Guyana Times Daily

5% reduction in electricity rates P – Patterson 8

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 2753 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

January 31, 2016

PRICE

Vehicle tax reductions, import ban

Small businesses could collapse ... civil society expected more stimuli, slashing of key taxes ... Minibus, hire car fares will go up

Education gets largest chunk of budget 2016 Page 9

Page 18

Alleged LGE fraud at Rose Hall Page 18

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GO-Invest gets new CEO P 3

– dissatisfied with $1200 hike

Pensioners demand more to P7 enjoy promised ‘good life’

Paul Charles wins Mr Caribbean P16 title

Core house owner sues Govt over P repossession

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Region 10 Children’s Costume Competition

Calypso and dramatic poetry set the stage P 17

President David Granger who is the Chairman of the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change joined his coalition partner Prime Minister Nagamootoo (hidden), to commission one of theie new multimillion-dollar party headquarters in Kitty on Saturday afternoon (Marceano Narine)

One dead, two injured in Coverden smashup Page 16

Drunken man drowns in trench Page 9

Region 2 rice farmers feel neglected P15

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NEWS

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SunDAY, January 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, January 31 – 10:00h-11:30h and Monday, February 1 – 11:00h-12:30h.

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, January 31 – 08:40h-10:10h and Monday, February 1 – 09:55h-11:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Light rain showers with cloudy weather can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres per second.

High Tide: 09:06h and 21:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.26 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:38h and 15:05h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metre and 0.91 metre respectively.

Alleged LGE fraud at Rose Hall

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

F

orty residents of Williamsburg, Rose Hall, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have sent a petition to inform the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that they were fooled and tricked into signing a document which makes them candidates on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) List of Candidates for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

The residents are claiming that two persons – Hemwattie Isaac and Robert Bisram – who are candidates for the coalition Government at the upcoming local polls are behind the fraud.

Nineteen persons are claiming that Bisram fooled them while 21 are claiming that Isaac fooled them into signing a document which makes them candidates for the APNU/AFC. In separate petitions, it states that between January 11 and 24, Hemwattie Isaac of Williamsburg South, Constituency Number Three and Robert Bisram of Williamsburg Central, Constituency Number Two went to those communities

Head of PPP/C list of candidates for the upcoming LGE for Rose Hall, Vijai Ramo

and bore false witness to the petitioners.

According to the petition, which was seen by Guyana Times, both Isaac and Bisram showed residents a form and told them that she was visiting on behalf of the Rose Hall Town Council (RHTC) and stated that they had to sign a form in order for the area to be cleaned and for drainage works to be done by the RHTC. The petitioners say that they later learnt that the two had enlisted them as candidates for APNU/AFC for the upcoming Local Government Elections. “We wish to inform GECOM that we do not support APNU/

AFC or any of its candidates for the LGE. We are supporters of the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/ Civic],” the petition stated.

Meanwhile, head of the PPP/C’s list of candidates for the upcoming LGE for Rose Hall, Vijai Ramo, told Guyana Times that the fraud was discovered when they went to acquire the 27 needed signatures.

“People said that they were asked to sign documents and were not told this... in doing so, they were putting their names on APNU’s list. People were told that they are signing documents to get their streets cleaned so that they can get street lamps… That is what they have done,” Ramo said.

He noted that there is one instance where an individual admitted signing for his entire household.

That issue is being further investigated and the signatures which have been submitted to GECOM are being checked before the Police is summoned.

According to Ramo, the two petitions were signed in front of the home of the APNU/AFC candidate.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, one of the candidates on the APNU/AFC Rose Hall list

served GECOM with a request to withdraw his name as a candidate.

“I did not know that I was signing to become a candidate for a political party, I am a PPP supporter and now my name is on APNU’s list as a candidate. The PPP ask me to be a candidate and I said no.

I don’t want to go so far in politics; I have my business and is everybody support me. I have prepared a letter asking them to withdraw my name from their list. They will not get my support even if they refuse to do so.”

Ramo went on to say that “This has been the pattern of the APNU/AFC. It happened at the back there too, to my candidate. His sister; she put the man name on a APNU list and he is a PPP candidate; over the road the same thing… That person is a candidate for the PPP/C and their signature end up on APNU support list…”

“Don’t go and impersonate someone to get people to sign documents against their wishes. Tell the people that you want them to be a candidate because if they don’t support you, they will not support your campaign, so you have to get people’s consent”, he lamented.

GO-Invest gets new CEO O

Saturday, January 30, 2016

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wen Verwey has been identified as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest). He was recruited for the position from among 35 persons, following a public application process which began in August 2015.

The recruitment process was outsourced to a private firm and Verwey was among the top four candidates recommended by the firm to be interviewed by the Board of Directors of GO-Invest. A

sub-committee of the Board conducted the interviews and made the final recommendation. He is expected to sign his employment contract soon.

Verwey will be working along with the recently appointed Board of Directors to provide critical leadership to the agency to realise its full potential. He will assist in the development of a 2020 Strategic Plan for Go-Invest and spearhead its execution under the supervision of the Board of Directors.

GO-Invest is expected to play a significant role in expanding Guyana’s economy in the coming years.?

Verwey has served the Public Sector for nearly 20 years, both locally and internationally. He has held senior positions in several Public Sector organisations where he has been involved

in project implementation, policy development, budget planning, project and programme management and financing.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Exeter in the UK and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Guyana.

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SunDAY, january 31, 2016

Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Budget 2016: Whence the good life

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arly in his presentation of Budget 2016, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan advised: “It is written in the Good Book, in Psalm 118:24, “… let us rejoice today and be glad!”. But the same book offers some advice which Finance Minister Jordan ignored even though it might have been more appropriate in the context of a budget, which traditionally encompasses the economic plans of a government over one year: “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”.

Over the last year, during which the hands steering our ship of state were replaced, our economy has not only stalled but stands in danger of going into reverse gear by all evidence.

Mr Jordan was commendably candid in admitting, “...last year was a difficult one for our economy... for the first time in recent history, all of the country’s key industries – sugar, rice, bauxite, gold and forestry – found themselves in various states of distress. Even remittances, which have contributed significantly to income, consumption, investment and employment, and upon which so many of our people depend, was a victim of the slowdown in the world economy. It is obvious that our excessive reliance on these generators of foreign exchange will continue to expose the economy to volatile external developments.”

His riposte to these challenges was Budget 2016, subsumed under the theme “Stimulating Growth, Restoring Confidence: The Good Life Beckons”. The economy would be built on “five pillars” as adumbrated by President David Granger: national unity, national infrastructure, national institutions, national security and public services. Now while all of these are all well and good, in his explication of the concrete steps the Government would be taking to stimulate growth, there were some jarring dissonances that exposed the lack of a coherent, overarching vision for “delivering the goods”.

Take the pillar of “national unity”. Minister Jordan announced: “As has been the practice, this budget benefitted from widespread consultations with private sector organisations, trade union bodies and women groups, among others.” But “the practice” also included consultations with the opposition, which the Opposition Leader revealed, never occurred. Whether, as the latter claimed, these consultations would have led to substantive improvement in the budgetary measures or not, it certainly would have presented a platform on which the foundations of the “pillar of unity” could have been initiated. As it is, the pillar stands in danger of becoming like fragile “Pillar of Salt” which, according to the Good Book, Lot had been transformed into.

Now while building “infrastructure” is a universally accepted mechanism for stimulating economies, the projects outlined by the Minister all involve increasing the external debt, a risky proposition for a moribund economy like ours. The Government appears to have studiously ignored the advice of the World Bank, the IDB and G-20 that Public Private Partnerships present opportunities for governments to have the best of both worlds: constructing infrastructure without adding to debt and having citizens appreciate that even “public goods” have costs. But as the Government’s unilateral reduction of tolls on the Berbice Bridge has shown, they might prefer future generations bear the costs of infrastructure through repayment of debt, rather than the present beneficiaries do so through tolls and tariffs.

Another telling lacuna in the “infrastructure” pillar, was absolutely no mention of the Amaila Falls Hydro-Electric Project (AFHEP) even though this would have given substance to the thematic aspiration for a “greening economy”. AFHEP already has US$80 million deposited in the bank with no strings attached to it by the Norway Fund as well as the potential for possibly total concessionary funding in the wake of the commitment of COP 21 signatories towards “renewables”. Then again, hydroelectric power is the gift that keeps on giving in so many ways - especially delivering cheaper energy and saving foreign currency. Was this not placed on the cards just because the project was conceived by the former PPP administration? (to be continued)

This young man was seen performing the duties of a Jockey and taking this lovely horse out of the stables for some mid-morning exercises along the Seawalls in Georgetown on Saturday (Marceano Narine Photo)

Guyana and Cuba present at the Fourth CELAC Summit Dear Editor, The Fourth Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held in Ecuador from January 27 – 29 was expected to help strengthen the regional bloc.

The meeting, which gathered the Heads of State and Foreign Ministers of the 33-member countries, addressed issues of regional interest. They evaluated the eradication of poverty and inequality reduction, issues on which there was a planning proposed by Ecuador when it took the pro témpore presidency in the summit held in Costa Rica.

The approved document covers five areas of work in addition to the eradication of extreme poverty and inequality; it includes others such as education, science and technology, the fight against climate change and development financing.

It was also expected to seek ways for political cooperation to continue growing stronger, particularly in international organisations.

These debates were evident in the common position that the bloc took to the UN Conference on Climate

Change (COP21) held in France.

The Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, is expected to report on progress in this area.

Absolute consensus is expected to be achieved for a regional agenda.

The challenge of the summit was to preserve and further strengthen the CELAC. It was reported that in preliminary meetings the importance of the bloc for the region was ratified.

The National Coordinators were working in the Political Declaration and other special documents to be submitted for approval by the Foreign Ministers of CELAC, before being considered by the Heads of State on Wednesday.

In this regard it is said there is already consensus on some issues, among them the role of information technologies in the interest of peace and development, and that progress has been made in drafting the action plan, based on what has been achieved during the Pro Témpore Presidency led by Ecuador during 2015.

On the other hand, it is expected no difficulties with

the content of the special statements proposed by some countries. In this regard, a call on the government of the United States to lift the unilateral blockade imposed on Cuba for more than five decades, and to return to the Cuban State the territory of the Guantanamo Naval Base will be among these documents.

On the issue of migration, there will be a statement rejecting the attempts of some countries to establish policies of selection of migrants according to their country of origin, this being related to the Cuban Adjustment Act, US legislation that favours citizens of the Caribbean island who seek shelter in the northern nation.

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States emerged as a regional integration mechanism.

Since its launch in 2011, the bloc has contributed to strengthening the dialogue between countries of the region on issues such as social development, education, nuclear disarmament, family agriculture, culture, finance, energy and environment.

Among its objectives it

is: "To strengthen political dialogue between our states and translate, through political cooperation, our principles and values in consensus.

The region requires an instance of strengthened political agreement that strengthens its international position and could result in prompt and effective actions that promote Latin American and Caribbean interests against the new issues on the international agenda."

CELAC members are: Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Bolivia; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Cuba; Dominican Republic; Dominica; Ecuador; El Salvador; Grenada; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Jamaica; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; St. Lucia; Saint Kitts and Nevis; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; Uruguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Dear Editor, The community of Bartica has been without water supply since last Monday and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) at Bartica publicly informed through Bartica's Television Station that this development was due to technical difficulties being experienced at its water treatment plant and that GWI is working "round the clock" towards rectifying the problem.

It has become a daily routine for residents who reside within the one mile radius of Central Bartica to source wa-

ter directly from the nearby Essequibo and Mazaruni rivers.

It is not an unusual sight to daily encounter residents armed with buckets and whatever convenient utensils walking, or on Bicycles or in Vehicles, all heading towards the rivers to source water, have a bathe, and even do their laundry.

It has now also been observed that the emotional levels of residents are beginning to boil with displeasure against this inconvenience due to the Bartica GWI. It also indicates the ex-

haustion of their tolerance towards this disappointing scenario for one to be walking in public with dirty laundry toward the rivers to source water for toilet usage.

All of this is happening too in the current hot, dry and dusty weather conditions.

Residents of Bartica are now expressing fears of a health crisis that could emanate from untreated water from the rivers. This feared health crisis can also result from the inconvenience of not having water fit for human consumption to ensure certain needed hygienic prac-

tises within the homes and at eating locations in and around Bartica.

Residents are also taking serious note of the increasing turbidity level of the water in the rivers owing to gold mining activities up rivers from the community of Bartica.

Bartica now cries for expeditious help with permanent solutions in this respect.

Julio César González Marchante Ambassador of Cuba to Guyana

Bartica cries out in its water crisis that now beckons on a health crisis

Yours respectfully, Mr Edward A Persaud Producer Bartica TV News Program

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, january 31, 2016

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Indians celebrate Republic Day with fervour at vibrant parades Dear Editor, Congratulation to India on the occasion of its celebration of Republic Day, January 26. While the Indian High Commissioner hosted India’s 67th Republic Day celebration in Guyana on Tuesday evening at Marriott, I was privileged to experience the celebration in New Delhi with some other Guyanese who are visiting the land of their ancestors.

Republic Day was celebrated with fervour at the traditional annual National parade where there was a display of the nation’s diverse culture and achievements. Tens of thousands also lined the parade route at Rajpath in Delhi including many foreigners, some of them Guyanese.

There were also vibrant celebrations in every one of the 29 states. Every year, a foreign leader is the Guest of Honour at the national parade.

French President Francois Hollande was the Chief Guest at this year’s parade. His three-day visit was aimed at strengthening strategic (battle terror) and commercial ties between the two countries. He is the fourth French leader to be invited as the parade’s chief guest.

President Obama was the guest last year, the first for an American.

Self-reliance theme dominated the parade floats at the Rajpath parade. The huge crowd cheered every float and waved flags in an act of patriotism.

Seated next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Francois Hollande watched and also clapped as the marchers and India’s military hardware passed by.

India has purchased French military hardware in addition to Russian, American, British and Italian.

The parade in the capital passed off peacefully amid extremely tight security following threats of terrorist activities. The heart of the city was turned into a virtual fortress

as an unprecedented groundto-air security cover with armed personnel keeping a tight vigil.

Even the metro system that moves millions a day was shut down for the parade. There were also countless check points as vehicles were stopped and searched.

Commandos with light machine guns were seen posted almost every strategic block.

No vehicle was allowed within two miles of the parade route.

As has been the tradition, President Pranab Mukherjee hoisted the Tricolor flag in the capital while the Governor of each state did the same in the state capital.

Everywhere people of diverse ethnicities could be seen waving small flags in the capital; huge flags were also flown across the city in public places and in front of businesses. There was patriotic display everywhere including the playing of nationalist songs on radio and showing of video clips and moves portraying nationalist sentiments and patriotism.

Every ethnic group was showcased at the parade unlike say in Guyana where there was anti-Indian bias at the independence celebration last May. In India, the President and Governors delivered speeches highlighting achievements of the country and state and speaking of issues of concern to the nation or state.

The celebrations began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi driving to the Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial at India Gate and laying a wreath in honour of the millions of Indian soldiers who died in battles since World War I; millions of Indians died in WWI and II defending the British Empire.

Decorated tableaus portraying several states’ culture and heritage were the highlights of the colourful parade and procession in the capital.

There were displays of Indian’s scientific, medical, engineering, and defence

achievements. There were marches by troops, police officers, camels, and a contingent of Indian Army dogs, stunts on motorbikes and horseback, varied cultural performances, and a display of the country’s military prowess with military tanks, missiles, helicopters, and fighter jets.

There was also an allwomen stunt contingent of bikers from the army and an all-female contingent of troops led by a woman.

For the first time, the parade also witnessed ex-servicemen showcasing their role in nation-building.

Among the weapons on display were the army’s missile firing capability T-90 Bhishma tank, Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP II (Sarath), Mobile Autonomous Launchers, Akash weapon system, Smerch Launcher Vehicles, integrated Communication Electronic Warfare System; transport aircrafts like C-130 Hercules and MI-17V5 aircraft that were used by Indian soldiers in humanitarian missions in Africa and other continents.

The Indian Navy on floats also displayed flight deck operations of the new aircraft carrier and the indigenously constructed submarine Kalvari with “Made in India” tags on them.

For the first time, a contingent of foreigners were allowed in the parade -- from the French 35th Infantry Regiment that was given the honour of leading the marching contingents.

The parade ended with flypasts and stunts over Rajpath by Jaguars and other aircraft.

It was an unforgettable experience to be among the crowd who cheered at the magnificent spectacle.

Separately, the French President hosted a luncheon where beauty queen and Bollywood leading actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was the star attraction.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

So long, Shiv

Dear Editor, Another of the stalwarts and great champions of the Test match era has called – rather was forced – to call time on his great career that spanned over two decades.

To true connoisseurs of real, attritional Test match cricket at its best, this is an irreparable loss, the end of a golden era. Shall we see the likes of him ever again? No. They simply don’t make Test match champions of Shiv’s ilk these days!

Hearing news of the Tiger’s retirement brought a lump in the throat of this reader, and I’m sure, the same sinking feeling must have enveloped scores of Shiv’s fans half-way across the cricketing world, here in India. The reality of Shiv’s departure from Test cricket is yet to sink in fully... that the champion from Guyana and the greater Caribbean has been denied a proper send-off befitting his immense stature, and that Shiv has walked into the cricketing sunset, never to be seen again wieldingthe willow on the international stage.

Words don’t come easily on such occasions. Words fail us mere mortals who follow the nuances and intricacies of Test match cricket at its riveting best, when cricketing immortals like Shiv fade away into oblivion. Only memories remain of their profound achievements and immense contribution to the game.

Are we likely to see another such cricketing great again, who carried immense talent so easily on his slight shoulders, who upheld the highest moral principles of sportsmanship even whilst he played it aggressively, to the core of his cricketing fibre

and soul? No. Cricket in this age is no more about ‘real’ Test match players who played the game passionately, for the sheer unadulterated bliss it brought them and to the cricketing audience at large.

It’s become a hugely commercialised, abbreviated and diluted version of its golden past.

What were my lasting memories of Shiv, the lad from Unity Village, Guyana?

Those etched indelibly – seem so distant in memory, now that his retirement has put Test cricketing timeline in proper perspective – are the infinite battles he fought so valorously, many a time in the company of the sublime genius of the “Prince” of theCaribbean, nay, world cricket, Brian Lara.

Or with only the tailenders, or the late middleorder for company at the other end; while he faced, head-on, the full wrath of the unceasing pace barrage (or spiteful spin from champion spinners that made the ball spit like a cobra at the striker’s end), taking blows to his body, and none-toorare racist jibes and sledging, with unparalleled resolve and clarity of mind, in circumstances that always seemed insurmountable for a team that was on terminal and rapid decline – and way well past its golden age – for the majority of his career.

No one particular innings can be singled out in this unending saga of his immense batting contribution against seemingly impossible odds to his team. All of them were gems in their own right, and together they make a garland

of great, in-the-trenches’ Test match innings.

However, his 118 against old foe Australia at Kingston in 2008 stands out like a beacon for the sheer never-saydie spirit of the man, his immense courage to soldier on after being dealt a sickening blow to his head by Brett Lee. And, who can forget his 104 – again versus Australia – at St John’s, Antigua, when he crafted abrilliant, back-tothe-wall 104, and along with Ramnaresh Sarwan, won the day for his team.

Or, his 69-ball century at the Bourda Oval, Georgetown – against who else but the Aussies – was a rare, incandescent gem of an innings that was conjured up under very trying circumstances against a champion bowling side.

This innings of pure counter-attacking genius was a very rare insight onto the cricketing mind of a champion batsman who was more often seen through his career trying to salvage his team’s precarious batting position.

A courageous captain of a ship that was ineternal batting doldrums. And what a champion he was for the West Indian team for over two decades.

It’s very unlikely, nay, impossible, that we shall see the likes of him again on the world cricketing stage, for he was one of a rare breed of cricketers that they don’t make anymore.

Here’s wishing Shiv a long and happy life post-retirement. You have given us fans enough cricketing memories to last a lifetime. So long, Shiv.

PVS Sudhakar Rao Hyderabad India

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Foundation

Parkinson’s disease Region 2 RDC Council

“Parkinson's is my toughest fight. No, it doesn't hurt. It's hard to explain.

I'm being tested to see if I'll keep praying, to see if I'll keep my faith. All great people are tested by God.” – Muhammad Ali, Esquire, Feb 2012 cells in the Central Nervous System (our "nerves") concerned with movement. You might’ve noticed that Parkinson’s patients tend to move slowly, have a tremor and are very rigid. Well that’s because the degeneration of those cells results in our levels of dopamine (a chemical

M

all like to be aware of some of its early warning signs. Well, tremors or shaking while you’re just sitting around relaxing, your handwriting suddenly getting smaller than normal, trouble walking (stiffness, your feet kind of dragging - “shuffling gait”), stooping, hunching over

Anu Dev

y dad is a great boxing fan and interestingly, so is my Mom, even though she's the gentlest person you could ever meet. Unless of course, you're her daughter and dawdle in bed "after the sun rises"! My dad still recounts with awe, listening over a radio, back in the sixties, of the famous fights between "the Greatest" and his famous rival, "Smokin' Joe Frazier". My cognitive dissonance is palpable when I think of this man who "floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee" when I look at videos of him nowadays.

That is the tragedy of Parkinson's disease.

On a personal note, two members of my Nana's family are also afflicted as was a very famous religious figure in my community, who had been one of the most active individuals during his earlier life. So I’m sure most of us have also heard of Parkinson’s disease before, or “Parkinson’s” as we’re more likely to call it. But what exactly is Parkinson’s?

Well, it’s a movement disorder.

It’s due to degeneration of specific

messenger) becoming too low.

This leads to a disjunction (a "dysregulation" they call it) in our movement controls. Instead of the normal balance between our “stop” and “go” pathways, the “stop” pathway is working on overdrive, so our brain keeps hitting the brakes even when we’re meant to move.

With something as devastating as Parkinson's, I'm sure we'd

or a loss of smell might be some early warning signs. Of course, all of these things could be caused by any number of things - a tremor might be due to medicine you’re currently on and a change in handwriting might be expected if you’ve been doing more typing than writing (I think everyone forgets how to write when school reopens after that 2-month break). But if you’ve noticed a

combination of all of these things, it’ll probably be best to consult your doctor to be on the safe side.

While at this time there's no cure for Parkinson's, there are some drug treatments used to control its symptoms. These aim to increase the level of dopamine that reaches the brain and stimulate the parts of the brain where dopamine works.

Studies have shown that aerobic exercise could be beneficial in slowing the progression of Parkinson’s. Aerobic exercise — like running, jogging and cycling — anything to get the heart racing, really. Aerobic exercise is supposed to release trophic “growth” factors in the brain that help to counter the degeneration of Parkinson’s.

Actually, it’s supposed to counter the normal brain shrinkage that happens to us as we get older as well.

Research into Parkinson’s is ongoing and they’re continuously pushing to make new breakthroughs in understanding the disease — and thereby come up with better strategies on how to treat it.

Just this week, The Gladstone Institutes discovered that those “go” and “stop” pathways control movement via a group of nerves in the brainstem that connects the brain to the spinal cord. Those brainstem nerve cells could overpower the stop signals from the “stop” pathway.

Hopefully this discovery and the others that are sure to follow will pave the way towards better treatment options! Keep the faith!

to upgrade St Denys/ Tapakuma road

– children not attending school, school bus inoperable

BY INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

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ouncillors of the Region Two ( P o m e r o o n Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at their last statutory meeting on January 12 unanimously agreed to find money and machinery to upgrade the deplorable, impassable St Denys/ Tapakauma road.

This decision came after Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt informed the house that he was told by James Schaddes, the Toshoa of the Amerindian community of St Denys, that the attendance rate for children at school has dropped significantly.

The Regional Chairman further explained that due to the deplorable condition of the road, the Toshoa reported that the school bus purchased by the community is presently experiencing mechanical shutdown. Ramdatt said that he is of the strong belief that the region's equipment should be diverted to the Tapakuma area to ease the burden of parents and assist the Village Council.

"Parks are not priority, why use the machinery there? Instead, let's divert same for the upgrading to the road leading to Tapakuma where children will benefit," Ramdatt said.

During the discussion, Councillors from both sides of the Council, including the Government and Opposition, mutually agreed that the RDC find the necessary resources to upgrade the road. Coalition Councillor Hardat Narine stated that it is wise for the road to be upgraded.

Regional Vice Chairman Nandranie Coonjah said she recently passed through the community on her way to the Dawa Pump Station and she noticed the road deteriorating and in a deplorable condition.

Meanwhile, Toshoa

Toshoa James Schaddes James Schaddes said that children in the community are affected tremendously due to the massive erosion that is taking place on the road that leads to the community.

He said the Village Council had written several letters to the Region Two administration through the Regional Executive Officer, but to date, nothing has materialised from that correspondence. The Toshao added that he even pledged the community’s support to provide some of the materials for the project.

Additionally, he explained that the Village Council was incurring additional monthly expenses as the school bus requires much repairs. Schaddes also added that many persons would like to purchase the community’s products and produce, but accessibility was a major challenge.

"When the bus down, the children don't go to school, the bus malfunctioning all the time, I wrote several letters to the regional officials and nothing has been down, over and over, every day the road getting worst, my community willing to provide materials to get the work down," the Toshoa noted.

The road is presently eroded and has huge pot holes. The St Denys community is located some 12 miles from the Anna Regina Public Road and has in excess of 2000 residents.

NEWS

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SunDAY, january 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Dissatisfied with $1200 hike

Pensioners demand more to enjoy promised ‘good life’

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nraged pensioners across the political divide are up in arms over the provisions available for them in the National Budget 2016 and are bracing themselves for another stormy year.

Their general contention is that a collective 38.7 per cent increase in old age pension cannot be equated with the benefits that were offered through the provision of electricity and water subsidies.

Prior to the presentation of the National Budget 2015, pensioners across Guyana received relief from Government through the water and electricity subsidies, coupled with a monthly pension of $13,125.

In 2014, some $300 million was budgeted for the electricity subsidy programme, where over 8000 pensioners benefited, with other pensioners receiving some $20,000 annually.

Figures released by the then Human Services and Social Security Ministry – now the Social Protection Ministry – detailed that those benefiting include pensioners from Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

In Region Two, a to-

al benefit will not prevail in an economy where commodity prices are rising.

Pensions have been increased to $18,200.

Bridget Allen

tal of 1022 persons benefited; in Region Three there were 1104 beneficiaries; Region Four had 3421; Region Five had 780; Region Six had 1681; and Region Seven had 120 beneficiaries those numbers grew gradually in previous years.

With regards to the water subsidy, customers of Georgetown were granted $11,880 yearly and customers outside of Georgetown are granted $8976 yearly.

Therefore, a significant portion of the elderly population received approximately $15,700 monthly (pension and subsidies combined).

In essence consequently, pensioners across Guyana only received an increase of $2500 since the new Government assumed office and many have asserted that this addition-

Expressions “Salaries don’t increase and pensions don’t increase but everything else does increase. So I don’t know how we supposed to live on money people used to live in five years ago. If milk prices and food prices gone up and we getting pensions we got five years ago; then does that make sense,” expressed Carlton Lopez of Campbelville, Georgetown.

Another pensioner stated, “I don’t really know what increase it is because for me it’s the same thing.

Because look, the subsidies we used to receive gone and basically the fancy increase they want say they give we is basically from the subsidy that they take away. So is the same suffering.”

Arnold Hopkinson of Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) in a disappointed tone said he had expected better from the coalition Government since they had promised to do better than their predecessor.

“All of them are the same, so you just can’t bother with a word they say. I’ve been around long time, all politicians are the same. They only know about the troubles of the

Desiree Deyounge

people when they are out of power but when they are in power, they get amnesia, they forget everything they advocated for.

But I expected better from them but it just goes to prove that they are all the same,” he reiterated.

“Fifty per cent increase they give themselves and this is all they give we?

It’s a disgrace…,” another senior citizen commented under the condition of anonymity.

Desiree Deyounge of West Bank Demerara (WDB) noted also that the money is insufficient and that Government should reinstate the water and electricity subsidy.

Bridget Allen, another pensioner, expressed that the pension offered is still inadequate to meet all of her expenses which includes food supplies and medical bills.

Promise for better The A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) over the years have lambasted the former administration for distributing meager pensions to the senior citizens of the country and had vowed to significantly improve the amount offered.

Back in October 2011, APNU Volda Lawrence who is now the Social Protection Minister had promised to improve the livelihoods of the elderly by increasing their pensions by 100 per cent once elected.

Promises for better for reiterated during the campaign trail in the lead up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Other benefits Meanwhile, Budget

2016 included several other benefits for the senior population of Guyana.

Public assistance was increased from $6500 to $7300.

Additionally, all Guyanese citizens 65 years and older will no longer be required to pay for a driver’s licence and will be exempt from travel tax when travelling overseas on a Guyanese passport.

But while pensioners welcomed these measures, they asserted that it not very impactful.

“It’s a nice gesture but most pensioners who can afford to drive can afford to pay $2500 every three years to renew a licence.

And those who can afford to travel can afford to pay the little $5000 traveLling tax. And how often does one travel? But it’s nice,” stated Annie Balram.

Call 223-7230-1 ext 35

8

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SunDAY, january 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

5% reduction in electricity rates – Patterson

P

ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has confirmed that electricity rates will soon be decreased by five per cent as a budget measure for the year 2016.

During his budget presentation on Friday last, Finance Minister Winston Jordan disclosed that there will be an increase in the rebate (discount) granted by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. “Conscious of the need to provide incentives to the manufacturing sector, in order for it to become competitive, and, as a further mea-

The current rate structure implement by GPL. The future cost for electricity therefore would be the sum of the current rate and a five per cent increase in rebates

sure to boost incomes of households, it is proposed to increase the rebate granted

by the GPL from 10 per cent to 15 per cent,” Jordan announced.

This basically means that a certain portion of the overall rates charged by the electricity company will be reduced by five per cent, resulting in an overall discount.

Currently, GPL charges a fixed rate along with a 10 per cent rebate.

Therefore, Government will be implementing an additional discount of five per cent. The 10 per cent rebate was first introduced in March 2015 and was applied to the residential, commercial and industrial tariffs.

The five per cent increase in the rebate is slated to take effect from April 1.

Booklet on civic education in the works – Minister Ally By: Kizzy Coleman

T

he Ministry of Social Cohesion is in the planning stages of creating a booklet on civic education aimed at promoting social cohesion and self-governance in young Guyanese.

This booklet will be made available to all schools countrywide and will highlight how one can aid in ensuring a social cohesive society.

Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally stated that the idea of the booklet was proposed to her ministry by Sir Shridath Ramphal former Commonwealth Secretary-General and has since been taken into consideration.

“Coming out of our roundtable on September 3rd of last year we had a recommendation coming from no lesser person than Sir Shridath Ramphal that we should put out a booklet on civic education which will be

Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally

used in all the schools and we are in the process of giving teeth to that recommendation. We have started to prepare that booklet” she revealed.

Ally noted that it is the belief of her ministry that if children are educated on social cohesion from a

young age then they are going to grow up to be a different kind of persons in their adulthood.

“Social Cohesion cannot be achieved in a day, you have to start by putting the pieces together and we believe that starting in schools is the best way to do that and this booklet will contribute tremendously to that” she explained.

She added that social cohesion has to start with all of us as Guyanese citizens and that each of us have to want social cohesion because if we reject it ourselves then we would not be able to propagate it: “The first thing that I want to ask you is to let a loud social cohesion, you must want it and then you will be able to inculcate it into your children which will result in a better Guyana for all Guyanese”.

According to Ally the government does recognise the kind of society that we

live in and the urgent need for social cohesion to be promoted, as such she postulated how urgent it is not allow our differences to be barriers.

“We have different sects, we have different religions and different race groups etc but what we have to tell ourselves and others is that while we are different we must not allow our differences to be barriers, because if we allow our differences to be barriers then we will head down the slope. This will not contribute to a cohesive society in the future and this is what we are trying to avoid by preparing this booklet so that our children will know better” the minister explained.

According to her, this booklet is just one of the projects that her ministry is working on to foster social cohesion: “there are many more in the works.”

Eyew tness

Lying... ...through Nagga's teeth

M

oses Nagamootoo revels in being "Prime Minister" of Guyana. When he goes to the States to give the AFC money men their regular accolades and backscratching, he enjoys the State Dept Security detail that whisks him around in black SUVs. It kinda reminds him of the $62 million black Landcruiser he demanded to visit his "constituents" at Whim.

Meaning Juggo and Markon at the back street bar.

Anyhow on his last visit to the Big Apple, he dropped in to the Maressa's Place. The drinks are OK even though the cutters are soggy. And as is his wont, he grabbed a mike to wax long and loud about what he'd done for the 11 per cent he delivered to APNU. And also what he'll be doing for them in this year. But seems he forgot where in the cow's anatomy all "smart flies" like him end up.

Brought about by his insatiable urge to flex the one atrophied muscle left him by his coalition partner - being in charge of the Chronicle, with his lackey and shill Imran Khan. They insisted that a reporter accompany them to record the wit, wisdom and bon mots (!) Nagga insists flow from his lips. And that's how we know high office has done absolutely nothing to curb Nagamootoo's lying ways.

So let's go to the record from the Chronic of Jan 18 - and match it to what we know to be the reality gleaned from Minister Jordan's Budget of last Friday.

Nagamootoo started with sugar - which looms very large in his "constituency": "Last year we put $12B, this year we are going to put another $12B. We are going to try to protect the jobs of the sugar workers,” he declared.

What's the reality? 1700 sugar workers at Wales are going to lose their jobs! But maybe Wales don't count since it isn't in Berbice? Rather than Nagamootoo's $12B, Jordan announced he was putting aside just $9B for sugar. So much for Nagamootoo's "power" - a reduction of 25 per cent! Rice is also big in Berbice: "We have, last year, produced more rice than we have ever produced.

We sold every grain of rice, but we had 9% less price for rice, but we had ten per cent more rice.”

Can you believe this man telling rice farmers to be happy they produced more rice to earn less money??!!

Because Nagamootoo's Govt refused to save the Venezuelan rice market!

Finally, according to the Chronic, "the Prime Minister told those present that, within two years’ time, oil and gas will be pumped offshore from Guyana."

We're informed that at best that's five years away!

Nagamootoo's nose must be touching Berbice by now!

..about the "good life"

Reading about the "Budget measures" your Eyewitness is intrigued about how exactly does this Government conceive of the "good life". He didn't expect "wine, women and song" - not that he'd have minded!

But jeez, $1200 more for pensioners monthly? So they enjoy "the good life" by getting one more "chicken fry rice" monthly to eat in the dark. "In the dark" because last year they cancelled the monthly subsidy on their electricity bills - which was many times the measly $1200.

Then there's the "reduction" in gas prices your Eyewitness has been pleading for since the world oil market went bust. Why should his rich cousins in New York enjoy the good life with ten times his salary when under the REDUCED RATE FOR GAS (WHICH HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE GRATEFUL FOR), he'll now be paying the same US$3.20/gal, as his cousins? Shouldn't the Government be increasing his salary?

Or better yet quit raising people's hopes, only to dash them so cruelly at Budget time?

...on growth rates?

When in opposition, the now Government used to say the PPP fudged the growth rate with the methodology it used. So why should we believe the economy shrunk only 1 per cent from projections when the same methodology was used?

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

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SunDAY, january 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Education gets Drunken man largest chunk drowns in trench of budget 2016 A F

BY ANDREW CARMICHAEL

inance Minister Winston Jordan on Friday announced that the Government has allocated a whopping $40.3 billion to improving the education sector, which accounts for 17.5 per cent of the 2016 budget.

According to Jordan, this allocation which is a 26.7 per cent increase from the 2015 budget was made in recognition of the growing need for improved access to quality education at all levels. “Fulfilling this Government’s mandate of education becoming both a means to, and an end of, our sustainable development, several new initiatives will be advanced within each level of the education sector,” he stated.

Minister Jordan also revealed that the ten regional education action plans which emanated from the national strategic plan for education 2014-2018 would be reviewed and updated, in keeping with the new mandates for the sector and new timelines, adding that keen focus would be placed on the hinterland areas. “Further, equity and quality across regions will guide our interventions in 2016 and well into the medium term, while focus will be given to education in the hinterland where both the deployment of manpower and the monitoring of education delivery require urgent attention,” the Finance Minister explained.

Student Welfare

Additionally, Jordan declared that a provision of $424.2 million has been made for continuation of the school uniform programme which is expected to benefit over 204,000 children attending schools in the hinterland and coastland. Jordan also disclosed that supplementary to the uniform programme, Government would be providing 28,000 pairs of footwear to students of the hinterland and riverine areas to ensure children are

of psycho-social problems in our schools, teachers will be trained with the requisite competencies and techniques to lend support to our school welfare officers. Also, separate rooms will be made available at our schools to render counselling sessions for both parents and students,” Jordan announced.

Infrastructure

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

satisfactorily outfitted for school.

The distribution of the footwear, Jordan explained, is expected to be completed by the end of March.

Continuing, Jordan revealed that $1.9 billion has been allocated to the National School Feeding Programme, a significant increase from last year’s $1.3 billion. This increase, he stated, will cater for a hot meal to be given to over 7000 additional hinterland students.

Training of teachers and provision of teaching resources

It was divulged that much emphasis is on improving the teaching-learning process through the provision of textbooks, expanding the integration of Information Communication Technology, the distribution of literacy tool kits into schools and equipping schools with sufficient trained teachers.

Money will be expended for the introduction of the Education Resources Delivery Software which will supposedly ensure every child has access to the requisite textbooks required for learning.

“In an effort to improve literacy and numeracy at the nursery level, several initiatives will be pursued, in 2016. Early childhood education resource kits and teacher’s manual will be procured and distributed to all nurseries and grade one

classes in the hinterland regions and targeted riverain areas. The kit contains resources that explicitly target numeracy, science and inquiry, dramatic play and music, art and craft and social studies, thereby providing the foundational tools for appreciation of culture and arts at a young age. The Government is intent on expanding the music programme to an additional 80 primary schools, from the initial 20 schools, with recorders already procured for the benefit of 800 Grade 3 pupils. This budget has made provision for all regions to include music education in the curriculum,” Jordan revealed.

It was also revealed that 1125 tablets will be distributed to seventh grade students and math teachers in eight pilot schools, in an attempt to facilitate better learning outcomes through the use of technology. This initiative will be implemented under the Secondary Education Improvement Project.

In terms of increasing the amount of trained teachers in schools across Guyana, 415 are expected to be added to the system this year.

“Equipping our teachers and classrooms to ensure more effective subject delivery continues to be a priority. In an attempt to address the increasing rate

Jordan also disclosed that this year, $4.3 billion has been allocated to continue construction, rehabilitation and repairs of schools across the country. The Kato Secondary complex, which is intended to ease the overcrowding at Paramakatoi and provide full secondary education for many students in primary tops is scheduled to be completed this year.

Additionally, provisions have been made for new buildings to be constructed for South Road Nursery, Peter’s Hall Primary and Golden Grove and Aurora Secondary schools.

Moreover, over $80 million has been allocated for the provision of adequate accommodation for hinterland teachers as well as the establishment of satellite centres in Kwakwani, Kamarang, Moraikobai and Charity so as to increase the number of trained teachers in the hinterland and riverine areas.

man who was said to have been under the influence of alcohol died after it is alleged that he walked off a bridge leading to his Corentyne home and slipped into a trench.

Dead is Sasenarine Singh, 55, also called “Toti” of Williamsburg, Rose Hall, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). His body was discovered face down in a trench by a man who was going into the yard to tie a horse on Thursday. A post-mortem examination performed by Government Pathologist, Dr Vivekananda Bridgemohan on the man’s body revealed that he died as a result of drowning.

An eyewitness, Patrick Bisram, who operated a business about 100 metres from Sasenarine’s home, told Guyana Times that the now dead man had been drinking at his business place prior to his death.

“He was sitting right here drinking and when he finish he start fo cuss me; is regular ting, every day he does do dah. When he drunk, is everybody he does cuss, but when he alright, he is a nice man.”

Reports are that Sasenarine remigrated to Guyana six years ago after spending 21-years in

Dead: Sasenarine Singh

the United States. On his return to Guyana, he was never employed and lived alone. According to relatives of the dead man who provided meals for him, it was habitual for him to be intoxicated and to hurl indecent language towards persons he came into contact with.

This publication was told that Sasenarine had developed a habit of using boards from his bridge to cook and had slipped into the trench several times, causing family members to replace the missing boards from the bridge.

At the time of his death, most of the boards had been removed for cooking purposes. Sasenarine leaves to mourn three grown children.

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guyanatimesgy.com

News

Chinese Enterprises launch annual business magazine

President David Granger and First lady Sandra Granger at the launching of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Guyana 2016 annual business magazine

T

he Association of Chinese Enterprises in Guyana (ACEG) officially launched their 2016 annual business magazine on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel.

The ACEG along with the participation of 11 other major Chinese companies opened their doors for business in 2013.

Chairman of the ACEG Huibao Jin stated that the

two-year-old organisation is geared at contributing towards the prosperity of the country’s economy, and the promotion of economic cooperation between Guyana and China.

Jin also emphasised the fact that Guyana has a collection of rich and civil societies geared at expanding business associations. The organisation’s goal focuses on enriching the business sector within Guyana.

During his speech, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Limin noted that over the past two years, the Association of Chinese Enterprises has flourished tremendously into an indispensible force in the business sector within the Guyanese community.

He commended and complimented their outstanding efforts and committed longstanding relationship between the Government of Guyana and the Government of China in the development of the closer economic and trade ties between the two nations.

Limin explained that although the ACEG is a municipal organisation, it has its own established unique advantages to monitor, coordinate and regulate its members’ business operations and also provide valuable guidance to Chinese investors who are desirous of establishing businesses or investing in Guyana.

He mentioned China has built a friendly relationship with Guyana which has broadened since the establishment of their diplomatic relationship.

The Ambassador emphasised bilateral trade has increased substantially over the past 10 years between the two countries.

Limin said “the trade

The Ghoul strikes

S

atiricus was full of admiration. He admired iconoclasts... men who marched to their own drummer and hummed their own tune. Most people thought these kind of people were plain nuts—and even salted nuts—but that didn’t faze them. They only answered to the voices in their heads.

Satiricus was just reading that maverick Ghoul Seh Run’s latest bit of muck he’d made up and leaked to the Pee and See/KFC leaning Muckraker. Ghoul Seh Run was a bookkeeper during the hard guava Burnt Ham days. He was forced to sell phoulowrie to his staff to keep going. He hated those who didn’t have to sell phoulowrie... yet also worked for government. He didn’t bother to check whether these people were doing better work than him.

But being a bookkeeper, he also checked the books of fellas in private industry who made much more money than he or anyone else in Government. He did this on the side to supplement his phoulowrie sales which in turn supplemented his Government job salary. He hated these business types even more. With all this bookkeeper knowledge how dare they do better than him by only buying and selling??!! He only found life bearable because of the hate he felt for so many people. And that he could take out his anger on his staff.

After finagling his way to foreign for some years, Ghoul Seh Run came back to Guyana and this was when he became an iconoclast. Bookeeper’s weren’t supposed to carry news on their clients. Something called “fiduciary responsibility”.

But back in Guyana, Ghoul Seh Run’s hatred for his betters boiled over because they were now doing better than him.

Living even better than Burnt Ham—for whom Condensed Milk had been the height of luxury! These new rich people wouldn’t even give Condensed Milk to their cats!

So Ghoul Seh Run said “to hell with this fiduciary schupidness” when the other fella who hated everybody who did better than he—Mook Lall from the Pee an See/KFC leaning Muckraker—offered him a “small piece” to spill his guts on folks the Ghoul hated. If he didn’t find news in the books, yhe Mook said he could just make it up!! And a “small piece” was better than nothing—he could now spill his hatred coming and going!!

A “freck” in his pocket and nasty made-up news about the people he hated. Ghoul Seh Run was in pigs’ heaven!

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and other invitees at the launching of the business magazine

volume between the two countries has an almost tenfold increase in less than a decade.” The ACEG contributions have paved the way in making trade and investment as a significant development to the economic and social progress of this country.

In pursuing to transform the country’s economy Chinese investments are drawn into infrastructure, energy, mining, forestry and agriculture. Chinese entrepreneurs are being persuaded to establish and invest

businesses in Guyana to enhance the bond between the two countries.

President David Granger speaking at the launching of the magazine said he is pleased with the investments and ties Guyana shares with China.

Granger emphasised that Chinese are no strangers to Guyana while underscoring the fact that their contributions have made an indelible development to Guyana.

“Their contributions have inspired them to attain prosperity in all aspects

of their life including social aspects such as sports, politics and the establishment of businesses,” he admitted.

The Head of State mentioned that there are several commercial enterprises, operated by persons of Chinese lineage, which make up a part of our country’s business landscape.

President Granger said Guyana is pleased by the contributions made by Chinese enterprises and has great expectations in the future of establishing a closer bond with the Republic of China.

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SunDAY, january 31, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

PPP/C “mind boggled” over Speaker’s rejection of motion on rice industry – demands reversal of decision

H

ouse Speaker Dr Barton Scotland has left the People’s Progressive Party “mind boggled” following his decision to

reject a motion to debate the state of the rice industry in Guyana.

A motion to address governmental support for the rice

industry was submitted by PPP parliamentarian Irfaan Ali on January 21. The motion called on government to take urgent measures to res-

cue the industry, the farmers, their families, the community and the economy.

However on January 29 the Speaker through the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs stated that the motion will not be allowed since it infringes on the provisions of Standing Order 26 (i) “the Government is not officially concerned with the Rice Industry in Guyana.”

In a statement, the PPP contended that the motion was of national importance and the Speaker’s “utter banality” to prevent the debate is completely mind boggling.

The Party added that the Speaker appears to be unaware of the responsibilities of the Government and its ministers. On the contrary the PPP contended, the Government has a critical role to play in the development of the rice industry.

Referring to the Official Gazette 87/2015 dated June 6, 2015, the Party highlighted that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder’s responsibilities include “the rice industry” and “the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).”

The PPP also pointed out that the rice industry is regulated by a plethora of laws passed by the National Assembly.

“It is under the remit of a Minister responsible for the Sector to the National Assembly and by extension the nation and his responsibil-

House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland

ities include the appointment of personnel to important entities connected to the Sector, for example, the GRDB. This Minister even holds certain statutory responsibilities in respect of the Guyana Rice Producers Association,” the Party stated.

In further providing that government has great responsibilities for the rice industry, the Party highlighted that the Finance Minister Winston Jordan made numerous references to the sector in the Budget 2016 presentation and his Mid-Year Report 2015; the Agriculture Minister spoke on several occasions at press conferences and before the National Assembly on matters concerning the rice industry; and that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo travelled to

Mexico on a mission to find markets for the rice industry.

“Therefore the Speaker’s decision is absolutely incorrect as the Government is officially concerned with the rice industry,” the PPP argued.

Additionally, it was pointed out that the Constitution in Article 171 provides that “any Member of the Assembly may introduce any bill or motion for debate in, or present any petition to, the Assembly and the same shall be debated and disposed of according to the rules of procedure of the Assembly” and that “the rules of procedure of the Assembly” can never be used to deny, stultify or frustrate the right of a member of the National Assembly, granted by the supreme law, to introduce a Motion for debate.

“The right of Members of Parliament as elected representatives to bring matters of importance to the House is the very essence of Parliamentary democracy and has been guarded and encouraged in the last 24 years of the Guyana National Assembly,” “Standing Order 26 (i) has never been invoked in this manner by the four preceding Speakers during that period.

These Speakers have not prevented any motions on notice by the then opposition from being debated and debated extensively, in the National Assembly,” the Party stated.

Turn to page 15

NCC launches Golden Jubilee song and writing competitions

T

he National Commemorative Commission (NCC), a unit of the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, with responsibility for organising Guyana's Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations has launched a song and creative writing competition.

The competition, which will run for two months, seeks to select a song to drive the Independence Celebrations. According to the organisers, the song should primarily capture the spirit and aim of the essence of the festivities while maintaining popularity among the audience.

Notably, the song must possess the quality to live beyond the Jubilee celebrations and the winning song will become the exclusive property of the National Commemorative Commission and runnersup may reserve the right to their composition.

The organisers said the song competition is open to all Guyanese and all other persons residing in Guyana for no less than four years prior to the closing date for submission of entries, and individuals, groups and organisations can submit multiple entries.

The competition regulations state that the music and lyrics must repre-

sent the true spirit of the Guyanese identity and engender a sense of national pride and patriotism. Also, the song must be composed in a form which allows it to be played on an instrument or by a band. Each entry must include completed entry form, the lyrics and music sheet as well as a Compact Disk (CD) containing one song only. The CD should contain only the entry song and should not have any part of the recording or label which can identify the artiste, applicant, producers or the songwriter.

According to the organisers, the entries should have the characteristics of an Anthem; incorporate a blessing or a prayer which invokes a blessing and possess a clarion call to build community and national unity.

All entries submitted must be original songs

and must not infringe on any copyrights or any other rights of a third party. It was stated that songs with lyrics that are deemed to be indecent, derogatory, or libellous would be rejected.

The deadline for entry is Friday, April 1, 2016 and entry forms and guidelines are available on the website www.50guyana.com and all Regional Democratic offices.

Entry forms should be submitted to the Department of Culture, Ministry of Education - Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Meanwhile, the creative writing competition is open to Guyanese 16 years and older and can be in the form of a 2000 word prose which is either a short story or a creative non-fiction based accurately on history, place or actual subject but created through the use of literary styles and techniques so as to present an imaginatively satisfying but still basically factual or historically accurate work.

Participants can also submit a short play or a collection of poems with the same semblance of the song. The prizes range from $50,000 to $100,000, and entries must reach The National School of Theatre Arts and Drama, National Cultural Centre, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown by 15:00h on April 1, 2016.

13 Core house owner sues Govt over repossession G news

SunDAY, january 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

No independent Indian LGE contenders

T

he absence is so obvious.

Besides the two major political parties, the PPP/C and the APNU/AFC Coalition, the only other contestants in Local Government Elections are: Healing the Nation Theocracy Party; Ambassadors for Progress; Team Benschop; Team Legacy; Linden 2025; and independents Huburn Smith and Pastor WP Jeffrey.

All the independent groups and candidates are African Guyanese. Indian Guyanese representation is being done wholly and solely through Ryhaan Shah the PPP/C for, as Dr Baytoram Ramharack pointed out in his Guyana Times column this past week, the PPP’s hold on the Indian mind continues unabated. That hold, he wrote, started under Dr Cheddi Jagan’s leadership when any Indian leader or group that challenged him or the party was duly shot down.

“The party aggressively fought off Indians who threatened its base, including Rai’s Justice Party and Ravi Dev’s ROAR,” wrote Dr Ramharack and he added, “Jagan knew, from its inception, that the Indian majority and a divided politics was the Party’s political ace.”

Indian Guyanese always missed the big picture of his naiveté as a politician because of their emotional bond with him. “They could not accept Jagan’s 28 years of exclusion and disappearance into the political wilderness and being outmanoeuvred by Burnham’s pragmatism as reflections of a failed politician,” wrote Dr Ramharack.

This refusal to see Jagan’s flaws has been transferred to the party itself and places the PPP beyond all criticism from its supporters. Any criticism of the PPP is viewed as the grandest neemakaram betrayal.

This is all in stark contrast to what obtains within the AfroGuyanese community. The PNC has always allowed factions and groups to speak and act independently of the party, as is obvious from the many Afro-Guyanese LGE contenders.

It appears that the Afro-Guyanese community is held together by a strong bond that always supersedes any independence when solidarity matters. This is most critical at the general elections and Afro-Guyanese always rally around the party flag.

The exception that proves the rule was WPA Leader Dr Walter Rodney and his opposition to the Burnham dictatorship. Even so, Dr Rodney’s groundings in the politics of pan-Africanism were a bond of history, race and culture that he and Burnham shared.

It would be unfair to speculate as to how Dr Rodney would have viewed the Granger administration’s corruptions which are reminiscent of the PNC’s past transgressions. However, WPA stalwarts Dr David Hinds and Dr Clive Thomas have returned home to the African fold under the current dispensation as has Dr Rupert Roopnaraine who always boasted an African cultural and political bent.

Perhaps, economic security for Afro-Guyanese, who continue to be the largest component of public service employment, also drives the solid political support since victory at the polls is their best assurance of getting or remaining employed.

Whether it is a primal call to race, a bond created from a shared history of slavery and suffering, or their best chance for economic security, the PNC/APNU can always rely on their party faithful when it matters.

The PPP feels that its support base is less reliable perhaps because that base has a certain amount of economic independence which creates an individualism that stays truer to personal rather than group interests. Indo-Guyanese, for historical reasons, established commercial and business ventures in order to survive and progress, and the PPP government does, at times, find itself at the wrong end of open criticisms from powerful business leaders.

Such independence, if allowed to organise and flourish, could challenge one-party loyalty and make Indian support less predictable. To ensure its continued success, the PPP therefore moved to contain and control Indian Guyanese independence in every other area. The result is that no Indian group, religious, cultural or social, is allowed to succeed in any great measure unless it has the party’s blessings.

Case in point was GIHA which gained popular Indian support at the turn of the century. The push back from the PPP was to create the IAC in order to take control of Indian cultural space which, until then, had been unoccupied and had therefore posed no threat.

The need for control might also derive from the party’s culture of centralised control which forestalls any independent thinking since this could challenge and expose the leadership which many see as inept.

The result is a universal Indian dependency on the PPP. Every facet of Indian life is controlled whether it is sugar, rice, the religions or culture. The ownership is complete and the health and wellbeing of the Indo-Guyanese community is sacrificed for PPP survival.

The irony in all this is that the PPP is hardly an Indian Guyanese political force at all since it only ever represents Indian interests when they are politically expedient for the party itself.

It is not by chance that rum-drinking, suicides, and a general degeneracy define Indian communities across Guyana.

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

overnment was slapped with a $10 million lawsuit, this time by a mother of three who claimed that her house and land have been unlawfully repossessed by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA).

The applicant, Linda Persaud, a public servant worker of Lot 3608, Block 8 Plantation Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), is claiming damages in excess of $10 million. The notice of motion was filed in the High Court Friday and was fixed for hearing in the Constitutional Court on February 15, 2016.

According to Persaud in the legal document, in April 2011 she bought the land from CHPA for $92,000 and paid the full price. Then in March 2014, she went on to purchase a house under the ‘Core House Project’ for which she paid $100,000.

The contract titled “Contract for the Participation in Core House Pilot in Existing Schemes” stipulated that she must move into the property within one month of its delivery otherwise it would be repossessed by the CHPA. According to Persaud, the house was completed in August 2014 and she immediately moved in. Persaud further stated that she spent in excess of $1 million to fence, build up and landscape the land as well as to build cupboards, erecting a wall in the house and tiling the washroom floors.

“At all material times, I have been in occupation of the said property along with my children,” the woman maintained, while adding that on November 18, 2015, she received a letter from the Corporate Secretary of CHPA, accusing her of living elsewhere and not occupying the building within a month after receipt of the key.

The letter states: “You are in breach of your obligation to occupy the said property within the stipulated period and as a result of your said breach, the Central Housing and Planning Authority will be taking steps to rescind the said Agreement. Accordingly, you are required to seek a refund of monies paid for the land and equity contribution by submitting all originals of the following documents no later than December 18, 2015”.

However, on December 3, while staying with her ailing mother right in Tuschen, Persaud said CPHA staff went to her home and erected a sign on her property which stated, “This is the property of Central Housing and Planning Authority”.

“They further informed me and I did verily believe that Central Housing and Planning Authority has “repossessed” my property. That I and my children have not been able to occupy the property since,” she outlined in the court document.

Persaud, through Attorney Anil Nandlall is asking the court to declare the breaking and entry of her property by the CHPA agents or any other State Officer is unlawful and is likely to contravene her

A model of the core house built by the CHPA

fundamental right and freedom not to have her property.

She is also asking the court to declare that repossession and preventing her from occupying the property is in violation of her fundamental right and freedom.

As such she is seek-

ing “damages in excess of $10,000,000 for breach of the Applicant’s fundamental right and freedom not to have her property compulsorily taken possession of without the prompt payment of adequate compensation as is guaranteed to her by Article 142 of

the Constitution of Guyana”.

In addition, the mother of three is further requesting the court to grant a Conservatory Order prohibiting “servants and/or agents of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Ministry of Housing or any other Officer of the State from entering upon, remaining, occupying or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the Applicant’s quiet and peaceful possession, occupation and enjoyment at her property”.

The Core House Project was launched in June 2009 in several housing schemes that were being developed. It is expected to improve low-income families’ access to enhanced living conditions through housing solutions and access to house lots.

14 news

SunDAY, January 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyanese will be blocked from obtaining licences if not tax compliant – Finance Minister

– return of “Burnhamite” approach – Jagdeo

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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ll Guyanese citizens must be tax compliant before they can access simple services offered by the Government, including receiving their driver licences or licences to conduct any form of trade and business.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced during his Budget 2016 presentation an amendment to the Tax

Act to ensure that prior to the issuance of all licences for public use, the applicant must be compliant with obligations to file annual returns and paid, or has made arrangements to pay all taxes due and payable.

This simply means that every single person seeking to acquire a licence to conduct any business must go through a strenuous process to prove to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) that they are tax compliant. Or, if someone is not tax compliant due to financial difficulties, they will be barred from obtaining any licence to conduct business.

Contentions about this new measure are high, with many arguing that this method of increasing revenue collection will only put thousands of Guyanese in the poverty bracket.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo dubbed the measure “an old Burnhamite approach”, used to control people and their access to services and growth in income.

“This is a big brother kind of approach once again. The GRA will now have a primary part in all of our lives once again,” he said.

Jagdeo expounded on the situation, noting that in the older days when this measure was implemented, if one wanted to travel or utilise and service from the Government, they needed a tax compliance certificate.

“Every single one of you in this country from now one, if you want to have any dealing with the Government, you have to first of all go into the GRA and get a tax compliance certificate and satisfy them that you have

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

paid all your taxes,” he said, noting that the process was torturous.

He added too that it will be challenging for persons residing in rural areas and hinterland regions.

“They will now have to travel long distances to come to Georgetown to get this certificate before they get any service,” he stated.

50 bicycles donated to Timehri North, Diamond/Grove students

Region Four Chairperson Genevieve Allen, First Lady Sandra Granger, Jennifer Wade, Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally and Headteacher of the Diamond Secondary School, Lesmeine Collins, stand with the recipients at the Diamond Secondary School

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Club, a large group of persons; including the recipients and their parents, warmly greeted Minister Ally and the First Lady upon their arrival. The Minister, who spoke at both ceremonies, recalled the genesis of the “Three Bs” programme and the President’s mission to see every child in school.

“Our President has a passion for education. He wants every child in school.

He wants an educated nation. He wants everyone to have a good life and we are doing our utmost to ensure that the children of this nation get access to education,” Minister Ally said.

Speaking of the additions of breakfast and books to the programme, which will be done in the coming weeks, she said this course of action is being taken to lessen the factors that keep children out of school.

Meanwhile, First Lady Sandra Granger said she was pleased to support the Social Cohesion Ministry in executing the “Three Bs” programme. She noted that the response to the initiative, both locally and from within the Diaspora, is even more commendable.

The First Lady asserted that the public’s support so far is as a result of people being pleased to see the Government in action, particularly though this venture.

“When we get the bicycles, the buses and the boats, they don’t sit in somebody’s yard. As soon as we get them, we make sure they go to the people they’re intended for,” Mrs Granger said.

The First Lady then appealed to the students to practice caution on the roadways. “I hope you will ride… safely and careful-

That “Fluffy” Budget

O

“Three Bs” plus breakfast and books programme...

nother 50 students are now the proud owners of bicycles, presented to them on Saturday under President David Granger’s “Three Bs” Boats, Buses and Bicycles” programme, in keeping with his policy to ensure that every Guyanese child has access to education.

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally and First Lady Sandra Granger, presented the bicycles to the latest batch of beneficiaries, who were drawn from the Timehri North area and Diamond/Grove communities, on the East Bank of Demerara. Twenty-five bicycles were distributed at each of the two locations.

The bicycles were donated to the programme by Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited.

At the first presentation ceremony, held at the Timehri Prisons’ Sports

Younge’s Take

ly… and use the bicycles as one of the means of securing a better education,” she said. Mrs Granger then encouraged the students to see the bicycles as a tool that will help them to garner an education and secure upward mobility for themselves and their families. “We all know that an educated nation is a nation that develops. An educated nation is a nation that is tolerant of everyone. An educated nation is a nation that will always be moving forward and that will be developing for the good of every citizen of Guyana,” she said.

The “Boats, Buses and Bicycles” programme was launched by President Granger during his 70th birthday celebrations in July 2015, as he made a call for assistance in getting children to school safely.

n Friday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan presented his second budget, since being appointed eight months ago, to the National Assembly which contained a myriad of measures that his Government hopes will boost the socioeconomic performance of the Guyanese economy.

The Minister’s Budget presentation was also premised on the new A Partnership for Michael Younge National Unity/Alliance for Change “Good Life” promise to Guyanese, and included among other things a heavy infrastructural programme aimed at transforming the physical aesthetics of the country while lifting the standard of living of some Guyanese.

The budget also boasts several interesting if not bold measures aimed at promoting a green economy, removing some inequalities with respect to accessing secondary education and a stiff programme that could see the return of several middleclass overseas-based Guyanese as well as professionals.

But a closer analysis of the Minister’s presentation would reveal that while it is big on rhetoric, it is small on the much needed stimuli, policy outlook and socioeconomic framework required to rebuild, reorganise and modernise Guyana as she celebrates her 50th jubilee anniversary.

The budget also falls short in articulating decisive and clear steps to be taken by the Government to restore profitability to the sugar and rice sectors which are traditional growth pushers despite the dreary political dictate of the Finance Minister.

This, in itself, is disappointing because of the troubles facing these and other traditional sectors which if not frontally and adequately addressed could have long-term socioeconomic consequences for the country.

The budget presented is also incoherent, inconsistent and confusing in its focus and intent because it was not written or guided by individuals or politicians who understand the everyday trials, struggles and hardships faced by the ordinary person, the farmer, the sweeper cleaner, the greens vendor, the unemployed youth, differently-abled adult, the differently gendered teen, and elector.

Guyanese never asked the new Government to make tackling vehicle taxes, reducing/removing the import duty, slashing the excise taxes and encouraging the remigration of citizens a priority.

They never asked for Government to make the payment and increase of taxes a priority neither did they vote for a new mechanism aimed at garnering more revenue to be introduced which would complicate and frustrate the way business is done locally.

Guyanese never asked Government to make taxation of alcohol a priority or for more political banter on the need to implement a completed version of the National Youth Policy.

The budget does not address the needs of the poor or the ordinary person. Minister Jordan should have spent more time working with the unions to arrive at a consensus on an interim salary increase for the public servants until a formal and final decision could be arrived at.

He should have announced increases as part of his “Good Life” package for the Disciplined Forces of this country as a form of motivating them to continue serving in the midst of the domestic onslaught of crime and criminality, and the increasing external threats.

While it is laudable that the Govt is considering launching a Commission of Inquiry into the mental health disaster of Suicide, the Finance Minister should have announced separately a tranche of funds to be used to restart the Gatekeepers’ Programme and continue work at the level of an independent body to tackle the scourge.

Pensioners deserved more and that $1200 hike will not suffice. Minister Jordan should have announced the complete restructuring of the system and that Pensioners who qualify by a new set of arrangements would be getting free water and light so that they too can enjoy a “Good Life”.

Minister Jordan has demonstrated a second time round that the policies, programme, infrastructural regimen, long term economic plans and political thinking of the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic was “sound” because he continues to take ownership of everything PPP/C while failing to introduce flagship projects that can be branded as purely APNU/AFC. There are no stimuli in the budget… Nothing to push small- and medium-scale businesses or inspire youth entrepreneurship.

Most of the budget is padded by fluff, political showmanship and antiquated sociopolitical economic philosophies as well as outlook.

It is clear that the new Government is having a difficulty switching off its opposition anthers so that a different paradigm shift could step and demonstrate how a Good Government pursing a Good Life for its citizens governs.

In conclusion, the budget can described as F-lat, L-ong -U-ninspiring, F-laccid, F-ull of rhetoric because it contained the thinking of politicians of Y-esteryear (FLUFFY).

news

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sunDAY, january 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Budget 2016 reaction…

Staged Continental truck's robbery

Region 2 rice farmers “Fake bandit” arrested, feel neglected money recovered

PPP/C councillor Showkat Ali raising his concerns

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cores of rice farmers in the agricultural region of Pomeroon-Supenaam said they are very disappointed at the manner the coalition Government is treating the rice industry, despite thousands of families’ livelihood depend on same for survival.

Rice farmers were very surprised when informed via the media that there is no plan in the 2016 budget for the ailing rice industry.

A motion proposed to the House by PPP/C Irfaan Ali with intentions to address the state of the rice industry was rejected by House Speaker Dr Barton Scotland.

The motion was submitted to Parliament Office seeking a debate on the state of the rice industry. The motion called for immediate assistance and intervention for rice farmers from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

Rice farmers on Saturday vented frustrations, stating that their lives depend on rice and without rice they are nowhere.

“I seriously don’t understand why the Government would want to regard the rice industry as a private business. We are in this business for so long and always under the PPP\C Government we used to get assistance in many form” farmer Sudesh Barrat noted.

Another farmer stated that he owes the bank and with the current state of the economy he is very confused. Farmer Dyal Singh

from Golden Fleece said that many families depend on rice for their “Happiness” and to provide education for their children. He said he stands stumped by Government’s move of regarding the industry as private.

Meanwhile, several People’s Progressive Party/Civic RDC Councillors during their last statutory meeting passionately questioned the current state of the rice industry. They stated that rice farmers are facing serious challenges and the Government is not doing anything to assist.

According to one PPP/C councillor, Rabindranauth Mohan, the Government needs to come straight with rice farmers and stop “fooling” them.

“How the rice industry is not important when it has contributed so much to the country’s GDP? The industry requires urgent attention and all we hearing is it’s ‘a private’ industry” Mohan decried.

Mohan went on that Government is clueless on how to move the industry forward and despite efforts by PPP/C to assist they are giving “deaf” ears.

“Currently, rice farmers are faced with water issues due to delay of pumping from the Dawa Pump Station. We heard recently the pump stop work because fuel not reaching on time, this is extra burden to the industry” Mohan said.

Another PPP/C councillor, Showkat Ali, also a rice farmer and an RPA representative said he is worried at the current state of Region’s Two economy, “every day we go in the street, people complaining business slow, if rice is down all other sectors will be down, rice is the backbone of the Region Two economy” Ali noted.

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt also said he is very disappointed over the move and said currently banks are ominously calling on farmers for payments. Ramdatt is of the opinion that there should be a more comprehensive approach to assist rice farmers as they too have families to maintain.

Another PPP/C councillor Brian Persaud said Government should see rice as an important commodity for Guyana. He said the farmers are becoming frustrated and many families are acutely confused. Rice farmers are calling on President David Granger to intervene and offer solutions that will take the current state of the industry forward.

PPP/C “mind boggled” over...

It added for example, “the 2005 flood, torture, crime wave, assassination of Walter Rodney, the CLICO demise, the Lusignan massacre, requests for Commissions of Inquiry by the then Opposition Leader Mr Granger on river accidents, crime wave, etc have all been the subject of motions debated in the National Assembly, thereby demonstrating the latitude

which previous Parliaments have enjoyed in respect of debating motions.”

Therefore, the PPP/C insisted that the Speaker’s ruling is just the latest on a long list of dubious decisions that violate and undermine the principles of parliamentary democracy, conventions and norms.

“Only a week ago, the Speaker disallowed the request for an adjournment to

from page 12

discuss as a “Definite Matter of Urgent Public Importance”, the closure of the Wales Estate on the ground that it was not ‘urgent’,” the Party expressed.

Against this backdrop, the PPP Parliamentarians are demanding that the Speaker reverse his decision and allow the debate on the said motion to proceed at the earliest convenient time.

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s investigations continue into the staged robbery by two employees attached to the Continental Group of Companies, the Police have arrested one of the men who posed as a bandit, as well as a quantity of cash and mobile phones.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhun told Guyana Times that the suspected bandit was arrested on Friday evening in Georgetown, while noting that the Police have recovered $40,000 of the $1.2 million that was carted away during the alleged robbery.

He added, thus far, that the two alleged masterminds and the fake bandit are in Police custody as-

sisting with investigations.

The Police are on the hunt for the two other men who would have concocted the robbery.

It was reported that on Thursday evening, the two victims claimed that they were intercepted on the Crane Village Public Road by a white Toyota Raum, after which they were held at gunpoint and relieved of money, a laptop computer, mobile phones and other personal belongings by the car’s three occupants.

The men also claimed they were tied up and left on the roadway but were rescued by a passerby who in turn contacted the Police. As Police arrived on the scene and questioned the men,

they realised that something about their robbery story was amiss, hence, the men were taken into Police custody.

As the Police continued to interrogate them on Friday morning, they admitted that they had planned the robbery. A Police source told Guyana Times that the men confessed that they contacting three associates and related the plan.

The three men in the car were not armed, according to one of the men. He also stated that the drivers of both vehicles had arranged to stop at a particular location where the money bag would have been handed over. After collecting the money, the car drove away.

16 NEWS

SunDAY, January 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Region 9 RDC being disrespected by REO

One dead, two injured REO allegedly overriding decisions, in Coverden smashup –making advances on female staff T A mother of two was on Saturday evening killed following a two vehicle collision in the vicinity of the Prairie International Hotel, Coverden, East bank demerara.

Dead is Ann Mohamed, 36 of Soesydke East Bank Demerara. According to information received, Mohamed who was standing on the roadway, was stuck by one of the vehicles involved in the collision.

An Eyewitness told the Guyana Times that one of the vehicles, a pick- up was driving out of a driveway when it came into contact with a speeding car causing it to spin and slam into

Mohamed who attempted to run to safety.

She ended up under the pickup and had to he pulled out by public spirited citizens. From reports received, the woman might have survived but no one made an attempt to rush her to the hospital.

She was eventually taken to the diamond diagnostic centre where she was pronounced dead.

The other vehicle that was involved in the accident ended up in a nearby trench.

The driver, Rupert Douglas revived minor injuries.

He was taken into police custody along with the driver of the pickup who also received minor injuries.

he Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo) has expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment being meted out to them by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Anthony Parker who they allege has been overriding all decisions made by the RDC. These issues were raised at the first statuary meeting of the RDC for 2016 in the presence of Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock.

According to the Council, the REO has taken several decisions, which he implemented without any proper consultations with them, and as such

One of the vehicles involved in the collision

GTUC denies consultation with Govt on joint May Day rally

T

he Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has denied ever having a consultation with the Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott on being part of a unified May Day Rally this year.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report that was published on January 27, Minister Scott stated that several trade union bodies would be organising a combined Labour Day rally on May 1, 2016, to usher in Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary and he had consultations with GTUC in this regard.

The GTUC explained that it was informed via a letter signed by Francis Carryl, Labour Consultant, that Minister Scott has concluded his consultation with the trade unions, and one of the main issues was his initiative for a unified May Day Rally in 2016.

It added that consultation did not constitute entertaining and running with any idea that required the support of another and arbitrarily making and issuing decisions on behalf of the other which was done by Minister Scott in this

GTUC President Lincoln Lewis

case.

“This pattern of behaviour must be brought to an end in public engagement, or this nation will continue to lurch from one problem to another, with none being solved, and resulting in increased tension and polarisation. Time-honoured principles and laws guiding engagement are public and accessible. GTUC calls on the Minister to abide by these,” the Union lamented.

In fact, GTUC explained that since Minister Scott assumed the portfolio, it has

not had any consultation with him.

The Union disclosed that on January 8 of this year, it did dispatch a letter to the Minister requesting engagement with him to discuss matters of import to workers and of mutual interest, and gained an audience for January 12, 2016.

“At this one and only meeting the Minister made it known the meeting was called to introduce and acquaint himself. The GTUC took the opportunity to raise issues pertinent to the labour movement and workers, and was advised by the Minister the meeting was not for such purpose. GTUC remains committed to meeting with the Minister to pursue serious conversations in furtherance of the workers’ agenda and the role and responsibilities of his Ministry in this regard.”

The GTUC explained that there were burning issues affecting workers (organised and unorganised). Teachers; bauxite, forestry, sugar and Government workers and others in the Private and Public Sectors have “pressing grievances Minister Scott is aware

of and it is still to be seen what effort, if any, is being made to resolve them. Government is urged to take its cue from workers’ agitation and rumblings”.

“Government’s notion of a unified May Day Rally in the absence of ensuring the workers’ rights are upheld and laws respected would make a mockery of such pursuit. Guyanese (workers and citizens) are required to unite around the Laws of Guyana and this is what GTUC seeks.”

The Union is also peeved at the idea of the Government organising the May Day Rally, stating that these workers’ events have always been planned and executed by the trade unions which is in line with International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No 87 which speaks of the trade union’s right to self-determination and the non-interference of Government. Government has to be ever-mindful in the discharge of its duties that it does not engage in actions and seek support for actions that are in violation of laws, conventions, tenets and international protocols.

Paul Charles wins Mr Caribbean title T hirty-year-old senior dancer of the Classique Dance Troupe, Paul Charles, was on Friday evening crowned Mr Caribbean when the contest was held in Dominica, at the Arawak House of Culture.

The Guyanese school teacher, dancer, choreographer, and stylist also walked away with the Best Talent prize, as well as the award for the Best Magnificent Wear.

The first runner-up in the contest is Ersil Charles Jr of Antigua and Barbuda, who also took home awards for Best Swimwear and Best Interview.

Michael Redhead of Grenada was adjudged the second runner-up and would have been awarded the prize for the Best Formal Wear.

The Mr Photogenic Award went to Dukenson Nozil of Haiti.

Mr Caribbean Paul Charles flanked by Ersil Charles of Antigua and Michael Redhead of Grenada

The contestants competed in several segments, including the introductory, costume, talent, swimwear, formal wear, and interview segments. The event was described as a “chic display of

natural masculine charm.”

Charles, no stranger to the international stage, since he was the face of the logo for Carifesta X in 2008; said he was privileged to showcase his skills in dance in coun-

tries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname, French Guiana and The United States of America.

Charles is known as the ‘Dare of Dance’.

Venturing into the world of fashion in 2005, he participated in the Super Model Search, and in 2006, he participated in the Shabeau Face off where he placed 1st runner-up. In 2008 he participated in Guyana Model Search and placed 3rd runner-up; an experience that didn’t deter his drive. In 2012, he tried it once more and captured the 2nd runner-up spot.

The talented young man also participated internationally in the Mr Tourism United Nations Pageant in Jamaica and captured the 1st runner-up position. He was awarded a prize for the Best Male Dancer.

Region Nine Chairman Bryan Allicock

they no longer have confidence in him to administer the affairs of the region.

The Councillors related that they agreed to the renovation of a building for use as the nurses’ hostel annex; however, the REO disagreed, stating that there would be a visit by Minister Joseph Harmon and other officials from the Ministry of the Presidency and that the building would be used for presidential visits from time to time.

The Councillors further explained that the REO subsequently had the building renovated and told the staff that the President would be staying there, forcing them to work overtime in order to prepare it for the Head of State’s visit.

However, much to everyone's dismay, the REO moved into the building after furnishing it with five air conditioning systems, among other luxuries.

It was further revealed that Parker removed the Chairman’s Confidential Secretary and transferred the individual to another position without consultation.

The RDC also revealed that on several occasions, the REO refused to provide the Chairman with fuel to conduct his duties, leaving him with no other alternative but to use his personal finances to purchase fuel to facilitate a meeting with the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister on January 23.

“As a result, the Regional Chairman’s Office cannot fulfil outreaches within his work programme, especially this time of the year, where the Regional Chairman needs to meet the constituents to discuss the drought situation,” the Councillors revealed.

According to a memo issued by the REO, dated January 4, 2016, under the subject ‘Misuse of Government assets’, it read “in view of the above, I am constrained to issue fuel to your vehicle for trips around Lethem only. The situation will remain

Region Nine REO Carl Parker

until I am convinced that fuel uplifted will benefit the people and not any political party.”

It has been alleged that the REO frequents Parashara late at nights to meet with a member of the Regional Tender Board which the Council deems a conflict of interest and abuse of State assets and resources.

The Council has also alleged that there is evidence of his frequent visits to the said village late at nights. “Although he refused to issue fuel to the Office of the Regional Chairman, he makes these frequents visits in the wee hours of the morning,” a correspondence from the RDC stated. It was further related that on January 29, the REO reduced the fuel allocation of some Councillors and disapproved for others, while all of the APNU/AFC Councillors were granted sufficient fuel to conduct their activities.

“This is affecting the Amerindian Village Council where a village vehicle assisted with transporting a patient from Karasabai on the 27th January, 2016 and no fuel was reimbursed to the village... the Village Council had expended its own finances with the hope of fuel reimbursement. The said vehicle was loaded up with the drugs for the Karasabai sub district which is the responsibility of the Regional Health Administration and he refused to give the Village Council the fuel to assist with transportation of the patient and the drugs,” the Councillors explained.

Alleged sexual harassment

Allegations were also made that Parker has been making advancements towards a female staff, and as such, the Chairman stated that “the REO needs to know that he is the servant of the RDC and has to carry out the decisions made by the RDC. We are an elected body and a small Parliament of Region Nine.”

It was also explained that at the sixth statutory meeting of the RDC on January 29, the Chairman outlined these issues while explaining that the RDC is not functioning as it should.

In response, the REO refused to provide updates on the affairs of the region and walked out of the RDC boardroom along with his programme managers in a very hostile manner before the Chairman adjourned the meeting. This was deemed a gross disrespect to the dulyelected regional Councillors of the RDC, and as such, the RDC is requesting that an investigation be launched into these matters.

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SunDAY, january 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Region 10 Children’s Costume Competition

Calypso and dramatic poetry set the stage T

he annual Children’s Costume Competition is off to an exciting start in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice), with the hosting of the Calypso and Dramatic Poetry segment on Friday.

The stage was set at the Lichas Hall, Mackenzie, as the event, hosted by the Region’s Department of Education got into full gear.

It saw participation from all levels of the school system in full view of a welcoming audience. Held under the theme for Mashramani observances this year, ‘Celebration of Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty’, the skilful participants showcased no difference in their display.

In her opening remarks, Primary Deputy Education Officer (DEO), Shivon Greene-Brewster said the event creates the ideal platform for students at the various levels, with an opportunity for the display of various talents.

Stealing the show in the Nursery Dramatic poetry segment was the Half Mile Primary School, with a performance by Chrisanta Branche, entitled ‘Oil in Guyana’.

Meanwhile, Pine Street Nursery’s Akeela Beckles placed 2nd with ‘Guyanese Craze’, followed by Renacia

A student performs in the Calypso segment

Jones of Blueberry Hill Nursery who came in 3rd with her performance titled ‘Guyana for we’.

In the 5-7 years dramatic poetry category One Mile Primary came out victorious, followed by the Watooka Day Primary in 2nd place. The calypso segment was also won by the One Mile Primary, as Stephanna Perry put on a thrilling performance with ‘Try your best’. Second Place was copped by Watooka Day Primary’s Nathaniel Pellew with ‘Na badda mi’.

Then it was down to the 8-10 years poetry category which saw the Watooka Day Primary emerging as victor.

Marquise Benjamin’s performance of ‘Is wa going on?’ earned the first place spot.

Coomacka Primary came in second with ‘Guyana my country’, performed by Roshanna Torres.

Meanwhile the Calypso segment was won by the One Mile Primary, with Merissa Neptune’s performance of ‘Celebration Time’. Second place position was copped by the Wismar Hill Primary as Anna McAlmont performed ‘Better days’.

The 11-13 years dramatic poetry segment saw victory by the One Mile Primary with a performance

by Curtdac Nestor entitled ‘Suicidal’. Second place po-

sition was won by Amelia’s Ward Primary’s Andrea Fraser’s ‘A message da youth’.

The Calypso segment saw the New Silvercity Secondary emerging victorious with a performance by crowd favourite Akaila Handy entitled ‘Look around.’ Harmony Secondary came in second place with Tyrese Johnson’s performance of ‘Eating competition’.

In the 14-17 years dramatic poetry segment New Silvercity Secondary’s Shellon Marshall’s performance of ‘Where is your plan?’ came in first, followed by the Christiansburg Wismar Secondary School’s rendition of ‘Suicide made my mama cry’ performed by Ashley Sands.

The Calypso segment saw New Silvercity Secondary on top once again with Shisara James’s performance of ‘A mother’. That was followed by the Mackenzie High School in second place with Stephan Alexander’s performance of ‘Bring back d old time method’.

The Region’s Junior and Senior poetry and calypso competitions will continue at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground on February 4. It will be hosted with the dance, physical and costume displays and masquerade.

Ambassadors implementing Student Development Programme

T

he six Guyanese students who travelled to the United States (US) in August 2015, as participants of the US Embassy’s Youth Ambassador Programme, Caribbean 2015 have recently been implementing their Student Development Programme, and are using the opportunity to raise suicide awareness among students through drama and interaction.

Participant Ashraf Dabie explained that the Guyanese Youth Ambassadors as well as participants from five other Caribbean territories including The Bahamas, The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago participated in a three week cultural exchange in the United States.

This programme, he related, focused on leadership and civic engagement in which students received both theory and practical.

Upon completion, the Youth Ambassadors returned to their countries with the responsibility of implementing a project as recompense for the generously sponsored opportunity.

“As such, team Guyana designed a project aimed at

The Youth Ambassadors and their mentors who are currently implementing the Student Development Programme

developing the students of secondary schools outside the capital city, Georgetown, in an attempt to reduce the inequality and lack of participation as well as performance that plague the junior secondary schools in Guyana.

The Student Development Programme is a four-dimensional approach that includes getting better facilities through advocacy, generating extracurricular activities, giving career guidance and inherently growing student mentorship and involvement in the targeted schools,” he ex-

plained.

The project was launched in October 2015 and the first phase which encompasses research, workshops, practical sessions and feedback is expected to be completed by August.

The project is currently being implemented at two schools, the Hope Secondary and the West Demerara simultaneously as they are both junior secondary with evidence of potential.

The Youth Ambassadors expressed that it is their belief their project can assist in the holistic development of these and that the Project

will yield positive result such as an improvement in performances.

The students are also using the opportunity to spread suicide prevention awareness among the students of these schools as a means of tackling the growing issue.

He explained that initially, the project was focused on improving student participation and advocacy, however, as the need arose they increased their focus on suicide prevention by teaching the students ways to tackle depression as well as the other factors of suicide.

THE

Nothing new for Amerindians this year

O

ne would have expected that the 2016 annual budget presentation which Finance Minister Winston Jordan read to the House Friday, would have been heavily marked by innovative ideas representing the coalition’s famous 2015 Election campaign slogan of “change”.

Unfortunately, the deception became increasingly Anna Correia palpable as the Minister dug deeper and deeper with a monotonous voice into what appeared to be a rehash of programmes and projects, developed or drafted under the previous administration.

The $4 billion allocated for hinterland development is demonstrative of a complete absence of vision and fresh ideas from the Amerindian leadership of the coalition. For instance, one would think that the entire plan to assist communities in developing and evaluating projects as well as conducting risk analyses, was entirely inspired from the GRIF Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) which is currently ongoing. Does this mean that the UNDP-partnered ADF Project has failed, or is it that communities will be benefitting from support for new projects?

Hinterland scholarships, school uniform and infrastructural upgrades are also part of the budget. Perhaps the only item which could be applauded is the provisioning of a new dormitory in Liliendaal for students pursuing tertiary education. The terms “cultural identity” and “social development” were repeated several times as items to which funds were allocated. However, up to now it is uncertain as to what measures will be implemented to ensure that the multicultural identity of Guyana’s indigenous peoples is preserved. What role will the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry play in the “social development” of Amerindians?

Of the six minutes attributed for this $4 billion budget presentation, two minutes were used to quote President Granger’s vision for the hinterland as particular emphasis was placed on his aspiration to foster national unity. The four remaining minutes were a mere run through of what appears to be a rather poor investment in the hinterland, glossed by terms which without substance, remain nothing more than a honeypot.

The move to render national communication networks accessible in the hinterland summoned both interest and scepticism. Extending networks to far flung places such as Parabara in Region 9, or Little Kaniballi in Region 1, would be a most welcomed initiative depending on the quality of information transmitted to indigenous peoples. Yet, after having listened to Minister Jordan’s glorification of President Granger’s vision and “dream”, one cringed at the possibility of national communication networks being used for spreading Government propaganda, or worse yet, for providing misinformation and distorted or one-sided truths.

On the other hand, measures must be enacted to ensure that the type of information transmitted would not contribute to further cultural erosion and contamination of our indigenous patrimony and heritage.

No mention was made of if special channels would be opened up to allow for programmes accentuated by indigenous cultures and languages, or even, of the possibility of employing hosts who speak indigenous languages. If there is indeed a desire to “bridge divide” as Minister Jordan stated, then the preservation of indigenous cultural identities must be at the heart of any telecommunications project intended for the hinterland.

Other sectors in the budget presentation focused on building on the previous administration’s policies such as investing in sewing machines, Information and Communication Technologies including for the hinterland, as well as alleviating transportation costs for hinterland residents.

Ironically, this last point contradicts the new rule made by the Regional Executive Officer of Region 9, Carl Parker, to stop supplying fuel to school children and patients in the Region.

It is widely believed that this budget – the largest to have ever laid the pockets of Guyanese Government – is deprived of vision and focuses on “bling” rather than sustainable investments, particularly in the case of Amerindian development where no significant change is foreseen in the next year.

The issue of Amerindian land titling, crucial for the autonomous development of Amerindian communities, was not once mentioned in the budget presentation.

Minister Jordan’s skeletal presentation on what’s in store for Amerindian development this year is merely reflective of the laid back attitude of the leadership at the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, fostered by a Minister who was known to have much bark but has proven to have no bite.

18 news

SunDAY, January 31, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Vehicle tax reductions, import ban

Small businesses could collapse ... civil society expected more stimuli, slashing of key taxes ... Minibus, hire car fares will go up

By Edward Layne

T

he budgetary measure announced by Finance Minister Winston Jordan to reduce excise tax on imported used vehicles not older than four years in an attempt to reduce the number of aged vehicles on the country’s roads will bring little or no real benefits to low- and middle-income earners.

This is according to several dealers and importers who spoke with Guyana Times under the condition of anonymity out of fear of victimization.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan during his presentation Friday, said as part of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s measures in support of its programme of 'greening' the economy and protecting the environment, announced the removal of excise tax on vehicles under four years old and 1500cc.

Currently, these vehicles attract excise tax at the rate of 30% and an effective tax rate of 118.7 per cent and according to the Minister, with this removal, the effective tax rate will be reduced to 68.2 per cent.

“The reduction of excise tax from 50 per cent to 10 per cent on motor vehicles under four years old, between 1500cc and under 2000cc. As a result, the effective tax rate of 152.3 per cent will be reduced to 85 per cent. Restriction of the importation of used and/or re-conditioned vehicles to under eight years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation.

This restriction shall be enforced from May 1, 2016,” the Minister said.

According to Japanese used car website www. tradecarview.com a 2011 Toyota Allion costs approximately $4.7 million without taxes to be shipped to Guyana and with a tax of 68.2 per cent as is outlined by the government, the final cost of the vehicle is approximately $7.9 million.

Currently a used Toyota Allion 2007/2008 is sold here for approximately $3.2 million.

Several auto dealers commenting on this budget measure have condemned the move as anti-business and anti-development, noting that this “bizarre” move will not benefit the majority of Guyanese who will go for a low-end foreign-used car, older than eight years, which will cost an average of $3.1 million including taxes.

Auto dealers’ outrage One auto dealer said the proposal will only

benefit the upper-middle class: “The average man, who buys a car, in majority of the cases, would take a loan from the bank and sometimes they are hardly able to get that loan of maybe $2.5 million or $3 million. So I don’t know how the government expect these people to be able to get a loan now for $7 million and $8 million. This I believe is to benefit friends and supporters and not the poorer people.”

Another dealer said while Government is talking about growing the country and jumpstarting the economy, it is in the same breath putting systems in place that will significantly dent the local auto industry, one which has made significant strides over the years.

“I am surprise they saying that the economy is struggling and they will put a stimulus in the budget to help the business community (but) low and behold this restriction on the age of used car importation. If we have to bring these cars which are so expensive, what will we sell them for, we will not make a profit and people will not be able to buy them. This decision will only kill this car business,” another dealer said, as he expressed frustration at what he termed “jumbie economics” being practised by the Government.

Other dealers have accused government of satisfying the interest of a selected few, particularly those who are dealers in new vehicles.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo during a news conference shortly after budget presentation said the ban on the importation of vehicles eight years and older will completely deny the poorer class of Guyanese from enjoying the luxury of owning a vehicle.

“Vehicles beyond eight years now will be banned, so a lot of vehicles that are coming into this country, they older and cost a bit more in foreign currency for the country because they are not as efficient etc, they are a bit more polluting, but at least a section of our population that is maybe middle income, lower middle income, poor can still afford something to drive, now they are not going to be able to with the banning of vehicles that are eight years old,” Jagdeo said Used tyres As if to rub salt into the wounds of having to purchase newer vehicles at exorbitant costs, Minister Jordan gave notice of intent by government to ban the importation of used

A 2007 Toyota Allion currently costs about $3.2 million

tyres and to reduce taxes on new tyres to encourage their use.

“This ban will be put into effect as soon as some procedural hurdles are cleared,” Jordan said.

This publication visited a few dealers in new tyres to get an idea of the comparative prices for the most commonly used new and used tyres.

A new 185/65 R14 tyre used on cars costs an average of $18,000 without tax and about $23,000 with tax, while a used tyre of the same specification costs an average of $4000.

It is important to note that the announcement by government is a mere reduction in the taxes and not a complete removal.

But, even in the case of a complete removal, a new tyre is more than 400 per cent more expensive that a

used tyre.

This publication spoke with a dealer of both new and used tyres who revealed that just about 5-7 per cent of the vehicles in Guyana use new tyres, highlighting cost as the factor.

Jagdeo, commenting on this measure said the banning of used tyres will significantly put at a disadvantage hundreds of poor Guyanese as well as many businesses could be forced out of operation. .“Just imagine banning used tyres, how many people will be able to afford new tyres now? Most of the tyres that are used in our system are used tyres. From a safety perspective you need to properly look at the quality of the used tyers, but when you ban them completely you are transferring money

A 2011 Toyota Allion will cost about $7.9 million in Guyana after the Government’s announced excise tax reduction

New tyres at a city dealership

into the pockets of the few people who are importing new tyres and you taking money out of the pockets of ordinary people who can only afford used tyres for

their vehicle, so the cost of four new tyres, if you have to put on your vehicle, will be probably about 10-15% of the cost of acquisition of your vehicle,” Jagdeo said.

Local Government and you – Part 2 Dear Editor, Last Tuesday, January26, 2016, was nominations day for the Local Government Elections (LGE), scheduled for March 18, 2016. It was the approved date of submission for the Lists with respect to the Nominations of Candidates for the Proportional Representation and the Constituency components, to the respective Returning Officers in all the specific Municipalities and/or Neighbourhood Democratic Councils.

As indicated in previous articles of this commentator, the continued bungling and incompetence by Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), will seemingly not be halted, as the administrators of this critical organisation demonstrates unabatedly, their lack of competency. How much more deficient can they prove to be? How long more should these inefficient practices be tolerated?

Having regard to critical deadlines, which have to be met, and reasonable expectation of the timely release of supporting Official documents to support the nomi-

nations by contesting parties, this nation must be told that the Official Register of Voters for the 2016 Local Government Elections was not available to the people on Saturday, January 23, 2016.

This Official Register of Voters is by law, supposed to be made available to all interested stakeholders, in order for them to be able to accurately prepare their list of Candidates and to guide in ensuring that the relevant and correct persons were on the backers list. This Official Register of Voters by law was supposed to be in the public domain before the preparation of the specific Proportional Representation list, the Constituency list and the various lists of backers. GECOM’s failure to release this Register of Voters to the Public is a deliberate ploy to cause confusion and create problems for the interesting Contestants in this up-coming LGE. It is our strongest belief that GECOM hierarchy is in collusion with APNU/ AFC to derail this Local Government Elections.

GECOM headed by the controversial Dr. Surujbally,

must know that 14 days after the Claims and Objection period is completed, the revised list of voters must be available to the public. Further, GECOM being the responsible body, must be aware that 21 days after the Commission makes available this revised list of electors, the general public as well as all contesting parties and interest groups, is supposed to receive and have access to the Official Register of Voters.

The fact is that Dr Surujbally and his team of’ Confusions ‘are fully aware of these requirements, and they failed to comply is a clear statement to all and sundry, that they are not ready for the 2016 Local Government Elections. It is of note that to date, no public statement from the Commission has been forthcoming as regard to these anomalies.

The Official Register of Voters had to be completed before the preparation of the Discipline Services Voters List. Hence, the nonsense that was now told that the Register of Voters was not completed is utter hogwash.

The Guyanese people must

not tolerate this 'pig in bag' answer by GECOM as a remonstration of their incompetence, which plays along with their deliberate inefficient publicity apparatus.

Dr Surujbally and GECOM’s performance and un-readiness to run these 2016 Local Government Elections, is a recipe for disaster for our nation with very serious consequences. All was not well on Nomination Day. The GECOM staff that I had to work with was pretty good and polite. However, I am receiving numerous complaints from around the country about several issues. GECOM staff seems to be an issue. Further, the ten dollar revenue stamps were also an issue. GECOM failed to give proper guidance to the public.

As the people get into the real LGE mood it is imperative that GECOM will have to be better prepared for the challenges. Let’s work together for a successful Local Government Elections.

Regards, Neil Kumar along with Mr S and Mr A

SunDAY, january 31, 2016

WICB/PCL 4-day cricket…

19

GCB/Banks DIH Ltd/Digicel NSSCL…

Guyana Jaguars Combine Elite Phases training back in camp sessions start on Tuesday A from Monday

The Guyana Jaguars will look to replicate their outstanding form from the first half of the tournament when action resumes in February

By Avenash Ramzan

A

fter a flawless performance in the first half of the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day competition, Guyana Jaguars will look to replicate that same form heading into the final stage, starting in February.

The second half of the Four-day competition will commence on February 11, but the Guyana Jaguars’ match against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the National Stadium at Providence, will start a day later.

After a break following the completion of the NAGICO Super50, the players will assemble on Monday for the preparatory camp, with sessions slated for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda. A three-day practice match will also start on Tuesday.

When the Guyana Jaguars and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force clashed in early December at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago, the Guyana Jaguars prevailed by an innings and 49 runs with seamer Christopher Barnwell and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul claiming five-wicket hauls and opener Assad Fudadin scoring a hundred.

Guyana Jaguars are leading the points table after a perfect record in the first five matches, winning

all by comprehensive margins. They currently sit on 85 points, 22 more than second place Barbados Pride.

Jamaica Scorpions are third on 53 points, followed

by Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (37), Windward Islands Volcanoes (29) and Leeward Islands Hurricanes (13).

Playing their first three matches at home, the Guyana Jaguars defeated Windward Islands Volcanoes by 104 runs, Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 35 runs, and Barbados Pride by nine wickets. In the two away matches to close off the first half of the tournament, the Leon Johnsonled team whipped Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by an innings and 49 runs, and Jamaica Scorpions by 117 runs.

After being knocked out at the semi-finals of the NAGICO Super50 just over a week ago, Head Coach Esaun Crandon said he would urge his players to “refocus and regroup” as they head into the final phase of the Four-day competition, fully energised for the task at hand.

With a perfect slate of five victories from five games, the Guyana Jaguars are primed to repeat as champions, after they took championship honours in the 2014/2015 season with a performance of a similar nature. (aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)

s the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Banks DIH Limited/Digicel National Secondary Schools Cricket League (NSSCL) continues, players with outstanding performances and those who demonstrated good promise, have been earmarked by the selection committee of the league for training.

These training sessions will be used to select Combine Elite Teams to represent North Georgetown and East Georgetown in the Combine Elite Phase of the NSSCL. North Georgetown, East Georgetown and South Georgetown will play each other in the Inter-zone phase of the competition.

The Georgetown Inter-zone phase will be used to select a Georgetown District team to play other Districts in the League.

The training sessions to select the North Georgetown and East Georgetown 14man squads and six reserve players will commence on Tuesday at the GNIC ground on Woolford Avenue.

Sessions will be conducted by National Academy Coaches, Michael Franco and Clive Grimmond, and Georgetown Coach Edward Nicholls, with assistance from NSSCL umpires Randy Latiff and Andre Hurry. All training sessions will be held between 09:00h and 15:00h.

The players called for training with a view of selection are: North Georgetown Zone: Devin Shivraj, Mark Ramsammy (School Of the Nations), Herod Moonsamy (Saints Stanislaus College), Dodson Greaves (St Roses), Eric Singh, Michael Pooran, Kempton David (Brickdam Secondary), Romeo Brown (Tucville Secondary), A. Singh (Business School) David Sears, Sachin Ramroop (Bishops), Alphius Boodie, Aaron Beharry, Jonior Phillips (Christ Church), Enos Braitwaite (St Mary’s), Avinesh Boodram, Aditya Prasad, Anthony Singh, Brandon Jaikaran, Clarence Baird, Ronaldo McGowan, Navindra Persaud, Andrew Parshad (Queen’s College), Reaz Ally, Lionel Holder, Omar Hurry, Christopher

Campbell, Mark Baptist, Euan Blair, Odide Douglas (Central High School), Joshua Persaud, Dwain Alder, Ashmaed Nedd, Kirk Lovell, Godfrey Phillips, Shemar Bornehit (Chase Academy), Riche Stuart, Sachin Singh, Qumar Torrington (Charlestown Secondary), Entini Permaul, Selah Thomson and Joel Black (St Georges).

East Georgetown Zone: Kishaun Tracy, Asif Daniels, David Marshall, Ameer Singh, Reshawn Clementson, Adrian Hackett, Zachariah Mootoo, Danesh Ally, Azarodeen Khan, Paul D’Andrade, De Andre Springer, Kevin Baldeo, Suresh Jairam, Dexter Bobb-Semple (St Joseph High School),

Michael Franco

Reon Rodrigues, Brandon Matthews, Joel Spooner, Christian Hamilton, Devon Allen (Tutorial High School), Nkosi Beaton, Daniel Paul

and Afelie Henry (North Georgetown Secondary).

A selected number of Queenstown Secondary School students will also attend the sessions.

Meanwhile, the North Georgetown zone will train on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as February 8, while the East Georgetown zone will train on Thursday and Friday, as well as February 9.

The 50-over Inter-zone Combine Elite match between North Georgetown and East Georgetown will be played on February 12 from 09:00h at the Everest Cricket Club ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The winner will then play the South Georgetown zone on February 19 at the same venue, also from 09:00h.

20

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, january 31, 2016

CFU Championships…

GCA’s Trophy Stall, GISC and Star Party Rentals cricket…

Golden Jaguars Savory and Squires put DCC in firm control against MSC commence training today A

By Akeem Greene

Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson is back in the reckoning after an impressive showing in the Genesis phase of the Stag Elite League

G

uyana’s senior national men’s football team, the Golden Jaguars, are now one step closer to competing at the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) Men’s Caribbean Cup Championships, scheduled for March 21-29.

The Jaguars will commence training sessions today at the Guyana Defence Force ground, as they prepare to compete in the championship. Today’s session will start at 16:00h.

Training will continue into the new week and both players and officials are eager to get started. The squad of local based players has been selected from several of the Elite clubs, which contested the Genesis phase of the Stag Elite League.

One notable inclusion is Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson, who was a standout performer for Pele in the Genesis phase. The playmaker, who is Guyana’s only MLS player, has been overlooked for national duties for the past few years.

The squad reads: Alex Murray, Dorville Stewart, Solomon Austin, Joshua Brown, Colin Nelson, Sherwin Skeete, William Europe, Andrew Murray, Dwain Jacobs, Dellon Lanferman, Anthony Benfield, Kester Jacobs, Vurlon Mills, Dominic Garnett, Devon Millington, Jermaine Sommerset, Mark McLean, Konata Manning, Travis Grant, Gregory Richardson, Alwyn McDonald, Kevin Cottoy, Linden Pickett, Delwyn Fraser, Dwain Lindie and Eon Alleyne.

The officials are Jamaal Shabazz (Head Coach),

Wayne Dover (Assistant Coach), Rawle Adams (Team Manager), Faizal Khan (Player/Press Liaison Officer), Andrew Hazel (Goalkeeper Coach), Anson Ambrose (Trainer), Beverly Nelson (Physiotherapist), Trevor Burnett (Equipment Manager) and Earl Paul (Equipment Officer).

“The GFF wishes the team successful practice sessions as they start preparations to represent us, and hopes the rest of Guyana is as excited as the GFF,” the GFF said in a statement on Saturday.

sparkling 104 from wicketkeeper/batsmen Kemol Savory, backed up by another splendid bowling performance from off-spinner Dennis Squires, has given the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) full control of their match against Maltenoes Sports Club (MSC) in the Georgetown Cricket Association’s (GCA) First Division two-day competition.

Playing at the Malteenoes ground, DCC were inserted to take first strike and they surged to 378-7 declared. DCC lost opener Brian Sattaur without scoring, but the pair of Sherfane Rutherford (44) and Kevon Boodie (24) featured in a 63run partnership to take the score to 76-2 with some aggressive batting.

However, once the two were dismissed, Jahron Byron and Savory provided the highlight of DCC’s innings with an eye-catching fourth wicket partnership of 158. When the right-handed Byron fell for 79, Derwin Christian came to crease and tore into the attack of the Thomas land side, as he made a quick-fire 94 and dominated a 113-run fifth wicket partnership with Savory. Pacer Darien Best with figures of 4-86 from 14 overs was the pick of the MSC bowlers.

When MSC took to the crease just after tea, drama unfolded as the host lost seven wickets with just 25 runs on the board. The innings got off to a horrible start as opener Joseph Cupidore was run out without scoring and soon after Marcus Watkins went without scoring as well to fast bowler Carlton

Kemol Savory (left) and Jahron Byron

Shawn Massiah

Jacques.

It was then over to Squires, who ripped through the middle-order, bowling with great control and flight.

MSC still trail by 353 runs with three wickets heading into the final day’s play today.

At Police, Transport Sports Club (TSC) and the home team are engaged in an enticing game. Batting first, Police were bowled out for 134 from 29.2 overs, with Corwin Austin (27) and Stephan Harris (15) being the leading scorers.

Shawn Massiah was the star with the ball, taking 5-29 with his medium-pace, while Devon Nandan picked up 4-43.

In response, TSC made 168 all out, as most of their batsmen got into the 20s, but failed to carry on as former national Under-19 fast bowler Keon Morris top scored with 30. Batting a second time, Police reached 83-5 with Nandan picking up three wickets.

At the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, University of Guyana (UG)

spinner Haymant Persaud, who claimed 7-18, including a helmet-trick, as only opener Abdool Raheem with 38 had any answers for the misery Persaud caused with the ball. UG enforced the follow-on, and GYO reached 33-2 by the close, still 181 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat. The tournament is sponsored by the Trophy Stall, GISC and Star Party Rentals.

Melroy Stephenson (left) and Haymant Persaud

made 302 all out and then shot out Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) for a paltry 88.

UG’s batting was led by opener Melroy Stephenson, who made a well composed 80. He received handy support from Pravindralall Persaud (37). Trevon France with 4-58 led the bowling for GYO. When GYO took the crease they were undone by

Cameron gives regional Unity Cricket tournaments passing grade softball

T

he domestic Four-day and Super50 cricket leagues have been given a passing grade by Dave Cameron, President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Speaking on the Good Morning Joe-Joe Sports Show on OBSERVER radio, Cameron highlighted the emergence of young talent, such as fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, from the Leeward Islands, and Shimron Hetmyer, of Guyana, as proof of the success of the tournaments.

“I am actually convinced that we are getting better. Despite the conversation about pitches, which is something that we continue to work on, I think we had some reasonable [scores].

We had new players coming forward and so from where

we sit we are reasonably happy,” he said.

“Obviously we have to look at the format for next year and we are happy that we are able to host so many games this year, which was a major achievement for us, and we hope to at least have those minimum games next year,” he added.

Successes aside, however, Cameron said there is always room for improvement.

One of those, he assured, will be the quality of pitches available for the competition’s next cycle, which begins later this year.

“It’s always going to be challenging to play so many games in a short space of time using four grounds [Jamaica, Trinidad, St Kitts and Barbados]. Clearly the pitches deteriorate as the tournament goes on, so go-

ing forward we need to look at that [issue], but pitches in general continues to be a challenge for us,” the WICB boss said.

“We do have Ken Grafton, who goes around trying to ensure we have quality pitches, but it comes back down to the curators that are on the spot and some of our government partners to ensure that we have quality wickets,” he added.

This year’s Super50 competition was also bolstered by the inclusion of a number of top cricketers in the region, including Test and limited overs captain Jason Holder.

Holder’s Barbados Pride lost in the Super50 final to defending champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 72 runs. (windiescricket)

Demerara batsman Ramo Malone attempts a sweep shot against a Berbice bowler at the Unity Cricket softball match on Saturday at the National Stadium, Providence. Up to press time, the mega showdown between Legacy All Stars and 007 Warriors was still in progress. Details of that match in Monday’s edition (Marceano

Narine photo)

sports

YELLOW PAGES

ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016…

sunday, january 31, 2016

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India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka through to quarter-finals L

eg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane’s 5-27, which included a hattrick, set up Nepal Under-19s’ eight-wicket win over Ireland Under-19s, taking the side into the quarter-finals.

Ireland opted to bat first and found their openers back in the pavilion by the 18th over with the score at 42-2.

Lamichhane then stepped up to carve out the middle-order.

He dismissed Gary McClintock in his first spell before returning to take a hat-trick in the 32nd over. Lorcan Tucker was caught out at midwicket off the fourth ball of the over; Lamichhane then had Adam Dennison caught behind and bowled Fiachra Tucker for a duck to complete his hat-trick.

He took the wicket of William McClintock in his next over to complete his five-for reducing Ireland to a hapless 837. Harry Tector’s unbeaten 30 pushed the Ireland score past 100 to a total of 131-9.

Lamichhane’s feat was the 12th instance of a hat-trick in Under-19 ODIs and fifth in the Under-19 World Cup. Nepal needed 25.3 overs to wrap up the chase. They lost opener Sandeep Sunar off the first ball of the innings.

Yogendra Singh Karki’s unbeaten 61 and his unbroken, 77-run partnership for the third wicket with Aarif Sheikh sealed the win.

India Under-19s joined Nepal in the quarter-finals after a comprehensive 120run win over New Zealand Under-19s in Mirpur. Fast bowler Avesh Khan made the key strikes for India, picking up the first four wickets to leave New Zealand 16-4 chasing 259. There was no way back for New Zealand, and they were eventually bowled out as early as the 32nd over, with left-arm spinner Mahipal Lomror grabbing a five-wicket

India’s Sandeep Lamichhane collected 5-27

haul. Lomror also contributed a handy 45 with the bat.

Sent in to bat, India slipped to 19-2 before Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan put them back on track with an 89run stand for the third wicket. Pant made 57 off 83 balls, and Sarfaraz was beginning to look dangerous with a series of boundaries all around the ground when he fell for 74 (80b, 9x4s) in the 34th over, leaving India 156 -4. It was 165-5 soon after, but sensible batting from Armaan Jaffer (46) and Lomror steered India to a total of 258-8.

Captain Charith Asalanka’s fine all-round display led Sri Lanka Under-19s to a closely-fought 33-run win against Afghanistan Under19s in Sylhet to book their place in the quarter-finals.

After opting to bat, Sri Lanka were given a solid 48run opening stand by their openers before wickets fell in clumps, and were soon reduced to 96-5. Asalanka then combined with Wanidu Hasaranga to form a crucial 62-run partnership. However, another bunch of wickets fell soon after and they were bowled out for 184 in the 49th over. Offspinner Shamsurrahman was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 10-3-19-3.

Afghanistan lost Naveed Obaid early in the chase, but Karim Janat (40) and captain Ihsanullah (23) brought the in-

nings back on course. At 662, Afghanistan were firmly in the contest. Thereafter, Sri Lanka regularly chipped away at the wickets, and suddenly Afghanistan were tottering at 91-6, only to be ultimately bowled out for 151 in the 45th over. Waheedullah Shafaq topscored with a run-a-ball 47. All bowlers picked up at least one wicket, with Kamindu Mendis claiming three.

Three wickets from Hasan Khan and an unbeaten 89 from Zeeshan Malik helped Pakistan Under-19s to a seven-wicket win over Canada Under-19s and a place in the quarter-finals. Zeeshan opened the batting and saw Pakistan home as they chased down a target of 179 with 9.1 overs remaining. Zeeshan faced 122 balls, hit nine fours and a six, and shared partnerships of 51 with Gauhar Hafeez (20) for the first wicket and 108 with Saif Badar (44) for the third.

Choosing to bat first, Canada had a couple of promising top-order stands, with Bhavindu Adhihetty (51 off 82) adding 60 for the second wicket with Amish Taploo (28) and 49 with captain Abraash Khan for the fourth wicket. But the wickets fell steadily thereafter, even as Abraash hung on at one end, and he was ninth out for a 65-ball 44 as Canada were bowled out for 178, with left-arm spinner Hasan finishing with figures of 3-36. (Cricinfo)

Rivals clash in Anamayah memorial basketball today

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Kevin Deolall

Sean Smith

Steve Roopnarine

ction is set to resume today in the third edition of the Anamayah memorial basketball competition when defending champions, Rose Hall Jammers, take on arch-rivals Canje Knights at the Area ‘H’ ground.

Both teams will be having their first taste of the tournament this year. When the two teams last met in May 2015, the Knights outplayed the Jammers 60-40 at the Fyrish Court. That game was in the MPG Packaging Plant tournament.

Both teams are seemingly evenly matched with the

Knights counting on their three-point specialist, Steve Roopnarine, along with Travis Sutton, while the Jammers will be counting on Kevin Deolall and Sean Smith.

Meanwhile, Ithaca Hardliners gained a walkover from Hopetown Stealers after the latter failed to show for their encounter last Sunday at the Ithaca Basketball Court.

Eight teams are participating in this year’s tournament, competing in two groups. Group A consists of Black Sharks, Rose Hall, Rose Hall Town Jammers and Canje Knights, while Group

B comprises New Amsterdam Warriors, Smithfield Rockers, Ithaca Hardliners and Hopetown Stealers.

The Jammers are the defending champions.

At stake in the competition are cash and other incentives for the winning and runner-up teams. The tournament will be played on a round-robin basis with the top two teams in each group advancing to the semi-final round.

The tournament is being sponsored by Anamayah Memorial Hospital, and is being organised by basketball enthusiast, Vibert Garnett.

22

guyanatimesGY.com

sundAY, january 31, 2016

Milo U-20 Schools Football…

School of the Nations, Bishops’ highlight third day action

By T reiston J oseph

S

chool of the Nations found themselves in winner’s row on Saturday when action in the Milo Under-20 Schools Football tournament continued at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

School of the Nations toppled Central High School 2-0 to mark their first win of the tournament in comfortable fashion. Lyndon Dorway scored both goals for Nations with strikes in the 13th and 47th minutes, as the Central lads were unable to stay focused defensively.

While Nations played fluent football, they seem-

ingly lacked a bit of chemistry with a few wayward passes.

However, Central could not capitalise and failed to give Nations a competitive push in the match.

Bishops’ High School also grabbed their first win of the tournament with a 2-1 success over South Ruimveldt.

Lloyd Anderson scored the game’s first goal for Bishops’ in the 37th minute, as both teams played a physical brand of football with the first half ending 1-0. South Ruimveldt would equalise after a brilliant build up in the attacking third that resulted in Adrian Aaron scoring in the 69th

minute.

However, Tyrese Souvenir would go onto score the game’s winner in the tense and thrilling encounter between the two squads.

The lop-sided game of the day came when Richard Ishmael topped Carmel Secondary 3-0 to win their first game of the tournament. Tamiel Hutson, Isiah Jacks and Closson McLaren were the scorers for Richard Ishmael in the fifth, 30th and 36th minutes respectively.

Meanwhile, Christ Church Secondary got a walkover from Sir Leon Lessons to end the day’s proceedings.

The tournament has produced a high level of competitiveness among the teams

Veteran cyclists injured following training spill

Paul Choo Wee Nam

Andrew Arjoon

Stephen Fernandes

hree veteran cyclists have picked up injuries following a spill during training last week, the Guyana Cycling News website has reported. Paul Choo Wee Nam (Team Alanis), Andrew Arjoon (Team Gillette Evolution) and Stephen Fernandes (Gillette Evolution) were involved in a training accident

on Wednesday. According to information posted on the site, the three were cycling with a group along the Rupert Craig Highway in the vicinity of Plaisance when the incident occurred.

It is understood that the cyclists were riding in wet conditions and one of the riders from the group slid on a painted road mark-

ing, thereby bringing down the three riders. Choo Wee Nam suffered bruised ribs, Arjoon had lacerations to his face, while Fernandes was bruised about his body.

Choo Wee Nam and Arjoon are serving executives of the Guyana Cycling Federation, while Fernandes competes in the veterans category for Team Gillette Evolution.

T

WICB will honour Shiv, says Cameron

V

eteran regional cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be honoured by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

This is according to President Dave Cameron, who has shot down claims that the regional body has no plans to honour the former captain, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket.

“There is a plan to honour Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the best way possible.

Unfortunately, we could not have done this before now because Shiv had indicated he had not retired. When we wanted to do something for him he had indicated this to us,” he said.

“We will now consult with him and figure out the best time to do so, and do so appropriately,” he added.

Chanderpaul, who scored 11, 867 runs in 164 Test and 8,778 ODI runs, announced his retirement from international cricket on January 23.

Meanwhile, Cameron, who was criticised over a tweet about West Indies

WICB president Dave Cameron did not comment much on Chris Gayle’s interview with a female reporter in the Big Bash League

bating star Chris Gayle in February of last year, refused to comment on the player’s “inappropriate” comments to a female reporter during the Australia Big Bash this year.

He revealed however, that the WICB has invested in making sure players are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to conduct interviews.

“This whole professional system that we have embarked on sees our players being caught by the franchises at an early age and

the plan is that once they get into that professional set-up, we are trying to educate them about all that we require them to be as a professional player,” the President said.

“We also have a young lady on staff by the name of Iana Cooper who deals with those particular matters.

She is a personal development manager for the players and so she is in touch with the players all the time trying to help them along that path,” he added. (windi-

escricket)

sundAY, january 31, 2016

guyanatimesGY.com

23

AAG honours top athletes of 2015 T

he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) named its most outstanding athletes of 2015 during an elegant award ceremony on Friday evening at Duke Lodge in Kingston.

Olympian and 400 metres specialist Winston George was named the male athlete of the year, while overseas-based Guyanese, Euleen Josiah-Tanner, copped the female athlete of the year award.

George, who is currently in the United States of American (USA) training for the 2016 Olympics for which he has already qualified for, was unable to attend the event.

George lowered the national 400 metres record twice in 2015 with the last time being at the World Championships, which

Aubrey Hutson

was held in Beijing during August. George clocked 45.25s.

Josiah-Tanner, on the other hand, was Guyana’s top athlete on the road, only losing to Tonya Nero of Trinidad and Tobago at the

South American 10k late last year.

Nevertheless, President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson highlighted that there were both high and low points for the AAG in 2015.

One of the lower points was the fact that the Carifta team selected was unable to travel to the event because of failed flight bookings.

Javelin national record holder, Leslain Baird, who also broke the record last year, was adjudged the runner-up senior male athlete of the year, while Natrena Hooper took the runner-up position on the distaff side.

Other winners at the award ceremony were Andrea Foster (best junior female athlete), Linton Mentis (best junior male), Compton Caesar (best youth male) and Avon Samuels (best youth female).

Narine an important member of limited-over team– Sammy

Sunil Narine

By Akeem Greene

W

est Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy believes his embattled mystery offspinner Sunil Narine is a vital component of the team and much hope lies with the bowler if the regional side is to recapture the World T20 trophy in India.

Sammy, who was speaking to the media operatives on Friday ahead of the Unity Cricket match on Saturday evening, spoke about the team’s prized asset and the impact he has on the game.

“Sunil has been a really important member in our limited-over teams, whether it be T20 or limited-over cricket and especially in India where he has done so well; when Narine comes on, no matter what the rate is, everything slows down,” Sammy explained.

Narine’s tricks add to a potent bowling line-up that comprises number one ranked T20 bowler Samuel Badree.

Quizzed about the prospects of having the spin pair in action, Sammy said, “To have him [Narine] and Badree, number one and two T20 bowlers; so to have that in your squad with the power of [Christopher] Gayle and [Andre] Russell, whose game has just exploded over the last couple years and [Dwayne] Bravo with all the experience, it is just a good team and to have

Darren Sammy

Narine it would be a bigger plus for us.”

Narine was suspended from bowling in international cricket due to an illegal action in November last year. He is expected to undergo testing on his action at Loughborough University in England next month, before confirming his spot on the side.

REGAINING THE T20 TITLE

“I will not stand here and guarantee a title, but I will say if we go out and give our best and if we do that we should come out victorious.”

Those were the words of a confident Sammy, since there is pressure for his team to win the title, considering the formidable line-up.

The Windies enter this year’s T20 World Cup the number one ranked team, and West Indies Cricket Board’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Muirhead has stated that the ranking augers well for the team.

“We are the number one T20 team in the world, so obviously that tag comes with expectations; when we won the T20 World Cup, we were underdogs. We went in to the next World Cup as defending champions and were still underdogs, so I guess it will be a test of strength, but I believe once this group plays to their potential…this team can go out and win the World Cup,” Muirhead said.

He added, “At the end of the day, whether your num-

ber one or number eight, when you go in a tournament you have your goals and so far; the last three or four T20 tournaments we have always gone in looking to win. The fact that we have some of the best players in T20s in our squad, once we could put that out on the park, we have match winners from 1-11, I would even say from 1-15, every single member of the squad is a potential match-winner.”

Having such a fearsome team, it must give a captain the luxury and confidence heading into a tournament of this magnitude.

“As a captain, leading a team out there it gives you the confidence, but you cannot be over confident but you got to take it one game at a time,” Sammy reasoned.

West Indies are in Group One of the Super 10 stage at the World T20, along with England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and a qualifying team from the first round of the tournament. Their first league match will be against England on March 16.

The West Indies squad reads: Darren Sammy (Captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Jerome Taylor. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

Aniqua Powley, Arinze Chance, Matthew McKenzie and Natricia Hooper were the respective runners-up in those four categories.

Sprint sensation, Kenisha Phillips, who became the fastest local female student athlete of all

time at 14-years-old last year, was presented with the most outstanding athlete award because she was too young to be considered for any of the other awards.

Julian Edmonds, who has coached or is coaching the likes of Samuels, Foster,

the Hooper sisters, Phillips and McKenzie, was named Coach-of-the-Year.

During the event, AAG’s president Huston gave a brief overview of the year, while Secretary General of the GOA, Hector Edwards also made brief remarks.

sundAY, january 31, 2016

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

guyanatimesgy.com

AAG honours School of the Nations, top athletes Bishops’ highlight of 2015 third day action Milo U-20 Schools Football…

Page 23

Page 22

Part of the action between Richard Ishmael and Carmel Secondary on Saturday

The top athletes pose with their awards on Friday evening

CFU Championships…

Golden Jaguars commence training today Page 20

WICB will honour Shiv, says Cameron Page 22

The Golden Jaguars are slated to compete in CFU Championships in March

Shivnarine Chanderpaul retired from international cricket on January 23

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