, parents often think their job is done after one “big talk.”

Humans naturally forget things; a parent could forget what they all wanted to say and children forget what was said too. We all need constant reminders.

Tell the truth * Be objective when you talk to your children about alcohol. * Clearly set and explain your rules about underage drinking. Give them the facts about alcohol and how serious addiction is. * Let them know if alcoholism runs in the family (if it does, your children’s choice to drink at 21 may not even be worth the high risk of addiction). Remember, addiction can happen to anyone even if it isn’t in the family history.

Rely solely on just say no to drugs * Although the “Say No to Drugs” slogan may help, it isn’t exactly the most effective way to combat the temptation to try that first joint or first drink. Knowing why to say no to drugs and alcohol is more powerful in fighting the pressure to fit in and “be cool.”

Be a good role model * If you have an alcohol problem, seek help and live out sobriety. If you do drink, explain to your kids the reasons you drink, like to celebrate special occasions, but emphasise that your drinking is always in moderation.

Most importantly, live out responsible drinking.

Scare them into not drinking * Phrases like, “You can’t handle it,” encourage, rather than discourage, a teen to drink.

BONUS: Ask open-ended questions Understand what your children are actually thinking.

Listen to their opinions and concerns. Ask them questions such as: * What do you think about alcohol? * Do you think alcohol is dangerous? * Do your friends drink?

What do you think about that? * If someone asked or pressured you to drink, what would you say? * When do you think it’s appropriate to drink alcohol? How much alcohol is appropriate?

Not say anything about alcohol Avoiding the topic of alcohol with children is an open invitation for them to drink. Surveys show that around age nine, kids start to think differently about alcohol, but are still really listening to their parents up to age 15. This window of time is critical for communicating with your children in efforts to prevent them from the harmful consequences of

underage drinking.

Will you talk?

Science says addiction runs

in the family. Practically, that means children of addicts and alcoholics should stay very far away from drugs and alcohol.

Do you think your story of addiction and recovery is enough to curb your children away from drugs and alcohol?

We’d think so and certainly hope so, but let’s not take any chances – will you talk to your children about alcohol?(www.duffysrehab.com)

How to survive your beloved adolescent

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arenting is never easy, especially during babyand toddlerhood, times so physically demanding, basic self-care or merely keeping one’s eyes open provides a challenge. Fortunately, parents are rewarded with hugs, kisses and the gift of love, besides being supported by other parents’ more or less good advice. The following years aren’t exactly a vacation either, but nothing comes close to the difficulty of parenthood during adolescence. NOTHING. If you are the one parent who finds adolescence to be a joyride, please read no more. For all who feel they are drowning in boiling water, read on. Help is on the way. First, a disclaimer: I have the most awesome teenagers in the world. I love them to pieces – even while being shredded into pieces. Why? Because I can.

And I know you feel the same as that’s what most parents are made of: incorrigible love.

It’s only natural.

Adolescence is an amazing time of growth, courage, innovation, and creativity. The brain isn’t just overwhelmed with hormones, but becomes a construction zone, as Daniel Siegel described in his helpful book “Brainstorm”.1 And while I am about to concentrate on those who pay the price for this storm, I believe in the potential of a Happy Adolescent.2 Truth is, we can always grow and take steps to encourage our and others’ happiness.

With that said, adolescence is more intellectually exhausting and plain painful.

Hugs and kisses often disappear, not for a stormy day, but for the entire adolescent b-rain season. Advice from others is rare while warnings are frequent: “You haven’t seen anything yet!”, “Worst time of my life!”, “Good luck!” Some “survivors” just run out of the room upon being reminded of this time. Suniya Luthar and her colleague Lucia Cicolla from Arizona State University studied approximately 2200 mothers with kids of all ages regarding their well-being, parenting, and perceptions of their kids. The researchers

determined that adolescence was indeed the most taxing time in their lives, especially during the ages of 12 to 14.

Many mothers burned-out and fell into a depressed state. So, here is my survival strategy: Know why you are burned out Many of us have unrealistic expectations. We think that we should love perfectly, give nonstop, and offer solutions to every problem. We think we should be competent in our job as parent even though we have never done it before -- at least not with that kid. To know the following challenges is the first step: Brains need dopamine to experience pleasure, which we generate when we believe we have done something “right” or “good.” During adolescence we are likely to become dopamine-deprived as many kids are no longer affectionate or convey their appreciation.

Instead of dopamine, we might now produce stress hormones. Our own and our adolescent’s negativity take a toll.

We must adjust to a totally different kid. Changes are so erratic, it’s hard to keep up.

We might miss the old kid, for which we might get scolded.

This can be very painful, even when we understand that change is necessary and natural. Acceptance of impermanence is a slight buffer, but won’t spare us the mourning.

You are the first responder to your kid’s numerous problems: academic, peer and cultural pressure (to be popular, look like a supermodel and become super-rich); confusion; moodiness; sadness; angst; feelings of insecurity due to excessive labelling (e.g. mood disorders and ADD). Problem overload in your adolescent is problem overload in you.

Your partner may have checked out emotionally or into a hotel. Some suddenly become workaholics to avoid their brainstormer. (psychologytoday.com) To be continued

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monDAY, february 6, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

VAT increases will not deter investors – Business Minister

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ollowing the Value Added Tax (VAT) measures announced by the Government in the 2017 Budget presentation, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin has opined that the measures would not deter investors.

The Minister communicated this stance during a telephone interview on Friday, as he addressed the question of whether the tax measures facilitated a suitable business environment and provided an inviting climate for local and foreign investors.

“Certainly! VAT is implemented in a lot of countries. I don’t see investors shying away from investing in jurisdictions where the Value Added Tax is set.

So, I don’t see the nexus between implementing VAT and attracting investors,” the Business Minister stated.

When asked about local investors, Gaskin pointed out that the same thing applied and that they also have the right climate to invest.

The parliamentary Opposition has been steadfast against the Budget, describing the tax measures as lacking innovation and as lazy attempts to raise money.

During a recent press conference, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo was very critical of the fact that the coalition Government raised VAT on a number of items. According to Jagdeo,

the country could be managed effectively without the extensive hikes in VAT.

Effects on mining

Jagdeo also spoke of the plight of the local gold and diamond miners, who have since sought a meeting with President David Granger.

According to the Opposition Leader, miners have legitimate concerns that the various measures announced in the Budget will kill the industry.

“The measures passed in the Budget can kill the industry. They introduced surreptitiously in the first budget in 2016 the VAT on heavy-duty equipment that was not there. So, that immediately sent up the cost on excavators, bulldozers,

Residents assist in capturing suspect in Perseverance robberies

Thieves ransacked the homes of two pensioners

were recovered. The man is also implicated in five other robberies.

On Thursday night, two pensioners living at Perseverance Village were robbed of cash and a quantity of groceries while they were asleep.

Eighty-six-year-old Rajkumarie Persaud and 85-year-old Daris Persaud, both of Perseverance, in two separate incidents,

esidents of Perseverance and Golden Fleece Villages in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have helped to nab an alleged thief who they suspect was responsible for a recent spate of robberies in the Perseverance area.

According to those living in the area, the man has been seen in the area for several weeks now. After the series of robberies, residents became suspicious and alerted the Police, who surrounded the building the man was in and found him with a quantity of juic-

awoke to find their homes were ransacked and cash and groceries missing. The Police are still investigating.

R

The hammer and torch light that thieves left behind

es and food items. The man claimed he hailed from the West Coast of Demerara.

Several items, suspected to be from the recent robberies in Perseverance,

Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin

and other equipment used in the hinterland, by 16 per cent.”

“And then in the last budget they increased the tributors tax from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. So that’s a hundred per cent increase in the tributors tax. Then with the introduction of VAT on interior travel, I’m seeing they are going to exempt people who live in the interior.”

“But it is not provided for in the law. And this is an afterthought. They should remove it totally, from interior travel. The

miners use that service.

So that will drive up their cost. And then they have to file income tax at the end of the year – puts a whole new burden on people.”

According to Jagdeo, all of this has changed the fiscal environment, particularly for small miners, and this would cause irreparable harm to the sector.

According to the new regulations, as announced

by Government, certain goods and services will now attract VAT. In addition to the tributors tax increase, there will be a two per cent tax on gross earnings.

These measures have been criticised by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) since they were announced.

VAT of 14 per cent has been also applied to general electricity consumption in excess of $10,000 per month, and for water consumption exceeding $1500 per month.

It was also announced last year that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) would receive authorisation to garnish funds from bank accounts held by taxpayers with outstanding tax ar-

rears.

In addition to the miners’ representatives, the VAT measures have raised the ire of the business community. Back in December, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Economics Committee, Ramesh Persaud, had stated that the 2017 Budget took more than it gave.

The PSC had called on the Government to reconsider, noting that several items which were exempted from VAT have been removed from the list of zero-rated items.

The addition of VAT on local airfares has also not gone down well, notwithstanding the Government’s assurances that hinterland residents would not be charged. National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President Annette Arjoon-Martins recently spoke out against the development in sections of the media.

According to ArjoonMartins, the increase would cause a decline in passengers. She said that in the absence of clear criteria from the GRA, domestic carriers would have to charge every passenger VAT.

8 news

monDAY, february 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Several injured in WBD smash-up

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number of persons were rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital on Sunday afternoon following an accident at Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Angela Reed, her mother and her two children were travelling in Toyota Rav 4 PKK 6389 when it collided with minibus BTT 9621, which was carrying several passengers.

Guyana Times understands that around 12:15h, Reed, who was the driver of the Rav 4, was transporting her children and mother from church.

According to information, the minibus was travelling from Parika and at-

The damaged Toyota Rav 4

Plantain chips… …or plantain chips couple of decades ago, Thomas Friedman, author and NY Times columnist, observed in his book “The Lexus and the Olive tree”, that even though trade was driving globalisation, the winners of the sweepstakes were shipping ever decreasing tonnage of exports! He explained the conundrum by pointing out that even though, say, less steel or grain may’ve been shipped by them, their almost weightless exports, like computer chips, far exceeded the value of the old exports!

Someone in Guyana from that era must’ve heard this nugget of wisdom. But they either weren’t really paying attention or age had dulled their memory.

Friedman was talking about COMPUTER CHIPS, not PLANTAIN CHIPS - which has just been suggested as the product that can solve Guyana’s economic woes!

Plantain Chips are lighter than sugar or bauxite or timber, your Eyewitness will concede, but it misses the point, doesn’t it? The weight of a country’s exports was the third in what Friedman called “The nine habits of effective countries” and he explained it thusly: How much does your country or company weigh? – “We are moving from a world where the heavy eat the light, to a world where the light eat the heavy. Today, a country that exports primarily raw materials – commodities, iron ore, crude oil – is going to weigh a lot. A country that specialises in information technologies and services is going to weigh a lot less and is probably providing a higher standard of living for more of its people.”

In Guyana, there’s been a lot of talk about getting into “IT and ICT” and “Knowledge industries”, and such like - but to talk about exporting “plantain chips” at the highest level in 2017 has shown that there’s a radical disjunctive between the “talk” and the “walk”. This was brought home very graphically to your Eyewitness when he listened to the Mayor berating the parking meters protestors. And studiously avoiding the real problem the total lack of transparency on the contract.

Maybe your Eyewitness can do worse that repeat Friedman’s homily on being an “effective country” (number five): Does Your Country or Company Dare to Be Open on the Inside? – The more transparent you are inside, the more your government is grounded in the rule of law, the more you are willing to share how and where decisions are made, the less likely it is that corruption will remain hidden, and the more likely others will be willing to stick with you.

“In the coming years, we will no longer refer to developed and underdeveloped countries, or emerging markets and non-emerging markets. Instead we will refer to “transparent countries” and “non-transparent” countries.”

No wonder we’re now pushing plantain chips!

A The unidentified driver of the minibus

tempted to overtake a line of vehicles, but the bus collided with the car as it was about to turn onto the

The minibus toppled twice and ended up on its side

Parfaite Harmonie main road.

Reed’s mother, Nazeema Alli, who sustained serious head injuries, spoke with this publication and related what happened.

According to the woman, she was in the front seat of the car while her two grandchildren were in the back.

She said that they were unaware of the approaching vehicle up to the point of impact. “We are coming from Livingworth and we were about to turn unto the road when all of a sudden, the bus came from the back and hit the back of our vehicle and we skid a far distance away.”

She further explained that her daughter was disoriented after she hit her

head, and fought to regain control of the vehicle.

The minibus toppled twice before ending up in a nearby trench. A crowd gathered and public-spirited persons rendered assistance. Those injured, which included children were quickly rushed to the hospital.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the group in the minibus were all headed to the creek and were said to have been consuming alcohol.

Up to press time, the injured were still at the hospital receiving treatment. The Police have launched an investigation into the accident, and charges are expected to be laid against the driver of the minibus.

…or bargaining chips?

While most of Guyana has been obsessing with Trump and his Executive Orders on immigration, a local economist from UG highlighted a Congressional action that might be even more significant for Guyana.

This is the scuttling of the Federal requirement that US Oil Companies reveal all payments made to foreign governments to exploit their petroleum and gas reserves.

The law was supposed to suss out payments

by US companies made under the table to corrupt governments, which invariably end up secreted in private offshore accounts - leaving the citizens of the oil-depleted country literally holding the bag. In a country like Guyana, where corrupt acts of omission and commission are daily occurrences, most Guyanese have little hope this Government will crack down on corruption when they’re unwilling to even enact a “Code of Conduct” for their Ministers!

This Eyewitness is disappointed the US will now hold its oil companies to a lower standard, than, say Canada or the EU. …or platitudes Ramjattan, to whom Justice Kennard was responsible, claims the latter’s dismissal wasn’t “racial”. So, will he demand equal treatment at Cabinet on Dr Clive Thomas, who holds two portfolios ten times more onerous than Kennard’s PCA? And is just as old.

Equal treatment vitiates claims of bias, no?

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

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monDAY, february 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GO-Invest audit report

Sleepin Hotel denies favouritism in gaining concessions – says business underwent “elaborate” qualification process

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n light of the findings of an audit conducted into the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest), which shows that Sleepin International Hotel & Casino Inc benefited from a series of tax holidays and waivers under the previous Administration, the hotel has denied being on the receiving end of favouritism, emphasising that the busi-

ness had to undergo an “elaborate” process to qualify for the concessions granted.

The audit report, which was published on the Finance Ministry’s website on Friday, outlined that Sleepin Hotel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GO-Invest, on behalf of Government, agreeing to a corporate tax holiday for the hotel operations for a period

not exceeding 10 years.

The agreement also catered for: the facilitation of granting a Casino Operator’s Licence; taxation of the casino operations at a rate of 35 per cent on its net profits with accelerated depreciation and unlimited carryover of losses; interest payments – not the principal of foreign loans being subjected to 20 per cent withholding tax

Banks DIH Berbice records $2.6B in sales

Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis

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he Berbice outlet of beverage giant Banks DIH Ltd has recorded a three per cent increase over its 2015 sales.

Speaking at the company's 22nd Annual General Meeting in New Amsterdam, Branch Manager Reginald Matthews said sales hit a record high of $2.6 billion over the last calendar year, as opposed to $2.57 billion achieved in 2015.

"This success could not be possible without you, the shareholders; we are truly debuted to you for your worth-

while investment, our customers and consumers who purchased our products your loyalty know no boundaries,” he announced.

Meanwhile, Banks Chairman Clifford Reis explained that the Berbice operations sold in excess of 1.6 million cases of beverages.

In a lengthy address, the company's top figure explained that Banks DIH produced the second best Guinness in this part of the world, and has been awarded for producing the 19th best

Guinness worldwide.

The company has also been producing the best CocaCola in Latin and Central America and was recently awarded with the small business trophy for the quality of the beverage. As the company moves forward, the Chairman stressed that the focus would be on building relationships.

"Our focus this year will be on networking,” Reis said.

The company noted similar shareholder meetings in the Georgetown, Essequibo and Linden on Friday.

upon repayment; waiver of Customs Duty, Value Added Tax, and Excise Tax on casino equipment, spares and related parts, and tax concessions for the importation of equipment, machinery, fixtures and fittings, furnishings, building and other materials.

According to the auditors, this MoU was the only one subjected to the official approval of the President, and there were no documentation from GO-Invest showing the rationale to explain or justify the methodology used for granting tax holidays to the hotel. However, in a letter to the editor on Sunday, owner of the Sleepin chain of hotels in Guyana, Clifton Bacchus, pointed out that the Government of the day had offered a regime of concessions for investments in the hotel and hospitality sector, which were available to all investors.

Bacchus noted that in order to benefit from these concessions, businesses had to comply with a “long and elaborate process” involving GOInvest, the Finance Ministry and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as well as satisfy certain laid-out requirements. The process, he added, contained certain checks and balances, which allowed these three State agencies to check, verify and

Clifton Bacchus

authenticate the information provided by the investor.

“I applied for the concessions, utilising the required procedures; the information that I provided were checked, verified and authenticated by the relevant agencies and I was granted the concessions for which I applied,” he explained.

Moreover, the hotelier went on to disclose that these were not the first concessions granted to him. In fact, he revealed that back in 20052006, he applied to the then Government for concessions, which were granted. These concessions were used in the expansion of the Sleepin International Hotel branch on Brickdam, Georgetown, Bacchus said. He added that

at the time, Guyana was preparing to host its leg of the International Cricket World Cup in 2007 and the country was in dire need of hotel accommodation.

According to the hotelier, Guyana has continued to benefit from the investments which he has made utilising those concessions.

“The Sleepin chain of hotels has an international reputation of providing affordable accommodation in a quality environment with warm, competent and cordial staff. It provides employment, at this point in time, for over a hundred Guyanese families and it contributes millions of dollars, annually, in taxes,” he asserted.

Furthermore, Bacchus pointed out that unlike other hotels, the Sleepin chain never benefited from any movable or immovable asset from the State.

The letter penned by the hotelier was in response to an article headline in a local newspaper, which Bacchus said conveyed “the impression that Sleepin Hotel improperly, unfairly and perhaps corruptly benefited from concessions to which it was not entitled”.

As the applicant for those concessions and the owner of the Sleepin chain of hotels, Bacchus rejected the headline as “false and malicious”.

10 news

monDAY, February 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Peacemaker stabbed to Linden Town Week 2017 officially launched death outside nightclub – 10 days of activities planned

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42-year-old man was stabbed to death in the wee hours of Sunday after he attempted to make peace during a brawl between an employee of a city nightclub and a group of party-goers.

The incident occurred sometime after 02:45h on Sunday at Owen Street, Kitty, Georgetown and 169 Lamaha Street, respectively. The dead man has been identified has Sunil Singh, called ‘Grey’, a labourer of no fixed place of abode. Another person, 21-year-old Charles Valenzuela, a bartender of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was also injured in the brawl.

According to Police reports, patrol ranks went to the Blue Martini Nightclub located at Lamaha Street, Newtown Kitty, and closed the club after which they left.

However, shortly after it was alleged by Valenzuela, who is employed at the nightspot, that three males arrived and wanted to enter the club.

The young man told investigators that he informed the trio that the club was closed and this resulted in an argument, during which one of the trio stabbed him (Valenzuela) to his left arm.

Singh, who was present at the time, intervened and was trying to make peace when the said suspect who

stabbed Valenzuela, dealt Singh a blow to his head.

Singh then reportedly ran north into Railway Street, Kitty, and was pursued by his attacker, who then stabbed him several times.

Both Singh and Valenzuela were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Singh was pronounced dead on arrival, while Valenzuela was treated and sent away. The body of Singh is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The suspect has not yet been apprehended, however, the Police are continuing their investigations.

Scrap metal trade opens for 3 months

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fter a 19 months shut down of the scrap metal industry, dealers have been given a limited window to re-start their trade as Government continues to iron out new regulations for the sector.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon disclosed last week

ticularly across Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

“Cabinet has therefore approved the Ministry of Business’ proposal to allow exporters to ship out the existing stocks for a limited period of three months,” Harmon announced. He outlined that Cabinet had accepted the pro-

Scrap metal trade in Guyana

that Cabinet had approval for the limited restart of the scrap metal trade. He explained that as a result of the trade being close for almost two years, inspections have revealed that there is a large buildup of scrap metals, par-

posal from Business Minister Dominic Gaskin back in September 2016 to restart the scrap metal trade on the basis of a new menu of measures to be put in place.

“The process of putting together new guidelines and reg-

ulations by the ministry has been ongoing and the ministry now feels that it is in a position to authorize a limited restart to the scrap metal trade,” Cabinet Secretary had stated.

The Ministry of Business, in anticipation of the resumption of the scrap metal trade, met with key stakeholders to discuss proposed changes to the operation of the industry. The Ministry sought to streamline mechanisms with respect to trade and licensing.

The Scrap metal trade was suspended in June 15, 2015 due to a forensic audit of the Scrap Metal Unit (SMU) which monitors the trade.

In 2016, Ram and McRae produced a report on its findings from the probe, revealing a string of irregularities including the mishandling of packing procedures for scrap and the expenditure of millions of dollars in the Scrap Metal Unit within the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

To this end, government removed the responsibility of the trade from the Central Housing and Planning Authority to the Ministry of Business.

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he annual Linden Town Week (LTW) event was officially launched in the mining town on Saturday under this year's theme, "Reflect, refocus, moving forward with unity and strength for our community development".

The Town Week will kickoff from April 22 to May 1.

Vybz Entertainment Inc will continue with the execution of 10 days of planned activities under its third and final year as official franchise holder, in collaboration with the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC).

This year, Linden will celebrate 47 years as a town and 21 years of the Town Week event, which showcases the celebration of culture, sports, exhibition, entertainment and fete.

A preliminary calendar of events planned for the 10 days has been released and includes: Miss Linden Pageant on April 22; guided tours by the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Tourism Development Association (RTDA) and Vybz Entertainment from April 22-30; Gospel Concert and Inter Primary School Spelling Bee Competition on April 24; and Health Fair and Fitness Walk, as well as Open Stage and DJs Night on

Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian

April 25.

In addition, there will be the Guyanese Night and Open Mic, Senior Citizens Luncheon and ‘Big and Bold’ Pageant on April 26; Day of Sports, School afternoon concert and Mackenzie High School Fundraising Dance on April 27; Wismar Big Lime, Bikers Fete and Colour Party on April 28; Teen Zone and Hot Spot and ‘meet and greet’ Soca Fete from April 28-30; Linden Exhibition Festival from April 29-30; Vybz Regional All Black, Big Lime and International concert on April 30; and the Washdown on May 1.

New activities have also

been added to the calendar, while a few fresh faces have been added to the Vybz Entertainment Inc team. Serving in the capacity of Chairman of Vybz Entertainment Inc is Winston Caesar, who assured that this year's event will be one with a difference.

Executive Member of Vybz Entertainment Inc Damuka Ngqondo, who also chaired Saturday's event, said the team is working hard to promote this year's activity as it tries, with the help of the community, to make the event an extraordinary one.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Renis Morian, in delivering remarks, said he was never impressed with the activity over the years, but indicated that a certain aspect of this year's theme appears to give new meaning. He urged that Vybz Entertainment Inc lift the barriers on packaging the activity and expand its focus to do more for the community apart from the LTW. Patrons were also assured of strict security and enhanced parking measures, during the hosting of LTW. Organisers have also pledged to give back to the community in a meaningful way, upon completion of the 10 days of activities.

No time for social...

The company also expressed gratitude to the Government and the Sugar Corporation for giving its delegation an opportunity to visit all six of the sugar estates. It promised to provide a more detailed plan for takeover if the proposal piques Government’s interest.

The company was introduced to the Government

by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s son-in-law, Tony Joseph. Nagamootoo

has previously stated that his son-in-law, a businessman, was finding investors for the industry.

The letter was copied to the Prime Minister, but not to President David Granger, Minister of State Joseph Harmon or any other Cabinet member.

It is not clear how this new development will be treated, considering the fact that a Trinidadian firm, D Rampersaud and

from page 3

Company Limited (DRCL), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest). That MoU is to undertake a feasibility study.

The company has no experience with agriculture-related enterprises and in fact provides engineering services to automotive and oil industries in its native country. There was also no public tender for proposals.

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monDAY, february 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Entrepreneur launches 1st local online taxi app A

St Stanislaus teacher turned entrepreneur has launched an online app that will make calling a taxi just a click away.

The new E-Cab online app allows passengers to check for and hire the nearest taxi driver, and will also feature real time tracking through Global Positioning System (GPS).

As of Saturday, February 4, the app is available for download by potential users from Google Play Store. It can also be used via Facebook, a popular social media platform in Guyana. According to Chief Executive Officer and founder, Charles Hutson, only fully vetted drivers will be part of the program.

Genesis

Calling it a revolutionary form of taxi service, Hutson explained that the idea for his business was born after personally experiencing unsatisfactory service from local taxi services.

“My friends and I have been taking a lot of taxis. And during the course of (time), we have experienced a lot of issues such as the dispatcher who most of the time gives wrong information, unruly drivers and

Charles Hutson, a former member of the Guyana Defence Force. During his stint there, Hutson was attached to the Information Technology Department

usually we would be overcharged.”

“So all of that coupled together and I thought, why not come up with a system that would improve on all these negative occurrences we have going on with the current, traditional taxi services. So I decided to develop an app that will connect drivers with passengers in real time, with the tap of the button.”

He noted that while his company might mir-

ror Uber Technologies, a worldwide online transportation service company, E-Cab conducted its own feasibility studies and surveys. The results, he said, showed that Guyana is in need of an on-demand mobile application which secures both passengers and drivers.

“If you look at some of the issues going on, there are passengers getting into cars and they don’t know who these drivers are. (But) they just get into these vehicles and they go from point A to B. And things can go wrong. “ “Vice versa, drivers don’t know who they’re picking up; it could be anybody doing something unorthodox.

And you’re carrying them to a location and you don’t know what is going on.”

According to Hutson, E-Cab will be conducting background checks on all drivers joining the system.

He explained that mandatory checks would include drivers submitting copies of their registration, identification and all vehicle documents, in addition to a vehicular inspection being carried out.

Response

The 25-year-old teacher spoke of the feedback, primarily positive, which he has received from potential

The E-Cab online application

sponsors, clients and drivers.

“You just have to download the app from Goggle Play Store or the App Store. If you have an iP-

hone it works. If you have an android store it works just as fine. It’s easy, it’s less than 12MB of storage and the registration process is simple.”

He noted that passengers did not necessarily need approval, but that E-Cab may have to call and check with them in some instances to ensure that they were indeed passengers.

Hutson, who teaches Grades nine to twelve Information Technology and Computer Science for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams (CAPE), also had some advice for other young entrepreneurs.

“My advice to them is, don’t give up. It’s going to be hard. Sometimes you will feel like if you can’t move forward, you’re not getting any calls, no one wants to help you.

(Sometimes) family and friends are not going to help you. You have to make the step and keep pushing yourself.”

When, through perseverance, the summit of the mountain is reached, he stated, help will come from all sides.

“So continue moving on, don’t give up. That’s the key.”

12news Pilot hospitalised Faster Internet for Essequibo Retired after Mandela Ave collision

by June – GTT CEO W monDAY, february 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

ith an investment of over US$30 million for the next two years, GTT is committed to providing improved and unbeatable services to its customers on all fronts, and those on the Essequibo Coast can expect to see a massive upgrade of their Internet service by at least 10 times the speed currently available to them.

This was announced

by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the local telecommunications giant, Justin Nedd, during its annual Media Cocktail on Friday at Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.

According to Nedd, GTT has shaped the lives of several generations of Guyanese over the past 26 years, particularly as the first provider of Internet service in the country with its dial-up service.

To this end, he explained that the pillar of the company’s objectives going forward in 2017 lay in its highspeed Internet service to both homes and businesses. The CEO explained that since landing the US$13 million undersea cable in 2010, GTT has continually improved Internet service in Guyana and has seen a significant and continued demand over the years.

In this regard, the company is guaranteeing that come June 30 this year, Guyanese will experience the fastest and most affordable Internet service that the country has ever seen. He pointed out that GTT was well-positioned to support Guyana’s drive to bridge the digital divide so

GTT CEO Justin Nedd

that the country could continue grow, thrive and flourish.

“I want to also guarantee that by June 30, 2017 we will have Internet on the Essequibo Coast that’s at minimum 10 times faster than what they get now…

I also guarantee that the prices they pay for those services will be competitive and in some respects, more affordable than what is offered now by our competitors,” the CEO declared.

Moreover, he urged customers to provide feedback and identify areas for improvement. Nedd assured that the GTT team would be ready and willing to serve customers and the country as a whole.

However, he noted that the strides made to get to this point were not without challenges, as he reflected on the past year. He said that the company begun laying the foundation for its goals this year in 2016.

Nedd recalled the rapid deployment of 4G mobile

data with only two weeks’ notice in time for last year’s Independence Jubilee celebrations. From that upgraded Internet speed, the CEO pointed out, the company really started to see its mobile user-base using more data and getting more accustomed to data even as its technical team grappled with ensuring that the network improved.

“Those upgrades were begun in May and went on until the end of last year and I’m very pleased, I must say, to see our customers being able to stream videos without buffering, play games online and do Whatsapp video chats,” he remarked.

The head of the local telecommunications giant further highlighted that GTT continued the journey of bringing the modern experience to its stores in 2016, with the total revamp of what was previously known as the “Blackberry Store”.

“Now that new store really symbolises our thrust to be better, brighter and faster and I want to say that we will not stop until that is our standard way to get stuff done,” he stated.

He also implored the public to alert the company whenever they witnessed tampering or vandalism of its infrastructure, as this costs the company and would also affect the service provided to customers.

On the business side, Nedd disclosed that in the latter part of 2016 and into 2017, GTT has had several meaningful and substantial conversations with the Government of Guyana,

through Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Godfrey Statia. He commended them for their sense of urgency to achieve more.

“We continue to work together to push for liberalisation and to ensure there is a level playing field with current and future competitors; all we want is to operate by the same rules and the same regulations as everybody else. I strongly believe that’s not the case right now,” he outlined.

Moreover, the CEO asserted that another area of importance to the company was working with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in order to get increased landline rates before liberalisation. To this end, he noted that GTT continued to provide the PUC with the requisite information to enable it to make an informed and timely decision on those rates.

“As it relates to the Government and Government agencies, I would say, overall, our dialogue has been very productive and forward moving in most respects,” Nedd opined.

Meanwhile, in order to push its drive to improve services for its customers’ base, GTT has recruited a new Chief Commercial Officer, Peruvian Carlos Mendonza, who brings a wealth of knowledge in the telecommunications sector. He began working last year, and has been the driving force behind many of the company’s guarantees for this year.

A

Injured motorcyclist David Cameron

retired pilot was injured following an accident involving a motorcycle and a car at the junction of Princess Street and Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, on Sunday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, the motorcyclist David Cameron, was heading south on Mandela Avenue on motorcycle, CF 4831, when a speeding car turning out of Princess Street collided with him. Upon impact, Cameron was thrown off the motorcycle and onto the road. The motorcycle was severely damaged and broken

in two.

The driver of the car was allegedly drunk and had been removed from the scene by the time reporters of this newspaper had arrived.

Cameron was treated for a broken leg and fractured neck. An unidentified passenger of the speeding car sustained injuries to his head and was awaiting medical attention. David Cameron is a retired pilot formerly attached to The Correia Group of Companies.

Police were on the scene has launched an investigation into the accident.

Cummings Lodge residents, CPCE water woes rectified

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GWI repaired the pump over the weekend

esidents of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown and students at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) are overjoyed as the water woes they have been facing for almost a week have been rectified.

According to reports, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) stepped in to have a pump in the area – which was the root of the problem – fixed.

When Guyana Times visited the area and institution, many were elated with the new development.

A number of residents lamented that for a few days now they have had no access to running water.

This publication was told that since Tuesday last, the residents were without any potable water.

Scores of residents reached out to this news entity to publicise their plight since frequent calls made to the GWI went unanswered.

The residents indicat-

ed that they have been utilising their water saved for cooking and drinking to do chores.

One resident of First Field, Cummings Lodge had said that the situation at this point was terrible since she was a mother of two schoolchildren who needed clean clothes and food to go to school.

Guyana Times heard that many families were forced to resort to purchasing water, which proved quite expensive.

The residents called for urgent intervention from the water company as the situation was “unbearable”.

CPCE students had to walk long distances to fetch water to their campus as they were also without water.

The pump station, according to reports, was in poor condition and the pump there had a breakage which was the source of the problem. However, GWI repaired the pump on Saturday.

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monDAY, February 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Region 3 residents to benefit from improved water – GWI

G Division forms several youth groups in Region 2 M

G Division ranks with members of the newly formed Dartmouth Youth Group

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everal Police youth groups were formed within G Division (Essequibo Islands and Essequibo Coast) to assist law enforcement there in fighting crime.

Groups were also formed at Capoey Amerindian community and Dartmouth recently, while there are existing youth groups at Anna

Regina, Reliance, Maria Lodge, Zorg and Affiance.

Ranks from the Division, led by the Community Relations Officer, Woman Inspector Syndelin Issacs journeyed to the community of Dartmouth, where they encouraged the young people there to give their support towards the successful formation of the

community’s youth group, the “Dartmouth Young Developers, which already has 24 members.

Books were also distributed by the visiting ranks, who assured that the Force would host continuous programmes within the Division to actively engage youths.

Recently, Inspector

Isaacs along with Chief inspector Clarence Hutson formed the “Young Warriors” group with 27 youths at Capoey. Toshao Melrose Henry expressed her gratitude towards the Division for closing her community and encouraging the youths to become actively involved in the youth groups.

Demerara Bank Rose Hall branch

Senior citizens feted for 13th anniversary private bank in Guyana and currently has branches in Georgetown, Rose Hall, Corriverton, Anna Regina, Diamond and Le Ressouvenir. (Indrawattie Natram)

Branch Manager Devendra Persaud presenting a hamper

T

hirteen elderly persons living in Rose Hall in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) were recently gifted food hampers, umbrellas and clocks, compliments of Demerara Bank.

The exercise formed part of the 13th anniversary celebrations of the Rose Hall branch, which was opened in February 2004.

Branch Manager Devendra Persaud explained that the donation was in keeping with the Bank’s mission to fulfil its social responsibilities.

Addressing the gathering, Persaud expressed gratitude to all customers for their support over the years and assured that the Bank would continue to provide efficient and superior banking services to its customers.

The senior citizens were elated to have received the hampers and expressed their profound gratitude to the Bank for its continuous

efforts to give back to the community. One of the elders, Jessie Grey said that she was very happy to be selected and showered praises

on the Bank. Beneficiaries included both males and females aged 65-91 years old.

Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) is the first indigenous

any calls have been made to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) by residents of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) who were for a considerable period of time forced to use water that was of poor quality.

However, on Friday, their calls were heard when the water company announced that it would be installing a total of eight mobile generators with an electrical ring system at three well sites, which would see the residents benefiting from an improved water supply.

According to the Regional Divisional Manager, M a r t i n Garrick, two of those generators are already prepared and are ready to be installed.

Garrick highlighted that the quality of water was something that had been of interest to the water company and needed to be improved urgently.

“The quality of the power is always questionable.

What we did is oversize our units so that they can run at a lower voltage or the imbalance voltage that would come from the power company, they would not disrupt the service to the customers,” Garrick said.

For 2016 and this year thus far, residents of the Region have, on a number of occasions, reached out to this news entity and other news entities to voice their con-

cerns.

One of the woes highlighted was that the water was of very poor quality, as indicated by the strange colour. On many occasions, the residents were also left without any running water as the area suffered from frequent low voltages.

Garrick explained that the reason for the lack of water was low power at the stations which he said was “quite alarming” and contributed to numerous complaints of the residents.

He said that the water company had to resize the units to address the imbalance and larger voltage tolerance from the power company. “So when you are supposed to get 415 volts, you getting 360; so we have resized our units and they are working at 380 volts, now you have continuous current so we have no break in service.”

Residents of the Parfaite Harmonie area will soon benefit from 24-hour access once GPL supply is sufficient.

The other areas that are soon to benefit is MetenMeer-Zorg, Uitvulgt and Hubu (Parika) – all will benefit from a restructuring of their water system.

The GWI will be embarking on four major projects in Region Three this year. Some 20,000 residents are expected to benefit from the construction of the three new wells at Vergenoegen, Westminster and Pouderoyen.

14

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, february 6, 2017

Regional

In Cuba visit, Colorado Governor sees Govt’s desire to work with Trump

T

he Governor of Colorado said on Sunday he believed the Cuban Government wanted to further improve relations with the United States under President Donald Trump, as he wrapped up a three-day visit to the Communist-run island nation.

“They seemed eager for the chance to build a relationship with President Trump and have it be a constructive one,” Governor John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, said of his meeting with Cuba’s point person for US relations, Josefina Vidal.

He said in an interview that Vidal, director of US affairs at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, and other Foreign Ministry officials “were cautiously optimistic.”

“They realise they have

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, July 28, 2016

to wait and that the new Administration has a lot of things going on. They under-

stand things could change in some ways, but I didn’t sense there was any fear or

some sort of depression,” the governor said.

Hickenlooper, who travelled with a cultural and business delegation, was the highest-ranking elected US official to meet with Vidal since Trump assumed office last month. Trump has said he wanted a better deal than that brokered by his predecessor, Barack Obama.

On Friday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said a “full review” of America’s foreign policy toward Cuba was underway.

Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro stunned the world in December 2014 when they announced the two Governments would restore diplomatic ties after more than 50 years of Cold War hostilities and work to normalise relations. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

About 300 rebels from Colombia’s FARC have not demobilised, General says

A

round 300 fighters from Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels will not demobilise under a peace deal, a military commander said, giving the first official figure of guerrillas who may join with crime gangs seeking control of lucrative rebel drug territory.

The Andean country and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels agreed late last year to end more than 52 years of war. Colombia’s conflict with guerrilla groups and paramilitaries has killed more than 220,000 people.

The figure is the first official estimate of how many rebels will not demobilise.

More than 6000 FARC fighters are set to finish arriving at United Nations camps in the coming days to hand over weapons and begin reintegration programmes.

Some rebel commanders, especially from units dedi-

cated to drug trafficking or illegal mining in rural jungle areas, have rejected the peace deal and refused to lay down arms.

FARC leaders expelled five dissenting commanders in December.

“The FARC has acknowledged some dissent,” General Alberto Jose Mejia told Reuters this weekend, listing six fronts that have rejected the deal.

“It’s five per cent of the FARC, approximately 300 men,” Mejia said during a visit to the small north-western mountain town of Saiza.

Dozens of rebels recently left the town to begin demobilising.

“There may be dissidents in other places in very small numbers. We’re in a process of verification, we have our radars on,” Mejia said. “In other conflicts it’s normally 20 per cent, five per cent is far from that.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Kidnapped Honduras teens’ bodies found PNP to choose next

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iremen in northern Honduras have found the remains of four teenage boys who were kidnapped on January 31.

The bodies of the victims, aged between 15 and 19, were found in plastic bags by the river Ulua in Yoro province. Their hands had been

tied.

The boys were kidnapped by armed men in a village 15 kilometres (nine miles) from where their bodies were found.

It is not clear why the boys – who worked as farm labourers and motorbike taxi drivers in – were abducted.

The Honduran authorities have not said whether the kidnappers demanded a ransom for their victims, EFE reported.

An average of 11 people are murdered every day in the country, according to official figures.

Neighbouring El

Salvador is currently the most deadly country outside a war zone, with almost 100 murders per 100,000 people a year.

Latin America makes up just eight per cent of the world’s population but accounts for nearly a third of all murders.(BBC News)

leader March 26

“Clear my name...” – T&T’s Islamic studies scholar

“C

lear my name...”

That’s the appeal to the Police and Government from Islamic studies scholar Tariq Mohammed who was detained in Saudi Arabia for 16 months since August 2015.

Despite being questioned about suspicion of terrorism, Mohammed –a student at the University of Medina – was not charged with anything and was released. He arrived home last December.

Detailing his time under interrogation in several Saudi jails, where he was in solitary confinement and made to withstand bright lights 24/7 for eight months straight, Mohammed has one message for T&T nationals: “Mine was a horrible experience. I wouldn’t encourage anyone to go to that side of the world – even to study.”

Mohammed added Saturday, “You could fall victim to entrapment. T&T is a nice little island, let’s

just stay neutral and enjoy it. I thought I’d never return home.”

Mohammed’s family delivered letters to the Commissioner of Police and National Security Ministry on Friday, bidding to have his name cleared so he could find a job, take care of his wife and two babies, and return to normal life.

Mohammed, 31, the son of 106.1FM announcer Shamoon Mohammed, is the nephew of Attorney Nafeesa Mohammed.

He said, “I was wrongfully held in the Middle East. I need some sort of clearance to avoid being stigmatised and to let the country know I’m no terrorist. I never was and have no inclination to be.

Tariq Mohammed, left, on arrival at Piarco International Airport last December, greets his baby who was born while he was detained in Saudi Arabia. His wife, Saudah, returned to T&T last year and the baby was born soon after

“I’ve never done anything in my country or any other State and I’m no threat in either direction.

I hope I get justice since some have said things about me.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

The date was announced a short while ago by the party at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Hatfield Primary and Junior High School in Manchester

T

he Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) will hold a special delegates’ conference on March 26 to elect a successor to President Portia Simpson Miller.

The date was announced a short while ago by the Party at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at Hatfield

Primary and Junior High School in Manchester.

Nominations for the post will be accepted today.

Simpson Miller had announced at an NEC meeting late last year that she would not be seeking re-election at the party’s annual conference in September this year.(Jamaica Observer)

At least 13 killed, over 30 injured in Honduran bus crash

A

t least 13 people died and more than 30 were injured in Honduras on Sunday, in a crash between a bus and a truck on the outskirts of the capital, officials said.

The crash took place about 10 kilometres outside

the capital Tegucigalpa on a road heading to the south of the country, said Police Transport Deputy Inspector Carlos Espana.

He said 10 people died at the scene of the accident, while three more died from their injuries in a hospital.

(Reuters)

monDAY, february 6, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the World

Trump suffers new France’s Le Pen launches election travel ban setback bid with vow to fight globalisation

T

he US federal appeals court has rejected the Trump Administration’s request to reinstate a travel ban blocked by a federal Judge on Friday.

The late-night ruling means the travel ban will remain suspended until the full case has been heard.

The court gave the White House and the states challenging it a deadline of today to present more arguments.

Two states argued that the travel ban, affecting people from seven mainly-Muslim countries, was unconstitutional.

In its appeal, the Justice Department said Judge James Robart had overreached by “second guessing” the President on a na-

US Vice President Mike Pence says “The American people are very accustomed to this president speaking his mind”

tional security matter.

It also argued that only the President could decide who can enter or stay in the US. In Friday’s case, the Justice Department had argued that states did not

have the authority to challenge a presidential executive order.

Lawyers for the states of Washington and Minnesota had argued that the ban was unconstitutional because it denied people with valid entry documents the right to travel without due process.

It also violated freedom of religion rights by appearing to target Muslims, they said.

Iraq, one of the countries named in the ban, has praised the revocation of the travel ban as a “move in the right direction”, Reuters reported.

Iran has also responded to Judge Robart’s ruling by saying it would allow a US wrestling team to compete in a World Cup event it is hosting later this month.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Nigeria’s leader seeks extended medical leave, fanning ill health rumours

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari asked Parliament on Sunday to extend his medical leave, his office said in a statement, deepening suspicions among many Nigerians that his health is worse than officials are admitting publicly.

The statement did not say how much extra time Buhari was seeking off.

He had been due to return to work today after taking more than two weeks’ leave for medical checks in Britain.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly today,

February 5, 2017, informing of his desire to extend his leave in order to complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors,” Sunday’s statement said.

Buhari’s extended leave could further erode confidence in his Administration, already under pressure from investors to let Nigeria’s currency float freely to try to revive an oil-driven economy now is at its weakest in 25 years.

Meanwhile, in the northeast, a humanitarian crisis threatens millions, ridden by conflict with Islamic in-

surgents Boko Haram.

The President “is not in any serious medical condition,” said Buhari’s spokesman Garba Shehu by phone, adding there was no expected date for Buhari’s return.

He declined to give details of the medical checks.

Some Nigerians took to social media demanding more details on the President’s health.

“If Buhari isn’t healthy enough to be President, he should resign and go and rest with his family,” said Twitter user @Flappizy.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Romania scraps decree decriminalising graft as mass protests persist

Protesters light their mobiles as they take part in a demonstration in Bucharest, Romania, February 5, 2017

R

omania’s Social Democrat Government on Sunday annulled a decree that would decriminalise some graft offences, an embarrassing u-turn for the country’s new Prime Minister in the face of week-long mass protests and international rebuke.

The Government also declassified the transcript of debates during Tuesday’s

Cabinet meeting when the decree that would have shielded dozens of politicians from prosecution was approved.

It said the decree was a bid to relieve pressure on the prison system, but Romanians were furious, holding the biggest mass protests in the country since 1989, when the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu was ousted in a bloody revo-

lution.

A day after Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said he did not want to divide Romania, his Cabinet held an emergency meeting to scrap the decree as tens of thousands of demonstrators outside chanted “Thieves, thieves” and “Resig-na-tion, Re-sig-na-tion”.

Among the 220,000 protesters in the central Piata Victoriei square, one dressed as 15th century Romanian ruler Vlad Tepes – notorious for impaling Turks and thieves on wooden stakes and whose life inspired the fictional character Dracula – held a banner reading: “Did you miss me?”

A giant laser plastered the words “Do Not Give Up” and “Resignation,” on the facade of the building housing the headquarters of government – the Prime Minister’s office. (Excerpt from Reuters)

F

rance’s far-right party leader Marine Le Pen on Sunday told thousands of flag-waving supporters chanting “This is our country!” that she alone could protect them against Islamic fundamentalism and globalisation if elected President in May. Buoyed by the election of President Donald Trump in the United States and by Britons’ vote to leave the European Union, Le Pen’s anti-immigration, anti-EU National Front (FN) hopes for similar populist momentum in France.

With hitherto favourite Francois Fillon, a conserva-

tive, embroiled in scandal over his wife’s job, and rising centrist star Emmanuel Macron as yet untested, Le Pen’s FN says it can thwart polls that see her losing in a second round run-off.

“What is at stake in this election ... is whether France can still be a free nation,” Le Pen told supporters at her campaign launch rally. “The divide is not between the left and right any more but between patriots and globalists.”

In 144 “commitments” published on Saturday, Le Pen says she would drastically curb migration, expel all illegal migrants and

restrict certain rights now available to all residents, including free education, to French citizens.

An FN government would also take France out of the eurozone, hold a referendum on EU membership, and slap taxes on imports and on the job contracts of foreigners.

“Past leaders chose deregulated globalisation.

They said it would be happy, it turned out to be atrocious,” Le Pen said. “Financial globalisation and Islamist globalisation are helping each other out ... Those two ideologies want to bring France to its knees.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

China amusement park: Teen girl flung from ride dies

A

teenage girl has died after being flung out of a fast-turning ride at an amusement park in central China.

She was thrown on to metal railings and was taken to a hospital, where she later died.

An initial investigation showed her seatbelt had broken and a passenger safety bar did not fit tightly enough at the Chaohua Park near the city of Chongqing.

The “Travel Through Space” ride was inspected in December, reports said.

Video footage showing the girl hanging from the seat before being hurled off.

The West China Metropolis Daily reported Sunday that the girl’s fam-

Metal railings nearby were buckled when the girl was tossed from the ride

ily had reached a compensation agreement with the park for their only child’s death amounting to 870,000 yuan (US$127,000).

China’s safety regulator said it had asked Chongqing authorities to suspend all

the park’s big rides for checks to be carried out.

It also ordered other companies operating the same ride to stop using it and contact its manufacturer in the city of Chengdu for further checks. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pakistan thanks India for returning boy to mother

A

five-year-old boy who was taken from Pakistan to India by his father nearly 11 months ago has been reunited with his mother.

Iftikhar Ahmad was received by Pakistani officials on the main border between the neighbouring regions on Saturday.

His father, Gulzar Ahmad Tantray, took him to India last year on the pretext of attending a wedding.

Pakistan has thanked India for returning Iftikhar.

“I had lost all hope of getting my child back,” Iftikhar’s mother Rohina Kayani told reporters, describing it as a “miracle”.

“I am thankful to the Pakistani Government for its help,” she said.

Kayani lives in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, while Tantray now lives in Indian-

Pakistan has thanked India for returning Iftikhar Ahmad to his mother

administered Kashmir.

Iftikhar became the centre of a controversy between India and Pakistan when Tantray was arrested in March 2016.

Tantray, who grew up in a village in Ganderbal, crossed over to Pakistanadministered Kashmir in 1990, allegedly for arms training at the peak of the insurgency against Indian

rule.

He returned to Indiaadministered Kashmir with Iftikhar, where he was taken into Police custody.

At the time, Rohina Kayani accused her husband of abducting the child and running away to the Indian side. Tantray and his family have denied charges of kidnapping.(BBC News)

16 news

MONDAY, february 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

How will parking meters affect the economy?

Onicka Hinds – West Bank Demerara

Maxwell David –West Coast Demerara “Well, the economy is already in a recession, so how bad can it get? But people need to put aside their selfish ways if they want this country to get better. And naturally, the country will kick the dust even more if persons don’t shop. The country is highly dependent on its own people for survival rather than outsi de sources so if the citizens don’t shop, then who will. For me the parking meter is a blessing, it keeps town less dense and actually provides some sort of order for some of the more ‘expressive’ drivers.

“I think it was highlighted that many people said ‘the parking meter is great, the city looks good; however the price is too high!!’ We are not earning enough money to stand the expenses. Our spending power continues to decrease and businesses will not get the support from customers. The math is minus+minus. The fee should vary; I believe that teachers and Government workers should pay $40 per hour the most for parking during working hours. And for the public $80 per hour once it’s more than two hours parking and below two hours should be $120 per hour the most.

“I don’t think it would have a negative effect on the business, because people will still shop, but, in the economy, yes, it’s a bit pricey for the short time that it was implemented. It’s hard to conduct any business in 15 minutes knowing how slow Guyanese are. A more appropriate fee would be like $100 an hour, but people who will be parking all day should get deals, perhaps $ 300 for the day.

Shawn Semple – Georgetown

“The implementation of parking meters in many locations in the city will not affect the economy, because businesses have retailers in small town communities that supplement the sales to those communities for persons who are incapable of getting to the

“While there are both positive and negative perspectives about the parking meters, I strictly think that Guyana is not ready for this!

Guyanese are not ready for parking meters. Even if they eventually give us a lower price to park, the working class simply cannot afford it especially with the high cost of living, VAT on almost everything and the high rate of unemployment.

The parking meters will also see a negative impact on businesses.

Nevertheless, I think that the project was forced upon the citizens of this country without proper consultation.”

Ravi Lackhan – Georgetown

Keisha Younge – West Coast Demerara

supplier.

They also provide delivery services for the said persons and persons are simply avoiding the parking meters in many ways other than not going to the city. To add to this, parking meters are not located in some areas of the city so persons take advantage of those areas then return to same after conducting business.

It simply means everything other than services produced by a business all leads to a source and regardless how and where one chooses to acquire, it is all in the name of economic development. So avoiding the parking meters only means they do not support that initiative (not saying I don’t), but the parking meters factor will not affect businesses from contributing meaningfully to the growth of the economy.”

Falisha Teekaram – West Coast Demerara

Dexter Glasgow – Region One

“I am of the opinion that the parking meter system will have a temporarily negative impact on the country’s economy. Businesses in close proximity to the meters will give way to other businesses in outlying areas where there are none installed. Business activities will continue since the major suppliers are based in the capital city and

Jeromey Kellman – Georgetown

“My view on [parking meters] is that it is not a system yet ready for Georgetown as our salary scale is too small for the people who have to pay those meters. It’s a burden to families and people in working class, so no doubt people will boycott it and Guyana will be affected. Our economy is already under decline; we will end up declining even further. I will say no parking meter!

“People will eventually have to come to the city to shop, so businesses will not suffer that much. It is Georgetown, no matter how hard people try to avoid it, they cannot for long. For first, everything takes some getting used to and the parking meters are a good;… we just need to try it for a while.”

there will always be a demand for products and services. Having said that, I would like to add that the fundamental issue with the parking meters is the procedure that was followed before its implementation.

We live in an era where transparency and consultation should be the norm when implementing policies by our elected representatives, which clearly was not the case in this regard. Since the negotiations were done in secrecy – there being no transparency, alternative opportunities were not explored so that the M&CC [Mayor and City Council] can maximise its partnership.

“I do agree that there was a need to have order with respect to parking in the city and a revenue base for the M&CC, but our representatives should have consulted with stakeholders before signing the agreement with the Smart City Solutions.”

meters. However with regard to the country’s economy, I don’t think that a grave impact will be caused as persons who avoid places where meters are present will still have to purchase goods/ services. As a result, they may seek to do business elsewhere which may lead to the formation of a new central business district.

“I also think that is not sensible for most of the revenue to go to the pockets and interests of foreign bodies, especially when those bodies would not directly invest in the wellbeing of the country in some significant way. Matters that concern the public to such an extent should be communicated thoroughly not only with the parties involved but the public as well, who would be affected by the outcome of such an implementation and the City Council failed in this regard.”

Pierre Squires – East Coast Demerara

“Well, I do believe that the presence of parking meters will have a significant negative impact on businesses in the areas where they are situated, since persons, especially those who utilise vehicles of their own, will, by means, avoid the obligation of having to use the parking

news

17

monDAY, February 6, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean faith leaders make recommendations for ending AIDS by 2030

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he Caribbean Faith Leaders Consultation, held on February 1-2, 2017, in Trinidad and Tobago, concluded with strategic recommendations to improve the overall quality of life of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The Consultation, which was supported by the PanCaribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP); the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and AIDS HealthCare Foundation, attracted 55 religious leaders from 14 Caribbean countries, representing the Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Bahá’í and Voodoo faiths.

PANCAP, United Nations representatives and regional officials also participated.

The initiative was coordinated by the Planning Committee of Religious Leaders and PANCAP, and focused on the theme, “Religious Leaders’ Contribution to the End of AIDS by 2030”.

Head of the Planning Committee, Canon Garth Minott stated, “Leaders were mindful that our common religious heritage positioned us to engage in discussions about faith, justice, love and peace, mindful that we are one family under God.” In her feature address during the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister of State within the Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad

and Tobago, pointed to her country’s commitment at the highest level to the aims of the conference. She noted that there were faithbased representatives on the recently re-established National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC) under the umbrella of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Dr Edward Greene, United Nations Secretary

ordinated approach to the implementation of the recommendations from the consultation.

Dereck Springer, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, brought greetings on behalf of the Caricom Secretary General and expressed appreciation for the collaboration with The Global Fund and the support of AHF and

Director at the International Network of Religious Leaders Living With or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+), in giving an inspiring feature address, shared her experience as a faith leader who is also HIV positive. She encouraged religious leaders to see themselves as a positive force for change and advocated for removing policy

that religious organisations hold positions of trust at the centre of communities. This makes you uniquely positioned to provide services and support that extend beyond the reach of many public health systems. Through ongoing training and sharing, your capacity will be strengthened. UNAIDS is committed to supporting this process.”

Religious leaders from 14 Caribbean countries; PANCAP and United Nations representatives as well as regional officials participated in the Consultation

General Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean, brought greetings on behalf of the Secretary General and highlighted the imperatives for fast-tracking the response to AIDS. The issues reflected in the remarks of Dr Kevin Harvey, Regional Director of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), including focus of AHF on strengthening partnerships with special reference to supporting a co-

UNAIDS. In his Keynote address, Professor Clive Landis, Deputy Principal at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, identified the major scientific developments leading to the conclusion that anti-retroviral therapy (ART) delivers a life-saving benefit to persons living with HIV by abolishing end-stage AIDS. Reverend Phumzile Mabizela, Executive

and legislative barriers to effectively deal with HIV. Dr Luiz Loures, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, gave the closing address and urged participants to remain committed to the very bold recommendations. “Today we have the science to end this epidemic,” Dr Loures said, “what we lack is the social movement and will of communities. We need you in the faith community more than ever before. We know

Two extended periods of working groups and discussions by religious and lay leaders resulted in several recommendations including; Endorsing the Targets in the 2016 UN High-Level Political Declaration to fasttrack the end of the AIDS epidemic by 2030; promoting healthy living of people at all ages by placing emphasis on plugging the prevention gaps, including stressing family values,

age appropriate sexual education, creative communication approaches and the dissemination of information to reach various audiences; facilitating best practices through the process for effective support and leadership in the area of treatment and care; paying particular attention to achieving the UNAIDS 9090-90 targets for 90 per cent of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) to know their status, 90 per cent of those who have tested HIV positive to be on treatment and 90 per cent of those on treatment to achieve undetectable viral loads, among others.

At the conclusion, faith leaders agreed to: establish a regional consultative group working virtually toward the implementation of the recommendations; discuss the recommendations for action with their national religious councils and provide a progress report to the regional consultative group by July 1, 2017; share information on activities initially using the PANCAP website; and consider the possibility of follow-up regional workshops, ‘think tanks’ and consultations.

The Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, in his final remarks, charged the religious leaders with upholding the recommendations of the Consultation and urged them to continue their efforts to engage People Living with and Affected by HIV and AIDS.

Understaffing at Region 6 Crime, violence in Latin America, Caribbean cost billions – IDB nursing school a major challenge – Senior Tutor T …as 76 nurses receive certification

S

eventy-six nurses received certificates from the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, during the institution’s biennial graduation ceremony, which was held last week.

The healthcare providers successfully completed courses in midwifery, professional nursing and nursing assistant. Newlyappointed Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence addressed the health workers gathered at the New Amsterdam Secondary School.

She emphasised that perseverance would have been an integral part in the successful completion of the programme, which was a fulfilment of the mission statement of preparing medical personnel capable of delivering comprehensive nursing care to individuals, families and groups.

The Minister encouraged the graduates to strive to make a difference in the delivery of healthcare services in Guyana.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

“Nursing has developed by leaps and bounds and, with the advent of technology, has become one of the pivotal and critical factors within the spectrum of medical science,” she said.

According to the subject Minister, the primary focus of the Public Health Ministry is the adequate provision and delivery of primary healthcare and

the enhancement of all citizens.

She reminded the graduates that they each have a pivotal role to play in the healthcare system, while she acknowledged the Ministry’s deficiencies in the delivery of primary healthcare.

Delivering the School’s report, Senior Tutor Oslene Paul pointed out that despite being understaffed, the New Amsterdam School of Nursing continued to deliver quality education to the students. Paul also called for additional staff at the school.

“With our limited staff, we continue to train four categories of healthcare worker – that is – professional nurses, nursing assistants, post-basic midwives and single-trained midwives,” she said.

The New Amsterdam School of Nursing currently has three tutors, one clerk typist, one librarian, two cleaners, one dormitory supervisor and 12 resource personnel.

he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) estimated the annual cost of crime and violence in Latin America and the Caribbean at US$261 billion.

The study, published on Friday, indicated that this total accounts for 3.55 per cent of regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is approximately what is invested in the Region’s infrastructure.

The IDB had launched investigations into the costs of crime and violence, with focus on 17 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries over the period 2010-2014.

The study was initiated as a result of the continuous increase in crime in the Region, despite the progress made in areas such as poverty, health and education.

The LAC Region contains nine per cent of the world’s population, but accounts for nearly one-third of its homicide victims, making it the most violent region outside war zones.

The landmark study entitled, “The Costs of Crime and Violence: New Evidence and Insights in Latin America and the Caribbean”, simplified the economic impacts of crime into three categories. These include the social costs, which is lethal and non-lethal victimisation, and foregone income of prison populations, amounting to 0.64 per cent of the GDP; the private spending on security by businesses and households (1.37 per cent) of the GDP; and public spending, including the costs to the judicial system, spending on Police services and on prisons (1.51 per cent of the GDP).

This is equivalent to the income of 30 per cent of the poorest population, underlining the grave effect violence has on the Region’s development.

An IDB news release revealed that crime and violence are at near crisis levels in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study disclosed that six out of 10 robberies in the Region involve violence and 90 per cent of murders go unresolved. The prisons are the most overcrowded in the world.

When compared to the records of six developed countries, the cost of crime and violence in LAC countries exceeds the cost in these developed societies, including the US and the United Kingdom (UK). Moreover, the cost of violence against women in Latin America and the Caribbean doubles the world’s average.

The study recommends that cutting the cost of crime to the level of developed nations is projected to increase the Region’s investment towards development by 50 per cent.

Ana María Rodríguez, Manager of the IDB’s Institutions for Development Department, stated that “the study will help Governments and international cooperation agencies better allocate resources, as well as design better policies to control and prevent crime”. As such, it is the gateway for future studies, with an impending research on gender violence.

The IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Besides loans, grants and guarantees, the IDB conducts cutting-edge research to offer innovative and sustainable solutions to our Region’s most pressing challenges.

18

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monDAY, February 6, 2017

ARCHIE

Take the initiative to finish what you start and keep (March 21- moving forward. Don’t worApril 19) ry about what others do or say. Follow your heart and do things on your own terms.

ARIES

You’ll do best if you stick TAURUS to basics and take care of your (April 20- responsibilities personally.

May 20) Don’t take on chores that don’t belong to you or make unnecessary changes. Impulsive reactions will lead to trouble.

dilbert

Rely on your experience to GEMINI help you decipher what others (May 21June 20) are doing or what they want or expect from you. Don’t hesitate to be open about the way you feel.

Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Mind (June 21- your own business and work July 22) toward your goals. Keep your impulses in check so you aren’t tempted to do something you shouldn’t.

CANCER

Peanuts

Express how you feel and let LEO others know what you want to see (July 23happen. Once you’ve established Aug. 22) your intentions, you can successfully take action. Aim to fulfill your dreams. Celebrate your accomplishment with someone you love.

Don’t argue, as it will deter VIRGO (Aug. 23- you from focusing on what’s Sept. 22) really important. Take care of your medical, financial and legal affairs personally. Rely on your intelligence and insight.

Calvin and Hobbes

Open up about the way you LIBRA feel and what your intentions (Sept. 23are regarding important reOct. 23) lationships. Changes can be made if everyone is in agreement. Seek a compromise that is fair and just.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

It’s time to make alterSAGITTARIUS ations to your lifestyle or (Nov. 23- methods. If you engage in acDec. 21) tivities that are spontaneous and challenging, an interesting encounter will develop.

TODAY’S WORD — JUBILANT (JUBILANT: JOO-bih-lent: Exultingly joyful) Average mark 19 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 28 or more words in JUBILANT? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — CLOTHES celt chest chose close closet clot cloth cole colt

cost cote lest lose lost loth thole those tole

helot hole hose host hostel hotel echo etch ethos

sect shoe shot sloe slot sloth socle sole stole

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

With creative conjecture, SCORPIO you will find a worthwhile (Oct. 24solution for any situation.

Nov. 22) Your ability to get results will be dependent on how you treat others.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

When faced with a disCAPRICORN crepancy, address issues con(Dec. 22servatively.

Refuse to get Jan. 19) worked up or show signs of weakness. Impulsive action will have multiple effects on the outcome.

Trust and believe in your AQUARIUS knowledge and abilities. Turn (Jan. 20your home into your personFeb. 19) al sanctuary and share everything with the ones you love

PISCES Be careful when dealing (Feb. 20- with peers, relatives or anyMarch 20) one who is likely to cause you grief. Don’t share secrets or personal information.

Concentrate on creative endeavors and personal gains.

monDAY, february 6, 2017

19

United crush Leicester City 3-0 Z

latan Ibrahimovic became the oldest player to score 15 Premier League goals in a season as Manchester United beat Leicester City 3-0.

Manchester United gave their top-four aspirations a major boost as they cruised to a 3-0 win at Premier League champions Leicester City on Sunday.

Goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata brought an end to a run of three consecutive league draws for Jose Mourinho’s side, who are now two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

Leicester had lost their last three games in the top flight and only beaten United once in 17 previous meetings, but Claudio Ranieri’s side produced the kind of combative display that underpinned their stunning success last term for much of the first half.

That was until United seized control of the match with two goals in the space of two minutes, Mkhitaryan breaking the deadlock with a powerful run and finish before Ibrahimovic became the oldest player to reach 15 goals in a Premier League season at the age of 35 years and 125 days.

Leicester fans had called for Mata to be sent off for a first-half challenge on Jamie Vardy and their frustrations were compounded when the Spain international made it 3-0 after half-time, having combined brilliantly with Mkhitaryan.

The match became a procession for United in the second half as they responded to weekend defeats for Arsenal and Liverpool to give themselves real hope of clawing their way back into the Champions League places.

For Leicester, a defeat in their 2,000th game in England’s top flight leaves them firmly in a relegation fight, with the gap to the bottom three still only one point.

United interestingly opted to match Leicester’s 4-4-2 from the start, with Marcus Rashford pushed up alongside Ibrahimovic, and both sides cancelled each other out in a scrappy and uneventful opening 20 minutes.

It was Rashford who missed United’s first presentable chance, side-footing over the crossbar after a brilliant run from Mkhitaryan and some good interplay with Mata.

United’s frustrations were beginning to show against an initially impressive Leicester rearguard, with Mata a little fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for his late lunge on Vardy, although Kasper Schmeichel made an excellent save low to his right from another close-range Rashford strike.

But just as the teams looked set to go into the break level, United struck in ruthless fashion.

Mkhitaryan netted first, prodding the ball past Robert H u t h , racing into the penalty area and firing right-footed beyond Schmeichel despite the goalkeeper getting a touch.

Eighty-eight seconds later, Ibrahimovic doubled the lead, steering Antonio Valencia’s low cross from the right back across Schmeichel and into the net after finding clear space 12 yards from goal.

Ranieri brought on Andy King and Demarai Gray at the interval in a bid to inject some life into Leicester’s fight, but United needed only another four minutes to quell that resistance.

Mata fed Mkhitaryan on the edge of the area and ran through to meet the Armenia captain’s sublime reverse pass, before slotting beneath Schmeichel from six yards.

Riyad Mahrez whipped a free-kick narrowly wide but Mata should have made it 4-0 when he contrived to lift

the ball into Schmeichel’s grateful grasp after springing the rusty Leicester offside trap.

United knocked the ball around with ease in the closing stages, though Mkhitaryan skied a halfchance to make it 4-0, while Leicester now turn their attentions to a potentially crucial week in which they face an FA Cup replay against rivals Derby County and a league showdown with fellow relegation candidates Swansea City. (Sportsmax)

At 35 years and 125 days, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the oldest player to reach 15 Premier League goals in a single season

Taylor and Boult wrest trophy for NZ T

his was some sort of day for New Zealand.

Ross Taylor equaled Nathan Astle’s record for the most ODI hundreds for New Zealand. Trent Boult completed a career-best six-wicket haul.

New Zealand regained the ChappellHadlee Trophy.

They jumped to No.3 on the ODI rankings and wrapped up an eighth consecutive bilateral one-day series win at home. And they did it all in front of a sell-out crowd at Seddon Park.

They also did it in a fashion that would have pleased some of their cheekier fans: getting Australia’s hopes up, and then dashing them. Set 282 for victory, Australia looked sunk when Marcus Stoinis holed out to leave the tail-enders needing 84 off 65 balls, but Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins plundered 31 from a pair of Mitchell Santner overs and the required rate fell back towards a run a ball. New Zealand fans became suddenly nervous.

But all Kane Williamson needed to do was call on Boult, whose pace and

bounce forced a false shot from Cummins, who was caught at midwicket. In his next over, Boult bowled to a plan set up by Williamson, who had placed a floating third slip, and Adam Zampa’s steer found the man perfectly. Five balls later, Boult finished the job by bowling Josh Hazlewood. It left Boult with 6 for 33 from his ten overs, and New Zealand with a 24-run win and the trophy.

Taylor walked to the crease in the 15th over with o p e n -

brought up his fifty from 44 deliveries; in the next over, Brownlie raised his half-century - his first in ODI cricket - from his 65th ball.

Brownlie, playing his first international since 2014, had proven a very effective replacement for the injured Martin Guptill, but on 63 he fell when he drove at a fullish, wide ball from Faulkner and was adjudged caught-behind on review.

That began a difficult period for New Zealand, who lost Neil Broom to another edge behind off Faulkner for 8,

and then Colin Munro, who couldn’t find his rhythm, drove a catch to mid-off for 3.

Although the innings had started poorly for New Zealand when Tom Latham, in the third over, flicked a leg-side delivery from Starc straight into the hands of Hazlewood at fine leg for an eight-ball duck, the next two partnerships steadied New Zealand well. Kane Williamson (37) put on 70 with Brownlie before the Taylor-Brownlie stand, which was worth 100.

SCOREBOARD

Trent Boult

er Brownlie already on 36; Taylor scored his own runs so freely that he beat Brownlie to the half-century. Taylor was particularly strong on the cut shot and

New Zealand innings (50 overs maximum) D Brownliec †Handscomb b 63 Faulkner T Latham† c Hazlewood b Starc 0 K Williamson* c †Handscomb 37 b Cummins R Taylor c Stoinis b Faulkner 107 N Broom c †Handscomb b Faulkner 8 C Munro c Starc b Hazlewood 3 J Neesham b Hazlewood 1 M Santner not out 38 10 T Southee b Starc L Ferguson b Starc 0 T Boult not out 1 (lb 5, w 7, nb 1) 13 Extras Total (9 wickets; 50 overs;) 281 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Latham, 2.6 ov), 2-76 (Williamson, 14.5 ov), 3-176 (Brownlie, 31.5 ov), 4-198 (Broom, 35.6 ov), 5-205 (Munro, 38.4 ov), 6-209 (Neesham, 40.2 ov), 7-246 (Taylor, 46.5 ov), 8-265 (Southee, 49.1 ov), 9-265 (Ferguson, 49.2 ov) 10-1-63-3 Bowling: Starc (1nb, 1w), Hazlewood 10-0-44-2 (1w), Stoinis 4-0-22-0, Cummins 10-0-47-1(5w), Zampa7-0-41-0, Faulkner 9-059-3

Australia innings (target: 282 runs from 50 overs) A Finch*c Boult b Williamson 56 S Marsh run out 22 (Santner/†Latham) P Handscomb† b Boult 0 T Head c Brownlie b Boult 53 G Maxwell c †Latham b Santner 0 M Stoinis c Neesham b Santner 42 0 J Faulkner c Taylor b Boult P Cummins c Santner b Boult 27 M Starc not out 29 1 A Zampa c Taylor b Boult J Hazlewood b Boult 4 (lb 12, w 11) 23 Extras Total (all out; 47 overs) 257 Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Marsh, 7.2 ov), 2-44 (Handscomb, 7.4 ov), 3-119 (Finch, 20.6 ov), 4-120 (Maxwell, 21.6 ov), 5-173 (Head, 32.2 ov), 6-174 (Faulkner, 32.6 ov), 7-198 (Stoinis, 39.1 ov), 8-249 (Cummins, 44.4 ov), 9-253 (Zampa, 46.1 ov), 10257 (Hazlewood, 46.6 ov) Bowling: Southee8-0-39-0 (2w), Boult 10-1-336 (1w), Ferguson 9-1-62-0 (2w), Neesham3-0-17-0 (1w), Santner 10-0-50-2, Williamson 7-0-44-1 (1w)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, february 6, 2017

“I do not believe people holding themselves TTOC’s Lewis elected CANOC boss out as the GCB were duly elected” – Harper

GCA President Roger Harper

By Delvon McEwan

P

resident of Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Roger Harper, says he does not believe that the people holding themselves out as the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) were duly elected.

Like the GCA, the GCB recently held their Annual General Meeting (AGM), but was prevented from holding an election due to challenges within the Cricket Administration Act. However, questioned about the GCB AGM,

Harper said, “I do not believe that the people holding themselves out as the GCB were duly elected”.

According to Harper, that has been the crocks of the matter.

“I think somewhere along the line, people believe that the whole situation, with the last government (PPP/C) getting involve was something political, but they are forgetting that it started with the GCB election and the Berbice Cricket Board injuncting the people who called themselves the GCB,” Harper detailed.

However, with the Cricket Act in place, t h e situa t io n w a s e x pected to be resolved some time ago which to

date is not the case because the Act is yet to be implemented.

According to the former West Indies cricketer, that Act came about to regularise cricket in Georgetown, especially from the administration position, so there would not be any issues with elections or the cause for any confusions.

Dr Winston McGowan is the Cricket Ombudsman according to the Bill. His appointment came in the wake of the crisis between current GCB executives and stakeholders of cricket, who wrote to Parliament seeking a resolution to the problem, allowing the CAB to be introduced into law.

In a previous interview with the media, McGowan said his only duty is to organ-

T

Brian Lewis Cricket Ombudsman, Dr Winston McGowan

ise and conduct the poll.

However, he is yet to conduct a poll since he was appointed.

Harper even labelled the AGM of the GCB is a farce, therefore it is quite obvious that there would be no close ties between the GCA and the GCB, since the executives of the GCA do not recognise the officials of the GCB as duly elected to hold positions.

As a result there is urgent need for the Ombudsman to get active to resolve this situation through immediate elections.

Barca can catch Real Madrid – Neymar

rinidad and Tobago’s Brian Lewis has been nominated unopposed to the post of Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) chairman.

Lewis, who also serves as head of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) will complete the term of Barbados’ Steve Stoute who resigned from the position in October of last year.

Lewis had served as interim chairman pending ratification of the position at Saturday’s CANOC Extraordinary General Meeting in Barranquilla, Columbia on Saturday. The twin-island republic official was voted in unopposed following the withdrawal of the Dominican Republic’s José Joaquín Puello, who claimed he had submitted

an application for the role by mistake. In accepting the nomination Lewis said the organization was ready to serve the region through sport.

“I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to create a sustainable future for the Caribbean Olympic Movement,” Lewis told inside the games.

“It is an honour to be entrusted with the role.

As Olympic leaders, we in the Caribbean can make a positive difference.

We are determined to better serve Caribbean Olympic athletes and the youth and young people of the region through sport and Olympism. For all the challenges we face, it is an exciting time of great opportunity. In unity is our strength.

Our strength is our unity.”

Lewis said. (SportsMax)

Bolt confident Nitro Athletics will catch on

Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo are both integral to their respective clubs

A

lthough Real Madrid have been dominant in LaLiga this season, Neymar believes Barcelona can still claim the title.

Neymar believes Barcelona can still catch Real Madrid in LaLiga’s title race, despite the European champions’ impressive form this season.

Madrid currently lead rivals Barca by a solitary point, but Zinedine Zidane’s side have two games in hand and have lost just once in the league this term.

However, reflecting on the way Madrid chipped away at his own side’s advantage at the top in the 2015-

16 campaign, Neymar remains optimistic of a title challenge.

“I know it’s a little hard, but nothing is impossible,” he said in an interview with Red Bull. “Last year, we were 12 points ahead of second place - and we only won by one or two [points], if I’m not mistaken.

“There are still a lot of games to go, a lot of matche s , anything can happen, and we are really focused.

W e a r e thirsty f o r the title and we’re going for it.”

Nevertheless, Neymar is in no doubt about the scale of the task ahead of Barca, as he acknowledges LaLiga as the strongest league in Europe.

“I think it’s currently the best league, the Spanish league,” he continued. “[Spanish clubs] have been winning virtually all the international titles in the last three years ... [with the Champions League] interchanging between Barcelona and [Real] Madrid.

“Also, Sevilla won the UEFA [Europa League], so I think Spain is pretty much ruling lately. There are other clubs and other players that are excellent real stars in other leagues - but I think Spain is excelling the most.” (Sportsmax)

Bolt and his celebrity team

W

orld’s fastest man Usain Bolt is confident the Nitro team athletics concept will take root following a successful debut in Melbourne on Saturday.

The event featured six teams of 12 male and 12 female athletes competing in a mixture of old and new-look track and field events. The 30-year-old Jamaican raced in the mixed 4x100m relay, an event won by his All-Stars. For the most part the 7,000 fans attending the event at Lakeside Stadium seemed enthralled with the spectacle.

“I know in time it will catch on and will do great because it’s for the people, and I think the people really enjoy something different and also the athletes really enjoyed it, so I’m happy about that,” Bolt said.

The athlete, however, believes that the event could use a number of adjustments as it looks to push past the teething stages “I think it could work. I think we’ll find different events to do,” Bolt told reporters after Saturday’s meet.

“I don’t think every event caught on, so we probably have to change it up. A few of the events were wonderful,” he added.

“I think we’re definitely going to change the 4x100 and we might change the medley relay,” he said. (Sportsmax)

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sports

21

Andrew’s Art

adds to RHTY&SC annual programme

Chandrawattie Juman of Andrew’s Art hands over trophies to Mark Papannah of RHTY&SC (extreme right)

R

ose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) received sponsorship from advertisement agency Andrew’s Art on Saturday last, as the agency became the latest corporate entity to come on board with Guyana’s leading youth and sports club.

The agency, which is located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, donated a carton of trophies to the Club, which aims to host a total of 500 programmes/activities by the December 20, 2017.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of the company, especially its Managing Director, Chandrawattie Juman. The 24 trophies would be used by the Club to host a 20/20 cricket tournament, involving four secondary schools in the Lower

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Members of the RHTY&SC and Andrew’s Art during the presentation

Corentyne area and several educational competitions under the Say No/Say Yes Campaign, which targets 60,000 youths in the ancient county.

The 20/20 tournament would be named in memory of the late Andrew Juman, founder of Andrew’s Art, while the four schools would be Lower Corentyne Secondary School; JC Chandisingh Secondary; Port Mourant Secondary; and Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary School. Each school would be permitted to play a total of seven Under-19 students and four teachers per game, while matches would start at 13:00h.

JC Chandisingh Secondary School is set to clash with Port Mourant Secondary School in the opening match, while the other two schools will play the second match. The winners would clash for championship honours, while the two losing teams would play for third place. The top teams and outstanding players will receive trophies and medals.

Foster stated that the Club was pleased to be associated in keeping the memory of the late Andrew Juman alive, as he was an outstanding friend and supporter of the RHTY&SC, MS. Among the educational programmes to be organised are spelling bees, art competitions and an essay tournament.

Juman briefly remarked that Andrew’s Art is proud to be associated with the RHTY&SC, MS as it is an organisation that is well known across Guyana for its wide range of activities and for being a role model organisation. Her late husband, she stated, was very delighted when he was inducted as a honorary member of the RHT&SC, MS in 2006 and it was only fitting that she continue the relationship with the Club and its eight cricket teams.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONDAY, february 6, 2017

Pride edge

B

arbados Pride edged Guyana Jaguars by two wickets in a match that went down to the final over yesterday as action continued in Cricket West Indies Regional Super50.

Played at 3W’s Oval Cave Hill, Barbados, the host spectacular unbeaten run continued as they defeated Jaguars by two wickets to move to six wins from as many matches and closer to a semifinal bout with the number two team from group A. The win was inspired by Ashley Nurse, who claimed three wickets which help restrict Jaguars to 186 all out in 50 overs before half centuries from Kevin Stoute, who was promoted to open the batting and Shai Hope led their response.

Pride chase was not off to the best start as they lost their most in-form batsman Kraigg Braithwaite for three and the score on 10.

However, Stoute (51) and Hope joined forces for a solid 70 run partnership which put them in a strong position to win the match.

Devendra Bishoo brought back in after missing out on the previous match got the breakthrough when he dism i s s e d Stoute.

H o p e a n d

CWI Regional Super50 2017

stubborn Jaguars in thriller

Jonathan Carter (17) took the score to 119 before the latter was dismissed off the bowling of Veerasammy Permaul.

Eight runs later Roston Chase was caught behind to give Raymond Reifer his second wicket and the Jaguars a shot at winning the match.

With 60 runs required from 11 overs and six wickets remaining, the game was still in Pride’s favour but they suffered another blow when Shane Dowrich fell victim to Permaul at 146-5. Anxiety was further raised in the Jaguars camp as Pride lost their top scorer Shai Hope for 63 at 160.

Two more wickets went down for the Pride but Carlos Braithwaite and Jomel Warrican saw them over the line as they finished unbeaten on 11 and two respectively. Reifer was Jaguars top bowler, collecting 4-46 while Ronsford Beaton claimed two wickets.

When the Jaguars batted, they were off to a good start with the opening pair of Assad Fudadin (18) and Rajendra

Raymon Reifer picked up four late wickets to dent the Pride’s chase

A 42 run eight wicket partnership between wicket keeper batsman Anthony Bramble (29) and Permaul (32) help the Jaguars from falling for a total below 150 but at that time there were limited

Shai Hope struck an attractive 63 in Pride’s chase

Chandrika (30) setting the tone with a 58 run partnership. However, after Chandrika departed bowled by the Jaguars’ menace, off spinner Nurse for 30, the remaining nine wickets collapse for 128 runs.

Shortly after Chandrika’s dismissal, Fudadin was caught on the boundary by Jomel Warrican off the bowling of Roston Chase.

In came Christopher Barnwell, who was promoted to bat at four but did not last long as he was run out for six by Jonathan Carter.

With the score on 86-3 and the Jaguars leading batsmen this season, skipper Leon Johnson and Shivnarine

Chanderpaul, together at the crease there must have been hope in the Jaguars camp. However, their time out in the middle was cut short by Nurse, who had Chanderpaul caught and bowled for one with just one added to the Jaguars’ score.

More disasters followed Chanderpaul’s dismissal as the Jaguars slumped to 1197, with Johnson (21), Steven Jacobs (2) and Reifer (21) back in the hut with just 33 runs added.

es.

overs r e maining resulting in them having to take chanc-

Bramble was dismissed by skipper Holder caught by Miguel Cummins at 161-8 then eight runs later Bishoo was removed off the bowling of Carlos Braithwaite.

Ronsford Beaton seven not out and Permaul rallied until the last ball was bowled, resulting in Permaul’s dismissal by Holder. Nurse was the chief wicket taker for Pride with 3-28 from 10 overs while Holder and Chase captured two wickets each.

International Junior Hockey tournament in the pipeline

T

he Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) got the ball rolling for the 2017 season with the Bounty Farm/Antonio’s Grille outdoor tournament at the National Stadium late January, and at the conclusion of the tournament President of the GHB Philip Fernandes indicated that there is the possibility of a junior tournament, whereby international teams will be participating.

Fernandes, speaking with the media said, “We had a good start to the hockey season and as far as the year goes, we have quite a few exciting things listed for the year and one of the most interesting is that we had contact from a school in Barbados and they are interested in bringing a junior contingent down.”

The prospect of this happening is likely to take place in the July-August window, according to Fernandes.

As a result, the GHB has contacted their counterparts in the twin island republic, Trinidad and Tobago, a country with whom Guyana share a good sportsmanship-like rivalry with, who indicated some amount of interest.

The GHB President had earlier pointed out a very lengthy year for the juniors locally and with the addition of this international tournament, it is likely to have many benefits to the youth players.

Guyana Hockey Board President Philip Fernandes

He noted that this tournament, though not international teams, but rather school teams, can provide international exposure to the children, in keeping with the inter-school tournament the GHB has planned on its own local circuit.

Additionally, the GHB will be focusing on the Pan-American Games, which is expected to give a good amount of exposure to the players with some of them already having been on the tour before. The Pan-Am Games are set for September, with the exact dates and venue to be released shortly.

If this is to become a reality, it will add to the international tournament for the seniors and veterans that Guyana hosts, the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Tournament.

GFF/Stag Elite League

rescheduled

SCOREBOARD Guyana Jaguars innings (Maximum 50 overs) A Fudadin c Warrican b Chase 18 R Chandrika b Nurse 30 L Johnson c Warrican b Nurse 21 C Barnwell run out Carter 6 S Chanderpaul c and b Nurse 1 R Reifer c wkpr Hope b K. Brathwaite 21 A Bramble c Cummins b Holder 29 S Jacobs c Holder b Chase 2 V Permaul c C. Brathwaite b Holder 32 D Bishoo c Chase b C.Brathwaite 1 R Beaton not out 7 Extras-(4lb 11w 3nb ) 18 Total (All out, 50 overs) 186 FOW-1-58, 2-60, 3-86, 4-87, 5-100, 6-114, 7-119, 8-161, 9-169, 10-186 Bowling-Cummins 7-0-310 (w-4, nb-3), Holder 9-0-432 (w-5), Nurse 10-0-28-3 (w1), Chase 10-2-21-2, Warrican 5-0-28-0, K. Brathwaite 6-019-1, C. Brathwaite 3-0-12-1.

Barbados Pride innings (Target 187 from 50 overs) K Braithwaite c wkpr Bramble b Reifer 3 K Stoute c Chandrika b Bishoo 51 S Hope c wkpr Bramble b Reifer 63 J Carter c Hetmyer (sub) b Permaul 17 R Chase c wk Bramble b Reifer 3 S Dowrich c Hetmyer (sub) b Beaton 6 J Holder c Johnson b Reifer 22 C Braithwaite not out 11 A Nurse b Beaton 1 J Warrican not out 2 Extras (2lb 2w 5pen) 9 Total (For 8 wickets, 49.3 overs) 188-8 DNB- M Cummins FOW-1-10, 2-80, 3-119, 4-127, 5-146, 6-160, 7-177, 8-180 Bowling- Beaton 10-1-41-2(w-1), Permaul 10-0-23-1 (w-1), Reifer 8.3-0-46-4, Jacobs 10-1-40-0, Bishoo 10-1-26-1, Barnwell 1-0-5-0

Fruta Conquerors FC and Guyana Defence Force FC have been the front runners in the first-half of the season

T

he second-half of the Stag Elite League, originally scheduled to begin on Sunday with the League Leaders Tournament, has been rescheduled to February 26, March 1 and 5, respectively.

According to a release by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), “This has become necessary to enable clubs which have acquired new players during the recent transfer period, a chance to adequately prepare for the tournament, while facilitating the promotion of the League.” The transfer period, which concluded on January 31, has seen a number of players being moved to various clubs across the country; with Fruta Conquerors FC acquiring the

highest number of transfers.

The League Leaders Tournament will feature a double-header on February 26, that is, Victoria Kings FC vs Buxton United FC and Guyana Defence Force FC vs Fruta Conquerors FC (Playoff No 1 and No 2). This will be followed by Playoff No 3 and the finals, which will feature Winner of No 1 Playoff vs Loser of No 2 Playoff on March 1, and Winner of No 2 Playoff vs Winner of No 3 Playoff on March 5, respectively.

The prizes for the ‘League Leaders’ Tournament are as follows: first prize - $1.5 million; second prize - $700,000; third prize - $500,000; fourth prize $300,000.

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, febRuary 6, 2017

Hornets sweep

field at Guinness Rugby 7s

P

epsi Hornets proved to be the most powerful team on Saturday evening at the National Park, in the inaugural Guinness Rugby Sevens tournament, sweeping both male and female categories along with the two most valuable player (MVP) prizes.

In the male division, the team would have played unbeaten in all their four preliminary matches, inflicting some heavy defeats to their opponents to qualify

easily for the semi-finals. In the knock-out match, they played Police Falcons who they demolished 31-7, afterwhich they faced Yamaha Caribs in the final defeating them 29-10.

In the third place playoff, Falcons where whipped 0-19 by the Guyana Defence Force team; Panthers was the other competing team in the tournament.

Meanwhile in the female category, which was competed between Hornets and

Caribs, saw the former winning all the three preliminary matches, which meant there was no need for a final.

The male victors collected $100,000 while Caribs and GDF received $50,000 and $25,000 respectively and the winning females copping $50,000; Hornets duo of Natasha Andrews and Elwane Chase won the $5,000 prize for MVPs. Captain of the Hornets Ryan Gonsalves in speak-

ing to this publication after the resounding victory explained that his team had to put in an extra effort to secure the victory. “ We had to dig deep, take each game one at a time since we knew it would have

Ronald Mayers and they were a major impact for us”, the captain stated.

More so the experienced rugby player is happy that there were some cash incentives for players as it gives a chance for the some to earn

23

Looking at the bigger picture, the Green Machine player felt the tournament would have been extremely beneficial considering that the national team is set to take part in

The Pepsi Hornets ladies certainly matched the men with their dominance

been a long day, we brought in some older players who are based in Trinidad and Tobago, Ryan Hinckson and

It was an attritional battle for most of the day on the rugby field

and also helps build as his club is also in a rebuilding stage attempting to attract new players.

the Hong Sevens in April as it will help will give the players the much needed practice.

miss out UDFA GT Beer Cup winners rewarded

GABBFF President Keavon Bess

T

he bodybuilding community has faced a severe blow at the beginning of the 2017 season, as two of the top local builders are out of the highly anticipated Arnold Amateur Classic.

Mr Guyana, Kerwin Clarke and Men’s Physique, Emmerson Campbell, who were both shortlisted for the trip in Columbus, Ohio, were deemed ineligible by the governing body to compete at the prestigious annual fixture, as according to President of the federation, Keavon Bess the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GABBFF) has failed to pay its International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness

(IFBB) affiliation fees for the past 10 years.

Bess, who has been at the helm for the past four years, stated that when he contacted the relevant authority to register Clarke and Campbell, he was told that the federation would have to pay the debt incurred before the duo can compete.

Bess noted that he intends to seek a waiver during this year’s CAC Championship in Mexico.

“I intend to be present in Mexico this year to make a sound request for the sums to be waived as of 2016 and that we start fresh from 2017.

All measures will be put in place to have that sum w a i v e d when we go to Mexico in September.

The GABBFF head added, “Our position of negotiation would be that we have not benefited directly from the IFBB since our athletes have never done an IFBB show, so now that we intend to compete at

the IFBB level we would like to start paying from this year.”

Some notable IFBB contests include the IFBB Men’s World Bodybuilding C h a m p i o n s h i p s , the IFBB Men’s World Classic Bodybuilding C h a m p i o n s h i p s , the IFBB World Fitness Championships, the Mr Olympia and the Arnold Classic.

Bess, an Attorney-atLaw, then reiterated that, “Whoever is heading the federation after elections, should push for a clear waiver or a special concession.”

The GABBFF will be hosting its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on February 18.

Bess will be seeking re-election at the meeting, which is scheduled for a 10:00h start at the GOA’s headquarters in Kingston.

Both bodybuilders have been exceptional, having a dream run in 2016 where Guyana recorded comfortably their best year in the history of their international outings.

A representative of Silver Shattas receiving trophy during the awards ceremony

T

rophies and cash incentives were presented to outstanding teams and individuals who participated in the fourth annual Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Banks DIH GT Beer Cup football tournament, which was held at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground in Linden from December 6, 2016 to January 1, 2017.

The awards were presented by the Sales and Marketing Department of Banks DIH in Linden on Friday, following the hosting of the company’s 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Champions, Silver Shattas Football Club were presented with $1,000,000 and a

trophy, while Eagles United, which secured the second position in the tournament, were awarded $600,000.

Meanwhile, third place team Botofago Football Club were awarded $300,000 and Winners Connection were awarded $200,000 and a trophy for finishing in fourth place.

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Colwyn Drakes of Silver Shattas Football Club was also awarded by the company.

UDFA President Sharma Solomon extended heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Association’s executives.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

CWI/ Regional Super50 2017

Pride edge stubborn Jaguars in thriller

Pg 22

Pride have now beaten the Jaguars twice in as many matches in this year’s tournament

Hornets sweep field at Guinness Rugby 7s

Pg 23

All smiles! Captain of the Pespi Hornets, Ryan Gonsalves collects the championship trophy from Director of Sports Christopher Jones, in the presence of Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste (Photo compliments of Orlando Charles)

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