tuesday, february 2, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com
Traffic congestion at DHB
New measures will take time – Traffic Chief
Commuters using the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) are currently appealing to the relevant authorities to set measures in place to reduce the traffic congestion on the Bridge in the morning and afternoon hours.
During an interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, Traffic Chief Deon Moore related that the current congestion is being addressed by the Traffic Department. He noted that there was inadequate space owing to the large number of vehicles traversing the carriageway and they in fact exceed the capacity of the highway.
Moore stated that barriers were presently being used to guide vehicles into their respective lanes and also to prevent persons from overtaking on the Bridge.
Both lanes on the Bridge
are being used in the morning to allow the flow of vehicular traffic heading in the eastern direction and the same occurs in the evenings
for vehicular traffic heading in the western direction.
New measures for further reduction of congestion, he said, would take some
time before implementation.
DHB Traffic Manager
Brian Singh told this newspaper that the management of the Bridge was in the pro-
cess of seeking alternative initiative to alleviate the current situation.
He noted that a number of measures were implemented in 2015 to help reduce this problem, including night retraction for oceangoing vessels and maintenance work on the Bridge.
Singh further explained that this plan was “not fully into action since the pros and cons need to be weighed”. He stated that certain types of repair work required the use of the tide and would have to be completed in the day. Night lights would have to be installed in order for welding along with other technical jobs to be completed in the evenings, he added.
Meanwhile, last Thursday at the installation of the new DHB Board, Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson announced that the prefeasibility study for a new bridge is set to commence shortly.
Ferguson, during the presentation of the appointment letters to the Board’s members, explained that the prefeasibility study for the Bridge was in place as scheduled.
“I trust that your initiative or the ideas that you have, you would be able to put it forward so that we can have whatever plans we have in place for that new bridge,” she stated.
Mason charged for inflicting grievous bodily harm
Amason was on Monday placed on $50,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared before her charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm.
Fifty-three-year-old Ravlon Pollard, of Lot 707 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied the allegation that on January 22 at East La Penitence, he inflicted injuries on the Virtual Complainant (VC), Imran Khan, causing him grievous bodily harm.
The Prosecutor made no objections to bail, telling the Court that the two men were known to each other.
He related that on the day in question, the defendant approached the Virtual Complainant (VC) telling him that he has a job for him at his worksite. The VC went along with him and while he was working, the defendant walked up to him and dealt him several lashes about his body. The Magistrate then placed Pollard on $50,000 bail and a bond of good behaviour. She ordered him to stay 25 feet away from the VC after hearing that they lived a short distance away from each other. The case will continue on February 18.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Demerara Harbour Bridge
Traffic Chief Deon Moore
BRIDGE OPENINGS
Tuesday, February 2 – 12:00h-13:30h and Wednesday, February 3 – 13:30h-15:00h.
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Tuesday, February 2 – 11:20h-12:50h and Wednesday, February 3 – 12:20h-13:50h.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.
FERRY SCHEDULE
WEATHER TODAY
Weather: Thundery showers can be expected in the early morning hours, with heavy to light rain showers throughout the rest of the day. Partly cloudy conditions are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres per second.
High Tide: 11:04h and 23:46h reaching maximum heights of 2.20 metres and 2.14 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 17:11h reaching a minimum height of 1.02 metres.
Ramotar blasts Kaieteur News
for spreading
“fabrications”
...“newspaper just trying to remain relevant”
In response to a spate of articles in Kaieteur News since the PNCled APNU/AFC Government took office, which laid numerous claims of corruption and other irregularities during his administration, former President Donald Ramotar said the Kaieteur News was desperate to retain some “relevance” in the new dispensation and had descended into “wild fabrications”.
Ramotar had recently demanded that Minister of Finance Winston Jordan “bring evidence” to buttress his claims that the audits launched by his government indicated state-owned entities violated the law “with impunity”. The former head of state pointed out the fact that Jordan had asked the Auditor General’s office to recheck the audits, meant nothing substantial had been found up to now. In addition the Finance Minister, he said, was putting pressure on the AG’s office to go along with his premature conclusions.
In an interview with this newspaper, Ramotar said
“Take the case of NICIL” said Ramotar, “for years, the KN had been hounding its CEO Winston Brassington for alleged corrupt acts. But even after the audit by Goolsarran could provide no evidence of wrongdoing under the applicable laws, the Kaieteur News would not let up.”
Asked whether the tragic subsequent action by SOCU to place Brassington’s home under surveillance might
government officials like Finance Minister Jordan might be reacting to the daily onslaught by Kaieteur News demanding convictions and jail for individuals who the editor and propitiator of KN had fingered even before the elections.
have also ensued from Kaieteur News’ obsession, the former President said, “We cannot rule that out. As one who occupied the highest office in the land, on many occasions some in the government became rattled by the Kaieteur News’ man-
ic attacks.”
Concerning the call in the latest edition of Kaieteur News for the government to “correct broadcast legislation” the former President said, “This is typical of that
newspaper, which appears not to understand how institutions work. It appears that the KN owner wanted a radio licence but believe it or not, as Bibi Shadik pointed out, he never applied for one. Just because the KN said it wanted something, it thinks government must jump through hoops to have it done.”
Asked if he had any concluding statement, Ramotar said: “That newspaper is fighting for some relevance. This goes back years. It is
very sad that that newspaper has now resorted to wild fabrications, which have the potential to damage people who are working to develop our country.”
Over the years, the Kaieteur News unleashed and sustained a series of attacks on NICIL and its CEO, Brassington. It has since been revealed that the attack by the local tabloid is over Brassington’s decision to take legal action against Royal Investments Inc (RII), part-owned by the newspaper’s publisher Glenn Lall and his close friend Tony
Yassin after they failed to pay an outstanding balance of US$2 million for Guyana Stores Limited. Since the government assumed office in May last, a forensic audit was launched into the operations of NICIL with the aim of unearthing corrupt practices with hopes of administering consequential penalties.
Upon the completion of the report, the Kaieteur News has been publishing a series of articles alleging corruption against the stateowned entity, using the report as reference.
But interestingly, the relevant authorities are yet to take criminal actions against those the Kaieteur News continue to implicate as corrupt.
Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall
Former President Donald Ramotar
Kaieteur News Editor Adam Harris
Tony Yassin
General Editor: Michael Younge
News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544
223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761
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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
Coalitions in Guyana
Opening a spanking new headquarters for the Alliance for Change (AFC) last weekend, President David Granger pronounced that "coalition politics is here to stay". From the context of his remarks, while he not surprisingly referred to the coalition between his A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the AFC, it would appear that he was also alluding to coalition politics in Guyana in general.
In a polity that has been dominated by ethnic voting since before independence, the President might have been taking into cognisance recent demographic trends, which makes it clear there is no one ethnic group commanding a majority in the country any longer. Assuming then that the orientation to voting remains the same, the parties anchored in ethnic segments would be forced by the logic of majoritarian politics to form coalitions to form the government.
But the elections of 2011 and 2015 demonstrated that the issue might not be as clear-cut as that scenario and with our constitution declaring that the party with a plurality captures the Executive, it is quite possible that the outcome of 2011 might repeat itself: one party with the largest number of votes capturing the Executive and the other party/parties controlling the Legislature. While this proved to be a very unstable arrangement, barring an amendment to the constitution, lightning might very well strike again.
But within a polity with several groups needing to agglomerate together to secure even a plurality, this opens up another scenario: the possibility of political mobilisation becoming more fluid and our country breaking out at last from conducting elections that are mirror images of ethnic censuses. With no one group forming a majority, the major impediment that prevented cross ethnic voting through the years - being branded as "traitors" for "splitting” the vote - becomes irrelevant. Whether at the individual or group level, the imperative is to reach across the divide. Politics might then also become more moderate as platforms are adjusted for a wider appeal.
Within this wider lens, then, it might be useful to examine the specific APNU/AFC coalition that the President was ostensibly referring to. The question is whether its longevity is as extensive as the President might hope. And "hope" it has to be. It is widely conceded that it was the vote the AFC brought over from what used to be the PPP's solid Berbice constituency that took the PNC-led APNU over the top by a mere 5000 votes. For APNU to have any chance of holding off the PPP's charge in 2020, it would be critical for the AFC not only to remain in harness but to actually expand its reach.
However, the refusal of APNU since obtaining office in implementing the Cummingsburg Accord that was supposed to enumerate the specific conditions which had to be satisfied to consummate the coalition has to have cast a pall of the AFC's leaders, even though they have to show a united front. At the opening of the AFC's headquarters, as reported officially by GINA, "Co-Founder of the AFC and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan reminisced about the signing of the Cummingsburg Accord at the house of President Granger, who was Opposition Leader at the time, and said that in time all the promises in the Coalition’s Manifesto will be delivered. ‘We have made mistakes that we must be held accountable for it...’ said Ramjattan”.
Ramjattan was circumspect not to elaborate on the "mistakes" in not implementing the Accord but was sending a clear signal that he expected them to be "delivered". Some of the "undelivered" would be for President Granger to "delegate", as he had promised, chairing of the Cabinet to Prime Minister Nagamootoo, as well as to assign him some clear "line responsibilities". Otherwise, the AFC stands in danger of fulfilling Ramjattan's prediction that the AFC would become "dead meat" if it coalesced with APNU. And then so also would APNU.
Failed promises
Dear Editor,
It is not surprising that once again the APNU/AFC Government has failed to deliver on its promises as outlined in its 2015 Elections Manifesto. The coalition has eroded the confidence of its supporters to such an extent that they are crying foul and vowed never to be bamboozled again. The Manifesto spoke about a ‘phased reduction of VAT within the first 100 days. One of its Canadian financier, T Lilmohan, in a letter to Stabroek News, is claiming that it would be a ’disaster’ to reduce the VAT rate. Why did he not object to this before the General Elections? The answer is simple: hoodwink the people to get their votes! Today, rice farmers are faced with severe financial hardships, yet they have to pay VAT on the purchase of tractors, machineries and equipment. They pay VAT on by-products of rice such as bran. The Rice Sector needs all the help they can get! NOW and not later!
The Manifesto has also failed to deliver on ‘significant increases’ for public servants. This promise was not seen as a breach of the Collective Bargaining Agreement at that time but now the Finance Minister is resolving that breach in a most ‘timely and opportune’ manner!
How convenient for the coalition!
Next, the Manifesto promised a reduction of the Berbice Bridge toll which at the end of five years will be reduced to $500. It has so far been reduced by $300. However this year’s Budget has no reduction, so are we to assume that in the next three years, the toll will be reduced by $1400? Another failed promise!
Then there is the promise of ‘significant increase’ in Old Age pension! The old age pensioners were given an increase of $3875 in 2015, but homeowners suffered a monthly loss of $4166 or $50,000 per annum. This year they were given a ‘princely’ increase of $1200. A simple calculation will show that the
total increase of $5075 will amount to $60,900 and when the $50,000 is deducted then the yearly increase amounts to just $10,900 or $908 per month! So the homeowners will have to live a ‘Good Life’ with a niggardly increase of $908!
So this Government is by implication saying that it is a crime for an old age pensioner to own his home under the “Good Life’ Budget!
Another vulnerable group which lacks the ‘Good Life’ is those poor and destitute people who depend on Public Assistance hand-outs to scrape a mere existence. This ‘hand-tomouth’ group was given a paltry increase of $800.
This is most disgraceful!
No wonder we have so many young mothers in the ‘sex worker’ profession and so many ragged children begging in the streets of our towns and City!
If we take out just $126 million from the $300 million set aside for the ‘Independence Bash’, we can pay the old age pensioners $20,000 per month
and a Public Assistance of $10,000 per month. A Government is judged by the way it treat its vulnerable and poor citizens, especially the elderly, the disabled, and the poverty stricken. In conclusion, a budget must be analysed according to how much benefit each spent dollar brings to the citizens and it is a rare phenomenon to see old age pensioners driving motor vehicles and travelling abroad (this is for the rich ones who already have the ‘Good Life’), you would mostly see them at the doorsteps of the various Post Offices, hungrily awaiting their pittances which would soon dissipate!
This Budget has failed miserably to deliver the ‘Good Life’ to its most vulnerable citizens. It is one thing to fail to deliver to the nation but it is an unforgiveable sin to fail to deliver to these impoverished citizens!
Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
World T20 Star Chris Gayle interacts with a differently abled fan after the Unity Cricket game on Saturday evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (Marceano Narine photo)
CPA upset with media reports
Dear Editor, Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) Ann Greene is outraged by the violation of the rights of a minor in recent Editions of two local newspapers particularly to the child anonymity for a complaint.
One newspaper published the name and photograph of the child and the details of the case that the child is a witness. This information should not have been included.
“I am sick and disgusted. This is not victim protection. This is a violation of the statute. We have to protect the victims,” a livid Greene said Monday.
Greene is maintaining that the two daily papers have exposed the child to further vulnerability. While media outfits have been given the proverbial ‘slap on the wrist’ for a variety of violations against children in the past, Greene has reached
her saturation point this time.
This time “we have to apply sanctions” in a bid to force media houses to comply with local regulations, Greene said. She promised that the CPA “will be going after these media houses… to stop the abuse and exploitation of (minor) victims.”
Reiterating how “fed up and disgusted” she and her Agency have become with the media’s continued assault on children’s rights, Greene called on the media corps to stop roughing-up children.
Guyanese children are being “bullied by the newspapers, and this has to stop” Greene said. “We can’t stay silent and let this continue,” the CPA head said.
The Guyana Press Association (GPA) on Monday stopped short of outright condemnation of violation exhibited by the two daily news outfits.
In a press release the GPA reminded the media of continued need to “practice ethical and responsible journalism at all times, but particularly in the reporting of cases involving minors”.
The umbrella media body said the publication of the name and photograph of the child is not only unethical “but it also appears to be in breach of the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act which prohibits the identification of a rape victim.”
In particular, Section 62. (1) of the Act states: “The publication in any document, or the broadcasting, or transmission in any way, of any information that could identify the complainant or witness to an offence under this Act is prohibited.”
Section 62. (3) also states “Every person who publishes in any document or broadcasts, or transmits in any way, any in-
formation that could identify the complainant or a witness contrary to subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of two million dollars.”
The GPA wants media houses to recall “that the freedom to report comes with responsibility to rigorously adhere to voluntary standards and ethical practices while also upholding the fundamental standards of accuracy, fairness and balance,” its release said.
It said the organisation is reminding “editors and media owners of the important role they need to play in on-the-job training and education of their employees, especially the younger reporters who are now dipping their toes in the profession.
Sincerely,
Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA)
URP urges nation to voice disapproval of Government policies
Dear Editor, Guyana is becoming a hopeless nation because of the ongoing race based politics and ethnic retribution by the ‘PNC-AFC’ coalition regime that was given power last May after a controversial election.
The URP had warned during the election campaign to vote smartly to avoid the pitfalls of a repeat of what took place between 1965 and 1992. The URP appealed to voters not to give any party control. But the voters did not heed warnings and now the nation is paying for that error.
The PNC-AFC has shown a one-track mind unwilling to consult with minor parties like the URP. The PNC ruined the country with its racial policies between 1965 and 1992 and is repeating the same type of party pol-
icies removing perceived non-supporters and replacing them with party hacks. And when people or organisations critique the policies and/or point out errors of PNC governance, its defenders retort PPP was worse.
The PPP tenure is not an ideal model of governance; that party alienated many. And a tit for tat is not what politics is about. Governing the country should not be about PPP versus PNC and which was worse. The objective must be better governance from predecessors, not to emulate their misgovernance.
Indians and Amerindians are being replaced domestically and at foreign missions by PNC supporters. In just a few months, the PNC reestablished several military and paramilitary organisations.
As historian Santayana said those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Everything that happened in 2015 is a repeat of what happened during the early 1960s.
The coalition justified the use of violence against non-supporters on Election Day when supporters of the PNC beat up and robbed non-supporters; they also burned homes and businesses and looted properties. And Minister Winston Felix stated the state was not responsible and the people were negligent that caused them to be victims.
Who instructed the supporters of PNC to beat and rob people and burn their homes? Are the leaders not responsible? Minister David Patterson stated the victims were not innocent, meaning they were guilty. So oppo-
nents of PNC were attacked without provoking PNC supporters and Patterson blamed the victims.
What kind of justice is this government advocating?
It is noted that the PNC reintroduced National Service and the People’s Militia, a clear indication Guyana is returning to the past. National Service was used to militarise youth.
Altogether, the above and other policies are ominous signs of the return of the “police state” that existed during the Burnham era that terrorized opponents.
People are urged to take note and voice their disapproval of the policies of the regime.
Yours truly,
Dr Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP
The issue of used tyres, cars
Dear Editor,
The Budget 2016 calls for the banning of used tyres and old cars. As a result some sections of the population are outraged. My solution: have importers take out insurance and extended warranties on these products. Moreover, insurance companies should offer insurance products to drivers based on whether they intend to use old tyres on their very old car.
Such insurance would heighten premiums in order to protect policy owner against liabilities caused if products are found to be defective.
Another suggestion is a Bureau of Standards certification for a pre-set number of miles.
This information will be tagged onto the tyre’s history ie odometer reading at the time of installation and the drop dead date to replace. History will be used by insurance companies and the legal system when the
owner/operator of vehicle is sued for causing injuries to person or property.
Taxation and pricing has always been implemented to change behaviour. The same should go for consumer items with less than six months to expiration date. That goes for hair chemicals, recycled building materials, refurbished electronics including smartphones, and extended expiration date on pharmaceutical and medical devices subsequent to analysis of potency.
These insurances and warranties must be fully enforceable in the court of law. So for new or used tyres there is a solution to address demand and supply. I trust the insurance companies are ready to expand their product offerings. If not the government should get into the business as a reinsurer.
Sincerely,
Keith Bernard
Page Foundation
Ways to help your child succeed in primary school (Part 2)
Teach study skills
Studying for a test can be scary for young Children, and many educators assume parents will help their Children during the gradeschool years. Introducing your child to study skills now will pay off with good learning habits throughout life.
In primary school, children usually take end-of-unit tests in Maths, English sub-areas like spelling, Science, and Social studies. Be sure to know when a test is scheduled so you can help your child study ahead of time rather than just the night before. You also might need to remind your child to bring home the right study materials, such as notes, study guides, or books.
Teach your child how to break down overall tasks into smaller, manageable chunks so preparing for a test is not overwhelming. You also can introduce your child to tricks like mnemonic devices to help with recalling information. Remember that taking a break after a 45-minute study period is an important way to help children process and remember information.
Your child will be introduced to standardised testing in primary school. While students can’t really study for standardised tests, some teachers provide practice tests to help ease students’ worries.
In general, if studying and testing becomes a source of stress for your child, discuss the situation with the teacher or school counsellor.
Know the disciplinary policies
Schools usually cite their disciplinary policies (sometimes called the student code of conduct) in student handbooks. The rules cover expectations, and consequences for not meeting the expectations,
for things like student behaviour, dress codes, use of electronic devices, and acceptable language.
The policies may include details about attendance, vandalism, cheating, fighting, and weapons.
Many schools also have specific policies about bullying. It’s helpful to know the school’s definition of bullying, consequences for bullies, support for victims, and procedures for reporting bullying.
It’s important for your child to know what’s expected at school and that you’ll support the school’s consequences when expectations aren’t met. It’s easiest for students when school expectations match the ones at home, so children see both environments as safe and caring places that work together as a team.
Get involved
Whether children are just starting kindergarten or entering their last year of primary school, there are many good reasons for parents to volunteer at school. It’s a great way for parents to show they’re interested in their children’ education.
Many grade-schoolers like to see their parents at school or at school events. But follow your child’s cues to find out how much interaction works for both of you. If your child seems uncomfortable with your presence at the school or with your involvement in an extracurricular activity, consider taking a more behind-the-scenes approach. Make it clear that you aren’t there to spy — you’re just trying to help out the school community.
Parents can get involved by:
* being a classroom helper.
* organising and/or working at fundraising activities and other special events, like bake sales chaperoning field trips
* planning class parties
* attending school board meetings
* joining the school’s parent-teacher group
* working as a library assistant
* reading a story to the class
* giving a talk for career day
* attending school concerts or plays
Check the school or teacher to find volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule. Even giving a few hours during the school year can make an impression on your child.
Take attendance seriously
Sick children should stay home from school if they have a fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Children who lose their appetite, are clingy or lethargic, complain of pain, or who just don’t seem to be acting “themselves” should also take a sick day.
Otherwise, it’s important that children arrive at school on time every day, because having to catch up with class work and homework can be stressful and interfere with learning.
If your child is missing a lot of school due to illness, make sure to check with the teacher about any work that needs to be completed. It’s also a good idea to know the school’s attendance policy.
Sometimes students want to stay home from school because of problems with classmates, assignments or grades, or even teachers. This can result in real symptoms, like headaches or stomachaches.
If you think there’s a problem at school, talk with your child – and then perhaps with the teacher – to find out more about what’s causing the anxiety. The school counsellor also might be able to help.
Also try to avoid late bedtimes, which can result in tardy and tired students. A consistent sleep schedule can help.
Make time to talk about school
It’s usually easy to talk with primary students about what’s going on in class and the latest news at school. You probably know what books your child is reading and are familiar with the Maths being worked on. But parents can get busy and forget to ask the simple questions, which can have an effect on children’s success at school.
Make time to talk with your child every day, so he or she knows that what goes on at school is important to you. When children know parents are interested in their academic lives, they’ll take school seriously as well.
Because communication is a two-way street, the way you talk and listen to your child can influence how well your child listens and responds. It’s important to listen carefully, make eye contact, and avoid multitasking while you chat. Be sure to ask questions that go beyond “yes” or “no” answers.
Besides during family meals, good times to talk include car trips (though eye contact isn’t needed here, of course), walking the dog, preparing meals, or standing in line at a store.
These early years of schooling are an important time for parents to be informed and supportive about their child’s education. (Excerpt from Kidshealth)
School-age readers
What to read
continued
As your child becomes a more confident reader, continue to introduce a wide range of books. When it comes to reading aloud, look for two types of books — those that could be read alone and those that are above your child’s current independent reading level. With this mix, your child can re-read some of these books independently, while you’ll have to do the reading (or at least help) with the challenging ones that allow your child to enjoy a more sophisticated story and learn new words.
Let your child’s interests lead the way when you are choosing books. Sports? Music? Dinosaurs? Look for books on topics you know are of interest and ones that relate to these things. For example, if you know your child is interested in whales, look for books that talk about famous explorers or historical fiction set on whaling boats. As your child gets older, you will find that he or she enjoys increasingly complex books that can each about the world and introduce social and ethical issues.
Talk about the books your child is reading independently and for school and about favourite topics and authors.
Other types of books children might like include: * biographies of famous people * books about kids dealing with challenges * books containing language play * mysteries * science fiction and fantasy
Another way to grab your child’s interest is to pick books that have a personal connection. Introduce your childhood favourites and talk about why you love them. Children may also like to read junior versions of the same magazines you read.
When and how to read
The school-age child’s schedule can be a busy one. But if you can find 30 minutes a day to read with your child, you will help ensure future reading success. Even if 30 minutes aren’t possible, remember that any time you spend reading is better than no time at all.
Use the same strategies you did when your child was younger – talk about what you read before, during, and after, asking open-ended questions that encourage your child to have a conversation with you. Read expressively and with enjoyment.
But at this age, it’s important to let your child read to you. You might choose to take turns reading (“You read a page, then I’ll read a page”, etc). To help with less familiar words, you can “practise” them in advance by having your child point to the words you say on a given page, or even in a specific line of text.
If your child is reading and comes to an unfamiliar word, encourage skipping it and reading the rest of the sentence, then thinking about what word would make sense in that context (“What do you think would work in this sentence?”). Be careful not to correct every error your child makes, as this will be frustrating for both of you. If your child seems discouraged or frustrated while reading, you can offer to take over.
If you’re reading a longer chapter book, here are some tips for maintaining your child’s interest: Before you begin a new chapter, talk a little bit about what happened in the previous one.
Making time to read
Reading aloud isn’t the only way to encourage children to read. There are plenty of opportunities during day-to-day life, like cooking together and having your child read you the recipe. Or when you play a new game, ask your child to read the directions aloud.
(Kidshealth)
Black-market firearm trade will boom – Rohee ...says
new gun licence fees too “exorbitant”
By Devina Samaroo
The proposed hike in gun licences’ fees can have a devastating impact on the economy, not only by robbing citizens of much-needed disposable income, but also by creating a new avenue for underground trading of weapons.
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee made those remarks at a news conference on Monday at the Party’s Freedom House Headquarters, Robb Street, Georgetown.
Rohee was trenchant in his criticism of Government’s move to increase the fees to acquire firearm licences, noting that it was a “lazy” approach to boost revenue collection.
“I believe that the fees are very exorbitant. Increasing of fees for different licences was not the best way to go in increasing revenues. Raising revenues by increasing the fees in licences is what I understand the Opposition Leader described as a lazy way to go to raise revenues. It’s an extra penny out of your pocket and anyone who wishes to have an extra penny in their pocket should be given that kind of saving grace,” he stated.
Asked whether he believed the new policy would exacerbate the underground trading of firearms, Rohee responded in the positive.
“Well, they say the wiser the Government, the smarter the Government…so as the fees go up, I’m sure the bribes will increase as well,” expressed the PPP General Secretary.
Rohee explained that firearm ownership was critical to the livelihood of a lot of people and now many were going to bear the burden of the steep prices.
He noted that there were generally three categories of people who were usually given priority for gun licences: Amerindians, farmers and businessmen.
He said Amerindians would need shotguns for hunting and to protect their villages and families from animal attacks; farmers would also need shotguns to ward off wild animals and also to protect against praedial larceny and businessmen would need firearms as a means of protection since they were often targeted by criminal elements.
“Not only were they given priority… in terms of fees, for years under the PPP, those fees were never increased…,” Rohee posited.
Notably, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, during a snap press conference following the presentation of the Budget on Friday, indicated that he saw no issue with the increases.
“Gun licences, I don’t have a problem with gun licences increases; it’s the other increases,” he said.
The National Budget 2016 proposes to amend a raft of legislation to increase the fees paid to obtain various licences, including the Firearms Act to increase the annual fee for firearm licences.
The fee for a shotgun licence is to be raised from $2000 to $5000; for a handgun licence from $5000 to $25,000; for a rifle licence from $5000 to $40,000 and for a dealer’s licence from $75,000 to $150,000.
Police destroy marijuana field, 1 in custody
One man is in custody after Police swooped down on a marijuana field on Sunday at 14 Miles, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and destroyed a quantity of marijuana plants and dried marijuana.
Members of the Police Narcotics Branch found the half-acre field of 375 plants measuring about one metre high during a drug eradication exercise. The dried marijuana –1.5 kilograms of it – was found in a camp, which was also destroyed.
The man who was arrested was working in the field at the time of the raid. He is expected to be charged shortly.
Mother praises Guyana Times, other media for safe return of daughter
Indira Budram, the mother of a 14-yearold girl who had been missing for almost two weeks, has expressed her gratitude to the Guyana Times and other sections of the media who aided in the safe return of her daughter.
The elated woman of Supply, East Bank Demerara said had it not been for the media, she would not have been able to reunite with her daughter.
Budram said that she sought the media’s help in finding her daughter, since the Police were slow to act on her behalf as there was a pending court matter between a policeman and the family.
“Thank you so much for publishing our story when we came to you guys; thank you so much for being there for us,” the woman stated gratefully.
Her daughter had disappeared from their home some two weeks ago.
The mother said that she was fearful for her daughter’s life since the teen was allegedly raped by a Policeman in October of 2015.
She said after her daughter went missing, she feared the worst, as the court case was scheduled to be called two days after her daughter disappeared.
According to the woman, she lodged a missing person’s report at the Brickdam Police Station, but the matter was given meagre attention.
Budram told this publication that the attitude of the Police forced her to approach the Guyana Times and other media houses for assistance.
After the story was published, the teen was recognised and the family with whom the young woman was staying went to the Police and notified them of her whereabouts.
“I want to thank the media for their good works: if wasn’t for you guys, my story would’ve never been heard and my daughter would still be missing, because it was not being heard,” she explained.
She also expressed her appreciation to Mark Benschop, whom she said was there for her throughout the entire ordeal.
She further stated that
she did not regret going to the media, as she did not know what had happened to her daughter.
“I did not know what happened to her, so I had to seek all the help I could get. The media, I can say truly, helped me. I was running from one police station to the next and nobody was willing to help me, so if it wasn’t for the Guyana Times, the Kaieteur News and Mark Benschop, I don’t know what would’ve happen. To the complete media, I want to say thanks,” she remarked.
Guyana Times published the teen’s name and picture in a bid to help the mother find her daughter. The mother of the teen repeatedly sought the help of this publication as she felt that none was forthcoming from the authorities.
The publication of the teen’s name and photograph has since sparked much criticism from the Child Care and Protection Agency.
However, the pure intent of this newspaper was to assist the family to be reunited with their daughter.
tuesday, february 2, 2016 | guyanatimesgy.com
Westford, Cummings on $4.8M bail each for additional 24 charges
Former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Officer
Margaret Cummings were on Monday placed on $4.8 million bail each when they appeared at the
Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face 24 charges of larceny by a public servant. Flanked by their seven Attorneys – Bibi Shaddick, Neil Boston, Dexter Todd, Keisha Chase, Eucie Anderson, Brendon Glasford and Rexford McKay – Dr Westford, 54, and Cummings entered the Court where the
indictable charges were read by Magistrate Judy Latchman.
The charges stated that between August 23, 2011 and April 28, 2015, at Georgetown while being employed as public servants by the Government of Guyana, they stole $639,420,000, monies that they received in virtue of their employment.
Police Prosecutor Bharrat Mangru told the Court that Westford acted in her capacity of Minister and signed a number of memorandums for the total sum
of $639,420,000 and sent them to the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, who in turn approved them. The payment vouchers were made by the Office of the President and sent to the Finance Ministry. The Court further heard that the Finance Ministry issued the cheques and Cummings signed for them. The cheques were allegedly made out for the purpose of financing various activities of the Public Service Ministry across the 10 administrative regions; however, an in-
vestigation revealed that these events never took place, nor were there any documents to show how the money was spent. The Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence as well as the quantum. He further made reference to the former Minister’s status in society, stating that there was a high likelihood of witness tampering if she was released on bail and it was also unlikely that the duo would return to Court.
Attorney Maxwell objected to the Prosecutor’s statement, saying that his clients denied all of the allegations.
He further stated that the Prosecutor was making his statements based on hearsay, and reprimanded him for instigating bias in the Court. He further stated that his clients were currently facing several charges in Court Five and have been attending all of the sessions and have been fully cooperative with the investigators.
Based on the Attorney’s response, the Magistrate granted the defendants bail in the sum of $200,000 for each count.
3 arrested following marijuana bust at Fort Wellington
Three men were arrested by the Police on Sunday following the discovery of more than five kilograms of cannabis in a motor vehicle at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.
Based on information received, the Police ranks intercepted the vehicle during a road block at Fort Wellington and a total of 5.390 kilograms was found in several bags. The three occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody. They are expected to be charged soon.
Eyew tness Desperate...
...for relevance
The owner of the Muckraker, Glenn Lall, is fighting for relevance in a world where he's outlived his usefulness to the powers that be. But like a spoiled brat who'd been indulged in his every whim, he's kicking and screaming for attention. We all knew he was one of the major supporters of APNU and the AFC during the past several years.
He's formed FUCOP – Funding a United Candidate for an Opposition Presidency – to which he strong-armed a number of businessmen to contribute heavily in the last campaign. Then, of course, there were the scads of free ads he printed in his rag. But most of all were the daily "quotes" from Harmon and Ramjattan he was able to secure on any subject under the sun – and then some.
But it wouldn't have escaped his supposed beneficiaries that, like the crazed Ancient Mariner of yore, he was transfixed by his hatred of the PPP, Jagdeo – and Ramroop. Lall's albatross was his "sketchy past" (in the words of the US Embassy's political officer). Backtracking, shipping powdery stuff into the US and ratting on friends were only the tip of his iceberg of sins. But, of course, he blamed everybody but himself for his turmoil of inadequacy.
So, while the then Opposition might've humoured him in the past, now they're in Government, they refuse to be driven by the agenda of a man driven by his inner demons. And before the Mook could say, "Wha wraang!", his "sources" had stopped talking to him. But the Mook hadn't climbed to the top of the dung heap just like that...he began to use his Muckraker to accuse FUCOP's beneficiaries of going soft on Jagdeo and Ramroop.
Not satisfied that he'd gotten his way for audits to be done on every department of the Government – at the cost of hundreds of millions...he refused to accept the audits hadn't shown any of the hanky panky he'd claimed was rampant under the PPP. And started concocting absolutely false claims and conclusions he claimed the audits had "uncovered". This weekend he claimed Goolsarran's audit of NICIL had shown Government had spent US$5M to clean up the Sanata Complex. Knowing full well, Ramroop's QAII had footed the bill.
Well, it's time for Goolsarran to evolve from the invertebrate phylum – and like the Government Ministers, tell the Mook where to get off. Silence, in this case, means being party to a libel suit that'll challenge even his bookkeeping skills to compute!!
He should heed the lesson that Lall will be taught: "knock got knock back!!"
...and jumping the gun
Poor Jordan...our Finance Minister's under the gun. What with his second Budget about to be put through the wringer by Bharrat Jagdeo and his band of hungry Young Turks looking to make their reputation. For a fella whose claim to fame was having experience in the Budget Office, his first Budget wasn't that auspicious. It led to accusations of governmental "blundering".
Anyhow, rather than keeping a low profile in the calm before the storm, he chose to weigh in on the aforementioned audits which were supposed to find PPP's "siphoning off of funds" and other skulduggery. He claimed a "preliminary" review of the audits showed State entities "violating the law with impunity". But at the same time he announced as to how the Auditor General's office had now been asked to audit the audits!! So how in the world can he make such accusations on data which he'd requested a second opinion?? No wonder former President Ramotar's challenged him "to bring it on" – if he has the evidence.
So is Glenn Lall yanking Minister Jordan's chain also?
...for a voice
Unable to string two sentences together but wanting to be heard, Lall's been demanding a Radio Licence for a while.
But unable to fill out the application form, he's demanding other people's Radio Stations be taken away.
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com
Former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford
Margaret Cummings
Fuel prices reduced countrywide
The prices of several categories of fuel were reduced at all Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) outlets across the country on Monday.
During his Budget 2016 presentation Friday, Finance Minister Winston Jordon announced his government’s decision to the National Assembly. The government had received much pressure from the Opposition Party and private sector in light of the globa drop in oil prices.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) in a statement had expressed concern over the fact that fuel prices and electricity tariffs in Guyana were not reflective of the current world market prices for oil as in other territories.
The PSC had also noted that reductions would provide the much-needed stimulus for the recovery of the sluggish economy, which was still reeling from the effects of the elections-induced slowdown.
The comission explained that if urgent action was not taken, certain local production would diminish while exports would be more expensive.
PPP/C’s Member of Parliament Irfaan Ali was also mounting pressure on government to immediately adjust the electricity rates and fuel prices to reflect reality.
With respect to very high electricity rates, Ali firm-
ly declared that consumers must benefit from the tremendous cost savings government and the Guyana Power and Light are receiving.
“At a minimum the Government should consider a reduction of 30 per cent in electricity tariff,” Ali proposed, noting that it is common knowledge that more than 50 per cent of the cost of production is attributed to fuel charges.
“This would not only help households but the manufacturing sector which would redound to the overall benefit of the economy,” he posited.
Ali insisted that it is also highly “unfair” that consum-
ers are asked to bear high fuel prices when the international price for fuel came down in excess of 40 per cent within the last eight months.
On Monday, at all GuyOil Service Stations, the price of gasoline moved from $190 to $170 per gallon, diesel from $161 to $150, and kerosene moved $120 to $90 per gallon.
Public response
Speaking to several vehicle operators Monday, Guyana Times was told this move by government was long awaited by the general public.
Terrence John, a minibus operator, told this news-
paper that though the reduction is not by much, he is very grateful as it means money in his own pockets. The man also jokingly noted that he may now be able to buy brand new tyres.
Taxi driver Quincy Williams stated that though he does not necessarily purchase gas from Guyoil, he hopes that the reduction will force the prices down at all other service stations so everyone can enjoy “a piece of this good fortune”.
Guyana Times confirmed that every other service station, including Shell and Rubis, had also lowered their prices by Monday afternoon.
Porter nabbed at workplace for statutory rape released
The porter who was nabbed at his workplace by Police in relation to the statutory rape of two Linden schoolgirls has been released from custody.
The porter, an employee attached to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), was taken into custody about a week ago after he was implicated in the in-
cident, which allegedly occurred last December. Both girls are said to be under the age of 16.
However, this newspaper understands that the suspect in the matter has been released as there is insufficient evidence against him.
Speaking on behalf of the porter following the arrest, Guyana Public Service
Union (GPSU) Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice)
Representative Maurice
Butters had indicated that it was against protocol for him to have been arrested at his place of work, without first informing his workplace management.
Butters told this newspaper on Monday that he had received information that
the man was physically abused while in custody. He also expressed concern as to whether those culpable would be brought to justice.
The GPSU Representative had also urged parents to be more responsible and look into the welfare of their children, noting that there were too many similar cases involving underage girls.
Shooting to death trial Defendant recalls scuffle
The trial in the shooting death of Permaul Rampersaud who was allegedly accidentally shot by his uncle, continued on Monday when the Court heard testimony of the defendant Seelall Parbu.
Parbu, a city businessman, is on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the High Court on a charge which stated that on November 13, 2011, at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, he discharged a loaded firearm, which hit Permaul Rampersaud, causing fatal injuries.
The trial commenced on Tuesday last before a 12-member jury panel and Parbu is being represented by Attorney Glen Hanoman while the State has Attorneys Shawnette Austin and Tamieka Clarke.
According to reports, on the night in question, the deceased, the accused and other relatives were returning from a popular might club where they were drinking. Rampersaud, 24 years old at the time, was seated in the front passenger seat while Parbu, a licensed firearm holder, was seated in the rear along with two others. The defendant reportedly took out his firearm to secure it when he reportedly accidentally discharged it, hitting the deceased twice. The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
On the last sitting of the trial, the Court heard the testimony of Police Constable Melissa Gilkes who was the first Officer to interact with the defendant. She related the happenings of the night in question when the defendant rushed the deceased to the GPH.
On Monday, under cross examination, she admitted that she recorded the defendant’s initial statement but lost it subsequently.
Additionally, it was related that due to the time lapse between the night in question and Monday, she cannot recollect all of the events of that night.
Meanwhile, the defendant gave his testimony, telling the Court that he recalls a struggle between himself and another man who was in the car at time who he identified as Dewar Dabadin.
According to Parbu, he cannot recollect much from the night of the incident except for what he was told by Dabadin.
However, Parbu later explained that he gave a statement to an Officer, telling him that he remembered being handled by Dabadin while securing his firearm and hearing the explosion from the gunshot. He further explained that after telling the Officer of this memory, the Officer called Dabadin and told him of this allegation, adding that Dabadin acted nervously and took a while to answer before denying the allegation.
Before ending his testimony, Parbu addressed the Judge and Jury on the entire incident. Tearfully, he said: “You know up to this moment, it remains a mystery to me on the death of my nephew Permaul Rampersaud, and it leaves a great sadness until this day. My closest relationship has always been the Rampersaud family,” he stated, adding that he lived next to the family for over 33 years. “My honour, in all my years, I have never stood before anyone in an argument that would lead to animosity or bad relations. The death of Permaul Rampersaud created a scar in my life that would be there forever,” Parbu stated, choking on his words.
The trial continues today, when the Defence is expected to present its final witness.
Guyoil Gas Station Sheriff Street
Guyanese embarrassed, regret voting for APNU/AFC – Rohee
By Devina Samaroo
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Clement Rohee believes that a vast majority of the Guyanese populace who voted for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change
(APNU/AFC) coalition are now embarrassed and regretting their decision for a variety of reasons, however he could not provide any evidence to support his opinion.
During a press conference Monday at Freedom House, Georgetown, Rohee told the media that the ha-
bitual “zigzagging” practices and policies of the new administration have caused people to realise that the “change” they voted for is “meaningless” and that the “good life” is only for a favoured few.
“Jobs are not forthcoming, money is not circulat-
Garbage pile-up vexes Anna Regina residents
The main drainage canal leading from the residential area at Anna Regina to the Atlantic Ocean is presently clogged with excessive garbage and despite residents complaining to the Anna Regina Town Council nothing has been done.
According to residents the trench is an “eye soar” for visitors to the Town of Anna Regina and the Lake Mainstay Resort.
Residents have related that vendors and restaurateurs around the area are dumping their garbage recklessly into the trench. Reports are that daily bas-
in the
ket loads of garbage are dumped into the trench.
Residents are therefore calling on the IMC Chairman Mark McLean to
immediately intervene and have the trench cleared. Guyana Times tried contacting McLean but those efforts were futile.
ing, and opportunities for business expansion and entrepreneurship are drying up… The expectation of the erstwhile supporters of the APNU/AFC have evaporated and many are now embarrassed and feel a sense of being let down by the Granger/Nagamootoo coalition who they claim, seem to be only concerned about themselves and their favourites who are being handed huge contracts without due regard to the established bidding process as a quid pro quo for electoral support,” the General Secretary stated.
Prompted on how he arrived at these conclusions, Rohee said the public should await the Budget debates for the answers.
“Wait until the Budget debates start, we’ll see lots of these things coming out,” he said, noting that Members of Parliament would extensively elaborate onissues during their presentations.
Rohee talks 3B’s initiative Rohee also indicated that there seems to be somewhat of a discriminatory distribution of the boats, bicycles and buses (the 3B project launched by President David Granger.)
“This is a glowing manifestation of the discriminatory policies of the Granger administration as it goes about its pretensions at Social Cohesion. While the effort appears humanitarian, it clearly has political overtones. It has been noted that not a single village where poor children of cane cutters’ parentage live and attend school have benefitted from DG’s 3b’s,” Rohee stated.
He further asserted that many onlookers are asking “what does the distribution of DG’s 3b’s have to do with Social Cohesion?” and that these onlookers have suggested that it has more to do with political messaging.
What the Norway team should know…
Last week, a team from Norway headed by that country’s ambassador to Brazil and Guyana, Aud Marit Wiig, arrived in Guyana to hold a series of meetings and field visits to project sites in the interior region. The core of meetings and visits revolved around whether or not Norway will continue the Guyana-Norway environmental agreement/pact from 2009 to 2015 for another five years.
While the pact is extended for another five years, it is expected that Guyana will have to demonstrate a more sound environmental stewardship to earn a huge sum of money (at least US$200 million) to limit forest-based greenhouse gas emissions and protect its rainforest to reduce climate change. The destruction of the rainforests is one of the main causes of climate change. Tropical deforestation contributes to about onefifth of all carbon emissions according to various environmental websites.
Now, on the Guyana side, there was Raphael Trotman and there was Joseph Harmon, among others, and then there was this: Individuals who were leading the talks from Guyana with no practical experience in environmental issues before and after they became Ministers. The team’s first excuse is that the regime has been in power only for eight months which is inconsistent with the 100 days manifesto and promises. Worse still is that nothing new was said at the meeting.
Trotman and his team simply repeated what has been said all along, that is, to practise sustainable development. You would think that the team would show some spine since the new regime is moving away from the dependence on agriculture to the extraction of mineral resources in the interior region to generate growth and development.
At best, these individuals do not only represent but also add to the institutional weaknesses that have permeated and plagued the environmental sector since Guyana returned to the global economy in the mid-1980s.
Moreover, much has been said about the conflict of interest in appointing Simona Broomes to manage Guyana’s natural resources. The regime has pushed this brewing matter to a legal team for advice, and so far, the public has not received any new information.
Do we have to chalk this one up for experience?
What is also worrying is that Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Guyana Forest Commission (GFC) are supported by a host of international agencies: Britain Overseas Development Administration, Global Environmental Facility, United Nations Development Programme, Canadian International Development Agency, German Technical Assistance Agency, Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, World Wide Life Fund and the Smithsonian Institute.
Guyana is also a signatory to many international environmental conventions and I know a few professional individuals who are preparing to come to the country to help out. Yet, the country has been struggling to control its forest resources effectively.
The reason for this predicament is that Guyana’s environmental sector is: (1) under-staffed, under-funded and under-trained; (2) undermined by the lack of updated technologies and resources; (3) void of a comprehensive plan on land use and supervision of resources; (4) corrupt and inefficient and (5) notorious for footdragging.
Meanwhile, forests are exploited through unrestrained logging, skidding, careless mining practices as well as the creation of unplanned new forest communities, especially in the Northwest region. The loss of trees and forests tends to have adverse effects on streams and wetland buffer systems, water and air quality, biodiversity, wildlife and human health. That said, the Norway team must realise the impact of their demands on Guyana to protect its forest. Foremost is that environmental colonialism and the structural adjustment programmes so associated with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank must be avoided. The strings attached to their funding have to be realistic and liberal while the Guyana Government has to be transparent, including on how the funds are spent throughout the course of agreement.
More seriously is that the Norway team have to understand that Guyana does not only comprise forests but also a coastal region that houses over 90 per cent of the population of 750,000. Forests comprise about two-thirds of Guyana but what happens in the coastal region also affects the forest region.
High rates of crime, corruption, suicide and a plethora of other challenges have prevented Government from delivering at desirable levels. That the first five years of agreement between Guyana and Norway to protect Guyana’s rainforest and reduce emissions has produced mixed results is directly related to the challenges listed above and polarised politics. The Government must bring these facts to the table so that funds could be diffused to those areas.
Of paramount importance is that the forest belongs to Guyana and that Guyanese should be placed in positions of leadership so that they will have the experience to become leaders of their own environment.
Using this approach will provide an opportunity for Guyana to build a future that will be free from the exigency of learned dependence and dependent development. Guyana must not bow to unrealistic demands since the ball is essentially in the field of the Guyanese team. Can the Guyana team deliver? (lomarsh. roopnarine@jsums.edu)
Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine
PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee
Garbage
Anna Regina main canal
Squatting, land grabbing cause chaos at Charity
–
Police, Fire Service intervene
BY: INDRAWATTIE NATRAM
Police and the Guyana Fire Service in Region
Two (PomeroonSupenaam) had to be summoned to the Charity New Housing Scheme and the Dredge Creek areas on Monday. Persons from various communities started to clear, burn and occupy state-owned and private agricultural lands for housing purposes.
As a result eight cash crop farmers are counting their losses as persons bullied their way into their private cultivated lands and cleared the area.
According to information reaching Guyana Times, persons were told by an APNU regional official that the lands were available and they should start clearing.
When Guyana Times visited both areas Monday, there were massive confusion between those who are squatting and those who have leases for the agricultural lands. Persons were seen with cutlasses and chain saws clearing lands.
According to a resident, she began clearing land after the councillor/activist told her that the lands were available.
“Everyone was informed about the free lands so we start clear and burn and put up we names; they said it was directive from the regional officials," the woman stated. When asked if any legal documents were given to them for the lands, she replied in the negative.
"We saw people clearing and we follow and start do
come on my private land and start clear and cut down? I invested in my land over 12 years and I have legal documents, I don't understand what's going on and I made a report to the REO, Rupert
because he could not have cultivated due to poor drainage.
Another cash crop farmer Kenethe Kellawan’s land was also occupied under similar circumstances.
Hopkinson, Charity/Urasara NDC and the Lands and Surveys Commission, noth-
the same, they say to start squatting and the lands would eventually belong to you," another resident said.
Meanwhile, Jaiantie Lall of Dredge Creek is counting thousands of dollars in losses as persons bullied their way onto his 10 acres of agricultural lands. He said five pear along with coconut trees and other plants were destroyed by fire.
"This is a clear act of bullyism. How can persons
ing done to date," Lall said.
The cash crop farmer said that persons are using chain saw and other machinery to cut and bulldoze his plants and he is barred from entering the land. He said the 10 acres was a lease one but last year he received his legal documents of ownership.
The farmer explained that he had invested a lot of money to upgrade the drainage and irrigation system
Missing goalkeeper, friend Businessman remains in custody
Aprominent businessman who was taken into Police custody last week in relation to the disappearance of Alpha United goalkeeper Ronson Williams and his friend, Carlos Anderson, remains in custody for further interrogation.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times that the Police made an application to the High Court for an extension in the detention period of the businessman and it was granted. This newspaper understands that the businessman is a close relative of the missing footballer.
The Police, he noted, are working with several leads and are also on the hunt for Gary Mervin Primo, called “Gary Talkout”, who is also wanted for questioning about the young men’s disappearance. The Police issued a wanted bulletin for the man on Friday.
Williams and Anderson, a carpenter, went missing on September 10, 2015. The two had told relatives that they were heading to a football match and left in a silver-grey car on Bent Street, Georgetown but were not seen since. While the motive
behind the disappearance remains unclear, it was reported that their disappearance might have been connected to a sum of money that was owed to someone by one of the young men.
It was reported that Williams left his Bent Street home on the evening of September 10 with two pairs of jeans and a jersey, indicating that he would visit his girlfriend before going to the football match. Anderson was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle while Williams was driving.
The disappearance of the two men was reported
to Police on September 13. Since then, the relatives of both men have been receiving calls informing them that the duo had absconded to Suriname. On some occasions, however, they were told that the men were murdered and their bodies burnt.
The Police are appealing to members of the public who might have information about the whereabouts of wanted man Gary Mervin Primo, called “Gary Talkout”, to contact them on telephone numbers 2272128, 227-1149, 225-6411 226-7065, 911 or at the nearest police station.
Persons have cleared and burnt his 30 acres. Kellawan said he had to summon the fire service since his daughter’s house was threatened.
Farmer Alvin Cotchman was also affected.
Visiting the areas also was Region Vice Chairman, Nandranie Coonjah who met with the farmers and those squatting. She said she was very surprised when she learnt about the "land grabbing" and squatting.
Coonjah has promised to investigate and to follow-up on the matter.
Meanwhile, Chairman for the Charity/Urasara Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Mc Bool Basir said several complaints came concerning the illegal squatting and burning. Basir said despite officials stopping persons from doing so the practice continues.
He said persons started to squat at the Charity New Housing Scheme, an area earmarked for a Nursery School and play field. The chairman said while the NDC is aware of the matter, the situation requires Central Government attention as it is out of control.
Area cleared in the Charity Housing Scheme by land grabbers
Lands cleared and illegally demarcated by squatters
Jaiantie Lall standing in front of his 10 acres showing his lease
Missing goalkeeper Ronson Williams
Wanted, Gary Mervin Primo
TUESday, fEbrUary 2, 2016 | gUyanaTimESgy.com
Walter Rodney CoI
Chairman concerned over impact of premature ending
By Alexis Rodney
The premature termination of the public hearings of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) is set to have a dire impact on the final report scheduled to be handed over next week.
This is according to Chairman of the Commission Sir Richard Cheltenham, who along with fellow commissioners Jamaican Queens Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown and Trinidadbased Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam, met with Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams Monday. The trio have returned to Guyana to complete the final draft of the report, to be handed to President David Granger on February 8.
Speaking to reporters at the Supreme Court Library, where the 66 sittings of the investigation took place over a 17-month period, Cheltenham repeated what he had said back in July 2015.
“The premature termination…. will mean, as I said earlier, the report will not be as thorough and it means, too, that insofar as there were some individuals who were critically commented on in the course of the evidence who did not get a chance to answer, we will be very disinclined to make critical findings of fact in relation to those who were criticized but who did not get the opportunity to answer those criticisms.”
Such individuals include former Crime Chief Cecil “Skip” Roberts, Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader Rupert Roopnaraine and former People’s National Congress (PNC) leader Robert Corbin, who was also issued with a Salmon letter to appear before the
Commissioners.
The sentiments expressed by the Commission now were already articulated last year, when the new Government made a decision to bring an end to the hearing. Government’s contention has been that too much money has already been pumped into the inquiry and that it was going nowhere.
The commission then, which also had included the legal representatives of various interests, was of the view that the abrupt end would have definitely robbed it of a comprehensive, thorough and fair outcome.
Cheltenham had said that while Commissions of Inquiry were “creatures of the executive”, the move by the David Granger Administration would not speak well for the fairness of the final report.
“The current Administration has determined that the Rodney CoI will have just two days of hearings. We feel obliged that while it is within the competence of the executive arm of Government to terminate the public hearings of the Commission, that kind of action is not at all unknown following the change of Government, in our Westminster type of Government. It must be remembered that Commissions of Inquiry are creatures of the executive,” the Barbadian Queens Counsel read from a prepared statement.
The CoI, which was convened in February 2014 by former President Donald Ramotar, has had some 66 sittings with a total of 29 witnesses giving evidence; three of whom were still to be cross-examined. The evidence of those witnesses – retired Major General Norman Mc Lean, former Police Constable Allan Gates and Holland
“Pastor” in hot water over sexual assault allegation
Police have arrested a man, who professes to be a pastor, after an underage girl accused him of sexual assault. The incident is alleged to have been committed at Rosignol, Region
Budget 2016
Yearwood were said to be crucial to the investigation.
The chairman had said too that there were adverse evidence provided against many individuals who were alive, who have not been provided with an opportunity to come forward to confront that evidence and comment on it.
He said the decision of the executive to bring to an end the public hearings may well have implications for the thoroughness of the report as witnesses still to testify will not be heard and some of the terms of reference not adequately supported by testimonies so far will remain in that incomplete state.
Lawyer for Donald Rodney, Dr Rodney’s brother and the only witness, Keith Scotland said “history will be unkind to us”, as the commission was very close to the end of the hearing and the premature end would only have opened the new Government to criticism that it had “politicised” the CoI.
He said the hearing, which has taken 34 years to commence, might very well be referred to as a “pappy show”.
The Commission was set up to investigate, who or what was responsible for the bomb blast that caused the instant death of WPA Co-founder Dr Walter Rodney on the evening of June 13, 1980.
Ramotar had said, at the time that the establishment of the Inquiry was owing to the persistent requests by Rodney’s widow, Patricia, and their three children. However, the People’s National Congress (PNC), the major partner in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, had maintained that the move was a political stunt taken to tarnish its reputation.
Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Commander of B (Berbice) Division, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith confirmed that Police have arrested the Rosignol resident, who is in his midforties.
According to Griffith, the Police have taken statements from the victim and have since sent the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
Delinquent taxpayers to be targeted – Finance Minister
inance Minister
FWinston Jordan said Government will be seeking avenues to target delinquent tax payers.
He was at the time presenting Budget 2016 last Friday in the National Assembly. According to Jordan, it has been observed that the country’s tax structure is yielding uneven amounts of revenue; an issue that continues to place economic strain on the country’s financial system.
“The numbers suggest that there is a large population of delinquent taxpayers out there, prominent among whom are the self-employed and persons paying contributors’ tax. We are concerned about the failure of both categories to pay their fair share of taxes “he noted.
He said Government will be encouraging GRA to intensify its efforts at undertaking evaluations of tax
paying their fair share of taxes and why.
According to him, a simple analysis of tax collections has shown that only three parts of the tax structure are contributing meaningfully to government revenues. They are: income tax, production and consumption taxes, and import duties.
“It is with the need to remedy this situation of revenue leakage that the GRA is being asked to undertake a sensitisation and awareness exercise in order to help taxpayers to fulfil their obligations”, he said
He said Government is aware that to achieve its goals, it must have the revenues to spend.
“As an independent nation, we must first look to ourselves to find the money to develop our country. Admittedly, we were able to achieve the revenue targets that were set over the years.
revenues by impact of exemptions, economic centres and economic sectors.
“The reason is to enable better targeting of those taxpayers who are not in compliance with the tax laws and to understand the reasons for non-compliance, so that we could help them to do better”, he reasoned.
He said once the evaluations are completed, there should be a determination of the economic value of concessions to the country, align economic centres with geographic regions and gain a better understanding of which industries are not
We know from this experience that we have the ability to achieve realistic revenue targets using the tax structure and tax rates that we have currently.”
He said countries tend to focus on the relationship with foreign investors or large investors to support their shift of resources from those home countries to theirs, however it was important that “we add capacity to our production structure.
We do this by offering tax exemptions and tax holidays with the hope of achieving a net gain in tax revenues.
But in a study done in the mid-2000s, it was observed that small businesses make up approximately half of the Guyana economy. These investors, small as they might be, can transfer resources from consumption to investment. In this way, they too can help add capacity to our production structure and expand economic opportunity”, he said
Only late last month, Chairman of the Governing board of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Rawle Lucas said that when communities fail to produce the revenues that reflect their observed level of economic activity, the GRA would have to use its enforcement authority.
According to him, the board examined economic data over the period 2006 to 2014 to establish some preliminary estimates of the tax base. The methodology used relied on that used by the Bank of Guyana to realise the resource gap and get a true sense of the resource shortfall.
“The question that arose from the numbers that emerged was how we can spend so much from so little money. We looked in the usual places like borrowing, remittances from abroad and foreign investments and aid.” The reconciling items could not reconcile our spending,” he said.
According to Lucas, the methodology confirmed that the tax base was ill defined and distorted and in need of urgent refining:
“Consequently, another of our goals this year, is to give accurate measurement of our tax base for future tax planning; further an inaccurate tax base can lead to revenue loss, as revenue leaks through the various tax structures”.
The ones that are of greater concern, the chairman said, are the losses from self-employed income tax, property tax, value added taxes and import duties. He said one of the troubling things seen so far, is the relationship between the total number of registered tax payers and those who are actually paying tax.
From left to right: Trinidad Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam, Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham and Jamaican Queens Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown
Finance Minister Winston Jordan
Goolsarran rubbishes Kaieteur News’ claims on Sanata Complex
State auditor Anand Goolsarran has rubbished the claims made by Kaieteur News on Sunday that the Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) had acquired Sanata Complex after the Government had spent US$5 million to clean it up.
Contacted for a comment on Monday, Goolsarran told Guyana Times that the report was utterly false, adding “you need to find out from Kaieteur News where they got that from”.
The Glenn Lall-owned Kaieteur News on Sunday published a litany of libellous accusations under a front-page banner headline “Govt spent US$5M to rehab Sanata, then sold it to Ramroop for US$3.4M –Audit report reveals”.
In the body of the story, however, the Kaieteur News could not point to any statement in the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited
(NICIL) audit report by Goolsarran which even implied that the Government had paid any sum much less “US$5M to rehab Sanata”.
The report could not so state for the simple fact that it is a matter of public record that the cleanup of the Sanata Textiles Complex, inclusive of asbestos removal, was done during the lease and after the purchase when QAII took possession of the Complex and was totally funded by QAII. The reporter did not adhere to even the scantiest standard of responsible journalism.
All the audit said about the Sanata purchase, which Kaieteur ironically published, was: “By Order No. 40/2010 dated November 29, 2010, NICIL sold 18.891 acres of land and buildings and erections at the Plantation Ruimveldt (Sanata Textiles) to Queens Atlantic Investments Inc. (QAII) for $689 million (US$3.4M). The note on NICIL’s publication reads: After being advertised for sale but no proposals was received, in mid- 2007, a proposal was received from QAII for the development of the compound with a US$27 million investment plan.
The proposal was for a lease with an option to purchase. At the time of the proposal NICIL was facing continued vandalism and destruction to the property despite the presence of security. In 2007, following the requisite approv-
als, a lease was issued and in 2010 having satisfied all the conditions precedent to exercise the option to purchase, the property was sold at the current market valuation of the property before the improvements were implemented.”
There is nothing in this statement that Kaieteur News could possibly point to, to make its libellous claim that Government had spent any sum to clean up Sanata Complex.
Asked for a comment, Dr Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop said, “I want to state categorically that after the lease the Government of Guyana did not spend a single cent on the cleanup or any other expense that went into rehabilitating what was at that time buildings reverting back to a jungle. Glenn Lall has been peddling this misinformation and lie since 2008 when we launched the Guyana Times. At this time, I think he is struggling for
State of the Complex on acquisition - At the time of acquisition, the entire Complex was in a state of disrepair: fences had fallen apart; drains were blocked; roads were inaccessible; vegetation was overgrown; garbage was prevalent; equipment and installations were vandalised beyond repair; the buildings were infested with termites, contaminated with asbestos and in a dilapidated state; there was also flooding in some sections despite it being the dry season
State auditor Anand Goolsarran
Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall
relevance and should get some professional help.”
QAII believes that the
report is nothing more than a vicious attack on private enterprise in Guyana in general and on the Ramroop group of companies in particular.
WHO declares global emergency for Zika
Acluster of microcephaly linked to the Zika Virus in Latin America poses a global public health emergency requiring a united response, says the World Health Organisation.
Experts are worried that the virus is spreading far and fast, with devastating consequences.
The infection has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.
The WHO alert puts Zika in the same category of concern as Ebola.
It means research and aid will be fast-tracked to tackle the infection.
WHO Director General, Dr Margaret Chan called Zika an “extraordinary event” that needed a coordinated response.
“I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.”
She said the priorities were to protect pregnant women and their babies
There have been around 4000 reported cases of microcephaly – babies born with small brains – in Brazil alone since October
from harm and to control the mosquitoes that are spreading the virus.
She advised pregnant women: to consider delaying travel to areas affected by Zika seek advice from their physician if they are living in areas affected by Zika, as well as protect themselves against mosquito bites by wearing repellent Dr Chan justified declaring an emergency even amid uncertainties about the disease, saying now was not the time to wait.
The WHO faced heavy criticism for waiting too long to declare the Ebola outbreak a public emergency. Currently, there is no
vaccine or medication to stop Zika. The only way to avoid catching it is to avoid getting bitten by the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit the infection.
The WHO has already warned that Zika is likely to “spread explosively” across nearly all of the Americas. More than 20 countries, including Brazil, are reporting cases.
Most infections are mild and cause few or no symptoms, although there have been some reported cases of a rare paralysis disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome.
The bigger health threat though is believed to be in pregnancy, to the unborn child. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Cuba announces broadband home Internet project
Cuba has announced it will launch residential broadband Internet services in two areas of its capital, Havana.
The Government has also said it would allow cafes, bars and restaurants to order broadband service.
Currently, broadband home connection is legal only for diplomats and employees of foreign companies, a report said.
The Caribbean nation is one of the world’s least connected countries, and only between five and 25 per cent of Cubans have any type of Internet service.
Cuba’s State telecom agency Etecsa said the pilot project would allow res-
idents in the historic district of Old Havana to order broadband through fibreoptic connections operated by the Chinese telecom firm Huawei.
No timeline or prices have been announced.
Some Cuban citizens have dial-up home services or restricted mobile phone connections that allow access only to State-run email, The Associated Press news agency said.
The public can access the Internet in public wifi spots in Cuba, which opened last year. But many have complained about the cost of the connection: US$2 (£1.4) an hour, or about a 10th of the average month-
ly salary.
There are 58 wireless Internet points in Cuba, 17 of them in Havana. Around 150,000 Cubans used those spots daily in 2015, according to Etecsa data.
Odalys Rodriguez del Toro, Etecsa Director for Havana, has also announced that 30 more public wi-fi spots will be opened in the capital in 2016, doubling the number of access points.
The United States has been pushing Cuba to show that it is improving conditions for its citizens as the two countries normalise their relations after more than 50 years of hostility.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Elections set for February 25 in Jamaica
Jamaicans will go to the polls later this month.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller announced February 25 as Election Day, as she addressed a mass rally of her People’s National Party (PNP) – the first in a series of national meetings –Sunday night.
Nomination Day is set for next Tuesday, February 9, four days after the dissolution of Parliament.
The PNP will be looking to secure a second consecutive term in office, but the
main Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which says it is fully prepared for the polls, believes it will be returned to office after being ousted in 2011.
Simpson Miller declared that the JLP had been calling for elections for a while, but “dem goan get a whipping at the polls”!
Before the announcement, the Prime Minister outlined her Administration’s achievements over the past four years in office.
But she admitted there
Caracas tops the list of the world’s 50 most dangerous cities
The Venezuelan capital, Caracas has achieved the dubious distinction of becoming the most dangerous city in the world after toppling the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula, which held the top spot for four consecutive years.
San Pedro Sula remained a close contender in second place, after a decrease in its homicide rate, while El Salvador’s capital city of San Salvador placed third.
The ranking of the world’s top 50 most dangerous cities, published annually by the Mexico Citizens Council for Public Security,
is dominated by 41 cities from Latin America, including 21 from Brazil, which is scheduled to host the Olympics Games this summer. The ranking is based on the number of murders per 100,000 inhabitants.
Jamaica’s capital Kingston placed 33 with 41.14 murders per 100,000 people.
In the United States, St Louis, Baltimore, Detroit and New Orleans took the 15th, 19th, 28th and 32nd spots, while South Africa’s Cape Town, Durban, Nelson Mandela Bay and
Johannesburg ranked 9th, 41st, 42nd and 47th on the list.
The council’s ranking contains cities with populations of more than 300,000 and does not count deaths in combat zones or cities with unavailable data, so some dangerous cities may not be represented on the list.
Most of the elevated violence is thought to be due to drug trafficking supplemented with gang wars, political instability, and the deregulation of economies triggering widespread poverty, according to Business Insider. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
Canada issues Zika travel warning for the Caribbean
Canada has joined the United States in issuing a travel advisory for pregnant women travelling to the Caribbean in the wake of the outbreak of the Zika Virus.
“It is recommended that pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their
risk and consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika Virus is circulating in the Americas,” said the Public Health Agency of Canada in a statement.
“If travel cannot be postponed then strict mosquito bite prevention measures should be followed to protect themselves against bites,” it added, stating that this should be done particularly
for those travelling to areas where the Zika Virus is circulating.
“There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika Virus infection,” warned the Public Health Agency of Canada, urging potential travellers to consult a healthcare provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before travel. (Excerpt from CMC)
Sandals statement prompts call for mistrial in Turks and Caicos
was more to be done.
“All our problems have not been solved. Some people are still hurting and in need. We knew there would be pain, but we knew it had to be done in the interest of the Jamaican people,” Simpson Miller said.
Meantime, Opposition Leader Andrew Holness said the date was expected and his party was ready for a battle with the PNP.
He said the JLP would be campaigning on the theme, “Partnership for Prosperity”. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
Following the recent disclosure of secret payments made to former Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Premier Michael Misick by one or more Sandals-related companies, Sandals Resort International issued a statement on Friday acknowledging that the payments in question were in fact made, which has prompted defence counsel Ralph Thorne, QC, to file an application to the
court to declare a mistrial.
“…we now have a large corporate entity feeling obliged to issue a statement in relation to issues that pertain to contested evidence in the case,” Thorne noted.
He said it was a matter for the Judge to consider whether the statement was contemptuous of the court and whether it was calculated to unduly and improperly influence the proceedings.
“As Mr Misick’s law-
yer, my immediate concern is that the statement is so highly prejudicial to his rights and to his presumption of innocence, that it defeats his opportunity for a fair trial. My client has lost his right to a fair trial,” Thorne said.
“It is a fact that those payments were made,” Sandals said in its statement on Friday. According to Sandals, the matter first came to light in the course of investigation by the US Department of Justice. This triggered a series of internal investigations by Sandals to determine the source of the payment and the responsible parties. Tom Scott, a retired Federal Judge, was retained by Sandals to assist with the investigation and a forensic accounting firm in Washington DC was also engaged to conduct an indepth accounting investigation into the affair. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now!)
Most of the elevated violence is thought to be due to drug trafficking
Ralph Thorne, QC (MagneticMediaTV)
Aung San Suu Kyi’s MPs take charge
The first freely-elected Parliament in Myanmar for 50 years has held its opening session.
Hundreds of new Members of Parliament, mostly from the National League for Democracy (NLD) but also some smaller parties, have been sworn in and taken their seats.
The NLD, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won 80 per cent of contested seats in November’s historic election.
But a quarter of all seats are reserved for the military, which also retains control of key Ministries.
One of the new
first jobs will be to choose a new President when outgoing leader Thein Sein steps down at the end of March.
Suu Kyi, who spent 15 years under house arrest under the former military Government, cannot take the top job.
A clause in the Constitution which was widely seen as specifically targeting her says anyone whose children are foreign cannot be President. Her sons are British not Burmese.
She has been very clear, however, that she intends to run Myanmar anyway, saying she would be “above
Suu Kyi, who has not named a possible candidate, did not speak to reporters as she entered the building.
But NLD MP Nyein Thit told the AFP news agency: “We will work to get human rights and democracy as well as peace.”
Another NLD MP, Khin Maung Myint, told Associated Press: “I never imagined that our party would be able to form the Government. Even the public didn’t think we could have an NLD Government. But now it is like a shock to us and to the world too.”
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Deadly suicide attack rocks Afghanistan’s capital
At least 20 people were killed and 25 wounded when a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up trying to enter a Police building in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, a senior Police source has told Al Jazeera.
The area was sealed off by Police as ambulances rushed to the scene of what witnesses described as a powerful blast on Monday.
Al Jazeera’s Jennifer Glasse, reporting from Kabul, said the attack happened about 14:00h local time.
“The suicide bomber blew himself up in front of a civil order Police building in the centre of the city,” she said.
“The attack was five days before another scheduled round of peace talks in the presence of Afghan, Pakistan, Chinese and US
officials.”
Kabul was hit by a series of suicide attacks last month, including one that killed seven journalists from a private television station, as the Taliban stepped up its campaign against the Westernbacked Government.
The attacks coincided with renewed efforts to revive a peace process with the armed group that stalled last year. (Al Jazeera)
South Sudan troops killed 50 civilians by suffocation – report
South Sudan’s Government troops killed about 50 civilians last October by stuffing them into a shipping container in baking heat, a report has said.
The document by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), which oversees the country’s ceasefire, said the incident took place in Unity State.
The Government has not commented on the claim –the latest reported atroci-
ties in more than two years of war.
Thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced since then.
“About 50 people suffocated in a container on about 22 October. The investigation was protracted. Attribution of responsibility: Government Forces,” the JMEC report said.
The document by the monitoring group, which is backed by the African Union, was made public late on Sunday.
Around the World
US elections 2016: Polls tight as Iowa prepares to vote
Iowa has an unusual election system called a caucus, which involves people gathering at private homes, schools and other public buildings across the state at 19:00
Presidential hopefuls in the United States made their final pitches to people in Iowa, where the first votes for party nominations was scheduled to take place on Monday.
Polls suggest that Republican Donald Trump has a narrow lead over Ted Cruz, but both are well ahead of the others.
The Democratic race is slightly tighter, with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton edging ahead of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
Each party’s nominee will contest the presidential election in November.
Over the weekend,
the candidates toured the sparsely populated Midwestern state of Iowa in an attempt to court undecided voters.
Campaigning is expected to continue until voting starts at 19:00 local time on Monday (01:00 GMT on Tuesday).
This first electoral test is seen as key because victory can boost campaign momentum as other states vote.
Among the wide Republican field, recent polling suggests that businessman Trump has a comfortable, though not certain, lead over his main rival, Texas Senator Cruz.
The Democrats’ far
smaller field – three candidates as opposed to 11 – appears to be more competitive.
Frontrunner Hillary Clinton has a commanding lead nationally, but in Iowa she is narrowly ahead of self-proclaimed “Democratic socialist” Bernie Sanders. Supporters of the main candidates in Iowa gave very different reasons for their backing.
Iowa has an unusual election system called a caucus, which involves people gathering at private homes, schools and other public buildings across the state at 19:00 local time. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Snowden, Colombia, Greek islanders among Nobel Peace Prize tips
A volunteer carries a Syrian refugee child off an overcrowded dinghy at a beach after the migrants crossed part of the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesbos in this September 23, 2015 file photo
Former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden, peace negotiators in Colombia or Greek islanders helping Syrian refugees were among those tipped for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize at the deadline for nominations on Monday.
Metal containers are often used as makeshift prison cells in the country.
South Sudan’s Government has repeatedly denied carrying out atrocities in the conflict.
The JMEC report also accused both Government troops and rebel forces of rape, murder and looting.
The civil war began in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup. (Excerpt
Nobel watchers also speculated that negotiators of an accord over Iran’s nuclear programme could be in
the running after a surprise award last year to a coalition of Tunisian democracy campaigners, the National Dialogue Quartet.
“2016 may finally be Edward Snowden’s year ... His leaks are now having a positive effect,” Kristian Berg Harpviken, head of the Peace Research Institute, Oslo, told Reuters, putting him on top of his list of candidates.
Harpviken said many nations were now reforming laws to restrict intelligence gathering, helping human rights, in the wake of Snowden’s leaks in 2013 of details of the US Government’s surveillance programmes. Washington has filed espionage charges against Snowden, who has been granted asylum in Russia. An award of the US$930,000 prize to Snowden, by a Nobel committee in NATO member Norway, would be a huge snub for President Barack Obama, the 2009 Nobel laureate.
Asle Sveen, an historian and expert on the prize, said he reckoned the “obvious choice” for 2016 would be to honour Colombia’s Government and FARC rebel group – if they succeed in peace talks launched in 2012 to end five decades of war. He noted that Norway’s Government had been involved in organising peace talks, perhaps swaying the five-member Norwegian Nobel committee which is appointed by Parliament. (Excerpt from Reuters)
India: Students drown swimming off Maharashtra beach
Thirteen students have drowned while swimming off a beach on India’s west coast, Police say.
The group was among more than 100 from a college in Pune who had gone for a picnic to Murud beach near
Alibag, Maharashtra state.
The victims were aged between 19 and 23 and Police said they were working to identify the bodies.
Murud beach is popular with locals who prefer the area to the more tourist-focused state of Goa.
Pictures showed the bodies of those who died being dragged from the water.
Police said they were continuing to search for other victims. It is believed those who drowned were surprised by a sudden low tide. (BBC News)
Parliament’s
the president”.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy holds the vast majority of seats in Parliament
local time
tuesday, february 2, 2016| guyanatimesgy.com
Diversity is our strength not our weakness – President Granger
President David Granger delivered a powerful message of embracing Guyana’s vast cultural and religious diversity at the official launch of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week 2016 as Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing this initiative.
President Granger called for greater collaboration among all religious and civil society groups to foster social cohesion as he addressed a large gathering at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) in Liliendaal on Monday.
He charged those present to embrace Guyana’s rich cultural and religious diversity and use it as a tool to achieve greatness rather than as a means to promote division.
“Guyana is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious State. Guyana is proud of its religious diversity. Our diversity is our strength, not a source of weakness,” President Granger said, adding that interfaith harmony is an obligation if Guyana is to advance social cohesiveness.
According to the Head of State, harmonious communities and happy homes are important if Guyanese are to enjoy the good life.
“We cannot be a happy
people or enjoy a good life in the midst of discord, distrust; disharmony and social conflict… the causes of most conflicts are varied and seem interminable. Many, however, have arisen out of religious intolerance,”
President Granger said.
While States have a duty to support and encourage interfaith harmony, the President said, the mere observance of World Interfaith Harmony Week will not resolve these disputes, particularly since interfaith harmony cannot be legislated or enforced by the State.
Interfaith harmony “must arise from the volition of our religious and social leaders. They must be convinced and inspired by the belief that interfaith harmony is both desirable and necessary,” he said.
Though religious freedoms are enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana, which in itself lays the groundwork for greater religious harmony, the Administration has established the Social Cohesion Ministry to foster greater inclusiveness by all ethnic and religious groups.
President Granger asserted that people who do not have a full understanding of their own religion might be inclined to demonise other groups that they
understand even less.
“Guyana is proud of its record of religious tolerance. Churches, temples and mosques, in many communities, stand side by side. There have never been religious riots in Guyana. Guyana has been spared the agonies of religious fratricide,” the President said.
Further, he said, as Guyana celebrates its 50th Independence anniversary this year, “it would be a gift to posterity for Guyanese to finally overcome the debilitating divisiveness under which this nation was born…”
During the opening ceremony, prayers and messages of peace and harmony were offered by representatives from the Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Baha’i faiths. Messages were also read by representatives from the main political parties.
Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, who spoke on behalf of the A Partnership for National Unity, said each person, whether or not they subscribe to a particular faith, is capable of committing to the love of good and the love for humanity.
“I believe that the religious community is, perhaps, one of the most strategically positioned institutions in our country to foster peace and harmo-
ny, not only because all religions are underpinned by love, peace, unity, goodwill and harmony, but because through religion there are captive gatherings. In our country and around the world… there is therefore, great potential for all of the world’s religions to promote peace and stability,” Minister Ally said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who spoke on behalf of the Alliance for Change. He noted that Guyana has its share of difficulties but religious intolerance is not one of them.
However, he pointed out that, “religion and religious have to be better positioned to achieve the cohesion, which we have clamoured for over these five decades… the answer to our difficulties is in religion… religion is an integral part to the solution of our problems.”
Representing the People’s Progressive Party, Bishop Juan Edghill said religious leaders can do much more to help communities fight societal ills such as the high incidence of suicide in Guyana.
Meanwhile, the programme of activities to commemorate World Interfaith Harmony Week is being spearheaded by the InterReligious Organisation of Guyana (IRO) under the theme, “Fostering Social Cohesion in Guyana”. The organisation has planned a series of activities to commemorate this important week, including interfaith ceremonies, tree planting exercises, outreaches to schools and a children’s essay competition.
World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. It was unanimously adopted in October of that same year. It started as an initiative to bring together leaders of the Christian and Muslim faiths in dialogue, but was later expanded to include all faiths.
Alleged LGE fraud Chief Elections Officer visits Rose Hall
Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, accompanied by a highlevel team from Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) visited Rose Hall, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Monday to investigate the alleged Local Government Elections (LGE) fraud.
Chairman of GECOM Dr Steve Surujbally told Guyana Times on Monday that the team is in the area to get to the “truth” before the commission can make any pronouncement on the issue.
The investigation was launched after 40 residents of Williamsburg, Rose Hall, sent two petitions to inform GECOM that they were tricked into signing a document which made them candidates on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) List of Candidates for the upcoming LGE.
Meanwhile, during a press conference Monday, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Executive Member Zulficar Mustapha blasted the APNU/AFC collation over the issue. It was alleged representatives of the collation party solicited persons’ signatures, stating they needed to sign forms for community work to be done in their areas.
Mustapha is alleging that in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) persons are being paid to sign forms.
He mentioned persons in parts of Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice) also encountered the same situation, however, this matter was only raised by the party’s representative at Rose Hall.
Speaking with this newspaper Sunday, GECOM Chairman, Dr Surujbally had said that the entity was investigating the incident, and noted that since this matter was
“very technical, we would be examining it from all angles”.
He said CEO Lowenfield, assisted by a high-level team from GECOM, would be visiting the area to conduct investigations into the matter before any decision was made.
The residents are peeved over the situation. They claim that two persons – Hemwattie Isaacs and Robert Bisram – who are candidates for the coalition Government at the upcoming polls are behind the fraud.
Nineteen persons are claiming that Bisram fooled them, while 21 are claiming that Isaacs fooled them into signing a document which makes them candidates for the APNU/AFC.
In separate petitions, it was stated that between January 11 and 24, Isaacs of Williamsburg South, Constituency Number Three, and Bisram, of Williamsburg Central, Constituency Number Two, went to those communities and bore false witness to the petitioners.
According to the petition seen by Guyana Time s both Isaacs and Bisram showed residents a form and told them they were visiting on behalf of the Rose Hall Town Council (RHTC) and villagers had to sign a form in order for the area to be cleaned and for drainage works to be done by the RHTC.
The petitioners said they later learnt that the two had enlisted them as candidates for APNU/AFC for the upcoming LGE. “We wish to inform GECOM that we do not support APNU/AFC or any of its candidates for the LGE. We are supporters of the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/Civic],” the petitions stated.
On Thursday last, one of the candidates on the APNU/AFC Rose Hall list served GECOM with a request to withdraw his name as a candidate.
Food supply, livestock threatened in Region 9
Residents of Region Nine, (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are worried that a food shortage is imminent if the dry weather being experienced within the Region persists over the next several weeks.
Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, an official of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) stated that the dry weather was seriously threatening the lives of the domestic animals in the community along with the Region’s food supply.
The official stated that wells within the area were drying up as water sources continued to become depleted. Guyana Times was told that many farmers have given up
even trying to plant their crops given the absence of rain.
“Currently, we have food, but if the weather stays like this much longer, we fear for our food security. Definitely in the long run, there is no question that we will be facing a food shortage if the weather does not change.”
The RDC member stated that the drought was also threatening the health of the communities, as diseases transmitted by insects may become prevalent. Droughts can shrink bodies of water and cause water to become stagnant, providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes. She added that they were al-
ready experiencing several cases of sudden diarrhoea and vomiting.
In addition, the RDC official shared that persons needed to be
educated about the measures that must be taken in dealing with such situations. She noted that many fires lit had spread and could have ended disastrously if it was not for the quick thinking of others.
Residents are urged to desist from lighting fires in the savannahs as the dry winds act as an accelerant for the fires to spread. The official added that persons needed to be more cognisant of what was happening in their communities, to always be on the safer side of things.
This newspaper only recently reported that an estimated eight acres of rice at Crane, West Coast Demerara was lost as a result of the prevailing dry weather conditions.
Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock stated in reports that the Ministry was working assiduously with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to institute measures to offer support to Region Nine. The Minister added, however, that additional efforts and equipment were needed to fight the effects of the drought.
Several other hinterland communities in other Regions across Guyana are anticipating a decline in agricultural production with the possibility of food shortages if the dry spell persists.
Guyana joins the world in observing World Interfaith Harmony Week
Parched land
El Niño
“Operational Plan” for revised National Tourism Policy
Government’s National Tourism Policy is still in its development stages and Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s Budget 2016 presentation to the National Assembly Friday briefly outlined Government’s intention to “develop an operational plan” in order to make the revised policy a realisation.
Some of the areas this policy will target include bird watching, eco-tourism destination (pristine tropical rainforest and flora and fauna); adventure tourism; wildlife watching, and hinterland community-based tourism.
In 2015, Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes had stated that the policy would have sought to address a myriad of areas including legislation and regulations on tourism investment, incentives and concessions, marketing, product development, human resource development, infrastructure, aviation, and sustainability.
Sports fishing, sports tourism such as motor racing and cricket; yachting
and cruise visits along with entertainment and cultural tourism were all aspects which Minister Hughes highlighted would improve Guyana’s tourism sector.
In the Budget debate in August of last year, Opposition Member of Parliament Jillian BurtonPersaud had voiced criticisms of the current administration, stating that there was no “concretised and sustainable” vision for the development of the tourism industry.
In December of 2015, Minister Hughes, through Government Information Agency (GINA) had disclosed that the development of the local tourism sector
would be pursued in a “studied and structured manner.”
To this end, she opined that Guyana must identify itself as South America and should emphasise the magnificence of the Amazon, the Essequibo, many creeks and our dark waters.
This “vision” was expected to be completed by January of this year. However, the policy is still being worked on.
Minister Jordan in his presentation noted that the policy and operational plan “will emphasise the role of tourism in providing jobs and economic growth throughout Guyana, but especially in the hinterlands.”
Linden students awarded for producing outstanding business plans
Four students of the Mackenzie High School (MHS) in Linden were awarded cash incentives by former student Carawyn Holland, for producing the four most outstanding business plans for the community.
The schools’ challenge to create and submit business plans saw the participation of a number of MHS students and was presented to the educational institution by Holland approximately two weeks ago.
The first place initiative was submitted by 5th Form student Dacia Caesar, who was awarded $20,000 for proposing the idea of a job placement agency.
The proposal for cash crop production submitted by 5th Form student Amiss LaRose was awarded sec-
ond place with $15,000. Meanwhile a tie was knotted out for the third place winners who were each presented with $7500. They are 6th Form students Madina Archer who proposed a recycling plant for Linden and Isaiah Adams who proposed the restoration of the Aluminium Plant at Linden.
Holland, who made the presentation before a packed auditorium of students and teachers, related that the initiative will be an ongoing one where the winners will compete against other schools.
“We’re trying to gear the children’s minds towards being entrepreneurs instead of just going through the normal process of going to school, get your qualifications and sit down and wait
on a job... We launched this initiative to get students to try to create employment for themselves and in that way we’ll have less unemployment and underemployment,” he said.
He said students were challenged to come up with a business proposal in 20 minutes and the same will be done with secondary schools in Wismar, Linden.
Afterwards, he said that another initiative of the Linden Business Challenge will be conducted with students participating to ascertain the best proposal.
Other initiatives submitted by students included a shopping mall, international restaurant, private schools for pregnant, school dropout teens, and shoes manufacturing.
Core home repossession Another owner challenges Govt’s decision
By: Kizzy Coleman
Another owner has challenged the Government in its bid to repossess her home.
Gaytrie Singh also known as Gaytrie Saikar, a singleparent of four, who resides at Lot 902 Westminster, West Bank Demerara has filed a law suit against the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) for repossessing her core house.
In the affidavit presented to court by her Attorney Anil Nandlall, that was seen by this newspaper, it was stated that on November 23, 2015 agents of the CH&PA unlawfully imposed on the fundamental rights and freedom of Singh by taking possession of her property with-
which prohibits agents of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, the Ministry of Housing or any other Officer of the State from entering, remaining, occupying or interfering with her possession, for compensation for aggravated damages to her property, costs and any directions as the Court may consider appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of Article 142 of the Constitution of Guyana.
Four days ago, a mother of three, Linda Persaud of Lot 3608, Block 8 Plantation Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) also sued the Government for $10 million under the same situation.
Persaud explained that
erected a sign on her property which stated, “This is the property of Central Housing and Planning Authority”.
Attorney Anil Nandlall represented her filing a motion in the High Court seeking an order which will prevent the Government from reclaiming her home.
In December of 2015, Nirmala Ganesh, yet another single-parent who occupied a core house at 1688 Plantation Bell West, West Bank Demerara, was given a letter by the CHPA requesting her to hand over documents thereby rescinding her ownership of the property.
The letter to Ganesh too states that she breached her contract.
out any compensation being paid to her as is guaranteed to her by Article 142 of the Constitution of Guyana.
The legal document highlights that agents of CH&PA broke and entered Singh’s property after which they took possession of the home erecting a sign board stating: “Notice: Property of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Order by the CH&PA”.
Singh is suing the Government for the amount of $10 million on the grounds of breach of her fundamental right and freedom not to have her property compulsorily taken possession of without the prompt payment of adequate compensation.
She is also suing for Conservatory Order,
she bought her land from CH&PA for $92,000 then purchased a house under the ‘Core House Project’ for $100,000.
The house was completed in August 2014 and she immediately moved in. Persaud further stated that she spent in excess of $1 million to fence, build up and landscape the land as well as to build cupboards, erecting a wall in the house and tiling the washroom area.
On November 18, 2015, she received a letter from the Corporate Secretary of CHPA, accusing her of living elsewhere and not occupying the building within a month after receipt of the key.
On December 3, while staying with her sick mother, Persaud said CH&PA staff went to her home and
According to this letter, she… failed to comply with this agreement… and despite repeated communication, both verbal and written, regarding her nonoccupancy she is still residing at 380 Stanleytown, Canal No 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara the address from which she qualified to obtain the core house. She was required to seek a refund of monies paid for the land and equity contribution by submitting all original documents no later than 5 January 2016. This would ensure the property is transferred back to government.
Ganesh was also taking legal action against the Government with the aid of her lawyer Hannifah Jordon.
Creation of Gender Affairs Bureau underway
By Shemuel FanFair
The merger of the Men’s Affairs Bureau (MAB) and Women’s Affairs Bureau (WAB) is said to be underway. Current Administrator of MAB Diego Alphonso related to this publication that staff and expertise of the two units will operate under a singular head, while achieving their relevant objectives.
In December of last year, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence posited that this unit would begin operations in early 2016. Alphonso revealed that creation of the unit is still a work in progress.
“The paper work and the process still in the making,” Alphonso stated. He
related that sometime this year will see the unit commencing its operations. Concern was raised about the needs of either gender being subsumed under the formation of a joint unit.
Head of the Women and Gender Equality Commission Indra Chandarpal while welcoming the merger, cautioned that the issues of men and women must be dealt with equally.
“I don’t see a problem; initially the idea of a Gender Affairs division entailed that you have two desks, one for male and one for female, we have other jurisdictions where it operates in that way,” Chandarpal said, adding: “What we need to ensure however is that men’s issues
are also taken on board because the problems we face in society is not only female so with the one division you can have two desks… each desk, I am sure will continue to do the things they have been doing.”
The gender equality advocate also stated her disagreement with the organisation having a singular director.
“I don’t subscribe to the idea of one director… you need to have separate heads. I think that they should have
two different directors because its best that way; in terms of the WAB you have a separate person and the MAB you have a separate person.” Chandarpal opined that one director shouldn’t be tasked with the implementation of policies for both genders.
“That person would really have to be gender conscious to understand that you can’t take sides. We all understand the issues affecting each other but I think it would be more suitable if you can have two different persons rather than one,” she remarked. In responding to these concerns, the MAB head explained that while there would be one head, the two components will still remain. “The work of the Women’s Affairs and the work
of the Men’s Affairs will continue simultaneously – so there would be the male component and the female component,” Alphonso said.
Minister Lawrence had stated that this merger is in keeping with world trends - a view which Chandarpal opined had worked in previous times and is appropriate in a Guyana’s context. “It had worked in the past, I don’t see why it can’t continue to happen now, when it was set up, they had done good work,” She posited. Chandarpal further opined that counsellors and workers need to be balanced in their thinking in order to properly assess situations by using an objective approach.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan
Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes
Core homes
Diego Alphonso Minister Volda Lawrence
SUDOKU
ARIES (March 21April 19)
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CANCER
Keep a low profile and a close watch on what others are up to. Not revealing the way you feel will help you bypass discord. Work on personal progress, not trying to change others.
Concentrate on picking up information, new skills or more experience. Talk about your intentions and how others fit into your plans. A business trip will pay off.
Subtle changes and close attention to detail will benefit you the most. Don’t let anyone limit what you can do, but at the same time avoid excessive behaviour.
LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)
You’ll gain experience and the knowledge you need to bring about positive changes if you hang out with someone quite different from you. Romance is encouraged and will improve your life.
Stand up to anyone who tries to bully you. Be prepared to make changes that will help you temper any situation that develops due to a difference of opinion or jealousy.
Have some fun. Show everyone that you have a sense of humour. If you update your image or appearance, others will notice. Express your feelings in order to improve important relationships.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Don’t share too much information. Work behind the scenes until you are able to make your case with the facts and figures necessary to quash the opposition.
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One of your ideas will be well received. Get together with people who share your concerns in order to make a difference. Love is in the stars.
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Assess your situation and make adjustments that better fit your lifestyle. You need the freedom to follow your heart and dreams. Initiate change and eliminate stress.
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Do something that brings you satisfaction and joy. Take charge and make a difference. Your dedication will gain recognition and impress someone you love. Suggest a romantic evening for two.
AQUARIUS
PISCES
(Feb. 20March 20)
Make changes that promote personal growth and can help you live up to your goals. Tame a bad habit and strive to give your reputation a boost.
A passionate approach to life will be appreciated by those you work alongside. Take on a challenge that will help you improve your life.
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ICC U-19 World Cup Roundup
Pant hits fastest 50 to guide India to win
Group D
India Under-19 open-
er Rishabh Pant had the fastest recorded U-19 international century comfortably in his sights when he was dismissed for 78 off 24 balls, having blown Nepal Under-19 away in a small chase. Pant did break the record for the fastest recorded U-19 fifty though, getting there in 18 balls, one faster than the previous mark. He added 124 in 9.1 overs with his captain Ishan Kishan, who scored 52 off 40 balls. India eventually chased down Nepal’s score of 169 with 179 balls to spare in Mirpur.
Pant attacked from the start, slogging the first ball of the innings to the midwicket boundary, and did not relent. He targeted the arc between deep square leg and long-on with a series of pulls and lofts, paying little heed to whether the delivery demanded caution. Nepal were rattled and fed him shorter lengths at hittable pace and Pant feasted. Kishan had been quieter initially, but once the spinners came on he used his feet superbly, stepping out of this crease to get to the pitch of the ball and swinging without inhibition. Pant began to drive, slap and loft over the off side too as his range expanded against a wilting attack. His strike rate of 325 meant that had he scored 22 more runs in singles Pant would have still broken the record for the fastest u-19 hundred by seven deliveries.
India’s seven-wicket victory was set up by their bowlers, though, who restricted Nepal to 160 in a match shortened to 48 overs a side because of early-morning fog. Opener Sandeep Sunar top scored with 37 but the rest of the top four batsmen were dismissed in single digits. They had also slogged at India’s attack but had no success. Seamer Avesh Khan took 3 for 34, while left-
arm spinner Mayank Dagar and offspinner Washington Sundar took two apiece.
New Zealand Under19s ended the group stage with a consolation win, as a 141run partnership between Finn Allen and Dale Phillips steered them to a four-wicket win overIreland Under-19s in Fatullah. Phillips joined Allen after seamer Rory Anders had picked up four wickets to reduce New Zealand to 45 for 4 in pursuit of 213.
The pair got the chase back on track with a brisk partnership spanning 20.4 overs, with Phillips scoring 58 off 66 balls (7x4) before falling lbw to Fiachra Tucker. Then, with New Zealand a mere seven runs from victory, Tucker dismissed Allen for 97 off 76 balls (9x4, 4x6), before Rachin Ravindra and Nathan Smith took them home with 47 balls remaining.
Sent in to bat, Ireland got
to 100 for 1, thanks to an 85run second-wicket stand between Jack Tector (56 off 83) and Adam Dennison (46 off 56), before spinners Ravindra and Josh Finnie picked up three wickets apiece and engineered a slump that saw them lose their last nine wickets for 112 runs.
Group B A half-century from Tariq Stanikzai gave Afghanistan Under-19s their first win of the tournament, lifting them to a four-wicket win in a lowscoring match against Canada Under-19s in Sylhet. Stanikzai scored 56 off 48 balls, with nine fours and a six, as Afghanistan chased down a target of 148 in only 24.1 overs. They lost a few wickets while doing so, though, with left-arm spinner Shlok Patel and offspinner Miraj Patel sharing five wickets between them.
Having chosen to bat, Canada lost three of their top four for ducks and slipped to 31 for 4 before their captain Abraash Khan (33) and Arslan Khan (38) put on the only substantial partnership of their innings, 62 for the fifth wicket. Wickets fell steadily thereafter, with No. 9 Kurt Ramdath’s 20 the next-highest score of the innings, as Canada were bowled out for 147 off the last ball of their allotted 50 overs. Medium-pacer Muslim Musa and offspinner Shamsurrahman picked up three wickets each for Afghanistan. (Cricinfo)
SCOREBOARD
Nepal Under-19s S Sunar c Washington Sundar b Dagar 37
S Dhamala c Bhui b Avesh Khan 0 YS Karki b Avesh Khan 7
R Rijal*† c Khan b Dagar 6
Aarif Sheikh c Dagar b Washington Sundar 26
Rajbir Singh c Armaan Jaffer b Avesh Khan 35
DS Airee run out (Armaan Jaffer/†Pant) 1
K Bhurtel st †Pant b Washington Sundar 6
P Tamang not out 29
S Kandel not out 3
Extras (b 1, lb 4, w 14) 19
Total (8 wickets; 48 overs; 197 mins) 169
Did not bat: S Lamichhane
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-24, 3-48, 4-65, 5-93, 6-99, 7-109, 8-146
Bowling: Avesh Khan 8-1-343, KK Ahmed 7-2-18-0, MJ Dagar 10-2-32-2, SC Mavi
6-0-31-0, MK Lomror 8-0-200, Washington Sundar 7-020-2, SN Khan 2-0-9-0 India Under-19s innings RR Pant† b Tamang 78 Ishan Kishan* c Dhamala b Lamichhane 52
RK Bhui c sub (S Rana) b Tamang 7 SN Khan not out 21
Armaan Jaffer not out 12
Extras (w 5) 5
Total (3 wickets; 18.1 overs; 69 mins) 175
Did not bat: Washington Sundar, MK Lomror, MJ Dagar, Avesh Khan, SC Mavi, KK Ahmed
Fall of wickets: 1-124, 2-142, 3-142
Bowling: K Bhurtel 2-0-220, Aarif Sheikh 1-0-18-0, S Dhamala 1-0-14-0, P Tamang 6-1-41-2, S Kandel 2-0-20-0, DS Airee 1-0-23-0, S Lamichhane 5.1-0-37-1.
Messi will not play at Rio Olympics, says Argentina coach
Lionel Messi will not chase a second Olympic football gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games in August, Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said on Monday.
Martino added he did not want the Barcelona forward, who will captain Argentina at the Centennial Copa America in the United States in June, to suffer burnout after a demanding
season. He can take three overage players in his under-23 squad to the Rio Games but Messi, who helped Argentina win their second Olympic football title in Beijing in 2008, will not be one of them.
“Messi won’t go to the Olympic Games because there is a lot of competition for the national team this year,” Martino said with
World Cup qualifiers also in mind.
“We have the Copa America, the Olympic Games and after that four rounds of the qualifiers,” he told Radio La Red.
“The reality at Barcelona shows the season will be long. I want to win very much but not at any price, nor for throwing the players on to the pitch for them to die there.”
Messi led Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final in Rio where they lost 1-0 to Germanyafter extra time.
The 16-team Copa America, to celebrate 100 years of the world’s oldest active international football tournament, will be played from June 3-26 with the 10-member nations of South America’s CONMEBOL and six from rival region CONCACAF taking part.
Argentina, who also won Olympic gold at the 2004 Athens Games, failed to qualify for London 2012. (Reuters Sport)
FIFA cuts off funding to scandal-hit Americas confederations
FIFA has cut off funding to the corruptionhit confederations for football in the Americas, the global football body said on Monday, in a move which could cause future cash flow problems for the two organisations.
The two bodies, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, have been at the centre of a corruption scandal that has engulfed world football and seen 41 individuals and entities charged in the United States on a variety of graft-related offences.
“We can confirm that in light of current proceedings involving individuals related to CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, FIFA has put contributions towards these two Confederations on hold until further notice,” said a FIFA spokesperson.
“We are currently assessing further steps to be taken to increase the level of assurance which may again enable FIFA to release such funds in the future.”
A source close to CONCACAF said it had not received $10 million in payments from FIFA, including expected World Cup
revenues and money from the global body’s Financial Assistance Programme.
CONMEBOL is responsible for the sport in South America while CONCACAF covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.
In a statement, CONCACAF said it had ful-
CONCACAF has seen its last three presidents indicted by the Department of Justice with Trinidad and Tobago’s Jack Warner, Cayman Islander Jeffrey Webb and Honduran Alfred Hawit all facing charges.
CONMEBOL has had former president Nicolas
FIFA sign is seen outside the FIFA headquarters
filled all FIFA requests for documents and information “regarding the new administrative, compliance, and procurement processes that have been implemented at the Confederation to ensure the issue is resolved in a timely manner”.
CONMEBOL was not immediately available for comment.
Leoz and their most recent leader Jan Angel Napout, both of Paraguay, indicted along with several other leading officials.
The two organisations are due to hold a joint ‘Copa America’ tournament in the United States in June to celebrate CONMEBOL’s centenary. (Reuters Sport)
Rishabh Pant scored five sixes in his 24-ball 78 (ICC photo)
Lionel Messi
Mobile Wizard 10/10 Cricket
West Demerara to come alive with finals on Sunday
The Mobile Wizard 10/10 softball cricket tournament organised by the Guyana Softball League (GSL) will culminate at the Tuschen ground with the Semi Finals and finals on February 7.
The teams in the semis are Wolf’s Warriors, Omesh XI, Speedboat SC and Power XI.
The fixtures which were done by drawing will see Speedboat SC taking on Power XI and Wolf’s against Omesh XI.
The first match of the day will see a masters encounter between West Coast Blazers who will be led by Orville Blacks and East Bank Masters led by Shafeek Mohamed.
The second match is an exhibition between Leguan Superstars and a West Coast XI. The third match will see the first encounter of the semis with Speed Boat SC going against Power XI.
The fourth Match will see the second semifinal between Wolf’s Warriors and Omesh XI. The fifth match will see an exhibition match being contested between Linden Rural community champions, Wiruni Female Team coming up against Well Woman XI, the
Georgetown champions.
The final will complete the day in terms of the cricket.
The man of the day will enjoy a Footstool Pouf compliment of Rohan Furniture Establishment along with USD 50.
The Caribbean Voice with whom GSL is partnering for several programmes will be there to sensitise all on suicide awareness as part of an attempt to highlight some of the negatives affecting all communities.
One ball Manto will be done between matches for a top prize of $60,000 dollars in prizes along with T-shirts and others compliments of Miss Love (West Coast) Trading and Mobile Wizards.
The evening goes on a chutney show featuring Pooran Seeraj and Prince JP along with the dancers as well as Granny Ivelaw and many others will take over as the after cricket show begins at 18:30h. The music will be in the hands of Slingerz and Sandella One man band.
The various teams read: Speedboat SC: Greg Singh (Capt.), Shazim Hussain, Wazeer Hussain,Wasim Sundar, Ganesh
Narine,Kishore Smith, Cornelius Jaisingh, Imran Hamid, Anand Bharat, Rajendra Kuraf, Romel Lakha, Lennox Marks, Kishan Ramlochan, Bepaul Bandu, Peter Aladin.
Power XI: Jaipaul Singh( Capt), Heraman Sooknanan, Naresh Dhanraj, Gersham Sookmangal, Indarjeet Mangal, Richard Sookhoo, Aaron Deodas, Mahendra Chakravorti, Rajnauth Sooknanan, Steve Singh, Inshan Ali, Amarnauth Sooknanan, Ravi Laldeo, Danny Hint.
Wolf’s Warriors :Amreth Rai (Capt), Mohamed R. Karim, Safraz Karim, Vishnu Tannachandra, Azad Azeez, Azad Zaman, Ravindra Ramnauth, Davenand Persaud, Lincoln Leander, Vaickesh Dhaniram,Khemraj Ramsundar,Kevin Orford, Narine Bailey.
Omesh XI: Omesh Parbhu (Capt) Trevus Drakes, Yogeshwar Boodhoo, Markie Jabar, Devindra Sahadeo, Ramdeya Sahlall, Rulin Ramdeen, Mohamad Kasim, Chaitram, Ricardo Adams, Avinash Persaud, Krishna Jagdeo, Hardat Sahadeo, Vijai Jairam, Vickram Kissoon.
A. Ally & Sons Inter-secondary school U-17 cricket Algoo, Ramsammy guide Berbice High into final
Berbice High School and Rosignol Secondary School both took first innings honours in their respective semifinals to earn their places in the final of the 2015 A. Ally and Sons Under-17 Intersecondary school two-innings cricket competition in Berbice.
At Cumberland, Berbice High School beat Skeldon High School on first innings. Skeldon High batted first, making 113 all out with Sanjay Deochand topscoring with 46, while Michael Burnett made 22 not out.
Bowling for Berbice High, off-spinner Abdul Ramsammy took 4-26, following his six-wicket haul against Bush Lot in the quarter-finals, while Berbice Under-17 leg-spinner Dion Sinclair took 3-12 and Brandon Pydanna 2-11.
When Berbice High School replied, their Berbice Under-15 batsmen Alex Algoo firstly put on 32 for the first wicket with Malcolm Mickle (19) and then 87 for the second wicket with Dion Sinclair (27) too see them pass the crucial first innings target.
Algoo went on to make 119 (11x4s, 5x6s), following
his 93 in the quarter-finals against Bush Lot, helping his team to 188-5 declared.
Kameshwar Chatterpaul took 2-34 for Skeldon.
Skeldon High in their second innings reached 27-3 at the close with Naresh Chan picking up 3-15.
Over at Blairmont, Rosignol Secondary got the better of the highly favoured Lower Corentyne Secondary School in their drawn match.
Batting first, Rosignol Secondary made 164 all out in their first innings with Chandradat Veersammy steering them to that total by batting through the innings to be last man out for 97 (10x4s, 2x6s). Bowling for Lower Corentyne, Guyana Under-15 all-rounder Junior
took
and
The lads from Lower Corentyne were coasting along at 71-1 at one stage, but with Rosignol pacers Keyon Gangoo and Javed Karim getting into their strides, getting the wickets of the in-form Junior Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson for 32 and 20 respectively, Lower Corentyne only managed 154 all out. Karim ended with 4-41 and Gangoo 4-50. Rosignol Secondary and Berbice High School will now clash in the final of the competition on Thursday at the Cumberland ground.
Chanderpaul’s greatness goes beyond numbers
hivnarine
SChanderpaul made his Test debut in a team that had not lost a Test series for 14 years. Its bowling attack was the envy of the cricket world and its batsmen were experienced, seasoned professionals. The XI for the second Test of the 199394 Wisden Trophy included Desmond Haynes, Richie Richardson, Jimmy Adams, Brian Lara, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. Back then a tour to the West Indies was tougher than one to Australia and England.
In the 21st century, West Indies have won one and lost 45 of their 62 away Tests, and won only four out of 20 home series against Test opponents other than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Chanderpaul made 9185 Test runs at 55.7 in this period. Only Jacques Kallis and Kumar Sangakkara have done better. In the history of West Indies cricket, only Brian Lara made more runs. The West Indies top seven, including Chanderpaul, made 25,351 runs at an average of 32 in away Tests (excluding those in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe) from the start of 2001. Excluding the runs contributed by Chanderpaul and Lara, who averaged 48 and 60 respectively, the rest of the top seven contributed 19,231 runs at 28.5! This means that the other five or six spots in the West Indies top order in these Tests have been occupied on average by a specialist Test batsman who averaged 28.5. Lara’s is a recurring pres-
ence in Chanderpaul’s story. In Chanderpaul’s debut Test, Lara made an imperious 167 in less than five hours; Chanderpaul made a relatively cautious 62. In Antigualater in that series, Chanderpaul was at the other end when Lara went past Garfield Sobers’ world record for the highest Test score. While Lara was in the West Indies side, Chanderpaul lived in his shadow, much like Rahul Dravid lived in Sachin Tendulkar’s. What turned out to be Lara’sfinal Test, in November 2006 against Pakistan in Karachi, was Chanderpaul’s 101st Test match. West Indies lost, Lara was dismissed for 49 in his final Test innings, and Chanderpaul played two fighting hands of 36 and 69 out of West Indian totals of 260 and 244.
At the start of his career, Chanderpaul had a problem converting starts into centuries. His first 50 Tests produced two centuries and 23 half-centuries. He would go on to make 30 Test hundreds and average at least 40 against all Test opponents, with the exception of, oddly enough, Zimbabwe. Only Graeme Smith and Michael Clarke made more Test runs as visiting batsmen in England in the 21st century, and Clarke played nearly twice as many Tests as Chanderpaul. Lara wasn’t at his best against India, but Chanderpaul relished their bowling, scoring seven hundreds and driving Indian fans to distraction.
Chanderpaul’s numbers
speak for themselves. He was as prolific as Lara in Tests at home and his record of 19 Test hundreds in the West Indies may never be beaten.
A player’s greatness does not merely rest on the sheer weight of his record. It also depends on other things. It has become something of a truism in cricket that Chanderpaul’s methods were out of the ordinary. Some call them “quirky”. Others describe his batting as “crab-like”. Dravid scored at about the same rate as
most part, as exotic anomalies. When Graham Gooch chose a stance that involved him standing upright with the toe of his bat raised up to the level of his shoulder, the rationale behind this was repeatedly explained by observers: Gooch was doing it to save the time required to pick the bat up as the ball is delivered. This meant that he could keep his head still and had some extra time to bring the bat down to meet the ball.
Chanderpaul’s front-on stance made him one of the
His front-on stance helped him achieve balance, maintain a still head, and enabled him to watch the ball at all times (Gallo Images)
Chanderpaul, but he would never be described as “crablike”. Javed Miandad and Kevin Pietersen had unusual batting stances, but these would never be described as “quirky”. Alastair Cook uses a massive shuffle across his stumps, but this is not considered weird. Chanderpaul’s many experiments with method were viewed, for the
great sights in world cricket. The remarkable thing about it was that even though it was wrong according to all conventional lessons, by the time the ball reached him, Chanderpaul was always in the perfect position to play it.
He always knew exactly where his off stump was, and his ability to time the ball was
perhaps unrivalled in the age of massive bats and the power game. Touch, timing, control, Chanderpaul had it all. He was a magnificent strokemaker off both front and back feet, with vertical bat and horizontal, against pace and spin alike. And it all came from a two-eyed, front-on stance, which he first adopted as a young boy in Guyana. As he has explained many times over the years, the point was to achieve balance, a still head, and to watch the ball at all times.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Chanderpaul’s successful demonstration of the twoeyed, front-on batting stance (in its moderate early form, and its more drastic, later form), far from being a quirky anachronism, has been the greatest technical advancement in cricket so far in the 21st century, on par with the development of the googly in the first decade of the 20th.
His trigger movement made the stance successful. When he met the ball, Chanderpaul was always perfectly side-on. He rarely got turned inside-out, either by pace or spin, and invariably had time to spare when he met the ball. These are marks of great class in a batsman. That he achieved all this using a novel method must be a factor that adds to his greatness. Chanderpaul wasn’t a great player despite his methods but because of them.
Unfortunately, we are prone to regarding lesser variations, like the Dilscoop
or the switch hit, far more readily as innovations. These fit more readily in highlights reels. But perhaps they belong alongside Rohan Kanhai’s famous falling sweep as the quirks of supremely gifted individuals, rather than methodical meditations on the art of batting. Chanderpaul’s contribution was undoubtedly among the latter.
As stunning as his longevity and run-scoring were, they do not complete the description of his achievements. His record must be seen in the context of the larger story of West Indian decline. After Lara retired, there were worries that West Indies would be dismantled, especially away from home, where the frailties in their batting would be exposed more cruelly than in more familiar conditions in the Caribbean. As it turned out, West Indies lost, and lost badly, but not before Chanderpaul had his say: 2087 runs in 27 away Tests (excluding visits to Bangladesh, on which too he was prolific). The constant battles between the players’ association and the WICB seemed to have little effect on his scores. His wicket came dearly - once every 123 deliveries.
The Guyanese have contributed some magnificent players to cricket. Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Alvin Kallicharran and Lance Gibbs will rank among the all-time greats of the game. Shivnarine Chanderpaul is perhaps the greatest of them all. (Cricinfo)
Sinclair
5-41, his Guyana team mate Kevlon Anderson 2-29
Berbice Under-15 player Keith Simpson 2-25.
Javid Karim
Chandradat Veerasammy
YELLOW PAGES
tuesday, february 2,
Kerber stuns Serena Williams to win Australian Open
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Germany’s Angelique Kerber stunned world number one Serena Williams in three sets to win her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
Kerber, seeded seventh, won a thrilling final 6-4 3-6 6-4 at Melbourne Park.
The 28-year-old is the first German to win a major singles title since Steffi Graf at the 1999 French Open.
Williams, 34, was beaten for just the fifth time in 26 Grand Slam finals, and the American missed the chance to tie Graf’s open-era record of 22 titles.
Kerber, who saved a match point in her firstround win over Misaki Doi, will move up to number two in the world rankings.
Kerber blunts Williams’ power game
Kerber had won just one of six previous matches
against Williams and was making her Grand Slam final debut, but she was the better player over two hours and eight minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
She led Williams in the ace count until the latter stages, limiting her to just seven overall, while the American racked up 46 errors to just 13 by Kerber.
Williams made 23 mistakes in the first set alone - sparking memories of her desperately nervous display in losing to Roberta Vinci at the US Open last September - and Kerber took full advantage to claim it after 39 minutes.
However, the defending champion cut her error count to just five in the second set and claimed it thanks to a single break in game four.
Kerber twice moved ahead in the decider and a
stunning sixth game saw the German produce two fine drop shots and win a breathtaking 19-stroke rally to cling on to her serve and edge closer to victory.
Nerves took hold and she was broken while serving for the match, but she launched into the Williams serve once again and clinched the title when the world number one sent a volley long.
‘A dream come true’
Kerber said afterwards that being able to say she was a Grand Slam champion “sounds crazy”.
“It’s my dream come. I worked for this my whole life,” said the German.
“It’s been such an up and down two weeks, I was match point down in the first round and had one foot in the plane to Germany.
“Now I have beaten Serena and won the championship. I have so many emotions, so many thoughts, but all of them good ones.”
Williams was gracious in defeat, telling Kerber: “Angie, congratulations. You deserve this and I’m so happy for you. I really hope you enjoy this moment.”
The runner-up added: “Would I give my performance an A? No, but this is all I could produce.
“I’m not a robot. I do the best that I can. I try to win every point but realistically I can’t. Maybe someone else can.”
Holder can be “an awesome leader”, says Lara
the full support of the West Indies Cricket Board.
Holder became West Indies’ youngest ever Test captain at age 23 when he was appointed to the position last September, ahead of the tour of Sri Lanka.
And while results have hardly been flattering, Lara said Holder needed the trust of his employers in order to succeed.
“I think Jason could be an awesome captain and an awesome leader. He first of all has the ability to be in a team which is very important,” said Lara, who led West Indies in 47 of his 131 Tests.
“It is also very important that if you entrust a 23 or 24-year-old with the job of captaining the West Indies team, you have to make sure that you give him the support that is necessary. He has to have the confidence that he will be there for [an extended] period of time.
“If his performances are going to be judged too harshly then that does not make sense, as he doesn’t have the experience to do the job [at the moment].”
West Indies lost both
Tests away to Sri Lanka and were soundly beaten 2-0 in the subsequent three-Test series against Australia Down Under.
The Caribbean side have won just one of their last ten Tests – a shock five-wicket win over England last May at Kensington Oval in
Barbados.
Lara, West Indies’ alltime leading run-scorer with 11 953 runs, blamed the WICB for the regional side’s marked decline in world cricket.
“We have got a lot of things wrong in West Indies cricket. I believe that administratively we haven’t been doing the right thing. There is not effort being made to create a proper academy for our youngsters,” the 46-year-old lamented.
“The West Indies Cricket Board really hasn’t grasped what is necessary and unfortunately we are lingering at the bottom of world cricket.”
Holder is also the West Indies one-day captain and led the side at the Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last February. (windiescricket)
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Kerber becomes the first German since Steffi Graf in 1999 to win a Grand Slam title (EPA photo)
Former West Indies cap-
tain Brian Lara has backed young Test captain Jason Holder to become “an awesome leader” but believes he first requires
Jason Holder
Brian Lara
DCC to place emphasis on being a community oriented ground
By Akeem Greene
President of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Alfred Mentore believes that the club has the ability to be a focal point for community development in Queenstown and the surrounding areas.
In speaking to the Guyana Times Sport, Mentore said “this is a community ground, a community club, the surrounding areas can benefit from this club in a substantial way”.
Quizzed as to how this can become a reality he posited that “ the creation of sub-committee is a good idea as it would cater for the needs of the community and just the players as well we they strive to create a public-private partnership alongside the government as well”.
Success of 2015
“I could say the investment in our youths; we realise in the earlier years we were not winning anything and we decided to invest in our youth and those youths became adults over time”, Mentore disclosed.
The club secured the Carib Beer First Division T20 title and they also regained the Brain Street Under-15 title, a competition they won for three successive years previously, in addition to other outstanding performances.
The reason behind the success lies with the coach of
the club and former Guyana off-spinner Garvin Nedd. The President explained that “Gavin Nedd our coach has been the one so instrumental behind our development programme with a push from myself and being able to link the business community”.
Despite the success, not many of the players who would have come through the various age group stages have not gone on to play for the senior team on a consistent basis.
“What I’m a bit disappointed in is that these junior players have not transcended their success at the various youth levels and press for a place in the senior team”, he said.
Day/Night Cricket
The club installed lights in 2014 which were put in place for a community driven purpose as they also formed a partnership with the flood light group.
“We definitely believed, it is a great learning cure for youngsters as they learn how to bat, or bowl under lights; so when they go to play at other facilities with lights they are better prepared” as Mentore described the benefits of the lights.
Improving players
Nedd, Kemol Savory among many other young talented players.
Tevin Imlach
“Tevin Imlach, he would have been one those guys who are very discipline but missed out national under-15 selection because of a change in the age group requirement; he missed out again on under-17 but he was not daunted as all the time he was determined to pay for Guyana and eventually went on to play for the west Indies under-19”, DCC President explained.
Imlach can use this opportunity to gain exposure and reach greater heights and “use the front door rather than the back if he wants to play for West Indies at the senior level”.
Christopher Barnwell Barnwell made his Firstclass debut in 2009 against the Leeward Islands and his West Indies T20 debut in 2011 against Pakistan. To date he has played six T20 internationals; 39 FirstClass Matches; 29 List A matches and 69 twenty20
ber of One Day International (ODI) for the West Indies, but he has played a number of T20’s for the west indies, so there is still hope”. He further added that “he has been touted more of a T20 player but he has been making runs in the Firstclass as well as getting wickets”.
However, some disappointment lies with Mentore on his overall performances.
Founded in 1912, the “home of the legends” has produced the likes of Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, and Roger Harper who have represented the West Indies with honour in years gone by.
Now a new batch of players have surfaced, in the likes of Keemo Paul, Christopher Barnwell, Tevin Imlach, Ashmead
Global Technology win Stag Beer 7-a-side mixed hockey tournament
Global Technology behind the brilliant play of Jamarj Assanah won the second edition of the Hikers Hockey Club Stag Beer seven-a-side one day tournament that was held on Sunday at the St Stanislaus College ground, Carifesta Avenue.
The tournament which saw the best male and female players suiting up for 10 corporate sponsors finished with Global Technology inflicting a 5-nil whipping on 704 Sports Bar.
The much anticipated final between the squads was over after a first half blitz led by Global’s Jamarj Assanah who scored in the sixth and seventh minutes, after Stefan King opened proceedings in the third minute.
Allana McCullock would put her side up four on the stroke of half time with a penalty corner strike. Jason DeSantos would put his side further ahead in the first minute of the second half with a clinical strike.
Although 704 Sports Bar created several goal scoring opportunities they were all repelled by national Goalkeeper Medroy Scotland to preserve his side’s 5-0 advantage to final whistle.
In addition to the win-
ning trophy and medals, the Global Technology players also took home a share of the $100,000 first prize and two cases of Stag beer, while the run-
ners-up 704 Sports Bar took home silver medals, $20,000 and two cases of Stag beer.
Although staged in 2016, this tournament is the 2015 version which was postponed due to weather, the club intends to stage its 2016 edition later this year. Hikers will now turn their focus to preparing for their Junior Indoor Tournament also to be staged later this year.
Group ‘A included AMP Air Conditioning, C & F Meat Centre, Global Technology, Cell Phone Shack Plu’m and Elegance Boutique, while in group B there was 704 Sports Bar, Antoni’s Grille, Java Coffee Bar and Sonic Boom. The tournament which is unique to the local scene is mixed in two ways, firstly teams are made up of both men and women with the requirement that no more than three outfield players must be of the same sex and secondly the teams must be made up of a mixture of players from different clubs.
At the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup, Imlach has made 36 in their win against Fiji and scored an even century in the warm-up win over Scotland. Mentore hopes that
matches.
In commenting on Barnwell Mentore said “I truly believed in the first three - four years, he should have already played a num-
“I’m still disappointed at the twenty over and first class-one day level that he hasn’t really made a big impact because that is where he has the game and talent to make a major contribution to West Indies cricket… Ideally I would want him to make a big step and give a good account of himself and make that contribution”, were the words of Mentore.
Goals for 2016
In terms of player development of players “our coaching programmes, summer camps and programmes like public speaking will continue”.
As it regards the infrastructural development, “we will be working on your concrete practice facility to the western side of the ground, we have already started, and we are now looking at complete it and will be looking to some corporate sponsors alongside the government”, the president disclosed. He also revealed that there is a plan to build a bleachers stand at the ground.
Aliann Pompey to host 1st Invitational athletics meet at Leonora
By TreisTon Joseph
Arguably Guyana’s greatest and most accomplished track athlete, Aliann Pompey will host a track and field meet at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora on June 18 as part of Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations.
Being dubbed the “Aliann Pompey Invitational” the Commonwealth gold medalist released news of the vent via her Facebook page.
The event will pit Guyana’s best against each other as well as against “the rest of the world” according to Pompey’s Facebook page.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Pompey indicated her motivation to host the event, “I’ve approached, proposed and petitioned to host this meet for a number of years. This year several things fell into place.
“It’s the 50th anniversary, we have the new track, more people are supportive and honestly we have a much larger
group of talented athletes who deserve a stage… a stage at home,” Pompey stated. In addition Pompey indicated that the event will be held annually while disclosing her vision for the event, “Eventually I want the biggest in the world competing against Guyana’s best on our soil,” the four time Olympian noted.
Pompey has already created a Facebook page for the event with the event set to attract some top athletes from around the world.
Table Tennis beginner’s programme targets 30 schools
The Ministry of Education, Department of Sport and the National Sports Commission (NSC) in collaboration with the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) will continue the hosting of a beginner’s table tennis coaching programme at the National Gymnasium.
The programme which commenced on January 18 began its second phase on Monday and will conclude on February 12 with the aim of targeting 30 schools.
The programme attracted 17 schools for the first session, namely, Christ Church, Dolphin Sec, School of the
Nations, New Campbellville Sec, North Georgetown Sec, North Ruimveldt, Queens College, Marian Academy, St Georges, St John’s College, St Rose’s, Tucville Sec, Kingston, Queenstown, Sophia Special School, St Barnabas Special School and Freeburg Sec.
Schools expected for the second session are, Bishop’s High, Brickdam Sec, Central High, Charlestown Sec, East Ruimveldt, Richard Ishmael Sec, South Georgetown Sec, St Joseph’s High, St Mary’s High, St Stanislaus College, Tutorial High, David Rose and Lodge Sec.
The GTTA coaches are
Xenophon Goliah, Michael Kellman and Linden Johnson. The coaches are Xenophon Goliah, Michael Kellman and Linden Johnson. The objectives of the programme are to develop and improve the level of table tennis in schools, to help students with the basic skills, to help students to be better prepared for future tournaments, to increase the number of participants involved in table tennis by 25%, to identify players for future tournament and to create an integrated coaching programme that incorporate the coach education and players development.
The Demerara Cricket Club, Home of the Legends!
Alfred Mentore
Jamarj Assanah
“Paps”
taught
me
a
lot, says
young Akshaya Persaud −
West Indies U-19 selectee heaps praise on Shivnarine Chanderpaul
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
Young rising crick-
eter Akshaya
Persaud said he has learnt immensely from retired Guyanese and West Indian batting stalwart, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, noting that the recordbreaking left-hander has had a positive influence on his career.
Persaud, a West Indies Under-19 selectee, was fortunate to rub shoulders with the 41-year-old Chanderpaul in the Guyana Amazon Warriors training camp last season, as well as the Guyana Jaguars camp.
Persaud was selected by the Guyana Amazon Warriors to form part of the youth component, while he is part of the Cricket Guyana Inc. Academy group, a feeder for the Guyana Jaguars- the senior
national cricket team.
In an exclusive interview with this publication on Monday, Persaud, who bats left-handed and bowls left-arm orthodox spin, spoke of his experiences with Chanderpaul.
“Shiv would always tell me to keep it as simple as possible. Whatever the situation is, just keep your cool and you’ll eventually be successful,” Persaud related.
He added, “He would usually tell me that to chose my balls that I want to hit when batting and try to be as patient and focused as possible, and when bowling, try to identify the batsman’s strengths and weaknesses as early as possible. Apart from cricket, he would tell me to live life as a humble and simple person and not to be a person who always wants to be in the front seat of everything. He
GTT/GRFU 15’s League
would normally say to me that once I’m a discipline person, everything and anything I would achieve, whether cricket or outside of cricket.”
Persaud said Chanderpaul is always resourceful, and would willingly share his vast knowledge of the game with
UG Wolves school Falcons to secure first win
The University of Guyana (UG) ruggers were simply unstoppable in their 64-5 thrashing of Police Falcons in the GTT- sponsored Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) 15s Division One League on Sunday at the National Park.
sideline, the young Police unit played their hearts out by making some good tackles and tangible runs, but lacked the finishing element due to inexperience.
Nevertheless, it was captain Daniel De Aubrey, who muscled his way pass UG defensive line to give
and Osese McKenzie with one try each.
UG’s Coach Larry Adonis was pleased with the result, but stated that the real test for UG Wolves is when they face Yamaha Caribs in their next game on Sunday. Police Falcons would play Pepsi Hornets
Godfrey Brooms, with four tries and one conversion, along with Lancelot Adonis with three tries and six conversions, lead the assault as UG Wolves ran havoc on a listless Police Falcons.
Encouraged by their coach Troy Yhip on the
his team five points as he missed the conversion in the first half of the one-sided game.
A sudden downpour of rain could not stop the show, as UG Wolves extended their lead with scores from Rondell Mc Authur, Malcolm Rogers
young cricketers. The allrounder, who hails from West Demerara, added that he has been the beneficiary of Chanderpaul’s enormous experience on several occasions.
“Shiv or “Paps”, which I sometimes call him, is a really cool person in the dressing room. He would normal-
ly give the players advice whether we’re batting or bowling. He would point out the areas that players are lacking in, and help them to strengthen those areas. “Paps” is an open person and I would normally ask him for advice a lot of times because he’s a senior player and has played cricket throughout the cricketing world and he would freely share his views on whatever I ask him,” Persaud explained.
Quizzed on what he would have learnt from the former West Indies captain, Persaud revealed that he was fortunate to be schooled on not just cricket, but life in general.
“I have learnt a lot of things from this great legend. Cricket, lifestyle and a lot more I have learnt from him. He would normally tell me that once I’m discipline,
focus, believe in myself and in god, I’ll be a successful person in life. Also he would say that once you have the right frame of mind and thoughts before the game, and in any other situation, you’ll always be a winner,” Persaud concluded.
Chanderpaul announced his retirement from international cricket late last month, ending as the West Indies most capped Test player with 164 matches, and the West Indian with the second most ODI appearances with 268. His 11, 867 Test runs and 30 centuries are second only to Brian Lara, while he amassed 8, 778 ODI runs with 11 hundreds, ending as one of only six West Indians to score more than 10 ODI hundreds. He was thrice ranked the world number one Test batsman.
(aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)
GFSCA/DCC/Trophy Stall U-13 final Bel Air Rubis beat Everest to lift title
Bel Air Rubis have been crowned champions of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA)/Demerara Cricket Club (DCC)/Trophy Stall Under-13 competition, following a 14-run win over Everest on Sunday night.
Playing at the DCC ground in Queenstown, Bel Air Rubis posted 101, to which Everest responded with 91-6 when the overs fin-
cent track. The pair defied some steady bowling as they gathered runs on both sides of the pitch. Samaroo struck five lovely fours before he was caught off Balgobin for 43, while Dindyal was leg before to Hemant Dalip for 25. Extras contributed 29, as Balgobin finished with 3-13 and Zameer 1-20.
Balgobin and Yeudistir Persaud then added 23 for
get his innings going. The right-handed Bissu continued to time the ball well and reached the boundary on two more occasions before he skied Dindyal to mid-off when on 21. His dismissal saw a change of fortune, as Bel Air Rubis fought back with some tidy bowling, picking up the wickets of Kampta Seepersaud (04), Dalip (06) to leave Everest at 64-4.
ished.
on Saturday.
Games slated for this weekend will be played at the National Park rugby field and start at 16:00h. The four teams competing in the tournament are UG Wolves, Police Falcons, Pepsi Hornets and Yamaha Caribs.
Openers Umarie Lalbachan (01) and Shivanand Gosain (05) were removed by Mohamed Zameer and Usherteva Balgobin respectively as Bel Air Rubis were reduced to 9-2, batting first in front of a fair-sized crowd.
However, Man-of-thematch Andrew Samaroo and Hemnauth Dindyal resurrected the innings with a third wicket stand of 86 with level-headed batting on a de-
the opening stand to give their team a fine start before Persaud, one of the tournament’s leading run scorers, was dismissed for the first time in the competition when he was run out for two.
Balgobin and Nyron Bissu kept their team in the hunt with a second wicket stand of 24. While Balgobin was content to rotate the strike, Bissu signalled his intentions early when he drove Gosain handsomely to the cover boundary to
Runs gradually dried up as Dindyal, who snared 2-14, and Rudranauth Kissoon with 2-19 maintained a tidy line, giving their team the upper hand. With 21 needed from the final over, Everest only managed 11, losing Balgobin run out for 18 (2x4s) and Zacharia Mootoo for seven. Andrea Boyce (08*) and Mohamed Zameer (01*) were the not out batmen as Everest finished on 91-6.
Shivnarine ChanderpaulAkshaya Persaud
Tough battle! Police Falcons (blue uniform) attempt to gain possession of the ball
Ryan Dey (with ball in hand) of UG Wolves on the offensive against the Falcons
Members of the Bel Air Rubis team in a jubilant mood following their win on Sunday night
Technology (green) and 704 (purple) celebrate after the presentation ceremony
Aliann Pompey
Akshaya Persaud and Shivnarine Chanderpaul at a function last year to honour the Guyanese lefthander