Guyana Times Daily - November 21, 2015

2016 pension book distribution P7 begins on November 23

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2684

Saturday, November 21, 2015

PRICE

19 years delayed

Local Government Elections set for March 18, 2016 PSC concerned about ‘hype’ in crime Page 3

As crime spirals out of control

Page 7

– business community terrified

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P9 Region Two CIIP Coordinator thrown out of office

Govt approves $2.9B in P17 contracts for road works – says contracts will create jobs Neonatal death

P12

GPHC launches investigation

Mother jailed for child P8 neglect URP condemns abuse of P7 State media

Mash 2016 launched P13

The 10th annual Rahaman’s Park light up on Friday evening was one of excitement and awe as the audience was treated to the twinkling of 3000 bulbs and the crackling of fireworks that filled the air, welcoming the Christmas season (Marceano Narine photo)

National unity not an option but a must – Harmon

Page 9

Amaila Falls Hydro “back on front burner” Page 11

Sugar Worker’s API in limbo Page 2

– PPP/C not surprised at – GuySuCo, Union Govt’s back-pedaling differ on quantum

P9 IPED employee on causing death charge jailed

2 news

saturday, november 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

$38M Business Expo launched – “Guy Expo not done and dusted” – Minister Gaskin in the Diaspora – in both Canada and the United States – in an effort to attract foreign investors.

Meanwhile, more than 300 businesses are set to participate in the first-ever Business Exposition, an initiative launched by the Business Ministry this year in the place of GuyExpo – one of the most highly successful trade fairs in the country.

BY AKEEM GREENE

T

he Inaugural Business Exposition being hosted by the Business Ministry was launched on Friday at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, Greater Georgetown, under the theme, “Guyanese Products and Services – Our Gateway Forward”.

The cost of the event will be some $38 million. Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin however indicated that this expo is a collaboration between the Public and Private Sectors.

When question as to whether the business expo will see the end of GuyExpo, Minister Gaskin responded by saying that “all is not dusted with GuyExpo. The Ministry will be looking

Minister Gaskin along with other organisers at the briefing

into avenues to find a way to allow both the GuyExpo and business Expo to coexist.”

Gaskin further said that the difference between GuyExpo and the Business Expo is that the latter focuses on more small busi-

nesses but lack the entertainment package that comes with GuyExpo.

Surprisingly, it was mentioned by organisers that no foreign companies will be participating in the business expo with respect to having boots on display

but rather investing in the expo or financing small businesses.

However, it is a bit strange that foreign business will not be on display, when only recently, Government sent several Ministers to meet persons

Some participating businesses in the first-ever Business Expo include Guyana Agro-Processors Association, Guyana Aquaculture Association, Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association, Guyana Beekeepers Association, Fashion Designers, Children Funland owners, cooperatives, and tourism operatives.

Sugar Worker’s API in limbo – GuySuCo, Union differ on quantum

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

S

ugar workers across the country are now left to wonder what their Annual Production Incentive (API) will be for 2015, and just when they will be able to receive this payment.

Despite the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Agricultural and Workers Union (GAWU) meeting twice this week to discuss and settle the API for 2015, the discussions are in limbo.

On Friday, the union and the sugar entity met but unfortunately the duo could not agree on a fixed quantum for sugar workers’ 2015 API. Guyana Times understands GAWU has proposed five-and-a-half days for the API while GuySuCo has offered two-and-a-half days.

Chairman of GAWU Komal Chand told Guyana Times on Friday evening the sugar corporation again “reinstated” its position on the counter-proposal it put forward to the union and was not showing signs of budging.

“They have not reconsidered what they are offering GAWU for the API. The fact that they haven’t removed from their initial position means that the representatives who were there at the meeting will have to go back to the various estates and inform the workers of what GuySuCo is offering… After this then we at the Union will be able to say what is the way forward,” Chand stated.

He explained that while GAWU and GuySuCo have not yet come to a ‘conclusion’ on this matter, the position taken and maintained by the sugar compa-

GAWU Chairman Komal Chand

ny ‘incensed’ the Union’s delegation present for this second meeting.

Chand posited that although no decision about the 2015 API has been made the sugar corporation has already signalled it will be making the payments in March 2016.

“GuySuCo has said that whatever they have to pay they will pay it next year March… This is highly unusual for them to pay the API for this year until next year. Usually the API for the workers is paid at the end of the last crop of the year,” the GAWU Chairman said.

In light of this position

by GuySuCo to the 2015 API coming against the backdrop of the company being unable to negotiate with the union on its salary/wage increases, it is uncertain how the workers across the sugar belt will respond to the API counter-proposal put forward by the sugar corporation.

It is unclear how the already cash-strapped sugar entity will be able to accumulate enough funds to give sugar workers what it is counter-proposing much more afford to pay what the union is asking. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy. com)

news

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saturday, november 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, November 21 – 13:00h-14:30h and Sunday, November 22 – 14:00h-15:30h The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, November 21 – 12:15h-13:45h and Sunday, November 22 – 13:15h-14:45h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Thundery to light rain showers can be expected throughout the morning, while thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 00:02h and 12:38h reaching maximum heights of 2.36 metres and 2.45 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 06:03h and 18:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.80 metre and 0.76 metre respectively.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

LOTTERY NUMBERS E 01 02 05 15 18 28 16 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

Friday, November 20, 2015

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

19 years delayed

Local Government Elections set for March 18, 2016 G

overnment on Friday announced that the much anticipated Local Government Elections (LGE) will be held on March 18, 2016.

The announcement was made by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan.

LGE, which was last held in 1994, will be conducted across the country in every constituency.

Bulkan said this is an important time in Guyana’s history since Government has declared that Guyanese will have the opportunity to democratically elect Councillors to manage towns and neighbourhoods.

“They are essential because the entire local government system must be rehabilitated and made fully functional. Democratic renewal of local government organs is long overdue,” Bulkan told a room full of journalists at his Kingston office on Friday.

Asked about the readiness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Bulkan informed that the election body currently has a plan that it is working with to most importantly carry out voter education programmes. This, he said, will come underway in the near future.

There are some new features that have been added to the Local Government Elections, including the constituency representation.

This legislation was enacted in 2009 during the ninth Parliament.

Bulkan indicated that the upcoming election will cost more than the recently concluded General and Regional Elections. He explained that this is as a result of the feature of constituency representations.

Guyana has 585 constituencies within the 71 organs, and as such, this means that there will be 585 ballot papers for each constituency. In the General and Regional Elections, only 10 ballot papers were required.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

The logistics, he said, for the holding LGE is much more elaborate than general elections.

He however noted that sufficient financial resources have been made available for this purpose.

Meanwhile, Bulkan stressed that local government is about handing decision-making power to the people to enable them to efficiently and effectively manage their communities.

“It is important because it deals with people’s lives in their communities. Strong local government is at the heart of national development because who wields decision-making power at the municipal and neighbourhood levels directly determine and decide where and how your tax dollars will be used to develop individual communities and ultimately, the nation.”

Minister Bulkan said local governments are mandated by law to provide many essential services, such as improving living conditions, creating jobs in the various local areas, maintaining roads, bridges and other important infrastructure, gar-

bage collection, cleaning of drains, promoting a healthy environment and encouraging citizen involvement in their communities.

The legislation governing local government organs was further strengthened following the local government reform process initiated in the aftermath of the 1997 General Elections and the ensuing menu of measures accompanying the Herdmanston Accord.

The five new pieces of legislation include the Local Authorities Amendment Act of 2009, the Municipal and District Council Amendment Act of 2013, the Fiscal Transfer Act of 2013, the Local Government Commission Act of 2013, and the Local Government Amendment Act 2015.

According to the Minister, when the local leaders are elected on March 18, next year, Guyana will be “making a break with the ways of the past”. He said the new leaders will not just replace the old ones, but will be empowered according to law, and will be expected to perform their decision-making roles, according to law.

“The newly elected local leaders will have power to make decisions that affect citizens living within the respective municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils [NDC], it is therefore important that each eligible voter casts a ballot,” he added.

Since its election into office in May, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition has

announced plans to give township status to the four new communities. These are Mabaruma in Region One, Bartica in Region Seven, Mahdia in Region Eight and Lethem in Region Nine.

These will add to the existing six towns: the country’s capital Georgetown; New Amsterdam, Corriverton and Rose Hall in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Anna Regina in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

GECOM has since announced that there was an issuance of several related Orders by the Minister of Communities, including Order No 23 of 2015 on Friday, October 23, 2015 which identifies nine Towns and 62 NDCs where Local Government Elections will be held. This Order allows the Elections Commission to extract the voters list for the identified areas for Local Government Elections from the current National Register of Registrants (NRR).

Why LGE was not held since 1994

While in Opposition, the APNU and the AFC had over the years lambasted the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration for not holding LGE, casting blame upon the then Government for robbing citizens of their democratic right to elect the leaders for their NDCs and town councils.

Turn to page 10

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Views Editor(ag): Michael Younge Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Is crime really not spiralling out of control?

A

quick perusal of the local newspapers on a daily basis will quickly and conclusively rebut claims being made by the Guyana Police Force that crime is not spiralling out of control.

As a matter of fact, Guyana Times has been reporting on a number of crime stories daily under that caption, As crime spirals out of control, evidently much to the chagrin of the Guyana Police Force. They specifically and emphatically denies crime in on an increase.

According to the official, based on statistics and other data proffered, this statement was simply not true.

However, it took a creative use of statistics to assert that the admitted eight per cent increase in crime over last year was not significant. The efforts by police in the apprehension and prosecution of several high profile groups of criminals are noted, but this simply emphasize the onslaught by the criminal fraternity.

Fortunately, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), with no need to sensationalise, came out on Friday with a contra-view of the crime situation. While taking care with their words, they expressed their concerns about what they described as a ‘hype in crime’ and questioned ‘who is next?’

Like numerous other expressions of concerns, the PSC is now of the view that criminals no longer fear the authorities. According to the commission, the business community is ‘terrified.’ They asserted that Guyana is witnessing an increase in crime which shows that criminals are taking advantage of all means available to them, including opportunity crime, inside information, lack of public cooperation and police responsiveness. The criminals are strategising, and it is time the police display they too are on top of their game.

The PSC, in apprehension of the escalating crime rate has since submitted a comprehensive crime reduction strategy proposal to the Guyana Police Force. A quick perusal of the PSC’s strategy included the reactivation of the Law and Order Commission and the continuation of the role of community policing, whereby persons themselves can help to protect their own communities. It is also recommended that there be a deployment of adequate ranks and plug the loopholes within the force so as to ensure adequate manpower is available.

Interestingly, the PSC is calling for continuation of community policing. In the 2015 Budget there was no provision for Community Policing Groups as was previously done by the past administration. Justification for such a move was that past budgetary allocations catered mainly for CPGs and not actually to the Police Force.

Further crippling the community policing efforts, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has since taken away the vehicles from the CPGs and handed them over to the Police Force. The question that lingers is whether this move was carefully thought out, since community policing is seen as collaboration between police and the community that identifies and solves community problems.

It is time politicians and the police put differences and pride aside and work together to come up with a crime fighting solution. Reporting crimes does not create crime.

The pettiness of dismissing good ideas simply because they come from those who are not of a similar political persuasion, should stop.

As was recommended by the PSC, to address crime it has to be done in a holistic manner and not ‘piecemeal’.

A specticular dispaly of fireworks filled the air at the 10th annual Rahaman’s Park Christmas three light up on Friday

Payback time Dear Editor, The blatant and brazen invasion by bandits of the home of a senior member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Leslie James, has brought the crime situation in Guyana to a whole new level.

We now have a situation where the bandits operate as if they have full immunity and can do whatever they please.

They appear to have no fear of the police and thus are not dissuaded from committing criminal acts.

This kind of activity is bringing great disrepute to our country and will no doubt have a negative impact on the economy generally. Tourism is one sector that will be greatly affected by the escalating crime level. It is also driving fear in the commercial sector.

The odd thing here is that we have a government packed with highcalibre military personnel such as a former Commissioner of Police, two former army Chiefsof-Staff and many other high-ranking officers.

These persons have failed to design and implement a feasible plan to combat the spiralling criminal activities and the criminals are using the opportunity for this lapse to be-

come more emboldened.

How can we explain this troubling situation?

In 2002, the well-organised jail break, which saw the escape of five very dangerous criminals, created the opportunity to terrorise and inflict fear on the rural populace.

These criminals took control of the village of Buxton. The residents of that village were beaten into submission. Recall too that some of the families who opposed the criminal invasion had their homes burnt to the ground. Some were killed by the bandits and others, the lucky ones that is, had numerous attempts made on their lives.

Reports of abuse from the villagers were numerous.

Criminals took over the yards and even homes as their places of abode.

The owners dared not object.

The PNC never issued a word in defence of this beleaguered village.

Indeed, the only time they said anything was when the police, in selfdefence, shot one or several of the criminals.

They condemned the police when this happened.

They even tried hard to make crime fighting

political and racial. Their favourite mantra was ‘the police only killing young Black men.’ The funerals of criminals were also used by the PNC/APNU as events for mobilisation and for whipping up black, anti-police antiPPP/C sentiments.

This is a clear indication that criminal activities were highly centralised, directed and executed for political mileage. Eusi Kwayana documented a lot more in his book “The Morning After.”

Those who have knowledge of these events will recall Leon Fraser’s concluding remarks at the Inquiry into the public servants strike of 1998.

Addressing the judge at that time Carl Singh, he said: Sir, this is how I have been doing my police work for many years.

It is the same way I am doing all the time. It is only now that I am being accused of being political”.

It is the same mentality that led them to vote against the Amaila Falls Hydro project, the Specialty Hospital, the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, and many other projects aimed at national development. They sabotaged social and economic progress; damaged the

welfare of the people and blamed the PPP/C administration for this.

The support and use of criminal elements is of the same pattern and motivation.

When the regime took office, it was logical to assume that the police felt that they could not carry the fight to the criminals in the same way since a group sympathetic to criminals and their activities had taken over.

The criminals, on the other hand, seem to be confident that they would not be pursued and prosecuted. For them, it is payback time.

That is why, despite the fact that we have the most military and police personnel in a civilian government (on the American continent) with the requisite knowledge and expertise to formulate a strategy to combat crime, the situation continues unabated.

Indeed, the criminals are so emboldened that even senior police officers are not safe anymore.

No one is safe from these criminals. Those who think otherwise must remember Leslie James.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar

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

Guyanese Americans welcome Indian Diaspora conference in US Dear Editor, Guyanese Americans welcomed and participated in the Indian Diaspora conference held last weekend in Los Angeles. The conference was sponsored by the Indian government and organised by the Indian Consulate and local Indian organisations on the West Coast. Several New Yorkers attended the meet that provided an opportunity for the Indian Diaspora in the US to interact with one another and with India government officials.

Guyanese American Ashok Ramsaran, International head of GOPIO, was among the participants at the LA meet. He also interacted with Government of India officials and the US Ambassador to India Arun Kumar Singh. This was the second Diaspora conference hosted by the Indian government in the US. The first was held in New York five years ago.

India hosts an annual Pravasi Diaspora Conference in India that began in 2003. President Jagdeo was the keynote

speaker in 2004.

Ramsaran and Yesu Persaud, among other Guyanese, were honoured by the Indian government for their community service and achievements in their respective societies.

In addition to national PBDs, the Indian government hosts regional PBDs like the ones in LA and NY. The last regional PBD was held in London last year.

Regional PBDs were also held in Singapore, Australia, etc.

A regional PBD is being planned for the Caribbean for May next year to coincide with Indian Arrival in the region. The next PBD is slated for Jan 8 - 10, 2016 in Delhi with invited participants to assess the relevance and success of the national and regional PBDs. India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was scheduled to inaugurate the two-day event, had to return mid-way from Dubai to New Delhi after the Paris terror attacks. In LA, some 1000 people filled the main ballroom of Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown for the 9th Regional

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

The conference was held on Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 November to strengthen the Diaspora’s ties to India. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs coordinated the two-day event with the Consulate General in San Francisco to bring the Diaspora together and boost US-India relations.

Organizers attached the tagline, “Indian Diaspora: Defining a New Paradigm in India-US Relationship,” to the series of business meetings, conferences, cultural programmes, and panels.

Minister of State General VK Singh delivered the feature address. Indian Ambassador to the US Arun Kumar Singh said holding the 9th Regional PBD in LA was fitting in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the area last September to meet business leaders and interact with the large Indian Diaspora there.

Modi lauded the immense contributions PIOs, NRIs and Indian Americans make in the US and India.

Ambassador Singh noted that Indians in California

and other parts of the Indian Diaspora played a very important role in India’s struggle for independence.

He added: “If you look at today’s world where innovation and digital technology play a significant role, then Indian companies based here and Indian origin tech entrepreneurs in California are in cutting edge technology development in the United States and in the world. In this framework it is significant we meet in LA”.

Three members of the US Congress attended the 14 November 2015 gala and commended the contributions of PIOs, NRIs and Indian Americans here in the United States.

Rep Janice Hahn pointed out that Los Angeles County is home to a half million people from India or of Indian descent.

Hahn stated: “What you have done with your community, your values, your interests in giving back to America has been such an important part of the fabric of the entire United States.

You contribute so much to who we are and we as a country are so much better

off.”

Congresswoman Judy Chu noted that Indian Americans and PIOs are taking on larger roles as policy makers in the US. She said: “The Indian American community is growing and now it’s the third largest ethnic group in the US. It’s made great contributions to the governance of the US”.

Congressman Brad Sherman said India and the US have become allies and strengthened diplomatic ties: “The United States and India have a close relationship to fight terrorism and work on military matters.”

Retired General Vijay Kumar Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, explained that PBDs are ideal venues to connect with PIOs. He told the gathering: “The India of today is moving forward. India is changing its infrastructure, the way it does business.”

Before the Saturday evening gala banquet, the Overseas Indian Facilitation Center (a joint venture involving MOIA, the Indian government and Confederation of Indian Industry) hosted an Indian

Diaspora Business Meet to discuss digital markets, renewable energy, and social impact investment.

Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover entertained the crowd. There was also a cultural variety programme where local groups performed songs and dances. At the NY PBD, several Guyanese Americans entertained the gathering.

In LA, panel discussions primarily focused on how NRIs can facilitate technology, youth, and business opportunities in India.

Delegates discussed how the Indian Diaspora should be defined, which groups (immigrants versus foreignborn Indians) should be engaged for support, and how the PIO or NRI engagement level can be increased with India for mutual benefits.

The Indian government on 14 November announced a new internship programme for overseas Indian youths interested in spending time in India to learn more about their ancestral homeland.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Is the media protecting Ruel Johnson?

Dear Editor, I notice with interest the refusal of notable newspapers to publish a letter I submitted a few days ago regarding the legitimacy of Ruel Johnson in his position as Cultural Policy Advisor.

Strangely, while we are led to believe that the basic purpose of the media is to inform the public and give

them a voice, in abiding with the principles of freedom of expression, transparency and accountability, this appears not to be the case in our local media sphere.

This might very well be linked to a failed attempt to protect a man whose dubious credentials have not stopped the government from offering him a job

handout. It is a failed attempt in which his discriminatory remarks stained by racist undertones and directed towards the largest electorate in this country remain exposed. The media cannot protect Ruel Johnson and his vindictive, biased and racist agenda.

Many of us, the “idiots” of the electorate he so despis-

es, the said electorate which contributes to paying his salary, are still awaiting an explanation on why Carifesta XII was such a poor representation of Guyana’s multiculturalism despite the Cultural Policy Advisor’s self-proclaimed capacities at being a significant contributor to this country’s cultural landscape.

We are still awaiting a response as to why it is that he is allowed to engage in aggressive political activism on his public Facebook profile. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right.

However, what Johnson does is a continuous attack on the people he serves. He respects neither his obligations as a public officer, nor

their freedom from discrimination. He is a public servant who does no positive service to the people and as such he should resign, be terminated or submit a public apology, and start acting like a professional.

Sincerely, Stacy Cheong

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ill Albert is the Chief Program Officer for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, a private nonprofit, nonpartisan organisation in Washington, DC. Noting that there are high costs to society –economic and otherwise – related to unplanned pregnancy among teens and other single young adults, the campaign “seeks to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families and, in particular, to help ensure that children are born into stable, two-parent families who are committed to and ready for the demanding task of raising the next generation.”

Albert, who has been associated with the campaign for 12 years, also contributes regularly to its online Weblog, where he notes that “efforts to prevent too-early pregnancy and childbearing often miss one of the most important topics of all – healthy relationships.

Young people are often told about how to reduce the risk of pregnancy and STIs [sexually transmitted infections] but rarely are they given guidance on how to successfully navigate the minefield of relationships.”

Vision’s Gina Stepp spoke with him about teen pregnancy and the complex associated issues.

GS: What is the most important contribution to be made toward the prevention of teen pregnancy?

BA If someone were to ask me, “Is there a silver bullet in preventing teen pregnancy?” my answer would be no.

However, the closest thing we have to a silver bullet is closely connected, stable, loving families. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s the closest thing we’ve got.

Unfortunately, on topics like sex, love relationships, family formation, pregnancy, optimal timing and opti-

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation mal conditions, I think a lot of parents automatically feel one of two things: “There is precious little I can do in this day and age – in the era of bare midriffs, you might say – so therefore I’m going to do nothing.” That’s one option.

The second option seems to be, “If I just sit them down and talk to them about the birds and the bees, then I will have done what I’m supposed to do.” And of course, neither one of those options is a good one.

One of our pri-

mary jobs is to convince parents that they matter at all on these sets of issues. Unfortunately a lot of wellintentioned public service announcements and other efforts in this area have jumped this important first step by giving only a general nod in the direction of parents talking to their children. But no parent is going to talk to a child about any topic unless they believe they actually can make a difference, so our first job is to convince parents that they matter.

This is a curious thing, and one wonders how we got to this point. It seems to me that we don’t need to con-

vince parents that they matter in areas like education or in developing good eating habits or any of a number of other issues. Why is it that we need to convince parents on this very important topic?

GS: As parents, do we perhaps feel the subject is being sufficiently addressed at school and we are therefore relieved of any further responsibility at home?

BA: Yes, perhaps. But again, that’s head-scratching to me. I guess we can assume our children are getting good history and math lessons at school, and perhaps we can also convince ourselves they’re getting everything they need in sex education as well. But certainly there’s a difference between algebra and the issues that we’re talking about. These are more than just biology topics. If it was “How does somebody get pregnant?”

– sure, we could count on schools. Schools are probably the right place to do that.

But to put these issues in the context of your own family’s values is not the school’s job. In fact, I think most parents would be upset with schools if they did try to do that, and for good reason. For instance, some families of certain faith traditions believe sex shouldn’t occur outside of marriage.

But that’s obviously not a value shared by all families. So these value issues are things that should be brought up within the context of the family.

I think one reason for the high rates of teen pregnancy in this country is that we, as adults, are not sending a very strong, unequivocal, clear message that teen pregnancy is not okay. If we can’t say that, we shouldn’t be surprised at our continued high rates. (www. vision.org)

TO BE CONTINUED

A

s parents and teachers know (but many teens don’t), parenthood is not all fun and games and cuddly babies who chortle happily in their prams.

A study published in the March 2004 issue of Paediatrics suggests that this is one reality parents need to explain to teens. In considering “a racially diverse group of 340 inadequately contracepting” teens who had never yet been pregnant, the

researchers hoped to test the hypothesis that teen girls who take home pregnancy tests are less likely to use contraceptives and, if this is true, to find out why.

What the University of Colorado researchers found was that although the girls who took home pregnancy tests were as capable of using contraceptives as their peers, they were less likely to do so; they “were more apt to be unsure that they wanted to remain nonpregnant, principally because they were more likely to lack negative expectations about the effects of childbearing on their lives.”

Pregnancy and single-teen motherhood just didn’t seem all that terrible an option to them.

But isn’t it? Aside from discussing the minute-tominute demands of caring for

a live, fully dependent human being, both parents and teens could benefit from considering these long-term realities culled from a large body of research.

“Families headed by young single mothers are amongst the poorest in both Britain and the USA” (Selman, 1998). “Because teen mothers are

disproportionately poor, they are at risk of social isolation, depression, and stress” (SmithBattle, 2008; Cicchetti, Rogosch and Toth, 2006).

“Adolescent childbearing is associated with lower educational and occupational attainment, more mental and physical health problems, inadequate social support networks for parenting, and increased risk of abuse and neglect for children born to teen mothers” (Ellis, Bates, Dodge, Fergusson, Horwood, Pettit and Woodward, 2003; Woodward and Fergusson, 1999).

“Compared with children of older mothers, children born to adolescent mothers are at higher risk of low birth weight, limited fine motor skills, and low math and reading abilities; these children are also more likely to drop out of high school themselves” (Chandra, Martino, Collins, Elliott, Berry, Kanouse and Miu, 2008; TerryHuman, Manlove and Moore, 2005).

“Parenting teenagers have not had time to resolve their own stages of role identity and intimacy and this places them and their children at increased risk of social and emotional delay” (Hanna, 2001; Hurlbut, McDonald Culp, Jambunathan and Butler, 1997).

“Teenage parents have a low tolerance to infant crying, lack of patience with infants, lack of understanding of normal growth and development, preference for physical punishment, lack of nonverbal physical interaction patterns and a less than adequate home learning environment” (Hanna, 2001; Ruff, 1990; Marshall, Buckner and Powell, 1991).

“Teen fathers often enter the labor market sooner than their counterparts because of fatherhood and ultimately earn less in their twenties than their peers” (Chandra et al., 2008; Pirog-Good, 1996).

When all factors are taken together, the message seems to be that parenthood can be extremely rewarding when one is ready for it, but that it is not for children. Parenthood is not a cure for depression, loneliness or low self-esteem.

(www.vision.org)

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saturday, november 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

As crime spirals out of control

PSC concerned about ‘hype’ in crime – business community terrified

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

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ontrary to declarations touted by the APNU/AFC government and proclamations from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) that crime is under control, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) contends it is spiralling rapidly.

Chairman of the PSC Norman McLean on Friday during a media briefing, stated that the trends in the escalation of crime in the country seem to continue ‘unchecked’.

Despite figures released by the police force, the PSC is gravely concerned about the obvious “hype in crime” and though the Commission was “somewhat reluctant” to pronounce on these developments, it was hoped there would have been major improvements to curtail the situation: “The PSC is greatly concerned over what we perceive as the hype in crimes and we are left to wonder who is next. Crimes of violence are being conducted with impunity and little regard for life, and no respect and no fear of the police and the consequences of their action. People are living in fear - old and young are being targeted.”

McLean explained that earlier this year the PSC had presented a comprehensive document at the Annual Officer’s Conference but since then to now it has been revised.

It is hoped this document will be used as a base for further action.

“We cannot expect it to be adopted wholesale but it should be discussed, debated and considered by the police... How will we get numbers needed to upstream the police to workable numbers? How will the police upgrade their numbers, training and trainers to make an impact on crime?” Mclean questioned.

The PSC chairman, who is also a former Chief of Staff of the disciplined services, further stated that the recent attacks by criminals in the country clearly support the fact that these criminals no longer fear the

PSC Chairman Norman McLean

police or relevant authorities.

Serious crimes

According to McLean, the serious crime rate was reported to be about 10 per cent which is considerably high. When compared against the figure documented last year for the corresponding period, murders have also increased tremendously.

Presently, 65 per cent of all crimes are committed in A Division of the GPF. “The largest increase in serious crimes has been in the cases of rape which reportedly had an increase of 65 per cent which amounts to 271 persons versus 164.

I can continue with this mass of detail but suffice to say that besides rape, a major issue is suicide and this requires a detailed study to establish why young people wish to kill themselves. It is a phenomenon which has to be addressed,” he emphatically stated.

“Prevention” rather than “cure”

Mclean acknowledged that the GPF has had some outstanding successes in ‘detection’ and as such they should be commended for jobs well done in this regard.

He noted, however, that people are still fearful for their lives and would wish to see ‘prevention rather than cure’.

“We wish to see greater proactive performance and preventive efforts to build confidence in the police and less fear of crime.

The PSC wishes to see improvements and results which will lead to a feeling of safety under the umbrella of the police and so have less fear of crime,” the PSC Chairman also noted.

It must be noted the PSC is also recommending that Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan reactivate the ‘Law and Order Commission’ on which many members of the then Opposition including the late Debbie Backer and former Commissioner of Police Winston Felix (presently a government minister) made sterling contributions.

Meanwhile, McLean underscored the role of the PSC, which plays a vital role in the growth and stability of Guyana.

“We have been denied access to the Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) data and therefore cannot really help the police on this analytical tool - where is the transparency that was so widely touted?

That was available at least through the Law and Order Commission. This is not a secret as our people are being beaten, robbed and killed,” he posited.

According to McLean, the PSC has helped the police force in the past by providing cycles, motorcycles, equipment, etc and will continue to do so.

“After all there can be no development in our country without security… Let us help our police and not bury our heads in the sand.”(kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

2016 pension book distribution begins on November 23

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he Social Protection Ministry will begin the distribution of pension booklets to senior citizens who qualify for pension in 2016.

The distribution begins on Monday, November 23, at various locations across the country. The Ministry is

advising eligible senior citizens to check the Sunday newspapers for details on the centre nearest to them and the date and time for distribution at that centre.

Only pensioners can uplift their booklets. If the pensioner is unable to personally uplift his or her

2016 pension booklet due to medical reasons, kindly contact the Ministry on the following telephone numbers; 225-6212, 2236027, 225-6545 and 2256202, or the number listed for the District Office for the book to be delivered to their home.

URP condemns abuse of State media T he United Republican Party on Friday said the APNU/AFC coalition has shown itself to be worse than its predecessor with respect to the role of the state media.

The party in a statement said the administration had previously condemned the PPP/C for what it claims were “abuses” but that it is “now in control of the media, behaves no differently.”

“The state media is dominated by people affiliated with the two ruling coalition partners and of a certain ethnicity. People were removed and or replaced on account of their ethnicity and political affiliation. Professionalism has gone through the window.

Dominance and control is the new politics, the new democracy that the coalition is promoting,” the URP said.

URP also noted that contrary to what Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had promised right after he was sworn in, the state media is “not neutral or professional or balanced”, adding that equitable access is not given to opposition groups.

“The coalition government today practices what

URP leader Vishnu Bandhu

it condemned when it was in the opposition, and mentioned that nothing has really changed under this new regime.”

According to the party, the Guyana state media has been pro-government and very biased against the opposition.

The party claimed that under the PPP/C, the opposition parties and independent groups had some coverage of their political activities and programmes in the state media.

Also, cultural programmes and non-political activities were given significant coverage, but today,

the cultural programmes of ethnic groups not supportive of the government are blanked.

With regards to columnists, URP mentioned that the celebrated journalist Rickey Singh is essentially pushed out with no replacement of an independent view, and only government supporters and promoters are tolerated.

“There is, for example, no Annan Boodram or Dr Vishnu Bisram, two of the leading independent writers and columnists in the Guyanese Diaspora, or a Rhyaan Shah commenting on the local Guyanese experience. Only government sympathisers and activists have columns,” the party said.

The URP calls on the Minister of Information and the APNU/AFC coalition to provide fair and equitable coverage in the state media of activities of all political outfits and ethnic groups and to balance the views of ethnic and party columnists.

“Pluralistic viewpoints should be entertained as happens in state media in several other countries,” URP added.

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saturday, november 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Eyew tness

Berbice gang member slapped A common ground… with robbery charges

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ne of the men who were in a Berbice robbery gang that police busted, was on Thursday remanded to prison by Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus when he appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court charged with two counts of robbery under arms.

Lennox Henry also called ‘Lenny’ pleaded not guilty to robbing an East Bank Berbice couple of a quantity of jewellery and cash at their Glasgow New

Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, Region Six home.

It is alleged that on November 10, at Glasgow, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun and crow bar, he robbed Sofie Mahadeo of one diamond ring valued $65,000, one gold and diamond ring valued $35,000, two gold chains valued $95,000, one Samsung Galaxy cellular phone valued $50,000 along with $25,000 cash.

Henry is also accused of robbing Vickram Mahadeo

of one gold chain valued $30,000 and one Samsung Galaxy S4 cellular phone valued $70,000 on the same day at Glasgow.

According to Police Prosecutor Philip Sherriff, the victims were awoken by eight men in their home; four of them masked and four unmasked.

He told the court the bandits assaulted the victims by lashing Vickram Mahadeo in the head with the crow bar and hitting him in the back with a gun: “They then robbed the vic-

tims of the articles mentioned in the charge and made good their escape.”

Additionally, Sheriff told the court that the police, acting on information, arrested Henry and placed him on an identification parade during which he was identified by the victims.

The prosecutor requested that bail not be granted because of the gravity and prevalence of the offence.

Bail was refused and the accused remanded.

The case will continue on November 26.

Mother jailed for child neglect

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mother, 43, was on Thursday sentenced to one month in prison after Magistrate Annet Singh found her guilty of child neglect.

Debia Archer of Lot 183 Alexander Village, Georgetown was charged with child neglect. The charge alleges that on 19 October 2015 she neglected her child in a manner to cause him unnecessary suf-

fering.

The court was told the incident was reported to police by the child’s father, Leroy Lewis.

Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves informed the court that the VC and defendant were in a relationship that ended but they share a ten-year-old son. It was revealed that the VC usually picks up his son from his mother’s residence

and drops him to school.

On the day in question, the VC picked up his son from school and took him home to his mother; however, when he got there the defendant was not at home.

He called her several times but all went unanswered.

As such, he stayed with the child during the night. The woman returned at about 22:30h the following night without calling and enquir-

ing about the child.

The Prosecutor revealed that the defendant is in the habit of doing such.

During the trial the welfare officer testified that the child revealed that his mother would usually abuse him and lock him out of the house.

The Magistrate subsequently sentenced the woman to one month in prison.

Essequibo juvenile charged with rape

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14-year-old boy of Essequibo Coast, Region 2 (PomeroonSupenaam) was slapped with a rape charge after he alleged raped his 12-yearold cousin.

The juvenile appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

It is alleged that be-

tween July 1 and 31, 2015, in West Bury, Essequibo Coast the juvenile allegedly engaged in sexual penetration with a child (his cousin).

After the charge was

read, the Magistrate took the accused age into consideration and released him into the custody of his mother pending trial.

The case will continue on December 9.

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…for building trust

here are some who may want to crow that Finance Minister Winston Jordan had to eat crow on the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHEP). Not this Eyewitness. Hey! Saul was some real mean dude to the Carpenter’s son – said some real nasty things about him … And look what a stand-up guy he turned out to be! The entire Church was built on his shoulders.

Now while Saul had that epiphany as he was tooling down to Damascus, Jordan was luckily spared from having to go down that route. What with ISIS lopping off heads with abandon and gusto in that part of the world that would be asking a little bit too much, no? Even for “quality” people. Anyhow this Eyewitness does think the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) a mite insensitive to bring up Jordan’s previous utterances on AFHEP. Like “a downright act of criminal deception”, for one.

They should know in politics, much of what’s said is playing to the gallery. And Jordan couldn’t just segue from claiming the PPP’d been dancing with the devil to inflate AFHEP’s cross to gushing it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. With the same costs in the offing! After all, if the PPP’d been planning to “siphon off” hundreds of millions in greenbacks, what does it say about A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC)?

So now the heat’s off the cuss out on AFHEP, the business community getting VERY ornery about cheap energy, Norway insisting that the project’s viable …we guess it was time for Jordan and the Govt to step down. Good for them. How much longer would they cut their nose to spite Guyana’s face? But your Eyewitness has another reason for the Govt and the Opposition cooperating on this project – aside from its intrinsic merits, which are legion.

Let’s face it – and we must face it. Guyana will get nowhere if the PPP and the People’s National Congress (Sherwood Lowe made a compelling argument that there ain’t no “coalition”) don’t put their shoulders at Guyana’s developmental wheel at the same time. AFHEP can be the beginning of that cooperation. But more importantly there’s the possible spin-off in “trust-building” between the two sides if they work together.

For years, the PPP’s point about the need to develop “trust” before any structured discussions on “power sharing” has been the unacknowledged jumbie in the room. The PPP and Jagdeo have already promised their help on AFHEP and rather than splitting hairs around a table about abstractions, the concrete project should allow some commonalities to develop.

What’re we waiting for? We know what the Norway study will recommend!

…to bash Indians, or PPP?

In an editorial on the PPP’s request for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to provide an ethnic breakdown on its staff, the state-owned Chronic claimed the PPP’s inciting its Indian Guyanese base. When Andaiye raised the matter of the ethnic composition of the newly appointed APNU/AFC Ministers that was dubbed a singular act of virtue (and your Eyewitness fully agreed). But when the PPP does the same about GECOM, that’s “incitement”.

Ah well…we know how incorrigibly racist those PPP types are!!

But the Chronic went further – and nastier. It declared, “ The (PPP’s) appeal to Indian-Guyanese of their being victims of an ethnic conspiracy that is grounded in an innate culture of unfairness is hardly helpful to improve an environment for national reconciliation.”

Indian Guyanese have “an innate culture of unfairness”?

“Innate” like in “conspiratorially transmitted”? Or “innate”, like in “genetically passed on”? Under the ”authority” of Nagamootoo (he swore it’s not under his “direction”) the Chronic does seem to be going after the PPP and Indians on the “race thing”.

Anything to do with him denying he’s neither “PPP nor Indian”?

…on immigration matters

Lots of folks were surprised “Immigration” was hived off from Ramjattan’s National Security Ministry and handed to Winston Felix. Teixeira’s WikiLeaks revelation, suggests it might be because he knows where the bodies are buried., The inmates are now running the asylum!

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

news

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saturday, november 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

National unity not an option Region 2 CIIP coordinator thrown out of office but a must – Harmon

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espite the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C) rejection of Government’s invitation for national unity talks, the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is still willing to engage the Opposition.

This is according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who told reporters at the post Cabinet briefing on Friday, that in order for Guyana to move forward, there needs to be national unity among the political parties.

Harmon said the Administration is open to talks on the matter, which is of high priority.

“A national unity to us is not an option, national unity is a requirement, a prerequisite for us to move this country forward. We are serious about it, we are serious about our engagement with the Opposition on these matters,” he noted.

Moreover, Harmon pointed out that while Government is open to talks, it is up to the Opposition to come to the table.

“As far as unity talks are concerned, we are open.

We continue to be open to the talks… We bend back as far as we could and if

oordinator of the Community Irrigation Infrastructure Project (CIIP) in Region Two Basil Persaud was given a rude jolt when he reported for duty on Wednesday and found his office occupied by a new employee appointed by the Regional Executive Officer.

The new employee, a retiree, was appointed by REO Rupert Hopkinson.

This newspaper under-

er office.

Persaud supervises over 30 drainage and irrigation staff, who are tasked with cleaning drains and waterways in the Region.

Only recently also, the officer of Information was given to a newly appointed employee, who functions as the Prime Minister’s representative. The workers who were attached to that office were given mere hours notice to remove their belongings.

Alleged drug trafficker remanded – claims he is receiving death threats Minister of State Joseph Harmon they are conditions which the PPP/C set out, we will look at them objectively,” he stated, while pointing out affirmatively that he would not be responding to such requests that the Opposition has made in the media.

Harmon posited that the proper process must be adhered to.

On August 31, President David Granger met with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, during which they discussed the terms and conditions of the unity talks.

However, following the meeting, the Opposition had raised several issues that it said Government needed to address before it can forge ahead with the

unity talks. Some three months later, on Monday last, the PPP/C indicated at its weekly press conference that it will not be engaging Government in any national unity talks.

General Secretary of the Party, Clement Rohee explained that the Party’s Central Committee has decided that with Government’s ongoing witchhunt, arbitrary dismissals and brazen termination of contracts of longstanding Government employees and public servants, among other reasons, the PPP/C is not in the mood or supportive at this time, of engaging the APNU/AFC Administration in national unity talks.

IPED employee on causing death charge jailed

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n employee of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) was jailed for 24 months by Magistrate Sunil Scarce after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

Rodwel Spellen, 34, of Lot 116 Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was charged on January 14, 2015, and subsequently placed on $300,000 bail.

It was alleged that on August 2, 2014, on the Taymouth Manor Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Spellen drove motor car PNN 745 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Ivan Benn, 23, a mechanic.

According to reports, Spellen was driving a Honda CRV when he reportedly swerved from hitting a donkey and collided with Benn’s vehicle. Benn later succumbed to his injuries.

Representing Spellen, Attorney Peter Hugh told the court an animal on the roadway contributed to

stands that Persaud was not formally informed that he needed to vacate the office. Guyana Times was told personnel from the regional administration reportedly broke the padlock from the office and put all of Persaud’s documents outside.

This newspaper was told that in a bid to seek clarification on the issue, Persaud went to Hopkinson informing him about the move. He was then directed to anoth-

Rodwel Spellen

Deceased: Ivan Benn

the accident. Hugh said it was unfortunate a life has been lost but argued that Spellen was neither speeding nor been drinking. He informed the court that his client’s action may not have been the material cause of the accident since the deceased himself would have been somewhat culpable.

The lawyer in a plea of mitigation informed the court that the defendant is a father and he was not fully responsible for the accident. He also informed the court that his client is willing to compensate the vic-

tim’s family and requested a non-custodial penalty.

Hugh also apologised on behalf of his client for the deceased’s death.

The Magistrate in handing down his sentence considered the prevalence and seriousness of the offense.

Magistrate Scarce said the fact that because a life was lost, a punishment must be imposed as a deterrent to other persons.

Spellen was sentence to 24 months imprisonment and his licence has been suspended for a period of 3 years.

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man accused of drug trafficking has alleged that he is receiving death threats while in the lock ups, and as such, he is fearful for his life.

The man made these allegations when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts’ charged with trafficking narcotics.

Mark Sawyers, 26, of 11th Street, Dazzel-Paradise Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was brought to court to answer to the charge, which stated that between January 1, 2014 and January 17, 2014 at Beterverwagting, ECD, he conspired with Jermaine Lowe to traffic 15.308 kilograms of cocaine.

He denied the allegation, and while particulars of the charge were not divulged, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru objected to bail stating that the accused is fa-

miliar with the Prosecutor’s main witness, and as such, he fears witness tampering may occur if the accused is released.

However, Sawyers told the Magistrate that while in prison, he received numerous threats to his life and

was pleaded for bail. He also questioned why he is only being charged now for an offence he allegedly committed close to two years ago.

Nevertheless, the Magistrate refused bail and remanded the man to prison. The case will continue on December 7.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, november 21, 2015

News Diplomatic postings Carpenter jailed for 54 months yet to reach Cabinet A East Coast hotel drug bust

– several recommendations with President Granger

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inister of State Joseph Harmon has stated that there are no recommendations currently before Cabinet for any overseas Ambassadorial posting.

Earlier this week, reports had surfaced that several names were proposed to President David Granger to be considered for various diplomatic posts overseas.

However, at the post Cabinet press briefing on Friday, Minister Harmon said no such recommendation is before Cabinet.

Harmon explained that when the recommendations are made to the President, he deliberates on them and then forwards it to Cabinet for discussion and final decision.

“As far as Cabinet is concerned we have no recommendations for diplomatic postings before the Cabinet. In another section of the media, I did indicate the only Ambassador

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

that was presented before Cabinet and Cabinet has given its approval for was Ambassador Cheryl Miles, who was posted to Venezuela,” he pointed out.

According to reports, among some of the names recommended to the Head of State for the top diplomatic posts include for-

mer Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Frederick Case and Attorney Clarissa Riehl, both of whom are members of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

Case is tipped to be Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom while Riehl is said to be heading to Canada.

Additionally, retired Brigadier Julian “Bruce” Lovell is also tipped for posting in Brazil. Meanwhile, former Political aide to late President Forbes Burnham, Halim Majeed, is said to be considered as Guyana’s representative to Cuba.

If approved by the President and Cabinet, Case will replace Laleshwar Singh in the UK, while Riehl will be replacing Harry Narine Nawbatt in Canada. Majeed will be replacing Attorney Mitra Devi Ali, who was once the Permanent Secretary at the Legal Affairs Ministry.

carpenter, who was on Friday sentenced to 54 months in prison for drug possession, told the court that he committed the act to maintain his son, who suffers from leukaemia.

Dwayne Adams, 35, of Worthmanville, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He admitted that on November 13, at Alpha Hotel, Ogle, East Coast Demerara, he had in his possession 848 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

His alleged accomplice,

Herbert Smith, was also originally charged for the offence; however, only Adams opted to change his plea.

It is also alleged that on November 13, Adams conspired with Smith to traffic the cocaine out of Guyana.

Ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit reportedly went to the hotel acting on information received.

It was there that they intercepted the two men hours before they were scheduled to board a flight destined for JFK International Airport in New York. The officers reportedly saw Adams throw a bowl out the window, and under caution he admitted to being in possession of the

narcotics and swallowing an additional 25 pellets. It was further revealed that the man was hospitalised at the Woodlands Hospital, where he excreted the pellets.

When given an opportunity to speak, the defendant claimed that his son suffers from leukaemia and he could not afford the treatment. As such, he said he committed the offence in an attempt to garner funds for the child’s medication.

The Magistrate sentenced him to 54 months in jail along with a fine of $2, 289,600. After sentencing, Magistrate Latchman reprimanded the man, telling him “do not try this again”.

Two remanded on narcotics charges

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wo men were on Friday remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on separate charges of narcotics possession.

Rawle Bammer, 31, denied the allegation which stated that on 19 November at Eighth Avenue, Diamond

Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, he was found with 154 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Dwayne King, 32, a taxidriver, also pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on November 03 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, EBD, he had in his possession 2.954 kilograms

of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels objected to bail on the grounds that no special reasons were given for them to be granted bail.

They were both remanded to prison. Bammer will return to court on 14 January 14 while King will return on November 26.

Haslington man gets 3 years for cocaine possession

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n East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident was on Thursday sentenced to three years imprisonment by Magistrate Alicia George after he pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of narcotics.

Randolph Moore, 58, of Haslington, ECD, appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court where he admitted to having 11 grams of cocaine in his possession.

According to reports re-

ceived, Police ranks on Friday morning swooped down on the home of the accused and conducted a search during which the cocaine was found.

He was arrested and immediately confessed to the crime, and as such, was charged and place before the court. Apart from the threeyear prison sentence, he was also fined $30,000.

Meanwhile, another East Coast Demerara resident is

expected to be charged with the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Police stated that on Friday, ranks conducted a search on a house at Middle Walk, Buxton, ECD, during which 355 grams of marijuana were found. The occupant of the house at the time was arrested and taken into Police custody. He is presently assisting with investigations.

Local Government Elections...

But Attorney General under that regime, Anil Nandlall, in an interview with Guyana Times had contended that this is not so and explained how the main Opposition actively participated in the postponement of those elections.

The former Attorney General had recalled that in 1997, the then Government went to general elections and since Local Government Elections and general elections could not have been facilitated in the same year, the decision was made to hold General Elections.

Further, for every year onward from that period, there were amendments to the law, postponing LGEs. “The Constitutional Reform Commission assembled and it began its work; that Commission recommended several changes to the Constitution that af-

fected governmental structure generally, but more significantly that affected local government at the time,” Nandlall had explained.

However, when that process was completed, another general election was held in 2001 and again during that period LGE was being postponed consensually by all the political parties in the Parliament. Following the 2001 election, was more violence and unrest, which led to the postponement of LGE once again.

At that time, the Constitution provided for the establishment of a Local Government Commission, it did not provide for the way that the Commission will function, the powers that the Commission will have, the way the Commission will staff itself, all of which were supposed to be the subject of ordinary legislation.

From page 3

Again, as this process was being carried out, an amendment was moved in the National Assembly repeatedly and on an annual basis to postpone Local Government Election; this went on until 2009/2010.

Elections could have been held then, but a decision was taken for the hosting General and Regional Elections instead.

Then in 2011 when the 10th Parliament was convened works began on the local government bills which took about two to three years.

Nandlall had noted that only in 2014 the APNU started its “new enthusiasm” for LGE, making the then Government appear to be culprits in the process of postponement when for nearly 15 years they supported the process.

saturday, november 21, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

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News Amaila Falls Hydro “back on front burner” – PPP/C not surprised at Govt’s back-pedaling

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project

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he People’s Progressive Party/C (PPP/C) has called out the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC) administration for backpeddling on the controversial but yet very beneficial Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said government never abandoned the Amaila Falls Project.

Jordan’s statement comes on the heels of Public

Infrastructure Minister David Patterson recently reiterating that the Amaila Falls Project was too burdensome and costly to pursue, hence government is pursuing alternative hydropower sites in MocaMoca and Tumatumari.

However, the Finance Minister said on Wednesday the Amaila Project is still onboard.

Commenting on Jordan’s new position, the PPP/C said it is not surprised the Granger-

led administration is once again flip-flopping.

“This is becoming a characteristic feature of the APNU/ AFC coalition administration, its track record speaks for itself; the following instances illustrate the flip-flopping proficiency of the government: the Speciality Hospital, the Airport Expansion Programme, salary increases for Government Ministers, and the Bai Shan Lin investment,” the opposition detailed in a statement on

President promises “handsome” donation to Tutorial High School

Tutorial’s 2015 Valedictorian Latonya Browne receives her prize from President David Granger

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resident David Granger has made a personal commitment to continue the tradition set by Austin Cosmo Castello, promising students and teachers at the Tutorial High School that the school will continue to thrive with government’s assistance.

The Head of State made the commitment during the school’s 16th Annual Graduation and prize giving ceremony.

He told those gathered that should the institution establish a fund to assist the less fortunate, he would be willing to pump a “handsome” amount of money into it to keep it going.

“If Tutorial is prepared to establish a Tutorial Education Scholarship Trust, if Tutorial prepares to help itself to help more poor people, more underprivileged people into the school, I will help the fund to help you. So Alumni, staff and students, if you are prepared to establish a scholarship fund to help poor families send their children here, I am prepared

to put good money into that fund to help you to help yourself,” the Head of State said.

President Granger reminded that the school, established from very humble beginnings, will in fact be continuing on that trajectory.

The institution first started as a private institution some 76 years ago, the same day the Second World War broke out.

Granger said because of Costello’s foresight, many persons returned from the war and were able to benefit, since the combat revealed how poor the colony was and “he wanted to do something about it”.

Within its formative years, Tutorial stood among the top schools in Guyana. The Head of State said even though the school is now state owned, it could set up the private fund and with public support be able to help the less fortunate.

Speaking also at the ceremony was House Speaker Dr Bartland Scotland who urged students to continue pressing on to higher heights:

“Our country requires the support and assistance of every young person. Do not leave someone else to do your part.

Be prepared to do your part”.

In this regard he suggested that they decide exactly what it is they want to achieve or contribute to the country.

Out of the 116 students graduating, Latonya Browne stood as the Valedictorian.

She was awarded a $50,000 gift certificate and a trophy by President Granger.

Headmistress Walterine McCloud during her report spoke of the numerous successes and failures over the last few of months. Its inability sometimes to achieve, and the pride that was had from goals accomplished.

She noted that the school, standing proudly among the country’s top performers of the 2015 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, has seen a 71 per cent overall pass; an increase of some 23 per cent when compared to 2014.

Not only is the school among the top ten performers at CSEC, but also has the highest percent passes in Mathematics.

The school was able to cop quite a few 100 per cent overall passes in various subjects including Agricultural Science Double and Single awards and Food and Nutrition. Other areas of success included General Biology with 92 per cent passes EDPM with 84 per cent, Home Management, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology and Integrated Science with passese of 88, 88, 80, and 81 per cent respectively. The school also saw overall passes in English A and B with 65 and 62 per cent respectively.

Friday.

The party referred to comments made by government Chief spokesperson Joseph Harmon who stated publicly last August that the Amaila Hydro Project “has been dead for a long time”. He had also pointed out that “there was no project so there was nothing for the IDB (Inter-America Development Bank) to fund,” the party detailed.

Furthermore, the opposition highlighted too Minister Jordan’s declaration in the National Assembly: “The problem, Mr Speaker, is that it would not only be irresponsible but a downright criminal act of deception were we to proceed with the Amaila Falls Project”.

According to the PPP/C, some four months after they had buried Amaila Hydro Project, government is now resurrecting the “dead” project.

“The question being asked now is, since they had declared that there was no Amaila Falls Project, where did the same project suddenly come from now! In the same way the APNU/AFC coalition had said there was no money in the treasury, the question now being asked is, where did all the money come from that is being spent now and so lavishly?,” the opposition questioned.

Furthermore, the PPP reiterated that the Amaila Hydro Electric Project has always been a viable developmental project that would benefit all Guyanese particularly the manufacturing sector. The op-

position went on to express its disappointment that the private manufacturing sector did not press energetically for the project to be realised.

“Much time has been lost and now that the government has run aground with its posture towards the controversy with Venezuela, it has backpeddled and returned to the Amaila Hydro Project for cheap, clean energy in a green economy,” the party said.

According to reports, Government will be going ahead with construction of the specialty hospital, but under a new agreement with India.

The new arrangement would see unused funds from the original deal being channelled towards the upgrade of three of the country’s regional hospitals, while a new pact will be negotiated for the completion of the medical facility.

Dr Norton told Guyana

An artist’s impression of the Specialty Hospital

The Hydropower Project is the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy. The project was expected to deliver electricity to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden.

Only recently, Government had back-peddled on another controversial project that was initiated by the PPP/C regime.

Last week, reports surfaced that Public Health Minister Dr George Norton had confirmed the move to continue with construction of the Specialty Hospital Project, which government has scrapped, stating that it would divert the money into the public health system.

Times that neither he nor the administration was ever against the specialty hospital.

What was troubling for them while in opposition he said, was the unavailability of relevant information.

According to the Health Minister, there was no information about the details including “if Guyanese were going to be employed in this hospital, if Guyanese have to pay to receive treatment in this hospital, what types of treatment, are the Guyanese students going to be taught there. These are things that were not coming through with regards to the bidding of the contract to build the hospital.”

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saturday, november 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Neonatal death Tackling crime remains top Govt GPHC launches investigation priority – Minister F Ramjattan

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ddressing the crime situation remains a top priority for the coalition government even as it is implementing several crime fighting measures.

This is according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who according to the Government Information Agency (GINA), said significant emphasis is also being placed on modernising and professionalising the Guyana Police Force (GPF), to meet the crime fighting needs of the country.

He added: “there will be a lot of naysayers out there that we are not solving (crimes), well, indeed it might seem so, but a lot of work is being done to professionalise and modernise this police force, but it will take some time for results to be seen,” Minister Ramjattan stated.

A special taskforce was set up earlier in the year by President David Granger whose members meet weekly to review and discuss the way forward, after scrutinising the crime report of the previous week.

In a recent TV episode of the “Public Interest’, the President explained: “We

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

have discussed with the commissioner (of the GPF) a scheme by which more policemen could be put on the ground. Right now by my calculations, the police force is about 20 per cent under strength, we need to bring it up to strength and in due course we need to pay them better and ensure they have the equipment to do their work.”

The 2015 national budget has allocated $350M to ensure police stations countrywide are fully equipped with the requisite resources to fight crime and respond promptly to calls by residents.

ollowing the death of an unborn baby at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) on Wednesday last, another probe has been launched at the medical facility.

A senior official at the hospital told Guyana Times an investigation has been launched into the incident.

The official said authorities are not taking this incident lightly given the fact that this incident comes on the heels of other maternity-related ones.

“The Minister was briefed about what transpired and we are currently investigating the incident…

When things like this happen, we have to bear the consequences not as a medical institution but as individuals. We are very sorry about what transpired,” the official stated.

The GPH personnel pointed out that the hospi-

tal is cognisant of the various complaints against not only staff from the maternity ward but other sections of the public facility: “This situation is very worrisome and is of grave concern to us, and we are looking into it.”

Several attempts made

by Guyana Times on Friday to get a comment from Health Minister Dr George Norton proved futile.

Sumarie Balwant, 34, called “Shalinie” of Lot 640 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, lost her second child, who died inside of her on Wednesday and her family is crying negligence by the nurses.

The woman had reached a full term pregnancy when she went into labour and was taken to GPH, where family claim the nurses were hesitant to deliver the baby, saying she was not ready, even though her am-

niotic ,sac commonly called ‘water bag’, had burst.

The family is alleging that because of the nurses’ negligence, the baby suffocated and died inside of Balwant.

The woman’s mother, Yungal Kumarie, told Guyana Times her daughter went to the hospital Tuesday morning and the nurses took her daughter into the operation room to examine her but declared she was not ready to deliver. Balwant remained in hospital and according to her mother, her water bag burst the following day (Wednesday).

Kumarie told said her daughter had complained that she felt the baby coming out of her womb but was told by the nurses that she was still not ready. On Wednesday morning, they were informed that the baby had died the day be-

fore while still in Balwant.

This incident comes on the heels of the Georgetown Public Hospital being sued by another distraught family whose baby also suffered injuries after a nurse allegedly dropped the newborn onto the ground.

This newspaper understands also that steps are being taken by yet another family to file a lawsuit against the Davis Memorial Hospital after a 33-year-old mother and her newborn child died allegedly at the hands of negligent nurses and hospital staff.

Meanwhile Parbatee Ramdat, 29, of Reliance Village, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) is currently in the process of taking legal action against the Suddie Public Hospital after her newborn baby suffered a fractured shoulder and hand during delivery.

Demerara Timbers workers strike...

Deadlock continues between Union and company – meeting postponed

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

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cores of workers who are employed by the Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) who downed their tools on Thursday last,

are disappointed as they have returned to work but their issues have not been addressed.

DTL workers downed tools in protest for better wages from the company.

The one-day strike had completely crippled the company’s operations at Mabura Hill, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Beribce).

The disgruntled workers, who are unionised under the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), returned to work with the hope that a meeting between the Union and DTL, which was slated for Friday with the Labour Ministry’s involvement, would have gone in their favour.

However, they were once again disheartened.

Chairman of GAWU Komal Chand, told Guyana Times on Friday that the Timber Company could not attend the meeting that was set for the day in question.

“The company asked for deference. They asked that the Ministry find a suitable

date because the date given for Friday was too short notice. So GAWU has already stated and signalled that it is available at any time to see to the workers’ wellbeing and interest,” Chand posited.

Guyana Times was told that since June 22 this year, the workers’ has been seeking to engage the company to discuss the claims which include a wage/salary increase of 12 per cent for the workers, meals and station allowances to be increased by 12 per cent, suitable guard huts for the watchmen and Night Premium for security personnel.

GAWU also sought to have dialogue with DTL based on the issuance of certain personal protective gears and an improvement in the quantum of annual level.

“However, the Union persevered until it got the company to engage in Collective Bargaining and there were three meetings, the last one held on November 17. The company did not approve any wage hike but offered a

Christmas bonus of $5000 to each worker in lieu of a wage increase for 2015 and the Company said it could not offer an increase in light of the Company’s revenue position,” said Chand.

As a result of this, the aggravated workers began a “spirited picketing exercise”on Thursday last, carrying various slogans some of which read “No increase, no work, “ we need 12% increase”, “$5000 is an insult” and “We need Madam Broomes to sweep Mabura”.

This newspaper understands that after the deadlock in talks between the Union and the company on Wednesday, GAWU promptly requested the conciliatory services of the Social Protection Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Union is presently awaiting word as to when the meeting between itself and the Timber Company will finally take place at the Labour Ministry’s boardroom. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Linden officials call for return of functional fire hydrants

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fficials in Linden, Region 10 have expressed concern over the absence of functional fire hydrants in the community.

Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Councillor Gordon Calendar is calling for the return of proper working hydrants in times of fire emergencies.

Calendar, who recently engaged the Council on the issue, said functioning fire hydrants are almost extinct in the Linden community.

He further stated that although a number of hy-

drants can be found in numerous areas in the community, in most cases they are dysfunctional. He said evidence of this can be seen in the Wisroc Housing Scheme and others at Wismar.

“I think we should engage the relevant authorities, which include the Guyana Fire Service along with the administration, also GWI (Guyana Water Incorporated) first to put these hydrants back into play”, he said.

Calendar said too that in numerous instances, hy-

drants cannot supply water because of their deplorable condition.

Speaking with Guyana Times on the issue during the observance of Fire Prevention Month, Station officer at the Linden Fire Station Chris LaRose said the fact that fire hydrants have become almost non-existent, is a “major disadvantage” to the execution of the duties of the fire service. He also said immediate access to water poses many difficulties.

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saturday, november 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Jonestown massacre

Mashramani 2016 launched

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s the 37th anniversary of the infamous Jim Jones massacre was observed on Thursday, persons around the world remembered the 914 victims who were members of the People’s Temple who were poisoned and shot to death.

In 1978, the cult preacher Jim Jones led over 900 followers – one third of who were children – to their deaths after ordering them to drink a cyanide-laced grape punch. Many of those who survived the suicidal poisoning were shot and killed, but a few managed to escape through the forest.

Six years ago, when the 31st anniversary was observed in 2009, the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration had partnered with the United States Government to pay homage to the hundreds of victims with the erection of a plaque at the site in Jonestown, Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD).

The plaque is inscribed “In memory of the victims of the Jonestown Tragedy, November 18, 1978, Jonestown, Guyana”.

Then Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Parshad, with the assistance of then Charge d’Affairs of the United States Embassy, Karen Williams, unveiled the plaque.

Both had described the tragedy as cruelty to the highest extent and urged that people remember this even so that it will not be repeated. The former Minister had remarked that the tragedy could be turned into something positive by pro-

Minister Nicolette Henry along with Permanent Secretary Alfred King unveiling the Mash 2016 logo Former Tourism Minister Manniram Parshad and former Charge d’Affairs of the United States Embassy, Karen Williams, unveiled the plaque

moting dark tourism in Guyana.

He had even met with the community leaders, who had also agreed to promote Jonestown as a unique tourist site. Additionally, Prashad had mentioned that residents in the community requested assistance in clearing the area since many visitors go there to pay their respect.

Thirty seven years later, everything from Jonestown has been stripped in the years since the deaths. The locals and to a lesser extent the Government made use of the machinery, the lumber of the structures, personal belongings of the individuals, educational resources from the school, utensils from the kitchen, medical supplies, the beds where people slept, the cottages and the other resources that made up the community.

The patch of rainforest in Guyana where Jim Jones

moved his People’s Temple in the 1970s has been almost entirely reclaimed by the jungle. Locals say if you search long enough, you can still find remnants of a tractor used for transport and agriculture and a filing cabinet that would have kept documents about the community. The metal drums in which Jones mixed cyanide and Kool-Aid in preparation for the mass murder-suicide which took place at the site 37 years ago, are also still in place.

Reverend Jim Jones made no news when he came to Guyana and brought with him close to 1000 followers of the People’s Temple. Most of his followers were black Americans and most of them female. Statistics indicate that about 375 were black American women.

Many of Jim Jones’ followers were destitutes; he picked them up and told them of a better life.

Dharmic Sabha to host overseas Ramlila group

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he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha will be hosting the national Ramlila Council of Trinidad and Tobago for one week, as the entities embark on workshops and performances across the country. The event will start on November 23.

In a statement issued by the Sabha on Friday, the organisation said an 18-member troupe from Trinidad will be performing in the Ramlila productions.

Workshops will be held prior to each performance, with participants receiving training in the art of staging Ramlila, costume and prop crafting and other as-

“C

elebration of Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty” was unveiled as the theme for Guyana’s 46th Republic Anniversary, as Mashramani was officially launched on Main Street, Georgetown, on Friday evening.

The dozens who gathered to join in the celebration were regaled by Brer Anansi stories, folk songs, tassa and African drumming, steel pan music, Amerindian dances, with the highlight of the evening being a performance from the 2015 Calypso Monarch King Perai, and the 2015 Soca Monarch Jomo Primo as Guyana prepares to celebrate Mashramani 2016.

Minister within the Education Ministry Nicolette Henry in her address told those gathered

is set to be staged as part of the Sabha’s Festival of Art, Kala Utsav on Sunday, November 29, at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar, Greater Georgetown. The Utsav serves as a platform for youths to express their talent in singing, dance, ramayan chanting, ramlila, kirtan and music. Hundreds of youths from across the country participate each year and are awarded trophies and cash incentives.

Kaautsav has been staged for over 20 years.

All are invited to attend this event which commences at 10:00h.

Minister Henry reminded the crowd that Guyana will be celebrating its 50th Independence anniversary, and added that the intention is to have expansive activities for the year.

She further stated that the 50-year mark is a profound milestone for Guyana, as it is in the life of any person, and any group of people: “At 50, we come closer to wisdom about the people and things that are truly important to us. At 50, we look forward to the younger ones who may walk the same path we take today, except with new energy and towards new heights that we cannot yet imagine. 50 is a time of deep humility about ourselves, honour for our elders, and hope for the young – these are truly cause for celebration.”

Tucburg Park robbery...

Accused claims that he was in house to pick up money after dropping off weed

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Accused: Brian Dhanphat

pects. All workshops commence at 15:00h and youths are encouraged to attend.

The performances are open to the public and will commence at 18:00h.

The Sabha shared that they continue to promote Ramlila across the country, having revived this tradition in Guyana almost 10 years ago. The Hindu organisations also shared that they are very heartened by the recent performances of Ramlila by youths across the country and are of the hope that the workshops will inspire more youths to engage in the ancient tradition of Ramlila.

A special performance

that “Mashramani 2016 is on” and is set to include Children’s Competitions - which will start at the Regional level, commencing in January and the National level will be during February. The areas of the competition will include dance, calypso, dramatic poetry, costume display, choral presentations and culminate with the Children’s Parade.

There is also Child Art competition for Primary and Secondary Schools, an essay competition for Secondary School children and adults, Masquerade competitions, Photography and Exhibition, Steel bands competitions in the Minor and Large band categories, Concert for the Elderly and many more, including the Flag Raising Ceremony on 23 February.

he three accused in the Tucburg Park, New Amsterdam, robbery were refused bail when they appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Brian Dhanphat, Troyden Trellis and Kevin Sandy were not required to plea to the indictable charge, which stated that on November 14, while being armed with a gun and cutlass, they robbed businessman Nicholas Harrinandan of one BlackBerry cellphone valued $50,000 and $250,000 cash. The men are also accused of robbing Uwattie Harrinandan of

Accused: Troyden Trellis

one Samsung Galaxy mini S4 cellphone.

Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Philip Sherriff told the court that Dhanphat was caught in the house and at the time, had the BlackBerry cellphone in his possession.

The Prosecutor also said that a firearm, which was left behind by the men was recovered in the businessman’s home.

Dhanphat, 25, of Smythfield New Amsterdam, told the court that on the day in question, he went to the man’s home but not to commit a robbery.

Troyden Trellis, 20, a clothes vendor of Timmers

Accused: Kevin Sandy

Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, told the court that he has no knowledge of the robbery. According to Trellis, he currently has a simple larceny charge before the court which comes up again on January 8.

Kevin Sandy, 20, of Lot 58 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam and Diamond, East Bank Demerara, told the court that he too has no knowledge of the robbery.

Sandy has an outstanding arrest warrant for not attending court since July, on a possession of arms and ammunition charge.

Magistrate IsaacsMarcus remanded the three accused. The case will continue on November 25.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, november 21, 2015

Regional

US seizes US$17M of cocaine Brazilian Police Officer charged with homicide over death of 10-year-old boy from boat in Caribbean

Four suspected smugglers were detained by US authorities and face prosecution (file photo)

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S authorities seized half a ton of cocaine with a street value of US$17 million from a speedboat off the coast of The Dominican Republican and arrested four people, the US

Coast Guard said Friday.

A patrol aircraft spotted the suspicious vessel on Sunday South-East of the island of Isla Beata in the Caribbean Sea, before US Coast Guard officials – trav-

elling with a Dutch naval force – boarded the boat and discovered 22 packages of cocaine.

Four suspected smugglers were detained by US authorities and face prosecution. “This seizure highlights how effectively the US Coast Guard and our allied partners are working together to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs from South America into the United States, the Caribbean and Europe,” said Cmdr Timothy Cronin, of the Coast Guard 7th District in Miami.

“We have to keep these drugs from penetrating our borders. More importantly, we have to get after the organized criminal networks that fuel the violence and instability in the Western Hemisphere.”

Since October 2014, the Coast Guard has seized cocaine worth US$7.4 billion.

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Police Officer has been charged with homicide over the death in April of a 10-year-old boy during a police operation against suspected drug traffickers in one of the city’s largest slums.

The charges filed against officer Rafael de Freitas Rodrigues challenge Police findings that the officer fired in self-defence and that 10-year-old Eduardo de Jesus Ferreira was caught in crossfire.

The boy’s mother, Terezinha Maria de Jesus, has said she saw a Police Officer shoot her son. Forensic science evi-

dence showed the shot that killed Ferreira came from a Policeman’s weapon. The charges, filed by Prosecutor Homero das Neves, said the Police Officer shot randomly without any proven aggression from drug dealers.

“The circumstances surrounding young Eduardo’s death could become a watershed moment in the fight against impunity and this is an important step by the public prosecutor to ensure external oversight over Police actions,” Atila Roque, executive director of Amnesty International Brazil, said in a statement.

“This is crucial when we

are talking about a Police Force that has killed more than 1000 people between 2014 and 2015 in alleged confrontations. Transparency in this investigation will be a way to protect everyone.”

Amnesty International said that while the “internal investigations say the boy was killed by a stray police bullet during a gunfight with armed criminals, testimonies from the family, neighbours and even two of the police officers involved have raised doubts over whether the confrontation took place at the time of the killing”. (The Guardian)

Barbuda MP says change Land Act

(Jamaica Observer)

Media entity says child rights across the region are abridged

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he Secretary General of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Sonia Gill said a recent evaluation of media reports across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has identified numerous breaches of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

The breaches, the official said, occur particularly as it relates to Clause 17 of the 1989 Convention which outlines the role of the media in relation to children.

“There’s a content anal-

ysis that was recently conducted in the Eastern Caribbean, and it shows very clearly that some of the material being disseminated via our media in this region, is clearly in breach of Clause 17 of the CRC. “We are not just speaking about the extremes such as child pornography and graphic violence, but also about content published by traditional media print and broadcast outlets, as well as the very widely referenced social media,” she said.

Clause 17 provides: children have the right to reli-

able information from the mass media. Television, radio and newspapers should provide information that children can understand and should not promote materials that could harm children.

Gill, who was a media regulator in Jamaica for several years, said the examples of breaches are many and should not be ignored, even as there is very little provision in most state law or policy, including sector self-regulation, as it relates to addressing these challenges. (Antigua Observer)

More Mexico migrants leaving US than arriving – study

Two months ago, during a debate in the Lower House of Parliament on the Paradise Found Act, Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin argued the Barbuda Land Act is unconstitutional, but said they would not seek to remove it

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ember of Parliament for Barbuda, Arthur Nibbs said the power of the Barbudan people to approve or deny major projects is stifling development in the sister-isle and should be removed.

In making the case for the repeal of the Barbuda Land Act of 2007, Nibbs said people can be too easily corrupted and such decisions are better left in the hands of the leaders they elect.

“If you have to receive the consent of the people for a project coming into the is-

land, I could just ensure that every time there is a project proposal, I could go and give people food, drinks or whatever and have them vote a particular way, and that could well be not in the interest of the people. It has happened,” the Barbuda MP declared.

Nibbs said other rights provided in the Barbuda Land Act could be maintained in a new law to be passed. “It’s not that Arthur Nibbs is saying throw away the land Act and then nothing. I think that the obstacles should be removed and

you fashion an Act that would still reserve the rights of the people to their land, but through their elected representative.

“If you don’t like what the government does you vote them out.” The Barbuda Affairs Minister said the people need to trust the representative they elect to govern them. “You have an elected council, elected by the people, you have a government elected by the people, and I think that’s enough. (Excerpt from Antigua

Observer)

Guatemala to punish ‘coyotes’ who smuggle migrants

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Mexicans still represent the largest group of immigrants in the US

ore Mexicans are leaving the US than migrating there, reversing a longstanding flow, a study has found. More than one million Mexicans and their families, including US-born children, returned to Mexico from 2009 to 2014 after living in the US, the report by Pew Research Center found.

Meanwhile, only 870,000 Mexicans moved in to US during the same time period,

creating a net loss of 140,000 people. An uneven economic recovery in the US was cited as a reason behind the shift.

Industries where migrants typically found work, such as construction, have not rebounded since the US emerged from a recession in 2009.

While increased border security has been an issue in the US presidential race, the Pew Center found that existing border controls have also

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made it harder for undocumented Mexicans to enter the US. The US has also stepped up efforts to deport migrants who have entered the country illegally. However, the report found that the majority of Mexicans in the US who returned home did so “of their own accord”.

The most common reason cited was reuniting with family. Others cited job opportunities in Mexico. (BBC News)

uatemala’s Congress has voted to impose harsher sentences for anyone helping migrants skirt the law, as it faces pressure from the United States to stop human trafficking and slow the flood of people passing through its borders.

The so-called “anti-coyote” law, passed late on Thursday, targets smugglers who help undocumented migrants traverse the Central American nation, a key route towards the United States.

Central Americans for decades have sought to escape

violence and poverty by migrating northward, but the issue became a crisis for the United States last year when tens of thousands of unaccompanied children, mostly from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, flooded the southern US border.

The Guatemalan route is also attracting migrants from further afield. Five Syrians travelled across two continents and five countries to reach jobs and a house in Guatemala promised by their Turkish smuggler, before being stopped in neighbouring Honduras.

Jean Paul Briere, head of

the migration committee in Guatemala’s Congress, said the law reflects a compromise with the United States as part of a development plan to create jobs and lift living standards in Central America.

“The situation with the exodus of migrant children (to the United States) helped the law get approved more quickly,” he said. “(Now) it is possible to punish these groups who mostly enrich themselves from migrants and use them to traffic money, drugs and weapons ... (and) exploit children and women.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

saturday, november 21, 2015

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the world

At least 27 dead after Islamists seize luxury hotel in Mali’s capital

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t least 27 people were reported dead on Friday after Malian commandos stormed a hotel seized by Islamist gunmen to rescue 170 people, many of them foreigners, trapped in the building.

The jihadist group Al Mourabitoun, allied to al Qaeda and based in the desert north of the former French colony, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The former French colony has been battling Islamist rebels for years.

More than seven hours after the initial assault, a security source declared the drama over, along with the deaths of two militants. But the security ministry said

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Malian security forces evacuate two women from the area surrounding the Radisson Blu hotel on Friday

gunmen continued to hold out against Special Forces on the top floors of the seven-floor building.

“The attackers no longer have hostages. They are dug

in in the upper floors. They are alone with the Malian special forces who are trying to dislodge them,” spokesman Amadou Sangho said.

A United Nations (UN)

official said UN peacekeepers searching the hotel had made a preliminary count of 27 bodies.

State television showed troops brandishing AK47s in the lobby of the Radisson Blu, one of the capital Bamako’s smartest hotels and beloved of foreigners.

A body lay under a brown blanket at the bottom of a flight of stairs.

Peacekeepers saw 12 dead bodies in the basement of the hotel and another 15 on the second floor, the UN official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. He added that the UN troops were still helping Malian authorities search the hotel. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Paris attacks: Woman ‘was not suicide bomber’ in raid

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rench media have cast doubt on the possibility that the female cousin of the presumed ringleader of the Paris attacks blew herself up in Wednesday’s police raid in the Saint-Denis suburb.

Police sources now say that the suicide bomber was in fact a man, not 26-yearold Hasna Ait Boulahcen.

Her cousin, alleged ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud is also confirmed to have died in the raid.

A third body was also found which is still being identified.

Also on Friday, prosecutors said that a second suicide bomber from the Stade de France attack passed through Greece on his way

to France.

Prosecutors had previously said one of the other attackers had come on the same route, via the Greek island of Leros. The men may have been posing as Syrian refugees.

France’s Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced that the death toll from the attacks a week ago by suicide bombers and gunmen had risen to 130 people.

Hundreds of people were wounded in the near-simultaneous attacks on Paris bars and restaurants, a concert hall and sports stadium.

Islamic State (IS) said it was behind the attacks - the worst in Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings. (Excerpt

daughter, has gripped India.

Police have named Indrani Mukerjea, Ms Bora’s mother, as the main suspect in the case.

They have also arrested her first husband as a coconspirator in the murder, as well as her former driver who is listed as an accomplice.

Indian media quoted officials from the country’s federal investigation agency as saying that there was enough to indicate that Mr Mukerjea knew of the mur-

der.

The story, involving hidden identities, allegations and counter allegations and arrests has gripped Indian media for weeks now. The coverage has attracted criticism, with politician Shashi Tharoor calling it “breathless and hysterical”.

Speculation grew after Mumbai’s police commissioner Rakesh Maria, who was personally investigating the case, was removed from his position. (BBC News)

from BBC News)

3 new Ebola cases Peter Mukerjea: India media tycoon arrested in murder case in Liberia

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hree new Ebola cases have been confirmed in Liberia, a health official said Friday, more than two months after the West African nation was declared Ebola-free for a second time.

It is a setback for Liberia, one of the three countries hit hardest by the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

The country has recorded more than 10,600 cases and more than 4800 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.

More than 11,300 deaths have been recorded for the entire outbreak, which was concentrated in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, according to WHO. Liberia was first declared Ebola-free on May 9, but new cases emerged in June resulting in two deaths. WHO declared the

country Ebola-free again on September 3.

The first of the latest cases, reported Friday morning, is a 10-year-old boy who lives in the eastern Paynesville district of Monrovia, said Dr Francis Kateh, chief medical officer and acting head of Liberia’s Ebola Case Management System. On Friday evening, Kateh said the boy’s father and brother had also tested positive for the disease.

The three patients have been taken to an Ebola treatment center outside Monrovia along with three other people who were possibly exposed to the disease, said Sorbor George, the Health Ministry’s Communications Director.

Officials were not sure how the new patients might have contracted Ebola, Kateh said. (Excerpt from MSN)

Peter Mukerjea was arrested on Thursday night, following three days of questioning

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n Indian media tycoon has been arrested in connection with the murder of his stepdaughter, Police said.

Peter Mukerjea, the former CEO of Rupert Murdoch’s Star India network, was arrested on

Thursday night. Mukerjea and his lawyers are yet to make a statement although in the past he has always said he was innocent.

The murder of Sheena Bora, first thought to be Mr Mukerjea’s sister-in-law but later found to be his step-

China: 28 ‘terrorists’ killed in Xinjiang operation

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hinese security forces in the far western region of Xinjiang killed 28 “terrorists” from a group that carried out a deadly attack at a coal mine in September.

The news carried on Friday by the governmentrun Xinjiang Daily was the first official mention of the September 18 attack at the Sogan colliery in Aksu, in which it said 16 people – including five Police Officers – were killed and another 18 wounded.

US-funded Radio Free Asia, which first reported the incident about two months ago, said at least 50 people had died. Attackers fled into the mountains and authorities launched a manhunt with more than 10,000 people forming an “inescapable dragnet”, the

China’s Government says it faces a serious threat from rebels and separatists in energy-rich Xinjiang, on the border of Central Asia, where hundreds have died in violence in recent years

Xinjiang Daily said.

“After 56 days of continuous fighting, Xinjiang destroyed a violent terror-

ist gang directly under the command of a foreign extremist group. Aside from one person who surren-

dered, 28 thugs were completely annihilated,” the newspaper reported.

China’s Government says it faces a serious threat from rebels and separatists in energy-rich Xinjiang, on the border of Central Asia, where hundreds have died in violence in recent years. Xinjian is home to the mostly Muslim Uighur ethnic minority people.

Rights groups say China has never presented convincing evidence of the existence of a cohesive armed group fighting the government.

Much of the unrest is caused by frustration at controls over the culture and religion of the Uighur people who live in Xinjiang, rights groups say, a charge Beijing denies. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Doctors from 44 countries call on Ireland to relax abortion laws

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undreds of doctors from 44 countries including some of Ireland’s most prominent physicians have called on the Republic’s government to decriminalise abortion.

The 838 doctors and medical practitioners have joined an Amnesty International campaign to lift the threat of a 14-year jail sentence for providing or assisting in the provision of an abortion in Ireland.

A letter from the international team of medics has been sent to the Fine Gael– Labour coalition in Dublin, warning that criminalisation is putting the lives of young women, including rape victims, at risk.

“The criminalisation of abortion prevents healthcare providers from delivering timely, medically indicated care in accordance with their patients’ wishes,” the letter says.

“It impedes and disregards sound medical judgment and can undermine the professional duty of care and confidentiality that doctors bear towards their patients.”

Colm O’Gorman, the executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, welcomed the support from global health experts in its campaign to decriminalise abortion.

He said: “Making criminals of women for abortion violates their human rights and can endanger their lives. In numerous countries around the world, Amnesty International has documented shocking cases of women forced to continue unviable pregnancies because of restrictive laws.

We have seen women and girls pregnant as a result of rape forced to carry the foetus to term and give birth.”

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

16 news

saturday, November 21, 2015| guyanatimesGY.com

Abram Zuil Secondary School Region 10 Education Department honours teachers hosts 26th Graduation – headmaster calls for new school building BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM

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ne hundred and nine students from the Abram Zuil Secondary School, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) graduated on Thursday when the school hosted its 26th Annual Graduation and prize giving exercise.

H e a d m a s t e r Roopcharran Persaud during his presentation commended the sterling efforts by staff and various stakeholders in the nurturing of the school.

But even as the school seeks to advance its academic performance, the headmaster said teachers are calling on the Education Ministry to build a new school for them.

Speaking specifically on the results of the CSEC examination, which were written in May/June 2015, Persaud explained that 109 candidates wrote the examination with pass grades 1 – 3 being 73.7 per cent. The pass grades 1 – 4 were 91 per cent. Six subjects recorded 100 per cent pass.

Also attending the graduation ceremony was Region Two Chairman, Davanand Ramdatt, who extended his gratitude to Headmaster Persaud for his long and successful service. Ramdatt also indicated that efforts

Regional Literacy Coordinator Ava Chapman with some of the grandaunts

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Headmaster Roopcharran Persaud posing with best graduating student Athina Indar

are being made to have a new school.

This year’s valedictorian was Science student Athina Indar who gained 15 subjects at the CSEC examinations.

Indar credited her suc-

cess to the dedicated support she received from teachers.

She urged students who will be sitting examinations next year to stay focused and remain positive throughout their academic life.

GEA, Courts partner on energy efficient appliances – pensioner receives energy efficient fridge

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Pensioner Dolores Daniels receiving her new fridge

he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has partnered with Courts Guyana Inc as part of its activities in Caricom Energy Week. The main thrust of energy week is to build awareness among various segments of society about critical energy issues with

the key focus on sustainable energy development at the national level.

As part of GEA’s ongoing endeavour to promote energy conservation, energy awareness and efficiency, it was decided to use the home of Dolores Daniels, 72, a pensioner and widow of Eccles,

East Bank Demerara as the pilot project, whereby the findings will be collected and used to validate, replicate and enhance energy conservation opportunities to pensioners across the country with similar circumstances.

As such Daniels was the recipient of a brand new 14 cubic feet Samsung energy efficient fridge.

During the energy assessment conducted by GEA engineers it was discovered that her refrigerator consumed a significant percentage of her total energy consumption. GEA recognized that her energy consumption can be further reduced by replacing the conventional type refrigerator she currently uses with the energy efficient “inverter type” refrigerator (which will consume about half the amount of energy that her current refrigerator dose).

Courts Commercial Director Tracy Smith said the company in its green initiative is focusing on energy conserving appliances since in the long run it is much more cost effective on customers.

eachers of Region 10, who have served 25 years and more in the profession, were honoured at an award ceremony organised by the Region’s Department of Education.

The ceremony, held at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Hall and Exhibition Centre in Linden, also saw 18 teachers graduating from the Education Management Programme.

Present at the event were Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, Regional Education Officer Marcia Paddy-Andrews and Region10 Chairman Renis Morian, among others.

In addressing those gathered, Paddy-Andrews said the need to honour teachers was realised and came into being since often times many teachers retire and are forgotten.

She expressed gratitude to the educators with the expression of “thank you”.

“It gives me great pleasure to be part of this double celebration. I am extremely happy to say congratulations to the graduating class of 2015 Ministry of Education Management Certificate course. We recognise these are the teachers

that weathered the storm.

I want to recognize those teachers that have given 25 years and more service of their lives to the education system. We at the department humbly submit to you that we do appreciate the years and years of tireless service. The department recognizes the need to reward good services in the education system. We believe that when people do well they should be recognised for it and that we should let them know it”, she said.

Meanwhile, Sam in his address said it is important to “look at the bigger picture” and understand the important role educators play in moulding society. He said the career should be appreciated for more than just putting a meal on the table.

“It saddens me when I interact with individuals who do not see the value in what they do and simply do it because it puts a meal on the table. One has to appreciate the bigger picture. My most valuable teachers are the ones who internalise the fact that their work is of national importance. We are in the business of shaping lives and defining outcomes and when you understand that,

it is reflected in your attitude and the degree of seriousness and importance you attribute to your task”, he stated.

Sam added too that the level of selflessness portrayed by teachers should be highlighted as they are called upon to give more in numerous instances. He said the element of care is critical in striving towards a positive outcome as he urged educators to continue along the road of giving selflessly.

“We are the individuals who shape and define the nature and tenor of this nation. We should regard ourselves as such and collectively work to ensure the legacy we leave for our children to inherit is one of greatness.

Simply put, we are ordinary people, in ordinary pursuits, who can make an extraordinary difference in the lives of many. Lets’ embrace that”, Sam emphasised.

Regional Literacy Coordinator and Master Trainer Ava Chapman also delivered positive sentiments to the graduating groups. Certificates and tokens of appreciation were handed over which brought the curtains down on the event.

Harris Paint launches Colour Wiz App

A

s the Christmas season approaches, Harris Paint in its quest to provide for the needs of customers has added a new innovation – the Colour WIZ App. The app is set to aid customers with their choices of paint.

Explaining the concept, Retail Services Manager Nicole Griffith said “if you see a flower with a colour you like, you can take a picture of it the app will find the closest match to the Harris paint line.”

A short demonstration of how the app works was done so that customers could see how to select their desired colours. The Colour Wiz App also provides further colour options that complement and enhance the primary and secondary colours that were the original source of

A Harris Paint team along with Retail Services Manager Nicole Griffith

inspiration and allows you to browse through thousands of available colours.

The launch, which has held at the company’s

Regent and Albert Streets branch, saw a wide variety of affordable paint and house improvement supplies on sale.

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news

saturday, November 21, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Govt approves $2.9B in Contractors assured of equity contracts for road works in GWI’s contracting process – says contracts will create jobs

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ith intentions of boosting the country’s sloping economy, government has announced over $2.9 billion in the infrastructure sector that will provide jobs for Guyanese.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday disclosed that Cabinet on Tuesday approved in excess of $3 billion in contracts for the various sectors, most of which went towards the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

According to the Minister, Cabinet gave its No Objection for the award of contracts for rehabilitation and construction works to be done on urban roads across the country.

In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), some $66,839,000 are for works to be done on the Water Street/ Tiger Bay Road Network and another $32,804,000 for works on the West Ruimveldt Road Network, in Georgetown.

Additionally, $12,420,000 was approved for road works to be done in Pattenson, Georgetown as well as $21,736,000 for Cummings Lodge Old Road, Georgetown.

Meanwhile, a total of eight contracts were awarded for road works, construction of bridges and the installation of street lights within Sophia, Georgetown. A total of $672,458,032 were approved for works to be done on: Denis Street to D Field Access Road; A Field main Access Road; A Field to B Field road link; A Field to B Field ring road; B Field to C Field ring road; C Field to D Field road; E Field main Access Road, and E Field to the Sophia Access Road.

Also in this region, Cabinet approved con-

tracts for works to be done on the access road and bridges at Laluni and from KuruKururu to Laluni farm lands, Soesdyke Highway, to the sum of $160,813,000.

Monies were also approved for a diversion channel and a timber revetment along the Meadow Bank, Georgetown, outfalls at the tune of $8,620,000.

Moving over to Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), monies were approved for upgrade works to be done on access roads and bridges at Parika to Naamryck Cross Dam, East Bank Essequibo. A total of $193,479,000 was approved for these works.

According to the Minister of State, Cabinet recognised the importance of infrastructure in contributing to the “good” life for all Guyanese, hence its no objection to some $2.9 billion in contracts for the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

“It is our hope that once these contracts are awarded, that work will commence before the end of 2015 so that all these communities can see activities taking place, they can see steps taken by the government to make sure that they have a better life,” the minister said.

Moreover, Harmon pointed out that Cabinet expects the injection of the funds in these projects will create employment. He explained that the contractors were instructed to ensure there is a certain amount of local labourers employed from those communities in which they have to carry out works.

“This is part of giving the economy that injection of cash, that injection that will ensure people are put to

ANSA McAL to fight for control of Barbados beverage manufacturer

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rinidadian conglomerate ANSA McAL (Barbados) Ltd has announced it will appeal the decision of a High Court to lift the injunction that blocked trading of shares and bidding for control of Barbados’ largest drinks manufacturer, Barbados Holdings Ltd. (BHL).

The injunction brought

by ANSA McAL was initially granted by Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson, but after a two-day hearing last week, he ruled that the injunction was lifted and gave ANSA McAL and Brazilian brewery AMBEV, through its subsidiary SLU Beverages, more time to woo shareholders.

ANSA McAL president and CEO Nicholas Mouttet said the company will be joined by several other BHL

shareholders who intend to bring a class action suit against BHL with a view to getting the “$10 Put Option” clause removed from the BHL/SLU agreement.

Under that clause of the agreement which BHL signed five years ago with then investor CLU Beverages, if another shareholder were to acquire 25 per cent of BHL’s stock and thus trigger a takeover bid, SLU would be paid 2.5 times the value of the money it invested in BHL, which was US$28.5 million.

This means that if ANSA McAl gets control of the company it will have to pay the new owners of the SLU shares, AmBev, B$10 (US$5) per share, for a total of around US$73 million for its shares and remaining loans to BHL. (Caribbean360)

work, the contractors are put to work, the people who provide the goods and services are put to work and that the people out there who require work that they get that work so this is why we have actually injected now into the economy an additional $2.9 billion for these contracts,” he underscored.

Furthermore, the Minister of State detailed that in all the communities where works are being done on the roads, which will be asphalted, Government will also be installing street lights.

In addition, Minister Harmon outlined that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has included in its works, an inspection division that will be overseeing the quality of work being done in these communities.

However, he urged residents in these areas to be on the lookout to ensure the works being done in their communities are exemplary.

“It makes no sense a contractor getting the contract, he is being paid the money and the work is not being done to the specification and then the community complains afterwards. We’re encouraging the communities to be involved in this. This is all part in the process of government funds or state funds being expended for the benefit of the Guyanese people and we are asking the Guyanese people to be involved in what is happening in your communities,” Harmon stated.

GWI CEO, Dr Richard Van West-Charles addressing the contractors at the utility’s workshop

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uyana Water Inc (GWI) contractors were informed as to the expectation of the utility company following the conclusion of a one-day workshop at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Premised on a move towards enhancing transparency of the utility’s operation, the workshop focused on familiarising the contractors with GWI’s required policies and procedures to operate in the water sector. The aim is to ensure quality of work, and equity in contract selection in a corruption free environment.

The utility’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who delivered the feature address at the workshop, explained that from his engagement with several contractors, there seems to be

a sentiment “real or imagined,” that not everyone has a fair stake in the process of contracting with GWI. “That is why this workshop is so critical, for us to have a meeting of the minds that as we enter into 2016, that we have the confidence in going forward, that when a contractor is selected or identified that, that is the person who has won based on what we would have set out in the documents,” he is quoted by the Government Information Agency (GINA) as saying.

But even as the utility company has worked to ensure that its policies and procedures are all clear and that there is no room for corrupt processes, it also has similar expectation of its contractors. “… If you have a contract to disconnect, it is to disconnect and not reconnect and take a bribe,” Van

West-Charles said.

GWI’s focus on equity is towards ensuring small contractors are not being crowded out of the process and that they have a fair opportunity. The CEO assured that there would be no official or ministerial preference for any contractor, or no skewing of works done by any specific contractor.

He noted that GWI operates in all 10 administrative regions and every contractor will be given equal chance to participate in the process. It is hoped that the workshop will as well result in an expansion on the present pool of contractors providing services for the GWI, that the contractors will be better informed about their role in service delivery, and the bidders, better educated on how to prepare responsive bids.

Veterans receive $1M from GDF

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he Guyana Veterans Legion has received another sizable donation, on the celebration of Veterans Day, as Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Mark Phillips handed over a cheque for $1M to the association.

This was done on the occasion of the Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony, held at the Veterans Monument on the Front Lawns, Base Camp Ayangana, on Friday.

President David Granger received the Presidential Salute, followed by the last post and then one minute of silence for Guyana’s fallen heroes.

Wreaths were laid by President Granger, Chief of Staff Mark Phillips, Lt Colonel (Ret’d) George Gomes, Lt Colonel (Ret’d) Hartely Liverpool and Cheryl Tappin, President of the Ex-GDF Association of New York.

Before handing over the monetary donation to president of the Guyana Veterans Legion, Retired Colonel George Gomes, Brigadier Phillips, in remarks said the army was more than pleased to acknowledge the efforts of the fallen heroes and those still alive.

“This is indeed an acknowledgement of your collective service in the defence of Guyana, in support of diplomacy to safeguard our national interest and your contribution to the development and the protection of democracy in Guyana,” Brigadier

Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Mark Phillips at the Veterans’ Monument during the Veterans Day ceremony

Phillips said. He added that the army is heartened by the President’s recent decision to establish the national Veterans Commission, as it will support the conduct of investigations and the making of recommendations for the improvement of the living standards for the deserving veterans.

On the occasion, president of GVL Retired Colonel George Gomes used the opportunity to call for the GDF to address the diet of soldiers based on

health issue trends among veterans, which may be related to their food intake.

The Veterans’ Association currently has about 85 members. Of this group, 36 are diabetic, 19 are visually impaired, eight are amputees and 27 have been stricken with stoke.

With this situation facing the association, Gomes also made a plea for a medical team to be made available once a week for those in need of medical care.

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, november 21, 2015

ARCHIE

Don’t waste time. Focus on making progress and gaining (March 21- knowledge and skills that will April 19) help you reach your goals.

Leave time for relaxation and romance late in the day.

ARIES

Exploring something inTAURUS teresting with someone spe(April 20- cial will spark your imagiMay 20) nation regarding how you can work as a team. You can make a difference if you focus on a cause that concerns you.

dilbert

Confusion, overindulgence GEMINI (May 21- and gullibility will all work June 20) against you. Don’t give in to someone pressuring you for money or trying to get you to do something that goes against your better judgment.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Making assumptions will lead to unwanted change. Do your best to have fun. Get involved in something that interests you. A day trip will be enlightening and inspire creativity.

Say what’s on your mind LEO and get on with making the (July 23changes you want to pursue.

Aug. 22) You’ll have the discipline to outmaneuver the competition.

Romance is in the stars.

Calvin and Hobbes

You’ll have the insight VIRGO and fortitude to spin situ(Aug. 23ations in your favor. Don’t Sept. 22) overstep boundaries or use false information to get what you want, or what you gain will be withdrawn.

Ease stress by doing LIBRA (Sept. 23- things you enjoy with someOct. 23) one you love. If you distance yourself from a problem, you will realize what you have to do to fix what’s wrong.

SUDOKU

Go after your goals with SCORPIO honesty, integrity and good (Oct. 24will. Standing behind your Nov. 22) beliefs will bring others to your side. Someone or something you encounter will inspire you.

Don’t let mixed emotions SAGITTARIUS and uncertainty ruin your (Nov. 23plans. Look past what everyDec. 21) one else is doing or saying and find truth in what you believe. Avoid bad influences.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

CAPRICORN Present an idea and see if (Dec. 22- anyone shows interest in it.

Jan. 19) A service you can offer others could turn into a prosperous venture. A former partner will have something to contribute.

AQUARIUS Check out new possibilities. You need something that (Jan. 20holds your interest or allows Feb. 19) you to use your talents in a lucrative manner. Romance is on the rise.

Don’t give in to someone PISCES (Feb. 20- who is being unreasonable.

March 20) You can only do so much. It is likely that you are being deceived, so tread carefully.

saturday, November 21, 2015

19

Wawrinka knocks out Murray, FIFA reform committee Nadal still unbeaten concludes work amid secrecy B F

IFA’s reform committee avoided giving details on its final proposals for cleaning up football’s scandal-plagued governing body after winding up its third and final meeting on Friday.

In a terse 79-word statement, FIFA said only that committee chairman Francois Carrard would put its recommendations to an executive committee meeting on Dec. 2-3, and that they would be publicly presented afterwards.

There was no news conference after Friday’s meeting at FIFA’s headquarters in a plush Zurich hilltop suburb.

FIFA is facing unprecedented pressure to overhaul its governance and improve transparency following the May indictment by U.S. authorities of 14 football officials and sports marketing executives on corruption-related charges.

The crisis escalated further in October when both FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini, who had been favourite to succeed him, were banned for 90 days

by FIFA’s ethics committee pending a full investigation.

Many of those indicted by U.S. authorities had served on FIFA’s executive committee or other FIFA panels.

Swiss public prosecutors are also investigating alleged irregularities in decisions to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and

the 2022 tournament to Qatar, both taken at a vote in Zurich in December 2010.

Domenico Scala, who heads FIFA’s audit and compliance and committee, has produced an extensive package of proposed reforms that he has made public and given to FIFA’s executive committee.

They include 12-year

cials, but only mentioned term-limits for the president who would be restricted to three mandates.

The reform committee has not provided any further details of its work since then.

Carrard told Reuters in New York earlier this month that term limits may not be the best course of action for

The sun is reflected in FIFA’s logo in front of FIFA’s headquarters

term limits for elected FIFA officials from the president down, full disclosure of the financial compensation of the president, general secretary and executive committee members, and more detailed integrity checks on members of committees.

The reform committee published a five-page summary of its “preliminary recommendations” on Oct. 20 which suggested an age limit of 74 for all leading offi-

executive committee members.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, a leading member of the reform committee, said that up to 40 percent of Scala’s proposals could be rejected.

“I think age-limit will achieve the same goals – you will have three or four terms maximum, unless you are young,” he told Reuters in an interview on Nov 2. (Reuters

Sport)

PCB clears Umar Akmal for England T20s

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he Pakistan Cricket Board has cleared batsman Umar Akmal’s selection ahead of the upcoming threematch T20 series against England in the UAE. Umar had been left out of the T20 squad and was handed a show-cause notice for “bringing the PCB and Pakistan Cricket into disrepute” after a news report emerged that he was involve in an “immoral activity”.

Local newspaper Daily Kawish Sindhi had reported that some cricketers allegedly attended a party in Hyderabad and were caught in “immoral activity” during the

third round of the Quaide-Azam Trophy match between Hyderabad and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited. The PCB suspected Umar, along with Hyderabad player Azeem Ghumman, was involved in the activity and approached the local police to check if there was any report registered against him, but found nothing concrete to charge any player, and decided to clear Umar’s name for national selection.

“Subsequent to his being cleared by the inquiry initiated by the PCB’s security and vigilance department with regard to media reports of an inci-

ritain’s Andy Murray can focus fully on next week’s Davis Cup assignment in Belgium after Stanislas Wawrinka sent him packing from the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on Friday.

The concluding roundrobin match at the yearender had become a straight knockout between the two players after Rafael Nadal had already sealed top spot in Ilie Nastase Group, and Wawrinka looked the sharper as he won 7-6(4) 6-4.

Earlier, Nadal spent two hours and 36 minutes beating fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-7(2) 6-3 6-4 to make sure he went into Saturday’s semi-final against world number one Novak Djokovic with a 100 percent record so far this week.

Wawrinka will face Stan Smith Group winner Roger Federer, who like Nadal was unbeaten in group play.

Murray and Wawrinka were both guilty of numerous careless errors, Murray in a first-set tiebreak that he led 4-2.

His Swiss opponent then wobbled towards the end and nearly let slip a 5-2 lead, having to save two break points when he served for the match for a second time at 5-4.

World number two Murray, who smashed a frame in anger in the final game, said the proximity of next week’s Davis Cup final on a claycourt in Ghent had not been a factor in his defeat.

“Way too many errors. Cheap ones, as well.

Disappointing,” the 28-yearold, who fell at the group stage for the second year running, told reporters.

Umar Akmal is now available to play in the T20s against England. (AFP photo)

“I didn’t find it difficult not thinking about the Davis Cup final, to be honest. Obviously the only positive for me this week is I’ve come away from it injuryfree.

“Now I have a couple more days to get ready for Belgium.”

Murray was straight back on court afterwards, taking out his frustration in a knockup with coach Jonas Bjorkman on a deserted centre court as cleaners picked up litter in the stands.

With Nadal already in the semi-finals and Ferrer going home after two de-

Nadal, who had already beaten fourth-ranked Wawrinka and Murray, buckled down though and levelled the match before breaking the Ferrer serve in the final game of the contest.

“It should be like this,” Nadal, who has been transformed since a modest summer, told reporters.

“Doesn’t matter if I was qualified. For me the main goal is to try to arrive in good shape next year. Today was an opportunity to play against another of the top eight players of the world.

“I think I competed well.

I won a very tough match. I

Stanislas Wawrinka

feats, the clash of the Spaniards had no impact on the tournament but the packed arena was treated to the longest match of the tournament so far.

It looked as though Nadal might be in for an easy ride when he won 10 of the first 11 points, breaking Ferrer twice, but his 33-year-old opponent is renowned as one of the sport’s best battlers and he hit back to win a tiebreak.

World number five

think a very good match in terms of quality moments.”

In the doubles, Ivan Dodig and world number one Marcelo Melo beat Marcin Matkowski and Nenad Zimonjic to set up a semi-final against Rohan Bopanna and Florin Mergea.

Second seeds Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau will face the Bryan twins after beating French duo PierreHugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut. (Reuters Sports)

dent in Hyderabad, Umar Akmal has been inducted in the T20Is squad against England,” a PCB release said. “Meanwhile, Iftikhar Ahmed has been called back to make way for Umar Akmal.”

Umar has been an automatic selection in T20s but was left out of the original squad hours before the announcement on instructions from the PCB. Allrounder Imad Wasim, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the three T20s after not recovering sufficiently from the fracture injury to his left little finger. Bilal Asif, another allrounder, was therefore retained in the T20 squad.

Imad injured his finger in October during a QEA match in Islamabad and was subsequently advised rest for three weeks.

“I don’t think there is enough healing to allow him to play international cricket at this stage for the fear of further damaging the joint,” Dr Sohail Saleem, head of PCB’s Medical & Sports Sciences, said in a statement. “I will wait for another two weeks for another review. So, unfortunately his prospects of representing Pakistan in T20Is against England are non-existent.

Meanwhile, he has been advised to stay in NCA to work on his fitness.” (Cricinfo)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, November 21, 2015

Lady Jags advance to CONCACAF GCB/BANKS DIH/DIGICEL NSSCL Chase Academy, Queen’s College reach Olympic qualifiers North Georgetown Zone final

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Lady jags advance

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he Guyana Lady Jaguars have advanced to the CONCACAF Olympic qualifier after a 2-1 victory over Jamaica at the Ato Boldon stadium in Trinidad and

Tobago.

After losing to Puerto Rico in their qualifier recently 1-0, the Lady Jaguars had to win against Jamaica.

After Jamaica’s 1-0

score in the first from Tashana Vincent Mariam El Masri scored to equalise.

Guyana would score again to win the match to send them through the qualifier.

hase Academy ousted St Stanislaus and Queen’s College defeated St John’s College to book the final spots in the North Georgetown Zone of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored by Bank’s DIH Ltd’s Coco Cola and Rainforest Water, along with Digicel.

In the first semi-final played at DCC ground, Queenstown, Georgetown, Chase Academy registered another comprehensive victory by routing St Stanislaus for 50 in 21 overs. National Under-17 left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd continues to spin webs around batsmen as he claimed 3-1; Orandi Chase also had a 3-wicket haul (3-10).

Chase Academy got to their target in the 10th over, losing three wickets in the process. Joshua Persaud led the way with an unbeaten 33.

The second semi-final was also played at DCC ground. St John’s College won the toss and decided to bat first and fell for 122 in 25.2 overs; only Joshua Raghobar and Rawle Douglas offered much resistance with 33 and 21 respectively. The pick of the bowlers for Queen’s College was Avinash Boodram who had tidy figures of 2-5 off 5.2 overs.

Queen’s College in reply got to 126-4 in 28.1 overs. Clarence Baird smashed a shot filled 45 which included three fours and six maximums. Renaldo McGarrell also contributed 26. Bowling for St John’s College, Barion Dickson had 2-35.

Ashmead Nedd

Buttler’s record-breaking ton Regional leaders jumped the gun demolishes Pakistan claims Cameron J W os Buttler struck the quickest century in England’s ODI history, from just 46 balls, to help his side to a 3-1 series victory against Pakistan in the UAE. Buttler’s innings included eight sixes - another record for an England player in ODI cricket - as England posted 355 for 5, their highest total away from home.

Only four times have they scored more. It was to prove more than enough as Pakistan were dismissed for 271 with almost ten overs remaining.

Buttler, who had already recorded the two fastest ODI centuries for England (61 balls against New Zealand and 66 against Sri Lanka) finished unbeaten on 116 from 52 balls with 18 of them having been hit for four or six. There have been only six quicker ODI centuries and it helped England plunder 145 off the final 11 overs.

If Pakistan’s bowling looked ragged in the face of Buttler’s assault - and it did - they probably deserve some sympathy. Promoted to No. 4 after Jason Roy, who scored a maiden ODI century of his own, had established an imposing platform, Buttler was given every freedom to unleash his spectacular talents upon this game.

Having hit the bowlers of their length with a series of scoops, reverse-sweeps and bottom-handed drives which rendered even yorkers a feeding opportunity, Buttler then thrashed the follow-up collection of long-

hops, full-tosses and slower balls. It was an innings of which AB de Villiers or Viv Richards would have been proud. And there really is no higher praise than that.

For a while, Pakistan kept up with the required run-rate. Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez struck the ball sweetly in hitting first Reece Topley and then Chris Woakes out of the attack. Then Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik took up the charge with swift half-centuries that left England just a little flustered.

But when Alex Hales, who had earlier missed a relatively straightforward catch offered by Hafeez, pulled off an outstanding catch at deep midwicket Hales ran in from the fence and threw himself forward to scoop the ball up inches from the ground - to dismiss Malik, the Pakistan resistance crumbled. It was, though, a brave effort.

How they will rue the self-inflicted wounds that continue to hold them back.

After three run-outs in Sharjah, they suffered another here when Hafeez, batting with real class at present, called Azam for a sharp single only to see his partner motionless and ballwatching at the other end.

Hafeez had no chance of regaining his ground.

Defeat means Pakistan have lost three ODI series in a row against England and, placed eighth in the rankings, they face the real prospect of having to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. This was not a day when Pakistan lost because they

played poorly, though, as much as it was a day when they came up against a player of special ability in golden form.

Having recovered some confidence after his unbeaten 49 in Sharjah - how important might that missed stumping before he had scored in that game prove to be? - Buttler gave himself a little time to get used to the conditions (he scored just five from his first nine balls) before going on the attack.

Mohammad Irfan, a thorn in England’s side throughout the series, was flicked from outside off to square leg and then scooped as if he were a medium-pacer. When Wahab went full

he was laced through the covers and when he dropped short he was pulled through mid-wicket. One Anwar Ali over was thrashed for 22 as Buttler followed one perfectly timed reverse sweep for four with two thunderous pulls for six. It was murderous, merciless stuff. So unEnglish in many ways. The last 33 balls of his innings produced 99 runs.

Buttler’s brilliance might have overshadowed the contribution of Roy, but it was England’s strong start - they were 194 for 2 with almost 15 overs left when he wandered to the middle - that allowed him the freedom to attack. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD England innings (50 overs maximum) JJ Roy c Babar Azam b Yasir Shah 102 AD Hales c Shoaib Malik b Mohammad Irfan 22 JE Root st †Sarfraz Ahmed b Azhar Ali 71 JC Buttler† not out 116 EJG Morgan* st †Sarfraz Ahmed b Azhar Ali 14 JWA Taylor c Ahmed Shehzad b Mohammad Irfan 13 MM Ali not out 4 Extras (lb 4, w 8, nb 1) 13 Total (5 wickets; 50 overs) 355 Did not bat: CR Woakes, AU Rashid, DJ Willey, RJW Topley Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-194, 3-201, 4-227, 5-306 Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 10-0-64-2, Anwar Ali 9-0-750, Wahab Riaz 9-0-70-0, Yasir Shah 10-0-57-1, Shoaib Malik 7-0-59-0, Azhar Ali 5-0-26-2.

Pakistan innings (target: 356 runs from 50 overs) Azhar Ali* c & b Willey 44 Ahmed Shehzad c Ali b Willey 13 Mohammad Hafeez run out (Willey/†Buttler) 37 Babar Azam c Hales b Rashid 51 Shoaib Malik c Hales b Topley 52 Mohammad Rizwan c †Buttler b Rashid 11 Sarfraz Ahmed† c Willey b Rashid 24 Anwar Ali c Rashid b Ali 24 Wahab Riaz c & b Ali 1 Yasir Shah c Woakes b Ali 5 Mohammad Irfan not out 0 Extras (lb 2, w 7) 9 Total (all out; 40.4 overs) 271 Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-64, 3-129, 4-176, 5-194, 6-228, 7-249, 8-259, 9-271, 10-271 Bowling: DJ Willey 6-0-342, RJW Topley 7-0-58-1, CR Woakes 8-1-46-0, MM Ali 9.40-53-3, AU Rashid 10-0-78-3.

est Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron believes regional leaders jumped the gun, so to speak, in response to the recently released report by

sure how to respond to calls for an urgent meeting when if we sit down and have an urgent meeting I am not sure what I could say to that grouping, because it is the shareholders who have

Dave Cameron

the Independent Review Panel of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Sub-Committee on Cricket Governance.

Following the release of the report, which suggested, among other things, that WICB be disbanded, Grenada’s prime minister Dr Keith Mitchell and other members of the Caricom Cricket Governance Subcommittee have requested an urgent meeting to discuss the findings.

Cameron has revealed that it has not been possible to comply with the request as yet, however, as the member territories have not been given enough time to discuss the findings.

“Unfortunately I’m not

to decide the way forward,” Cameron said on Digicel SportsMax’s SportsMax Zone on Thursday.

The regional cricket head maintains that the body had only been made aware of the findings of the report a day before a press conference was called that made the findings public.

Cameron believes the issue could have been handled differently.

“If we commissioned a report together then it’s only right that we receive the report and then discuss it to determine whether we are going to implement the findings, then we would make whatever we have agreed to public,” Cameron said of the situation. (Digicel

Sportsmax)

sports

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WICB-CARICOM tension continues Dispute over report

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that Grand Coastal over the past 10 years has been a proud supporter of the development of the sport.

The competition last year saw over 40 golfers participating. Richard Haniff, playing off a handicap 20, recorded a net score of 63 to be the clear winner last year. Haniff also turned in the best gross of 83.

WICB President Dave Cameron

Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell

renada’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, yesterday slammed what he called an “amazing level of disrespect” on the part of West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron, as pressure continued to mount on the beleaguered Board to meet urgently with CARICOM leaders over the Governance Review Panel report.

Mitchell, the chairman of CARICOM’s Cricket Governance Committee, stopped short of issuing an ultimatum to the WICB but urged Cameron to rethink his decision not to accommodate a meeting with regional heads before the board of directors meeting on December 12 in St Lucia.

Cameron has been adamant about the WICB’s inability to accommodate the Caribbean leaders prior to the already scheduled meeting and reiterated this position in written communica-

tion to CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque on Tuesday.

“It is quite amazing the level of disrespect. The level of lack of understanding of the importance of this is quite frightening, and I don’t think I should hold back any words,” Mitchell said bluntly as he spoke on the last day of the OECS Summit here.

“I expect the president of the West Indies Cricket Board to respect the leadership of the Caribbean, the leadership of the people of the region, and to give effect to an urgent meeting.

“We expect no less, and I hope and pray that what we saw was a rush of blood and not his (Cameron) real intentions, so I expect to see a meeting very, very soon between the leadership, and we are waiting for that answer to meet quickly to move cricket forward in the region.”

G

The salvo from the veteran Caribbean leader is the latest in the standoff between the WICB and CARICOM following the release of the Governance Review Panel report earlier this month.

Chaired by UWI Cave Hill Campus principal Professor Eudine Barriteau, the panel had as its main recommendation the “immediate dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board and the appointment of an interim board whose structure and composition would be radically different from the now proven, obsolete governance framework”.

Cameron, while speaking in The Cayman Islands last weekend, again stressed that scheduling an “urgent meeting”, as had been requested

by CARICOM, was impractical as the board needed time to go over the report.

Also, he said there were “a number of professionals who sit on the West Indies Cricket Board and just calling a board of directors meeting is not that easy.”

The statement provoked Mitchell’s ire, forcing him to respond.

Mitchell said though regional leaders were extremely busy, they were willing to sacrifice the time to discuss the pressing issue of Caribbean cricket.

The panel was commissioned by the CARICOM Cricket Governance Committee back in April, with input from the WICB. (Jamaica Gleaner)

22

guyanatimesGY.com

saturday, November 21, 2015

Smalta/Ministry of Public Health Pee Wee girls

Action continues today

National Schools’ Championships

New Amsterdam/District 15 aiming to win athletics championship

By Treiston Joseph

N

Some of the action during the first round of action

T

he Smalta/Ministry of Public health Pee Wee girls’ football tournament will continue today at the Ministry of Education ground.

Eight highly competitive games are expected for tomorrow’s action as the second round of action continues.

The first game of the day will feature West Ruimveldt

Primary and St Angela’s in game that should thrill the fans.

FE Pollard will take on Tucville Primary while the third match of the day will see North Georgetown and Winfer Gardens doing battle.

St Pius Primary and St Margaret’s will also take the pitch while Smith’s Memorial and Enterprise Primary will face off in the fifth match of

the day.

St Stephen’s Primary and St Ambrose will aim to win some valuable points when they collide while South Ruimveldt and St Agnes will meet in a much anticipated clash.

Stella Maris Primary and Sophia Primary will match pegs in the final match of the day. Action is set to begin from 10:00h.

ew Amsterdam/ District 15 is optimistic ahead of the 55th edition of the National Schools’ Championships that will commence on November 23.

Speaking to the Sports Representative of the district Heathcliff Peters pointed out that the district believes they can win the athletics aspect of the event.

“Well last year we placed sixth and the kids believe that can win the track and field this year and we are in full support of them,” Peters shared.

To aid the district in the bid to win the athletics component of the championships, Peters revealed that his squad was boosted with the Ministry of Education’s donation of 30 pairs of running shoes.

“Well the Ministry boosted us with 30 pairs of running shoes, so those athletes who do not have will be fitted with a pair,” Peters mentioned.

But how well is the squad currently preparing for the event,” We have been in preparation for a month now, since the Inter-zones championships and we are set we have the female under-16 record holder in high jump Donella Joe moving up to under-18 and she is going for the record so we are

positive at the moment that we will have a few records as well and we also have a full cycling team this year,” Peters pinpointed.

Nevertheless, Peters pointed to swimming as the district’s weakest area, “ Well our main concern is our swimming we are weak there what we will do next year is ask to the Ministry

at Liliendaal. In addition to the swimming competition, two field events, Long Jump and Shot Putt, along with the 10km road race, 40km and 25km cycle road race will also take place on November 23.

The Games Village will be established on Woolford Avenue. Tutorial High, North Georgetown Primary

if they can provide training for the teachers so they can teach the kids because the kids can swim it’s just the various strokes” Peters highlighted.

With all logistics in place for the squad, Peters noted that squad is ready for the challenge of competing for the overall title as well.

The Swimming Championships will be held on Monday, November 23 at the National Aquatic Centre

and Secondary Schools and Richard Ishmael Secondary will house the 16 Districts from across Guyana that will compete at the Championships.

The Games Secretariat has been officially opened at GTU Headquarters, Woolford Avenue, with Districts submitting their entries.

The Opening Ceremony for the championship is scheduled for November 24 at 10:30h.

GCB/Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket

Mae’s Primary, Stella Marris in East Georgetown final – Better Hope, Taymouth Manor, Queenstown victorious in Essequibo Coast Zone

M

ae’s Primary defeated Bel Air Primary and Stella Marris Primary got past Redeemer Primary to book their place in the final of the East Georgetown Zone of the GCB/ Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket.

At the Racquet Centre ground, Mae’s Primary defeated Bel Air Primary by nine wickets. Bel Air Primary batting first was limited to 94-8 in 14 overs. Ravindra Singh was the top scorer with 21 as no other batsman reached double figures for Bel Air Primary.

Bowling for Mae’s Primary, Nicholas Samaroo had 3 wickets.

In reply, Mae’s Primary made light work of their target as they finished on 100-2 in the 9th over when Samaroo smashed the second delivery he faced for six to end the match. Leading the way with the bat for Mae’s Primary was Jonathan Vanton who made a commanding 43, which included seven fours and two huge sixes. Omar Percival also contributed 27 not out.

In the second semi-final of the East Georgetown Zone also played at the Racquet Centre ground, Stella Marris Primary

eased past Redeemer Primary by 41 runs. Batting first, Stella Marris amassed 146-8 in 14 overs. Alvin Adolphus struck an enterprising 68 not out including three boundaries and nine towering sixes. Bowling for Redeemer Primary, Ameer Hussain had three wickets.

In Redemeer Primary’s reply, they could only manage to get to 105-9 when their overs were completed. Leading the bowling for Stella Marris Primary was Chelsea Morrison who claimed three wickets for just two runs.

Meanwhil, on the Essequibo Coast, Better Hope Primary defeated Charity Primary by six wickets at Charity ground. Taking first strike, Charity Primary was restricted to 114-8 off 14 overs with only Shem Dey making any significant contribution scoring 19. Bowling for Better Hope Primary, Kevin Persaud took 2-8.

Better Hope then replied with 115-7 in 13.4 overs, winning by six wickets and two balls to spare.

Hibron Peters and Mahendra Ramlall scored 25 and 21 respectively. Erica Alphonso and Romario Adams had two wickets apiece.

Jonathan Vanton

At Mainstay ground, the home team went down to Taymouth Manor by six wickets despite scoring 180. Asked to take first strike, Mainstay Primary racked up 180-7 off their 14 overs as Rayon John struck an entertaining 61 and Ronaldo Charles made 30. Pooja Persaud was the pick of the Taymouth Manor Primary’s bowlers with 2-9.

In reply to Mainstay Primary’s mammoth total, Taymouth Manor showed no signs of being intimidated by the huge total as they completed the chase in the 14th over. Leading the way with the bat for Taymouth Manor Primary was Rajindra Ramballie who top scored with a composed 52.

Shazeg Mohammed chipped in with 21. Alicia Foster had 1 wicket for Mainstay Primary.

In another match played in Essequibo Coast zone, Queenstown Primary beat Capoey Primary by 12 runs at Capoey ground. Batting first, Queenstown Primary made 149-11 in 14 overs.

Kellon Cox and Akeem Jones each scored 18. There were 2 wickets each for Tamar Hendricks and Nadia Prince bowling for Capoey Primary.

In reply, the home team reached 137-9 in their 14 overs falling short by 12 runs. Only Andrian Hendricks and Dave Deyouny reached double figures. Bowling for Queenstown Primary, Kellon Cox, Brian Innis and Akeem Jones all had 2 wickets each.

At Sparta ground, the home team defeated C.V Nunes Primary by seven wickets. C.V Nunes batting first was limited to 92-4 off their 14 overs.

Christopher Samaroo and Jaydon Reece made 13 each. Bowling for Sparta Primary, Sim Persaud had 2-6.

In reply, Sparta Primary eased to 93/6 in 12.5 overs as Aryan Doodnauth led the way with 22. Devonte Pearson had 2-1 in a losing cause bowling for C.V Nunes.

Matches continue in Georgetown on Friday, at the Racquet Centre ground as North Georgetown Primary face St Margaret’s Primary to determine the winner of the North Georgetown Zone while Stellas Marris will play Mae’s Primary which will see the winner of East Georgetown Zone being crowned.

saturday, november 21, 2015

guyanatimesGY.com

23

Leonora to come alive as Mobile Wizard GTT sponsors 3 10/10 returns for the third round under-19 cricketers T G

BY AKEEM GREENE

uyana Telephone Telegraph company (GTT), in keeping with its commitment to aid in the development of sport in Guyana, on Friday at its company headquarters, provided sponsorship for three under-19 cricketers.

ing, can go on to play at the highest level.

Ramson Jr, being the brainchild behind the contractual programme, spoke of the need for such partnerships in the arena of sport, as it arguers well for cricket and sport in its in entirety.

Marketing Manager and

The terms of the contract in relation to training, discipline, work ethic and performance shall be monitored and strict in its compliance in order for the offeree to continue to benefit. In other words, if the offeree does not train according to a set programme and perform, then

he Mobile Wizard 10/10 softball cricket tournament organised by the Guyana Softball League (GSL) in collaboration with the West Demerara Softball Cricket League returns to the Leonora Primary School ground, West Caost Demerara, this weekend.

Enemy Lines XI will do battle with Superstreet Reloaded XI

The Enemy Lines XI team is made up of the under-17 players representing West Demerara in the hard ball version and will look to showcase the talent they possess.

On the other hand, Superstreet Reloaded XI have shown they have the ability to control the game but lack the finishing touch to take it all the way.

They seem to be coming into their own at the last round and will hope that by winning, they will boost their confidence and play as a more closely knitted unit.

Leonora Youths will have crack at Crossbreed XI

Leonora Youths possess all the experience in both bowling and batting. Imtiaz Hack and Christopher Sookram will lead the batting and both are exciting in their stroke play. The bowling will be in the hands of Premendra Arjune and Ramkumar Tulsieram and are lethal on their day.

Crossbreed XI has been unbeaten so far in the tournament and have provided the crowd with a breath of fresh air, as the way they have played their matches has shown they are beyond their years with the talent

Speedboat XI will takes on Metem-Meer-Zorg XI

Speedboat XI have cruised through the first two matches so far due their strong opening pair in Anand Bharat and Wazir Hussain. Bharat in particular has looked really comfortable against all the bowling and is in ominous form.

The MMZ XI is a young side with some very talented individuals and will be looking to put it all together to impress upon their opponents their ability to play ‘do or die’ cricket.

Omesh XI will go up against United Muslim Youth XI

Marketing Manager Anji Hackett handing over a smart phone to cricketer Ronaldo Renee along with the other cricketers and representatives

Ronaldo Renee of Everest Cricket Club, Malcolm Hubbard of Everest Cricket Club and Sherfene Rutherfurd of Demerara Cricket Club were the recipients of the sponsorship that included new smart phones as part of a contractual programme organised by Attorney Charles Ramson Jr. All three of the cricketers have represented Guyana at the youth level – whether it was under-15, under-17 or under-19 – and are blossoming talents, who with proper management and train-

Public Relations Officer of the telecommunications giant, Anji Hackett, spoke of how pleased the company was to be a part of this programme as it bodes well for the development of cricket in Guyana.

Technical Director Robin Singh spoke on how the players were selected and alluded to the ‘athletic ability test’ which specifically measures speed, endurance and strength, while the ‘cricket skills test’ will be sport specific; that is batting, bowling or wicket-keeping, catching, and fielding.

the contract will be terminated.

In addition, a mentorship programme will be established to assist with the development of attitude, social skills, career guidance and network association.

Attorney Sanjeev Datadin and Bodymaxx Gym are other financial contributors. The contracts and a mentorship programme for the duration of one year are valued over $500,000, inclusive of a $30,000 monthly stipend and free gym membership from Bodymaxx Gym.

Guinness Greatest of the Streets

Omesh XI have shown that they are one of the teams at the top who have been brutal so far in their matches. With Vickram Kissoon as the opening batsman, who has looked ominous in all the innings he has batted so far, he has been a top scorer for his team. The United Muslim Youth are coming into their own now and will look to continue with their plan of bowling to the stumps and hoping for mistakes to be made by the opposition.

Irfaan XI will match up with Next Level XI. Irfaan XI will look to their skipper Imran Hack for inspiration, since they will be playing on home turf; therefore they will have the home crowd as an advantage. Next Level XI will want to impress this time around as they have found themselves in wining positions before but have found ways to lose.

WICB PCL 4-Day Tournament

Johnson 50 on rain affected day

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Defending champs, North C Ruimveldt continues to roll – Sparta Boss playing well

By Treiston Joseph

T

he Georgetown’s Guinness Greatest of the Streets 2015 edition continued on Thursday evening at the Burnham Hard Court and continues to produce physical football that has made the action more intense.

More tactical small goal football is definitely being played and while goals might not be as frequent as past years, the quality of the overall play has definitely increased.

Game one of the evening provided the fans that turned out in large numbers with some excitement as Shopping Plaza topped South Ruimveldt 3-2.

Three early goals by

Shopping Plaza allowed them to hang on for the win as Stephen Dolphin led the way for the winners with a double in the ninth and 10th minutes while Rawle Turnell scored the game’s first goal in the seventh minute.

Michael Hussein scored for South Ruimveldt in the 13th minute while Stefon Walters scored in the 20th minute of the loss.

Defending champion of the Georgetown leg, North Ruimveldt continued their rich form with a 3-0 win over Young Ballers.

Nickosie Barker (10th), Colin Daniels (12th) and Lenris Carrington (15th) were the scorers in the game for the champs.

Leopold Street topped

Island All-stars 1-0 to gain some valuable points with Anthony Charles putting in the game winner in the 17th minute.

Sparta Boss won comfortably over Gold Star with a 2-nil win as Dennis Edwards in the 19th and Sheldon Shepherd in the 20thproduced some magic for the popular side.

Holmes Street Tigerbay topped Festival City Warriors 1-0 with Ron Adams- scoring the winner in the 12th minute.

Meanwhile in other results; Jamoon Drive and North East La Penitence drew nil all, Bent Street and Festival City Street Fighters drew 2-2.

Channel-9 Warriors also ended in a nil all draw.

they possess. They are the team to watch in this tournament. They have all to play for and their unity will be tested on this occasion.

Meanwhile, Mobile Wizards will be on hand with their giveaways and discounts as the pace picks up and have amazed the public with their low prices and their generosity. Rohan Furniture Establishment will also be giving away one foot stool pouf to the players with the most runs for the day. Miss Love Trading will be giving their usual prize of $1000 in credit to the winners of one ball “manto” for spectators. V&P Supermarket will give one bottle of Champagne to the Man-of-the-Day. Imtiaz and Imran Hack will also be giving prizes in the tournament.

The other sponsors are Trophy Stall who donated the trophies for the tournament and Wolf’s Furniture Store, with other incentives in the tournament.

aptain Leon Johnson struck a solid unbeaten fifty to take Guyana Jaguars to 170-2 on a rain-affected day one of the their third round West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day game against Barbados Pride at the National Stadium in Providence on Friday.

Johnson 73 held the innings together on a day when 50 overs were bowled due to rain for most part of the day's play.

His gritty knock saw him hit nine fours and two sixes besides sharing a crucial 79-run stand with Assad Fudadin, who contributed 42.

Vishual Singh is the other batsman at the crease on 30, when bad light ended play. The third-wicket partnership between Johnson and Singh has so far worth 60 runs.

The hosts after omitted fast bowlers Keon Joseph and Javon Searles won the toss and decided to bat as

they looked to build up a big first innings score on the usual bat-friendly pitch.

In the morning, play was delayed by 90 minutes, but when it eventually commence under overcast conditions, openers Fudadin and Shemron Hetymer, who is playing his first game this season, negotiated the first nine overs without much difficulty.

The left-handed Hetymer, typically flashy in method, crashed four boundaries, while the new-ball bowlers were in operation, but soon scaled down when off-spinner Ashley Nurse came to the crease.

The slow pitch dulled the effectiveness of the pacers and Kevin Stoute turned to Nurse as early as the 10th over. He immediately provided the first breakthrough, removing the flamboyant Hetymer to a first slip catch for a 29-ball 24.

Leon Johnson joined Fudadin, but the rains soon arrived to force an early lunch, with the Jaguars at 32-1.

Upon resumption the

West Indies rejects progress calmly. However, the Barbadians should have had both batsmen, but Roston Chase and Jonathan Carter floored both offerings when Fudadin was on 15 and Johnson on 26.

After those let offs, the left-handed pair forged ahead to extend their second-wicket partnership before Fudadin was removed by left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn. Fudadin faced 94 balls and hit four boundaries in just little over two hours.

Johnson then notched his 24th half-century in the company of Vishual Singh.

The 28-year-old reached his 50 off 88 balls with seven boundaries.

The pair took the Jaguars to the interval at 145-2. When play resume after a lengthy rain interruption, Johnson was positive pulling Miguel Cummings for two more boundaries before smashing Nurse for his second six.

However, only six overs were possible when bad light stopped play.

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

saturday, November 21, 2015

WICB PCL 4-Day Tournament

Johnson 50 on rain affected day Leon Johnson

Pg 23

Assad Fudadin

Guinness Greatest of the Streets

Defending champs, North Ruimveldt continues to roll – Sparta Boss playing well

Some of the action between Bent Street and Festival City Warriors

Pg 23

Some other action during the night of tactical football

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